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Tuesday 28 February 2017

A month after being kidnapped, sold 3 times & starting school, 3-yr-old girl finally recovered

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Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, 3, was kidnapped by her mother’s apprentice, Grace John, from Benue State, at her mother’s shop located at Number 1 James Oyedele street off Temidire road Moshalashi Alagbado, Lagos state, on Saturday January 28th, five days after starting work.

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Exactly month later, she has been recovered in Abia State, after being sold 3 different times and starting school in the house of her final buyer. The recovery was made possible after Grace was arrested in Badagry, Lagos. .

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According to the parents, Oluwasemilore was initially sold to a woman in Onitsha, Anambra State. From there she was sold for N500k, to Awka, before finally being resold for N600k, to a childless couple in Umuahia, Abia State, where she had already started school before her rescue.

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Xenophobia attacks: FG wants NEPAD Continental to intervene

A man holds a brick near the hostels in the Jeppestown area of Johannesburg where clashes broke out / Mujahid Safodien /AFP<br />

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has called on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Continental to intervene in the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

He made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the two-day stakeholders meeting and skill initiative workshop for youth empowerment organised by the NEPAD Continental and NEPAD Nigeria.

Lawal was represented by Amb. Roy Ugo, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

He said that NEPAD Continental as seat of the continent’s development programme in South Africa should design a quick intervention programme to end the attacks on Nigerians.

According to him, Nigeria and South Africa have several business and economic development partnership which should not be disrupted because of some groups of selfish persons.

He said that the Federal Government would not want to take any drastic action that would negatively affect the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.

Besides, Lawal charged the NEPAD continental office to engage with relevant authorities in South Africa to do the needful with stringent measures put in place to punish perpetuators of xenophobia to serve as a deterrent to others.

In a response, Mrs Esterine Fotabong, Director, NEPAD continental said that the Government of South Africa has openly condemned the attacks on Nigerians and fellow Africans in the country.

She said that that there would be a peaceful dialogue to resolve the misunderstanding and to continue the peaceful relationship between both countries for a better future.

Fotabong said she would relay the message to the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Continental so that quick interventions would be put in place to stop the menace.

By JIMIVAEY

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After claiming she fired her staff, evidence emerges that Kemi Olunloyo’s blog page “hnnafrica” was actually shutdown by IG for cyberbullying 

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Banky W’s house gutted by fire

Nigerian songwriter and singer Banky W’s house has been gutted by fire.

Banky W, whose real name is Olubankole Wellington shared the details with his fans on his Instagram page @bankywellington. He said he and his dog Duke, escaped unhurt.

“Thank God I was awake to smell the smoke. Thank God we caught it early enough and the damage wasn’t so bad. It basically burnt some of the stuff that was around it.

“So awards, portraits, and some small electronics. But thank God, Duke and I are alive and well. We only had to form James Bond and climb down from the top floor balcony LOL 😂😁

“Thank God for my neighbours and the amazing workers in and around the compound for helping us escape via the balcony, helping put out the fire, and helping with the aftermath/cleaning.

“Thank God for life. And I’m not even upset.. I’m just grateful for life, health and for the grace and mercy of God. I figure I’m about to have the best year ever so the devil tried to throw a tantrum.

“But not today Satan. Not today, not ever. Now sit back and watch me be great. By God’s grace. Amen. God bless you all.”

The singer whose songs include “Jaiye Orimi’’ and All I Want Is You Feat. Chidinma, recently acted a lead role in the film `The Wedding Party.’’

By JIMIVAEY

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Naira further regains strength at N425 to a dollar in parallel market

The naira continued to regain strength and appreciate in value in the parallel market on Tuesday as it was sold for N425 to a dollar.

However, it was N450 to a dollar at the close of transactions on Monday.

A survey carried out by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday at the Bureau De Change (BDC) market in Abuja revealed that BDC operators bought at the rate of N415 and sold at N425.

The BDC operators bought the Pound Sterling at N500 and sold at N510, while the Euro was bought for N420 and sold for N425.

For the inter-bank rate, the dollar exchanged for N331.6, Euro 335.75, while the pound exchanged for N394.25

Some of the BDC operators told NAN that the provision of forex by the CBN to the commercial banks was responsible for the appreciation of the naira in the market.

Mr Sani Ahmed, one of the operators told NAN that the best way to crash the high rate in the market was the continuous injection of liquidity into the market.

According to him, the appreciation of the naira is a good development for the BDC operators and other investors who require forex for their businesses.

“Now that the naira is appreciating, we make more profit because if you buy at the lower rate, you sell and make gain.

“When the cost of dollar is high, we make little profit; but when it is low, we make more profit because we buy more to sell.”

He, however, said that there was the challenge of accessing the forex from the commercial banks because of the stringent measures stipulated by the deposit money banks to obtain the forex.

“If someone applies for forex from the banks, it takes time and the process is frustrating; sometimes, they make additional demands before they issue forex to you,” Ahmed said.

Experts have, however, expressed concern about the sustainability of the measures by the apex bank.

An economic expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, admitted that a complete currency float was capable of unifying rates and reducing round tripping and speculative activities in the market.

He, however, said that such a measure could be suicidal for an import-dependent economy that derived much of its forex inflow from a single commodity.

He, therefore, recommended coordinated fiscal policies designed to encourage import substitution and enhance competitiveness of local production to help reverse the downward trend in the value of naira.

“Government should fast track efforts to improve the ease of doing business and the state of infrastructure in order to attract foreign investments to develop multiple streams of earning foreign exchange.

“It is only when the supply of forex is guaranteed from diversified sources that the issue of market-determined value of the naira can be tabled for consideration,” Uwalake said.

By JIMIVAEY

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Amina Mohammed sworn-in as UN Deputy Sec-Gen

Hajia Amina Mohammed

Ms Amina Mohammed, the immediate past Minister of Environment, has been sworn-in as the fifth Deputy Secretary-General of the UN at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York reports that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres administered the oath of office to Mohammed.

“I want to say that I am extremely, very, very proud that you accepted to join our team. Thank you very much,” Guterres told Mohammed.

NAN reports that the Deputy UN chief, after her swearing-in, immediately swung into action by declaring open the 2017 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Segment on Operational Activities for Development.

Her speech at the ECOSOC event was her first official engagement, followed by a brief press encounter with the UN Correspondents.

Mohammed, who was appointed by Guterres on Dec. 15, 2016, as his deputy, was supposed to have assumed office on Jan. 1, 2017.

She, however, delayed the assumption of her new role at the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to complete some ongoing responsibilities she was handling at that time.

