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Tag: Nigerian news

I remain South-West PDP chairman, says Olafeso

A factional leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Eddy Olafeso, says he remains the authentic leader of the party in the South-West zone.

Olafeso on Wednesday in Akure that his group was re-affirmed as the PDP leaders in the zone during the last convention of the party in Abuja.

Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, another factional leader of the party, had on Monday in Lagos claimed that he was the authentic chairman of the party in the South-West zone.

Olafeso said: “It is very unfortunate and tendentious for someone to assume that carrying court papers around is enough to make him the leader of the party.

“Even, if they have court papers to back their claims, the case is already at the Appeal Court.

“They should wait till pronouncement of the court before jumping around that they are the leaders of the party in the zone.

“Leadership is freely given by the people and endorsed by the party through all its processes.”

He said that Makanjuola and his group were part of the challenges facing the party since 2011 “till when we won at the Supreme Court in July 12, 2017”.

Olafeso noted that PDP had gone beyond unnecessary antagonism, saying that the party’s focus was to ensure victory at the polls in 2019.

He expressed optimism that all the crises rocking the party would be resolved before its Dec. 9 National Convention.

“Today, I can tell you categorically that South-West PDP under my watch has been able to stabilise the party in Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States.

“We thank the leadership of the party for the opportunity given us to serve.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that our party will be positioned in a way that it can begin to win again,” he said.

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November 23, 2017
AfDB to invest $12bn in power sector in Africa in 4 years – Adesina

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank ( AfDB ), says the bank would invest 12 billion dollars
in the power sector in Africa in four years with the goal of leveraging on the aviation sector.

He said this while speaking in Abuja.

Adesina said the aviation sector was very important to the continent but that it could not operate in the dark.

He said the sector was very important to Africa because it accounted for about 73 billion dollars in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and created about 7 million jobs across the continent.

“Without electricity, you really cannot operate any effective and efficient airline industry and so this is one of the top priorities of the bank.

“We are investing in the power sector 12 billion dollars in the next four years with the goal of leveraging between 45 to 50 million dollars in this sector because I firmly believe that Africa cannot develop in the dark.

“So we must fast track that and when we have electricity, everything functions, even for the aviation industry and the tourism industry is actually quite linked to the avaiation industry as well.”

He said the bank had invested over 20 billion dollars on infrastructure in Africa in the last 10 years, specifically one
billion dollars in the aviation sector.

Adesina said the bank’s investment in the sector covered building new airports in Ghana, Senegal, Casablanca and building of new infrastructure in Morocco.

As for Nigeria, he said the government was developing a new aviation sector investment plan, adding that the government was interested in a number of areas.

“First is we are looking at how to support more investment in airport infrastructure; they are also looking at how to create aircraft maintenance, repair and also overhaul facility.

“But one of the biggest problems in Africa is we do not have any aircraft leasing facilities and that is one of the things that the government is looking at.

We are looking at upgrading some of the navigational infrastructure.

So as a bank, we are very strong supporters of the government.

“Once the government comes up with its plan and what that really means in terms of the need, then we can play the role that they are asking us to play but we do not make decisions for the government.”

AfDB is a multilateral development finance institution aimed at fighting poverty and improving the living conditions on the African continent.

It does this by promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and programmes that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region.

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November 23, 2017
N17bn Otukpo multipurpose dam project abandoned after full payment

A project verification team from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission has accused SCC Nigeria Ltd, handlers of the N17.1 billion Otukpo Multipurpose Dam Project in Benue, of abandoning work after receiving full payment.

Mr Samson Eletuo, the Team Leader, made this known on Wednesday in Otukpo that less than 35 per cent of the job had been done.

“The handlers have received 100 per cent payment. The contract sum was N17.1 billion. That has been paid, but the work is barely 35 per cent,” Eletuo said.

Eletuo, Deputy Director (Finance) of the commission, said that the N17 billion was paid to the construction firm three years ago.

He expressed surprise at the level of work at the site, saying that the commission would take further steps to ascertain what happened.

The project, which was awarded for N17.1 billion in 2010, took off in March 2011 and was to be completed within 36 months.

The dam was expected to provide a 130-million cubic meters reservoir and a 3.3 KV hydro power plant for effective water supply upon completion.

Mr Charles Abana, Deputy Team Leader of the verification team, also suggested a careful review of the contract to provide portable water supply and electricity to the immediate community.

“In the initial contract agreement, hydro power, portable water supply, irrigation and the construction of the dam were included in the project.

