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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Army lunches operation crocodile smile II in C/River

    Army lunches operation crocodile smile II in C/River

    The Nigerian Army has lunched the second phase of its operation code name `Crocodile Smile II’ in Cross River.

    Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu lunched the operation on Wednesday in Calabar.

    He said the operation was meant to complement the ongoing `Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

    He said the operation was in line with the Army’s efforts to curb militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of illegality in the state and beyond.

    The Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, conducted the GOC round the creeks of Ikang in Bakassi LGA to the Amphibious Training School fleet yard in Calabar by speed boat.

    Abubakar said: “from Ikang in Bakassi local government to the Calabar channel, I can say that the soldiers have been doing well in protecting the coastal areas along with the navy.

    “I am happy that the Director of the State Security Service also went with us throughout the sea patrol.

    “It shows that we are united in providing security to the people of the state and beyond.

    “I am very certain that this exercise will help in securing our nation just as we recorded tremendous success in exercise Egwu Eke.

    “Crocodile smile cut across four divisions; they include 81, 2, 6 and 82 divisions respectively.

    “We hope to record successful outcome at the end of the operation on the 28 of Oct.

    “What we are doing here right now is exactly what is going on in Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa Rivers and Cross River states respectively.’’

    The GOC said the operation would also help in enhancing civil-military relationship, teach the troops general administration, operational logistics, equipment maintenance, arms handling and others.

    He called on the public to support the operation by availing the Army and other security agencies with useful and timely information that would enable them respond on time to cases of emergencies.

    NAN

  • ‘Dredging of Calabar Port to begin soon’

    ‘Dredging of Calabar Port to begin soon’

    The Calabar Port Manager, Mrs Olufumilayo Olotu, has given an assurance  that the much anticipated dredging of the Calabar Channel will begin in a few weeks.

    Olotu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Calabar when she led the management team of Calabar Port on a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.

    “I am happy to announce to you that the advert for the dredging of Calabar Port will be out in the next three weeks.

    “ It ia a real dredging not photo dredging. Very soon,  we will have container vessels; Roro vessels and other bigger vessels coming to the Calabar Port.

    “I pray that all of us will be alive to witness the return of full activities at the Calabar Port,” she said.

    She, however,  appealed to the traditional ruler  to prevail on the state government to review its tax regime as it concerns the port to enable  business thrive.

    “I appeal that we should all partner together with both the Obong and the state government to make operations at the port easier for investors.

    “Everything that is required to make the operations at the port smooth must be done.

    “ Let taxes be moderate and affordable to allow our business partners to operate successfully,” she said.

    The manager also told the monarch that a flat bottom vessel from Greece,  “MV Desert Ranger, ’’ was already in the port awaiting to be unveiled.

    Responding, the monarch  described the visit as very exciting, especially  as it brought the the news of the  impending commencement of the dredging of the port.

    He emphasised the importance of the port to the economy of Cross River and Nigeria at large.

    “The Calabar Port was meant to serve Cross River; Southeastern Nigeria and the North East.

    “  So all we have to do is to continually pray that the dredging will come to pass.

    “With the functionality of the port, we know that  economic activities in Calabar and the neighbouring states will come alive again,” he said.

    NAN

  • Anambra poll: INEC trains staff on violence mitigation

    Anambra poll: INEC trains staff on violence mitigation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has commenced the training of its officers on the application of Election Mitigation and Advocacy Tool ( EVMAT ).

    The training, being conducted in Awka,  capital of Anambra, is in preparation for the Nov. 18 governorship election in the state.

    INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Osaze-Uzzi said the training was organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI), training and research arm of INEC.

    He said the training was aimed at developing the capacity of the participants to deploy violence reduction mechanisms to minimise electoral risks during the governorship poll.

    The statement quoted the Acting Director-General of TEI, Dr Sa’ad Idris, as saying that proper application of EVMAT was key in reducing risk of violence during election.

