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  • Kogi Govt. set to inaugurate N4 billion Rice Mill

    The Kogi Government is set to inaugurate a newly-constructed rice mill worth over N4 billion and with the capacity to produce 50 tonnes of rice per day.

    Gov. Yahaya Bello disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the mill at Omi dam in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of the state.

    ”In 2016, we visited this particular Dam and I promised to establish a rice mill here, and today we have this factory 100 per cent established by Kogi State Government.

    ”We approached the Federal Government through the Minister for Water Resources, to allow us to use this dam for the benefit of our people.

    ”Today, we are here to inspect a brand new rice factory that is second to none, as far as northern Nigeria is concerned ,” Bello said.

    He said that the factory had the capacity to produce over 1000 bags of 50 kg of high quality rice every day, and could employ over 5000 people as direct labour , and more of indirect employments.

    He said that over N300 million would be injected into the economy of the state every month, through the factory, while generating additional over N120 million as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the state, monthly.

    ”The rice mill will also be producing fish and poultry meals, because we are presently having over 500 fish ponds in this Omi dam.

    ”We have the capacity to produce cassava and all agro allied products in this particular location,” the governor said.

    Read Also: Border closure boosts local rice patronage

    He stated that the factory had its own independent power generation plant, powered through biomass gasification technology.

    According to him, the capacity of the plant is 500 kWh and the rice milling plant capacity at every processing line (shift) is 200kwh.

    Bello also said that the plant would have an excess power of 300kwh, which would be used to power strategic locations in neighbouring communities.

    ”Kogi is situated in the centre of Nigeria. People traveling to North, South, East and West must pass through Kogi, which means we are saddled with lots of responsibilities.

    ”All that is required now is that the Federal Government through the Central Bank (CBN), should to come to our aid, because we have the capacity to expand this factory in multiple folds.

    ”Through this factory, we are going to pull many of our people out of abject poverty,” he said.

    The governor assured that the rice factory and all other projects in the state would be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari before the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

    The governor further said that his administration had curtailed insecurity to the barest minimum.

    He, therefore, urged the people of the state to continue to embrace peace and security and live in harmony with one another, including the Fulanis and other tribes for the development of the state.

    ”This factory will only exist if we protect, safeguard and cherish it jealously as our own,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Obaro of Kabba, Chief Solomon Owoniyi, who spoke on behalf of all traditional rulers in the region, thanked the governor for the gesture, saying the facility was the first of its kind and the best in the whole of the state.

    The monarch, however, urged the governor to use his influence and connection with the Presidency to ensure that the Kabba-Ilorin road was rehabilitated for the benefit of the people and the mill.

    Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kehinde Oloruntoba, commended the governor for the gesture, saying the people of Kogi West would be eternally grateful to him.

    Oloruntoba said the rice mill was just the phase one of the project, assuring that the second phase would be provided to have seed production company, so that the state would have a uniform rice facility. (NAN)

  • ‘Nigeria needs unified exchange rate’

    Nigeria operates a multiple exchange rate regime, which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has defended. But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has faulted the multiple exchange rate regime and asked the country to unify its exchange rate. The IMF says a unified exchange rate will impact the country’s economy more positively than the multiple exchange rate regime. IMF Nigeria Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief, Amine Mati, in this interview with COLLINS NWEZE speaks on why Nigeria should unify its exchange rate to grow the economy and tackle inflation.

    What is the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’)s opinion of Nigeria’s multiple exchange  rate system?

    It is encouraging that progress already made by the authorities towards unifying the exchange rate windows. However, restrictions on access to foreign exchange for certain categories of goods, and the remaining multiple exchange rates create distortions in both private and public sectors decision making. They discourage long-term investment, encourage smuggling and provide avenues for corruption.

    Moving forward, a removal of foreign exchange restrictions, including recently introduced ones, and a full exchange rate unification, in line with the authorities’ Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), will help keep the parallel market premium low in a more sustained manner. It will help Nigeria move towards a more diversified economy.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains that unifying the exchange rate is not the solution to Nigeria’s inflation problems. Do you agree?

