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Nigeria: NSCDC Arrests Eight Filling Station Managers, Two Tankers Over Fuel Diversion

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03/12/2015

Nigeria: NSCDC Arrests Eight Filling Station Managers, Two Tankers Over Fuel Diversion

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria Security & Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command has arrested eight filling stations Managers, and also sized two tankers for illegal diversion of petroleum product in the state metropolis.

NSCDC State Commandant, Modu Bunu made this known while briefing journalists on the operational activities of the Command in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria.

He said the managers arrested were believed to be among saboteurs who are frustrating government’s efforts by selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above approved pump price of N87 per liter; adding that, the command in collaboration with Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are embarking on monitoring of distribution exercise of petroleum installations in various distribution outlets, so as to address the current fuel scarcity among other challenges in the petroleum sector.

“In view of the biting fuel scarcity leading to long queues across the Nation and the urgent need to end it, the Kaduna Command of NSCDC has stepped out measures to check-mate petroleum dealers who indulge in selling over the approved pump price to black-marketers beyond official hours which is from 0600hrs to 2000hrs,” he noted.

Bunu pointed out that, the suspects (managers of filling stations) have been released on bail after signing an undertaking, but further investigation would be carried out on the issue.

On the seized tankers with Registration Numbers: ZAR 84 XR and ZAR 85 XR, containing suspected fuel, the Commandant said investigation has confirmed that the tankers belonged to an oil magnate in Warri, Delta State – meant to be taken to Kano, but wondered why it was being diverted to another company (name withheld) in Kaduna metropolis before it was intercepted by NSCDC surveillance team.

He also noted that, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has requested the NSCDC to support it in enforcing that sales of petroleum product is restricted from 6.00am to 8.00pm pending an improvement in the situation which has caused untold hardship on Nigerians.

Harmattan: Nigerian Pastor Donate Blankets, Head Warmers To IDPs

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03/12/2015

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Harmattan: Nigerian Pastor Donate Blankets, Head Warmers To IDPs

By Iliya Kure

Kaduna (Nigeria) — A Nigerian Cleric, Pastor Yohanna Buru has distributed over 100 cold protective items comprising of blankets, socks, head warmers, hand Gloves and sweaters to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This is to help cover themselves against the harmattan cold gradually setting in.

Pastor Buru who distributed the items in Badarawa, Hayin Keke and Barakallahu communities of Kaduna, called for more support to those in the IDPs saying “during our visit to some of the refugees at their various places, we discovered that, some women have delivered babies, but lack food to eat.”

He stressed the need for Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers, especially to the homeless, who spend the night in the open, with nothing to cover themselves from the current harsh weather.

Pastor Buru also expressed worry that harmattan comes with associated respiratory diseases, saying, already “some of their children are faced with many health challenges.”

Some of the beneficiaries of the gesture expressed appreciation and thanked Pastor Buru for the donation.

Hajiya Mariya Mohammad, who is one of the women beneficiaries, also called for more assistance, “as most of us hardly eat food twice a day.”

Jega, Oloyede, 12 Others For Wole Soyinka Awards

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03/12/2015

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Jega, Oloyede, 12 Others For Wole Soyinka Awards

By Iliya Kure

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Immediate past Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, who played an outstanding role in the success of the 2015 elections, and a veteran broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede, will receive Anti-Corruption Defender Award, and Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence, respectively.

The Award would be presented to them on Wednesday in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, alongside 12 other recipients of its 10th annual Award for Investigative Reporting.

In a statement, Coordinator of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka said, Jega appreciated his choice for the award saying, “Such an honour from a Centre named after the great and revered Wole Soyinka is of considerable significance.”

The statement further said, on her part, Oloyede, a veteran broadcaster wrote, “From my interaction with the Centre, it is clear that a lot of good work is being done to uplift our craft…nothing would give me more pleasure than to accept the Centre’s kind recognition and honour.”

The Centre will also host a public viewing of a documentary, entitled ‘Report Women: The Untold Stories of Girls and Women in Nigeria’ on Thursday 10 December, 2015 by 12:30pm at the Silver Bird Galleria in the Ikeja Mall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. This would be in commemoration of the 2015 human rights day, as well as campaign to end every form of violence against girls and women.

Professor Wole Soyinka is expected to deliver this year’s keynote address.

The programme which is free and open to the public, is supported by Chevron and the Netherlands Embassy.

Nigeria: A Northern State Appropriates N171.7 Billion In 2016 Budget

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02/12/2015

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Nigeria: A Northern State Appropriates N171.7 Billion In 2016 Budget

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, Monday proposed a budget of N171.7 Billion to the State House of Assembly, with N109.3b going to capital expenditure, while N62.4bn to recurrent expenditure.