    Idris said the training was geared toward equipping the participants with the necessary skills to effectively administer EVMAT in their respective local government areas.

    “The standardised EVMAT offers unique opportunities for all stakeholders in the electoral process to effectively prevent and mitigate election violence.

    “The instrument possesses higher predictive power that can help appreciate main risk factors through early warning that may inform proactive response.

    “INEC in recent past has deployed the EVMAT instrument in a bid to test the pulse of various players in order to accurately predict and advise on actions to be taken by those responsible for securing elections.

    “The effective application of this instrument will determine the level of accuracy of report and risk factor mapping emanating therefrom,” he said.

    According to Idris, the participants were carefully selected to receive the training before being deployed to the various local government areas to administer the instruments which would be analysed and coded by a data analyst.

    He added that successful risk mapping could only be achieved using accurate data.

    NAN

  • Bello promises promotion, empowerment of girl-child

    Bello promises promotion, empowerment of girl-child

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday said his government would collaborate with relevant agencies toward the promotion and empowerment of girl-child in the state.

    Bello made the pledge in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Onyegbule, in Lokoja to mark the 2017 International Day of the Girl-Child”.

    International Day of the Girl-Child is celebrated annually on Oct. 11 to highlight issues concerning the gender inequality facing young girls.

    This year’s theme is: “The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030.”

    The governor said that he was not unaware of the myriad of issues facing girl-child in today’s society during the time of conflicts and peace.

    “As a father and a governor, I am aware of the need for the girl-child to be empowered for life, especially during conflicts through information and education.

    “My administration will continually seek ways to ensure that this objective is achieved in collaboration with relevant agencies within and outside the country,” he said.

    Bello assured that girls in the state would continue to be adequately taken care of under the present administration in the state.

    He said that his administration would also continue to explore policies, opportunities and partnerships which would empower girl-child since they suffer most in times of crisis.

    The governor said that the 2017 commemoration of the girl-child was to reflect on the plights of girls in IDP Camps in the North-East and the psychological trauma they had suffered over the years.

    Bello said that while the Nigerian Military was winning the war against terrorism, all hands should be on deck to empower the survivor girls to live purposeful lives that would impact the society.

    He appreciated the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in securing the release of the Chibok Girls, assuring that others would soon reunite with their families.

    The governor said that the Federal Government was doing its best to ensure that everyone in captivity was freed.

    He urged the three tiers of government, domestic and international partners, non-governmental organisations, religious leaders and the society to intensify efforts in the pursuit of a better life for girls during peace.

    Bello appealed to parents and caregivers to pay closer attention to the needs of the girl-child.

    According to him, instilling values of strength, self awareness, self confidence are the most effective ways of empowering the girl-child to adequately prepare for the vagaries and cruelty of life.

    NAN

  • ‘$18bn Dangote refinery will boost Nigeria’s foreign investment’

    ‘$18bn Dangote refinery will boost Nigeria’s foreign investment’

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ), western zone, on Wednesday says that the 18 billion dollars Dangote refinery will boost the country’s foreign investment when it finally comes on stream.

    The Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, said this in an interview in Lagos against the backdrop of arrears of N800 billion government owed marketers on subsidy.

    The Dangote refinery, which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day with petrochemical plant which will produce 780 KTPA Polypropylene, 500 KTPA of Polyethylene, is expected to come on stream by 2019.

    Ahmed said the multi-billion dollar project, when completed, would finally address the challenges facing the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry and also aid the nation’s economy.

    He said that the refinery would also attract more foreign investments into the country’s economy and boost oil and gas revenue , while urging Federal Government to intensify support for the actualisation of the project.

    The IPMAN boss urged government to formulate policies that would liberalise the market to promote downstream sector.

    He said that government had a lot of roles to play in setting the right policies for a robust and investment friendly atmosphere.

    According to him, the refinery is expected to create over 300,000 jobs and eradicate petroleum products importation in the country by the first quarter of 2019 when it’s finally completed.