“But hydro power and water supply have been removed from the specification, yet the handlers say they are asking for additional N32 billion in a review.

“For such a massive review to be done, what is already on the ground should justify the money earlier collected.

“Our major concern is that government should get the value of money spent on projects across the country. We do not seem to have such value on this particular job,” he said.

Mr Sabastine Oteba, SCC Resident Engineer, however said that the company had already requested a contract review to N49 billion “to overcome technical issues”.

“The N32 billion increment has become necessary because the cost of items has gone up.

“The hydro power aspect of the project has been removed, but we had agreed that the project foundation should be six metres. We have taken it to 11 meters,” he said.

He said that the project would involve 2000 hectares of land for irrigation, 13 kilometres road, in addition to the dam.

Oteba said that the handlers abandoned the job three years ago, after spending more than the N17.1 paid to them.

“The company has a certificate of N9 billion that is yet to be paid. The money was incurred after the N17.1 billion was used up,” he said.

He explained that the review was done by experts in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

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November 23, 2017
CSKA Moscow earn first home win, end Benfica’s hope

CSKA Moscow earned their first home win of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign with a 2-0 victory over Benfica of Portugal on Wednesday.

The victory strengthened their push to reach the knockout stages while shattering the Portuguese side’s chances.

Georgi Schennikov put CSKA ahead after 13 minutes with a left-footed finish, having been assisted by Bibras Natcho’s short through ball that shredded Benfica’s backline.

The visitors’ troubles worsened after the interval as defender Jardel then clumsily deflected a cross by CSKA’s Vitinho into the back of his own net after 56 minutes.

CSKA’s win puts them into second place in Group A on nine points behind leaders Manchester United, who take on Basel later on Wednesday.

Yet, the result ensured that former European champions Benfica, still without a point, are now certain to finish last.

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Read Also: 2017 Nigeria Bankers Games end in style

November 23, 2017
Facebook to train 50,000 Nigerian SMEs in 2018

Facebook has said it will train and support over 50,000 students, small businesses ( SMEs ) and creative entrepreneurs across Nigeria in 2018.

Facebook’s Public Policy Director, Africa, Ms Ebele Okobi, during a news briefing on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the training would be through a series of digital skills, as well as long-term impact programmes.

Okobi said that the trainings and support was Facebook’s initiative in its ambition to drive innovation, skills development and economic impact in Nigeria.

She said that the trainings and support was Facebook’s new nationwide initiative to further cement its commitment and investment in Nigeria, and across the continent.

According to her, Facebook would be incorporating a series of high profile partnerships, training programmes and a physical space that will serve as a center for learning and skills development.

“This set of initiatives is aimed at helping to develop and nurture communities, including small businesses, the tech and start-up ecosystem, youths and creatives.

“In Nigeria, more than 22 million people use Facebook every month and 87 per cent of SMEs say that when they hire, digital skills are more important than where an applicant went to school.

“This demonstrates that the power of digital skills to aid economic growth and development has never been more important

“At Facebook, our mission is clear: To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

“Our investments and commitments announced in Lagos today further reflect our intent to partner with Nigeria’s policy makers and its vibrant tech and entrepreneurial eco-system to create economic opportunity and independence in Nigeria and across Africa,” she said.

Okobi said that Facebook was committed to working with Nigerian small businesses, tech entrepreneurs and the next generation of leaders to better understand and utilise the power of digital tools for economic growth.

She said that Facebook would be launching a series of learning-based programmes facilitated by local training partners, to accomplish its mission.

Okobi said that the learning-based programmes had been designed to provide skills that would lead to employment and support the growth of small businesses.

She said that the learning-based programmes include: Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Jobs for Youth, Boost your Business, Creative Entrepreneurship Training, and Online Safety + Digital Literacy Training in Schools and Universities.

According to her, Facebook undertook a detailed ‘Economic Impact Study’ to further understand how communities like small businesses and consumers in Nigeria use the platform, and the effectiveness of social media as a growth tool.

“Nearly 1 in 2 small businesses on Facebook say they built their business on the platform.

“Sixty-two per cent stated they have been able to use Facebook to help find employees for their business.

“Over half (58 per cent) of small businesses on the platform say they have been able to hire more employees due to growth since joining Facebook,” she said.

Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.

People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what is going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.

Facebook has 1.37 billion daily active users on average worldwide and 7.2 million daily visitors from Nigeria.

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November 23, 2017
Gov. Okorocha supports FG’s housing programme

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has expressed support to the ongoing Federal Government’s National Housing Programme (NHP) across the country.

