12 Marine Vessels Laden With Petrol Arrive Lagos Ports

Twenty-five ships carrying petroleum products and other commodities have arrived Nigeria through Lagos, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The ships are waiting to discharge their contents at the ports, the Authority said yesterday.

The NPA noted that 12 of the 25 ships are laden with petrol, while a ship was carrying Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).

The others are loaded with bulk rice, general cargo, bulk gypsum, fresh fish and bulk fertiliser.

The NPA disclosed that 44 more ships laden with assorted goods, foods, petroleum products and other commodities were expected to arrive at Lagos ports from December 30 to January 15, 2015.

“Two other ships are bringing into the country petrol and diesel, while two ships containing buckwheat and four others containing fresh fish are also being expected, ” NPA said.

12 Marine Vessels Laden With Petrol Arrive Lagos Ports

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Twenty-five ships carrying petroleum products and other commodities have arrived Nigeria through Lagos, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The ships are waiting to discharge their contents at the ports, the Authority said yesterday.

The NPA noted that 12 of the 25 ships are laden with petrol, while a ship was carrying Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).

The others are loaded with bulk rice, general cargo, bulk gypsum, fresh fish and bulk fertiliser.

The NPA disclosed that 44 more ships laden with assorted goods, foods, petroleum products and other commodities were expected to arrive at Lagos ports from December 30 to January 15, 2015.

“Two other ships are bringing into the country petrol and diesel, while two ships containing buckwheat and four others containing fresh fish are also being expected, ” NPA said.

Army Trains 142 NSCDC Personnel On Weapons Handling, Counter-Terrorism

At least 142 men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been trained on counterterrorism and weapons handling by the Nigeria Army. 

The Commandant of the 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Abba Dikko, who made the disclosure yesterday at the Batch C passing out ceremony in Minna, the Niger State capital, said the training involved practical and theories for 129 workers of the NSCDC state command and 13 from the zonal command on weapon handling.

According to the Army Commandant, the lessons on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency were added to the curriculum to get the participants better equipped for contemporary security challenges.

“The training commenced with a directive from the army headquarters to train NSCDC personnel nationwide on the same subject.

“The participants exhibited sustained interest and good character, which enhance the smooth conduct of the course”, Brig.-Gen. Dikko said.

The Course Officer, Cpt. Labiwa Madugu, said the participants were trained on various kinds of weapons, adding that the practical aspect was conducted at the cantonment’s firing range.

Madugu said physical fitness, obstacle crossing, route march, 3.2-kilometre race and beam work were also included in the curriculum.

“They were also trained on special counter-terrorism raid operations, cordon and search, bodyguard duties and VIP protection.

“The training cut across practicals and theories and the general performance score of the training was put at 60 per cent”, he added.

The NSCDC Zonal Commander, Alhaji Saidu Rabe, who was represented by the Niger Commander, Mr. Micheal Ochugwo, called on the trainees to put to use what they learnt to improve the services.

Army Trains 142 NSCDC Personnel On Weapons Handling, Counter-Terrorism

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At least 142 men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been trained on counterterrorism and weapons handling by the Nigeria Army. 

The Commandant of the 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Abba Dikko, who made the disclosure yesterday at the Batch C passing out ceremony in Minna, the Niger State capital, said the training involved practical and theories for 129 workers of the NSCDC state command and 13 from the zonal command on weapon handling.

According to the Army Commandant, the lessons on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency were added to the curriculum to get the participants better equipped for contemporary security challenges.

“The training commenced with a directive from the army headquarters to train NSCDC personnel nationwide on the same subject.

“The participants exhibited sustained interest and good character, which enhance the smooth conduct of the course”, Brig.-Gen. Dikko said.

The Course Officer, Cpt. Labiwa Madugu, said the participants were trained on various kinds of weapons, adding that the practical aspect was conducted at the cantonment’s firing range.

Madugu said physical fitness, obstacle crossing, route march, 3.2-kilometre race and beam work were also included in the curriculum.

“They were also trained on special counter-terrorism raid operations, cordon and search, bodyguard duties and VIP protection.

“The training cut across practicals and theories and the general performance score of the training was put at 60 per cent”, he added.

The NSCDC Zonal Commander, Alhaji Saidu Rabe, who was represented by the Niger Commander, Mr. Micheal Ochugwo, called on the trainees to put to use what they learnt to improve the services.

IYC Condemns Alleged Diversion Of N600m Compensation For Odi Massacre

Ijaw youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, has described as “betrayal of trust”, the action of those accused of complicity in the alleged diversion of N600million out of the N15billion compensation paid to Odi Community in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State as a result of the Odi massacre of 1999.

The IYC, in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital and signed by its spokesman, Comrade Eric Omare, said the alleged diversion and the violent clashes over the sharing formula in the community have betrayed all those who paid the ultimate price, those alive to fight for justice for Odi Community and the entire Ijaw Nation.

