Mr Thomas Etuh, FEPSAN boss

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for re-emphasising the need to sustain the ban placed on the importation of fertiliser and some staple food items into Nigeria.

President of FEPSAN, Mr Thomas Etuh who gave the commendation in a statement issued on Friday said the presidential pronouncement is a demonstration of the determination of Mr President to ensure self-sufficiency in the country.

Etuh said the president had demonstrated uncommon commitment to the development of the agricultural sector in the country, and urged Nigerians to support the efforts towards making the country self-sufficient in food production.

FEPSAN is grateful to the President for his uncommon commitment to agriculture in general and the fertiliser industry in particular.

His efforts towards growing capacity in this most critical sector of the Nigerian economy have continued to yield tremendous dividends, especially since the launching of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) in December 2016.

Today, 35 fertiliser plants are operating at full capacity across the country, employing hundreds of thousands of people directly and indirectly and supporting farmers with high quality fertiliser inputs, Etuh said.

He added that the billions of naira invested in the agricultural sector by Nigerians and other foreign investors bear strong testaments to the confidence the private sector reposes on President Buhari to enhanced local agricultural development and food security.

Etuh further said that the desire to enhance the fortunes of the country in agriculture value chain propelled FEPSAN members to ramp up investments in the production of quality and locally-adapted fertiliser that have been supplied to local farmers.

Mr President, in his wisdom understands the importance of local capacity building in the overall economic development of our dear country.

Against the possibilities of pressures from briefcase investors to pen up the country for the importation of all manner of food items and agro inputs, we at FEPSAN appreciate his unwavering commitment towards amplifying the gains so far recorded in banning the importation of fertiliser and other food items.

He knows the importance of foreign exchange conservation and prioritisation of local capacity building in the redistribution of income and we will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure that the immense opportunities in the countrys agricultural sector are fully exploited for the good of the national economy, Etuh added.

He also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria for the professional way it had managed the anchor borrowers programme, noting that it had helped in re-energising the agricultural sector and empowered farmers to multiply productivity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NEPZA, NASS agree on critical roles in nations industrialisation process

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Senate Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment have agreed to strengthen synergy on critical roles aimed at expediting the countrys industrialisation process.

Mr Martins Odeh, the Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

He said the agreement was reached when Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, Acting Chairman of the committee led his colleagues to visit the Managing Director of the Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba in Abuja.

Adesugba said that the role of the senate and the entire National Assembly in enabling the authority to reach its mandate is very critical to us.

This occasion is very important to me because I am sure you know I have just been recently appointed and this will be the first major interaction that I am having with your distinguished personalities.
I have no doubt that we will be working very closely with your committee to ensure that NEPZA attains its objective in playing a very critical role in the industrialisation of Nigeria.

We are all part of the downturn in the global economy and that also which is affecting Nigeria; we are looking in-house at the possibilities of NEPZA being a catalyst to propel the economy from where it is now, Adesugba said.

The NEPZA boss said the negative impacts of the prevailing hash economic outlook brought by the COVID-19 pandemic could be quickly ameliorated using the strategy of free trade zone.

The managing director said that having looked at what was on ground, especially the Special Economic Zones created by government, it intended to commence full operations to create much needed employment and to spark genuine industrialisation.

I hope and pray that this committee helps galvanise the required support for the authority by taking us into consideration when issues relating to assisting us comes into play at the national assembly.

Fadahunsi had expressed delight in Adesugbas appointment as the Chief Executive of the Authority, adding that President Muhamadu Buhari had picked the right person to reposition the authority.

We are happy to be here and with your appointment we hope strongly with the cooperation of the ninth senate, things will move I believe because you have been an achiever.

What we need in NEPZA is renovation upon renovation, infrastructural facilities for economic growth, just provide infrastructural facilities and security in the zones that can attract investors; they will come.

You have to have synergy with security agency for whatever free zone you have created automatically people will be free to exercise their right there and things will move.

We are ready to work with the executive arm and by extension, the authority to ensure whatever laws we are going to amend to assist you to bring innovation that will make you to do things differently is given priority, the acting chairman said.

The acting committee chairman said the country was losing huge revenues from lack of foresight in the management of the free trade zone scheme.

There is now a respite that you have come to manage the agency. We expect positive changes in many areas. We shall also support you in the creation of additional or new free trade zones.

We will support such initiative as that will provide opportunities for our teeming youth population to be gainfully employed. Such development will help in taming the current high crime rate.

On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, we welcome you on board as we urge you to come up with innovations and we are ready to partner with you so that Nigeria can get out of its lingering economy problem, Fadahunsi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Military

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the military has killed several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and bandits and also arrested their collaborators in the Northwest and Northeast zones during an operation.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving the weekly updates on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Enenche said that between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, troops had conducted several clearance operations and constant Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as intensive air strikes.

He said that during the period under review,the military rescued seven kidnapped victims, recovered rustled cattle, smashed illegal arms syndicates and illegal armed miners.

According to him, the recently repentant 601 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who graduated from Operation SAFE CORRIDOR are being received by their respective state governments and are in the process of being finally reintegrated to their home communities.

