Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Metro

  • Rising Insecurity, COVID-19 in Nigeria: Benue Govt. Bans Christmas, New Year Activities

    Rising Insecurity, COVID-19 in Nigeria: Benue Govt. Bans Christmas, New Year Activities

    The Benue state government has banned all Christmas and New Year activities.

    This was disclosed by the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday December 17.

    Governor Ortom explained that the decision was reached after a review of security situation in the state at the state’s security council meeting which he presided over at the Government House in Makurdi.

    Residents of the state have been advised to celebrate the yuletide and new year festivities in their homes in line with COVID-19 protocols.

    The state government also advised residents to report suspicious movement to relevant authorities.

  • Release of Kidnapped Kankara Students Excites President Buhari

    Release of Kidnapped Kankara Students Excites President Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.

    In a short remark shortly after their release was announced, President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.

    President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’

    He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.

    “The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.”

    On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.

    President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption.

    He noted that the administration was fully aware that it was elected to resolve challenges.

    “When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show.”

    The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South South and North East.

    He said the North West now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with.

    “We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have re-opened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that,” the President further assured.

    He prayed for the full recovery of the students, whom he said had endured significant hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.

    The President assured of the determination of his administration to return to safety all citizens held against their will, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu disclosed on Thursday.

  • Nigeria Backs Down After 16 Months Border Closure, Maintains Restrictions on Some Commodities

    Nigeria Backs Down After 16 Months Border Closure, Maintains Restrictions on Some Commodities

    The Nigerian Government has reopened four land borders after 16 months of closure that halted economic activities with neighbouring nations along these routes.

    This decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting Wednesday in Abuja following the recommendation of a committee that four of the nation’s land borders be reopened with immediate effect while stating that others would be “reopened in due course.”

    It was gathered that FEC approved the border reopening after considering the submission of a report by the committee set up to examine the implications of the closure among others, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

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    In her address to State House Reporters after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, Ahmed confirmed that the Seme and Mfun borders in the South West, and South-South, as well as Ilela and Maigatari borders in the Northwest were approved for immediate reopening.

    However, the Minister, who assured that the other borders would be reopened before December 31, disclosed that restrictions on the importation of some commodities, like rice and other products, would stand.

    On his part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo said the period of the closure afforded the authorities the opportunity to assess the security problems with a view to addressing them.

    “We have many advantages to the border closure, it has given the security agencies an opportunity to access the problems at the borders, particularly with regard to smuggling.

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    “As you are all aware, before the border closure, a lot of petroleum products were being smuggled to West African countries and the border closures has created a situation that has tactically stopped that; they have been able to calculate the number of petroleum products being smuggled out by calculating the amount that is being lifted now compared to what was being lifted before.

    “The issue of smuggling of rice to the country has reduced drastically and we are hoping that our agencies will be able to sustain that so also is the issue of poultry smuggling. “

  • Accused Ex-Pension Boss Re-arrested in Niger, Slammed in Abuja Prison

    Accused Ex-Pension Boss Re-arrested in Niger, Slammed in Abuja Prison

    Accused Ex-Pension Boss Re-arrested in Niger, Slammed in Abuja Prison

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Abuja has again ordered that the former Chairman of defunct Pension Reform Task Team PRTT Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, be remanded in Correctional Service for the continuation of his trial on the 8th of December.

    This followed his appearance in court on Friday following his extradition from Niger Republic Thursday.

    Justice Abang said the short adjournment was to enable Mr. Maina brief his new counsel and to allow his counsel respond to the application of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    While tendering reasons for withdrawal from the case, the former Counsel to Abdulrasheed Maina, Mr. Francis Orosanya stated that he had considered professional ethics, continual absence of Maina in court, which he described as embarrassing basis for discontinuing appearance on behalf of the accused former pension boss.

    Mr. Maina is facing trial on alleged 12 count money laundering charge amounting to N2bn.

    Maina appeared in Court on Friday after he was re-arrested by the combination of operatives of intelligence service in Niger Republic and anti-corruption agents in Nigeria after he jumped bail granted himself.

    Radio Nigeria’s Tanimu Salihu reported.

  • Nigerian Billionaire, Harry Akande is Dead

    Nigerian Billionaire, Harry Akande is Dead

    A Nigerian billionaire, founder and Chairman of Akande International Corporation (AIC), Harry Akande is dead.

