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Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Police boss promises adequate security in Niger

    Police boss promises adequate security in Niger

    The Police Command in Niger has said it is ready to provide adequate security before, during and after the 57th Independence celebrations of the country in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police for the command, Mr Austine Agbonlahor, gave the promise in an interview in Minna on Friday.

    Agbonlahor said that the command had mobilised all needed manpower and logistics that would enable it provide a secured environment for the peaceful conduct of all celebrations in the area.

    He said that operational order on how to provide conducive atmosphere across the state had been worked out for implementation by officers and men of the command.

    “We have deployed sufficient personnel to all public buildings and recreational centres for well coordinated, physical policing against any form of security threats,” he said.

    He advised residents to be security conscious always while attending public functions, assuring them that the command would intensify efforts in feasibility policing to safeguard life and property.

    “We need intelligence information about miscreants to enable us come out with plausible security measures to arrest and prosecute them.

    NAN

  • Court jails student for wristwatch theft

    Court jails student for wristwatch theft

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Firday, sentenced a 23-year old student, Abdulrazak Yahaya, for stealing a Piaget wristwatch worth N100,000.

    The Presiding Judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, found the convict, who hails from Maraba in Nasarawa state, guilty of the two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft, and sentenced him to seven months imprisonment.

    Ishaq however, gave the convict an option to pay N17, 000 as fine, as he pleaded guilty and begged for the court’s mercy.

    The magistrate ordered the recovered wristwatch be returned to the complainant.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Mahmud Ismail’a, told the court that on Sept. 27, the complainant, one Alamin Garba of Karu, reported the case at Karu police station.

    He alleged that the complainant had accommodated the defendant in his apartment, having attended a birthday party and stayed out late in the night in Karu.

    Ismail’a told the court that as soon as the defendant left the complainant’s apartment in the morning, he discovered that his luxury Piaget wristwatch purchased for N100, 000, was missing.

    He said the complainant immediately reported the matter at the police station, whose operatives promptly arrested the defendant in his home and found in his possession, the stolen wristwatch.

    The prosecutor, who said the offences contravened Sections 312 and 287 of the Penal code, added that the recovered wristwatch was in police custody.

  • Adamawa: Ex-PDP chairman, others in prison over IDPs food

    Adamawa: Ex-PDP chairman, others in prison over IDPs food

    A Federal High Court in Yola has ordered the remand of former Adamawa PDP Chairman, Alhaji Abdurrahman Bobboi, in prison for allegedly diverting food meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    Also remanded were Mr Sanda Lamurde, a former Commissioner for Finance, and Feredan George, a former Chief Store Officer of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA ).

    Justice Bilkisu Aliyu gave the order on Wednesday, at the hearing of a case of alleged forgery and stealing brought against the trio by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ).

    The accused are facing 16 charges bordering on forgery, theft and fraud.

    According to the EFCC Counsel, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, the suspects were arraigned following a petition received from members of Agricultural Transformation Agro-Allied Farmers Cooperative Union, Adamawa chapter.

    The union, in its petition to the EFCC, had alleged that the loan granted to Adamawa State farmers, from the Central Bank of Nigeria. were not disbursed to them.

    It claimed that the funds were diverted into the purchase of food for IDPs by the state government.

    Aliyu said that after investigation, the commission decided to arraign the suspects over the said transaction.

    He alleged that the accused persons took advantage of their membership of the State Committee on the Welfare of the IDPs, to perpetrate crime.

    According to him, Lamurde, who served under former governor Bala Ngillari, was the chairman of the committee while Abdurrahman Bobboi, a former Chief Protocol Officer to the governor, was a member.

    “The suspects conspired among themselves and diverted the funds amounting to N587 million released by the Adamawa State Government to buy food and  other basic needs of IDPs” he said.

    He said that the crime was committed between March and May, 2015.

    The judge, who adjourned the case to Nov. 10 for trial, ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their bail application.

  • FG, stakeholders begin review of agric sector performance

    FG, stakeholders begin review of agric sector performance

    The Federal Government ( FG ) has commenced the review of the performance and developments recorded in the agriculture sector between 2010 and 2016, in collaboration with some development partners.

    Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this at the Nigeria’s Agricultural Joint Sector Review in Abuja on Thursday.

    The minister said the review was to assess the progress made in policies implementation in the sector in line with the Malabo declaration.

    Ogbeh, represented by Mr Auwal Mai-Dabino, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry, noted that the assessment was geared toward highlighting the successes and challenges faced in the sector over the years, with a view to tackling them to sustain the current growth rate in the sector.

