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Tag: United Kingdom

  • Street Lights: Lagos Govt, UK firm sign N2.52bn MoU

    Street Lights: Lagos Govt, UK firm sign N2.52bn MoU

    The Lagos State Government and a United Kingdom firm, Low Energy Designs (LED) Ltd., on Monday signed a N2.52 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of 10,000 LED street lights.

    Speaking at the signing of the MoU held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the development was a major milestone and a positive paradigm shift in the provision of street lighting for the state.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olawale Oluwo, said that successful commencement of the partnership signals a positive progress to the Light-Up Lagos Project.

    He said that this was a special initiative of his administration comprising street lighting, community electrification and embedded power programme.

    “With this agreement we are signing today, we are setting a new chart for the future of what street lighting, installation, management and control will be like in Lagos. It is a major paradigm shift.

    “We have about 33,000 street lights in Lagos under the Lagos State Electricity Board. Now, the LED UK, based on this 300 kilometres, will give us about 10,000 street lights.

    “So, technically, they are going to be having about 31 per cent of our entire street light infrastructure and this is a major significant development,” he said.

    Ambode said that with the partnership, there would no longer be any fixed costs with regards to management of street light installations across the state.

    He said that all challenges hitherto associated with street lighting would now be a thing of the past.

    Read Also: BRT kills pupil in Lagos

    “As a government, what we are doing is that we are not installing poles; we are not providing security; we are not bothering ourselves with diesel.

    “We are not worried on Fridays and Saturdays about people coming back from clubs knocking down our poles.

    “All those have been outsourced now. We are not going to be worried about that. We just buy light from investment of this LED UK with all their installations.

    “They manage it, they provide the security, they power it and as long as we see the light, we pay; that is what has changed today,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Alan Parker, the Chief Executive Officer of LED UK Ltd., said that his firm was greatly honored to partner the state government to deliver the project.

    Parker said that over the next 12 months, a British and Nigerian consortium would work to retrofit major roads in the state with urban regeneration project in Ikoyi, Ikeja and Victoria Island.

    “As part of this project, we will be employing over 500 local people here in Lagos and investing seven million dollars in the construction and setup of a LED lighting and Hybrid Energy Power Assembly Plant in Epe.

    “This facility will offer ground breaking testing, training and education programmes on renewable technologies, while providing the future for all lighting and hybrid energy power systems in Nigeria.

    “These high quality products will be built by Nigerians with the support, experience, knowledge and technology supplied by LED UK for all commercial indoor and outdoor applications for the African market,” Parker said.

    NAN

  • UK registered charity org empowers youths with skill in Ibadan

    UK registered charity org empowers youths with skill in Ibadan

    A United Kingdom-based non-governmental charity organization, Union for Virtuous Women (UVW) has flagged off the training of about a hundred beneficiaries in the areas of ‘adire’ textile making, asbestos and Plaster of Paris for home decoration.

    The beneficiaries mostly women and youths were selected from different religious bodies and socio groups within the Ibadan North local government areas of the state.

    The skill acquisition which was flagged off at First Baptist Church, Hall, Idikan, Ibadan was witness by religious leaders, community leaders, youths, women among others.

    The facilitator of the skill acquisition, Mrs Olubola Fatoki said her motivation was the need to tackle poverty and empower more women and youths to be independent and self-reliant in order to move on with their lives and change peoples focus of over-dependence on the government.

    Pointing out that the NGO is purely apolitical without any political undertone, Fatoki noted that until people who have the means and wherewithal gets to the level of complementing government efforts, the number of less privileged and poor might continue to be on the rise in the society.

    She stressed that if many of the youths are meaningfully engage, it would go a long way in stemming the tide of crime and criminality in the society which was one of the focus of her organization in facilitating the skill acquisition.

    To address the challenges of startup capital as often faced by my people after acquiring skills, Fatoki said “the kind of programmes we are doing are the ones does not require much to start up and shouldn’t be an issue for anyone to start up immediately. Like the one we are teaching in ‘adire’ textile making, the POP making and the asbestos making is not very expensive to establish. It is a sort of thing that any typical person can finance themselves to start up. It does not require too much capital like hundreds of thousand.

    “We are talking about empowerment of youths and their independents on how they can move on with their lives rather than just committing crimes about.”

    Read Also: United Kingdom envoy Thompson calls for Nigeria’s unity

    She however assured that the beneficiaries would be provided with needed mentorship and network that they might need to find their feet while starting up their business after acquiring the skills, assuring that the event would be periodic in other to empower more youths and get them meaningfully engaged ahead of the coming election period so that they would not be lured into crimes.