He therefore, called for cooperation from stakeholders to ensure that they didnot slip back to terrorist activities.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with all stakeholders of the Operation; including traditional, religious and community leaders as well as families of graduated clients, worked out the modalities to ensure this positive outcome, he said.

He said that for the period under review, the country witnessed downward trend in the activities of armed bandits and criminal elements in the North West zone.

According to him, the gallant troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI within the period carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence building patrols.

He said that in one of the operations conducted on Sept. 3,the gallant troops neutralised two armed bandits at Samawa village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Similarly, on the same day, a bandit named Sada surrendered three AK 47 rifles, one SMG and two magazines to troops of Forward Operating Base DANSADAU in Zamfara.

Also, within the period troops of Operation THUNDER STRIKE acting on credible intelligence successfully ambushed armed bandits at Jeka Da Rabi along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

During the ambush, troops neutralised four armed bandits and recovered one locally fabricated rifle along with five rounds of 9mm ammunition, he said.

He said that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on Sept. 6, arrested a bandit at Koha village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Also, on Sept. 7, troops of Forward Operating Base KEKUWUJE arrested two bandits couriers with the sum of one million five hundred and sixty five thousand, five hundred and fifty Naira (N1,565,550.00) in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Similarly, same day, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in conjunction with vigilantes arrested a bandit informant in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina .

Additionally, within this period, the Air Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE neutralised several armed bandits and disrupted their camps in the Kuduru and Kwaimbana Forest areas of Kaduna state, he said.

He said that this was achieved through separate air strikes carried out on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the two locations were being used as staging areas by the bandits.

According to him, the attacks on the two forests hideout were executed after aerial reconnaissance missions observed significant number of armed bandits around some compounds in a small settlement within the forest.

He said that the operations had restored to normalcy the hitherto crippled agricultural, social and economic lives of the people of this zone by bandits activities.

He said that in continuation of its efforts in the fight against terrorism in the North East zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not relent in its kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

Within the period under review, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded appreciable successes.

On Sept. 3,troops successfully repelled terrorists attacks on own troops and villages around Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area as well as Gajigana and Gajiram Towns in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno .

During the encounters, troops neutralised a terrorist and recovered one PKT rifle and two AK-47 rifles.

Also on same day, troops arrested two BHT/ISWAP elements at Kamuya village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State and another named Usman Almajiri at Damaturu town in Yobe , he said.

He said that on Sept. 6, troops acting on credible intelligence conducted raid operations at Hamdaga Makaranta Town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno .

In the process, nine different Boko Haram/ISWAP structures identified during ISR missions in the location were cleared.

Additionally, five of their fighters were killed during the raid; several others were neutralised by mop-up air strikes while escaping with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

Interestingly, seven kidnapped victims comprising two women and five children were rescued by troops during the operations, he said.

According to him, in another development, on same day, troops of 134 Special Forces Battalion repelled BHTs/ISWAP ambush along Magumeri and Gubio Towns in Borno.

During the encounter, troops killed one terrorist and recovered one gun truck, two AK 47 rifles, one Dushka AA Gun, one PKT gun and one MG.

Additionally, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in conjunction with police and vigilantes, on Sept 7, raided the residence of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers at Garba Chede in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba.

During the raid, one armed robber was neutralised while one G3 rifle was recovered, he said.

He assured the public of commitment of the military to achieve sustainable peace in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ministers of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar

By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday solicited the support of traditional rulers in the prevention of community spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

The task force, at a meeting with the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on National Primary Health in Abuja, said the royal fathers are key to engaging the people to keep safe from the spread of the pandemic.

The Chairman of the Task Force and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, underscored the need for a collaboration with the traditional ruler to stop the growing community transmission of the pandemic.

The chairman who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, highlighted the contributions of the royal fathers toward the certification of Nigeria as a polio free country.

We are aware of the need to engage our people to keep safe and prevent themselves from COVID-19 infection.

I am also aware of the immense contributions of the NTLC and particularly your commitment to the polio eradication initiatives through which we are able to achieve a polio free status.

It is for this reason that the PTF seek to deepen this collaboration with the committee in order to further accelerate our efforts to engage our communities to stop the prevailing transmission of the pandemic, he said.

The chairman noted that stopping community transmission is very critical to the complete opening of the economy especially those in the informal sector who depend on daily pay for thei survival .

He commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on polio eradication and championing the collaboration.

Speaking in the same vein, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said COVID-19 is one of the most easily transmitted diseases in the world judging by speed at which it spread across the world.

He said the PTF has conducted about half a million COVID-19 test out of the two million set target with over 55,000 positive cases and 1000 fatality.

He noted that the country has made effort to flatten the curve of fatality but the stage of community spreading is worrisome.

The minister said that as the virus is penetrating the community, the support of the traditional institution is key on enlightenment to stop the spread.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar III, pledged the commitment of the traditional leaders to prevent community transmission of the pandemic.

Our motivating factor is based on the serious consideration of health and well being of our people.

The partnership is imperative especially after the successful fight against polio and be rest assured that we will give our total support to this course, he said.