    Global trends suggest that countries with multiple exchange rates struggle to see their economic growth recover and trade pick-up after a crisis. Countries with multiple exchange rates on average also experience higher inflation. With lowering inflation and boosting growth as focal points for Nigeria, unification of the exchange rate can bring major gains.

    How did the IMF reach the conclusion that unifying the exchange rate will further improve Nigeria’s economy? What specific benefits would such a policy bring to Nigeria?

    Our assessment is based on the experience of several countries worldwide. In addition, our research specifically on Nigeria has found that unifying the exchange rates and removing foreign exchange restrictions is also likely to lower income inequality. It helps facilitate more effective ways of protecting consumers through social safety nets.

    How do you measure Nigeria’s economic progress in terms of its multiple exchange rates, against the experience of countries such as Brazil and Egypt?

    We welcome ongoing unification in foreign exchange windows and the ERGP’s goal to move towards a unified regime. This goal is in line with trends seen in other countries over past decades: multiple currency practices are non-existence in developed economies and have been on a declining trend globally in emerging economies.

    What conditions need to be in place before exchange rate unification can be achieved?

    Unifying the exchange rate now being in accordance with the ERGP’s goal would support Nigeria’s economy. It will be most effective as part of a wider policy package, with measures that include a focus on revenue mobilisation to make room for priority spending, tight and transparent monetary policies, a resilient banking sector and structural reforms.

    Are there serious concerns from the IMF and some global leaders that Nigeria could follow the same route as Venezuela if it doesn’t act quickly and unify its exchange rate system?

    The IMF’s view is that Nigeria’s long-term economic potential will be improved significantly with exchange rate unification as it removes distortions, provides greater clarity to economic operators and a level playing field. However, as stated in the past, this is not a panacea by itself as it needs to be part of a tight monetary policy that keeps inflation in check. It also needs to be backed by strengthening banking sector resilience, and structural reforms; such as governance and power sector.

    While currency floating or allowing depreciation may seem like the right thing to do, is Nigeria in a good place to make such a decision?

    Moving towards a more flexible exchange rate would be beneficial to the Nigerian economy, but a flexible exchange rate does not necessarily imply that the currency will depreciate, as that depends on macroeconomic fundamentals. Indeed, our last evaluation published in April, this year implied only a moderate misalignment of the current exchange rate.

    In summary, a more flexible and unified exchange rate will be most effective for Nigeria in the context of more comprehensive policy reform package.

  • Army begins court martial of ex-GOC over missing N400m

    The Nigerian Army Tuesday inaugurated a military Court Martial to put on trial of the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Sokoto, Major Gen. Hakeem Otiki, over alleged disappearance of the sum of 400 million naira.

    The Court Martial was conveyed by the Army at the Army Headquarters Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja at about 12.34pm and presided over by Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, who is the Chief of Policy and plans, Army Headquarters.

    Gen. Otiki was brought into the Court in a white Military Ambulance. He was on a Wheel Chair.

    The former GOC and some soldiers involved in the matter had been interrogated by the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the Special Intelligence Bureau, and the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police.

    The names of Soldiers who allegedly ran away with the said money while on escort duty were Corporal Gabriel Oluwaniyi, Corporal Mohammed Aminu, Corporal Haruna, Olusoji Joshua and Hayatudeen.

    The soldiers who were said to be on Escort Duty with a Very Important Person (VIP) allegedly absconded with the money while travelling from Sokoto to Kaduna.

    However, there was a mild drama inside the Hall where the Court Martial was holding as the Lawyer representing Gen Otiki raised objection on the leadership/Chairman of the Court, saying his client would not get justice if Lt. Gen Adeosun sits as the Chairman.

    Barrister Okechukwu Adinu who raised the objection on behalf of Gen. Otiki said Lt. Gen Adeosun should recused himself because “we have strong feelings that he (Gen. Otiki) may not get good trial and fair trial under your leadership in this court here”.

    Adinu explained that Otiki would not get fair trial particularly as some of the soldiers involved in the matter were security escorts he inherited from Lt. Gen Adeosun when he Otiki took over as Core Commander of the Army Infantry Corps.

    Adinu also told the Court that Otiki entered the Nigerian Defence Academy ahead of Lt. Gen Adeosun and at a particular time he Otiki drilled Adeosun in the military tradition when he Adeosun committed an infraction.

