The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • France invests N150 billion in Nigeria

    France invests N150 billion in Nigeria

    The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to France, Dr. Modupe Irele, on Tuesday announced that France
    invested about N150 billion ( 350 million euros ) in Nigeria in 2017.

    Irele told newsmen in Lagos that the amount was disbursed as soft loans to the Federal and State Governments,
    as well as the private sector.

    “It is estimated that in 2017 alone, France invested around 350 million Euros (about N150 billion) in Nigeria, mostly through soft
    loans to both the Federal and State governments and the private sector.

    “Available records also state that at the end of the first quarter of 2017, the trade volume between France and Nigeria stood at N668 .75
    billion ( 1.9 billion euros ).

    “And in 2016, the volume of trade transacted between Nigeria and France was ₦339.77 billion,’’ she said.

    Irele said that France and Nigeria’s economic relations had over the past 100 years been dominated by businesses in oil and gas,
    construction and other enterprises.

    Read also: France convicts Equatorial Guinea vice president of money laundering

    According to her, Nigeria remains France’s first trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

    The Ambassador said that more French companies and businesses were prepared to take advantage of the nation’s ongoing initiatives at enhancing the Ease of Doing business in Nigeria, for foreign investors.

    “The French, like many other business people, are showing interest in the drive to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and welcome the policies as positive developments.

    “The over 100 years plus of Franco/Nigeria economic relations, have largely been dominated by big businesses in oil and gas,
    construction and others.

    “However, we are witnessing a significant shift of interest to areas, including the agro-allied industry, SMEs, renewable energy, technology and start-ups, among others,’’ she said.

    Irele said that she was currently working at increasing socio-cultural exchanges between France and Nigeria, as well as expanding mutually beneficial economic ties between both countries.

    The Nigerian Representative in France added that her embassy would also exploit unexplored investment and export opportunities between both countries.

    “We are also encouraging cooperation in the areas of technology, research and development, given the critical role technology is
    playing in defining our today and tomorrow,’’ she added.

    The trade volume between France and Nigeria hit 1.9 billion euros ( about N668 .75 billion ) in the first quarter of 2017.

    NAN

  • Work resumes in Osun as Labour Unions suspend strike

    Work resumes in Osun as Labour Unions suspend strike

    Workers in Osun on Tuesday returned to work after the Joint Labour Unions in the state called off the indefinite strike embarked on last week Wednesday.

    The leadership of the labour unions in the state had called for indefinite strike, which commenced on December 27  to demand for outstanding salaries and promotion of workers.

    The Industrial action was, however, called off on Saturday after the state government acceded to their demands.

    A visit to the state secretariat at Abere, Osogbo, indicated that workers are back to their duty posts after the holidays as the secretariat gates, which were shut during the strike, are now open to workers.

    A staff in the secretariat, Mr. Akeem Ajagbe, said: “workers are like sheep being led by the labour unions, and whatever their decision they make must be complied with.

    “As long as the welfare of workers, which includes our full salary payment and promotion is assured, we are glad to return to work.” he said.

    He said that although he celebrated the New Year with mixed feelings as they were yet to receive full salary for December as promised by the government, he was happy to see the beginning of a new year with the hope that things would be better in 2018.

    At the two local government secretariats of Olorunda and Osogbo, both in Osogbo, workers were equally back to their duty posts.

    Some workers were, however, seen in groups discussing, while some were seen cleaning their offices to start the day’s work.

    Read also: Labour union rejects bill on hate speeches

    Workers at state health institutions (state hospital, Asubiaoro, and Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH ) in Osogbo were also seen attending to patients.

    An elderly patient, Mrs. Oloyode Awoniyi, who was at the eye clinic department of LAUTECH, told newsmen that she was scheduled for appointment with doctors on Thursday, but because of the strike, she had to return today to reschedule and if possible be attended to by a doctor.

    Awoniyi said the strike caused her so much stress, coming from a distance as it had caused so many others too.

    She said that the crowd at the eye clinic had doubled due to patients missing out previous appointments because of the strike.

    Mrs. Ayoka Lawal said: “I am a patient on health insurance ( NHIS ) and I register with LAUTECH. I was unable to get treatment on Saturday due to the strike.

    “Thank God, my condition is not life threatening. Only God knows what would have happened to me.”

    Other private businesses and federal establishments in the state were back to full operation from the Yuletide and New Year holidays.

    NAN

  • 2017: 143 die, 843 injured in Edo auto crashes

    2017: 143 die, 843 injured in Edo auto crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Edo says a total of 143 persons died and 843 others were injured in various auto crashes across the state in 2017.

    Mr. Samuel Odukoya, the FRSC Sector Commander, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Benin on Tuesday.

    Odukoya said 226 auto crashes were recorded in the state during the period involving 2,285 persons comprising 1,539 males, 598 females and 148 children.

    The sector commander in Edo disclosed that during the yuletide alone, 21 cases of traffic crashes were recorded with 101 casualties of which 11 were killed and 90 persons injured.