The Sultan noted that it is a Herculean task to convince the people who erroneously believed that COVID-19 is a disease only for the rich but they would continue to live by example.

The monarch who is the patron of the NTLC, requested logistic support, palliative to the people and the need to carry their counterparts in the Southern part of the country along in the fight .

Earlier, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, made a presentation on the efforts of the Emirs in the sensitisation of their people to danger of the pandemic and its prevention.

Source: NAN News

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva

By Deji Abdulwahab
Mr Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources says the Federal Governments decision to fully remove subsidy from petrol will save the country 1trn annually and create massive jobs.

Sylva, who said this on Thursday, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, said that beginning from October, Nigerians can now convert cars using petroleum to gas, which will be cheaper.

It is time for Nigerians to face reality and do the right thing. What is deregulation going to do? It is going to free up a lot more money.

At least from the very beginning, it will save us up to a trillion and more every year.

Already, we have taken off the budgetary provision for subsidy which is about N500 billion in the budget.

Also, we have taken off the excess forex price that special rate that was given to NNPC which also came at a cost.

So, all the money that we used to defend the Naira at that time to subsidise the dollar will now be freed up for development.

I believe that this discussion around subsidy has been a vexed issue that has captured the imagination of this country for a long time now, the minister said.

According to him, successive administrations have attempted to deregulate but sometimes, some administrations lacked the political will and at other times, the time was not good for it.

And why did I say that time was not good for it? Does that imply the time is good for it now? The problem around deregulation is that people must understand first that the product we are talking about is a derivative of crude oil.

It is refined from crude oil. Therefore, it has a direct relationship with the price of crude oil. If the price of crude oil goes up, then you expect that it would reflect in the price of the derivative.

So, the best time to achieve this we looked at was the time when crude oil prices are low so that Nigerians will get the benefit of those low prices, he said.

The minister recalled that in March, when the Federal Government announced the deregulation, the prices were low and that advantage was transferred to the consumer.

So, we brought down the price of petrol. The unfortunate thing is that when we brought down the price of petrol, nobody reacted in the market place. The prices were the same.

Nobody reduce their prices because price of petrol had reduced. Even bus fares, taxi fares were the same. It did not go down when we reduce the pump price of petrol.

We thought that those people in the market; the transport drivers and transport owners would reduce their price. But nobody reduce their prices, the minister said.

According to him, anytime there is even a kobo increase in the pump price of product, you see that people will increase their prices triple fold and four fold.

Sylva said that the Federal Government was planning an alternative fuel to give the deregulation a human face.

To give it (deregulation) a human face, we are introducing an alternative fuel. We are giving auto gas. Gas will now become a fuel for our cars. This programme will be rolled out within the next one month.

So, if you go to a filling station and you convert your car to dual capability or dual fuel, then you drive into a typical filling station, you will find gas LPG, you find CNG and NLG being sold.

So, if you look at the price of PMS versus the price of gas and you think that gas is cheaper which of course, it is going to be cheaper.

Gas will even be cheaper that PMS as it is today. So you see that we are also giving an alternative to the ordinary Nigerians, the minister said.

Source: NAN News

Policemen on duty

By Peter Okolie

The Police Command in Anambra says it has launched a manhunt for killers of late Chukwuma Ojukwu, an aspirant to the Awka-Etiti traditional stool, in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.

The Commands Spokesman, SP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Awka.

According to Mohammed, the command will leave no stone un-turned to uncover perpetrators of the act.

The case is under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring fleeing perpetrators to justice, he said.

NAN gathered that the late Ojukwu, was the son of the late monarch of Awka-Etiti, Igwe Akum Ojukwu, who had claimed to be the successor to the throne of his father before his murder.

The deceased had insisted that he wanted to succeed his father because the throne was hereditary.

However, he was allegedly killed by yet- to-be identified assailants at his residence on Sept. 8.

NAN gathered that the assailants had stormed his residence in a bus and allegedly clubbed him to death.

One of the villagers, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the deceased, fondly called Agujiugo, lived alone in his fathers palace.

This news of his death has thrown the community into panic.

He was always alone in his fathers Palace; his mother and siblings never stayed with him in that Palace after the death of his father, late Igwe Akum Ojukwu, who was our monarch, the source stated.

I urge the police to carry out a discrete investigation to expose those behind this dastardly act, so as to face the wrath of the law. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Little Miss Nigeria, Queen Angelica Ituma

By Patricia Amogu

Little Miss Nigeria, Queen Angelica Ituma, has called on the Federal Government to collaborate with her office to set up an inclusive education facility.

She made the call on Thursday in Abuja while on a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

Such collaboration will help us to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 16, she stated.

MDG 16 states that educating all children, including children with disabilities, is a fundamental way to eradicate poverty, boost shared prosperity and enhance inter-generational equity.

According to the 12 year-old, setting up a pilot scheme of inclusive education facility will serve as a model and will benefit children with special needs.

The scheme shall, by extension, be a clarion call for the implementation of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (prohibition) Act, 2018 in both public and private schools.

This will help us as a nation to be on the right track in the quest to eradicate poverty, boost shared prosperity and enhance inter-generational equity.

