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Niger Gov Says States Must Collaborate To Defeat Terrorists, Bandits

By
Bayo Bernard
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Abubakar Sani Bello - Governor of Niger State

By James Orji

Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello of Niger State has called for collaboration  among contiguous states to stop the activities  of rampaging terrorists and bandits.  The governor stated this on Tuesday after he held a meeting with President  Muhammadu Buhari  in Aso Rock Presidential Villa,  Abuja. The state is among many states in the north mostly devastated by banditry and terrorism.

The state’s helmsman claimed that bandits still collect levies from communities  in the state, noting that earlier the criminals have already killed over 300 people in January alone.

Bello, who spoke to State House Correspondence said“In January this year alone, we suffered not less than 50 reported attacks and loss of lives, between 1st and 17th  January. Within the same period, not less than 300 communities have been invaded by bandits.

“The number of people kidnapped is 200, including three Chinese nationals. We also lost some security personnel. Their number is 25. Unfortunately, we lost about 165 civilians and 30 local vigilantes,” he said.

He explained that the situation in the state is now very dangerous as bandits are not prepared to back down from their criminality, calling on all the states affected to come together to fight the terrorists.

According to him,  ” it’s a very dire situation that we have been battling in the last few weeks since the beginning of this year.

“But I’m very optimistic with the kind of zeal I have seen from our security agencies and all services. I’m very optimistic that the situation will be addressed. And hopefully, we should get a very peaceful state within the shortest possible time.

“But there is still a lot of work to do. We share borders with Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. And these bandits have the habit of hibernating between forests, moving from Zamfara to Kebbi and Kebbi to Niger.

“They take advantage of the cattle routes which they already know. They move on motorcycles. And most of the areas and communities they attack have no access roads. So, you cannot drive there. So, our response time is slow.

“But going forward, there will be new strategies which I earlier mentioned. It will help us. But I can’t disclose some of those strategies. But basically, the States of Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi would have to work together to address the situation.”

“What I realized is that they have been taking us on a merry-go-round. When we deal with them in Niger, they move to Kaduna. When Kaduna deals with them, they move to Katsina. They have been hibernating in the forest. Some of these operations need to be handled simultaneously so that we get the result.

“We are not happy and we are sad with the developments in these states. We are doing whatever we can, using kinetic and non-kinetic efforts to see that we address the present situation,” Bello said.

Unity Bank CEO Promises Rice Sufficiency; CBN Anchor Borrowers Gulps 1trn

By
Bayo Bernard
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Unity Bank Plc will continue to partner rice farmers in the country to reduce the importation of the staple food, Tomi Somefun,  the chief executive officer of the bank has said. The commercial bank’ s CEO gave the assurance  on Tuesday during the unveiling of rice pyramids by President Muhammadu  Buhari  in Abuja,  the nation’s  capital.

The Somefun-led bank is a major partner in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Anchor Borrowers programme where farmers Associations are granted soft loan to produce grains such as rice and maize. The programme is part of the import substitution policy of the Buhari administration to make the country self sufficient  in food production.

Over 190 000 smallholder farmers across 35 states under the CBN Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) have so far received loans from the bank according to checks by the magazine.

Speaking on Tuesday the managing director of the bank said the lender will not relent in its continous support for farmers under the aegis of RIFAN to achieve zero reliance on rice importation.

To achieve this, Somefun said Unity ” Bank will continue to support the farmers and ensure that more smallholder farmers get the requisite financial support to boost rice production.

“Our strategic partnership with RIFAN started in 2018 when we financed about 273,000 smallholder farmers. This was the largest single-ticket transaction in that year. This financing cut across 33 states of the Federation including the FCT,” Somefun added.

“In 2019, the Bank increased the tally by financing another 146,810 smallholder farmers for the wet and dry season farming. This funding cut across 35 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Additional funding was granted to finance additional 221,450 smallholder farmers of the Association across the 32 states of the Federation including FCT for the wet season, and additional 300,000 hectares was financed in sixteen states for the 2020 dry season cropping season”.

In 2018, the bank’s strategic partnership with RIFAN led to the financing of about 273,000 smallholder farmers to a tune of about N37 billion which was the largest single ticket transaction that year, as the financing cut across 33 states of the federation, including the FCT.

Also In 2019, the bank increased the tally by financing another 146,810 smallholder farmers to a tune of N42 billion  for the wet and dry seasons’ farming. This funding cut across 35 states of the federation, including the FCT.

Unity Bank Plc will continue to partner rice farmers in the country to reduce the importation of the staple food, Tomi Somefun,  the chief executive officer of the bank has said. The commercial bank’ s CEO gave the assurance  on Tuesday during the unveiling of rice pyramids by President Muhammadu  Buhari  in Abuja,  the nation’s  capital.