Omare said, “The N15billion compensation was paid as a result of the military invasion the community suffered in 1999, hence, the IYC is of the view that the money should be channelled mainly into the reconstruction of the community and the future educational development of indigent Odi indigenes. We condemn and oppose sharing of money to individual members of the community in all its ramifications”.

The IYC spokesman, however, suggested that the proposed Odi Reconstruction Committee and Trustees be made up of representatives of the different quarters that make up Odi Community and special interest groups such as Elders, Women and Youths.

He added that the Reconstruction Committee would be mandated to use substantial part of the money to rebuild the Odi Community and if possible relocate and build a new Odi considering the flood prone nature of the community.

“It is on record that Odi is usually one of the first communities to be flooded in the entire Bayelsa State. Where necessary, the Bayelsa State government should provide additional fund for the building of a new Odi Community to solve the problem of perennial flooding”, Omare said.

“While, the Odi Trustees would manage the remaining money to train some indigent Odi indigenes at the undergraduate and post graduate level in selected areas.There should be a Bayelsa state government monitoring committee to ensure judicious use of the fund with representatives of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).”

“The IYC call on Ijaw Youths from Odi Community and Kolokuma Clan to maintain peace and be law abiding while the Bayelsa State government and Ijaw leaders are taking steps to resolve the crisis”, he added.

It would be recalled that displeased youths of the community had last week attacked the Deputy Traditional ruler of the Community, Chief Ebitimi Karuiru and other indigenes of the community over their alleged involvement in the discrepancies over the sharing of the N15 billion compensation paid by the Federal Government for the 1999 military invasion in the state.

IYC Condemns Alleged Diversion Of N600m Compensation For Odi Massacre

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Ijaw youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, has described as “betrayal of trust”, the action of those accused of complicity in the alleged diversion of N600million out of the N15billion compensation paid to Odi Community in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State as a result of the Odi massacre of 1999.

The IYC, in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital and signed by its spokesman, Comrade Eric Omare, said the alleged diversion and the violent clashes over the sharing formula in the community have betrayed all those who paid the ultimate price, those alive to fight for justice for Odi Community and the entire Ijaw Nation.

Omare said, “The N15billion compensation was paid as a result of the military invasion the community suffered in 1999, hence, the IYC is of the view that the money should be channelled mainly into the reconstruction of the community and the future educational development of indigent Odi indigenes. We condemn and oppose sharing of money to individual members of the community in all its ramifications”.

The IYC spokesman, however, suggested that the proposed Odi Reconstruction Committee and Trustees be made up of representatives of the different quarters that make up Odi Community and special interest groups such as Elders, Women and Youths.

He added that the Reconstruction Committee would be mandated to use substantial part of the money to rebuild the Odi Community and if possible relocate and build a new Odi considering the flood prone nature of the community.

“It is on record that Odi is usually one of the first communities to be flooded in the entire Bayelsa State. Where necessary, the Bayelsa State government should provide additional fund for the building of a new Odi Community to solve the problem of perennial flooding”, Omare said.

“While, the Odi Trustees would manage the remaining money to train some indigent Odi indigenes at the undergraduate and post graduate level in selected areas.There should be a Bayelsa state government monitoring committee to ensure judicious use of the fund with representatives of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).”

“The IYC call on Ijaw Youths from Odi Community and Kolokuma Clan to maintain peace and be law abiding while the Bayelsa State government and Ijaw leaders are taking steps to resolve the crisis”, he added.

It would be recalled that displeased youths of the community had last week attacked the Deputy Traditional ruler of the Community, Chief Ebitimi Karuiru and other indigenes of the community over their alleged involvement in the discrepancies over the sharing of the N15 billion compensation paid by the Federal Government for the 1999 military invasion in the state.

Explosive-Laden Vehicle Explodes Before Reaching Target Seven Suspected Insurgents Dead

Seven suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday met their end when an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, which they carefully concealed in a Toyota Pick-up van for an apparent deadly suicide mission, exploded before they could get to their target in Biu Market, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A security source, who spoke to PUNCH on condition of anonymity from Biu, said the suspected terrorists hid the explosives among bags of beans and maize to create the impression that they were traders going to the market. But the IED-laden vehicle exploded before they could get to the market, which the source said was their main target.

He said, “A Toyota pickup van loaded with maize and beans with IED hidden under it belonging to Boko Haram insurgents exploded near Chikwarkir village of Biu killing all its seven occupants.

“The insurgents must have intended to sneak into Biu Market to detonate the explosives and thereby kill many people. As you know, it is harvest period and people are taking their farm produce to the market but thank God the bomb exploded before they could get to the market”.

According to the source, the insurgents must have specifically chosen Monday because they knew that it was one of the market days in Biu town, which is the headquarters of Biu Local Government Area of the state. The other market day is Thursday.