This project will enable us to discover, develop and empower the various potentials that abound in this class of Nigerians and help them to contribute their part in nation building instead of being a menace to our society.

As the little Miss Nigeria, I have lent my voice to the campaign for the implementation of the child right act across the Federation.

I have used my spoken word advocacy to campaign against all forms of violence against children, child labour, child trafficking, child bride, out-of-school children, child street hawking and other child right-related matters, she said.

Ituma applauded the minister for the various positive changes he had brought into the educational system while also soliciting support for her pet project tagged Kids got talent.

I am a product of multiple talents and so are most Nigerian children. So, I want to raise more voices and child stars like me.

To achieve this, I am soliciting for your support and collaboration with my pet project. It is a talent hunt initiative that will help us to discover and explore the numerous talents that abound among Nigerian children.

t will involve exhibition of their best creative works in art, craft, technology, invention spoken word, music, dance, mime, and any other display of creativity.

This will progress through the Local Government stage and State with the grand finale at the national level.

We need to design an educational system that will be able to train employers of labour and this can only be possible through emphasis on talents and skills development.

That a child is not good in English language and Mathematics does not make him a never-do-well student. It rather means that his areas of interest is yet to be discovered.

A wise man once said Give a child a job he/she likes doing, and she will end up not working all through his/her life time, she said

NAN report that 10 contestants made it to the grand finale in Lagos, for the 4th edition of the pageant, where little Angelica, then 11 years, representing FCT, was crowned little Miss Nigeria on Dec. 13, 2019.

The office of little Miss Nigeria is under the supervision of the Nigerian Children Ambassadors. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

CJN Justice Tanko Muhammad

By Wandoo Sombo

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Tanko Muhammad, on Thursday warned against recklessness, abuse of power and public trust as he swore in 85 judges for Edo and Ondo state election petition tribunals.

The judges would adjudicate on election petitions arising from the forthcoming governorship elections in the two states as well as the bye-elections scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in other states.

I will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust. This is a rare opportunity and you must give good account of yourselves, the CJN warned.

Justice Muhammad also implored the tribunal members to be firm and upright and not to be swayed by sentiments and cheap blackmail in the course of discharging their duties.

There is no doubt that temptations, tribulations, intimidations and even sheer blackmails may be unleashed on you.

As thoroughbred judicial officers, you must guide your loins to rise above all and do what will earn you accolades in the court of public opinion, Justice Muhammad said.

The CJN told the judges that there was no mountain too high to scale and there was no goal too difficult to achieve as far as they were firmly resolved to attain higher heights in life.

According to the CJN, you are expected to conduct your affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has just been administered on you, as anything short of that will place youon the wrong side of history.

You should count yourselves worthy to be entrusted with this humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those who will be contesting the highest political offices in Edo and Ondo and some other political offices in other states by virtue of the forthcoming elections, he said.

He reminded the judges that trust was a burden which they must discharge with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency, adding that conscience was an open wound healed only by truth.

While noting that all eyes would be on them, he urged members of the election petition tribunals to rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of their adjudication at the tribunal.

The 85 judges were drawn from Federal High Court and High Courts of the 36 states including that of the Federal Capital Territory.

While the Edo election is scheduled to take place on Sept. 19, that of Ondo would hold on Oct. 10.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that election petitions are expected to be filed 14 days after an election. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo: NAF pilots

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) graduated additional 29 pilots, who completed their flying training at the 401Flying Training School (401FTS) in Kaduna on Thursday.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in Abuja.

The new pilots are members of the 66 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), comprising 27 male and two female officers.

They began training as flight cadets of NDA on Jan. 7, 2019.

They were members of Student Pilots Course 46 (SP 46).

With their graduation, it means NAF had successfully graduated 145 student pilots from 401 FTS in the last five years.

Daramola quoted the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, as congratulating the new pilots for being able to withstand the rigours, hard work and the stress associated with the training.

Abubakar reiterated his administrations drive to continually develop an adequate capacity for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to national security imperatives remains on course.

CAS said that the pilots had successfully conducted their flying training on both the Diamond 40 and Super Mushshak aircraft types.

This, according to him, is a positive deviation from what was obtainable in the past.

He attributed the feat achieved during the training to the dedication of the ground instructors, instructor pilots, prompt/effective aircraft maintenance and availability of aviation fuel.

Abubakar, however, enjoined the new pilots to maintain the same attitude of dogged determination as they proceed to the next phase of military flying training.

There is more work to be done to earn your wings.

I urge you to continue to exhibit the right aptitude and attitude as well as determination to improve your flying skills, CAS said.

He recalled that the grossly inadequate number and the unsuitability of the platform for aerobatics and other unusual manoeuvres had significantly diminished the ability of the service to conduct military flying training.

Today, we have 15 platforms with a wide range of capabilities enabling quality training.

This has empowered 401 FTS to train a total of 145 student pilots from 2015 to date.

Additionally, 24 Instructor Pilots and 15 UAV pilots have also been trained within the same period.

These numbers represent the attainment of a remarkable feat that had previously eluded the NAF.

Abubakar commended the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command (AOC ATC), AVM Musa Mukhtar, and the Commander 401 FTS, Air Commodore Ahmed Idris, as well as his entire staff for their efforts in realising the feat.

The ability of NAF to wing 114 pilots in the last five years has led to a vibrant application of Air Power in combating the security challenges facing the country.

The multiplier effect has been a boost, especially in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East and the fight against armed banditry in the North-West and North-Central zones of the country, he said.

Earlier, the Commander 401 FTS, Idris commended CAS for his unrelenting support to the unit.

The commander added that the course was the first of its kind to have flown two different platforms; the Diamond 40 and Super Mushshak aircraft during the training.

He said the unit achieved such feat even when it had to contend with other demanding tasks.

Idris remarked that alongside the training of student pilots, the unit was also actively involved in airlift/VIP flights and Intelligence Surveillance/Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of Operation Thunder Storm.

According to him, the student pilots began their training with ground academic phase, which lasted for 16 weeks, followed by various stages of the flying phases. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Organised Private Sector on Thursday described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as a true friend of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

The group, which spoke at the inauguration of the Survival Fund and the Guaranteed Off-take Stimulus Schemes to support MSMEs and Nigerians, said that Buhari had demonstrated true friendship with his policies.

Mr Okonkwo Obadigbo, a member of the private sector who spoke at the event, said that since 2015, the policies of the current administration had been favourable to MSMEs in spite of security and infrastructure challenges.

A true friend is that person who has your back when times are good and when times are tough.

In my humble opinion, this Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Buhari, since 2015 has been a good friend of MSMEs.

Notwithstanding the challenges of insecurity and infrastructure, MSMEs have benefitted from many policies implemented by the Federal Government.

The Secured Transactions and Moveable Assets Act of 2017, established a national collateral registry which has eased the requirement from MSMEs in assessing bank credits.

The Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have executed several programmes and intervention funds for MSMEs in Nigeria.

The Finance Act of 2019 reviews the taxation of MSMEs, he said.

He noted that within the period, Nigeria moved from 169 to 38 in the global ranking for ease of doing business, noting that it was an attestation to the good policies.

He pointed out, however, that times were now really tough for MSMEs both in Nigeria and abroad, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the collapse in crude prices and reduction in oil revenue had also affected the economy, noting that the new schemes of the government were indeed timely.

This survival fund is a timely intervention to relieve MSMEs in Nigeria and the organised private sector welcomes it.

It is indeed a good stimulus package, he said.

Obadigbo called on states to emulate the Federal Government, noting that MSMEs also relied on states for survival as state policies also affected them.

He decried the situation where many MSMEs had died in states due to policies and unfair tax regimes by governors in the quest for Internally Generated Revenues.

I appeal to these state governments to support the MSMEs and follow the footsteps of the Federal Government, he said.

He also called on banks to be fair in the dealings with small businesses, pointing out that MSMEs had always complained that access to bank credits wastheir number one problem.

He further commended the government for the schemes, stressing that the private sector now awaited the commencement of disbursement of the funds.

Source: NAN News

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

By Abujah Racheal

The Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, on Thursday said the commission would deploy 3,000 infrared thermometers for Edo and Ondo States governorship elections.

Yakubu said this at his first appearance at Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.

He said, while speaking on INEC preparations for the two states governorship elections that the thermometers were donated by PTF.

Yakubu said that the infrared thermometers would be used at the 3,000 voting areas in Edo state elections on Sept. 19, adding that 17,000 ad hoc staff would be engaged in the election.

According to him, the same thermometers will be deployed for the Ondo elections.

The PTF has recommended the deployment of infrared thermometers to be used on Election Day but as a result of budgetary constraints, INEC doesnt have all the resources.

The commission only made provision for the deployment of thermometers at collation centers, which are fewer than the numerous polling units.

In Edo state, there is a total of 192 ward collation centres, 18 local government collation centres and one collation Centre but the polling units are many.

We have almost 3,000 voting locations in Edo state.

We simply dont have the resources to buy the handheld thermometers and deploy them at polling units.

Happily, PTF has supplied, initially 100 units of the thermometers which we deployed to Nasarawa.

I am also glad to say that they have made available 3,000 thermometers to be deployed to the polling units in Edo State.

I want to assure the PTF of the prudent use of these thermometers in Edo and well move the same thermometers to Ondo for the governorship election on the Oct. 10, he said.

Yakubu said that INEC had developed a policy on COVID-19 protocols to guide voters and electoral officials during elections.

He said that voters must avoid touching surfaces or leaning on walls at polling units,adding that INEC had produced a 10-point Code of Conduct for voters education during COVID-19 pandemic.

The chairman said that INECs COVID-19 Policy and Voters Code of Conduct had been produced in braille format also, to assist the visually impaired.

According to him, millions of people involved in elections are voters, INECofficials, security, personnel, accredited domestic and international observers, journalists, the candidates, polling agents, and service providers such as transporters.

Millions of people are involved in elections in close proximity in the course of party primaries, electioneering campaigns, voting on Election Day and collating of results and declaration of winners.

