SCAVENGERS AND MISCREANTS AT WORK IN ABUJA

Some few years ago in Abuja, CCTV Camera were installed on the major roads in AMAC powered by Solar energy. But lately it has been noticed that most poles are been uprooted, often looking like it has been hit by colluding vehicles owing to the fact that, that is the simple explanation that could be given to the sudden falling of solar panel poles all across the streets of Abuja.

Two (2) falling poles were sighted this evening Saturday 11th March, 2017 on the major Herbert Macaulay Way very close to Wuse Zone 4 under bridge opposite Neighborhood. Mere sighting the falling poles brought to mind the due process the award of that particular contract must have passed through, before it was approved and the whooping amount that must have gone down for installing it yet none of the CCTV Cam ever worked for 1-second that is not even the issue at hand now.

The question now is: what actually is the cause of the falling poles? Which is similar to the increasing number of sudden disappearance of manhole covers on the streets of Abuja. Someone says SCAVENGERS! Am not surprised and am sure neither are some people too.

The answer is not far reached as some miscreants goes about targeting some of these poles, brings them down technically and tow them to unknown destinations. These are Government properties and as such no unauthorized personnel are supposed to carry out maintenance work on them, not to mention carrying it away. If we blame it on recession, I wonder what will remain of this country by time recession is finally over.

CLIMATE CHANGE IN THIS ERA

Climate Change remains a topic that has received alarming

ALARMING OCEANS CHEMISTRY

A glimpe into the future of the oceans is alarming as increasing concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere make sea water more acidic.

Natural phenomenal Carbondioxide bubbles, dissolve in water to form "Carbonic Acid" and streams of volcanic giant-jacuzzi-like CO2 bubbling from deep under the seabed.

Anthropogenic activities are today turning oceans more acidic, changing at a rate faster than it's changed in 10's or 100's of million of years, the "Ocean Chemistry", thereby making the acidity hurting the local sea animals, fish and corals, which in turn overtime would not be able to cope with the expected World Oceans CO2 levels this century.

ADAMA BARROW, GAMBIA PRESIDENT-ELECT SWORN INTO OFFICE

Adama Barrow, Gambia President-elect got sworn into office at the Gambia embassy in Dakar, Senegal where he took his oath of office.

Barrow said in a speech immediately after the swearing-in that "This is a day no Gambia will ever forget in a lifetime".

In contention, his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh maintains he is still the legal president of the country.

FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY RESIDENCE TO ENJOY 30 FREE CHANNELS AS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DIGITAL SWITCH OVER

The federal government has announced that residence of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja will enjoy 30 free channels with the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting in Abuja on Thursday 22nd December.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced this in Abuja, on Monday, during the tour of key facilities of Pinnacle Communication Limited, the signal distribution for the Abuja DSO.

He noted that over 450,000 Set-Top Boxes have been provided for the flag-off.

“We are impressed by the speed, commitment and passion of Pinnacle to this project and we have come here to ensure that no stone is left un-turned to ensure smooth Digital Switch Over in Abuja on Thursday,” he said.

“It’s a revolution in the broadcasting ecosystem as far as Nigeria is concerned because not only are we going to have better clarity and audio but the average resident of FCT who is in possession of our Set-Top Box will have 30 free channels from news, entertainment, music. This is going to open a new vista for content,” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence that within three years of the digital transition, one million jobs will be created in the development of television content, technical services, software development, as well as the installation and repair of Set-Top Boxes for over 24 million TV households, among others.

The Minister said even though the Digital Switch Over will not take place in one fell swoop across the country, the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to meeting the 2017 deadline for the DSO.

Also speaking at the Call Centre of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), he said the government is equally concerned about customers’ satisfaction, which informed the setting up of the Call Centre where subscribers can call to make inquiries or complaints for prompt response.

Alhaji Mohammed, who was accompanied by the NBC Director General, Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, and the Chairman of DIGITEAM Nigeria, Mr. Edward Amana, inspected facilities at the Monitoring Room, Transmission Station and the Call Centre.

TOWN PLANNING LAWS CAN BE USED TO MANAGE CLIMATE CHANGE - AYADE

Prof. Ben Ayade, a lawyer and Governor of Cross River State is a Professor of Environmental Sciences. He had led a delegation of some governors from Africa to participate in a Climate Change Summit   in Paris, France. He was privileged to be the only African governor that spoke at the summit.
He discussed how to combat climate change through environmental laws and legislations as well as the global effects of climate change in this interview.
Excerpts:

By Onozore Dania

What is your view on the state of  our Environmental laws?