    Fatoki said, “Our target beneficiaries are the less privileged, women, men, young and youths from age 18 upwards. These are people of the local communities that we feel will have more to gain from the programme, especially the youth because youth is my heartthrob and I feel that the youth in the country being the future of the nation should be encouraged and empowered to be independent to do exploits on their own.

    “We are doing about a hundred beneficiaries today including women, men and youths. The NGO is non-political and non-governmental because many politicians would do such for their communities to curry votes but we are doing it on our own to encourage the less privilege, particularly residents on Ibadan North LG, the religious centres around the communities.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke in their various reactions expressed appreciation to the UVM for the kind gesture promising and assures that they would make good use of the skill acquired at the empowerment to better their lives and become better citizens.

     

  • Airport faces flight delays, cancellations over heavy snowfall

    Airport faces flight delays, cancellations over heavy snowfall

    A number of flight s were delayed and cancelled at the Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom over a heavy snowfall, the airport’s press service said in a statement.

    “Heathrow Airport remains open. However, we regret that weather conditions across the UK are resulting in some passengers experiencing disruption to their travel arrangements.

    “Airlines are responsible for ensuring their flights are fully de-iced before they are operated, and this is resulting in some delays and cancellations,” the airport management said.

    The press service also called on passengers to check status of flights before coming to the airport.

    According to the BBC broadcaster the heavy snow also resulted in power cuts as well as disruption of rail and road travel across the United Kingdom.

    Hundreds of schools will be closed on Monday.

    The deepest snow (30 centimetres or 12 inches) has been registered in the village on Sennybridge, Wales.

    Read Also: Air Peace begins flight to Freetown, others

  • FG inaugurates committee for Ekwueme’s State Burial

    FG inaugurates committee for Ekwueme’s State Burial

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday inaugurated the Committee that will oversee the burial arrangement of the late former Vice-President, Dr.Alex Ekwueme.

    Ekwueme had died in the United Kingdom on the 19th of November, 2017 at the age of 85

    Inaugurating the committee, Boss Mustapha eulogized Dr. Alex as a personality, who have served his fatherland meritoriously.

    The SGF assured the family members who are part of the Committee that Dr. Alex Ekwueme would be given a befitting and state burial.

    He told them that Federal Government would foot the bill and the evacuation of the body from London hospital.

    A statement by the Deputy Director (Press), Mohammed T. K. Nakorji, on behalf of the SGF listed the members of the committee to include Mr. Boss Mustapha – Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN – Member, Alhaji Lai Mohammed – Member.

    Other members are Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Senator (Dr.) Chris N. Ngige, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, Mallam Lawal Musa Daura.

    Also in the committee are Pastor Goodheart Obi Ekwueme, Prof. Osita Chukwulobelu – SSG, Anambra State, Dr. R. P. Ugo, FCIPM, FICA – Member/Secretary.

    The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Roy Ugo will also serve as Secretary.

  • Davido wins “Best African Act” at MOBO Awards

    Davido wins “Best African Act” at MOBO Awards

    Nigeria’s ace singer David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, has won the “Best African Act”, at the 2017 edition of the prestigious Music of Black Origin ( MOBO ) Awards.

    The 22nd MOBO Awards was held on Wednesday night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, United Kingdom.

    David edged out Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Maleek Berry and others to pitch the “Best African Act” award.

    Nigeria’s star boy, Wizkid who did not disappoint his fans also won the Best International Act, beating top artists like Drake, SZA, Cardi B, JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar,among others.

    On the international scene, English grime and Hip Hop artist, Stormzy, was the biggest winner of the night winning in three prestigious categories – “Best Male Artist”, “Best Grime Act” and “Best Album”.

    Dave emerged as the “Best Newcomer” edging out Jorja Smith, Kojo Funds, Stefflon Don, Yxng Bane, and others while “Best Song” went to J Hus for his chart-topping song titled “Did You See.”

    NAN reports that MOBO Award show is held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.