How do you ensure that the health, not physical security of all those involved are protected?

Fortunately, PTF working with the health authorities provided a guide, the national policy and anchoredon those guidelines INEC developed a policy specific to our mandate.

It covers not only the conduct of the elections but also electoral activities in general involving voter registration, political party and election observation and securing the electoral process.

In order to protect voters, officials and other stakeholders, the commission identified eight protective measures drawing from the national policy ranging from the mandatory use of face masks, hand sanitisers.

Use of methylated spirit and cotton wool to clean the smart card readers after the fingerprint of each voter is read, rules of physical distancing, the use of infrared thermometers and procedures for handling voters and election officials showing COVID-19 symptoms.

Yakubu said that the 10-point voters code of conduct targeted specifically at the voter giving details of the dos and donts at polling units on election day.

For instance, it is mandatory for every voter to wear face mask or face covering without which the voter will not be allowed to vote.

We need to emphasise that we are not asking for the kind of face mask I am wearing, not surgical face mask, but face covering will be sufficient for the voter to be accredited and to vote.

Also, voters are required to maintain physical distancing, he said.

Yakubu said that the commission introduced two queues, one outside the polling area and the other inside the polling area.

He said that within the inner queue, voters must maintain the mandatory two meter or sixfeet distance from each other.

Yakubu said that working with security agencies, INEC had produced and revised the Code of Conduct for security Personnel on Election Duty and that also included COVID-19 guidelines. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Bayelsa state government on Wednesday restated its commitment towards upgrading facilities at the Diete-Koki Memorial Hospital, Opolo and other health institutions to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the promise during his visit to hospitals, prisons and charitable organisations to celebrate his birthday with less privileged ones.

Some of the facilities visited include the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gloryland Motherless Childrens Home, Opolo and the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka in Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, underscored the role quality healthcare would play in the prosperity agenda of the administration.

He noted that the former Governor, Chief Seriake Dickson did a lot in terms of building various health facilities, adding that the current administration would spare no effort in developing the health sector.

Ewhrudjakpo whose birthday was on Sept. 5, described his visit to the less privileged in society as a tradition he had kept over the years to mark his birthday.

He stressed on the need for better-placed members of society to always give a helping hand to the needy.

The deputy governor said he could not afford to throw flamboyant birthday celebrations in the midst of poverty and underdevelopment in the state.

Ewhrudjakpo was conducted round the various wards at the Diete Koki Hospital by the Head of Administration, Mr Felix Olomu.

He later gave cash gifts to in-patients for their treatment, and also promised to pay the bills for outpatients that visited the hospital on Wednesday.

Every Christmas and on my birthday, I visit the hospitals and the childrens home to share what God has given us.

Saturday was my birthday but due to my busy schedule, I could not make it till today, which is also significant because it is the birthday of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ.

Today is a very symbolic day for me and I chose it for this visit, which is a tradition for me. I usually do it quietly but because my office has been elevated, so this visit has also been elevated.

There is nothing to celebrate, when there is so much insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment.

Until Nigeria overcomes these challenges to an appreciable level, which I believe should be the status of Nigeria, I dont think Ill celebrate. And I pray this happens sooner than later.

As a government, we will make our efforts to improve these situations because that is the mandate given to us by the people.

We will do the little we can to change things. We have started that good journey in Bayelsa State, through the Prosperity Government of Gov. Douye Diri. I believe we will get to the promised land, he said.

At the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, the deputy governor was welcomed by the Controller of Correctional Services, Bayelsa Command, Mr Edhokotum Seth.

He urged the inmates not to despair, but aspire to be better citizens by working toward becoming more productive members of society after regaining their freedom.

At the Gloryland Childrens Home, Opolo where the deputy governor was received by the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Faith Opene, he assured the children of a great and better future.

Ewhrudjakpo also visited the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa where he was conducted round the Special Babycare Unit and Surgical wards by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Dennis Alagoa, and other management staff.

High points of the visit was the cutting of the birthday cake at the Childrens Home as well as presentation of cash gifts to the

Source: NAN News

Gov. Of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday promised to fish out corrupt civil servants, who are ruining the interest of the state.

Mohammed stated this during an interactive session with stakeholders on challenges associated with the payment of salaries in the state.

This government, will no matter the odds in the system, definitely get rid of all our saboteurs who are bent on bringing down Bauchi state.

In 2015, salaries stood at N4.5 billion but we now need N7 billion in 2020 to pay salaries.

Embargo was placed on employment, We have retirees, yet we need N7 billion to pay salaries?

So, you can see the gross corruption going on in the state civil service, people do not want us to get to the root of the matter, he said.

Mohammed said that most of the corrupt practices take place in the Health Management Board, Education and Pensions Boards, among others.

We have many cases of double salaries, ghost workers collecting salaries, 100 ghost doctors, among others.

We lack a credible nominal roll that will drive payroll in the state civil service, he added.

Mohammed urged the stakeholders to come up with suggestions to check fraudulent allowances and salaries in the state.

He, however, said that to address the challenges, the state government engaged the services of Consultant: Dynatech Solutions Systems Ltd, to handle the issues of salaries and payroll in the state.