The Somefun-led bank is a major partner in the Central Bank of Nigeria,  CBN Anchor Borrowers programme where farmers Associations are granted soft loan to produce grains such as rice and maize. The programme is part of the import substitution policy of the Buhari administration to make the country self sufficient  in food production.

Over 190 000 smallholder farmers across 35 states under the CBN Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) have so far received loans from the bank according to checks by the magazine.

Speaking on Tuesday the managing director of the bank said the lender will not relent in its continous support for farmers under the aegis of RIFAN to achieve zero reliance on rice importation.

Tomi Somefun, chief executive officer, Unity Bank Plc, says the bank will continue to partner with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) to reduce rice importation and create more jobs.

 

To achieve this, Somefun said Unity ” Bank will continue to support the farmers and ensure that more smallholder farmers get the requisite financial support to boost rice production.

 

“Our strategic partnership with RIFAN started in 2018 when we financed about 273,000 smallholder farmers. This was the largest single-ticket transaction in that year. This financing cut across 33 states of the Federation including the FCT,” Somefun added.

“In 2019, the Bank increased the tally by financing another 146,810 smallholder farmers for the wet and dry season farming. This funding cut across 35 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Additional funding was granted to finance additional 221,450 smallholder farmers of the Association across the 32 states of the Federation including FCT for the wet season, and additional 300,000 hectares was financed in sixteen states for the 2020 dry season cropping season”.

In 2018, the bank’s strategic partnership with RIFAN led to the financing of about 273,000 smallholder farmers to a tune of about N37 billion which was the largest single ticket transaction that year, as the financing cut across 33 states of the federation, including the FCT.

Also In 2019, the bank increased the tally by financing another 146,810 smallholder farmers to a tune of N42 billion  for the wet and dry seasons’ farming. This funding cut across 35 states of the federation, including the FCT.

Meanwhile, Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor said yesterday that the government  bank has empowered at least 4,489,786 farmers through thd Anchor Borrowers intervention programme.

 

Obi Celebrates Emeka Anyaoku at 89

By
The Source
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Former Governor Peter Obi has felicitated with the  Former Common Wealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as he clocked 89 today.

In a Congratulatory Message released by his Media Office, signed by  Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi described Anyaoku as an examplary ambassador of Nigeria and Anambra State, on the global stage. Obi stated that Anyaoku has continued to contribute to the peace and development of Nigeria, and indeed Anambra, his home State.

Obi explained that while he lived in the United Kingdom, in the 90s, he always felt proud, as an Igbo man, with Anyaoku’s contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations.

He narrated, “I recall that it was in 1997, during Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s tenure, at Edinburgh Conference, that the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), of which I was an early member, was formed.

“As a body saddled with the responsibility of enhancing trades and mobilising investments among the member nations of the Commonwealth, the CBC played active role in the economic development of member nations. Being an early member of the Council, afforded me the opportunity of participating in their conferences in Malaysia, Mauritius, India, Australia, Malta, South Africa etc.” Obi also recalled that he has also been opportuned to speak at different Commonwealth events, especially the ones held in Nigeria and United Kingdom.”

Continuing, Obi said “In 2013, as the then Governor of Anambra State, I recall being a special guest at his 80th birthday hosted by the then Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, at the Commonwealth Headquarters.

“Also as the then Chairman of South Eastern Governors, I co-hosted the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Emeka Anyaoku at Obosi, which had in attendance; all the then South Eastern Governors; Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many other dignitaries from across the country and beyond.”

He concluded, “I am therefore honoured to associate with and celebrate a man, whose greatness has rubbed off on us, both indidually and collectively as a nation. It is my earnest prayers that God will grant him good health of mind and body now and always.”

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Play For Pride, As Ghana Crashes Out

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles Vs Pharaoh of Egypt - AFCON 2022

By Akinwale Kasali

No one saw it coming.

Even the star gazers never predicted that the five-time African Cup of Nations winner, the Black Stars of Ghana would crash out so easily.

It was a heavy loss and heart break for millions of Ghanaians, as lowly rated and debutants, Comoros Island, was the architect of their early exit. It defeated Ghana 3-2.

The win by Comoros will certainly make people and soccer analysts search the African map to know the location of Comoros.

Comoros Island  is a chain of islands situated off the Southeastern Coast of Africa, to the east of Mozambique and Northwest of Madagascar. In its first outing it made history. Though, it is also booted out of the tournament, but it  is exiting the Continental showpiece with its heads high.

Come Wednesday, January 19th, 2022, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against Guinea Bissau for its third Group match.

Having qualified for the knockout stages following successive victories over the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Falcons of Sudan, the Super Eagles will be aiming to solidify their position as Group leaders.

Though, the match is mere formality as the Super Eagles had done its assignment in its first two matches, but Interim Coach Augustine Eguavoen will be gunning to continue its record breaking performance set at AFCON 2006 where the Nigeria team won all its Group matches, with Eguavoen becoming the first indigenous coach to achieve such feat.