Confirming the development, a transporter, Yusuf Ahmed, said they saw corpses of dead Boko Haram members littered along the roadside near Chikwarkir village on Monday.

He said, “We thought they were victims of an auto crash but the villagers told us they were members of Boko Haram sect that were trying to carry explosives to Biu Market but it exploded before they even got to Biu”.

Explosive-Laden Vehicle Explodes Before Reaching Target Seven Suspected Insurgents Dead

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Seven suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday met their end when an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, which they carefully concealed in a Toyota Pick-up van for an apparent deadly suicide mission, exploded before they could get to their target in Biu Market, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A security source, who spoke to PUNCH on condition of anonymity from Biu, said the suspected terrorists hid the explosives among bags of beans and maize to create the impression that they were traders going to the market. But the IED-laden vehicle exploded before they could get to the market, which the source said was their main target.

He said, “A Toyota pickup van loaded with maize and beans with IED hidden under it belonging to Boko Haram insurgents exploded near Chikwarkir village of Biu killing all its seven occupants.

“The insurgents must have intended to sneak into Biu Market to detonate the explosives and thereby kill many people. As you know, it is harvest period and people are taking their farm produce to the market but thank God the bomb exploded before they could get to the market”.

According to the source, the insurgents must have specifically chosen Monday because they knew that it was one of the market days in Biu town, which is the headquarters of Biu Local Government Area of the state. The other market day is Thursday.

Confirming the development, a transporter, Yusuf Ahmed, said they saw corpses of dead Boko Haram members littered along the roadside near Chikwarkir village on Monday.

He said, “We thought they were victims of an auto crash but the villagers told us they were members of Boko Haram sect that were trying to carry explosives to Biu Market but it exploded before they even got to Biu”.

Anglican Bishop Slams Obasanjo Over Constant Criticism Of Jonathan

The Anglican Bishop of Okigwe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Osuegbu, has described as shocking, the continuous attack on President Goodluck Jonathan by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He accused Obasanjo of having done “similar or worse things while in office”.

“Some of us who have been watching for many years now, know that it is the kettle calling the pot black. Obasanjo did similar things he is accusing the incumbent of and even worse”, Osuegbu told Vanguard.

According to him, Obasanjo is now taking pleasure in criticizing and calling Jonathan names. “That is most unfair,” the cleric said.

Osuegbu noted that such criticisms had never come from any past President of the United States of America, saying real statesmen only advise the incumbents and nobody hears about it.

“They do not make noise if their advice is not taken by the incumbent. It is also noteworthy that no former President of the USA has ever castigated President Barrack Obama. This does not mean that Obama is infallible,” the Bishop said.

While past presidents of America respected the office of the President of USA as if their lives depended on it, “in our own case, a former president is at the fore front of criticizing, castigating and attacking an incumbent President with a view to destroying the system,” the Anglican cleric lamented.

Anglican Bishop Slams Obasanjo Over Constant Criticism Of Jonathan

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The Anglican Bishop of Okigwe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Osuegbu, has described as shocking, the continuous attack on President Goodluck Jonathan by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He accused Obasanjo of having done “similar or worse things while in office”.

“Some of us who have been watching for many years now, know that it is the kettle calling the pot black. Obasanjo did similar things he is accusing the incumbent of and even worse”, Osuegbu told Vanguard.

According to him, Obasanjo is now taking pleasure in criticizing and calling Jonathan names. “That is most unfair,” the cleric said.

Osuegbu noted that such criticisms had never come from any past President of the United States of America, saying real statesmen only advise the incumbents and nobody hears about it.

“They do not make noise if their advice is not taken by the incumbent. It is also noteworthy that no former President of the USA has ever castigated President Barrack Obama. This does not mean that Obama is infallible,” the Bishop said.

While past presidents of America respected the office of the President of USA as if their lives depended on it, “in our own case, a former president is at the fore front of criticizing, castigating and attacking an incumbent President with a view to destroying the system,” the Anglican cleric lamented.

Shocking footage of ‘APC politician’ performing ritual while naked emerges (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

In it, a man he alleges to be Hon. Olusola Israel Adekunle, the local government chairman of Alimosho, Lagos, is seen stark naked in a swampy area sitting on a horse. 

He is heard muttering some unintelligible words before pouring a reddish substance all over him which the cleric described as ‘human blood’.

The video was preempted by an article on a Nigerian blog several months ago, revealing that during the ‘ritual’, Hon Adekunle had placed curses on his political enemies while appealing for favour in the eyes of the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

In his comments, ‘Archbishop’ Benjamin alleges that the same ritual has been undertaken by all prominent members of APC, describing the political party as ‘satanic’.