    See the full list of winners below:
    Best Male Act: Stormzy
    Best Female Act: Stefflon Don
    Best Album: Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
    Best Newcomer: Dave
    Best Song: J Hus – Did You See
    Best Video: Mist – Hot Property
    Best Hip-Hop Act: Giggs
    Best Grime Act: Stormzy
    Best R&B/Soul Act: Craig David
    Best International Act: Wizkid
    Best African Act: Davido
    Best Reggae Act: Damian Marley
    Best Jazz Act: Moses Boyd
    Best Gospel Act: Volney Morgan and New-Ye

    NAN

  • Nigeria recovers $85m Malabu loot from UK

    Nigeria recovers $85m Malabu loot from UK

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami Thursday announced that the Federal Government had just recovered $85million Malabu fund from the United Kingdom (UK).

    His words: “I am also pleased to inform that Nigeria has just recovered the sum of $85million on the Malabu funds from UK.”

    He spoke at the Agenda for Pre-Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Consultative Meeting organized by the Mac Arthur Foundation and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) in Abuja.

    Malami also added that the Federal Government of Nigeria was concluding negotiation with that of Switzerland on the return of $331million recovered from the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

    According to him, the Civil Society Organizations will be involved in the monitoring of the utilization of the funds.

    He stressed that with the conclusion of the negotiation, the different countries involved are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the repatriation of the funds in the next few weeks.

    The minister said that “we are indeed concluding negotiation with Switzerland on the return of $331million recovered from the late Abacha family. I am pleased to inform that Civil Society Organizations were involved in the negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding.

    “Most importantly, the Civil Society Organizations will be involved in monitoring the use of funds. With the conclusion of negotiation, parties are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the global forum at Asset Recovery meeting and repatriation all follow within weeks as agreed by the parties. ”

    He recalled that Nigeria has implemented the United Nations Convention Against Corruption requirement through the development of National Strategy on Anti-Corruption.

    The National Strategy on Ant-Corruption, according to Malami, was adopted by Nigeria and has been approved by the Federal Executive Council in July this year, which the President is expected to launch in due course.

    He revealed that the Nigeria is currently reviewing its anti-corruption laws, noting that the Federal Government has signed government partnership initiative and completed the National Anti-Corruption national action plan with practical implementation in the country.

    Malami noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to launch the National Action Plan very soon.

    He said that “it is pertinent to state at this point that the repatriation of our stolen wealth need very tedious several bilateral agreements entered into between Nigeria and other jurisdictions.”

    Even when the provision of the United Nations Convention against corruption obliged same, the minister said that, parties to facilitate the return of stolen assets between Nigeria and parties are facing several challenges.

    He said that his office has held talks with office of interests during the global forum on asset recovery.

    He said the countries include the United Kingdom, United State of America, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Panama, United Arab Emirates, Northern Ireland, Gambia and others.

    The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Eric Mayoroz said Switzerland and the government of Buhari are committed to fight against corruption.

    He noted that his country changed its legislation in the last decade so that stolen money could not be deposited there.

    The envoy said that his country’s law on money laundering is now the global model in the fight against the crime.

    According to him Switzerland was the first country to return stolen funds to Nigeria from the western world after it recovered $22million from the late Abacha’s family.

    He said that then, the Swiss Justice discovered that there were still other assets owned by the family in the country and it froze hundreds of million dollars deposited by the family in the banks.

    The envoy added that after an agreement was signed by the Swiss government and that government of Nigeria in 2014,  the Swiss Attorney General in Geneva decided that the money about $320million  should be given back to Nigeria.

    It urged negotiation with the government of Nigeria and the modalities emerged in 2016 when Malami and the Swiss AGF signed the letter of intent ,that the money should be protected from another attempt of being looted again.

    He added that in June 2016, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo chose the projects to use the money on to include those that would benefit the poorest in the society and that it would be monitored by the World Bank.

    He said “a few weeks ago, at the moment of negotiation, leading to the final point and the writing of the Memorandum of Understanding, we are very grateful to the Nigerian authorities for its commitment to a transparent and accountable decision that is aimed to reduce absolute poverty and providing cash transfers to support the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerian population.

    He said that the Swiss government had insisted that measures must be taken to ensure that the money will not disappear again, noting that the role of the civil society is vital in the matter.

    Mayoroz said that “We openly expect to sign another agreement between the Nigerian Civil Societies and the World Bank even before the end of this year.”

    Speaking, the British High Commission/Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Paul Arkwright, said that the United Kingdom is keen to see the quick passage of Nigeria’s bill on asset recovery and it is also ready to support its implementation.

    He said that Civil Society Organizations will have vital roles to play in the monitoring and oversight of assets.

    According to him, asset recovery is an important priority in the UK in its bilateral relationship with Nigeria.