    Read also: Obaseki: Gains of transformational leadership in Edo

    According to him, a greater percentage of the accidents were due to over speeding, followed by mechanical deficiencies in the vehicles with brake failure alone accounting for about 10 per cent.

    Odukoya added that two per cent of the accidents were due to tyre burst, while road traffic violations and wrong overtaking also accounted for two per cent each.

    NAN

  • Nigeria hosts first int’l shooting coaching course

    Nigeria hosts first int’l shooting coaching course

    Brig.-Gen. Oladeji Adeoye (rtd), President, Nigeria Shooting Federation ( NSF ) says the International Shooting Sport Federation ( ISSF ) Grade D Coaching Course will begin in Abuja from January 21 – 26.

    Adeoye told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the global event was the first to be hosted by the federation since its establishment in 1986.

    He urged the nation’s coaches to register for the course so as to become ISSF certified coaches instead going abroad to acquire the certificate.

    “I am very happy to see our board’s efforts yielding significant fruits since it was inaugurated on July 21, 2017.

    “Applicants for ISSF Grade D coaching certificate in pistol and riffle from around the world will participate in the course.

    “We assure participants of wonderful time because of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development’s support for the event,” he said.

    Read also: IPC seeks probe of reporter’s shooting

    Adeoye called on corporate organizations and philanthropists to support the federation in its bid to make the nation the hub of shooting sport in Africa.

    The  ISSF Grade A tutors and ex-world shooting champions will serve as resource persons during the course.

    NAN

  • U.S. to withhold $255m military aid to Pakistan

    U.S. to withhold $255m military aid to Pakistan

    The U.S. authorities decided to withhold 255 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan after President Donald Trump’s critical remarks about the south Asian country, local media reported.

    On Monday, Trump wrote on his Twitter page that the U.S. had allocated millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan, while the latter had not contributed to countering terrorism and provided safe harbor to terrorists from Afghanistan.

    The U.S. president vowed to stop providing financial aid for Pakistan.

    “The U.S. does not plan to spend the 255 million dollars in ( Fiscal Year ) 2016 Foreign Military Financing for Pakistan at this time…

    “The president has made clear that the U.S. expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil, and that Pakistan’s actions in support of the South Asia Strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance,” a national security official told the Fox News broadcaster on Monday.

    Read also: Pakistan finance minister denies corruption charges

    The official added that Trump would continue to review Pakistan’s level of cooperation.

    Pakistan is a U.S. partner in southern Asia but the Afghan Islamist movement of Taliban, outlawed in Russia, uses territories in northern Pakistan for its bases.

    Moreover, Osama bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda terrorist organisation ( also banned in Russia ), who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was found and killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011.

    NAN

  • Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Mr Kunle Awobodu, the National President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild ( BCPG ), has called on the Federal Government to help revamp the local building construction sector.

    Awobodu said in Lagos on Friday that the sector was yet to get relief from the effects of economic recession recently experienced in the country.

    He said that lack of government’s assistance was a major factor militating against the growth of the building construction industry in Nigeria.

    Awobodu expressed regret that the government gave more support to foreign construction operators than the local ones.

    According to him, foreigners still dominate the sector in Nigeria, while their local counterparts are being neglected.

    “The few construction and capital projects in the country are being executed by foreign contractors and construction operators.

    “Any contract or construction work executed by foreigners will add little or nothing to the country’s GDP and economic growth.

    Read also: Budget 2018: Financiers to execute rail projects

    “Let the government invest in capital projects and engage the services of the local construction operators to help revamp the sector and equally enhance economic growth of the country,” he said.

    According to him, until the citizens and government learnt to value and make use of the local construction professionals and operators, the sector may not record significant growth.

    Awobodu warned that if government policies were not channeled to favour the construction sector, the nation may slip back into recession.

    He blamed the attitude of politicians for the recent economic recession and other challenges facing the country.

    Awobodu described the country’s political system as too expensive.

    NAN

  • Musician in court over Christmas Day attack, theft

    Musician in court over Christmas Day attack, theft

    A 30-year-old musician, Peter Chinedu, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ojo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking a pedestrian and dispossessing him of his Samsung phone and money with a total value of N86, 000.
    Chinedu, whose address is unknown, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft.
    He, however, pleaded innocence of the offences.
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simeon, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 25, at about 3:30 a.m. at First Gate, Festac Town, Lagos.
    He said that the accused and two others presently at large attacked the complainant, Mr. Chikezie Nwakwo, who was returning home from a party, and dispossessed him of his phone and money.
    He said that the accused and his accomplices waylaid Nwakwo and collected his Samsung phone and money.
    “While Nwakwo was struggling with the accused, his other two accomplices fled with the phone and money.
    “But the complainant held on to one of his attackers and raised  the alarm, while people around came to his rescue, which led to the arrest of the accused,” he said.
    Simeon said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment, while violation of section 411 carries two years imprisonment.
    The Magistrate, Mr A. A.  Adesanya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties.
    He said that one of the sureties must be a relative of the accused and the other a well known musician in the country.
    The magistrate adjourned the case until February 13, 2018 for hearing.
  • Delta lost property worth N11bn to fire in 10 months

    Delta lost property worth N11bn to fire in 10 months

    Mr. Ernest Ogwezzy, the Delta Commissioner for Bureau for Special Duties, said the state lost property worth N11 billion to fire outbreaks between January and October this year.