    “The refinery, when completed, would save the country billions of dollars foreign exchange on petroleum product importation and also create foreign exchange earning to Nigeria from the savings.

    “The refinery would also complement the existing refineries in the country to boost refined products and would crash the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) because the product is refined in the country.

    “Therefore, it will save some costs incurred in the import market and crash price of petrol in the market,’’ he said.

    Ahmed, however, appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that would reshape the oil and gas industry.

    He said that the pending bill had affected the economy’s growth of the industry, adding that the passage of the governance aspect of the bill was a right direction but other bills needed to be addressed urgently.

    NAN

  • Stakeholders want FG to commit to tourism development

    Stakeholders want FG to commit to tourism development

    Some stakeholders in the tourism industry in the country have appealed to the Federal Government (FG ) to strengthen regulatory institutions and create enabling environment for the sector to thrive.

    Those who spoke in an interview with our reporter on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the sector required positive change to contribute to the development of the economy.

    Mr Abiodun Odusanwo, President, Institute of Tourism Professionals ( ITP ), said the agency handling the development of the sector needed to be empowered to carry out its role in line with global best practices.

    “Government needs to strengthen these institutions, review their laws and ensure that the laws establishing them reflect current realities; an example is the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

    “Also, the laws establishing the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism ( NIHOTOUR ) as the engine room for manpower development for the industry need to be adequate.

    “This is because without enhanced capacity development, we cannot get the skills required for the industry; when we get this arrangement right, we will achieve much,’’ Odusanwo said.

    The ITP president, who is also the second National President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, said there was a need for positive connectivity between tourism and other associated economic activities.

    He said that transportation was instrumental to the development of tourism, and would facilitate movement from one tourist site to the other.

    “There is a need to synergise the tourism ministry, aviation industry and mass transport. If these ministries or agencies are connected, we would have a sustainable tourism development in the country,’’ Odusanwo said.

    Also, Mr Ayedun Sikiru, the former Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Osun State, said there was the need to provide security for life and property in the country and tourist sites respectively.

    “Apart from provision of security, more private sector investments in the hospitality industry should be encouraged.

    “Infrastructural development is also important. With good road networks, I believe that tourism can be a good revenue earner for us in this country,’’ Sikiru said.

    Similarly, Malam Aliyu Badaki, President, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Nigeria, said that the Federal Government ( FG ) needed to be committed to the development of tourism by providing an enabling environment.

    “The provision of enabling environment in terms of access roads to the various destinations and provision of adequate security for visitors cannot be gainsaid.

    “The government should also be serious in engaging the private sector in the development of the sector to make it a genuine revenue earner for the country,’’ Badaki stressed.

    Also, Mrs Christiana Agbo, Secretary, Society for Tourism Entrepreneurs and Professionals, said lack of professionalism was responsible for stagnation of the sector.

    “Government should consider professionalism when appointing persons to head tourism agencies.

    “It should also be committed to the provision of infrastructure in recognition that tourism can contribute greatly to the development of the nation,’’ Agbo said.

    NAN

  • Kaduna State to host Verdant Zeal SMEs round-table

    Kaduna State to host Verdant Zeal SMEs round-table

    Verdant Zeal Group says it will  convene the first Innovation Round-table to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Start-up Entrepreneurs in Kaduna State to create a platform to showcase their innovations.

    Dr Tunji Olugbodi, the Executive Vice Chairman of Verdant Zeal Group, organiser of the round-table made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Kaduna State.

    He said that the event would create a free platform for employers of labour, e-commerce entrepreneurs and SMEs to appreciate the place of innovation in business growth.

    Olugbodi said that Verdant Zeal Group was hosting the event in collaboration with the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd.  (PAN) and the Kaduna State Government.

    “The Verdant Zeal Group had been holding the innovation series as a corporate social responsibility initiative since the last six years with participants from different parts of the Africa,’’ he said.

    He said that the initiative was meant to examine the development of Africa, discuss the Nigerian project and expose opportunities for development and growth within the continent.