    According to him, the review will help to reposition the sector for better performance.

    The minister said the Federal Government ( FG ) had articulated 10 key areas to double productivity and improve access to export markets in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP ).

    He listed some of the priorities given to agricultural projects to include comprehensive livestock development, input transformation, produce and commodity storage systems, expansion support project and nutrition among others.

    “This review will assist the government in setting sector policy and priorities, programming, budget preparation and execution, monitoring and evaluation.

    “This will help in sectoral planning process to achieve national goals and targets, assess how well state and non-state actors have implemented pledges and commitments for overall development of the sector,’’ he said.

    Assessing the performance, Prof. Olomola Aderibigbe from the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), emphasised the need to transform the agricultural marketing system.

    Aderibigbe, who said that poor market strategy was a major challenge in the agriculture sector, noted that agriculture experienced slow growth within the years under review.

    “As much as we put emphasis on boosting production and promoting export and investment in agriculture, we should not lose sight of the marketing aspect.

    “There is need for transformation in agricultural marketing, so that we can have better prosperity to share for the farmers.

    “Farmers find it difficult to sell their produce, to earn from their venture.

    “Nigeria has been lagging behind in the area of marketing and without market transformation, growth in the sector will not be sustained,’’ he said.

    Dr Kehinde Makinde, the Country Team Leader of the Alliance for Green a Green Revolution in Africa ( AGRA ), appealed to the government at all levels to create an enabling environment for businesses, especially industries to buy raw materials from farmers.

    Makinde commended the review process, adding that it would help the government make informed decisions that would promote the agriculture sector.

    AGRA, is one of the facilitators of the review and development partners of the programme.

    Chief Daniel Okafor, the Vice National Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN ), commended the Federal Government and other development partners for instituting the review.

    He said the review, which was the first of its kind, would help government fashion out ways of creating markets for farmers to sell their produce.

    “Nigeria’s population is growing and every stakeholder needs be involved to find ways of increasing food production.

    “Now that farmers are involved in the review, we will speak out on what we need to boost production,’’ he said.

    Mrs Nkiruka Nnaemego, the Founder of the Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative, appealed to the Federal Government to support the youths in agriculture by providing agricultural land to young farmers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Malabo declaration on agriculture was adopted at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June 2014 during which AU Heads of State and Government.

    It is geared toward accelerating agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihood.

    The 2014 declaration was a formal commitment by AU Heads of States and Governments to provide effective leadership to achieve some specific goals by the year 2025.

  • Nigerian flutist, Tee Mac, calls for revival of live shows

    Nigerian flutist, Tee Mac, calls for revival of live shows

    Omatshola Iseli, also known as Tee Mac, has advised artistes and other  stakeholders in the tourism sector to revive  live shows as a means of attracting international tourists to Nigeria.

    Iseli told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that popular and talented artistes should be invited by organisers as guest artistes would attract unprecedented audience.

    They could be held at recreational centres, amusement parks and nightclubs while revenues generated from there would boost the nation’s revenue base and enhance its gross domestic products ( GDP ).

    Tee Mac said that live shows would also provide job opportunities for many people that would be hired by the organizers .

    “We must ensure that life performances are restored to boost tourism and the entertainment industry.

    “Nigerians are fun lovers and they leave the shores of this country to have fun abroad when they can be well entertained here,” he said.

    Tee Mac said that budding artists and the established ones make huge sums of money abroad from entertainment.

    He added that the revival of life shows would reduce criminal activities among youths who would have the opportunities to showcase their talents in one entertainment or the other.

  • Man docked for theft of electrical cables

    Man docked for theft of electrical cables

    A 22-year-old man, Samuel Adedamola, on Thursday, appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, accused of stealing electric cables worth N20,000.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Akpan Ikem, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 8 at the office of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at Seme.

    “The accused broke into the premises and stole some cable wires.

    “He was about escaping with them when he was caught by the security guard,” he said.

    Ikem said the offence committed contravened Section 285 of the Criminal law of Lagos State, Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence stipulates a three years jail term if found liable.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Jimoh Adefioye, however, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till Oct. 4 for mention.

  • Niger creates Department of Oil and Gas

    Niger creates Department of Oil and Gas

    The Niger Government has approved the creation of a Department of Oil and Gas under the state Ministry of Mineral Resources.

    Alhaji Mudi Mohammed, the state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, told newsmen  in Minna on Thursday that the approval was given by Gov. Abubakar Bello at  the weekly State Executive Council meeting.

    He said since the state was  prospecting for  oil and gas  in Bida and Zungeru Basin, there was need for the creation of a department that would oversees the production process in line with the Federal Government’s  mandate.

