Author: tdpel

Vanguard Media has nominated The founder of Zeetin Engineering, Azibaola Roberts has bagged the Vanguards 2021 Innovator of the Year.

This is contained in a letter delivered to him in his Abuja office by Vanguard delegation, led by the chairman of its Editorial Board, Ochereome Nnana.

The letter was entitled ‘Vanguard’s Personality of the Year of the Awards 2021: The Innovator of the Year notification of award.

“This award is in recognition of your exceptional contributions to nation-building, particularly in the automotive and technological fabrication sector of the Nigerian economy.

“The philosophy of this award is to recognise and celebrate Excellence, National Pride and Service to Humanity,” Vanguard said.

“An Original Equipment Manufacturer, OEM, who has taken the gauntlet to produce strategic machines and spare parts for the automobile, aeronautical and oil and gas industries in Nigeria.

“You have through your company Zeetin Engineering Ltd, significantly changed the story of industrialisation and technological development in the country and given hope for a new Nigeria.”

“Your strides in these vital areas of nation building have stood you out as a creative, innovative and altruistic leader, who should be celebrated for your outstanding value addition to Nigeria and its citizens. Posterity will not forget your landmark contribution to Nigeria in particular and the society in general.”

Addressing the delegation, Robert said he was happy for the recognition and the award.

“I thank you for this award. It means that you recognised us and our hard work, and appreciate Zeetin’s contributions to the technological development and advancement of Nigeria by giving us this award.”

A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Robert added that the award would serve as a tonic for him.

“It will spur me into pursuing my passion for the technological development of Nigeria through precision engineering, innovations, making machines that make machines, and creating jobs.”(NAN)

By Precious Akutamadu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday urged Nigerians to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies in the country to achieve success in the fight against corruption.

EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, gave the charge during a regional conference organised by the Social Action Group, an NGO, in Port Harcourt.

Bawa, who was represented by Mr Oyewole Dele, the Head, Public Affairs Unit, EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office, described the theme of the conference “Beyond Forensic Audit, Repositioning the NDDC for Inclusive and Effective Service Delivery” as apt.

He also urged Nigerians to pay attention to things happening in their immediate environment to enable them to identify their problems and find solutions to them.

“We should identify with the needs of the Niger Delta, meet with the key stakeholders and be able to agree on what will move the Niger Delta forward and give proper accountability,” he said.

Bawa also urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to identify with the grassroots in order to get reliable information from them.

The EFCC boss stressed that the commission was solidly on ground and ready to carry out its duties once they got genuine information from the public.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), said that the body was ready to partner with NDDC and CSOs to achieve its mandate

Owasanoye, who was represented by Mrs Ekere Useiri, said that ICPC was committed to investigating and prosecuting offenders who went against the processes of project execution.

Dr Osasu Ekpen, the National Organising Secretary, Host Communities, Nigerian Producing Oil and Gas areas, explained that NDDC had about 12,000 projects worth about N15 trillion in the Niger Delta region.

Ekpen urged NDDC to collaborate with host communities and stakeholders during the process of budgeting and project execution.

Mrs Vivian Bellonwu, the Programme Director of Social Action Group said that the aim of the conference was to present an annual report of assessment of the services and actions of the NDDC.

Mrs Vivian Bellonwu, the Programme Director of Social Action Group said that the aim of the conference was to present an annual report of assessment of the services and actions of the NDDC.

She said that the report was a product of monitoring other civic engagements, engaging the NDDC on its social contracts.

“We cannot overemphasise the fact that the NDDC is large and this is the fundamental challenge the public is facing with the organisation.

“We want the obesity of the NDDC to be brought down to enable the commission to fulfill its mandate,“ she said.

The high point of the programme was the unveiling of the report on the findings on the NDDC forensic audit by the Social Action Group. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Cecilia Ologunagba

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, saying that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “chose this war” and his country would bear the consequences.

The sanctions target Russian banks, oligarchs and high-tech sectors, Biden said.

The United States and its allies will block assets of four large Russian banks, impose export controls and sanction oligarchs.

Biden had on Tuesday announced first tranche of sanctions on Russia, following its decision to recognise the independence of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The President announced the sanctions at the White House while Ukraine’s government reported mounting casualties inflicted by Russian forces attacking from the east, north and south.

“The sanctions measures impose severe costs on Russia’s largest financial institutions and will further isolate Russia from the global financial system.

“With today’s financial sanctions, we have now targeted all ten of Russia’s largest financial institutions, including the imposition of full blocking and correspondent and payable-through account sanctions, and debt and equity restrictions, on institutions holding nearly 80 per cent of Russian banking sector assets.

“The unprecedented export control measures will cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports, restricting Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophying its industrial base, and undercutting Russia’s strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage,’’ he said.