    He alleged that Adeosun was yet bearing the grudge against Otiki.

    Adinu explained that from the relationship between the two from the beginning it was clear that there was an animosity which Adeosun had been nursing against Otiki as Adeosun refused to acknowledge or reply the text message Otiki sent to him recently when Adeosun was promoted to the rank of Lt. General.

    READ ALSO: Ex-Army General threatens to shoot Ikeja Electric staff

    Giving reasons why Lt. Gen Adeosun should recuse himself from presiding over the Court, Barrister Adinu said “We have this strong feeling that he may not get a good trial and a fair trial under your leadership in this court here.

    “The reasons are as follows sir. It is a known fact that General Otiki got into Nigerian Defense Academy on 10th January 1983, while you got in on July 4, 1983, so he got in there before you”.

    “Sir and it’s a fact that Gen Otiki here actually drilled you, he punished and drilled you, so we have this feeling that the grudge then is still there, more so. Sir, it is a known fact that Gen Otiki took over from you sir as the Core Commander Infantry last year and with due respect, by the time we go to the proper trial certain issues will still come up”.

    Adinu said by the time the issues are put at the front burner before the Court, it is certain that Lt. Gen. Adeosun would be mentioned or that reference would be made to him as some of the issues had to do with functions of the offices he held previously.”

    At this point, journalists were asked to leave the Hall where the Court martial was taking place. However as at the time of filing this report, details of the turn of events were still unfolding.

  • Kogi, Bayelsa polls: PDP steps up efforts to unite aggrieved members

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has assured of fruitful reconciliatory efforts at uniting aggrieved members following the fallout of the party’s September 3 primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

    The outcome of the primaries had sparked disagreement within the ranks of aspirants and their supporters in the two states, with fears of mass defection threatening the unity and cohesion of the party ahead of the November 16 elections.

    The PDP however said the party is poised for “sweeping victory” in the elections, stressing that its grassroots structures have been activated in the two states ahead of the elections.

    In a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party states that its members and supporters have nothing to fear as reconciliatory efforts in the aftermath of the governorship primary elections in the two states were yielding immense results and further strengthening its structures and formations as one big, united and formidable family.

    Read Also: Diri, Lyon 50 others to contest Bayelsa governor’s seat

    It further assured that it’s leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all aggrieved members are appeased so that the party could face the elections as a family.

    The PDP commended what it described as the understanding and the spirit of sportsmanship being exhibited by critical stakeholders in the two states as well as their commitment towards the success of the party at the elections.

    It added that it has already galvanized all segments of the voting population across the two states, boasting that the two states remained are known to be strongholds of the PDP.

    The party boasted that no force, not even the All Progressives Congress (APC) can stop the victory of its candidates in the two states.

  • Minimum wage: Industrial crisis looms in public service

    The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has called on Nigerians to appeal to the Federal Government to implement the new minimum wage with adequate consequential adjustments to avoid the looming industrial crisis.

    The organised labour under the auspices of the Trade Union Side (TUS) of the council made the call on Tuesday following failure to reach an agreement with the government over non-implementation.

    The TUS Acting Chairman, Mr. Anchaver Simon, and Secretary, Mr. Alade Lawal, said in a statement that efforts by the unions to persuade government to implement the new minimum wage with appropriate consequential adjustment had proved abortive.

    They said that the TUS had given the government enough time to come to term with workers’ demand but appeared that the only language necessary for government to act is strike.
    They said the union would give no further notice to the government before public servants in the state commence strike over non-implementation of the new minimum wage and appropriate consequential adjustment.

    “It has become imperative to alert the general public that all efforts by the Trade Unions to persuade the government to implement the new N30,000 monthly National Minimum Wage signed into Law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019 with appropriate consequential adjustment, had been frustrated by government,” they said.

    READ ALSO: Minimum wage: Workers threaten strike as negotiation breaks down again

    They said that the Consequential Adjustment Committee had on Sept. 3 agreed that the proposal of the TUS be forwarded to the president to see the patriotic position of labour and approve appropriate consequential adjustment accordingly.