    “The Innovation Round-table is propelled by the success achieved with the annual innovation series which has held since 2012 but with a renewed vision to impact key economic hubs across Nigeria.

    “The Verdant Zeal annual innovation series has expanded in scope and subject matter to hold at the first Innovation Roundtable for SMEs and Start-up Entrepreneurs.

    “This year’s theme of the round-table is `How Innovation Drives Entrepreneurship; The Case for SMEs and Start-Ups’,“ the convener said.

    He said that guests from both the public and private sectors would engage in stimulating but pragmatic conversations and discourse that would add value to SMEs and entrepreneurs and their actors.

    Olugbodi said that the event, scheduled for Oct. 19, would attract speakers from different fields including Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, the Chairman of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Hamisu Yusuf Mairago, the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Boyi, among others.

    “The round-table has now expanded its offerings for a richer and more diverse audience who want to practically evaluate issues experienced by key economic hub in Nigeria and come up with lasting workable solutions.“

    The panel discussants at the event will be the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Laoye Jaiyeola; Founder/CEO, Zamani Foundation, Philomena Zamani-Henry.

    Others are Chairperson of WIMBIZ, Aisha Ahmad and Kabir Farida Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer, Online Training and Awareness Campaign (OTRAC).

    NAN

  • Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Borno says about 40 Boko Haram insurgents have indicated willingness to surrender to the Corps in the state.

    The Commandant of the corps in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    Abdullahi said that the insurgents had indicated their intention to renounce membership of the terrorist group but through an intermediary.

    He said that negotiations between the command and the insurgents were conducted through a firewood vendor.

    He also said that six insurgents had earlier surrendered to the Corps in the last one month in the state.

    The commandant stated that the extremists surrendered voluntarily under the Federal Government’s Safe Corridor Initiative( SCI ).

    “About 40 of the insurgents have come forward to surrender. They indicated that many of them are willing to lay down their arms,” Abdullahi said.

    According to him, the command has also conducted town hall meetings with communities and religious leaders to enhance security in the state.

    NAN report that hundreds of the insurgents had surrendered to the Nigerian Army under the SCI in the past three months.

    The surrendered insurgents are currently undergoing De-radicalisation process at the Military Rehabilitation Centre, Gombe, to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

    NAN

  • Court docks Businessman over fraud

    Court docks Businessman over fraud

    A 50-year-old businessman, Patrick Nwagwe, who allegedly obtained N78,000 from a trader under false pretences, was on Wednesday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Nwagwe, a resident of Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a charge of obtaining under false pretences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 30 at College Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

    Kokoye alleged that the accused obtained N78, 000 from the complainant, Juliana Kevel, on the pretext of supplying some goods to her.

    He said that the accused instead of supplying the goods, absconded with the money.

    “When the complainant did not get the goods, she became worried and decided to call Nwagwe.

    “But, when Kevel demanded for her goods or refund of her money, the accused started giving flimsy excuses,’’ Kokoye said.

    The prosecutor said that the complainant reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested.

    The offence contravened Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences, if found guilty.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    Etti adjourned the case until Nov.14 for further hearing.

    NAN

  • Kebbi earmarks N900m for digitisation of state TV, Radio

    Kebbi earmarks N900m for digitisation of state TV, Radio

    The Kebbi Government has earmarked N900 million for the digitisation of the state radio and television stations, a government statement said on Wednesday.

    The statement signed by Abubakar Dakingari, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Atiku Bagudu, said the decision followed complaints that most parts of the state were not getting the stations’ signals.

    According to the statement, the latest complain was by the Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi, who said that the entire emirate do not enjoy the services of the stations.

    “The emir said the situation made it impossible for people in the emirate to be conversant and abreast of the day-to-day activities and policies of the government,” it said.

    According to the statement, the governor is committed to ensuring that the two broadcast stations cover the whole state including Zuru and Yauri Local Government Areas.

    NAN