According to him, the impact of these measures will be significantly magnified due to historical multilateral cooperation with a wide range of Allies and partners who are mirroring our actions, inhibiting Putin’s ambition to diversify Russia’s brittle, one-dimensional economy.

“The scale of Putin’s aggression and the threat it poses to the international order require a resolute response, and we will continue imposing severe costs if he does not change course.’’

The U.S. leader said Russia’s economy had already faced intensified pressure in recent weeks, noting that just today its stock market sunk to its lowest level in four and half years.

With these new stringent measures, he said these pressures would further accumulate and suppress Russia’s economic growth, increase its borrowing costs, raise inflation, intensify capital outflows, and erode its industrial base.

“The United States and our Allies and partners are unified and will continue to impose costs, forcing Putin to look to other countries that cannot replicate the financial and technology strengths of Western markets.’’

He said the U.S. would be deploying additional forces to Germany to bolster NATO after the invasion of Ukraine, which is not a member of the defense organisation. Approximately 7,000 additional U.S. troops will be sent.

Biden said Putin’s threatening actions and now his unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine were being met with an unprecedented level of multilateral cooperation.

He said the United States welcomed the commitments by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

“They would also take similarly forceful actions to hold Russia accountable – demonstrating the strength of our partnerships and deepening the impact on Russia more than any action we could have taken alone.

“This follows our joint action earlier this week to impose a first tranche of severe sanctions on Russia,’’ he said.

Biden spoke hours after holding a virtual meeting with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Japan.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also joined the meeting.

The president also met with his national security team in the White House Situation Room as he looked to flesh out U.S. moves in the rapidly escalating crisis. (www.nannews.ng)

Reports reaching says that Russia has announced ‘partial restriction’ of access to Facebook over platform’s restrictions on Kremlin-backed media.

Extent of the restriction is not yet known and the details are not clear yet.

Stay tuned for updates…

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of  Olaniyan Babatunde, as the sole administrator of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan, by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

According to the statement, the governor, in an appointment letter signed on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, congratulated Olaniyan.

He urged the new appointee, who is a former deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, to discharge his duties with absolute loyalty, dedication, and diligence.

The statement further revealed that Olaniyan holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Kinetics and Health Education from the University of Ibadan.

“He is a Nigerian Football Grade 1 Referee, who has also occupied the seat of Chairman, Oyo State Football Referee Academy since 2004.

“He has also served as Premier League Football Match commissioner since 2010,” the statement read. (NAN)

By mufutau ojo

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, says efforts are being made to reopen the agency’s Bureau in Addis Ababa.

Ponle made this known in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he paid a courtesy visit to Amb. Victor Adeleke, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Republic of Djibouti.

He described the reopening of the office, which was closed down in 2015 due to funding issues, as important and critical considering the economic and political challenges being faced by the African continent.

“As Africans, we need to tell our stories ourselves with utmost sense of patriotism,” the managing director said.

He also identified unprofessional reportage, fake news and lack of patriotism as factors giving Africa a negative image.

When reopened, the Bureau which was initially established in 2010 would cover the positive strides of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia, developmental programmes of the African Union Commission as well as the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Ponle, who solicited the support of the ambassador in the early take off of the office, said the current management was poised to reopen at least three of its foreign offices in Addis Ababa, Cote d’Ivoire and Johannesburg, South Africa.

He also told the Ambassador that the Agency was working toward collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services for Africa (CISSA) in the area of balanced reportage on Africa.

Responding, Adeleke said it was high time African media took the driving seat in reporting African issues.

He described the proposed reopening of the NAN Bureau in Addis Ababa as a right step in the right direction, adding that African stories needed to be told differently.

Adeleke said there were many positive developments in Africa that were either underreported or not reported at all.

He thanked the NAN management for the visit and promised to provide necessary support to the new bureau.

The managing director had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of CISSA, Amb. Zainab Ali-Kotoko, at the CISSA Secretariat in Addis Ababa.

He also had discussions with the AU Director of Communication and Information, Ms Leslie Richer, who was represented by the Head of Information Division, Mrs Esther Tankou, on possible collaboration between NAN and the AU on information dissemination and training.

NAN reports that the managing director was accompanied to Addis Ababa by the Agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Dele Ojo, and the Director of Administration and Human Resources Management, Mr Abdulhadi Khaliel.(NAN)

By Lizzy Okoji

President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Edward Asante has advocated for the harmonization of the judicial systems of Member States in order to attain a Community legal regime that supports the region’s integration objectives.

Asante made this known while making a presentation at a judicial forum for judges, magistrates and officials of the Kwara state judiciary in Ilorin during the Court’s ongoing week-long sensitization campaign in the state.