Okorocha, represented by Mr Kingsley Uju, his Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, spoke on Wednesday during the inspection of the NHP site in the state by the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri.

The minister was in Avu, Owerri Local Government Area, as part of a nationwide inspection tour of the sites for NHP projects.

The governor commended the Avu community for sacrificing its ancestral land to make sure development was recorded in the area.

Okorocha promised the land owners that none of them would be denied their statutory rights in the course of the development.

He appealed to the contractors to always carry the people of the area along in their activities to prevent agitations.

Okorocha noted that the state would be laying foundation of another housing project in line with the Federal Government promises of providing houses for a greater percentage of Nigerians.

He called for the cooperation of the citizens toward the realisation of the housing project.

The minister said that the Imo project site was the best out of the sites visited in the country.

Shehuri promised to address issues of payment to contractors squarely, adding that payment would be made as soon as it was due to facilitate timely project completion.

Dr Victor Nwaneri, Chairman, Avu Land Owners of Federal Housing Estate, said it was gratifying that the Federal Government approved the siting of the housing estate in the area.

Nwaneri urged the Federal Government to consider Avu indigenes first in appointments in the ongoing project.

He also appealed for the revival of the dualisation of Avu-Egbema road in the interest of many communities around it.

“All other life changing amenities should be extended to Avu community to propel the community to donate more lands to the government as the need arises.”

The Team Leader, NHP, IMO state, Mr Cosmos Ikejiofor, noted that there was a legal tussle between the ministry and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

In his progress report on implementation of the programme in the state, he said that the challenges were yet to be resolved.

He said that Interim Valuation and Payment Certificate (No. 1) has been raised for the contractors that have completed work on the ground floor concrete slab in their projects.

“These have been forwarded to the ministry’s headquarters at Abuja for further necessary action,” he said.

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November 23, 2017
Oba of Benin makes historic visit to Abuja

His Royal Majesty, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II- Oba of Benin, on Wednesday made an historic visit to Abuja after his coronation in October 2016.

The Oba who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 5:05p.m., was received by some Benin traditional chiefs, prominent Benin indigenes and friends.

Chief Odigie Oyegun, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of the Edo indigene at the Airport to receive the Monarch, said that the visit by the Oba was historic being his first after his coronation.

“The Oba’s visit is bringing peace, hope to the country and change in the nation.

“Everybody is here as you can see came to give him a rosy welcome. It is an historic occurrence, our new Oba, a unique Oba with a unique culture.

“We also have a unique president in the person of Muhammadu Buhari with a unique way of doing things. A lot of good things will come out of this visit,’’he said.

Similarly, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma, a member of the House of Representatives, said the Edo indigenes in Abuja are excited to welcome the Oba which he described as caring.

“There is a saying that if you do not value what you have, somebody else will help you devalue it.

“I value my traditional Institution and all I can do is to tell my Honourable colleagues, friends of Edo to let them know that we have a caring King.

“I am happy to see the crowd that came to receive the Oba; I ask God to bless them and the chiefs as well.

“This is to tell you that our Oba is one who deserves all the respect accorded to him without being sentimental.

“It is a glorious day as his mission is to also show appreciation to all those who supported him during his coronation.

“It will be an honour to understand that we have an Oba who cares about the unity of the country.

Also Mr Dickson Omoregie, the President of Benin community in Abuja described the visit as a multi-dimensional as he would move from one place to another to appreciate those that supported him during his coronation.

“That is why he is starting here in Abuja to visit his children, we are delighted to receive him.

“When your daddy comes to visit you, you are so excited; It is a joyful day for us Edo people in Abuja.’’

Also, Mr Osazuwa Imasuen described the Oba as a man of the people, a highly trained diplomat who knows the value of friendship.

“We are glad to receive the Oba as he brings us peace and goodwill,’’he said.
Traditional dancers from Benin Kingdom and Abuja thrilled the crowd who came to receive the Oba.

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November 23, 2017
40 electricity transformers vandalised in Nasarawa in 10 months – AEDC

Mr Ameen Shakur, Nasarawa State Regional Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company ( AEDC ) says that no less than 40 transformers are vandalised in Lafia, capital of Nasarawa state since January.

Shakur disclosed this on Wednesday when the executive and members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) Nasarawa State Council visited the company in Keffi.

He decried the high rate of vandalism of electricity installations in the state, adding that the menace was impeding AEDC’s efforts in delivering effective service to the people of the state.

“We have recorded over 40 transformers being vandalised since January in Lafia alone and that is what is happening all over the state.