Our environmental  laws governing and   regulating the impact of human activities on the  environment  are still developing,   like other human activities, there is always a room for improvement.

Mind you  environmental law  covers a broad spectrum of activities which include air, water, land, flora or fauna. It includes  laws  that relate to the protection of animals,the conservation and preservation  of forests and plants.

How can the campaign for environmental protection work through appropriate legal frame works?

We can do this through our town planning laws. For example, in Cross River today, we are ensuring that for every single house, you must have a minimum of four trees on each side of the house to ensure that there is a full interaction between the plants and the residents in the house. Therefore, public campaign by way of advocacy,   by way of doing it physically, by way of laws,   by way of legislations,   by way of radios, adverts, physical door to door campaigns are all the things you do to sharpen the consciousness of the ordinary man to the realities   of climate Change. And of course, they also must have some posters that must show them the risks and incidental implications of climate change. I do know that where I grew up, most of the streams that we used to play in as little children have all dried up. Those are the effects of climate change because all the water sheds have all gone. These are the things we must distill down to the grassroots for them to appreciate that this climate change is real, it is not a theory, it is not academic, it is real.


Governor Ben Ayade
As a lawyer, what makes you engage in the campaign for the environment, environ-mental protection and climate change?

I actually feel that I am living out my dream,   I am giving back   to humanity. First of all,  I am   a Professor of Environmental Science and I do realize that the issue of climate change is real and Nigeria is affected seriously. I also understand that global problems are like environmental issues, even though global in nature, the solutions are local. And so, in   my own little way as governor of Cross River State that has 58 percent of the entire forest cover of Nigeria, I owe Nigeria and indeed all Africa the responsibility of demonstrating that indeed, we can actually reverse the cataclysmic effects   of climate change and instead of speaking, I am doing the working, talking. So, I talk it and I do it.

How can the common man on the street contribute to protecting the environment and ozone layer against climate change?

The immediate one is afforestation and of course training them to be able to prohibit or reduce or attenuate deforestation. When you are deforesting, because most communities are dependent on their forest resources for their means of livelihood and the issue of absolute conservation means that you are dislocating the communities from their dependence on the forests. The critical thing to do now, is forest management as opposed to conservation. So when it comes to forest management, it allows the community to harvest from the forest in a   sustainable manner. So you take such trees that are old, tired and are of no value while replacing them with the young ones. It is completely different from conservation where it is absolute ban of some sort. And for the rural poor and for the general public to add value to the climate change, they must start from keeping their small nurseries, planting their own trees and ensuring that they live in green economy.

TROUBLING STORIES OF AJAOKUTA STEEL PLANT,

The Ambassador of Russia to Nigeria, Mr Nikolay Udovichenko, in this interview, speaks on the relationship between his host and home countries and Russia’s alleged move to influence the just concluded presidential election in the United States.


What is the trade volume between Russia and Nigeria?

The  trade volume between Russia and Nigeria  may not be too substantial – about $500 million.  But  we  should  bear in mind that there is no oil and gas share in  it.  Not accidentally  that while  trade volumes between Nigeria and other countries decreased  sharply  this year,  trade  statistics  between our countries stay  at the same level or  even  become slightly higher. In our trade  relations,  we  are focusing on sharing  technologies,  modern solutions, supplying  agric  products  to ensure  Nigeria’s  self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, we would like  to promote cooperation in the sphere of power supply. Our giant  companies such as Gazprom,  Rosatom,  Lukoil  are ready to work with Nigerian partners on mutually beneficial  conditions.  In this  regard,  I would like to  specifically  emphasize  Gazprom,  which is  keen on  developing  more active  ties  with Nigeria.


Nikolay Udovichenko
It is obvious that the  local  market has a  great  potential for increasing bilateral  cooperation.  For Nigeria investments in the domestic gas supply will have a huge multiplier effect on  GDP,  create new jobs.  Gazprom  is  ready  to develop  joint  projects across the gas chain in Nigeria and  is  looking forward to seeing  the long-term policies for gas industry put in place.  In this respect, the average Russian investor is encouraged by the New National Gas Policy drafted by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its “Nigeria-first” approach.

So, cooperation  in gas market between  Gazprom  and NNPC  may  greatly  benefit  Nigeria.  We hope that the companies will pass from purchases of spot gas  to utilization of all opportunities that Gazprom possesses as global gas market leader.

