Month: October 2023

The Government of Egypt has announced its commitment to help Nigeria achieve its water resources and food security goals in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

This was the thrust when Mr Moustafa Awad, the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev in Abuja and made available in a statement on Friday.

According to him, both countries enjoy cordial relationships in many areas, saying such cooperation had seen a positive impact in their citizens’ lives.

Awad said his country would continue the partnership in various aspects of water management, flood management, Irrigation, Crop cultivation, and Sanitation.

He highlighted the ongoing discussions regarding Public Private Partnerships with Rice Farmers Association and other stakeholders in Nigeria, with focus on areas such as Animal husbandry and food production.

The ambassador said finalisation is expected soon.

The Minister noted the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration to ensure the success of its ‘Food Security Mandate’ and ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’.

Utsev said the pivotal role of water resources in achieving food security and overall economic stability could not be overlooked.

He highlighted the ministry’s inclusion of ‘Sanitation’ in its name as timely, expressing optimism about advancements in this critical area.

He however accepted the Ambassador’s invitation to the upcoming Egyptian Water Week, scheduled for October 29, 2023, in Egypt.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for water resources and sanitation, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, emphasised the vast potentials for mutual benefits in this collaboration, especially in ensuring food security, given the extensive land areas of both nations.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that draft copies of Memorandum of Understanding and an invitation to the Cairo Water Week were presented to the minister. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Peace Unity Restoration and Prosperity Global Foundation, in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday unveiled a 10-point agenda aimed at rebuilding the nation to attain greatness.

The Global President of the Foundation, Mr Jeffery Abidoye, unveiled the agenda in Abuja at the Official inauguration of the Steering Committee on Rebuilding Nigeria360’’ Project, FCT Chapter.

Its theme titled “Rebuilding2Rebithing: The Brand New Nigeria of our Dream – A National Priority’’

Abidoye described the agenda as a transformational project that would be implemented for 30 years.

He said that the foundation had partnered with the NOA on value rebuilding, measurable reorientation drive, ethical leadership, responsive and friendly responsible democratic governance across the country.

According to him, the project will give the President Bola Tinubu’s administration an uncommon mileage nationally, continentally and globally.

He added that the 10-point agenda included food security for all, weekly interactive television/radio programme, mentorship on moral education, couple’s clinic to share experiences and youth engagement for community intelligence development.

According to him, others are women’s capacity building and empowerment, senior citizens care, establishment of languages centre and character mentoring and ethical codes modeling clubs in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

“It is our unwavering commitment to the vision, mission and mandate to rebuild and rebirth a brand new Nigeria that will incontrovertibly become the most south after country in the world come 2050 by the mercies of God.

“From the conceptualization since 2013 to 2023, we have committed time, energy, and huge resources to taking the novel and noble project to this crucial stage.’’

In his remarks, the Director-General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari, said that Nation- building was imperative to peaceful co-existence and unity against external aggression as well as enhancing growth and development.

According to him, the concept of Nation-building is the process whereby a society of people with diverse origins, histories, languages, cultures and religions come together within the boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified constitution and legal dispensation. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday arrested two suspected land racketeers for selling plots of land illegally to unsuspecting residents of Ungwan Zaki, in Jahi District, Abuja.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, FCTA, who stated this in Abuja, during the demolition of illegal structures in Jahi community said there would be no compensation for the victims.

Galadima said the suspects, one Mr Yusuf Ibrahim, popularly known as Baban Kalifa, and Prophet Emmanuel Ayisa, would be prosecuted according to the law.

“I am not surprised because these are the antics of criminals, but we have warned the residents and citizens about this kind of ugly situation.

“We have warned people to beware because every land in Abuja has been planned for something. We equally warned residents not to buy land from local chiefs. You have to go to the appropriate authority.

“Even if you want to buy land from somebody, you have to conduct a due diligence search. It is unfortunate that these are victims of circumstances,” he said.

He stressed that the authority would not give them compensation for their loss and advised people to consult appropriate authorities to search for whatever property they want to buy.

The director said, “I feel their pain, but whatever it is, it is illegal and that is why we are removing it.

“It is a continuous process of cleaning and sanitising the city. Obviously, this place is like a criminal den, because when we came in, we saw a lot of characters,” he said.

The Deputy Director and Head of Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, said that the area was reserved for a road corridor between Kado and Jahi Districts.

Ogbole said that the enforcement team visited the area five times, adding that the people often return and rebuild after every demolition.

“I believe that with this extensive removal of the trees, it will be difficult for them to come back,” he said.