The Communications Department of the ECOWAS Court disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Asante in the presentation delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki, said harmonization of the ECOWAS judicial system can be achieved through the alignment of the legal texts of the Community with those of the States.

Asante stressed that the relationship between the ECOWAS and national courts as ‘a crucial element in the integration process of ECOWAS.’

“It is therefore of utmost importance that Member States of ECOWAS domesticate the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and the Protocols and Supplementary Acts of the Community.

“It is also imperative, to deepen the relationship between the judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the national courts of ECOWAS Member States,” Asante said.

Asante stated that with the international character of the ECOWAS Court and its long held position, it is neither in competition with national courts nor an appellate court over its decisions.

He explained that the ECOWAS Court and National Courts play complementary roles in the dispensation of justice and the integration of the region.

“In a long chain of decisions, the ECOWAS Court of Justice has consistently held that it is not an appellate Court over national Courts of Member States.

“And has maintained that it has no jurisdiction to make any declaration on the Judgments of national courts, except where the national Courts or parties refer issues of interpretation of Community texts.”

He stated that the ECOWAS Court only that the national courts have the obligation to implement the decisions of the Court.

The President identified the possible areas of conflict between the regional and national courts to include their co-location within the same geographical space; their concurrent human rights jurisdiction.

Other areas of conflict to include “the lack of requirement for the exhaustion of local remedies before the ECOWAS court which could result in forum shopping.

“The failure by Member States to domesticate the Revised Treaty of 1993 and the Protocol on the Court in accordance with their treaty obligations.

“Failure by Member States to comply with or enforce the Judgments of the Court; the gaps in the ECOWAS legal texts.

“And the municipal laws of Member States leading to the failure to clearly define the relationship between both courts.

Chief Judge of Kwara, Justice Sulyman Kawu praised the thoughtfulness of the regional court in organizing the campaign.

Kawu said the sensitisation would not only create greater awareness of the Court among the citizens but open the door for more legal practitioners from the state to ‘ply their trade before the court’ and widen their scope of the law.

He reminded those with judicial powers of the ‘enormous and far reaching powers they exercise over our fellow men and women.

This he said requires legal practitioners to exhibit good character, reputation, diligence, hard work, honesty, integrity, sound knowledge of the law and consistent adherence to professional ethics. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Francisca Oluyole

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, has called on mining investors to replicate the construction of Gold Smelting Plant in Mopa, Moro Local Government Area in Kogi.

Adegbite, made this known in a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs Etore Thomas, on Friday in Abuja.

The minister who visited the gold smelting plant urged investors to borrow a leaf from what the Federal Government had done in Mopa and build gold processing plant in other gold bearing communities.

He said that the gold plant was a pilot project located in Kogi due to gold deposits in the vicinity and meant to provide services to catchment areas within its location.

“This processing plant project is sited in Mopa, Moro Local Government Area of Kogi because we found gold in this neighborhood,” he said.

The minister advised the Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) in the area to take advantage of the plant by taking their gold to the facility for proper processing.

He also encouraged investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in other states with gold deposits and build smelting plant which would be of great benefit to them, the host communities and Nigeria at large.

“The Gold Smelting plant in Mopa is government’s demonstration of safer method of gold smelting that is environmentally friendly as it complies with global standard,” he said.

He advised that water used for processing gold should be channeled properly to avoid polluting the water body of the environment.

The minister assured Nigerians that gold mined in the country would be processed locally.

“We want to process locally, we want to create industries around our minerals and avoid the mistake Nigeria made in crude oil where we export raw crude and import refined product.

“We want to utilise our own gold locally for the benefit of Nigeria so that we do not export jobs and at the end of the day, the value stays here, the job stays here and the money stays here,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, said the Post-COVID six regional projects established in the geopolitical zones would stimulate activities in the sector.

Akinlade said it would also create wealth for Nigerians and at the same time generate revenue for the government, adding that the Mopa processing plant would be of great benefits to Nigeria at large. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for complementing the efforts of the Federal Government in the provision of infrastructure in the state.

The president’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement said Buhari made the commendation at a State Dinner in his honour on Thursday.

The president, who is on a two-day official visit to the state, inaugurated the Lafia Airport, Modern Bus Terminal, Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Shinge-Barkini Abdullahi-Kilema road, executed by the state government.

The Federal Government projects inaugurated by the president on the first day of his visit were the 330kva Power Substation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) building in Lafia.

Buhari expressed delight at the pace of development in the state and the quality of the inaugurated projects carried out by the Federal Government in the state.

”The last time I came here on Feb. 6, 2019 was to solicit for your support to vote for me, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule as the governor of this state and others under the political platform of All Progressives Congress with clear and genuine ideology of securing our country, an ideology that was accepted by the good people of this state and, indeed, the country since 2015.

