Ekiti attracts $40million investment in organic fertilizer project.

Ekiti attracts $40million investment in organic fertilizer project.

.….As Oyebanji opens discussion with Turkish firm.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said that his administration would continue to woo investors to the state in the bid to position the state as major industrial and investment hub of the country.

Governor Oyebanji disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during a meeting with officials of Istanbul, Turkey- based Alliance Group on plans to establish a $40 million organic fertilizer factory in the state. 

The Governor who described the project as capable of boosting employment, food production and agribusiness in the state, said his administration would continue to collaborate with institutions, development agencies and private sector players. 

The Governor affirmed the key role agriculture plays in the lives of the people, stressing that the only way out of the present economic doldrums in the country  is to increase and improve productivity.

“We came on board of the mantra of shared prosperity and continuity and agriculture is so key for us as a people, we have challenges in the country today because of lack of productivity because if a people must prosper, they have to produce. Productivity is key to prosperity and government cannot be in the forefront of that, the only thing government can do is to look for serious private investors and partner with them to ensure productivity.”

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the state had put measures in place for ease of doing business and to safeguard investments in the state,  adding that his administration would continue to strengthen and sustain partnerships on projects that are relevant to the development objectives of government.

“Your concept of establishing an organic fertilizer factory in Ekiti state is a welcome development to us as a government, and to drive our investment portfolio, we have Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) headed by a professional and this is aimed at improving ease of doing business in the state. On this, we have structures, we have institutions, we have laws that safeguard investments in this state. We will also ensure that all obstacles towards doing business is removed.

“We just played host to a team from American Embassy led by the Deputy Ambassador and Consul-General with an investor, they’ve gone to our agric. processing zone, they want to invest in cassava. And we’ve been receiving serious investors in the state, I took your word when you said there is a need to accelerate, so, we are also ready to play along by providing all you will need to make the project succeed.” He stated.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Sidi Oso said the organization was identifying regions in Africa, particularly Nigeria, looking for states with economic prospects and potential for development in the area of investment, adding that the organization had concluded plans to set up an organic fertilizer factory in the state.

While stressing that Ekiti has the necessary raw materials in the areas of water bodies and lakes to boost massive production of fertilizer, Prof. Oso commended the Governor for having a team of great professionals, investment conscious as she hope to have more partnerships with the state beyond the fertilizer production project.

She stressed that the project would bring in about $40million aimed at unlocking the employment and investment opportunities in the state coming in as agriculture-water based fertilizer project which would go beyond production to the level of marketing the product nationally and internationally. 

Also at the meeting were the Director-General of Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), Mrs Lolade Olutola and other government officials.

Ekiti NSCDC Parades Twelve Suspects In Connection With Various Crimes.

Ekiti NSCDC Parades Twelve Suspects In Connection With Various Crimes.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ekiti State, Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, 21st February, paraded twelve individuals suspected of involvement in various criminal activities within the state. The parade took place at the Command's headquarters along Ikere/Ado road, Ekiti State.

Parading the suspects, Commandant Agboola Adisa Sunday explained that the suspects were apprehended in locations around Ado -Ekiti metropolis for crimes ranging from armed robbery, illicit drug usage and peddling, house breaking, stealing, conspiracy and cyber related crimes.

Commandant Agboola expressed his readiness to cooperate with other security agencies in the state to flush out criminal elements in the state by using overt and covert means to solve security questions so that Ekiti can be at peace with unflinching supports from general public.

The suspects were Adesoji Victor 19 years who was arrested at a foiled robbery scene along Oke Ila axis of Ado Ekiti where suspected three person armed with a locally made pistol attempted to rob a supermarket belonging to Mrs Adepoju Victoria.

The Command Counter Terrorism Unit rose up and mobilized to the scene of the attacked which led to the arrest of the suspect while others escaped. The CTU operatives neutralized the suspects and recovered one locally made barrel cut to pistol size, a registered motor cycle and other dangerous weapons.

Others are Samuel Micheal 25 years, Adebayo Lateef 29 years, Opeyemi Adelusi 24 years, Daramola Ariyo 26 years and Wasiu Ariyo 29 years were arrested along Omisanjana axis of Ado Ekiti. They were in possession of illicit drugs, suspected cannabis sativa in large quantity, phones and cyber crimes materials. They have been terrorising that area with reports from landlords of the area to the Unit, showing that they are of questionable characters. Other suspected illicit drugs were also recovered from them.