The governor said the consultant had begun to unravel huge corruption in all sectors.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger

The Niger State Government has dismissed 80 civil servants for allegedly placing themselves on salaries above their current status.

Hajiya Salamatu Abubakar, the state Head of Service, who disclosed this during a press conference in Minna, said that their dismissal was approved by the state Executive Council at its meeting on Thursday.

The Head of Service explained that those affected were uncovered by the salary committee earlier set up by the state Governor, Sani Bello.

Abubakar added that the officers placed themselves on allowances above their current status and entitlement.

She said the report of the committee was submitted to the office of the head of service which transmitted it to the Auditor General for further action.

The head of service added that the report was later presented to the state executive council, which approved the dismissal of the 80 officers from service on Thursday.

She said that the officers were from the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as Hospital Services and Management Board and Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Others were from School of Health Technology, Tunga Magajiya, School of Midwifery, the High Court and Sharia Court of the state Judiciary.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 Vaccine Research

Israel will hold first trials of a COVID-19 vaccine with 100 volunteers, Sheba Medical Centre in central Israel said on Thursday.

The trials are scheduled to begin in October at Sheba hospital and Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem, both selected for the task because they have large centres for clinical trials.

The vaccine, developed by Israels governmental Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), is based on another virus that is not harmful to humans.

One component of this virus has been replaced by a component of the novel coronavirus, which is responsible for its binding to human cells.

The bodys immune system is supposed to identify the binding site and develop antibodies against it, preventing the coronavirus from binding to the cell.

In June, the IIBR announced success in the vaccine trials on hamsters, as it was that the vaccinated hamsters blood did not contain residues of coronavirus, and they also developed antibodies against the virus.

In the first stage the safety of the vaccine will be tested, after the volunteers will receive the vaccine at one dose, through a muscle, hand or buttocks.

If it is proven that the vaccine has no significant side effects, the trials will be expanded to hundreds of volunteers, and then its effectiveness will also be tested.

Zeev Rotstein, Director-General of Hadassah, told the Hebrew news website Ynet that the hospital staff is ready, including special facilities needed for the first phase of the complex trials.

We will have to do it according to the rules and in a perfect way that will be good, efficient and without additional risks, he added. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

A drowing boy

By Bosede Olufunmi

A 10-year-old boy, Aminu Ilu, has drowned while taking his bath in a pond along Maiduguri road in Danladi Nasidi area of Kumbotso Local Government in Kano State.

A statement issued on Thursday by Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, the Public Relations Officer of the state Fire Service, said the incident occurred on Thursday morning.

We received a distress call from from one Ado Sule at about 09:57 a.m.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 10:10 a.m.

Ilus corpse was handed over to the ward head of Mariri Kata village, Alhaji Gambo Adamu, Mohammed said

He said that the cause of the incident was still under investigation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Enugu State House of Assembly

By Ifeoma Aka

The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources on Thursday met with a contractor, Fordmarx Nig. Ltd. in a bid to tackle water scarcity in the state.

The meeting, which had in attendance the management team of Fordmarx Nig. Ltd., afforded the lawmakers the opportunity to assess the companys capacity to deliver quality water augmentation project to the state.

Fordmark Nig. Ltd. is one of the companies shortlisted by the state government for the augmentation of water scheme to the Ninth Mile area of the state.

Declaring the meeting open, the House Committee Chairman on Water Resources, Mrs Ethel Oyibo-Ugwuanyi, said that the importance of water to the survival of the state residents could not over-emphasised.

We, the house committee members, invited Fordmarx Company in order to know how it will assist the state government to achieve the goal of improving water supply.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had, at the inception of his administration, promised to improve water supply in Enugu State.

This informed his decision to channel available resources toward achieving the goal, Oyibo-Ugwuanyi said.

Commenting, the Leader of the House, Mr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, noted that the Enugu State Government had invested much resources to ensure that residents of Enugu metropolis would enjoy adequate water supply.

Ezeugwu, however, regretted that the efforts had not yielded the desired result.

I blame incompetent contractors for the lingering scarcity of water.

The state government will no longer engage incompetent contractors to sabotage its efforts of resuscitating various water schemes in the state, the lawmaker said.

The Special Adviser to the state governor on Water Resources, Mr Anthony Onyia, said that the Ninth Mile Water Project was aimed at augmenting the existing Ajali Water Scheme.

Onyia said that the scheme would also provide an immediate solution to water scarcity in the area.

Responding, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Clifford Nnaji, said that the water project would cost N599 million, adding that it would be solar-powered.

Nnaji gave the assurance that the project, when completed, would supply 4,000 cubic litres of water to the Okwojo-Ngwo Community daily.

The managing director assured the lawmakers that the solar panel to be used would have 20 years warranty and the pump, two years warranty.

He added that the company would train individuals on how to maintain the facilities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa

By Muhammad Adam

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has approved the full take off of the Health Insurance Scheme in the state.

Fintiri made the announcement during the inauguration and foundation laying ceremony of a new cottage hospital in Gombi Local Government Area (LGA), of the state on Thursday.