“Has Papa E.A Adeboye of RCCG allowed Pastor Prof. Yemi Osibanjo go through the same ritual process or will he allow him to do it,” the cleric then ponders, insisting that although Adeboye is his spiritual father, he has permitted politics to compromise his Christian faith. Adekunle has yet to respond to the divisive video.

Shocking footage of ‘APC politician’ performing ritual while naked emerges (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

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In it, a man he alleges to be Hon. Olusola Israel Adekunle, the local government chairman of Alimosho, Lagos, is seen stark naked in a swampy area sitting on a horse. 

He is heard muttering some unintelligible words before pouring a reddish substance all over him which the cleric described as ‘human blood’.

The video was preempted by an article on a Nigerian blog several months ago, revealing that during the ‘ritual’, Hon Adekunle had placed curses on his political enemies while appealing for favour in the eyes of the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

In his comments, ‘Archbishop’ Benjamin alleges that the same ritual has been undertaken by all prominent members of APC, describing the political party as ‘satanic’.

“Has Papa E.A Adeboye of RCCG allowed Pastor Prof. Yemi Osibanjo go through the same ritual process or will he allow him to do it,” the cleric then ponders, insisting that although Adeboye is his spiritual father, he has permitted politics to compromise his Christian faith. Adekunle has yet to respond to the divisive video.

Shocking: Buhari Fails To Submit Academic Qualifications To INEC

ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, did not present his academic qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as he prepares for the 2015 presidential contest.

Unlike his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan, whose academic certificates were conspicously displayed by the commission upon presentation, Buhari’s credentials were visibly without trace at the commission’s office at Area 10, Abuja.

The former Head of State, explained in an affidavit he deposed, which he submitted to the commission that all his academic credentials were with the Secretary, Military Board.

The affidavit deposed at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja and dated November 24,2014, was stamped and received at INEC headquarters on December 18, 2014.

In the affidavit, Buhari said: “All my academic qualifications (documents) as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary Military Boards as at the time of this affidavit.”

He added: “The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose.”

Shocking: Buhari Fails To Submit Academic Qualifications To INEC

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ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, did not present his academic qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as he prepares for the 2015 presidential contest.

Unlike his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan, whose academic certificates were conspicously displayed by the commission upon presentation, Buhari’s credentials were visibly without trace at the commission’s office at Area 10, Abuja.

The former Head of State, explained in an affidavit he deposed, which he submitted to the commission that all his academic credentials were with the Secretary, Military Board.

The affidavit deposed at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja and dated November 24,2014, was stamped and received at INEC headquarters on December 18, 2014.

In the affidavit, Buhari said: “All my academic qualifications (documents) as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary Military Boards as at the time of this affidavit.”

He added: “The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose.”

Why I’m Sure Buhari Will Win In 2015 – Amaechi

Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has boasted about the chances of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) at the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking at an interactive a session recently, Amaechi explained what gave him the assurance that Buhari will win in 2015.

“The simple electoral arithmetic is that before the president had the South-south and Southeast 100 percent, but now there are problems for the PDP in Cross Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. It wasn’t like that before.

“By this time the PDP would have been dancing but have you seen them doing so? When they were doing the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN) rallies, I knew that it will get to this point.

“You have not seen the PDP dancing or doing any major campaign because there are problems everywhere. There is problem within the party in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia States. So, it is no longer the same. The electoral map appears to have changed.

“If we go to the north, does the APC have problems in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Sokoto? Did we have problem in Lagos State?

“No, it is the PDP that has problems in those states. So the political map has changed and that is why I believe that by God’s grace, Buhari and the APC will win. I am a Christian and I think positively,” he said.

Amaechi further said he does not believe in indigeneship but citizenship.

“I am not from the north; I am not from the south. I am a Nigerian. I don’t believe in indigeneship, but in citizenship. Buhari will win the 2015 presidential election by God’s grace and he will also win because the political map does not favour the president anymore.

“In 2011, in the South-South and Southeast, we said he is our brother and now we are saying he is no longer our brother,” Amaechi said.

Why I’m Sure Buhari Will Win In 2015 – Amaechi

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Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has boasted about the chances of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) at the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking at an interactive a session recently, Amaechi explained what gave him the assurance that Buhari will win in 2015.

“The simple electoral arithmetic is that before the president had the South-south and Southeast 100 percent, but now there are problems for the PDP in Cross Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. It wasn’t like that before.

“By this time the PDP would have been dancing but have you seen them doing so? When they were doing the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN) rallies, I knew that it will get to this point.

“You have not seen the PDP dancing or doing any major campaign because there are problems everywhere. There is problem within the party in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia States. So, it is no longer the same. The electoral map appears to have changed.

“If we go to the north, does the APC have problems in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Sokoto? Did we have problem in Lagos State?

“No, it is the PDP that has problems in those states. So the political map has changed and that is why I believe that by God’s grace, Buhari and the APC will win. I am a Christian and I think positively,” he said.