All these questions of  bilateral relations  were discussed  during the regular session of the  Russian-Nigerian  Bi-national  Commission,  which took place in November in Abuja. During this  session,  Russian and Nigerian parties  reached a number of  agreements  in various sectors.  Following this meeting,  in particulars, delegation from Edo State has already visited  Krasnodar,  one of the most developed  agric  regions of Russia,  where they held  talks with  poultry and  mes processing plants, milk and other  agric  companies, discussed issues related to the development of the Nigerian agricultural sector.

I am sure that prospects of our bilateral relations will benefit  both countries  and  definitely  result  in  increasing  our trade volume in future.

Apart from  energy   you talked about  are there other areas where  the Russian government would   like to improve   in these bilateral  relations?

I have  already  mentioned the agricultural sector which  is  considered  the cornerstone of Nigeria’s diversification policy.  Russia is ready to supply  foods as well as  develop local production of  agric products, processing equipment and machinery.

One of the important issues that  was also discussed during  the Bi-national Commission  session is  resumption of aluminum production, which was established with the assistance of the Russian company,

Rusal, at the  Alscon  plant in  Akwa Ibom  State.  In fact, it was a very helpful development for Nigeria’s economy – it received a new  aluminium  industry, many people found jobs, a power plant supplied the local community with electricity. But  as a result  of inexplicable court decision, this production was stopped a few years ago, and up till date, the company has not been allowed to resume operations. Nigerian authorities promised they would  examine the possibilities to resolve this issue for the benefit of all parties involved.  Of  course,  we  have also  confirmed our readiness to participate in reviving  Ajaokuta  Steel Plant and developing the machinery-building industry.

There are many  other  spheres where we have  big  potentials.  I’d  like to stress once again that the embassy  has a firm intention to bring business and investors from our countries together in order to discuss different options of cooperation.  I can say for sure  that if  such  giant Russian companies  asGazprom,  Rusal  succeed in Nigeria,  it will be  a  very  positive signal for other Russian  enterprises.

Recent bombings by Avengers  of Niger Delta, have they, in any way, affected any Russian company?  Or  will Russian companies think twice before bringing more business here?

Directly,  these events have not affected Russian companies.  But, of course, all emergency  situations  negatively impact on  investment climate.  Obviously, any  investor  seeks safe  haven and wants the security his  investments guaranteed, although the key task when entering a new market is  to find a reliable  partner in the country.  The embassy maintains contacts with Russian companies – we  consult  them  about current situation, prospects of cooperation, possible risks and, certainly, do our best to  create better conditions for cooperation. In any case, we wish acceptable and long-lasting  settlement in Niger Delta to be reached as soon as possible, because business  doesn’t  like waiting too long.

How many Nigerians benefited from different education and training programs in Russia over the last two years?

First of all, I would like to mention the scholarship  that the Russian government is  granting  to Nigerian citizens. In cooperation with the  Federal  Ministry of  Education  we worked outan absolutely transparent system of selection  based on personal interviews with each aspirant and conducted by a joint selection committee.  Under this  program,  about100  aspirants from Nigeria  depart  for  Russia  each year  for higher education in the spheres most needed by the Nigerian  society. We also  provide  short term training courses  for the law enforcement and security forces staff. Each year dozens of Nigerian  policemen  raise professional level  in training centers of  the Ministry of Interior  of Russia.  I  hope  we will  be able to increase  the number ofparticipants of  such programs.

What is the procedure of visa issuance and how many visas  are given  to Nigerians?

First of all, we  are trying to make this procedure as clear as possible and ease it where possible.  For example, this year, we  lifted  requirement  to presentNDLEA  certificates  when applying for the   Russian  visa.  In fact, the only criterion is  to go through  personal interview.  If we  see that applicants can clearly explain why they want to go to Russia and their purposes are frank and legitimatelike studies, work, business, then  they  will  have  no problem to receive visa.  Coming back to the number of visas given to Nigerians, we issue up to 2,000 visas every year.

There   are some allegations that Russia is selling drones to the Nigerian government to fight Niger Delta Avengers.  Is that true?

I  tell  you  frankly that there were no supplies of drones from Russia, which  could be used  for such purposes. We are  in close cooperation  with the Nigerian government on the issue of  some military supplies, but  it’s  not  about  drones.

What was Russia’s contribution to the just concluded election in the US?

