₦airaland Forum

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took to the high seas on Thursday during a visit to Nigeria which saw him learn about some of the pirate-fighting techniques the British Navy are teaching their Nigerian counterparts.

During the visit, Mr Johnson piloted a rib with the British Navy who are based in Lagos, Nigeria and got his hands on a water cannon onboard a Nigerian Naval warship.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2017/09/01/TELEMMGLPICT000138907363_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqzZqOgOJXOqkE_ZaqGDwVPDld6ZwFzaR0DbL1pK6gdkw.jpeg?imwidth=1160
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, centre, uses a water cannon onboard a Nigeria Naval warship during a visit to the Nigeria Navy at the Naval dockyard in Lagos, Nigeria CREDIT: SUNDAY ALAMBA/AP

More than 120 pirate attacks were reported in the Gulf of Guinea last year, costing around £619 million.

The gulf is targeted because more than £6 billion of west African trade with the UK, and around 15% of oil imported to Britain, moves through the area annually.

Afterwards, the Foreign Secretary paid a visit to a Guinness factory where he was treated to a sip of the stout.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2017/09/01/TELEMMGLPICT000138883439_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq5aPE69Bm_5Z8qLrSBFs_Jjr11yG0zZJBuTi5_5Je35o.jpeg?imwidth=1160
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson samples a Guinness at the Diageo Factory in Lagos, NigeriaCREDIT: ANDREW PARSONS / I-IMAGES

Mr Johnson, on a joint visit to the country with International Development Secretary Priti Patel, has called for a major boost in trade with Nigeria during a visit to the west African country.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/01/boris-johnson-learns-fight-pirates-training-exercise-nigeria/

Maduawuchukwu:
Anambra state alone is to receive over 45 billion Naira which it spent on FG roads and so people are here saying nonsense.

Most don't know federal government actually owes a few states money for federal road projects. You could Google any state see governor of that state complaining. Akwa says it owed  over N140 billion.

sarrki:
Bros

I can call this restructuring

Restructuring of mind

Restructuring of lack of ideas

Restructuring of old ways that it must be federal government

It is supposed to be federal government doing the job. That can't be disputed since it is federal road which they collected tax money to maintain. At the same time states can't wait for idiots at Aso Rock to figure out this out. States pretty much have to fix it and wait for refund.

The federal government needs to be transparent on what they get and do with money. Then figure out what to do be it tolls or tax increase. As long as they actually do their job nobody will honestly care.

It just shows if states don't take initiative to fix these Federal roads nothing gets done. Seriously which federal road is in decent shape currently.

Sokoto and Zamfara State governments have completed the repairs of the 214 km Sokoto-Gusau federal highway in the North-west zone of Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Sokoto on Monday by Imam Imam, the spokesperson to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

The road, which connects Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina all through to Kaduna states, was fixed at the cost of N100 million, Mr. Imam stated.

“The two states combined resources to fix the road as it is the main link between their capitals and other parts of the country,” the statement said.

“It is one of the most important roads in the North West because it connects to other routes leading to neighbouring Niger Republic.”

It explained that while Zamfara shouldered the responsibility for fixing the Gusau -Tureta portion of the road, Sokoto provided funds for fixing the portion between Tureta and Sokoto town.

The statement said a submission would be made to the federal government for refund.

“The important thing is to achieve zero pothole on the crucial route and this has been achieved.

“The effort has enhanced safety of vehicles and commuters. It has also improved movement of goods especially agricultural products because it is a major agricultural zone in the federation,” the statement added.

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/242929-sokoto-zamfara-govts-team-fix-sokoto-gusau-federal-highway.html

sarrki:
That's the point

Everyone is looking at the center

Why all the governors keep embezzling with their cronies

Very true states should try an do more to improve their environment. You can see states like Anambra asking federal government to declare state of emergency over erosion yearly. States like Akwa Ibom go seek alternative sources like World Bank to solve theirs. If only they don't waste it.

States also can also issue -Environmental(Ecological) Fee or Levy and require people buy flood insurance. The latter probably for people in flood prone areas.

Following recent cases of flood in various states, the presidency has asked Nigerians to demand more from state governments on the judicious use of the Ecological Fund.

According to a statement by the presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said this at the weekend on ‘Hannu Da Yawa’, a programme on FRCN Kaduna. He said states take a large chunk from the ecological fund and Nigerians should demand more from them.

“The largest chunk of the Fund goes to the states and local governments. Every month, states and local governments receive 1.4 per cent from the Federation Account as Ecological Fund, compared to the federal government’s share of 1 per cent.

“From the 1 per cent the FG gets, NEMA takes 20 per cent for its operation,” he said.

The presidential aide noted that lately, disaster management in the country is gradually being ceded to the federal government by other tiers of government.

“Whenever there is an emergency from natural or man-made disasters, all you hear is ‘where is Buhari, what is he doing? What happens with the other tiers of government?”

“Nigerians, at the state and local governments, should demand transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds by their Governors and local government chairmen.

“Without accountability by local political leaders, the federal government would continue to be the scapegoat for the failure of states and local governments to use ecological funds for the purposes they were released,” he said.

At least 16 states have had various degrees of flooding in 2017 with the most prominent being Benue that led to the displacement of thousands of people from their homes.

Although President Buhari is yet to visit Benue, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led a government delegation to the state and also visited the occupants of the displaced persons camp in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

In his statement, Mr. Shehu said the Buhari administration will ensure the timely release of the Ecological Fund to states so that they can address their relevant challenges.