    Akande, who was 77 and until his death a Chief conferred on the title of Agba Oye of Ibadanland passed away on Saturday.

    According to the family of the business mogul, Akande died due to complications associated with an undisclosed illness.

    Nigerian Billionaire, Founder and Chairman, Akande International Corporation (AIC) dies at 77. 

    The family stated that: “His greatest passion was for a better Nigeria that guaranteed equity and justice for all. It is our fervent hope that this will be a reality in the not too distant future”, it read.

    The family said his passing was a huge shock to his immediate and extended family, friends and associates.

    They urged everyone to keep them in prayers “as while we pass through this very turbulent period of our lives”.

    Burial arrangement for the departed soul will be announced later.

    Akande was reputed to be one of the richest men in Nigeria. He was the chairman of Akande International Corporation (AIC) — with interest in healthcare, engineering, building construction and power.

    He was a one-time presidential aspirant on the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.

  • Nigeria Presidency Dismisses Report Linking President Buhari to a ₦12m PMB Estate Transaction

    Nigeria Presidency Dismisses Report Linking President Buhari to a ₦12m PMB Estate Transaction

    The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed a document that purportedly reveals a sum of ₦12,500,000 was transferred to President Muhammadu Buhari from the coffers of the Ogun State Government.

    In a statement on Thursday, hours after the said document emerged and circulated online, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu lamented that “fake news industry at work”.

    Describing it as a move to tarnish the image of President Buhari, the Presidency spokesman explained that: “A certain document showing the transfer of ₦12,500,000 from the Coffers of the Ogun State to a ‘PMB Estate’ is being circulated to tarnish the image of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Estate is a large housing scheme in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. It was commissioned by President Buhari in the course of a State visit.

    “PMB Estate is owned by the Ogun State government, which honoured the President by naming it after him, of course that does not confer the ownership of the Estate to President Buhari”, Shehu explained.

    Shehu appealed that “the gossipy online newspaper, peddling the falsehood that the President Muhammadu Buhari, the tried and tested anti-corruption fighter is the beneficiary of this cash transfer should be ignored”.

    To further dissociate the President from the report, which has not been supported with facts, Garba argued that: “Before his election as civilian President, Muhammadu Buhari was a military pensioner and had never registered a company in his name or that of a proxy.

    “To set the record straight, we spoke with the official who posted the clarification of the payment voucher on Twitter. He worked with the Governor Amosun administration. He confirmed that the payment was made from the Ogun State Revenue Account to The PMB Estate Account for some work done on the Estate. Absolutely nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhar”, he said.

    File Photo: President Muhammadu Buhari receives long time associate, former Ogun State Governor,.Senator Ibikunle Amosun I’m State House, Abuja.

    The President Muhammadu Buhari Estate is one of the projects initiated in the first term of fomer Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, which he reportedly boasted would help etch his tenure in the sands of history.

    Initially named Three Hills Estate, it was rechristened in honour of the president by the then Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led Ogun government.

  • Nigeria: ‘Bandits Have Direct Lines of Northern Governors’, Ex-Health Insurance Boss Claims

    Nigeria: ‘Bandits Have Direct Lines of Northern Governors’, Ex-Health Insurance Boss Claims

    A former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme on Wednesday said bandits terrorising northern Nigeria have the direct lines of the governors in the region.

    While speaking on insecurity in Nigeria, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was a guest on Arise TV’s The Morning Show Wednesday described politicians in the country as being worst than bandits who loot the country and provide guns for northern youths to rig elections and dump them afterward.

    According to Mr. Yusuf, negotiations between state governors and bandits are “the governors of the states importing from the bandits and a sign of failure in governance.”

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    Mr. Yusuf said who appeared on ARISE News said in some instances, governors of the states buy cattle for the bandits and even give them money as ways of pacifying them.

    “Many of these bandits have direct lines to these governors, calling them. I know Nasir el-Rufai refused to negotiate with them. The governors negotiate with them, they buy them cattle, they buy them birds, it is all signs of failure of governance from the centre to the states.

    “We are negotiating with bandits and giving them the money of the people they are killing,” the Professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation said.

    He added, “you know there are two or three types of bandits, there are bandits in the forest that carry arms and we have a lot of bandits in government.

    “All those people that loot people’s money are worse than bandits. All those politicians that loot the people money are worse than bandits and they winning elections.”

    Mr. Yusuf said the insecurity being experienced in the country is a result of the enmeshed corruption and bad governance.