I doubt that there  was any  Russian contribution  to the outcome of the US election. Another matter is that somebody  wanted  Russia  to  be  involved in the campaign.  The name of  our country  was used  to blame one of the candidates, but if  anybody  mentioned  Russia  in this context, it  didn’t  mean  that was true.  That’s  why many allegations we heard from different  corners  are not  reliable.  Finally, I am sure  these speculations  had no  impact  on the choice of American people. Russia  was  ready to work with any president elected during  the US  election.

Could I guess,  firm Russian position on key issues of international agenda,  including  Syria crisis settlement,  resulted in the fact  that  its  name  was mentioned  in  media  more often.

INSIDE PHOTOS OF ZAHRA'S WEDDING AS THE PRESIDENT TURNS 74

AT THE BALL

BOI TRAINS 976 NYSC CORP MEMBERS UNDER ITS N2B GEF SCHEME

 
The Bank of Industry (BoI) has commenced a nationwide capacity building programme for 976 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members under its N2 billion Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) scheme.

The fund, an initiative of the bank in partnership with the NYSC, was launched on Oct. 5, 2015, to address the high rate of youth unemployment in the country. During the inauguration of the second edition of the GEF scheme on Thursday in Lagos, Mr Waheed Olagunju, BoI Acting Managing-Director, said that the programme would harness youth resourcefulness for economic development.

Olagunju said that the success recorded in the first phase of the scheme reinforced the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment. He noted that N439.8 million was approved for 260 of the 976 participants in the first phase, while N194.4 million had been disbursed for execution of 140 projects.

“These young Nigerians have not only taken themselves out of the job market, but have become employers of labour creating, 560 direct jobs and over 2000 indirect jobs,” Olagunju said. He also noted that the training, holding simultaneously in seven centres across the country, had been extended to four days, adding that the participants’ business plans would be developed during training.

Olagunju said that the 10 business consultants involved in the training had been tasked with handholding the participants through the early stage of their business to ensure sustainability. According to him, the programme will encourage youth entrepreneurship, close entrepreneurship capacity gap, deepen financial inclusion by de-risking corps members for loans and ensure sustainability of businesses through mentorship.

Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria, advised the youths to be different and creative, tenacious and embrace values that would lead to economic growth of the country. "I know that this country will be great and its greatness lies in the youth: Your efforts are part of nation building; make them count and do not be the missing link,” Awosika said.

Brig-Gen. Sule Kazaure, NYSC Director-General, urged the corps members to ensure the sustainability of the training and called for supervision of the programme to achieve its objective. The director-general appealed to the BoI to expedite action in processing loan requests after training.

He said that delay in doing this and release of funds to some beneficiaries in the previous batches of the scheme led to their withdrawal from the programme. Kazaure urged other organisations to emulate the BoI through partnership with NYSC for provision of training and seed capital that would turn corps members into job creators.

Mr Godswill Okpeku, a participant, said that the training would boost his knowledge and position him for financial assistance that would aid the business growth. "My dream is to invest in aquaculture because agriculture is the path to prosperity: Despite recession, people must surely eat; I see myself meeting that need and also providing job in the process,” he said.

EX-ABUJA MINISTER BALA MOHAMMED'S SUIT AGAINST EFCC ADJOURNED

Ex-Abuja Minister Bala Mohammed’s suit against EFCC adjourned as the substantive case in the alleged violation of fundamental rights filed by Bala Mohammed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been adjourned until January 26.

The case, which was adjourned at the last sitting on Wednesday before Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf of an FCT High Court, could not go on.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the date of adjournment was at the instance of all the counsel.

Mr. Mohammed, former minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had been in the custody of the EFCC since October 21 following petitions against him from members of the public. The former minister filed a motion on Notice on November 16 before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf for enforcement of his fundamental rights which he claimed the EFCC had violated.

Mr. Baba-Yusuf on November 29 granted him bail, adding that the bail was granted according to the Provisions of Sections 165 and 158 (b) of the Administration of Justice Act 2015.

The judge held “the right to bail includes the right to fair hearing’’.
The judge also held that the applicant had met the bail conditions given to him by the EFCC, but EFCC failed to verify it.

Mr. Baba-Yusuf adopted the bail condition given by the EFCC as an administrative bail. He granted him bail without any amount; two sureties of the rank of directors in the Federal Civil Service, who must have certified landed properties in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC. He also ordered that the applicant should deposit his international passport in the court.
(NAN)