The office of the UN Deputy Secretary-General was formally established by the General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary-General.

As the fifth Deputy Secretary-General, Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and “ensuring inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes”.

She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating “the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance”.

In accepting the appointment, Mohammed had said she was humbled at the opportunity to serve humanity.

She added that “the opportunity and responsibility to serve people and planet as the next UN Deputy Secretary-General is truly humbling.

“I am most grateful for the confidence and trust demonstrated by the United Nations Secretary-General-designate António Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The next phase of my continued service to the people of Nigeria at the global level, will certainly build on the rich insights and lessons drawn from engaging with leaders, colleagues and stakeholders across our beloved nation”.

She recalled her positions of responsibilities over the last three decades and her contributions to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and recently working for environment protection as part of Buhari administration’s vision to transform Nigeria.

NAN reports that Nigeria was represented at the swearing-in by the acting Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Mr Anthony Bosah, while other family members and top UN officials also attended the ceremony.

Mohammed served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.

She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the SDGs.

Before joining the UN, Mohammed worked for three successive administrations in Nigeria, serving as Special Adviser on MDGs.

She provided advice on issues including poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development, and coordinating poverty reduction interventions.

By JIMIVAEY

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Presidency says economy coming out of recession

Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters

The Presidency on Tuesday reacted to the review of the economy by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), saying the report indicated that the economy was coming out of recession.

“There are now indications that the Nigerian economy is well on its way out of recession considering the 2016 overall and last quarter Gross Domestic Product reports,’’ the Presidential Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, said in a statement.

A review of the recent GDP figures released by the NBS shows a contraction of -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51 per cent for the full year.

Dipeolu said the Nigerian economy actually performed better overall last year as the growth rate was higher with a contraction at -1.5 per cent than the -1.8 per cent predicted by the IMF.

He said the report had raised the hope that Nigeria was gradually coming out of recession with the improving trends in several key sectors of the economy including agriculture and mining.

The presidential aide said the Buhari administration was also hopeful that with the series of ongoing engagement with the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the increased oil production output would be sustained.

He added that the ongoing implementation of the Social Investment Programmes and significant infrastructural spending of the Federal Government would spur a positive multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy.

He said same effect was expected from the possible early legislative passage of the 2017 budget.

“The Buhari administration will not relent in its determined effort and its comprehensive approach to bring about the full recovery of the Nigerian economy and set it on a solid path of sustainable growth.

“Our work continues and we renew the pledge to do it with diligence, and the firm commitment it deserves,’’ he said.

By JIMIVAEY

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Guardiola puts City goalkeepers on notice

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF /

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has effectively admitted he no longer has a first-choice goalkeeper after declaring he will choose between Willy Caballero and Claudio Bravo on a game-by-game basis.

Bravo was brought in from Barcelona in August to be the senior goalkeeper, but has lost his Premier League place to Caballero in recent weeks after a series of inconsistent displays.

Chile international Bravo was brought back in for the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Huddersfield 10 days ago, and is widely expected to be selected for the replay at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Guardiola, however, has rotated his keepers for domestic cup ties this season, so that would then mean Argentine Caballero returning for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Sunderland.

But Spaniard Guardiola, who let England goalkeeper Joe Hart leave City for a loan move to Italian side Torino last year, insisted on Tuesday he was reviewing the goalkeeping situation constantly.

“They (Caballero and Bravo) are so professional, they are exceptional, so there’s no problem about that,” Guardiola explained.

“You may not believe me, but I am not thinking about who is the first and who is the second.

“I decide on what I see, on what is the recent past, on the upcoming situation of the future. We are going to decide game by game.

“I have to think about it, not just with goalkeepers.

“Tomorrow’s a ‘final’ against one team (Huddersfield) who impressed a lot when we played there away. They are near the top of the Championship. Sometimes, teams at the top of the Championship are stronger than teams in the Premier League.

“So it’s one game. We know how many surprises there are in the Cup, so I have to think about it after the training session tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.”

– Kompany return on hold –
City made eight changes for the goalless draw at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium, and fringe players such as Pablo Zabaleta, Jesus Navas and Nolito are likely to be given a chance to impress again.

Wednesday’s game is the first of five in 19 days for Guardiola’s men, with Premier League tests against Stoke and Liverpool, as well as Sunderland, and the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Monaco to come.

City captain Vincent Kompany, though, is not ready to return after multiple injury setbacks, with the most recent a leg problem.

The Belgium international has played only six times this season, and has been dogged by injury woes over the last two years.

Guardiola, though, insisted Kompany was close to a return, and would be able to play a full part in the remainder of the season.

“Vincent is not ready for tomorrow,” the manager said. “He is much better but not for tomorrow.”

Guardiola and his players had a short break in Abu Dhabi after having no game last weekend, with scheduled opponents Manchester United beating Southampton in the League Cup final at Wembley instead.

The Abu Dhabi trip saw Guardiola meet with City owner Sheikh Mansour for the first time.

Guardiola, who succeeded Manuel Pellegrini as City manager last year, said he was impressed by the Sheikh’s football knowledge –- but the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was left in no doubt he will be replaced if results are not good enough.

“I was really impressed that he knew absolutely everything about us,” said Guardiola. “It was nice to meet him and spend a few hours together.

“He is so happy because he sees all the games and he sees the effort, he demands it. He knows we make absolutely everything, we fight until the end.

“I had good relations with almost all my owners in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, of course it is important to know them.

“They know, we know, all the managers and owners know that we are here because of the results. If the results are not good we are going to be replaced. I replaced another manager.”

By JIMIVAEY

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JAMB scraps awaiting results, introduces 4th choice


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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced that students will no longer be able to secure admission into higher institutions while awaiting their O’level results. 

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JAMB said this was part of its restructuring in preparation for the 2017 UTME higher institution examination. This means candidates must sit and obtain the results of either WAEC or NECO before admission. The board said this will keep candidates from taking the slots they do not qualify for. 

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The organisation also said it had concluded all restructuring and reforms and is now set to commence the sale of its application document in March.

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The restructuring exercise will now allow for only one choice of public university in which new registration platform will now be first choice, second choice, third choice and fourth choice and not most preferred, preferred choice.

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Candidates’ first choice can be a College, University, Innovative Enterprises Institutions (IEI) or Polytechnic/Monotechnic. 

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However, if a candidate makes a Public University his first choice, he will not have any public University to choose for 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice. He will have on the remaining three choices, a College, a Polytechnic, Private University and IEI’S. 