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    “It is politicians that imported to these kids to make them their political thugs. They give them arms all across the country, politicians give thugs arms and when they are done with them, they dump them.

    “These kids have the guns, they become bandits and thugs and cultists and armed robbers, so yes there are bandits stealing our money and there are bandits getting our money ransomed,” he said.

  • Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Massacre of Over 70 Farmers in Nigeria a Major Tragedy – VP Osinbajo

    Vice President (VP) of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says the brutal slaughtering of at least 43 farmers, who have been buried last weekend, just outside of Borno State capital, Maiduguri last week is a major tragedy.

    The VP expressed sadness over the ugly incident in while speaking to newsmen in Abuja Wednesday.

    “We suffered a major tragedy when terrorists attacked the Borno Farming Community. As a brother, father and Nigerian, I am incredibly devastated by these acts of violence.

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    “The President and I acknowledge that we must continually review the conventional means of dealing with some of these security challenges, especially the randomness.”

    Commenting on the measure to curtail tragic occurrences as this, VP Osinbajo indicated optimism that strengthening local intelligence and community policing will be effective.

    “I have spoken to Governor Babagana Zulum and former Governor Kashim Shettima. A lot more focus will be placed on local intelligence and community policing so we receive information quickly and react faster.

    Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the farming community in Borno State. We will ensure justice is served.

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    On Tuesday, terrorist group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility in a video for the brutal attack on the farm workers in Northern Nigeria just as the death toll rose to 76. The Commissioner for Information in Borno State, Babakura Abba Jatau confirmed the rise in the number of victims of the massacre as search for more bodies began after the burial of the initial confirmed 43 corpses.

    Gunmen on motorbikes according to villagers, attacked farmers on a rice field near Zabarmari village.

    Video:

  • PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NAPTIP

    PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NAPTIP

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim as the new Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu confirmed this on Tuesday.

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    The new NAPTIP boss is a holder of BSc (Sociology), Masters of Arts (Management) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees, Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim, hails from Nasarawa State.

    Until her new appointment, she was a member of the Nasarawa State Economic Advisory Council as well as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to the Minister of State for Education.

    Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Nigeria to Become Net Importer of Petroleum with Launch of Modular Refinery

    Nigeria to Become Net Importer of Petroleum with Launch of Modular Refinery

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said the establishment of modular refineries in the country will make petroleum products available in the country and eliminate importation.

    The President spoke at the virtual inauguration of the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, as well as the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase-2 works to expand the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels/day, Presidency spokesman, Femi Adesina said in a statement.

    President Buhari said the deployment of modular refineries was one of the four key elements of his administration’s Refinery Roadmap rolled out in 2018, adding that its implementation will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products.

    He expressed delight that Waltersmith refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State was coming on stream within two years of the commencement of the Roadmap, after many years of granting licenses for the establishment of modular refineries with nothing to show for it.

    ”Furthermore, there is increased momentum in the other three focus areas under the Roadmap covering the Rehabilitation of existing refineries, Co-location of new refineries, and Construction of greenfield refineries.

    ”The realization of the Refinery Roadmap will ultimately lead us to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products not only to our neighbouring countries but to the worldwide market.

    ”This modular refinery is the largest commissioned modular refinery in the country today.

    ”The role played by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in going into collaboration with Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company is novel in concept and superb in delivery,” he said.

    The President described plans to commence the expansion of the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels per day to refine crude oil and condensates as an important part of economic reforms the country is undergoing.

    ”I look forward to seeing this new phase completed within the target timeframe,” he said.

    President Buhari, therefore, directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), NNPC, as well as all relevant Government Agencies to provide Waltersmith Company all the necessary support to access crude oil and condensate feedstock for the timely delivery of the additional capacity.

    In line with his administration’s agenda on jobs creation, the President said he was pleased to note that hundreds of direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction of the first phase of the project in addition to the various business opportunities.

    Equally, he expressed hope that the construction of the second phase of the project will create bigger additional employment opportunities.

    President Buhari thanked the local community and the people of Imo State for hosting the refinery, which, he stressed, will bring prosperity and economic development to the area.

    The President commended the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and the management and staff of the Nigerian Content Development Board for making the public-private partnership a success.

    He also commended the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Limited for their professionalism and focus in getting the project completed.

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Minister of State, Petroleum, cut the tape on behalf of the President at the event which was also attended by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Chairman of WalterSmith, Abdulrazaq Isa.