    Mohammed also said  the department would be responsible for coordinating the exploration, development and deployment process to attract  investors.

    He further  said that the department would liaise with the Federal Government on the exploration and development of  the oil and gas sector in the state.

    According to him, the Bida Basin had been blocked into 17 oil blocks, with Main Land Oil and Gas Company already applying  for two blocks–Oil Prospecting License 501 (OPL) and OPL 517.

    The commissioner added that a Chinese Company had visited the sites and taken  samples to China  for assessment.

    He also said the  state government in collaboration with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation would soon visit the Kutigi and Gulu exploration sites.

  • Ondo vows to deal with tax impostors

    Ondo vows to deal with tax impostors

    Ondo State Government says it will deal with all those impersonating government tax collectors constitutionally.

    Otunba Timehin Adelegbe, the ondo state Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, made the promise in Akure on Thursday while hosting market women and men in the state.

    Adelegbe said that his ministry had received information about some fraudulent elements parading themselves as tax collectors.

    According to him, all markets in the state will now be maintained and sanitised, while market leaders would be involved in revenue collection and maintenance.

    He called for cooperations in all the markets, while the markers users should play their expected roles.

    Adelegbe said that unauthorised hawkers around the markets would be flushed out.

    “Play your role by playing your levies and you will get value for your money.

    “Those hanging  around the markets will be removed,” he said.

    Earlier, Dr Dupe Eshofonie, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said that the markets were meant for all interested indigenes of the state.

    Mr James Yenyen, the Chairman of Igbokoda Market, said that the state government should allow the market users to be paying their levies to banks, rather than individual tax collectors to check tax impostors.

    Mrs Iyabo Adepoju, the Chairperson of Afunbiowo Market, urged the state government to renovate some facilities in the market, promising that she was ready to collaborate with the government.

  • Abdusalami tasks Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    Abdusalami tasks Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    A former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to live in peace with one another.

    Abubakar said this on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara, while responding to questions from journalists.

    He advised those agitating for the restructuring of the country to follow due process and the rule of law.

    Abubakar said that Nigeria had evolved through a long history which began as a region, expanding to additional regions up to what are now the 36 states and the FCT.

    He said that the present administration was doing its best to restore the country’s lost glory and that this could only be achieved through the support of all Nigerians.

    He said that he was in the state to check on his mining site in order to boost its potential, especially, now that the Federal Government was focusing on the non-oil sectors.

    The former head of state commended the state government for the provision of infrastructure in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar was earlier received by the state deputy governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, who assured him of the state government’s willingness to support investors by providing them an enabling environment.

  • Osinbajo endorses ACP endowment fund for growth

    Osinbajo endorses ACP endowment fund for growth

    The Vice-President, Prof.  Yemi Osinbajo, has endorsed the establishment an endowment fund for the African, Caribbean and Pacific ( ACP ) group.

    He described the initiative as timely to put members on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    The vice-president spoke in Abuja on Thursday when he received an ACP delegation, comprising its Chairman, Amb. Amadou Diop, the Secretary General, Dr Patrick Gomes, among others.

    “Setting up of an endowment fund like the one proposed will, in a way, guarantee an independent ACP.

    “Because if our development partners continue to give us the kind of support that they are giving now, they will definitely want to determine our course of development in the future,’’ he said.

    The vice-president pledged Nigeria’s unalloyed support for ACP, especially in its agenda on climate change and others, and urged member-nations to remain united in pursuit of the organisation’s objectives.

    “Nigeria remains firmly in support of the ACP because we have benefited so much from the organisation.

    “But I also want to emphasise the need for us to stay together.

    “The ACP has the potential to achieve a lot, especially in the focal areas of climate change, security and economic emancipation,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo, however, emphasised the need for the group to review existing international regulations as it strove to address challenges of terrorism and armed conflicts within ACP member-nations.

    He commended the leadership of ACP for the work done so far and promised to convey the group’s message to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In separate remarks, Gomes and Diop commended the role played by Nigeria in advancing the cause of ACP  on the African continent and the world.

    They solicited Nigeria’s support in the actualisation of ACP objectives, especially in the establishment of the fund.

    “The key of Africa and the region is Nigeria hence the respect accorded the country by the ACP,’’ Gomes said.

    The vice-president also received Mohamed Al Oraby, a special envoy of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

    The envoy who delivered a special letter from the Egyptian president, sought Nigeria’s support for Egypt’s candidate, Ms Moushira Khattab, in the November 2017 election for the Director-General of UNESCO.