At AFCON 2006 which Eguavoen guided Nigeria to a Bronze Medal finish, he defeated Ghana 1-0, Senegal 2-0 and Zimbabwe 2-0 to top the Group with Nine points.

He is, however, on the verge of repeating same feat, with Guinea Bissau standing its way in achieving this.

Nigeria’s opening scorer against Sudan, Samuel Chukwueze has disclosed the team preparedness to take on any team at the competition.

The Villarreal Football Club of Spain winger said that the Super Eagles is determined to face any team and defeat them with the sole aim of the team is winning the coveted trophy.

With the team already in the knockout phase, the possibility of the Coach changing his line up is rife, with soccer analysts predicting that he could give the fringe players in the team the chance to taste action.

The possible line up are; Francis Uzoho in goal, Tyronne Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Jamilu Collins in the defense.

Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Nwakali, Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi in the heart of the midfield, while Peter Olayinka and Chude Ejuke in attack.

Osun: PDP Shifts Osun Gubernatorial Screening Appeals

By
The Source
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The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has shifted the date for the Osun State Governorship Screening Appeals.

A release signed by the Party’s National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said it has been shifted to January 24, 2022 from its earlier scheduled date of January 19.

No reason was given for the rescheduling.

The venue, however, remains the Headquarters of the National Secretariat, Abuja. Bature’s statement reads:

“The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hereby, informs all Gubernatorial aspiranats and critical stakeholders of our great Party in Osun State  that the Gubernatorial Screening Appeals earlier scheduled for  Wednesday, January 19, 2022 has been rescheduled for Monday, January 24, 2022.

“However, the venue of the exercise remains the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja at 10AM prompt.

“All aspirants and critical stakeholders in Osun State should note the change of date and be guided accordingly.”

CNPP, CSOs Demand NCDMB Boss To Step Down

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Chief Willy Ezugwu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP alongside the Coalition of Civil Socie Organizations, CSOs, has demanded that the  Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Kesiye steps down to allow a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption against him within 21 days.

In a joint statement on Tuesday CNPP and the CSO,  noted that “it is in the interest of justice and in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s avowed stance on war against corruption.”

The CNPP said in the statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu and the Secretary of the CSO coalition, Ali Abacha, that “perjury is of serious concern” and should be taken seriously.

The statement added, “learning of the ongoing case in the United States of America in a libel case instituted by lawyers acting on the authority of the Executive Secretary in which the Defendant’s counsel is accusing Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote of perjury and lying on oath in his case against Jackson Ude, a journalist, in a United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

“Attorney to Ude from Amadi Law Office at 204 Blossom Street Extension, Suite A. Lynn MA 01901, Barr. Beneth O. Amadi, had in a letter dated January 15, 2022 and addressed to the Honorable Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., United States District Judge, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 504 West Hamilton Street, Suite 3401, alleged that Wabote perjured (lied on oath) in his response to interrogatories.

“The court had on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 ordered Wabote, to provide “full and complete responses to defendant’s interrogatories”, as the court was not satisfied with earlier responses provided by Wabote and his counsel.

“But in his reaction to the responses by Wabote to the interrogatories, counsel for Defendant (Ude) wrote to the court demanding sanction for “Plaintiff (Wabote) and his Attorneys for committing fraud on the court, for perjury and for acting in subornation of perjury in this case”, the statement recalled.

The CNPP and the CSOs said they “found it shocking that if knowingly, and with clear intention, as Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote was accused, is working to derail the course of justice and to torpedo Defendant’s access to justice in a case in far away United States, he will do worse in Nigeria.

“To ensure that he does not continue to obstruct the course of justice both in Nigeria and the United States, we call for his immediate suspension or he should voluntarily step aside for proper investigation into corruption allegations against him and to stop further siphoning of the nation’s scarce resources for legal fees abroad.

“We therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the National Assembly to immediately institute open probe of the core allegations against him as contained in a petition directed to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“If he fails to resign within 21 days, we shall be left with no choice but to take legal actions against him, including mobilising the civil society community to occupy the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption institutions until the the needful done”, the statement read.

Germany To Repatriate More Artifacts To Nigeria

By
Uche Mbah
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Oba of Benin Palace

By Uche Mbah

No fewer than 1,030 Benin artefacts are expected to be repatriated from Germany in 2022, Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abba Tijani, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday.

When the artefacts are repatriated, Tijani said, they will be kept in  museums to attract more tourists across the world.

Tijani said this would also give tourists  opportunities to view the cultural objects from the Nigerian context.

According to him, “It will make the foreigners understand the significance of the artefacts better and give them an added advantage which they might not get when they visit museums in Europe.”