Amaechi further said he does not believe in indigeneship but citizenship.

“I am not from the north; I am not from the south. I am a Nigerian. I don’t believe in indigeneship, but in citizenship. Buhari will win the 2015 presidential election by God’s grace and he will also win because the political map does not favour the president anymore.

“In 2011, in the South-South and Southeast, we said he is our brother and now we are saying he is no longer our brother,” Amaechi said.

Buhari’s Running Mate Yemi Osibanjo Accused Of Rape & Corruption On Facebook

APC's vice presidential candidate, prof Yemi Osibanjo, while addressing journalists said president Jonathan's government is corrupt. In response to him, former musician , Daniel Wilson, is spilling on Osibanjo indicating that he may not be as clean as we all thought. Below is what he wrote on his Facebook page about Osibanjo: "JUDE PHILLIP Versus YEMI OSIBANJO. Prof, come get some! Wait oh... Professor Yemi Osibanjo says GEJ condones corruption? So this imp gets a shot at cameras and he opens his mouth to fire this? Okay.... Lemme ask you something you wayo pastor... Why were you posted away from RCCG HQ? What happened in that Police Station in Ebute Metta in 2000 after you raped and...

Buhari’s Running Mate Yemi Osibanjo Accused Of Rape & Corruption On Facebook

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APC's vice presidential candidate, prof Yemi Osibanjo, while addressing journalists said president Jonathan's government is corrupt. In response to him, former musician , Daniel Wilson, is spilling on Osibanjo indicating that he may not be as clean as we all thought. Below is what he wrote on his Facebook page about Osibanjo: "JUDE PHILLIP Versus YEMI OSIBANJO. Prof, come get some! Wait oh... Professor Yemi Osibanjo says GEJ condones corruption? So this imp gets a shot at cameras and he opens his mouth to fire this? Okay.... Lemme ask you something you wayo pastor... Why were you posted away from RCCG HQ? What happened in that Police Station in Ebute Metta in 2000 after you raped and...

Osun Revenue Collection Goes Digital

The Osun State Government has barred revenue collectors in the state from collecting cash for payments into the state coffers. The ban includes cash payments for school fess, fines and charges.

A statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital on Sunday by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the governor made the disclosure at a meeting with labour leaders in the state.

According to the statement, the state government had finalised plans to go digital in the collection of its revenues and do away with all avenues through which revenue officials handle cash.

The governor was quoted as saying, “I must announce this to all of you that as from next month (January), no revenue official will be allowed to come in contact with cash again. This is because we have decided to go digital in our revenue collection.

“So, be it school fees, fines, charges, and all other forms of payment in obligations to the government by the citizens, no cash will be collected again.

“I thank the entire workforce in the state for their sense of responsibility; for their exhibition of the Omoluabi ethos.

“I find it difficult to deprive any worker his or her income at the end of each month. So, for the workers to express their readiness to tolerate and absorb the delay in salary payment is the highest demonstration of understanding and patriotism. That sense of duty, patriotism and extreme sacrifice is appreciated”.

Aregbesola also lamented that the revenue crisis had created complications in the payment of salaries across the country, saying, “Either at the federal or at the state level, where is it that workers in this country are being paid as at when due?

“We thought this situation will not last long. That was why we used our strategic reserve to augment salaries for one year. All our savings were spent on augmentation of salaries. Our commitment to the welfare of workers is incomparable”.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Saka Adesiyan, while explaining why the workers welcomed the delay in payment of their salary, said it was more realistic for workers having seen the true picture and bearing in mind the previous good disposition of the Aregbesola administration to workers’ welfare.

Osun Revenue Collection Goes Digital

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The Osun State Government has barred revenue collectors in the state from collecting cash for payments into the state coffers. The ban includes cash payments for school fess, fines and charges.

A statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital on Sunday by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the governor made the disclosure at a meeting with labour leaders in the state.

According to the statement, the state government had finalised plans to go digital in the collection of its revenues and do away with all avenues through which revenue officials handle cash.

The governor was quoted as saying, “I must announce this to all of you that as from next month (January), no revenue official will be allowed to come in contact with cash again. This is because we have decided to go digital in our revenue collection.

“So, be it school fees, fines, charges, and all other forms of payment in obligations to the government by the citizens, no cash will be collected again.

“I thank the entire workforce in the state for their sense of responsibility; for their exhibition of the Omoluabi ethos.

“I find it difficult to deprive any worker his or her income at the end of each month. So, for the workers to express their readiness to tolerate and absorb the delay in salary payment is the highest demonstration of understanding and patriotism. That sense of duty, patriotism and extreme sacrifice is appreciated”.

Aregbesola also lamented that the revenue crisis had created complications in the payment of salaries across the country, saying, “Either at the federal or at the state level, where is it that workers in this country are being paid as at when due?

“We thought this situation will not last long. That was why we used our strategic reserve to augment salaries for one year. All our savings were spent on augmentation of salaries. Our commitment to the welfare of workers is incomparable”.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Saka Adesiyan, while explaining why the workers welcomed the delay in payment of their salary, said it was more realistic for workers having seen the true picture and bearing in mind the previous good disposition of the Aregbesola administration to workers’ welfare.

Government Has Given Up On Chibok Girls Rescue

After over eight months of the Chibok girls’ abduction, one of the conveners of the #BringBackOurGirls group and former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said that it is crystal clear that the government is doing very little to ensure the rescue of the over 219 schoolgirls.

Ezekwesili, who was speaking during the usual sit out protest of the group yesterday in Abuja, noted that from the attitude of the government, especially whenever the issue of the girls is raised, nothing serious has been done concerning their rescue.

She stated that the Chibok girls’ abduction is still being mentioned in official circles occasionally because of the BBOG group and its determination not to allow the issue of the girls to be swept under the carpet, adding that they will not relent in their demand for the girls to be brought back alive.

“Silence can never be an option for us as we continue this advocacy. We will continue to stand. We have to continue to be the voice of the girls. The New Year marks a completely new chapter for this group. We need to enter the first chapter of the year in a remarkable way.

“From the attitude of government, it is clear that there is nothing tangible going on. Just observe the way the government acts when the issue of the girls is brought up. The way they reply to questions about the girls shows they have already folded their mats but we will continue. We have not folded our mats. We will continue to stand for the girls”, she said.

Ezekwesili, who noted that some people are afraid to join in the campaign for the rescue of the Chibok girls because of what they might lose, called on Nigerians to conquer their fear and join the group, as the truth about the abducted 219 girls and insurgency in the Northeast will be revealed.

“The truth has no hiding place. We will keep standing for this truth; we will keep standing even after 243 days of our sit-out”, she said.

Government Has Given Up On Chibok Girls Rescue

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After over eight months of the Chibok girls’ abduction, one of the conveners of the #BringBackOurGirls group and former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said that it is crystal clear that the government is doing very little to ensure the rescue of the over 219 schoolgirls.

Ezekwesili, who was speaking during the usual sit out protest of the group yesterday in Abuja, noted that from the attitude of the government, especially whenever the issue of the girls is raised, nothing serious has been done concerning their rescue.

She stated that the Chibok girls’ abduction is still being mentioned in official circles occasionally because of the BBOG group and its determination not to allow the issue of the girls to be swept under the carpet, adding that they will not relent in their demand for the girls to be brought back alive.

“Silence can never be an option for us as we continue this advocacy. We will continue to stand. We have to continue to be the voice of the girls. The New Year marks a completely new chapter for this group. We need to enter the first chapter of the year in a remarkable way.

“From the attitude of government, it is clear that there is nothing tangible going on. Just observe the way the government acts when the issue of the girls is brought up. The way they reply to questions about the girls shows they have already folded their mats but we will continue. We have not folded our mats. We will continue to stand for the girls”, she said.

Ezekwesili, who noted that some people are afraid to join in the campaign for the rescue of the Chibok girls because of what they might lose, called on Nigerians to conquer their fear and join the group, as the truth about the abducted 219 girls and insurgency in the Northeast will be revealed.

“The truth has no hiding place. We will keep standing for this truth; we will keep standing even after 243 days of our sit-out”, she said.

Gunmen Kill 10 In Southern Kaduna Village

Unknown gunmen on Saturday night killed 10 persons and injured several others at a post-Christmas celebration in Kaduna State, it was learnt yesterday.

HUNDRED OF SYMPATHIZERS BESIEGE TATTAURA VILLAGE AFTER THE ATTACK (PHOTO: SAHARA REPORTERS)

The attack took place in Tattaura community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom in the southern part of the state.

Those injured in the attack have been rushed to the General Hospital in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, which is closer to the community than the General Hospital in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

The attack on Tattaura, which is under Sanga Local Government Area, reportedly started at about 10.00pm on Saturday night, shortly after the community celebrated Christmas with fanfare. It was learnt that the community usually organizes dance competitions among children, youths and the aged during the yuletide in the area.

Acting Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Harande, who confirmed the attack, described it as “unfortunate”.

He said the attackers “came, shot and flee” to an unknown destination and that “10 people were killed while five injured are receiving treatment in a general hospital in Akwanga”.

Harande however said normalcy had returned to the community.

A resident, Pastor Mike Maikarfi, who corroborated the story, said: “Tattaura community was attacked yesterday night (Saturday), leaving 10 people dead and four others severely injured. The attack took place at 10.12pm while Christmas celebration was going on in the community.

“Tattaura is a community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom. The village is two kilometres East of Gwantu, the local government’s headquarters. The attack took place in a shop where some men were relaxing.

“Tattaura celebrated their Christmas yesterday night (Saturday) with dances by youths, children and adults”.

He gave the names of those killed in the attack as – Joel Ambo, Yakubu Ambi, Yamu Idzi, Anche Ishaku, Misalai Ngbo, Ishaya Anche, Monday Samson, Joel Anzah, Jonathan Anche and a young man, popularly called P–Square.

Sympathisers and relations were seen trooping to the village to commiserate with residents over the attack.

The Kaduna State Police Command and Kaduna State Government had not reacted to the attacks at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that arrangements have been put in place to organise a mass burial for the dead.

Gunmen Kill 10 In Southern Kaduna Village

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Unknown gunmen on Saturday night killed 10 persons and injured several others at a post-Christmas celebration in Kaduna State, it was learnt yesterday.

HUNDRED OF SYMPATHIZERS BESIEGE TATTAURA VILLAGE AFTER THE ATTACK (PHOTO: SAHARA REPORTERS)

The attack took place in Tattaura community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom in the southern part of the state.

Those injured in the attack have been rushed to the General Hospital in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, which is closer to the community than the General Hospital in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

The attack on Tattaura, which is under Sanga Local Government Area, reportedly started at about 10.00pm on Saturday night, shortly after the community celebrated Christmas with fanfare. It was learnt that the community usually organizes dance competitions among children, youths and the aged during the yuletide in the area.

Acting Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Harande, who confirmed the attack, described it as “unfortunate”.

He said the attackers “came, shot and flee” to an unknown destination and that “10 people were killed while five injured are receiving treatment in a general hospital in Akwanga”.

Harande however said normalcy had returned to the community.

A resident, Pastor Mike Maikarfi, who corroborated the story, said: “Tattaura community was attacked yesterday night (Saturday), leaving 10 people dead and four others severely injured. The attack took place at 10.12pm while Christmas celebration was going on in the community.

“Tattaura is a community in Ancha District of Ninzo Chiefdom. The village is two kilometres East of Gwantu, the local government’s headquarters. The attack took place in a shop where some men were relaxing.

“Tattaura celebrated their Christmas yesterday night (Saturday) with dances by youths, children and adults”.

He gave the names of those killed in the attack as – Joel Ambo, Yakubu Ambi, Yamu Idzi, Anche Ishaku, Misalai Ngbo, Ishaya Anche, Monday Samson, Joel Anzah, Jonathan Anche and a young man, popularly called P–Square.

Sympathisers and relations were seen trooping to the village to commiserate with residents over the attack.

The Kaduna State Police Command and Kaduna State Government had not reacted to the attacks at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that arrangements have been put in place to organise a mass burial for the dead.

APC Has No Agenda For The S/East, Igbos Will Vote For Jonathan

The Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Anambra Chapter, Chris Eluemunoh, on Saturday said the group would vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s presidential election.


Mr. Eluemunoh said this in an interview at Nkwella-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra.

He said Igbos would vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the exercise because the All Progressive Congress, APC, had no agenda for the South East.

He called on the people of the state to obtain voter cards to exercise their civic rights, adding, “the card is the weapon at the voter’s disposal in choosing a leader”.

(NAN)

APC Has No Agenda For The S/East, Igbos Will Vote For Jonathan

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Anambra Chapter, Chris Eluemunoh, on Saturday said the group would vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s presidential election.


Mr. Eluemunoh said this in an interview at Nkwella-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra.

He said Igbos would vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the exercise because the All Progressive Congress, APC, had no agenda for the South East.

He called on the people of the state to obtain voter cards to exercise their civic rights, adding, “the card is the weapon at the voter’s disposal in choosing a leader”.

(NAN)

Buhari, APC Ready To ‘Kill’ To Get Power In 2015, Says Bayelsa PDP Chieftain

Democratic Party chieftain in Bayelsa State, Chief Jude Tabai, has said the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is a big threat to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. 

Tabai, who is also a youth leader in the Niger Delta, expressed the fear in an interview at the weekend.

He said, “By and large, the PDP should see the opposition party as a challenge, no matter who they project as their candidate owing to their desperation to get power. Even though we know that they have nothing to offer to Nigerians but the PDP should be wary of their desperation, because the APC is a propagandist party.

“The PDP should use the remaining one month to the elections to sensitise Nigerians to the antics of the opposition to clinch power at all costs.

“If anybody says Buhari is not a threat, that person is deceiving President Goodluck Jonathan. This is because Buhari and his party (the APC) are ready to kill and maim innocent souls in order to force themselves on Nigerians”.

The PDP leader, however, berated Buhari over his perceived desperation to rule the country.

He said, “The major fact that I want Nigerians to understand is that Buhari does not deserve to be President of this country, neither does he deserve to be elected by Nigerians.