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As part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, Obasanjo tells a popular fable of the Tortotise, to pupils at a reading session in Ogun State

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Sultan, a stabilizing factor in Nigeria, says US Envoy

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, says the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad AbubakarIII, remained a formidable stabilizing factor in Nigeria.
Symington spoke in Sokoto on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on the sultan.

Symington said: ”The US is happy with the role the sultan is playing in ensuring sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria, and even beyond.

”The sultan is a father to all Nigerians and he is worthy of emulation by all Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
”So, the visit is aimed at appreciating the role of the sultan in bolstering security in the country.”

The US envoy said that his country would sustain the existing mutual relations between it and Nigeria as well as other African nations.

Responding, the sultan commended Symington for the visit, promising to work closely with him to further cement the existing cordial relations between the two countries.
He said he would continue to work selflessly to move the country forward and assured the envoy that Nigeria is now more secured than it was few years back.

Earlier during an interactive session at the Sokoto State University, Symington urged the students to always put Nigeria first.
”You should always think of what you can do for Nigeria and not what Nigeria will do for,” the US envoy said.

He noted that Nigeria occupied a special place in Africa, saying that the diversity of the nation was its comparative advantage.

Symington called for the strengthening of democracy, good governance, justice and equality, as well as providing enabling environment for youth entrepreneurial development.
”The country can also diversify the economy through agriculture, as the sector could provide more job opportunities.

”I have just visited the tomb of Sheikh Uthman Danfodiyo and those of his children, and what should not be buried with him is his hope to
end injustice,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, commended the US Ambassador for the visit, describing it as encouraging for the
university community.

Yaqub said that the university, which opened in October 2013, had 4,250 students, with the first set ready for graduation in October this year.

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Lent: Cleric wants Christians to pray for economic revival

The parish priest of Christ the King Catholic Church, Enugu, Fr. Theodore Ozoamalu, has urged Nigerians to use the Lenten period to pray for revival of the nation’s economy.

The priest said this in Enugu on Tuesday ahead of the Lenten season that every Christian should engage in fervent prayers to save the country from the current economic recession.

The cleric noted that it was only through prayers and supplication devoid of sins that the country would come out of its economic challenges.

Ozoamalu said that throughout Christendom, lent was a period of serious spiritual sober reflection where Christians examined their spiritual upliftment.

He said that this would afford them the opportunity to review their past lives and come up with clean and holy lives worthy of emulation.

“The importance of Lent in the lives of every Christian faithful can never be over emphasised since most Christians use the opportunity to jettison every bad habit and all the ungodly acts they have been living with.

“The reflection cut across every aspect of our spiritual lives. It is a period of prayer and fasting.

“It affords every Christian the opportunity to draw him or her selves closer to God through prayers.

“Prayers are the only acceptable medium of communication to our creature. Christians faithful are equally urged to fast throughout this period.

“Fasting is very compulsory to all Christians especially those who are not sick and old because it is only through fasting that one suppresses spirit of sins that is constantly creating a division between human beings and their creator.

“Prayer and fasting are very essential to the lives of every Christians especially this period of lent.”

The cleric prayed for the health of President Muhammad Buhari and wished him a quick recovery.

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MASSOB forecloses Igbo Presidency in 2019

By Dennis Agbo
ENUGU – The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has foreclosed the possibility of any Igbo Man or Woman emerging Nigeria President either in 2019 or 2023.

MASSOB said the impossibility was because, “Igbo leaders are political slaves in Nigeria.”

The group rather insisted on the actualization and restoration of Biafra sovereignty through none violent methods.

In a statement Tuesday by leader, Uchenna Madu, “The way Nigeria is structured politically, it will be very hard for Igbo man to be president of Nigeria. The structure almost reduced Ndigbo to a minority tribe in Nigeria but history has always proved that Ndigbo is the largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria.

“Even though five states were accorded to Ndigbo in Nigeria but we’re the largest ethnic group in every state after the indigenes of that state, in all the Nations of the world.

“Ndigbo are also the largest Nigerian ethnic nationality, even during the yuletide, all the states in Nigeria become temporal deserts and inhabitable because Ndigbo that make every state thick returned to their native hometowns.

“Even with our population and handshake with some geopolitical zones, it will be hard for the Igbo to be Nigerian president because there is a grand plot against Ndigbo in Nigeria. It will still be difficult for Igbo man to be president in Nigeria.”

Madu said the only factor that will force Nigeria to cede the Nigeria presidency to Ndigbo is the total support of Biafra actualization struggle “because that’s the only working panacea that attract regional interest to the presidency.”

Madu stated that the Igbo will no longer crave for the presidency of Nigeria but will continue to focus on the survival of the Igbo people and remain consistent in self determination struggle for Biafra actualization and restoration.

On the issue of President Mohammadu Buhari, Madu said that “Ndigbo has never benefited from Buhari’s administration because we know that it’s not possible. President Buhari has is a complete negative reaction against the existence of Ndigbo.

His anti-Igbo policies including his tribal and religious hatred of Igbo Christians is a complete proof of his personality.”

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Court orders remand of re-arrested Boko Haram suspect

Lokoja – A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of one Muktar Suleiman, a suspected Boko Haram member, who escaped from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS)in 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Levi Animoku, who gave the order, described the charges preferred against the accused as horrifying and grievous.

“Culpable homicide is the highest crime in our legal system.
“Section 341(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) simpliciter, precludes a court from granting bail to a person accused of such offence.

“Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe and the case is adjourned till March 16, for mention,” he ruled.

The prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji, in his application for the remand of the accused, urged the court to take cognizance of the charges preferred against him.

Abaji, a counsel in the Ministry of Justice, said the accused was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and belonging to a gang of brigands.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 97(1), 221, 305 of the Penal Code and Section 4 of the Terrorism [Prevention][Amendment] Act 2013.

Abaji told the court that Suleiman and one other currently at large, members of an outlaw society, Boko Haram, escaped from custody of the DSS with the aid of other members of the group in 2015.

The escapees, according to Abaji, killed a policeman and a fellow inmate during their escape.

He said that investigations revealed that they fled to a place in Yobe, Zaria and Kano for further training about three months ago.

The prosecutor said that investigations revealed that the accused and others after their training came to Otukpo in Benue, as well as Ankpa, Idah,and Anyigba in Kogi on recruitment drive.

Abaji also told the court that the accused and his group were planning to launch attacks on specific places in Ankpa and Anyigba before he was arrested.

He urged the court to adjourn for mention the case to allow for completion of investigations into the matter.

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FG to attract $10bn investments to Oil & Gas industry – Kachikwu

Abuja – The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu, has said that the Federal Government will attract more than 10 billion dollars investments to the oil and gas industry in the next five years.