“The Buhari administration will under no circumstance abandon its humanitarian obligations to alleviate the distress of flood victims,” he said.

“In spite of Nigeria’s technological limitations and the paucity of funds to handle or manage large scale and complex emergencies, the APC administration will leave no stone unturned in offering succour to victims of natural disasters across the country.”

Mr. Shehu said the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation has also been mandated to step up the provision of relief infrastructure to those in need.

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/242873-disaster-management-nigerians-demand-state-govts-presidency.html

Old article but it's serious problem today. The fact is Nigeria should do whatever it takes to secure it's waters. Buy what ever navy boats and equipment it needs.

Earlier this month, over 40 African Union (AU) nations signed a binding agreement to curb piracy and other maritime crime on the continent’s coastlines. The meeting in Lomé, Tongo, drew 18 heads of state – considerably more than most African Union meetings – a fact that demonstrates the importance to African leaders of curbing piracy, illegal fishing, and other crime on Africa’s economically endangered coastlines. The deal will establish a maritime security fund, and is also meant to strengthen cooperation and communication between governments.

The Lomé agreement brings together more than 40 nations with mutual interest in securing the continent’s shores. 90 percent of African imports and exports are transported by sea, making maritime security essential to the economic success of all African countries. Coastal states in West Africa are losing about $1.3 billion annually, just to illegal fishing alone. It is no wonder then that the agreement was praised as “historic” by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, while President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said that it demonstrated an increasing ability to work together as a continent to solve such problems. Only a few years ago, outside powers such as the EU needed to be called in to help control piracy off the coast of Somalia.

The attention given to this problem is evidence of the vast economic impact of maritime criminal activity. South Africa alone loses billions of dollars every year to illegal fishing, especially to the poaching of abalone and lobster, prized by poachers for their high demand in places such as Hong Kong, China, and other parts of East Asia. Last year, 74 fishing vessels operated by Chinese Distant Water Fishing companies were found to be fishing illegally in prohibited West African fishing grounds and falsifying their gross tonnage, according to a two-year Greenpeace investigation. Most of those cases dated between 2000 and 2014, off the coasts of Guinea, Ghana, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. One report by the Overseas Development Institute estimates that West Africa could create as many as 300,000 jobs by ending illegal fishing.

Much of the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that goes on in West African waters is at the hands of Chinese vessels. Chinese companies have expanded operations in the region from 13 vessels in 1985 to 462 in 2013. IUU fishing by Chinese vessels has been increasing in other parts of the world as well, but in Africa, these practices pose a particular threat. African governments have historically had limited ability to enforce maritime law. One third of all fish caught in waters off of West Africa is obtained illegally by Chinese fishing vessels. Traditional fishermen, using wooden canoes and small nets are now forced to compete with Chinese fishermen using some of the most destructive and large-scale fishing methods the world has ever seen. For example, many of these vessels use massive “drift nets”, which were banned by the UN in 1992. These nets can range from 10 to 100 nautical miles long, connected between buoys on the surface and lead weights 40 feet below.

Since many impoverished Africans rely exclusively on fishing for not only income, but also basic sustenance, the influx of IUU fishing is an especially serious problem. In Mozambique, IUU fishing has reached critical proportions. A 2013 study revealed that out of the 130 ships operating off its coast 129 were foreign, and concerns increasing that within 10 years, the Mozambique Channel may be all but bereft of maritime life. With the country losing 65 million dollars a year to illegal fishing, Mozambique’s state-backed tuna fishing company EMATUM bought several patrol vessels to help protect the nation’s waters. The country is now embroiled in a multimillion-dollar international controversy, after creditors deemed the purchase too expensive.

Meanwhile, piracy in West African waters has increased, as pirate activity off the coast of Somalia has finally started to decline. Fueled by the rise of militant rebels on land in places like Nigeria, economic pressure on a rapidly expanding population, and slumping oil prices, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has yielded some of the world’s most dangerous waters for seafarers. One report said that 1,225 seafarers were attacked by pirates there in 2015 alone. African nations have tried to deal with this problem on their own, but have found little success.

While efforts by individual nations are commendable, the nature of the causes and effects of piracy and IUU fishing mean that cooperation between governments is essential to tackling the problem. International policy observers have suggested that more regional coordination could be the next step for Africa’s maritime security. Coastal waters must be protected as a shared resource. Furthermore, nations could fill the gaps in their own security infrastructure with assistance from private sector security firms. Finally, African partners in China and the rest of East Asia must pressure Beijing to reign in illegal fishing operations.

The Lomé agreement is a step towards the kind of cooperation that is necessary to secure Africa’s coastline. The signatories should ratify the agreement as fast possible in order to reap the benefits from its operation. With so many countries dependent on fishing and other economic activity on the African coastline, measures like this one are crucial to stem a still growing problem.

Source: http://moderndiplomacy.eu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1858:why-africa-united-to-fight-illegal-fishing&Itemid=644

This pretty crazy if this is true. It could be considering the missing Shiites thread has long list of names. I do want to see how this research was conducted though.

Hundreds of people are being held in secret detention in Nigeria, Amnesty International said, yesterday, at an event to mark the International Day of the Disappeared.

The day is observed across the world every August 30 to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives or legal representatives.

Relations of some of the victims of secret detention in Nigeria attended the event at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

But the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a quick reaction, described the group's claim as untrue.

"Today is very important for us as Amnesty International because of the work we do to promote and protect human lives. And the fact that we want to ensure that victims and victim's voices are heard, it is important for days like this to give them the opportunity to do so," Osai Ojigho, the organisation's Country Director said at the event.