Tijani said the commission had called for the expansion of the National Museum in Abuja and that of Benin so that the objects could be displayed.

He said the commission had partnered with corporate organisations to fund museum activities, adding that it had renovated many museums across the country.

Tijani said, “The Federal Government is ready to take possession of many of these Benin bronzes being repatriated to the country.

“Nigerians should also support us by appreciating these heritages being cherished globally, we should respect them and visit museums to understand them better.

“Also, individuals, philanthropists, culture, science and technology sector and all relevant agencies should work together with us to invest in tourism.

“Tourism makes a great impact on our economy, many countries rely on tourism for their Gross Domestic Product growth because it is a thriving sector.

“There will also be an investment for our local communities because they will benefit when tourists start trooping in from all over the world.”

Tijani said the commission would continue to partner with the private sector, adding “we are not relying 100 per cent on government funding’’.

There Is No Miyetti Allah Vigilante In Imo – IMSG

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

The Imo State Government on Monday dissociated itself from what it called a fabricated story that Miyette Allah vigilante has arrived the State to help Security Agencies fight crime.

The Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba said at no time did the State Government give any approval to the vigilante to operate in imo as claimed by the story which is making the rounds on WhatsApp groups.

According to Emelumba, the aim of the story which he said was authored by desperate opposition is to cause ethnic tension in the State.

His words:

“This is to alert Imo people that there is no truth in the story being circulated by the opposition which has become more desperate.

“The Government is not aware of any Miyetti Allah vigilante.”

He said the name quoted by the fake story did not exist while the byline of the supposed author was also faked.

While urging Imo people to disregard the story, the Commissioner said the Government will not hesitate to intimate them of any security arrangements it is making but certainly not outside established Security Agencies .

He warned purveyors of the fake news to be mindful of the consequences of their ill- advised action and desist forthwith.

On Monday, not a few people were shocked when the story made the rounds that Miyetti Allah had established its own Vigilante  group in Imo to confront kidnappers  since  Ebube Agu, a Government backed Vigilante group, has failed.

Election Timetable: INEC Awaits Electoral Act

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has disclosed that it will release the election timetable after President Muhammadu  Buhari has signed the disputed electoral Act.

Buhari refused assent, last December, because of the controversial direct primary provision in the Act. It has since been returned to the National Assembly for further amendments.

Speaking on the issue, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting for the year with political parties Tuesday, said he is encouraged by the Senate president’s assurance to tackle the issue upon resumption.

“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today, and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.

“As soon as it is signed into law, the Commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law”.

Rice Revolution: Buhari Honours Ayade, Commends His Contributions To Rice Farming

By
The Source
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Ben Ayade and Muhammed Buhari

Cross River state’s investments in rice production Tuesday resonated in Abuja as President Muhammad Buhari bestowed on the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, an Excellent Award in recognition of his government’s effort in that regard.

In pursuit of the agro-industrialization policy of his administration, Ayade has established in Calabar, the state capital, a multi-million naira Africa’s first-ever automated rice seeds and seedling factory.

The factory was commissioned in June 2018 by President Buhari.

Also, an ultra-modern vitaminized rice mill in Ogoja, in the northern part of the state, is completed and awaiting commissioning by the president in March.

The Cross River state governor received the presidential honour at the unveiling of the Abuja Rice Pyramids by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN.

The event was put together to celebrate President Buhari’s annual rice festival and to flag off the 2022 dry season program.

Speaking while presenting him the Award, President Buhari commended Governor Ayade for his contributions to Nigeria’s rice revolution and rice value chain.

Responding, the governor thanked Buhari for the honour, saying his passion for agriculture has the imprimatur of the President.

“Mr, President I want to thank you for making me a farmer, Mr President I want to thank you for turning my wife, a medical Doctor,  into a full-time farmer. I thank you for creating a great future for this country through your policy trust in Agriculture. I thank you for being focused on agriculture, I want to thank you sincerely”, he said.

According to him, “Cross River State has, based on your policy thrust, taken advantage of your robust agricultural road map to provide an alternative to oil as the mainstay of our economy, to focus on the agro-Industrialization revolution which is the basis of any nation that is prepared to industrialize.

“On the strength of that, Cross River State set up the first and the only vitaminized rice mill in Africa.”

The governor used the occasion to remind  the President of his promise to personally visit the state to commission the rice mill in March.

He explained that his administration has made rice farming pleasurable by digitalizing the farming process.

His words: “As long as you continue to use manual energy to farm, your yield will be low, as long as you continue to grow rice using seeds, your harvest will be slavish.

“Today, Rice cultivation in Nigeria gives you an average of three to four tonnes per hectare while in advanced worlds like Thailand and China, you are looking at between 10 and 14 tonnes per hectare. That is technology, that is the digitalisation that my administration has brought in”

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