The governor said the approval of the scheme was aimed at assisting people of the state get standard and affordable primary healthcare services.

I am happy to note that my administration is taking every step to ensure that our primary healthcare system is made resilient and fortified enough to address emerging health challenges.

In line with the above, I have approved the full take off of the Health Insurance Scheme in the state.

The development is to address and provide standard and affordable healthcare services to our people, Fintiri said.

He said that development of the Gombi Cottage Hospital, was a historic gateway to allow people in the area get access to a standard health facility.

It is disheartening that despite the growing population, successive administrations failed to build a befitting health facility in the area, he said.

According to the governor, the foundation laying of the Gombi Cottage Hospital is the third in the state, as part of governments commitment towards the provision of healthcare services.

He noted that the ongoing struggle against COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the weakness of the states health sector.

He said: Because of the past administrations weakness on the health sector in the state, we have taken intensive measures to address the situation.

So far, we have built one of the best Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre and commenced massive upgrade and renovation of healthcare facilities across the state.

Also, we have given directive for the recruitment of more healthcare professionals, purchased and distributed medical equipment to all three level healthcare delivery service facilities across the state.

He assured the people of more dividends of democracy to improve their living standard. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mohammed-Babandede, NIS CG

By George Odok
The Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Cross River, Mr Okey Ezugwu, has cautioned traditional rulers and government officials to desist from conferring indigeneship on foreign nationals in the state without following due process.

Ezugwu gave the warning during a courtesy call on the speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Eteng Jonah-William on Thursday in Calabar.

He said that such actions were done through the backdoor with no duly followed procedures or considerations for national interest.

He decried attitudes of residents toward border security through the encouragement of illegal migration into the state.

He urged local government authorities, local government officials and traditional institutions to refrain from issuing foreign nationals breeder documents which they have been using to apply for Nigerian passports and national Identity cards.

I am not trying to implicate anyone, but the Clan and Village Heads are admitting foreigners through the backdoor.

Irregular migration and all forms of illegality along the Cross River borders are managed by village heads who are giving foreigners Nigeria documents free of charge.

My visit here is to plead with the Speaker and House members that are grassroots people to talk to their Village Heads.

The security of Cross River which is surrounded by neighbouring countries doesnt depends on uniform personnel alone.

The security of Cross River should be our collective responsibility and we need to work together not to allow foreigners into our country illegally, he said.

Responding, the Speaker assured the NIS of the Assemblys continued cooperation and assistance with a law to put an end to all issues raised.

We cannot sit down as stakeholders and allow our country to go the wrong way. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, anyone coming in should follow the right process, he said.

Jonah-Williams added that all the House of Assembly members will take the message to their constituents.

He promised the Comptroller of a new era of stability in the borders.

We are here to support you, anytime you need us, you can come to us, he said.

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Zikrullahi Hassan, NAHCON Chairman

By Salisu Sani-Idris
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday signed an agreement with the Jaiz Bank Plc, for a Hajj Savings Scheme in the country.

NAHCON Executive Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullahi Hassan, said this while signing the agreement designed to fast-track the implementation of the scheme.

Hassan explained that scheme was enshrined in NAHCON Establishment Act, 2006 as a contributory payment scheme for prospective Muslim faithful wishing to undertake Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

He said that the agreement was a step towards securing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)s license for the operation of the scheme as a full fledged model.

He said that the scheme was expected to boost economic growth, entrench culture of savings among low income groups and lift people out of poverty.

He said every Muslim faithful, who intended to perform the Hajj could be enroled in the scheme through the Pilgrims Welfare Board in all the 36 states, agencies and commissions or NAHCON offices across the country.

Enrolment can also be done directly from the comfort of room by logging into the dedicated site of the scheme.

Subscribers can also deposit at their convenience, and the amount they want to contribute over a specific period to be determined by them.

Deposits made will be invested in low risk Sharia-compliant product which will be monitor by the commission and profit share among stakeholders.

In line with the provision of NAHCON ACT, 2006 and in consultation with the board, we shall in due course constitute a Board of Trustees to be submitted to the government, Hassan said.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), advised the Muslim faithful to imbibe the saving culture and long-term planning in order to key into the Hajj family.

Represented by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Service, Office of the SGF, Mustapha urged the board and management of NAHCON to secure the license from the CBN in order to deploy the full-fledged scheme under a Special Purpose Vehicle.

He noted that promoting national cohesion and social inclusion was one of the core principles upon which the present administrations Economic Growth Recovery Plan (ERGP) was built.

The SGF said that government encourage programmes that have positive socio-economic impact on Nigerians and that the Hajj savings scheme was one of such.

The success of similar schemes in some countries gives us the hope that Nigeria by virtue of its population, constituting one of the largest Hajj contingents will succeed in this endeavour and usher in a new era in the history of Hajj management to meet and possibly surpass the best in the world today.

It is my sincere hope that all stakeholders in this scheme will give their all so that Nigeria will not only have a scheme which we can be proud of, but one that others will learn from, he said.

The Chairman Board of Trustees, Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umar Mutallab, said that the bank was committed to the success of the scheme.

Source: NAN News