Ayodele Ayomide 20 years and Oladapo Agbe were arrested along Oke Ila in Ado Ekiti after they had successfully broke into a church and stole a heavy duty generator belonging to the church. The CTU acted on a top off received from a good Samaritan and traced the suspect to where he was attempting to sell the stolen generator to one Oladapo Agbe at a ridiculous price .Lastly, Osalusi Ayo 28 years and one other at large were alleged to have stolen air conditioner along Ajebandele area of Ado Ekiti. 

The Counter Terrorism Unit of the Command also issued out warnings to all criminal elements in the state to leave the state as the state will be so hot for them in the coming weeks. All hands are on deck to smoke out criminal elements from all the nooks and crannies of Ekiti State with the support of all other similar agencies in the state as security is a business of all.

Oyebanji hails PUNCH solid journalistic excellence at 50.

Oyebanji hails PUNCH solid journalistic excellence at 50.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed Nigeria’s foremost print and digital media group, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, on what he described as the company’s “solid journalistic excellence” as it marks its 50th anniversary.

PUNCH, the publisher of the nation’s leading newspaper titles, The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, and PUNCH Online, clocked 50 on March 18, 2023.

However, its Board of Directors moved the 50th anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.

Hailing the company’s resolve to journalistic excellence, the Ekiti governor, in a goodwill message he personally signed and addressed to the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, said it was satisfying that Nigerians still looked to the company for reliable information despite the media space saturation.

The governor, in the message dated February 19, 2024, urged the PUNCH’s management to “ensure the outfit continues to be a trailblazer in print journalism”.

He also commended the company’s founding Chairman, the late Chief Olu Aboderin, for “his impetuous vision for a newspaper with the finest editorial independence and unparalleled professionalism,” setting a standard for media practice in the country.

The governor said, “Let me congratulate the board, management, and staff of PUNCH newspapers on the historic attainment of 50 years of solid journalistic excellence since it began in 1974.

“Special tribute to the founding proprietor of this great media organisation, the late Chief Olu Aboderin, whose impetuous vision for a newspaper with the finest editorial independence and unparalleled professionalism remains the standard for media practice in Nigeria. It is also noteworthy that this golden jubilee of this newspaper coincides with the 40th anniversary of his transition to eternal glory. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

“PUNCH is one of the longest-living post-colonial media organisation in Nigeria that is well reputed for the best of media values. Due to its commitment to unblemished journalism that is characterised by impartiality, balance, truth, editorial discipline, and impeccable integrity,

“PUNCH has survived the vicissitude of the ever-changing media ecosystem and remains on top in Nigeria as the best in many parameters of newspapering evaluation, including daily sales, advert revenue, graphics, picture quality and commitment to the ideals of excellent journalism.

“I, therefore, want to heartily felicitate the management and staff, past and present, for sustaining the legacy of integrity with which the founders established the outfit. As a model not only for Nigeria but Africa, every effort must be made to ensure the outfit continues to be a trailblazer in print journalism. It is heartwarming to note that despite the saturation of the media space with the proliferation of online newspapers, many still look to media establishments like The PUNCH for reliable information.

“On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, kindly accept my warm congratulations on your golden jubilee celebration.”

The weeklong activities lined up for PUNCH 50th anniversary begin on February 24 with a novelty match between Team PUNCH and the Nigeria Media XI, a team made up of journalists from other newspaper houses in the country.

The novelty match will take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium), Onikan, Lagos Island.

According to a statement by the company’s General Manager, Corporate Services, Mrs Olufolakemi Gbemuotor, the 50th anniversary will be marked with the 40th anniversary of the passing of the founding Chairman, the late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984, at the age of 50.

Beginning on Wednesday, February 28, PUNCH will hold a three-day photo exhibition at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to afford its readers and other Nigerians opportunities to view the best photographs from its extensive pictorial archive of the biggest news events in the nation’s history.

The high point of the anniversary is a distinguished public lecture to be held on Thursday, February 29 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. The lecture, to be delivered by the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, will be graced by leaders from the public and private sectors.

The weeklong activities will continue on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where PUNCH will host a black-tie dinner to acknowledge the contributions of its stakeholders to the success of our organisation.

The Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Mrs Angela Emuwa, described the anniversary and her father’s 40th remembrance as an opportunity to celebrate twin milestones.

Emuwa said, “For over five decades, PUNCH has made a tremendous impact in Nigeria. At a time when we are equally remembering the passing of our founding chairman, it is fitting to look back at those landmark events that have shaped the course of history in our national polity and appreciate those who have stood by us not only in good times but when it was uncomfortable for them to do so.”

The Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Joseph, described PUNCH as a national treasure that had stood with Nigeria through thick and thin. According to him, the newspaper’s anniversary will be for all Nigerians who believe in the values that PUNCH has consistently espoused over five decades.

“PUNCH has outgrown its humble beginnings to emerge as a national institution. The celebration of our 50th anniversary is not just an opportunity to wine and dine but a chance to celebrate our excellent heritage and fierce editorial independence,” Joseph said.

The anniversary’s grand finale is a staff party on March 9 at which current and former staff will be feted for their contributions to PUNCH’s successes.

A special commemorative anniversary publication to mark the golden jubilee anniversary of the newspaper will also be distributed at some of the events.

Zulum unveils counterterrorism curriculum for Borno Islamic schools.

Zulum unveils counterterrorism curriculum for Borno Islamic schools.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled a unified curriculum for Islamic schools aimed at countering violent extremist ideologies and preventing young people from being radicalised by terrorist groups.

Borno is one of the hardest hit states by Boko Haram insurgency, which began in Maiduguri around 2002.

The fundamentalists group, known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, preached against Western education as depicted by its name, Boko Haram (Western education is unlawful).

The sect formed by the late Muhammed Yusuf and later led by Abubakar Shekarau from 2009 until his reported death in 2021, launched violent attacks on Western education, as it reportedly destroyed about 2,500 classrooms, chasing out hundreds of thousands of the pupils while it also engaged in pupils abduction.

Unveiling the curriculum on Tuesday, Zulum said, “Our Islamic schools have been operating without a unified curriculum for at least three to four decades and that is a matter of great concern to all of us.

“The so-called Boko Haram insurgency was started as a result of some misleading preaching, therefore it is imperative for us to devise a way such as this curriculum to avert such in the future.”

Zulum said his administration would ensure that all Islamic schools strictly follow the new unified curriculum.

He emphasised the importance of teaching and preaching following the authentic content of the holy books.

He said, “We are currently witnessing another development recently; we are concerned by the way some scholars preach. Therefore, the Government of Borno State will do everything possible to ensure that teaching and preaching comply with the proper content of the holy books.”

Zulum also noted that the new curriculum was prepared based on the policies of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, which, he said, would qualify students from private Islamic schools to get admission to universities and colleges.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board, Khalifah Sheikh Ali Abulfathi, said “The curriculum, which is based on the Maliki school of thought, centred on the teaching of Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Tauhid and jurisprudence.

“The board reviewed existing teaching methodologies and instructional materials used by the Islamiyya schools as part of efforts to give the knowledge and values needed.”

Abulfathi called on parents and other stakeholders to support the new curriculum to ensure that every child had access to quality Islamic education.

FG vows clampdown on officials leaking sensitive documents.

FG vows clampdown on officials leaking sensitive documents.

The Federal Government through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has commenced moves to ensure that official government documents dubbed sensitive are not leaked to the public.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, in a memo dated February 19, 2024, and uploaded on the website of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation “ohcsf.gov.org”, said the leak of such documents had become embarrassing to the government and must therefore stop.

The memo tagged HCSF/3065/VI/189 reads, “It has been observed with dismay, the increase in the cases of leakage of sensitive official documents in ministries, departments and agencies. This is very embarrassing to the government and therefore unacceptable.

“As part of the efforts to curb this undesirable development, all Permanent Secretaries are to fast-track the migration to the digitalised workflow system and ensure effective deployment of the Enterprise

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Content Management Solution. This will reduce physical contact with official documents, thereby checking the increasing incidence of leakage and circulation of the same.

“Furthermore, Permanent Secretaries are advised to strongly warn all staff against leaking and circulating official information and documents.

“Any officer caught engaging in such unbecoming act will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant circulars.”

There has been an increase in the leak of sensitive government documents to the public space in recent times. Recently, a memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, revealed plans to allocate the sum of N500m as allowances to members of the tripartite committee on minimum wage set up by the Federal Government. Also, a memo about a huge amount of money to be allocated as subsidy for the Hajj pilgrimage, which purportedly emanated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, was seen in public space.

The two memos had generated outrage with civil society organisations and organised labour demanding probes of such allocations.

FG hands over Zungeru power plant to concessionaire.

FG hands over Zungeru power plant to concessionaire.

The Federal Government on Tuesday officially transferred operations of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant to Penstock Limited, instead of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited which it selected in February 2023.