    “When the meeting reconvened on Sept. 16, 2019 to get a feedback on the expected approval from the president, government officials brought a fresh proposal of 11 per cent pay rise for officers on Grade Levels 07 to 14 instead of the earlier position of 10 per cent and 6.5 per cent for those on grade levels 15 to 17 instead of the former 5.5 per cent.

    “As we write, Nigeria is rated the poorest country in the whole world and yet government is refusing to implement a minimum wage for Nigerian workers to lift millions of citizens out of poverty,” the union said.

    Meanwhile, the TUS stated that the Trade Union Congress of Nigerian and the Nigeria Labour Congress had been briefed on the breakdown of negotiation in respect of consequential adjustment arising from the new N30,000 monthly National Minimum Wage.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new minimum wage bill was signed into law by the president on April 18.
    However, deliberations continued as the issue of relativity/consequential adjustment of salaries still persisted.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Napoli beat Liverpool in Champions League opener

    Dries Mertens and Fernando Llorente scored late goals as Napoli defeated holders Liverpool 2-0 in Tuesday’s opening round of Champions League group stage matches.

    Mertens converted a penalty on 82 minutes and Llorente added a second in stoppage time as Napoli gained a measure of revenge for last season’s 1-0 loss at Anfield that denied the Italians a spot in the knockout rounds.

    (AFP)

  • Police nab three members of notorious kidnapping gang in Abia

    Personnel of Police Mobile Force (PMF) 55, Osisioma, under Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have reportedly arrested three members of a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery gang terrorizing the state.

    Two members of the gang were said to have been arrested by the Mobile Policemen who were on stop and search operation along the busy Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, while another member of the gang was arrested through intelligence.

    Also recovered from the gang members were mobile phone and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card which were later discovered to belong to a kidnapped victim that was still in their custody at the time of interception.

    According to information gathered, the victim whose husband is a staff of one of the commercial banks in the state, was reportedly kidnapped from her residence at MCC road, off Aba-Owerri road, Aba, the commercial nerve of the state and kept at a location between Abia and Rivers State while they were negotiating with the family for ransom.

    It was learnt that the kidnappers when contacted the family were demanding N10million ransom and later reduced it to N5m before luck ran out on them.

    Sources within the Abia Command of the Nigeria Police told our reporter that the Mobile Policemen had flagged down the commercial bus that the suspects boarded and on suspicion, started interrogating the two passengers.

    The sources hinted that it was upon interrogating the suspects that the police discovered that the two boys were members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that has been terrorizing Aba and the State as so many incidents of kidnappings were linked to them.

    The sources added that the Mobile Policemen on the directives of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Okon Ene handed the suspects over to the Inspector General of Police Rapid Response Team domiciled at Aba Area Command for a follow-up.

    Further investigation by the IGP crack team was said to have led to the release of the suspect in their custody and arrest of the third member of the gang, while others are still at large.

    READ ALSO: Police nab three students for alleged rape

    The three suspects were said to have made confessional statements of being behind series of kidnappings in Aba and other parts of the state.

    When contacted, the State Police boss confirmed that the three suspects were in police custody and stated that investigation into the matter was still ongoing, while promising that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as they were through with their investigation.

    Ene, who called on members of the public to provide the police and other security agencies with useful information, used the opportunity to warn those hoping to come into the state to commit crime to think of a more legitimate business to do or risk being caught up by security personnel. This is even as he stated that the police would not fold its arms and watch some unscrupulous elements turning the state into a safe haven to perpetrate crime.

  • Xenophobia: APC Chieftain lauds Air Peace, Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has commended the Chairman, Air Peace Airline, Bar. Allen Onyema for his heroic kindness in airlifting Nigerians from South Africa to Nigeria.

    He hailed the kind gestures of Onyema in responding to such a critical situation to save the lives of Nigerian citizens regardless of ethnic background.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, He said “The Chairman of Air peace airline, Mr. Allen Onyema’s heroic act of kindness, patriotism, and pure leadership in airlifting stranded Nigerians that were targets of the barbaric killings in South Africa is worthy of commendation”

    He however urged Nigerians to support Onyema’s business and encourage him to be the best airline in Africa and possibly the world best airline soon.

    Read Also: Air Peace boss, Onyema’s masterstroke

    Lawal, also hailed the efforts of the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for living up to expectations once again through seeing to the effective and prompt evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

    He further commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s hard stance against South African government on the issue of killings of Nigerians and other African nationalities urging other African leaders to always take immediate actions when it comes to its citizen’s rights.

    He said, “Our leaders across the board should reflect on the barbaric killings of Nigerians in South Africa as part of their leadership failures because most of the Nigerians became victims because they traveled in search of green pastures.

    “This should serve as a clarion call to all our leaders to discharge their duties in providing a conducive environment for Nigerians to strive, create job and ensure basic amenities for all because no individual will leave his or her country in search of greener pasture when he/she as a son/daughter of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.”

  • EFCC nabs gang for impersonating the commission, ICPC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Office, has arrested three men in Uyo for impersonating the staff of the Commission.

    EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Tuesday, said the men also impersonated officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    According to him, the suspects are Norbert Rampa, 51, Patrick Essien, 50 and Gabriel Daniel 32.

    He said that the trio along with other members of their team had last year September paid a courtesy visit to the Commission’s Uyo office, under the auspicies of Grassroots Development Advocacy Initiative (GDAI).

    Read Also: Police arrest ‘fake’ EFCC official in Lagos

    “They claimed that the initiative was a registered organisation with the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC).

    “During the visit, its national director, Essien spoke extensively on the several trainings that the members had gone through to ensure grassroots engagements in budget processes, aimed at sustaining the fight against corruption.

    “They, however, requested that they be granted operational powers, to which the Zonal Head, Mr Garba Dugum refused and advised them to rather report all perceived corrupt practices to the commission.”

    Uwujaren further said that forged documents recovered from their apartments included Fake EFCC letterhead papers, ICPC operational jackets, forged identity cards of NACC of ICPC/EFCC Partnership. (NAN)

  • Traditional rulers laud Akeredolu for infrastructure development

    Traditional rulers in Owo and Ose Local Government Areas of Ondo State, have lauded the Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration for the various infrastructure developments in their various communities.

    The traditional rulers spoke in Owo at a consultative meeting organised by the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye was represented by the Ojumu of Owo, High Chief Olarewaju Famakinwa,

    The traditional ruler said the people of the state were particularly grateful to Akeredolu for changing the face of many towns and villages with road construction and other laudable projects.

    NAN further reports that the meeting was part of the 2020 budget preparation and the 2020-2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

    In his own address, the Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, also said that he was impressed by the governor’s infrastructure development across the state.

    Olutoye said the people of the area were going to reciprocate Akeredolu’s good governance of the state by massively voting for his second term bid during the next governorship election in 2020.

    Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Emmanuel Igbasan, said that the present government had executed more than 280 projects in the two Local Government Areas.

    Read Also: Akeredolu: I won’t succumb to blackmail

    According to Igbasan, these projects include constructions and rehabilitations of roads as well as boreholes through ‘Kamomi Aketi’ Accelerated Water Scheme.

    Others are rehabilitation and construction of public primary schools, health facilities, distribution of agricultural seedlings and inputs, among others.

    Igbasan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Bunmi Alade, said the interaction would enable government to always go for people’s top priority projects.

    He added that it would foster better relationship and improve public awareness of government’s policies, programmes and achievements.

    Igbasan said Akeredolu had laid a solid foundation for sustainable development with the 2018 budget while the 2019 budget was built on the modest achievements of the 2018 budget.

    He added that the 2020 budget would focus on projects that would have positive impacts and transform the lives of the citizens, particularly youths and women through agriculture, micro, small and medium scale enterprises among others.

    Igbasan stated that the state government developed the bottom-up approach in its budget preparation to accommodate the interest of various groups and embark on projects that were chosen by the people, a clear departure from past administrations.

    In his opening remarks, the Director of Budget, Mr Stephen Aworere, said the forum was meant to enhance transparency and accountability in the budget preparation process of the states.

    He stated that the rationale behind the adoption of MTEF was to achieve accurate estimation of resources available to the state within the medium term planning horizon.

    NAN reports that the meeting was attended by caretaker chairmen in the zone, market women, non governmental organisations, youth leaders, farmers and other stakeholders.(NAN)