Some families, who alleged that their members were suffering arrest or detention by security forces in Nigeria shared their ordeal at the event.

Ibrahim Aliyu, 38, said he had not known the whereabouts or condition of his three younger brothers since 2012 when they were allegedly arrested by the Department State Service, DSS, during a raid at his residence.

Ojigho said it feared that hundreds of people were being held in secret detention in Nigeria, a conduct it said was prohibited under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons From Enforced Disappearance.

Noting that Nigeria was a signatory to the convention, Ojigho called on the Federal Government to release details on the fate and whereabouts of all those who have allegedly disappeared.

He said a research it conducted revealed that "most enforced disappearances take place in the conflict ridden North-East of Nigeria where young men are often seized by the military after being accused of affiliation to the armed group, Boko Haram."

The organization said it had also obtained details of men, women and children victims of enforced disappearance in other parts of Nigeria.

The country director also highlighted the allegations of human rights abuse levelled against the military during the clash that reportedly led to the killing of over 300 Shiites in Zaria in December 2015.

AI's claim is untrue--FG

Reacting to the claim, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the AI's claim as untrue, adding that if there were such facilities, he would be aware of such.

He said: "I should know if such a thing exists. This government is not in the least repressive, this government is tolerant of all views. It is a big shame if an organisation like Amnesty International will cook up this kind of story.

"I should know. Who are the dissidents that are being kept in an unknown place? I should know. I face a lot of criticism, I face a lot of attack. Who are the dissidents that are being detained there? It is certainly untrue, let them come out with facts and should stop relying on hear-say and some so-called NGOs.

"When they have this kind of story, they should contact the government before they go out to smear the name of the country. They should know that at Amnesty International, people take them seriously."

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201708310270.html

Front page: Lalasticlala mynd44

igbodefender:
How about legalizing the so called illegal refineries?

That was policy is ongoing. They claim they don't want too maby for environmental reasons. It's only at a few strategic locations they will consider.

This a pretty good policy. 5% interest loans when inflation is double that amount. Minors should register and take advantage of that and tax benefits in sector. I just wonder how well they will invest war chest in sector. 600 million dollars isn't small amount.

To boost the capacity of artisanal and small-scale miners to participate in the development of the solid minerals sector, the Federal Government on Tuesday launched N5 billion Nigerian Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners, Financing Support Fund to grant loans at single digit interest rates.

The Fund, which is operated by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, would be available for only certified artisanal small-scale miners, constituting more than 80 per cent of the operators in the industry.

Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday in Abuja, the government would contribute N2.5 billion of the Fund, which would be matched by another N2.5 billion by BOI.

Qualified artisanal miners would be allowed to access between N100,000 and N10 million, while small-scale miner could get between N10 million and N100 million.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, and the Managing Director/CEO of Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan, signed the MOU in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr. Fayemi said the launch of the Fund was to address the challenge of insufficient funding and poor access to capital, which posed a major factor militating against artisanal and small-scale miners who account for the bulk of activities in the mining sector.

The Minister said the BOI would serve as the custodian and manager of the fund, to be given to the artisanal and small scale miners at five per cent interest rate.

He said with the appointment of BOI as the custodian and manager of the Fund it would facilitate financing of artisanal and small scale mining projects involving industrial minerals, precious stones, precious metal (Gold), dimension stone and such other strategic minerals in Nigeria as would be approved by the ministry and BOI from time to time.

The Minister said the Fund would be available in the form of term loans, or working capital, to be utilized for the purchase of requisite items of plant and machinery; payment for drilling, geological and other services related to mining business as may be required, among others.

Besides, he said proper funding would help to integrate the artisanal and small-scale miners into the formal sector, enhance their growth and development in a structured manner, and spur productivity and job creation in the mining sector.

Other efforts by the ministry to address the challenge of insufficient funding and lack of access to capital, include N30 billion from the mining sector component of the Natural Resources Development Fund and the $150 million from the World Bank to support the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) programme.

“The Solid Minerals Development Fund, SMDF, is now spearheading the assembly of a $600 million investment fund for the sector, working with entities as the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE and others,” the minister said.

He said these efforts were a departure from the past, where only N352 million was released to the ministry, out of the N1 billion allocated to it in 2015.

In addition to the funding support from multilateral agencies, partnerships on technical cooperation, Mr. Fayemi said several agreements were also brokered or re-activated with foreign governments.

These include existing technical partnerships with the governments of South Africa, China, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America in line with the framework of Africa Mining Vision, to develop mining.

Mr. Pitan said the BOI was convinced the fund would step up a rapid development in the mining sector, just as a similar funding arrangement boosted the country’s movie sector.

He said BOI was a pioneer in the area of funding mining activities where other banks have shown reluctance to invest.

The project management committee made up of BOI officials with expertise in mining finance and project supervision, would be headed by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari.

The committee would be responsible for appraising, recommending, disbursing, implementing and monitoring projects as well as recovering loans and interests from the approved projects.

Soure: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/241880-nigerian-govt-launches-n5-billion-loan-small-scale-miners.html

If they are delaying implementation over enlightenment of law they better be advertising on billboards online ad newspapers. It's interesting to note that Benue chapter of MACBAN supports law.

Stakeholders in Benue on Monday agreed to begin the implementation of the 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law in November.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the law, which was signed by Governor Samuel Ortom in June, gave herdsmen a deadline of October to end open grazing and replace same with ranching from November 1.