Tuesday’s move is expected to “boost Nigeria’s power generation capacity and contribute significantly to meeting the country’s growing energy demands,” a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, read.

The statement is titled ‘FG finally hands over Zungeru Hydroelectric power plant to concessionaire.’

It comes one year after the National Council on Privatisation, on February 23, 2023, approved the appointment of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited as the preferred bidder for the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant.

However, The PUNCH observed that Penstock Limited was not one of the three companies shortlisted in December 2022 to present proposals for the concession.

That year, 11 consortiums had sent Requests for Qualification out of which three—NSP Consortium, Mainstream Energy and Africa Plus Partners—were shortlisted.

The 740MW Zungeru power facility located at the upper and middle reaches of River Kaduna in Niger State is the largest hydropower project in Nigeria. Though conceived in 1982, construction works only commenced in 2013 following a deal with two Chinese firms-China National Electrical Equipment Corporation and Sinohydro Consortium.

According to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the project has gulped around $1.3bn, with a preferential loan facility from the Export-Import Bank of China.

With the FG providing 25 per cent funding for the project, the Exim Bank will fund 75 per cent with low-interest loans.

The facility is expected to produce 2.64bn kWh of electricity annually and meet around 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total domestic energy requirements. It was commissioned in 2023.

At the first meeting of the NCP for 2024 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the council announced significant progress in the Plant concession, including the official transfer of the plant’s operations to Penstock Limited.

The Concession Agreement was signed on December 13, 2023, by the BPE and Penstock Limited.

Following Council approval, the Concessionaire fulfilled its obligation by paying 50 per cent of the commencement fees on January 5, 2024.

The official handover ceremony took place on January 23, 2024, officially transferring the plant’s operations to Penstock Limited.

Vice President Kashim Shettima who chairs the council also disclosed plans by the Federal Government to recapitalise and restructure the Bank of Agriculture BOA to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector and achieve national food security.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima noted the potential of BOA to play a central role in achieving national food security, citing its extensive branch network across all senatorial districts in the country.

However, he expressed concern over the bank’s current practices, particularly its tendency to disburse unsustainable loans.

Shettima advocated the modernisation of the BOA, emphasising the need to leverage technology and upgrade branch facilities, urging that embracing modern financial systems would enable the bank to function more effectively and fulfil its vital role in supporting agricultural development.

He also alluded to the potential of the Green Imperative Project, proposing its integration with the BOA’s restructuring plans.

“For me, we can marry the Green Imperative Project while we are going to bring in assorted agricultural machinery. Every farmer should be given a tractor, harvester and other necessary machinery.

“We can take in the latest advances in science and technology and make it possible to track these items so that divergence can be minimized.

“We have no business being poor. Nigeria must attain national food security. Let us leverage science and technology. There are three or four states that can feed the whole of this country,” the VP said.

Currently, “a committee led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is finalising a report on the BOA’s recapitalisation and restructuring, while key decisions have been made, and further updates are expected soon,” Nkwocha’s statement revealed.

The Council also received updates on the report on the sale of NITEL/MTEL property at Moloney Street, Lagos.

It was noted that efforts are ongoing to evict illegal occupants and resolve the court case on the property.

On the audit of NIPOST properties nationwide, it was noted that the BPE has provided detailed information to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Postmaster General to assist with the ongoing Postal Sector Reform, facing pushbacks from NIPOST and unions.

On the Federal Mortgage Bank Restructuring, it was noted that the bank’s management has submitted nominations to the Implementation Committee which is expected to commence work shortly.

Credit: The PUNCH Newspaper. 

Tinubu appoints Bakari as new NFIU CEO.

Tinubu appoints Bakari as new NFIU CEO.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as the new Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). 

 Bakari’s appointed is however pending her confirmation by the Senate. 

The new appointment was announced Tuesday evening in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. 

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari to serve as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), pending her confirmation by the Senate.

“Ms. Bakari is a lawyer and financial intelligence expert with years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

Alleviate suffering of Nigerians, control food prices, Lagos traditional ruler appeals to Tinubu

“Before her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, she served as Deputy Director at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, and was at different times the Head of the General Services Unit; Head of the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and Head of the Board Secretariat of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The President anticipates that Ms. Bakare will bring her wealth of experience and expertise to full discharge in this critical role, especially in view of his administration’s war against illicit financial flows and other sharp practices currently prevalent in segments of the nation’s foreign exchange markets,” the statement reads.