“Budget of Sacrifice, Restoration and Change,” the Governor said “aimed at making the state great again.”

The breakdown shows that Economic Sector, Agriculture & Forestry have N5,577,475,527.60, Commerce, Industry And Tourism Got
N1,336,000,000.00, while Works, Housing And Transport, have
N31,352,898,071.95.

Others include Education With 27,548,679,874.23 , Health
6,661,683,063.73 and Social Development got 461,551,200.00 .

“The budget proposals restore the minimum of 60:40 ratio in favour of capital expenditure. This is in keeping with our agenda to expand access to Education, Healthcare, Jobs and Security.

“Our investments in infrastructure and interventions in school feeding, planting of economic trees, and waste collection, are expected to create 200,000 direct and indirect jobs amongst youths, women and other vulnerable groups.

“Following the town hall meeting and other public consultations, we have revised upwards the capital estimates to accommodate projects like the reconstruction of the collapsed dam in Birnin-Gwari, clearance of inherited arrears on Zaria Water project and construction of access roads that will bring the Kagoro Hills tourism project closer to realisation.

“the 2016 revenue and expenditure estimates add up to N171.7 billion, comprising N109.3bn (64%) capital and N62.4 (36%) recurrent components. Our fiscal assumptions are based on a conservative benchmark crude oil price, at about US $39.50 per barrel.

“Any excess revenues arising from oil price appreciation will be saved and accounted fully to this Honourable House for supplementary appropriation if needed, as required by the Constitution before spending.

“With your accelerated passage of our fiscal responsibility, land administration and tax reform bills into law this year, we intend in 2016 to grow internally generated revenue such that it attains parity with federal statutory allocations. Our intention is to be paying all public service salaries from IGR by the end of 2016.”

El-rufai also said his administration will construct a 90 kilometres ring road that will link eastern end western sectors of the state metropolis and decongest the township roads.

The Governor said the road project which is intended to pass behind Rigasa to Millennium City is going to be a Public, Private Partnership, on which discussion had reached advanced stage.

El-Rufai equally disclosed that, a total of N30 million has been set aside in the proposed budget for the establishment of Kaduna Sports Academy along Kaduna-Abuja Road.

“Kaduna Ring Road is a 90km toll road that will link the Eastern and Western sectors of Kaduna from behind Rigasa and across River Kaduna beyond Millennium City.

“The project is intended to be a PPP and discussions have advanced with domestic and international firms to begin construction in 2016. The amount in the budget is for feasibility studies and engineering designs plus equity contribution for the project’s take-off.

“In order to provide avenues to engage our youths and develop talent in sports, we plan to establish a Sports Academy in the State. Already, the site for the Academy has been identified along Kaduna-Abuja Road. A provision of N30,000,000 has been made in the 2016 budget for planning and preliminary design of the Academy;

“On water, with N11.4bn for Zaria Water project arrears and current payments, waterworks rehabilitation projects in Ikara, Kafanchan, Kagoro, Kaduna, Kwoi, Manchok, Saminaka, the old Zaria plant and the ABU Samaru waterworks.

Nigerian Police Warn Group Against Threat To Public Peace

Africaprimenews

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02/12/2015

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Nigerian Police Warn Group Against Threat To Public Peace

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Inspector General (IG) of Nigeria Police, Solomon Arase has warned activists of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the South-eastern part of Nigeria to desist from acts that threaten National security and public peace or face the wrath of the law.

A Statement by the Force spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, explained that the IG gave the warning following observations by the Police leadership of the increasing resort to acts of brigandage by the groups; describing them as “sets of misguided individuals” hiding under the group to threaten national security and public peace.

It added that, “The latest manifestation of this threat is the attempt to blockade the Onitsha end of Niger Bridge on 1^st December, 2015, an action that caused major hardship to innocent and law abiding motorists, and citizens.

The act also occasioned serious dislocation of business activities.

“The increasing resort to acts of brigandage of this nature is pointing to a clear attempt by the brains behind these protests to test the will of security agencies to restore order and guarantee internal cohesion.”

It further noted that, the Nigeria Police would continue to uphold its statutory mandate of restoring and maintaining law, public order, and protection of lives and property; adding that, it shall be fully executed in the overriding interests of the nation and vast majority of citizens and residents of the South Eastern part of the country.