Kachikwu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference tagged: “ Reforming and Repositioning the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria’’.

He said that the investments would address challenges facing the oil and gas industry, covering pipelines, refineries, gas and power, facility refurbishment and upstream financing.

The minister of state said that the objective was to bridge the infrastructure funding gaps in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

“Time has come to bring down the cost of crude oil production and have the right incentives.

“Three years ago, we have cost issues, technological issues but not issues of where the money would come from because of crude price regime.

“Between 2015to 2016, we took drastic measures on how to moderate prices, while between July 2016 and now, there have been lots of stability in the downstream economy.

“There are still some challenges but work is in progress,’’ he said.

Kachikwu said that the major problem in upstream was $6 billion Joint Venture (JV) funding debt and other litigations.

He said that an outstanding debt of $5.1 billion would be paid over five years through incremental oil production volumes.

According to him, we now have new cash call model that would free government resources and help production stability.

“There are still some governance issues to be addressed but once this is resolved, there is expected to be improvement in oil production.

“We are left with options of bringing in investors that will help address the over $45billion infrastructure deficit.

“Government wants to be bold enough to take steps that have not been taken before. We have to release our assets to private investors.

“Either gas pipeline, crude pipeline, the time has come to move from government ownership to private ownership for efficiency,’’ the minister of state said.

Kachikwu said that effort is ongoing in addressing the challenges in the Niger Delta region to boost oil production.

He said that government planned to grow oil production to three million barrels per day.

The minister of state said that government had commenced serious engagement with all stakeholders to achieve stability in the Niger Delta region.

He said talked about the Niger Delta crisis and reduced investments by oil firms.

Kachikwu said the cost of production was key and the issue of militancy was also key.

“ We have set a target of zero militancy for 2017 and it is achievable due to lots of community based activities and motivation,’’ the mister of state said.

He said that the acting President had visited three states and was planning to visit Akwa Ibom State soon.

Kachikwu said that the oil sector could not wait for political sector to find political solutions to issues.

“We have to collaborate with the oil companies, state governments and see how we can capture some benefits that will come from this.

“We have been seeing engagement of youths and we expect more improvement day by day.

“The states must make their mini-economy agenda and they will work with security agencies.

In his remark, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Mohammed Barkindo, commended Nigeria for exiting the Joint Venture Cash Call debt (JVC).

Barkindo said that the cash calls “are the counterpart funding which the Federal Government, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), annually pays as its 60 per cent equity shareholding in various oil and gas fields’’.

It is operated by international oil companies in the country for more than four decades and indigenous oil firms and Nigeria owe arrears of $6.8 billion.

Barkindo commended Kachikwu for securing the feat on behalf of the government.

“I must single out the frontal approach on the lingering issue of funding our exploration as well as production, the JVC.

“Many of my colleagues, here that we served together, will testify that government after government, regime after regime, we have battled with this issue continuously without solution.

“This is a confession: the day you overcome this issue that had beleaguered this industry as well as government, you made my day.

‘’Same for the day of all participants who knew what the government had battled to stay afloat on the issue of cash-call.

“The approach has been innovative, the solution is very practical,’’ the OPEC secretary-general said. (NAN)

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Queens College liable for students’ deaths -parents

…Allege over 200 affected by diarrhoea outbreak
By Elizabeth Uwandu
Emotions ran high as parents of Queens College students and wellwishers gathered at the requiem mass yesterday in honour of Vivian Osuyi, a junior secondary school 2 student of the school who allegedly died of diarrhoea.

The death of Vivian and another student has continued to generate posers as parents allege negligence on the school’s authority.

The Vice Chairman, PTA , who was identified as Alhaja Shittu who was present at the event, was accosted and questioned by the parents to give comprehensive details about the death of the two students.

Parents also accused the former School Principal of trying to drag the name and reputation of the school into mud due through her manner of handling issues .

Parents who spoke exclusively to Vanguard said that the cause of the students’ deaths was due to the cholera outbreak occasioned by the contamination of the school’s water system, a development they said the school authority knew about yet allowed students to drink and be fed of the water.

They also alleged that the school facilities, especially the toilets, were not properly maintained hence the spread of cholera that killed two students and sickened over 200.

Deceased’s father laments

For Mr Michael Osuyi, father to the deceased Vivian, who was a boarder, her death was caused by gross misconduct on the part of the school authority.

According to Osuyi, Vivian who only was released by the school to her parents after an hour’s notice of her being seriously sick, was given malaria drugs despite her stooling and vomiting. He said she took the drugs judiciously yet her condition deteoriated resulting in her being taken to two hospitals where doctors confirmed her dehydrated.

” My question is that why did the school authority give my daughter and other students who had complained of being sick, malaria drugs? When the Chairman of the Parent- Teacher Association, Mr Ofor Dike, called to commiserate with my family, did he not admit that the school’s water supply was contaminated?

“Why was no immediate treatment given to the students, rather the Chairman allegedly said he personally bought 3,000 bags of pure water for the students? Why were students banned from calling their parents in case of emergency? And why was my family called at 5pm on Saturday 11th February to inform us of Vivian’s deteoriating health? These are the questions am asking Queen’s College,” Osuyi lamented .
More experiences

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Nurses gets N200,000 for tolerating patients

Lagos – In an effort to promote excellence, two Lagos State legislators on Monday rewarded two nurses at the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos, with N200, 000 for outstanding service.

Messrs Segun Olulade and Jude Idimogu honoured Mrs Adefolakemi Oladimeji and Mrs Olufunmilayo Oyekunle following praises by patients.

Olulade, the Chairman of the Lagos Assembly Committee on Health Services, and Idimogu, a member of the committee, jointly gave the reward during the committee’s visit to the hospital.

The visit was part of the Assembly’s oversight function.

Many patients in the ante natal section of the hospital had expressed satisfaction at the services of the two nurses, who they described as tolerant and caring.

According to them, in spite of the large number of the expectant mothers, the nurses do their work cheerfully.

Mrs Amaka Onyekwele and Mrs Veronica Ekong, who spoke separately on behalf of more than 100 patients in the section, said that the two nurses were exceptional.

Onyekwele said: “These nurses are very wonderful, well-behaved, near perfect and listening, even in the face of provocations.

“These people are doing their jobs well even when they have to attend to so many patients in a day.”

The pregnant woman, however, urged the government to employ more nurses and doctors to reduce workload on those in the hospital.

“I sat for hours before I was attended to because only one doctor was available for more than 50 persons.

“I was given a query in my office last week because I returned late from ante-natal care; we need more personnel,” she said.