The stakeholders formally endorsed the deadline at the expanded State Security Council meeting held at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

The stakeholders advised the government to step up enlightenment ahead of the deadline, in view of the importance of the law.

They also agreed that the law was not targeted at any tribe or group of persons, and urged all Benue residents to support it.

NAN quotes Mr. Ortom as explaining that the expanded security meeting was to enlighten all stakeholders about the law and how it would be implemented. 

Mr. Ortom further said that ranching was the best system of cattle rearing the world over, stressing that his administration was willing to support herdsmen or people willing to stay in Benue and ranch their cows.

He denied reports that government had given quit notice to herdsmen in Benue, explaining that they were free to remain in Benue “so long as they obey the law”.

“The law does not provide that herdsmen should leave Benue; it only encourages herdsmen and any other individual, who wishes to rear livestock, to do so within ranches so as to minimise clashes between herdsmen and farmers.”

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs, commended the government for the steps so far taken toward implementing the law.

Mr. Ayatse, who was represented by Tor Kwande, Ambrose Iortyer, urged herdsmen to embrace change as ranching was the best option worldwide.

In his remarks, the Benue Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Garus Gololo, said that his members were law-abiding citizens ready to support the anti-open grazing law.

Mr. Gololo said that his association was not behind the suit against the Benue Government over the law, explaining that Miyetti Allah Kautal Kohe leadership were behind the court action. 

Benue, as well as a few other states, over the years, have been rocked by perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers over usage of land leading to bloodletting and destruction of property.

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/241843-benue-postpones-implementation-anti-grazing-law.html

Oh you beat me to it OP.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213483996991624&id=1152008079&_rdr#

An official of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says the country cannot export honey because it produces less than three per cent of  its current needs.

Dr Gideon Mshelbwala, a Director in the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services of the ministry, made the statement in Abuja on Friday on the occasion of the 2017 National Honey Bee Day.

The theme for the celebration is “For a Natural High: Smoke Bees’’.

Represented by Mrs Dooshima Kioage, Deputy Director in the department, Mshelbwala said the country had large natural land resources with varied vegetation that could be great potential for beekeeping.

“With an estimated population of about 186 million, fallen oil prices, an import driven economy and insecurity, there is a huge deficit of food required to feed the populace.

“Nigeria currently produces about 15,000 tonnes of honey and 2,500 tonnes of bee wax annually, less than three per cent of her potential 800,000 and 70,000 tonnes respectively.

“This is also the case with other agricultural commodities.

“The upside of the situation is that Nigeria has resources that, if assiduously harnessed, can scale up food production for internal consumption, improved livelihoods and export for foreign exchange earnings,’’ he said.

Ironically, the Federation of Bee keepers Association of Nigeria say that the country is set to start exporting bees by 2018.

Dr Bidemi Ojeleye, National President of the Federation said that an European Union team had visited Nigeria for training and guidelines on the residue monitoring plans for bee export.

Ojeleye, who is also Director, Centre for Bee Research and Development, Ibadan, spoke on the side line of the celebration to mark the “Honey Bee Day’’ in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria is working towards being listed among the EU bee exporting countries.

“For a trade in bees within the European Union, the general conditions that apply to ‘other’ live animals apply as the conditions are laid down in the EU Council Directive,’’ he said.

Ojeleye said that Nigeria was blessed with clean organic honey which was globally ranked amongst the best in the world.

He said that the Federal Government has made available bee keeping equipment to interested youths at subsidised rates to popularise its production among young people.

According to him, the Federation of Bee keepers also hosted free training on bee production for interested youths across the country.

He said in addition to making honey, bees also pollinated all sorts of fruits, wild plants and vegetables.

“Bee products are used as raw materials for production of medicine, cosmetics and lost wax casting. “Beekeeping generates income without destroying the habitat, while bees do not compete with any other livestock for food,’’ he said.

Ojeleye said that the Federation coordinates all bees’ activities and organisations in Nigeria and enlightens the public on the benefits of bee keeping.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 per cent of food worldwide, 71 are pollinated by bees.

World Honey Bee Day, previously known as Honey Bee Awareness Day, was an initiative of beekeepers in the USA who petitioned the government in 2009 for an official day to honour honey bees and beekeeping.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/irony-nigeria-lacks-enough-honey-set-bees-export/

By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI-The South East Governors Forum Saturday welcomed President Muhammad Buhari back to the country after his Medical vacation in the United Kingdom and thanked God for granting him healing.


Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the recovery of Mr. President as great work of God and wished him total recovery as he assumes duty.

He thanked Nigerians for praying for President Buhari’s recovery, adding that it showed that Nigerians are becoming more patriotic despite the varying political lines.

He further called for more prayers and dedication to service by every Nigerian, noting that it is only through unity of purpose that the country could achieve greatness.

While cautioning against hate speeches, the forum reiterated the readiness of the governors of the zone to protect lives and property of every Nigerian irrespective of tribe of religion and called on governor of other regions to do same.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/south-east-governors-welcomes-mr-president/

FG finally transfer ownership of Presidential Lodge, Marina to LASG - Vanguard News By Olasunkanmi Akoni The Federal Government today, officially handed over the ownership of the sprawling Presidential Lodge in the Marina, to Lagos State Government.

Alhaji Jalal Arabi, Permanent Secretary, State House, Abuja, led the federal government’s delegation, while the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr.Tunji Bello, led the state’s delegation to the signing of document ceremony at the Lodge, Victoria Island.

Other personalities at the signing, hand over includes: Commissioner for Housing, Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Energy Wale Oluwo, Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, Commissioner for Special Duties, Seye Oladejo and Special Adviser on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Yetunde Onabule, among others.