“It is high time customers took ownership of the equipment because they are located within their areas and are serving them.

“There is nothing wrong with customers asking questions when they see suspicious persons around electricity installations,” Shakur said.

According to him, a 500 KVA transformer costs N4.5 million, aside cables and other accessories.

“It is imperative for the customers to know that the installations first belong to them, although being the company property, thus the need to protect them should be paramount.”

He said the cost of replacing the vandalised substations was huge and appealed to customers to bear with the company

The state regional manager assured them that the company was addressing the problem gradually due to the number of cases involved.

Earlier, Suleiman Abubakar, Chairman of the Chapel appealed to the company to improve on its services in the state to meet the demands of the customers.

Abubakar called for the provision of prepaid meters to address over billing and non-payment of electricity bills.

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November 22, 2017
Police investigate electrocution of artisan in Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu State says it has commenced investigation into alleged electrocution of an artisan, Uzoma Okpara, at the Unity Estate, Independence layout, Enugu metropolis.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu that the incident occurred on Nov. 21 at about 11 a.m.

Amaraizu said the deceased, who was a plumber, died when he had contact with a high tension wire close to a building where he was working on a faulty overhead tank at the estate.

He said that the victim was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

He said that the body of the plumber had been deposited at the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre, Enugu mortuary for autopsy.

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Read Also: Police nab undergraduate for fraud

November 22, 2017
AfDB portfolio in Nigeria over $6bn – Adesina

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of African Development Bank ( AfDB ), says the bank’s total active portfolio in Nigeria is over six billion dollars.

Adesina said this in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

“The bank supports Nigeria very strongly.

“When Nigeria was going through a tough economic time, we led the world actually in rallying support around for a budget support which we did at 600 million dollars to help build more resilient economy as it shows a better diversified economy.

“If you look at our total active portfolio in the country now, it is over 6 billion dollars.

“Take for example, we invested over 300 million dollars from the private sector part of the bank in Dangote industries – Petro-chemical industries and the fertiliser manufacturing companies.

“We also invested over 100 million dollars in the Indorama fertiliser companies as well; they are looking at us to do more, additional 100 million dollars for them.’’

In addition, he said the Bank had been supporting the recovery effort of the Federal Government in the North East.

He, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the investment made so far in rebuilding the North East.

“I give the President kudos for all that has been achieved. We have to rebuild the infrastructure – road, schools etc

“We have Basic Livelihood Support Programme for over 250 million dollars that we have done for the North East of Nigeria.

“On agriculture, the Board has just approved a programme called Enable Youth.

“The programme is to create a generation of young commercial farmers in Nigeria; that is about 430 million dollars we are investing in that.’’

Adesina, who won the 2017 World Food Laureate Award in Agriculture in the U.S., further said that the Bank had been doing a lot of line credit in Nigeria for commercial banks to lend to small and medium size enterprises.

He said that the Bank had been talking with the Minister of Power about how to help in the power sector in Nigeria.

“We have invested a lot in the transmission companies of Nigeria.

“We are also helping them to have an additional 200 million dollars to post bonds, to be able to raise money to modernise the transmission network in Nigeria.

“I remember during COP 22 in Morocco, I spoke to the Minister of Power, Fasola and I told him to visit Noor Ouarzazate, the largest Concentrated Solar Power ( CSP ) plant in the World, that was financed by the AfDB in Morroco.

“He said he was very pleased with the idea and we are supporting his ministry now with a big project, we are going to do in Jigawa a project on Solar.

“We have a number of states that have approached us and we are looking at various opportunities of supporting from Ogun, we are looking into that; we are looking at Kaduna, Kano states and others.

“Nigeria is a big market for us and we are going forward in terms of our planning investment over the next three years.

“It will be over 4.1 billion dollars that we are planning for Nigeria that will cover agriculture, infrastructure, power sector, basic livelihood in terms of water and sanitation,’’ he said.

Adesina, however, expressed optimism over the implementation of the bank projects in Nigeria, adding that there was a very stringent monitoring system to ensure implementation of set targets.

“We are quite pleased with a lot of progress I have seen on several of the projects that we have in Nigeria.

“Obviously, a lot of improvement is needed in terms of the time it takes to actually sign some of the required agreements; it takes a lot of time.

“We are going to do better because the more we can do that, the more we can actually show better impact in Nigeria.

“Having talked to the authority to help us improve the time, it takes between when we approve something and when it is signed, it becomes effective in Nigeria.”

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November 22, 2017