”I must say that Nasarawa State continues to remain my political laboratory because I have been following the developmental strides which the APC administration has recorded in terms of security, education, infrastructural development, as well as youth and women’s empowerment.

”As we landed at Lafia Airport, I have re-assured myself that we have a personality who is working in line with the philosophy of our great political party, APC, and I have had the privilege to commission the airport in order to open up a vista of economic activities between the state, Nigeria and the outside world.

”The magnificent Lafia Bus Terminal, as well as the Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre and the network of roads that I also commissioned will go a long way to uplift the state’s economic status and thereby reduce poverty amongst our people,” the president said.

He also told the people of Nasarawa State that the Federal Government had initiated other projects in the state including a Federal Secretariat and 500 Units of Federal Housing Estate.

Other executed projects include UBEC Smart School for the North-Central Zone, Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi dual carriage road as well as the Oweto-Abagana bridge that links Nasarawa State with South Eastern Nigeria.

The president announced that he would also inaugurate Keffi Neighbourhood Market and Karu Bus Terminal on Friday before returning to Abuja.

”I sincerely commend the governor for his foresight in ensuring economic growth through diversification.

”I note the request by the Government of Nasarawa State for the takeover of the Lafia Airport, realising the importance and its associated benefits,” he said.

On peace and security, the president commended the governor for ensuring the sustenance of peace and harmonious co-habitation of the diverse ethnic groups in the state.

Buhari said the Federal Government had ensured the establishment of additional military and police units in the state with a view to providing adequate security for the people.

He listed them to include the Military Super Camps at Kenyehu and Udege in Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas, 4 Special Forces in Doma Local Government Area, Police Mobile Training College at Ende-Hills in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area and Operation Whirl Stroke.

Buhari commended security agencies on their joint operations that dislodged the erstwhile Darul Salam sect around Toto Local Government Area and the combat readiness against recurrent threats.

He assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to intensify efforts at securing lives and property.

”The insurgency in the North-west and parts of North-central is being tackled with full force. We shall continue to cooperate with the affected states to confront the challenges head on,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to support the administration, pledging ‘‘we will not rest on our achievements but will continue in our drive to secure, safeguard and develop Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the governor congratulated the president on the management of the economy, citing the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, showing that Nigeria’s GDP expanded by 3.98 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021.

”The growth indicators of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), financial reports of the listed companies and agricultural revolution are indeed unprecedented. The GDP growth is now the highest since 2014. We salute your policies Mr President, ” he said.

Sule, who described the state as relatively peaceful, thanked the president for the tremendous support in securing lives and property.

He also lauded the president for appointing prominent sons and daughters of the state into various positions in federal establishments, including the National Population Commission, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NSCDC, National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Company and the National Awards Committee.

The governor, however, urged the Federal Government to complete the Kwandare-Abuja bypass, the University Teaching Hospital in Lafia and the extension of the rail lines from Abuja to Keffi, connecting to the main railway line in Guidi station. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Isaac Ukpoju

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment toward addressing the security challenges facing the country.

The president spoke at a gala night in Lafia organised in his honour by the Nasarawa State Government as part of activities marking his two-day official visit to the state.

Buhari said that his administration was doing its best to secure the country.

“The insurgency in parts of the North West and parts of the North Central is being tackled with full force.

“We shall continue to cooperate with the affected states to confront the challenges head on,” the president said.

Buhari expressed delight with the warm reception accorded him by the people and for supporting the ideals of the All Progressives Congress administration.

He commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for ensuring the sustenance of peace and harmonious coexistence among the diverse ethnic groups in the state

The president also thanked the Nasarawa government for its commitment to providing infrastructure, saying the state was complementing Federal Government’s efforts.

He said that all the projects he inaugurated in the state would go a long way in uplifting the economic status of the state and reducing poverty.

In his remarks, Sule expressed appreciation to the president for finding time to visit the state to inaugurate some projects.

He commended the president for the feats achieved so far in the area of security, fight against corruption and the revitalisation of the economy.

Sule noted that the state had benefited immensely from the president’s benevolence through various Federal Government projects and programmes as well as appointments of the state’s indigenes into various national offices.

The governor, however, appealed to the president to consider the take over of the Lafia airport as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

He also called for the conversation of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia to a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Lafia in order to enhance the training of medical personnel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of projects inaugurated by the president included the CBN complex in Lafia and the 330KVA Power Substation in Akurba, Lafia.

He also inaugurated the Mega Bus Terminals in Lafia and Karu, Lafia Vocational Training Centre as well the Shinge-Kilema- Barkin Abdullahi Road in Lafia. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)