Also, Ekong described the two nurses as receptive, calm and listening, adding that they were not rude and harsh as many other nurses.

Responding, Olulade said: “I am impressed by this commendation of these two nurses by about 100 pregnant women. This is what we want.

“These two are the true face of the state government. This kind of attitude is what we preach all over our public health facilities.

“ Patients require love and not abuses,’’ he said.

The lawmaker urged health workers to be caring and tolerant and avoid rude to patients.

Olulade said that he would send commendation letters to the two nurses for their outstanding service.

NAN reports that the committee members, who visited sections of the hospital, inquired from patients their challenges and how they could be served better.

Prominent among the complaints of the patients are inadequate personnel, unavailability of drugs in the hospital and payment for items expected to be received free.

Responding on behalf of the two nurses, Oladimeji said that they were elated by the gift and would continue to be of good conduct.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had during a tour of the Ajeromi General Hospital on Feb. 15, warned nurses in the hospital against rudeness as complained by patients.

Olulade called on the management of the hospital to ensure that patients were treated with love and care.

“Anyone that puts up any attitude that does not promote care will be investigated, and I can assure you that such a person, if guilty, will be sanctioned.

“Rudeness is not acceptable in a public health facility. Patients are to be treated with love and must be treated as queens and kings,’’ Olulade had said.

Also, during a tour of the Apapa General Hospital on Feb. 21, the committee frowned at negligence of duty and rudeness by some health workers, urging them to desist from unprofessional practices.

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Man jailed one year for N15,000 generator parts theft

Sango-Ota(Ogun) – An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Tuesday sentenced a 21-year-old man, Tunde Kareem to one-year imprisonment for stealing generator parts valued at N15,000.

The Magistrate, Mr S.O. Banwo, sentenced Kareem after he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge bordering on stealing and conspiracy.

Banwo said that the jail term without an option of fine should serve as deterrent to others.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, had told the court told that the accused committed the offences with some others still at large on Feb. 23, at about 5.00 a. m. at Papa-Ojuore Street,Ota.

Gbesi said the accused broke into the shop of the complainant, Tunde Emmanuel, and stole generator parts.

“The accused was caught by security guards and handed over to the police,’’ he said.

The offences contravened Sections 390(9), 413 (1) and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ogun, 2006.

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Breaking: Tambuwal storms Abuja court with 35 lawyers over gov tussle

Senate to screen, confirm Walter Onnoghen as CJN Wednesday

FG’s guidance on licensing process for nuclear power plants set – D-G NNRA

Abuja – The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) said it was reviewing the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards (NSSS) Bill regulations to accommodate the operation of Nuclear Power Programme (NPP) in the country.

Prof. Lawrence Dim, the Director-General of the authority said this on Tuesday in an interview in Abuja.

Dim said that the NSSS Bill formed the basis for science and nuclear energy operations in the country and was undergoing a revision by relevant stakeholders to ensure that it was exclusive.

“The Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards bill is the act that will guide the operation of nuclear science, technology, and nuclear energy practice in Nigeria.

“It is very important that it is passed because it is the basis for any operation in Nigeria. If it is not passed, anything we are doing in that sector is null and void.

“This bill has been with us from the last national assembly and it went through the lower house but could not get the concurrence of the upper house.

“Right now because of the Nuclear Power Programme, we have further reviewed the bill, looked at it internally among us and have had meetings on it.

“We have also sent it out to other stakeholders who may be affected by it to look at it.

“The bill is not just only a Nigerian bill; it is an international bill because we have further taken it to the International Energy Agency to review it.

“When it is brought back, we will take it to the Ministry of Justice to start the process of gazetting,” Dim said.

Dim also said that the NNRA had reviewed regulations that would further enhance the operations of NPP across the country.

He, however, said that the regulations were being processed by professionals working with the authority to present it in its best form.

“In the area of regulatory requirements for NPP, the NNRA has commenced the review of regulations such as radiation protection, transport and radioactive waste management.

“The NNRA has completed the drafting of regulations for where NPP will be sited, physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, nuclear safeguards and uranium mining, milling and processing.

“We have also concluded the drafting of the Guidance on Licensing process for Nuclear Power Plants in Nigeria.

“Regulations and the guides are not ordinary documents, it is a technical document. Our lawyers have to put them in the best form for presentation to the President.

“This review they are doing in the ministry is what is delaying it because we have already submitted them and they require a professional output for proper delivery,’’ Dim said.

He added that more still needed to be done in the areas of human resource development and building regulatory capacity for the oversight of NPPs in the country.

One of the most important provisions of the NSSS bill is that no person shall site, construct, commission, operate or decommission a nuclear installation without a license issued by the NNRA.

The bill also recommends that an operator shall be exclusively liable for injury to any person and property upon proof that the damage was caused by a nuclear or radiological incident.

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act of 1995 established the NNRA and mandated it with the responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in the country.

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Edo Dep. Gov. receives report of Technical Committee on Revenue

Benin – The Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shuaibu, on Tuesday in Benin received the report of Technical Committee on law to harmonise revenue collection in the state.

The report was presented by the Chairman, Edo Internal Revenue Service, Mr Oseni Elamah.

The chairman said that the report would harmonise revenue collection between the state and the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.

He told the deputy governor about some of the committee’s recommendations including the use of Points of Sales (POS) in collecting revenue.

The chairman said the committee recommended a 21-day pilot project to run in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.

Elamah said sensitisation campaign would be carried out to ensure smooth operations in the rest local government Areas.

He said that training of revenue collectors across the 18 councils would also be given a priority.

In his remarks, the deputy governor commended members of the committee for the good work, saying that laws binding revenue collections in the state would be reviewed from time to time.

He said the recommendations made by the committee, would also help to check fraud in revenue collection between the state and the councils

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Arms Scam: Court orders Obanikoro’s wife to forfeit house to FG.

Justice Y. Halilu of the FCT High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja on Monday, February 27, 2017 ordered the forfeiture of a property belonging to Moroophat Obanikoro, the wife of a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, pending the outcome of corruption investigations into her husband and children.

The court also rejected a prayer by Obanikoro’s wife asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to pay her the sum of N200million for violating her fundamental rights.

As part of investigations into the $2.1bn arms scam involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the EFCC had traced the transfer of about N4.7bn to the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company allegedly owned by Obanikoro’s two sons – Gbolahan and Babajide.

Out of the N4.7bn, Obanikoro allegedly gave N3.880bn to Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore in July 2014, when they were the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidates in Ekiti and Osun states respectively.

The EFCC subsequently seized a house in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State allegedly belonging to Obanikoro’s sons – Gbolahan and Babajide – and a property located at 44, Mamman Kotangora Crescent, Katampke Extension, Abuja, belonging to Obanikoro’s wife.

However, the wife argued that she bought the property over seven years before the alleged arms scam took place.

She said the EFCC had no right to punish her for any crime allegedly committed by her husband and urged the court to award her N200million as cost against EFCC.

Her prayers: “an order setting aside the sealing of the property; an order directing the EFCC to tender an unreserved public apology for the unlawful and unconditional invasion of the aforesaid property and the sum of N200,000,000 as general damages for the unlawful and unconstitutional invasion of the property”.

In a counter affidavit, deposed to by one Jackson Edet, the EFCC claimed that Obanikoro’s wife could not claim to be ignorant of her husband’s alleged crime.

The Commission said Moroophat’s husband and her sons collected over N600million from the ONSA for a non-existent contract.

The EFCC argued that investigation had shown that, “the property belongs to Musiliu Obanikoro and he paid for the statutory charges for the property.”

The Commission added, “That a lawyer, Tejumola Adeboye, who volunteered a statement to the EFCC, stated that he managed the said property and remits the rent to MON Integrated Services (a company allegedly owned by Obanikoro, which is also under probe).”

In his ruling, the Justice Halilu said he could not stop the EFCC from doing its work, adding that all Nigerians must unite in the fight against corruption.

“I shall refuse the application because it is most unmeritorious and specially packaged to deceive this court”, the judge ruled.

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Nigeria’s economy expected to grow in 2017 If oil output holds steady

2017 CBN Junior Tennis Championship: Yakubu sisters win 2 titles

THE Yakubu sisters, Oiza and Nene clinched the Girls 12 and 10 titles as the 2017 CBN Junior Tennis Championship ended with fanfare at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club at the weekend.

First on court was the petite but extremely mobile Nene who defeated fellow nine year-old Mary Benjamin from the Navy Club Apapa, 8-3. Her left handed sister, Oiza, followed with an 8-5 victory over Blessing Otu also of Lagos.

Their performance was matched by the Port Harcourt based Kodian Tennis Foundation which produced two winners and two sibling runners-up.

Timipre Maxwell retained her title by edging team mate Rebecca Ekpeyong 9-7 while David Dawariye easily beat Usman Kushimo from Abeokuta 8-2.

The Boys 12 event was won by Daniel Adeleye from Ekiti who defeated David Ekpeyong from the Kodian Foundation 8-3.

Michael Osewa, the 2016 African Junior championship 16 & Under runner-up showed some class in overcoming Lagos lawn Tennis Club team mate, Augustine Stephen 9-8 in the Boys 18 final.

 

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Yakubu awaits scan results on hamstring tear

Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni will find out the extent of his hamstring injury after undergoing scan tests yesterday. Yakubu was signed on a short-term contract by Coventry, but his attempt to revive his football may now be put on hold. He picked up the injury in the closing minutes of last weekend’s clash between Coventry and Swindon Town.

The 34-year-old former Everton front man’s injury left him unable to run in the closing stages of the match. He was captured on video by a City fan – which has since gone viral – standing on the edge of the centre circle, barely able to move after pulling up with the crippling strain after he’d gone on as a 70th minute substitute for Marcus Tudgay .

It’s understood that the injury got worse the longer the game went on and, shortly after laying on the pass for George Thomas to score a late consolation goal, Yakubu was brought to a near standstill for the final few minutes of the match.

And with City having used all three of their subs, Yakubu remained on the field to make up the numbers, albeit unable to run.

The former Premier League star has made three appearances for the Sky Blues , all from the bench, amounting to a total of 69 minutes.

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Nigerian Onyekuru on Arsenal, Chelsea radar

Arsenal and Chelsea have joined the queue of clubs keeping a check on Nigerian starlet Henry Onyekuru.

According to Daily Mail, the 19-year-old winger plays for Eupen in Belgium and was a target for Celtic in January who had a bid of £1million rejected.

Onyekuru went AWOL for several days in the hope of pushing through a transfer to Glasgow but has since returned to action and has been given assurances he can leave in the summer.

The Belgians though are looking for £6million with the fee key to Onyekuru being able to gain a work permit in the UK.

Onyekuru has scored 12 goals in 26 games this season, including the winner against Tottenham’s European conquerors Gent earlier this month, when he impressed several watching scouts.
Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Monchengladbach and Lille have also sent staff to check on his progress in recent weeks.

Henry Chukwuemeka Onyekuru is from Onitsha, Anambra state in Nigeria. He was born 5 June 1997. He is a product of Aspire Academy.

Onyekuru had cause to attack his Belgian club in January when they frustrated his move to Celtic.

He claimed they were trying to force him to move to CSKA Moscow against his wishes, the Daily Record reported.

The Hoops had made a bid of around £1million for the 19-year-old Nigerian that was rejected, with the Jupiler Pro League side looking for £3million for the striker.

“They are frustrating me and my agent for their own interest.

“They promised to let me move in January if I have a good offer, now there are good offers but they now want me to sign for their own agent, before I move and they want me to sign for CSKA Moscow which I am not interested in.

“This is unfair and not acceptable.”

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Nigeria too big to play second fiddle – Uchegbulam

The new partnership with the Niger Delta

AS I left  Ondo State on Monday February 21, I reflected on Acting President,  Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s  historic visits to oil producing states and wondered whether we from those states fully grasp  the import. Do we realise  what opportunities the visits offer, what alternatives they portend  and the development miles we can make from them?  Given the enthusiasm expressed by the populace during those visits, the hope they rekindled and the vibrancy in the voices that welcomed him, I think we do.

My first take on the visits are that they are a deepening and consolidation of the bond between the people and the Buhari administration; a partnership that opens wide, the road to sustainable peace and development of the Niger Delta. Secondly, they revealed  the  Government’s  vision of  transforming the  oil  communities into hubs for refining petrochemicals and related activities  which will not only create mass employment and  make the country self- sufficient in petroleum products, but will also save the country the huge foreign exchange expended in importation of such products.  The Government’s agenda to build modular refineries  would be a big leap forward as it will in addition, check the rash of illegal refineries that are further destroying the environment and damaging the health of the people in the Region. The black soot that has enveloped a major city like Port Harcourt  as a result of industrial pollution, the rash of illegal refineries and  the serious health hazards which has put six million residents at risk, tell us all, that we are running against time.