Due to passion for Lagos State, as well as complement the effort in turning the state into envy of Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier approved the handing over of the Presidential Lodge to the state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, sometimes later this year. The Lagos state government subsequently, announced the receipt of the Lodge at Marina area of the state from President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to statement from the state government, Buhari’s gesture followed a request by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to have the lodge released in its bid to transform the Marina-Onikan axis into a world-class arts and tourism hub.

Under former Governor Babatunde Fashola, the state government had complained about the lodge that seemed to have been abandoned. The statement on November 6 and signed by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, confirmed that the president’s approval was communicated in a letter signed by his chief of staff, Abba Kyari, to Mr Ambode.

The statement quoted Ambode as saying that the president’s gesture was a demonstration of his “keen admiration for Lagos state as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ that is well suited to becoming Africa’s foremost hub for arts, entertainment and tourism.”

With the presidential approval, Ambode, consequently unveiled plans to turn the lodge to ‘The Heritage Centre for Leadership’, which would be redesigned and equipped as a landmark research and tourist arena that will be open to local and international visitors.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his kind hand-over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina to the Lagos State government.

“This, in my opinion, demonstrates the President’s special interest in Lagos State, which is in line with the promise he made in Lagos during the electioneering campaign, that the interest of Lagosians will always be paramount in his heart,” the statement said.

The Lagos state government added that President Buhari’s approval had come at a time that the old Lagos state House in Marina, which is next door to the Presidential Lodge, is also being prepared for a transformation to The Lagos History Centre, as a mark of honour to and celebration of all former governors of Lagos state, as well as for the benefit of humankind as a whole.

The statement said the state executive council had approved the Lagos House Marina to be turned into Lagos History Centre for tourism purposes.

“With the handing over of the Presidential Lodge to Lagos State, the Lagos state government will begin a process that will transform the whole area into a culture zone in the next two to three years that every Lagosian will be proud of.” Ambode assured.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/fg-finally-transfer-ownership-presidential-lodge-marina-lasg/

Stanley777:
finding it difficult to understand ur post,its confusing.

This law is funny. Are strip clubs illegal in state? If they aren't then they are cool strip clubs as long it's not connected to hotel.

lexxwiz:
Huh?

This law is funny. Are strip clubs illegal in state? If they aren't then they are cool strip clubs as long it's not connected to hotel.

Bestie0309:
Easy does it bro.

Always.

This law is funny. Are strip clubs illegal in state? If they aren't then they are cool strip clubs as long it's not connected to hotel. I guess a few blocks make all the difference.

I've been hotels in Nigeria that have regular clubs in portharcourt and hotels with casinos in Las Vegas. A hotel with a strip club would be new for me.

Ps: Anyway why would a hotel check in guest without check ID that's stupid.

The Kwara State House of Assembly on Wednesday announced the prohibition of strip clubs or nude parties in all government and privately-owned hotels operating in the state.

The assembly gave the order in its resolution after adopting a motion entitled: “Banning Nude Parties in Hotels in Kwara’’ moved by the House Leader, Hassan Oyeleke (APC, Esa Sawo).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the assembly had at a previous plenary drilled the management of the state-owned Kwara Hotel and operators of eight other hotels over allegation of operating strip clubs.

All the lawmakers, who contributed during the debate on the motion, condemned the act.

The Speaker, Ali Ahmad, while reading the resolution of the House on the motion, directed all hoteliers in the state to desist from organising such clubs.

Mr. Ahmad advised all hoteliers to acquire Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) sets to monitor activities in their hotels and assist security agents in arresting any individual or group perpetrating such evil acts.

He also directed the state Hospitality and Tourism Development Board to implement its operation “Show Your Identification Cards’’ by hoteliers and lodgers as a way of ensuring sanity.

The speaker directed the state government to empower relevant agencies to carry out periodic supervision of the activities in all existing hotels in the state as a way of checkmating the unholy acts.

He said that all hotels in the state should register with the Association of Hotel Owners for proper monitoring of their activities.

(NAN)

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/240442-kwara-assembly-bans-strip-clubs-hotels.html

CrtlAltDel:
He should tell them to form sickness like he did so that they too can be granted bail on health grounds…. Once released they should then start campaigning and attending rally up and down… Coward Nnamidiot Cownu

[b]But them say Ipobs are not coward…. Why are them go hide

That's one at large probably going to jail. We'll know if court agrees with Kanu on the bail conditions. Honestly I doubt it. Why did he agree to terms he thought were against his human rights? Second as a person on bail you don't get all rights as regular person. Is he then going to say FG should return his passports because it's his human right to leave country when he pleases.

It's long but it seems the prosecution is trying to get Kanu caged again. I would be livid if I bailed him out. 100m naira isn't chump change.

At same time Kanu lawyers are trying to get charges dropped. Then at sane time trying to get his bail conditions amended. This case is getting interesting.

….as Anambra lawyers drag IPOB to AGF over election boycott order

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has queried the competence of amended five-count treasonable charge the Federal Government lodged against him and four other pro-Biafra agitators-Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie- before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu and his co-defendants are expected to enter their fresh plea to the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, before trial Justice Binta Nyako, on October 17.

Whereas the original charge had only four defendants, with Kanu as the 1st accused person, FG, through the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, amended the case to include Chimezie who was alleged to have between the months of March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeria, a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L.

FG alleged that the transmitter was concealed in a container that was declared as used household items, contrary to section 47(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Aside the inclusion of the 5th defendant in the case, particulars of allegations FG levelled against Kanu and the three other pro-Biafra agitators remained unchanged.

Specifically, FG alleged in count-one of the amended charge, that Kanu and his co-defendants, as well as other persons currently at large, “on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, did conspire amongst yourselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations being made by you and others at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2000”.

In count three, FG alleged that Kanu had “on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu state and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

Meanwhile, Kanu, who will be facing four out of the five amended charges, has declared his determination to get the charges quashed for being “grossly incompetent” and for “want of diligent prosecution”.

The IPOB leader, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accused FG of violating an express order of the trial court that forbade any of the parties from filing any form of interlocutory application pending the commencement of full-blown trial of the defendants.

Ejiofor accused FG of deliberately stalling the case while fishing for evidence against the defendants.

According to him, rather than to open its case on June 22, FG, served an amended five-count charge on the defendants, “in clear breach and violation of an order the court made on April 25, 2017, wherein his Lordship warned, that the court will not entertain further interlocutory application or process capable of delaying the trial”.

He alleged that FG joined the 5th defendant, Chimezie, in the case after a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State had on May 24, not only ordered his immediate release from custody of the Department of State Service , DSS, but equally directed that he should be paid N5million as damages having been illegally detained for period that exceeded the constitutional provision.

Besides, the IPOB leader has filed a motion asking trial Justice Nyako to vary some of his bail conditions which he maintained were arbitrary and unconstitutional.

Justice Nyako had in a ruling on April 25 released Kanu on bail after he had spent a year and seven months in detention, though the court okayed his co-defendants to remain in prison custody.

The court which stressed that it released Kanu on health ground, however compelled him to produce three sureties, including “a Jewish leader” and a “highly placed person of Igbo extcraction”, who all deposited N100million each.

He was formally released to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Mr. Tochukwu Uchendu, on April 28.

As part of his conditions for bail, Kanu was expressly barred by the court from attending any rally or granting any form of interview.

“I must stress it here that the defendant must not attend any rally. He must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons”, the Judge warned. Justice Nyako held that Kanu who was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on October 14, 2015, must sign an undertaken to make himself available for trial at all times.

He was further ordered to surrender his Nigerian and British international passports, even as the court compelled FG to return to him, his wedding ring and reading glasses.

In his motion for variation of the bail conditions, Kanu contended that some of the conditions were directly in conflict with his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights and therefore ought to be set-aside.

However, the motion which the court ought to hear on the next adjourned date may be overtaken by events, as a member of the prosecution team hinted to Vanguard that FG was weighing the option of applying for Kanu’s bail to be revoked immediately he enters his plea to the amended charge on October 17.

Meanwhile, a group of lawyers under the aegis of Anambra State Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, ASLADD, have petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, asking him to commence a “high-powered clinical investigation into activities of the IPOB”.

The petitioners, while condemning IPOB’s position that governorship election will not hold in Anambra state on November 18 as scheduled, urged the AGF “to deploy all the instruments and powers of the Nigerian State” available to him, to tackle the IPOB.

The petition read in part: “The IPOB have taken a position that they would “boycott” the forthcoming Anambra 2017 elections. We do not have any problem with them on this position. However, our challenge with IPOB is their seeming inability to appreciate the meaning of the word “boycott” as it relates to Anambra election. We are worried that their mode of propagating their “No referendum, no election” mantra suggests that the word “boycott” has another meaning assigned to it in their own dictionary which is “disruption” of all legitimate activities of government and electioneering activities calculated at striking terror in the minds of the citizens who have made up their mind to discharge their civic duty on the 18th day of November, 2017.

“Sir, the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB are always quick to raise the green banner of “non-violence” and take refuge under its canopied ambience whereas their official dissemination channel, Radio Biafra, is a flowing river of hate-speeches, incitement to violence and war.

“Hate speech leads to war and war leads to deaths and, therefore, IPOB preaches violence. In the South-East [especially in Onitsha which is our commercial nerve centre], the IPOB miscreants extort money from traders after intimidating them. IPOB hoodlums illegally mount roadblocks to force other citizens to buy their Biafra flags and insignia not minding whether such citizens subscribe to their separatist ideology or whether such citizens have the money to pay for the said flags. They harass citizens and threaten them with violence.

“They intimidate them to close their shops. IPOB street urchins have on two remarkable occasions disrupted campaigns rallies and have most infamously invaded and desecrated St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State where the Governor was to worship [with their chants of no referendum, no election]. Indeed, they have a rich history of mischief.

“This is potentially dangerous. IPOB is exposing the Igbo to another war and this is unacceptable.

“As the Chief Law Officer of the country and the number one defender of our constitution and rule of law, you will agree with us that all these acts complained of [in their aggregate] rudely strike at the root of democracy and constitute a grave threat to the operation of the Nigerian Constitution in the Eastern part of Nigeria especially in Anambra State in view of the governorship election holding later in November. This has now crystallised to a weighty responsibility on your shoulders more so when these acts complained of mostly draw their inspiration from the activities of Nnamdi Kanu who has literally rumpled all the conditions to which his bail was tied and is now revelling in contempt of the Federal High Court with unprecedented and scandalous impunity.

“Speaking from the Bar, we are convinced that the security reports [on IPOB activities] from the security agencies in Anambra State [Onitsha in particular] cannot contradict these complaints we have tabled before you unless the commanders have not been alive to their responsibilities”.