Also, Mr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA, explained that the arrest was based on intelligence reports by security agencies who gathered that people were contributing money to bribe the enforcement team.

Olumoji explained that the security operatives were able to identify the culprit and arrest was made, adding that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command had ordered thorough investigation and prosecution of the fraudsters.

One of the victims, Ms Florence Emedo, said that she bought the land about two years ago, and was assured that the area would not be demolished and that she could stay there for 10 years.

“We were told that the traditional leader of the area, called Zaki of Kado, was fully aware of the land, which was initially being sold for N75,000.

“Baban Kalifa assured us that nothing will happen, adding that they have an insider in FCTA and assured us that nothing will happen but from time to time we will just contribute money and give them.

“They asked us to gather money and they will go to the office, and we contributed N10,000 each,” she said.

Another victim, Ms Owadia Valentina, said that she bought the plot for N450,000 while some bought between N100,000 and N200,000.

“He assured us that we can stay for 10 years and that there is already an agreement on the land.

“I moved in October last year, and I just painted two months ago,” she said.

However, the suspect denied the allegation, claiming that they have not sold land to anyone in the area.

Yusuf Ibrahim specifically said that he did not collect any money from anybody for the purpose of enriching himself.

He, however, acknowledged collecting money from the residents, but said it was for compensation to the Gbagyi people who owned the cashew plantation where the lands were sold.

Similarly, Prophet Ayisa, agreed that he and Baban Khalifa held a meeting after which they collected money from the victims of the demolished structures, but not to appease the officials of the FCTA against demolition of their area. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Josef Erastus, 46, died instantly after he allegedly shot himself with his service pistol at Ondangwa on Wednesday.

The Namibian Police Force’s spokesperson for Oshana, Warrant Frieda Shikole, said the incident occurred at Omahenene location.

According to Shikole, the deceased was employed as a security guard at Falcon Security and the pistol he used belongs to his employer.

“The deceased allegedly shot twice in the air and the third time he shot himself in the head,” she said.

She added that two spent cartridges were found next to his body and the other cartridge was still in the chamber of the revolver used.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The targeted stakeholder awareness campaign for the Metrology Act No.5 of 2022, aimed at informing and capacitate the public on changes to the metrology legal framework was officially launched here on Friday.

Launching the campaign, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu said metrology is of utmost importance as it reinforces quality in manufactured goods and processes through accurate and credible measurements, and provides the basis for fair domestic and international trade.

She said the campaign should be seen in the light of the provision of the Access to Information Act, Act No.8 of 2022, which was enacted to guide the process of information dissemination to the masses and ensure that Namibians are adequately informed on matters that affect their day-to-day livelihood.

The campaign will be workshopped in all 14 regional capitals to guarantee the participation of stakeholders at all levels.

“I urge the leadership structures to jump on this important bandwagon that could unleash some of the untapped economic potential that exists at grassroots level, particularly with small and medium enterprises. Such economic activities have not been explored yet, simply due to lack of relevant information,” Iipumbu said.

Namibia, being a member of the World Trade Organisation, is obliged to consider and implement continuous updates to its policy framework to mitigate the risk of exposing the country to potential threats that are associated with technical barriers to trade, the minister said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) has called on customers to upgrade their prepaid electricity meters as the software used in the meters expires next year.

Nored energy management and renewable engineer, Manfried Uvanga, during a presentation for the Oshikoto Region at Omuthiya on Friday, said the software will expire worldwide at the end of November 2024.

He said Nored is therefore aligning itself with the global effort to implement the Token Identifier (TID) rollover project. The project is aimed at ensuring that all prepaid electricity meters receive the necessary updates to remain functional beyond November 2024.

“The software update is also necessary to enable Nored prepaid customers to continue using electricity after the deadline,” Uvanga said.

He further added that this initiative will play a crucial role in tackling fraud, safeguarding Nored’s revenue, and updating customer information within their system.

Uvanga said Nored officials will conduct physical visits to households and businesses across their operational area to facilitate the updating of prepaid meters and requested full cooperation from stakeholders and customers.

“Customers whose prepaid meters are not updated will not be able to load or recharge electricity after November 2024,” Uvanga said.

Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas meanwhile took the opportunity to call upon regional councillors for support in disseminating information, educating the public, and raising awareness. He said Nored faces various community challenges, including being denied access to properties, locked gates, and residents not being present at home during visits.

Lukas noted that individuals with unauthorised bypasses resist granting access and urged people to refrain from illegal electricity connections with their neighbours.

“The official launch of the TID rollover will take place this October, with the execution of the TID rollover project scheduled to run from October 2023 to November 2024,” Lukas announced.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency