The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olugbenga Adanikin

  • Private sector partnership vital to food sufficiency – Minister

    Private sector partnership vital to food sufficiency – Minister

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said that private sector partnership in the agriculture sector remained vital for the country to attain food sufficiency.

    Ogbeh disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of the Joint Sector Steering Committee (JSC), organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the agriculture ministry yesterday in Abuja.

    He stated that it was imperative for the Federal Government to provide necessary infrastructure, control processes and oversight functions to support the private sector.

    The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shehu Ahmed emphasized that the ministry was responsible to partner with major stakeholders to develop effective policies that will create conducive environment for better private sector participation in the sector.

    According to him, the JSR was to provide a platform to assess the performance and results of the agriculture sector and assist government to set sector policies and priorities.

    Ogbeh said: “The present administration has been able to put together an agriculture promotion policy. The purpose of the policy document is to provide a disciplined approach to building an agribusiness ecosystem that will stem the tide of food importation through import substitution so as to earn significant foreign exchange from agriculture.

    “The private sector will remain in the lead while government facilitates, regulates as well as provides supporting infrastructure, system, control processes and oversight.

    “It assesses how well stakeholders implemented pledges and commitment cooperation agreements in the sector. This objective is however consistent with the policy thrust of the present administration on agriculture.”

    Citing instances of nations that have adopted, the minister recalled that the African Union Commission (AUC) in 2015, assisted 11 member nations which included Benin Republic, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.

    He added that the mentioned countries already took steps to strengthen mutual accountability based on findings of the JSRs conducted.

  • HURIWA proposes seven years imprisonment for political blackmailers

    HURIWA proposes seven years imprisonment for political blackmailers

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to enact laws capable of sentencing political blackmailers to seven years imprisonment if found guilty.

    HURIWA National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko made the call during a briefing, at his office in Abuja on the increasing trend of political blackmailing in the country.

    He alleged that same group who attempted to tarnish the image of the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initially visited his office to use his platform for their hatchet job.

    He condemned corrupt practices among every section of the society including security operatives and dishonesty among insincere civil society groups.

    Onwubiko urged the federal government and top rank government officials to desist from the process of media trial to discourage corrupt practices and economic crimes.

    His Words: “The Right group wondered why unscrupulous person sometimes with powerful political sponsorship will seek to continuously attempt to recruit registered group that have credibility to do some sinister campaign when legally such organisations can be sued by those politically exposed persons whose well-earned good reputation as statesmen or women are being tarnished on the altar of sensational media stories.

    “The ongoing mass demonization and character assassination of some members of the political class whose political tenures in various offices have reminded untainted has created the erroneous impression that all political office holders in Nigeria are corrupt. This is a fallacy with far reaching negative implication for the standing in the international community of civilised nations of the Nigeria Nation-state.”

    However, HURIWA said it became imperative for it to go public with the information so members of the public would be made aware of such corrupt groups whose, ‘major preoccupation is to stoke the embers of hatred against targeted high profile Nigerians just because such persons may not agree to be blackmailed into paying huge payouts to such professional and career blackmailers.”

  • Recession to end soon, Kumuyi predicts

    Recession to end soon, Kumuyi predicts

    The General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the current economic recession will end very soon.

    Kumuyi gave the advice during a media conference on the forthcoming Deeper Life Abuja mega crusade tagged ‘A Day of Supernatural Wonders’, scheduled to hold on September 30, 2016 at the National Stadium, Abuja.

    The clergy also advised the Federal Government not to be in a hurry to sell the nation’s national asset over the recession.

    He said shortly after his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) said that the country was not the first to experience economic recession in the world and would soon be out of it as government and stakeholders were brainstorming to proffer solution.

    His Words: “We all know that we are passing through a tunnel but by the Grace of God, we’re going to get to the light at the end of the tunnel, and very soon the Lord is going to give us a turn around and there is going to be a change in our nation.

    “Other countries also have gone through and come out of recession, and Nigeria is not the first. We strongly believe that God will bring us out as the government and other stakeholders are working on solutions.”

    Speaking on planned sales of the nation’s assets to revive the economy, he advised that the federal government to consider all suggestions and make a concrete decision over the current situation.

    However, he urged the government to remain patient on the sale of the assets as it would not be the best decision to solve the problem. He added that God would intervene and bring the nation out of it.

  • Ohaneze group renounces IPOB insists on national unity

    Ohaneze group renounces IPOB insists on national unity

    The youth wing of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural group on Monday renounced those calling for secession and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The student group said Nigeria’s peace and unity was non-negotiable, thus it is strongly behind unity of the country.

    President of the group, Comrade Anya Anya, during a briefing in Abuja, in solidary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign said the president has been working so hard to restore the country’s dignity and territorial integrity.

    He added that the president’s commitment to national unity was in alignment with the vision of the nationalists.

    Asked if the group was in support of the secession agitation of the IPOB President, Nnamdi Kanu, he said: “We believe in one Nigeria and a united Nigeria with sincerity of purposes.”

    However, he added that, “If Nnamdi Kanu as at today is facing issues as regards to Biafra or no Biafra, I want to sincerely tell you that some of his demands maybe something that Nigerians will also need to take care of because there are issues rising politically, or based on dividends of democracy that should be attended to as demanded by the people of south east.

    Speaking on the alleged arms scandal against the interior minister, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau, the group said the deliberate plan to destroy the image of the former military chief should be condemned.

    He said it is expected to conduct intensive preliminary investigations on such allegation, supported by genuine evidence rather than publicly engaging in hatchet jobs against Dambazzau’s personality.

    “We wish to remind all and sundry that General Dambazzau was a chief of army staff and not Minister of Defence nor national security adviser to any administration. Therefore, enemies of progress should stop roping him into any corruption charge.

    “Ohaneze Ndigbo students shall vehemently oppose any attempt to tarnish the hard earned image and integrity of this noble General who all his life is serving Nigeria as a first class security person…”

  • Group offers to safeguard Niger Delta waterways

    A group of volunteers, the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force has petitioned the Federal Government to voluntarily help secure waterways in the Niger Delta region.
    In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group sought recognition and the deployment of about 50, 000 personnel to further complement efforts of the security operatives in safeguarding the maritime.
    Leader of the group, Commodore Ichukwu Agaba on Monday in Abuja disclosed preparedness to complement efforts of the Nigerian Navy to reduce the importation of illegal and sophisticated weapons.
    Agaba who emphasized that the nation’s waterway is gradually becoming insecure added that their efforts would reduce on the seas, kidnapping by militants‎ and offer protection to the local maritime assets.
    According to him, letter of recognition was dispatched to the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Justice in 2015, seeking for legal framework and empowerment for them to offer roles in the protection of the waterways.
    He noted that the group had come up with strategies and was ready to put in tremendous action towards total tackling of illegal oil bunkering activities in the coastal region.
    “Some personnel have already been deployed to some coastal states to confront the security challenges, but we are still waiting for official approval of the government,” he said.
    Agaba‎ noted that establishment of the security and safety group was a follow-up to the introduction of the international ship and port facility security code by the International Maritime Organization in 2001.
    He said the International Maritime Organization IMO mandated, after the 2001 terror attack in the United States of America, that all countries that have access to both ocean and sea must establish their Merchant Navy Security and Safety Corps to provide security to international ship and port for safety of the maritime industry.
    His words: “the roles of Nigerian Merchant Navy Security and Safety Corps in this country cannot be emphasized. Our officers and men are seasoned professionals who are trained to combat any crime at the maritime environment. We would work to prevent illegal entry of any foreign marine ship and perform salvage duties at sea in accordance with the rules of international convention
    “‎According us official recognition would drastically reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty, and ensure economic and social stability in the country. It will also lead to reduction in armed robbery, kidnapping, militancy, piracy and other criminal activities.
    “We will provide complementary capabilities to close the security gap at the seaports. We will support naval coastal warfare defence in accordance with long-standing agreement
    “The corps as security outfit is willing and ready to cooperate with all recognized security formations to provide maritime security to encourage foreign investment in maritime, oil and gas sector.”
  • NSCDC officers to check fuel hoarding nationwide

    NSCDC officers to check fuel hoarding nationwide

    The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu on Monday disclosed that the corps had commenced deployment of personnel from all state command nationwide for proper surveillance of fuel supply across the country.

    He said the gesture was an effort to stem diversion of the product.

    Muhammadu who disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja noted that the move was in line with the federal government’s resolve to tackle the issue of fuel diversion which has caused monumental hardship on Nigerians.

    According to him, “The diversion of the fuel remained a major challenge in the country and that is why the deployment of personnel in all state command across the country becomes imperative to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity. The era of fuel diversion is over. This step will remain a continuous exercises till the situation is normalized. NSCDC is more determined to chase sabotage out of business including tanker drivers, independent and major oil marketers.”

    The CG stated that the latest arrangement between the corps and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was to ensure that the corps station his men strategically across the country to ensure that every truck from the depots get to their final destinations, while efforts are in place to provide adequate tracking system to monitor the movement of trucks.

    He said the corps was also exploring new ways to monitor and protect pipelines, especially the use of technology and sophisticated gadgets to track down vandals. “I can assure you that we are already exploring new approaches which will include the massive deployment of technology as opposed to conventional approach.”

    The NSCDC boss, who decried the spate of oil diversion and oil theft in the country, said the corps was working round the clock to stem the tide.

    Muhammadu attributed illegal diversion to corruption in the country and act of economic sabotage by criminal elements.

    He stated that the act was driven by desperation for material acquisition at expense of Nigerians.

    The commandant-general while assuring that the NSCDC would continue to do its best to ensure the security of lives and property in line with its mandate called on the media, host communities and other stakeholders to cooperate with the NSCDC and other security agencies in tackling the menace.
  • Seven confirmed dead in Lagos building collapse

    Seven confirmed dead in Lagos building collapse

    About seven (7) persons were confirmed dead by the management of the Lekki Gardens Estate on Tuesday following a building collapse in the estate.

    The uncompleted building which collapsed Tuesday morning attracted interventions of government agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Government, Fire Service and
    Lagos State Police to speed up rescue efforts.

    According to a statement issued in Abuja, management of the orgnaisation said the uncompleted project was meant to house a number of apartment units, but construction work had been suspended in January 2016 over reported structural defects.

    The statement reads, “The Management of Lekki Gardens has confirmed an unfortunate incident today, Tuesday, March 8th 2016 where a building collapsed at about 4a.m. in the morning, at one of its residential estate projects in Lekki.

    “Rescue work started immediately and so far 7 people have been reported dead and others injured. The exact cause of the incident is not known at this time.

    “All of our incident response procedures have been initiated, our support services have been mobilized and relevant authorities have been advised.”

    However, the firm stated that investigations had commenced to ascertain the cause of the collapse.

  • Kunle Afolayan is Peugeot’s new brand ambassador

    Kunle Afolayan is Peugeot’s new brand ambassador

    It was another moment of glory for ace filmmaker and actor, Kunle Afolayan, who yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), as the brand’s new ambassador.
    The ceremony commemorates the company’s exclusive unveiling of the new Peugeot 508 model at the NAF Conference Center and Suites, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, Abuja.
    Spotting a six piece Agbada, Afolayan looked every inch a Hausa man, as he signed the agreement with the company’s MD/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Dutsinma Boyi, at the event attended by select friends and clients of the company.
    Afolayan attended the event with his partner, Seun Soyinka uploaded photos from the event on his Facebook page, saying; “The unveiling of the new Peugeot 508, and I was also officially unveiled as Brand Ambassador for Peugeot. I was presented with a brand new car. What a way to end the year… Lord, I thank you.”
    According to Boyi, the partnership became important to showcase outstanding and complete alignment of the two brands; Afolayan and the new Peugeot, which are of international standard.
    “I am happy to announce that in Mr. Afolayan’s next movie, The CEO, Peugeot 508 will be prominently featured as one of the vehicles. Already Afolayan is an Ambassador of Air France so the choice is not accidental, but a well thought of decision,” said Boyi who added that, “Afolayan became an internationally accepted brand, thus the organization was excited to sign the partnership to promote both brands.
    “The car is fully assembled in Kaduna, Nigeria. After completion of the 508 brand, the quality standard recorded complied 100 per cent with the quality standard of Peugeot factory, France. It is based on global quality standard of the Peugeot brand,” Boyi added.
    In his remarks, the foremost movie producer lauded the gesture, saying it meant a lot to the entertainment industry.
    He said it would open vista of opportunities and more partnerships with the corporate world.
    “It means production value will always be at the top, for a French company to want to associate with a local brand in Nigeria, they must be sure the brand and quality of your brand can compete with international standards,” he said, referring to his partnership with Air France.    
    Afolayan disclosed that he had earlier reached out to Peugeot before they started shooting his new movie to solely to promote local contents in the nation.
    “At that point, we couldn’t get someone to give us headway but eventually, they reached out to us. We had a meeting and we are here today. I can tell you that it worth being here and it worth the partnership,” he said, describing the brand as a well balanced, modern car with good air conditioning system.
    Afolayan’s deal with PAN is coming five months after the filmmaker inked an endorsement deal with Air France. The partnership is also hinged on his next movie, The CEO, currently in production.
    The CEO, according to pundits, will further stamp the filmmaker as a promoter of cross cultural stories and pedant for technical details.