The Inspector-General of Police has also directed the mobilization and deployment of Police Mobile Force (PMF) across the country to reinforce security in the State Commands that MASSOB and IPOB are currently attempting to utilize as launching pad for their sinister intentions.

“The Assistant Inspectors – General of Police Zone 5, (Benin); Zone 6, (Calabar) and Zone 9 (Umuahia) as well as all Commissioners of Police in the affected States in the South East and neighboring States have also been directed to henceforth maximally exercise their statutory Mandate in relation to prevention and disruption of any gathering that threatens public order and national cohesion.

Any person or group of persons so arrested in furtherance to the enforcement of this order will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” it pointed out.

It also called on parents to call their wards to order as the patience of the Force is being stretched to the limit – affirming that, no individual or group interest can override the interest of the nation.

Start-ups: Kaduna Sets Up Promotion Agency, Partners BOI

Africaprimenews

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30/11/2015

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Start-ups: Kaduna Sets Up Promotion Agency, Partners BOI

Iliya Kure
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Kaduna State Government has announced an initiative to drive a job creation agenda and establish itself as a business-friendly state. The state is to establish an investment promotion agency and begin a programme to support start-ups.

A statement by Spokesman of the State Governor, Samuel Aruwan said initiative is among decisions taken at the weekly meeting of the Kaduna State Executive Council.

Aruwan disclosed that the Executive Council has approved a bill to set up the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA).

“The Council noted that the APC national manifesto commits the government to creating an enabling environment for job creation with the private sector being supported to be the major employers of labour.

“The Council also acknowledged that the Restoration Programme of the Kaduna State APC specifically recommended that an investment promotion agency be created to promote and facilitate investments, as well as a serving as a one-stop shop to assist businesses to obtain all the approvals and permits they require.

“The Council therefore mandated KADIPA to actively seek and create opportunities for increased private sector investments, and serve as a catalyst and originator for viable ideas and projects. Projects originated by KADIPA will be implemented by the relevant ministry or agency.

“To encourage self-employment through entrepreneurship and creativity, the state is to commence implementation of the Kaduna Start-up and Entrepreneurship Programme (KADSTEP). Council welcomed KADSTEP as a practical approach to developing entrepreneurs through capacity building and access to funding to generate jobs. The programme is designed to help in the establishment or expansion of 3,500 to 4,000 businesses across the state, which in turn should employ a minimum of 20,000 youths.

“KADSTEP is a partnership between the Kaduna State Government, the Bank of Industry and the Kaduna Business School (KBS). KBS will train potential entrepreneurs, and help them to develop bankable business plans which the BOI will fund to a maximum of N3m per business using the N1 billion the bank and the government have jointly set aside to support micro and small businesses in the state.” The statement reads.

As Paris Climate Change Talks Open [Photos]

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Africaprimenews

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30/11/2015

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As Paris Climate Change Talks Open [Photos]

Delegates and interest groups arrive paris for the conference which runs between November 30 to December 11.

Climate Change: Nigeria Announces Cut In Greenhouse Emission

Governance

Africaprimenews

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30/11/2015

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Climate Change: Nigeria Announces Cut In Greenhouse Emission

By Iliya Kure
Nigeria has announced its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) of 20 per cent unconditional and 45 per cent conditional Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emission reduction post 2020 to address climate change.

This are deliberate commitment expected from countries ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Paris, beginning November 30.

A statement by Spokesman of Nigerian President, Femi Adeshina says the country’s INDC was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 26 and submitted to the UNFCCC on November 28.

India submitted its document on October 1, with many other countries submitting theirs over 90 days ago, but Nigeria is just announcing its submission.

The statement did not spell out steps the country will take in curbing out the emission, but said the action “represents a fair and meaningful contribution to address climate change and equally reaffirms President Buhari’s commitment to an economic transformation which places inclusive, green growth as key priority for this administration.

“President Buhari is fully aware of the acute threat that climate change poses to Nigeria’s development through flooding, desertification and insecurity, and many of these accrue from weather-related natural disasters.”

The statement highlighted that in Paris, Lake Chad’s current depletion will be the focus of a meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Summit of Heads of State and Government, which President Buhari will attend with Nigeria’s delegation on Tuesday, December 1.

“The Lake Chad is currently less than 10 per cent of its original size and little of the remaining waters is in Nigeria. Of an estimated 20 million people that lived on the Lake Chad Basin as at 2013, about 11.7 million were in the North Eastern region of Nigeria.

“Also during the conference in Paris, President Buhari is scheduled to participate in the launching of International Solar Alliance by the Indian Prime Minister and the French President, where he will seek international partnerships to deliver Nigeria’s climate change response.”

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