    The transparent management and use of money and the returned assets matter more to the United Kingdom than Nigeria.

    He said that his government is insisting that the retrieved funds must be out to good use by the government of Nigeria for Nigerians.

    The United State Ambassador to Nigeria, who was represented by Senior Police Advisor, Mr. Michael Baner noted that the US was not a safe haven for stolen funds.

    The chairman of ICPC Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye  said that Nigeria needs to agree on some framework for asset returning saying that foreign countries a zealous to return stolen assets yet very conservative about returning the money.

    He said one should not criticize the position of the western world on asset return because previously returned ones were mismanaged or re-looted.

    According to him, Nigeria is now trying to put that accusation behind it by developing a roadmap for future asset recovery.

    He called for a framework and structure for the management of returned assets.

    He said that pending the passage of the bill in the National Assembly, there is now a framework which the government is using to diminish accusation against law enforcement agencies who recover asset in a transparent manner.

  • Secret corporate ownership a global problem – Osinbajo

    Secret corporate ownership a global problem – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described secret corporate ownership as a global problem and bane of development in resource-rich countries like Nigeria.

    Osinbajo said this at the Beneficial Ownership Conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( EITI ) in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday.

    The vice president’s speech was made available to newsmen in Abuja.

    He cited a 2014 report by the One Campaign entitled, “One Trillion Dollar Scandal’’, which showed that developing countries loose one trillion dollars annually to corporate transgressions.

    According to the vice president, most of the funds are traceable to the activities of companies with secret ownership.

    “Another report that may enjoy mention here is the 2015 report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

    “The panel stated in its report that Africa had lost more than one trillion dollars over a 50-year period, and that Africa loses more than 50 billion dollars annually to illicit financial flows.

    “Most of these illicit flows are perpetrated in the extractive sector and through companies with hidden ownerships.’’

    Osinbajo said Nigeria was still struggling with the negative impact of the use of corporate ownership secrecy by senior government officials and their cronies to corner juicy contracts in the extractive industry.

    He specifically mentioned the celebrated Malabu scandal of the 1990s, which he said remained the subject of criminal and civil proceedings in many parts of the world.

    According to him, the court cases involved huge legal costs, while the full benefit of the natural resource remains unexploited for the benefit of the people of Nigeria to which it belongs.

    “So, for us in the developing world and especially in Africa, breaking the wall of secret corporate ownership is an existential matter.

    “It is for us literarily a matter of life and death. Masked or Hidden corporate ownership is deeply implicated in the sad story of our underdevelopment.

    “Yes, we know that anonymous companies are not always illegal or are not always designed to harm.

    “But we also know that secrecy provides a convenient cover for the criminal and the corrupt. And we are not just operating from the theoretical or hypothetical standpoint,’’ he said.

    The vice president said that the problem was a global one driven by an inter-connected world where the foothold of anonymous companies does not respect the developed/developing divide.

    He said although the degree of exposure may differ, everyone in today’s world was at risk of the dangers posed by anonymous corporate ownership.

    “If nothing else, the Panama Papers clearly illustrated the global scale and spread of this problem.

    “So, this is a global challenge and nothing less than a truly global approach will be needed to tackle it.’’

    Osinbajo commended the United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands and Denmark for setting the pace in the establishment of public registers of the real, human owners of companies in their countries.

    He, therefore, called on other G8 and G20 countries to follow suit by initiating actions to end corporate secrecy at home and their dependencies.

    “Open Ownership and its partners must also be commended for establishing a global register of beneficial ownership with entries on about two million companies.

    “However, we must note that legislative measures in the mentioned countries may need to go farther to effectively discourage or totally prohibit non-disclosure agreements by governments with big corporate, and to re-evaluate the use of secret trusts to hide beneficial ownership from the prying eyes of the law.

    “It is important to underscore the fact that opacity in one section of the globe undermines openness in the other.

    “We need to break down this wall together as we are all at risk of the evil effects of opacity in business ownership.

    NAN

  • NIMC advises Nigerians to obtain national identification numbers

    NIMC advises Nigerians to obtain national identification numbers

    Mr Aliyu Aziz, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission ( NIMC ), has advised Nigerians and other residents in the country, to get their National Identification Numbers ( NINs ).

    Aziz said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that Nigerians should regard the NIN as a most crucial feature of their lives, since it was the unique identifier for all in the country.

    He said that Nigerians should regard the NIN the same way Social Security Number was regarded in the United States, the National Insurance Number in the United Kingdom or AADHAR number in India.