Government’s plan to make a state like Bayelsa,  a hub for power generation given its natural gas deposits , would greatly tilt the economics of scale in favour of the country. This will  vastly reduce incidents of pipeline vandalism  which has had serious effects on the functioning of  gas power plants in parts of the country.

The visits also revealed the initiative of  a 40-point Agenda  for the Niger Delta by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and oil companies. In my view, leaders, youths  and traditional rulers in the  Region should key  into to this effort  in the overall interest of the   people.

Apart from the funds it is committing to the Niger Delta, the Federal Government’s initiative in securing over $1 billion dollars from the Shell Petroleum Development  Company to provide potable water and provide  health services in the Niger Delta, is salutary. Generally, the trans-national oil companies should follow in the Federal Government’s footsteps by partnering with the Region and contributing towards  its development.

They should take advantage of the  window of opportunity opened by the Federal Government’s commendable move in  bridging the communication gap between the oil companies and the Bayelsa State.

It is advisable in my view, that oil companies expand such cooperation to other oil producing states in order to guarantee peace, oil their business interests and ensure the needed development in the Region.

The Government’s policy – as demonstrated by the visits –  of reaching out to the Niger Delta people, listening to their  complaints and taking steps to address their concerns, is primarily responsible for the peace  being  witnessed today in the area and the  stop in vandalism of oil facilities. We have to build on this win-win foundation to build the human and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

We have no time to waste because the odds are not in our favour. We must be aware that oil is a wasting asset; it  will eventually dry  up and  that more oil is being discovered in other parts of the world. These, along with fracking, will lead to oil glut. All these with the polluted environment of the Region, have serious consequences for the future of the Niger Delta.

The Federal Government has also demonstrated good will to  our Region by extending the life span of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and funding it to realise its objectives. I appeal to the youths in the area to key into the Government’s agriculture project in order to ensure food security and mass employment. The Presidential Amnesty Office is already training beneficiaries of the Programme in technologically advanced  agriculture methods and is willing to expand this to accommodate other youths  in the Niger Delta.

Another positive fall out of the Acting President’s visits, is the closer collaboration with state governments. While the states  have demonstrated commitment to the development of all oil producing areas, they need to do more. In fact, I look forward to the states continuing where the Presidential Amnesty Programme will stop; the reality is that the Programme  cannot be an open ended one.

Following from the visits, the people in the Region will need to build trust, we need to build confidence, we need to build human and infrastructure capacity, above all, we need  to build a new Niger Delta with a new narrative. The time to start is Now!

Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) is the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta & Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty programme.

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Guinea president sacks ministers following deadly protests

People burn barricades in a street on February 21, 2017, in Conakry where at least six people died during violent protests on the eve as people demonstrated over teachers' strikes that have closed schools for the past three weeks, government sources said. At least 30 people were also wounded, including members of the police force in Conakry, the government said in a statement. A number of violent protests have rocked the city in the past few weeks, mainly by young people and students who support a teachers' strike.<br />/ AFP PHOTO / CELLOU BINANI

Guinean President Alpha Conde has sacked three ministers, including his education minister, in a reshuffle after a long strike by teachers and violent protests.

The unrest saw a three-week strike culminate in clashes that left seven people dead in the capital and forced the closure of schools.

Conde responded with a reshuffle which Monday saw him fire his pre-university education, civil service and environment ministers.

Former teacher and union activist Ibrahima Kalil Konate replaced Ibrahima Kourouma as pre-university education minister.

February’s protests were largely by young people and students backing a strike by temporary teachers demanding full-time government contracts and better conditions.

Schools eventually reopened after unions struck a deal with the government on February 20, but some teachers complained it fell short of their demands and two days of violence resulted.

In other changes, Sekou Kourouma was dropped as the civil service minister and replaced by his former advisor Billy Nankouma Doumbouya.

In the environment ministry, Christine Sagno handed over charge to another woman, economist Aissatou Balde.

By JIMIVAEY

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They’ve used my destiny for money ritual, Nigerian man cries out

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EU’s Juncker to unveil post-Brexit plan

United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (L) looks at European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as he delivers a speech the European Union headquarters in Brussels on June 28, 2016 ahead of a plenary session. European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker called on June 28 on Prime Minister David Cameron to clarify quickly when Britain intends to leave the EU, saying there can be no negotiation on future ties before London formally applies to exit. European leaders gather in Brussels for a crunch two-day summit set to be dominated by Britain's departure from the bloc following its shock referendum last week. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker will on Wednesday unveil his plan for the EU’s future after Britain’s departure, his spokesman said.

Juncker’s so-called “White Paper” will be presented to the European Parliament after commissioners get a first look at it on Tuesday, the spokesman said.

European Union leaders will then consider Juncker’s plan at a summit on March 9-10, before coming up with their own post-Brexit roadmap at a special meeting in Rome on March 25.

“On Wednesday, president Juncker will go to the European Parliament to present the White Paper on the future of the union,” Juncker’s spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a briefing.

Britain’s shock June 2016 vote to leave the EU — coupled with crises involving the economy and migration — has plunged the 28-nation EU into a deep bout of soul-searching.

At a special summit in Italy to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which founded the EU, the bloc’s leaders will issue a special declaration with new plans for future.

The declaration is expected to cover the next 10 years and is likely to contain suggestions for a “multi-speed Europe” in which EU states can decide on how much integration they want, European sources told AFP.

EU leaders are also keen to move on and not let the entire European project get bogged down in what promise to be difficult negotiations with Britain over its exit, which is expected in 2019.

Schinas said Juncker’s plan was meant to open a “debate” ahead of the Rome declaration and said there was a “lot of interest” in the former Luxembourg prime minister’s views.

By JIMIVAEY

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FG to attract $10bn investments to Oil & Gas industry, says Kachikwu

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu, has said that the Federal Government will attract more than 10 billion dollars investments to the oil and gas industry in the next five years.

Kachikwu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference tagged: “ Reforming and Repositioning the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria’’.

He said that the investments would address challenges facing the oil and gas industry, covering pipelines, refineries, gas and power, facility refurbishment and upstream financing.

The minister of state said that the objective was to bridge the infrastructure funding gaps in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

“Time has come to bring down the cost of crude oil production and have the right incentives.

“Three years ago, we have cost issues, technological issues but not issues of where the money would come from because of crude price regime.

“Between 2015to 2016, we took drastic measures on how to moderate prices, while between July 2016 and now, there have been lots of stability in the downstream economy.

“There are still some challenges but work is in progress,’’ he said.

Kachikwu said that the major problem in upstream was $6 billion Joint Venture (JV) funding debt and other litigations.

He said that an outstanding debt of $5.1 billion would be paid over five years through incremental oil production volumes.