    Ogwezzy disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Asaba.

    The commissioner said that the property lost included factories, shops, markets and houses.

    He said the Delta fire command was able to save property worth N65.4 billion during the period.

    The commissioner also disclosed that the command received a total of 175 fire calls, adding that out of the 175 distress calls, 12 were false calls.

    Read also: Lady burnt to death in Delta fire

    Ogwezzy said that in the course of responding to the calls, the command was able to rescue six persons alive and three other persons dead.

    He said that the highest calls received by the command came from Asaba with 69 fire calls, adding that it was closely followed by Warri which recorded 38 fire calls.

    “Ughelli was next with a total of 17 calls and Sapele with 16 calls.

    “Some of the specific fire incidents recorded during the period include Beta Glass factory, Ughelli, which occurred on July 8, followed by another fire incident which occurred at Upper Agbarho, off Isoko Road, Ughelli on April 6,’’ Ogwezzy said.

    The commissioner however noted that the cases of fire incidents reduced slightly compared to what it used to be in the previous years.

    Ogwezzy said that the directorate had been enlightening the people of the state through the media on how to avoid fire outbreak.

    He said that the directorate had also designated some telephone numbers with which it could be contacted in case of fire outbreaks.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    The Edo Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it arrested no fewer than 240 suspects for drug related activities in the state in 2017.

    Mr. Buba Wakawa, the State Commander of NDLEA, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Benin.

    He said that more than 45,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp were seized during the period, while 10 vehicles and three motorcycles were also impounded in connection with drug trafficking.

    The official said that 34 drug farmlands totaling more than 50 hectares and valued at N2.9 billion were destroyed between January till date.

    Wakawa said that the command arrested 29 suspects for various illicit drug activities with about 11,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp.

    Read also: NDLEA seeks Edo support to destroy illicit drugs

    The commander said that such a large quantity of drugs was of  great concern to the drug control managers.

    “For us as drug control managers in the state, this is a cause for concern.
    “You can imagine the amount of money we have taken away from drug traffickers.

    “And this is the one we were able to take out of illegal circulation.
    “The implication is that it is a huge problem that needs the urgent and active participation of all stakeholders.”

    Wakawa decried the lack of operational facilities including vehicles and bed spaces for the rehabilitation of persons with drug abuse disorders.

    NAN

  • Xmas celebrations was crash-free – FRSC

    Xmas celebrations was crash-free – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Kuje Command, said that it recorded zero road crash during the Christmas celebrations in Kuje Area Council.

    The FRSC Unit Commander, Solomon Igbogbo, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kuje on Thursday.

    Igbogbo commended road users for adhering to traffic rules and regulations during the celebrations and urged them to continue with the manner always.

    According to him, the presence of the command’s personnel on major roads in the area has compelled motorists to desist from dangerous driving, overloading and unnecessary overtaking.

    He said that “road crashes are not mere occurrences; they are largely human but can be reduced through conscious effort by drivers by strictly adhering to traffic rules.

    All we need to do on our highways is to examine our driving attitude to stay clear of any unhealthy practices and to be promoters of road safety advocacy”.

    He also said that the command would continue to initiate techniques that would guarantee safety and security of lives and property of road users.

    Igbogbo said motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol were booked and arrested.

    According to the Unit Commander, stiff measures to tackle such offenders are being put in place to reduce accident during the festivities.

    “The command organised various enlightenment, training and awareness programmes for motorists to keep them informed on road signs.

    “We are determined to reduce accidents during the ember months, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    “Motorists were warned repeatedly to drive safely on the roads during and after every celebration in the area,” he said.

    Read also: FRSC  assures travellers of free traffic on River Niger bridge, Onitsha

    He identified speeding, use of expired tyres, driving while on the influence of alcohol and over-loading of vehicles as the major causes of road accidents.

    Besides, he also warned on the dangers of operating unregistered vehicles as an offence punishable under the Road Safety Act.

    “Accidents do not just happen; they are caused by road users as a result of negligence and disobedience to traffic rules and regulations.

    “A registered car is a proof of evidence that a car owner has paid the taxes, fees and is a rightful owner of the registered vehicle,” he said.

    The unit commander also called for partnership with the transport unions to reduce road accidents to the barest minimum.

    He assured that the unit would continue to do its best to achieve zero road crashes in the area by putting the road marshals on their toes.

    NAN