ASLADD equally copied their petition dated August 14 to the United Nations Mission in Nigeria, Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, The European Union Mission to Nigeria, National Human Rights Commission, The Inspector-General of Police, The Defence Headquarters, The Director-General, State Security Service, The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Federal House of Representatives, South-East Governors Forum and Anambra Council of Traditional Rulers.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/biafra-kanu-moves-to-quash-fresh-charges-against-him-4-others/

Front Page: Lalasticlala

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

lagos—An expert  has revealed that over 80 percent of waste-water daily discharged in Lagos State if well recycled and treated could be utilized to meet the fresh water requirement of the population in the state.

Meantime, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has tasked private sector in waste-water to support and invest in the existing infrastructural deficit of over 90 percent in waste-water management in the state.

Ambode had said at a forum that Lagos requires about 720million gallons of fresh water per day, but currently has capacity to produce only 210 million leaving a deficit of about 500 million gallons.

The duo spoke yesterday, at a one day waste-water summit, held in G.R.A, Ikeja, with the theme: “Waste-water Management in Lagos; Charting a new vision,” organized to provide platform for stakeholders in the sector to examine frameworks, identify limiting factors, proffer sustainable solutions and  chart a new vision for the sector.

Ambode, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye, noted that over the years, the concept of recycling as a strategy for resource conservation has continued to gain momentum especially in developed economies.

He stressed that with the development and application of appropriate technology, it is now possible to create wealth out of waste.

80 percent of Lagos waste-water can be recycled – Expert

Speaking with newsmen, one of the resource persons at the summit, Engr, Olalekan Sodeinde, who is also the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LABCA, said with proper waste-water management there will be increase in the availability of fresh water for residents.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/80-lagos-waste-water-can-meet-residents-needs-expert/

If they have direct line to presidents office let them discuss 16 point agenda. If they so no to demands like ioc relocation then what your boys go crazy? I'm surprised you guys are more interested in service delivery and project execution. The take all the taxes and squander it.

It is very annoying that of all the positions in the NNPC, no Niger Delta man is occupying a good position; all the positions are headed by people from the North,” he declared.

Why not worry about their merits.

A lot of identity politics and nonsense. yes government should talk to them. I don't get why Nigeriana wanted NNDC after failure of its predecessor agencies. Top down development doesn't work well.

Again, since they said they have directed oil companies to move their operational headquarters to their areas of operations, we are also going to delete it from our demand.

There was no directive. Lol Osinbajo speaks and they supposed to jump like lapdogs. There's no law on boos so why move.

If the place is not safe, why would it be safe for them to explore oil and gas? So these are the things that we want to discuss with the government,” he said.

Is it really. Did the region get reputation for blowing things up and kidnapping for nothing. Your boys are double edged sword.

By Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe

ABUJA— FORMER Minister of  Information and Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Senator (Chief) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has warned that the group may pull out of further activities with the Federal Government on the Niger- Delta peace process, if government’s intention was really not to dialogue with the body.

Already, the umbrella body of traditional rulers, leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region had withdrawn its representatives from an inter-ministerial committee on the region facilitated by the Ministry of Delta Affairs.

PANDEF, which met with President Muhammadu Buhari, November 1, 2016, and submitted a 16-point demand after receiving the mandate of militants and other stakeholders of the region, had been demanding dialogue with the federal government to discuss its mandate, but government seemed disinclined follow through with the arrangement.

August 1 limit

Last week, the group gave government up till today, August 1, to name its Dialogue Team, but feelers from informed officials contacted by NDV showed that the federal government was not in the mood to name any team.

”The federal government is not interested in too many talks, we already know the problems, what is required is to tackle them. I can assure you that government is not ready for jamboree in the name of talks, which is what these leaders want.  They should give government the chance to work, not holding meetings every time,” the source said.

He added: “It is known by every Nigerian that the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is the head of the federal government delegation to the Niger Delta, if they have any input, they should pass it to his office or meet him, not insisting on special dialogue on the 16-point demand, after all, Osinbajo had visited the region and collated needed information.”

Clark had told Vanguard, last week:   “We are saying now that between now and August 1 (today, Mr. President should  name a team and we would name our team because the boys are impatient and they have been disturbing me with a  series of telephone messages and so on and some of them have even given notices to disown us.

“So we cannot be in a situation where the federal government is not listening to us, our boys would soon lose confidence in us and we cannot carry on with that situation, we are asking about the acting president opening discussions with us,” he stated.

Why we insist on dialogue

But, in an exclusive interview, weekend, at his Abuja residence, Clark asserted: “We want to discuss our 16-point agenda, no discussion, no more activities on our part.  Our asking for dialogue over our 16-point agenda is to discuss, it is not a question of identifying projects to be done.

“We are part of this country, we are entitled to budgets in our areas, but we want to discuss the 16-point demand one- by- one. After discussing them, if the government feels they have done enough, we drop it.

“So, we need the dialogue, without the dialogue, we will pull out. When they said they were going to open the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, we dropped it from the 16-point demand. Again, since they said they have directed oil companies to move their operational headquarters to their areas of operations, we are also going to delete it from our demand.

“We (PANDEF) are not out for trouble, but we are impatient now because the youths, they communicate with me every time. My telephones are filled up with text messages and threats, even in the last meeting we held in Yenagoa, they threatened me, they said you are holding meetings, we no longer have confidence in you, if it is the intention not to discuss with us, then we will withdraw,” he maintained.

Issues for dialogue

“These points are not about issues of development or carrying out any project like the East-West Road, no. Even though the East-West road is one of the items mentioned there, we want to ask questions about that road.