    According to him, what is common in all the countries mentioned is just the number.

    “Therefore, you need a unique NIN from cradle to grave,” he said.

    The NIMC boss advised Nigerians and residents in the country to present themselves to be enrolled for NIN to avoid any rush.

    He said that rush might arise with the enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN for transactions and access to services, as stipulated in Section 27 of the NIMC Act of 2007.

    “By law and along the entire lifecycle of individuals in Nigeria, you need to present your NIN, whenever you need to be identified for services such as passport issuance.

    “You will need to present NIN during banking services, land transactions, insurance services, pension, health insurance, payment of taxes, voter’s registration, consumer credits and all government services.

    “In all these, there is nothing temporary about the NIN slip issued after registration, the NIN is your identity and is considered more important than the card.

    “NIMC’s current focus is on the number – NIN, and not the card.

    “We are already in a digital economy driven by unique index numbers and not by physical tokens such as a card.

    “The law specifies that we should issue general multipurpose smart cards as the exercise continues,’’ he said.

    Aziz said the commission was mindful of the demands of the public for the physical cards and efforts were being made to meet them.

    The NIMC director general said however that provision of the physical cards had huge financial implication for the nation.

    According to him, the number of people with their NINs is 23.3 million, an increase from seven million in November 2015, when he took over the mantle of leadership in NIMC.

    “So, please enroll for the NIN, encourage everyone you know to do same, including children and legal residents.

    “This is necessary as all other government agencies will follow soon and make their respective announcements on the mandatory use of the NIN,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Unilorin holds 33rd convocation Oct. 21

    Unilorin holds 33rd convocation Oct. 21

    The University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ) will hold its 33rd Convocation on Oct. 21, the Registrar of the institution, Mr Dada Emmanuel, has said.

    The registrar in a statement on Friday in Ilorin said the convocation would include award of Degrees and Diplomas as well as prizes to deserving graduates.

    According to him, other events for the convocation, including a book presentation in honour of the out-going Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, would commence from Oct. 13.

    He said the convocation lecture on the topic `The Genius in You: New Tools, Techniques and Technology for Developing the Individual and Institutional Greatness,’ would be delivered by Prof. Chris Imafidon of Oxford University, United Kingdom.

    NAN

  • United Kingdom envoy Thompson calls for Nigeria’s unity

    Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria Harriet Thompson has urged Nigerians to be united as they work towards the country’s peace and growth.

    The envoy, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, said Nigeria had overcome many obstacles to become the great country it is today.

    According to Thompson, those attributes are necessary for nationhood.

    Her words: “I am really excited to be here. I find Nigeria an energising place to be; it is full of opportunities.

    “I come out of many meetings energised at the prospects that Nigeria has but I at times come out of other meetings less energised and a bit more pessimistic.

    “Nigeria has obviously gone through the economic high and lows, rising and falling tensions, through military dictatorships to the solid and strengthening democracy that we see today.

    “The UK’s relationship with Nigeria is long and broad. We work together now on issues ranging from trade, investment, commerce, education, infrastructure, health, security and the list goes on.”

    The envoy added: “We are committed to taking that relationship from strength to strength and to standing with Nigeria on this journey as it deepens democracy, improves security and creates prosperity.”

    Thompson said Nigeria had problems to be addressed to progress to the next stage of growth, but added that unity was important to tackle them.

    “There are obviously issues that need to be addressed in Nigeria.

    “Issues like corruption, issues like the insecurity in the Northeast, issues like the under-representation of girls in positions of influence and indeed the violence that many of them suffer on a daily basis.

    “The Buhari government is committed to tackling many of those issues, and there are some incredibly impressive people working to address them.

    “Challenges remain in Nigeria as they do in every other country of the world.

    “I and the UK would encourage Nigerians to unite, to stand firm for peace and for unity to overcome those who wish Nigeria harm and to bring a safe and prosperous future for all Nigerians.

    “I think the debate about restructuring is a healthy one to be had.

    “It shows that the population is engaged in the politics of the country and care about how their country is run and what it gives to them.

    “I would urge, as the government has done, for calm in how those discussions proceed and for measured responses in terms of language and activity.

    “This is so that those legitimate political debates can be had in an atmosphere of mutual respect and of a mutual ambition to take things forward rather than to descend into violence which would be really unfortunate for a country like Nigeria,” she said.

    The diplomat advised Nigerians to appreciate the diversity of their culture and resources to maximise their potential.