According to him, we now have new cash call model that would free government resources and help production stability.

“There are still some governance issues to be addressed but once this is resolved, there is expected to be improvement in oil production.

“We are left with options of bringing in investors that will help address the over $45billion infrastructure deficit.

“Government wants to be bold enough to take steps that have not been taken before. We have to release our assets to private investors.

“Either gas pipeline, crude pipeline, the time has come to move from government ownership to private ownership for efficiency,’’ the minister of state said.

Kachikwu said that effort is ongoing in addressing the challenges in the Niger Delta region to boost oil production.

He said that government planned to grow oil production to three million barrels per day.

The minister of state said that government had commenced serious engagement with all stakeholders to achieve stability in the Niger Delta region.

He said talked about the Niger Delta crisis and reduced investments by oil firms.

Kachikwu said the cost of production was key and the issue of militancy was also key.

“ We have set a target of zero militancy for 2017 and it is achievable due to lots of community based activities and motivation,’’ the mister of state said.

He said that the acting President had visited three states and was planning to visit Akwa Ibom State soon.

Kachikwu said that the oil sector could not wait for political sector to find political solutions to issues.

“We have to collaborate with the oil companies, state governments and see how we can capture some benefits that will come from this.

“We have been seeing engagement of youths and we expect more improvement day by day.

“The states must make their mini-economy agenda and they will work with security agencies.

In his remark, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Mohammed Barkindo, commended Nigeria for exiting the Joint Venture Cash Call debt (JVC).

Barkindo said that the cash calls “are the counterpart funding which the Federal Government, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), annually pays as its 60 per cent equity shareholding in various oil and gas fields’’.

It is operated by international oil companies in the country for more than four decades and indigenous oil firms and Nigeria owe arrears of $6.8 billion.

Barkindo commended Kachikwu for securing the feat on behalf of the government.

“I must single out the frontal approach on the lingering issue of funding our exploration as well as production, the JVC.

“Many of my colleagues, here that we served together, will testify that government after government, regime after regime, we have battled with this issue continuously without solution.

“This is a confession: the day you overcome this issue that had beleaguered this industry as well as government, you made my day.

‘’Same for the day of all participants who knew what the government had battled to stay afloat on the issue of cash-call.

“The approach has been innovative, the solution is very practical,’’ the OPEC secretary-general said.

By JIMIVAEY

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Nigerian pastor urges all married ladies, who are working, to submit their salaries to their husbands at the end of every month

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Botswana’s Central Bank keeps lending rate at 5.5 per cent

PHOTO:continentalcurrency

Botswana’s Central Bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent on Tuesday, saying the inflation forecast will remain low and stable in the medium term.

“Subdued domestic demand and modest external factors point to benign inflation,” CBN Governor Moses Pelaelo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is 14 per cent, an indication of the lending rate in the economy.

In June 2016, it was reported that Botswana’s central bank kept its benchmark lending rate unchanged at six per cent , saying the outlook for price stability remained positive, and inflation was seen remaining within target in the medium term.

“The current state of the economy, including the inflation forecast, suggests that the prevailing monetary policy stance is consistent with maintaining inflation within the Bank’s medium-term objective.”

By JIMIVAEY

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Philippine police will return to drug war, says Duterte

This handout photo taken on February 27, 2017 and released by the Presidential Photographers Dividion (PPD) on February 28 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) speaking to reporters during the launch of the first Japanese car manufacturer assembled in the country at Malacanang Palace in Manila. Duterte said on February 28 he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as "corrupt to the core". / AFP PHOTO / PPD / ACE MORANDANTE /

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as “corrupt to the core”.

“I need more men and I have to call back the police again,” Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups.

“At yesterday’s command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism,” he said.

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads.

Duterte repeatedly promised to shield police from prosecution if they were charged with murder for killing in the drug war.

But he was forced to change tack after an official investigation found anti-drug officers kidnapped a South Korean businessman late last year, then murdered him at the national police headquarters as part of an extortion racket.

“You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It’s in your system,” Duterte said on January 30, before announcing all police had been pulled off the drug war until their ranks had been “cleansed”.

Duterte said then nearly 40 percent of the police force engaged in illegal activities.

Duterte handed the campaign over to the much smaller Drug Enforcement Agency, with support from the military.

The national police chief, Ronald Dela Rosa, said on Monday that gains in the drug war had been lost because his force had been withdrawn.

“The longer we are not in the war on drugs, the situation gets worse,” Dela Rosa said.

Global rights monitor Amnesty International released a report on February 1 warning that the killings in the drug war may amount to a crime against humanity.

It accused police of fatally shooting defenceless people, fabricating evidence, paying assassins to murder drug addicts and stealing from those they killed or the victims’ kin.

Duterte on Tuesday warned police who were sacked for corruption they would be killed if they resorted to drug dealing.

“If you make a mistake you will die. That’s for sure. Your wife will be widowed,” he said, referring to those who would be dismissed.

By JIMIVAEY

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GRAPHIC: Nigerian Facebook user shares heart wrenching photo of dumped foetuses of a set of aborted triplets

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Djokovic eyes fun in Acapulco after Aussie nightmare

Serbia's Novak Djokovic . / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK

Novak Djokovic said Monday he is ready to atone for his shock Australian Open exit as he prepares to return to action in Acapulco.

The 29-year-old world number two makes his bow in the tournament on Tuesday, his first match since tumbling out in Melbourne last month in the second round against Uzbekistand’s Denis Istomin.

The Australian Open defeat was the nadir of a challenging dip in form for the Serbian former world number one, who has won only two titles since July last year.

Djokovic, who is making his debut in Acapulco, said he feels in a healthier frame of mind since his travails of recent months.

“All in all, I feel that I’m in a much better state of mind than maybe I was at the end of last year. So I keep on going. I love this sport. That’s why I’m playing it. That’s why I’m here. I’m just hoping that I can stay healthy and as dedicated as best as I can be,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic, who plays Slovakia’s Martin Klizan in the first round, admitted going out in Melbourne so early had come as a shock.

“I haven’t experienced the first-week Australian Open loss for many years,” said Djokovic.

“But it’s kind of normal and expected to go through those times when you’re not playing as best as you can maybe, as best as you want to be, or maybe the opponent has an amazing day. It’s sport. You have to deal with it, and you can always learn much more from the losses.”

In early round action on Monday, American eighth seed John Isner was upset by compatriot Steve Johnson, going down in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Fifth seed David Goffin had no such difficulty however, breezing past France’s Stephane Robert 6-1, 6-2.

By JIMIVAEY

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