“Why it has taken over a decade to construct one road and if it is true that N700billion as claimed by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has been spent on that road, and yet that road is as bad as anything and has not been completed.

“I went through that road last week, from Port Harcourt to Yenagoa and from Yenagoa to Kaiama and it is as if nothing has been done on that road, so where did the N700 billion go to? These are issues that would be discussed,” he said.

Chief Clark further asserted: “Secondly, we asked for the relocation of IOCs to move to their operational base. The acting president gave a directive on this when he visited Uyo and no action has been taken since then.

“Even the National Assembly just waded into this matter of relocation, asking why they (IOCs) should move, failing to realize that if these IOCs move to the region, it would enhance the economy of the country or rather, let me say the expenditure on movement of human beings from the operational base and Lagos would be reduced as regards hiring of planes, helicopters, house boats and payment of tax to Lagos state. This relocation would improve the economic life of our people.

“The ordinary woman, who sells groundnuts, water and the youths, would have more jobs. If the place is not safe, why would it be safe for them to explore oil and gas? So these are the things that we want to discuss with the government,” he said.

According to him, “The modular refinery which was mentioned also, we would like to know too. Recently, contracts were awarded, and there was nobody from the Niger Delta to be considered. We asked Mr. President to review the appointment of the directorship into the NNPC board, why would you have nine members; six of them are from the North, including the service chiefs with only one from the Niger Delta is that fair?

“These are some issues we want to discuss, not issues of going to inspect projects saying this and that would be done, nothing has been done in the area.  So we want to discuss our future, our destiny. A situation where we are begging for what belongs to us, we want to settle it. It is very annoying that of all the positions in the NNPC, no Niger Delta man is occupying a good position; all the positions are headed by people from the North,” he declared.

We dialogued with OBJ, Abubakar

The elder statesman hollered: “What do we do with an organization when we cannot talk with the government. We talked with former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was president; we talked with General Abdusalami Abubakar when he was in government. In 1998 when Kaiama Declaration took place, we, the elders, took up the discussion with Abubakar.

“He set up General  Oladayo Popoola Presidential Com-mittee on Development Options for the Niger Delta and it came up with a report where they talked about stepping down the national grid at Yenagoa, creating a special fund, I think N15 billion at that time to develop the Niger Delta  we discussed them, they may not all happen.

“During Obasanjo’s term, he set up  the  General Alexander Ogomudia Committee, he did, he went round and he reported on the neglect of the area. So we need the dialogue, without the dialogue, we will pull out” he stated.

N’Delta minister don’t even know PANDEF

Clark thundered: “Can you imagine a Minister of Niger Delta does not know where PANDEF is, I have been a Minister, I have been a Senator, he sent me a text message last week (more than a week now) that it is true that I have not been able to see you, I was very busy and  did not answer him.”.

Kachikwu has tried, but …

He stated: “We appreciate the role played by the Minister of Petroleum (State) Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, but there is a limit to what he can do. Perhaps, he has been dancing back, making statements about the modular refinery, this and that, that they have a 20-point agenda and I asked him,  I hope your 20-point agenda has not been overtaken by our 16-point agenda.

“He said no, so, we want to discuss our 16-point agenda, no discussion, no more activities on our part.”

Inter-ministerial committee meetings not dialogue

Chief Clark deflated the suggestion that government was already dialoguing with PANDEF with the forum’s incorporation in an inter-ministerial committee on Niger Delta, proclaiming: “To say that some of our people are participating in some inter-ministerial committee and that should be taken as the dialogue is unacceptable.”

He explained: “I was in this house when the Minister of Niger Delta wrote me a letter that they formed one inter-ministerial committee, made up of Ministry of Niger Delta, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Environment, NDDC, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, etc. and he wanted me to send three representatives to discuss within a period of one month.

”I thought that we have six states and we have youths, women, so,  I included a woman member and two youth representatives, they came to discuss with them, six of them, I do  not  think they lasted one week to two weeks, and the next week they said they were going to visit projects”.

Why we withdrew our members

On why PANDEF asked its members to quit the committee, he asserted: “What projects, when did we discuss about projects, project is not our problem, we want to have a master plan, how is government going to approach our 16-point programme one by one, so we decided to withdraw, and ask our people not to bother themselves again.

“And nobody has called them again for a meeting, all we learned  on Tuesday, July 25,  was that the Minister was given a press conference talking about  a plan for the next two years, nobody consulted us, so we are not there, there is no substitute for dialogue.”

Osinbajo didn’t bring peace to N’Delta

On the visit of the Acting President, Prof Osinbajo to the region, he asserted: ”And let me make it very clear that the visit of the acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is not responsible for the peace in the area, we only appreciated his visit, he is a nice man who appreciated what we are doing and what is wrong in the area. His speeches in Oporoza and other areas he visited, we were very happy with those speeches where he identified himself with us but that is not enough. What we want is discussion.”

Relative peace

He warned that the relative peace in the region was as a result of the undertaking given to the leaders, clarifying thus:  ”For some time now, we have been having relative peace in the Niger Delta, as a result of the undertaking given to us by the youths, and they delegated us to speak on behalf of our people and that is what we have been doing.

“That mandate is what led to the November 1, 2016 meeting of a 100- man delegation made up of traditional rulers, politicians, ministers, former ministers, former senators, governors and so on with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“There was no question of political party as all political parties were represented, based on that, we asked Mr. President to set up a dialogue team so that we can together, examine the 16-points we presented.”

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/pandef-fg-well-pull-theres-no-dialogue/