“This is because Buhari has made all Nigerians to know that he is a man who wants to become President through violence or through war or bloodshed.

“He has proved it in previous elections. He had threatened Nigerians that “monkeys and baboons would be soaked in blood” if he didn’t win the 2011 presidential election. That alone is an indicting statement to, innocent Nigerians, both big and small, are being soaked in blood even up till date”.

Buhari, APC Ready To ‘Kill’ To Get Power In 2015, Says Bayelsa PDP Chieftain

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Democratic Party chieftain in Bayelsa State, Chief Jude Tabai, has said the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is a big threat to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. 

Tabai, who is also a youth leader in the Niger Delta, expressed the fear in an interview at the weekend.

He said, “By and large, the PDP should see the opposition party as a challenge, no matter who they project as their candidate owing to their desperation to get power. Even though we know that they have nothing to offer to Nigerians but the PDP should be wary of their desperation, because the APC is a propagandist party.

“The PDP should use the remaining one month to the elections to sensitise Nigerians to the antics of the opposition to clinch power at all costs.

“If anybody says Buhari is not a threat, that person is deceiving President Goodluck Jonathan. This is because Buhari and his party (the APC) are ready to kill and maim innocent souls in order to force themselves on Nigerians”.

The PDP leader, however, berated Buhari over his perceived desperation to rule the country.

He said, “The major fact that I want Nigerians to understand is that Buhari does not deserve to be President of this country, neither does he deserve to be elected by Nigerians.

“This is because Buhari has made all Nigerians to know that he is a man who wants to become President through violence or through war or bloodshed.

“He has proved it in previous elections. He had threatened Nigerians that “monkeys and baboons would be soaked in blood” if he didn’t win the 2011 presidential election. That alone is an indicting statement to, innocent Nigerians, both big and small, are being soaked in blood even up till date”.

Jonathan Will Win 2015 Election In Whatever Way – Asari

Even before the 2015 presidential elections have held, former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has already won. 

Asari, who spoke at the burial ceremony of Late Princess Preba Abigail Prince Ekineh, the ex-militant’s grandmother, organized by his disbanded group, Niger Delta People’s Salvation and Volunteer Front, NDSVF, at Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, said it is not possible for the incumbent president, who also hails from the Niger Delta region, to lose the election that returns him for a second term in office.

According to VANGUARD, Asari insisted that Pesident Jonathan must win the election by whatever means, even as he disclosed that measures have been put in place for the success of the election in favour of the incumbent.

He also spoke on political developments in Rivers State, warning that the high level of injustice currently playing out will soon backfire.

According to him, power should not reside in one ethnic group only, advocating that it should be rotated among all the different ethnic nationalities that make up the state. He specifically called for power to be shifted to the Ogoni ethnic nationality.

Asari said: “2015 Goodluck Jonathan will win. In whatever way they want him, he will win. I am not afraid of anybody. My confidence is that he has already won, but in River state I don’t know because there is injustice in Rivers state.

“The injustice in Rivers state is that one set of People cannot rule. Rivers state is a multiethnic state and all the ethnic nationalities must have access to government. So whoever is encouraging this perfidy does not mean well for the people because it will explode one day. The only way out is for justice to be done in the state and that means an Ogoni candidate should be fielded in all the political parties”.

Jonathan Will Win 2015 Election In Whatever Way – Asari

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Even before the 2015 presidential elections have held, former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has already won. 

Asari, who spoke at the burial ceremony of Late Princess Preba Abigail Prince Ekineh, the ex-militant’s grandmother, organized by his disbanded group, Niger Delta People’s Salvation and Volunteer Front, NDSVF, at Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, said it is not possible for the incumbent president, who also hails from the Niger Delta region, to lose the election that returns him for a second term in office.

According to VANGUARD, Asari insisted that Pesident Jonathan must win the election by whatever means, even as he disclosed that measures have been put in place for the success of the election in favour of the incumbent.

He also spoke on political developments in Rivers State, warning that the high level of injustice currently playing out will soon backfire.

According to him, power should not reside in one ethnic group only, advocating that it should be rotated among all the different ethnic nationalities that make up the state. He specifically called for power to be shifted to the Ogoni ethnic nationality.

Asari said: “2015 Goodluck Jonathan will win. In whatever way they want him, he will win. I am not afraid of anybody. My confidence is that he has already won, but in River state I don’t know because there is injustice in Rivers state.

“The injustice in Rivers state is that one set of People cannot rule. Rivers state is a multiethnic state and all the ethnic nationalities must have access to government. So whoever is encouraging this perfidy does not mean well for the people because it will explode one day. The only way out is for justice to be done in the state and that means an Ogoni candidate should be fielded in all the political parties”.

Ekiti APC Lampoons Fayose Over Workers Unpaid September Salary

The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has faulted Governor Ayodele Fayose over his refusal to pay the September salary of workers in the state. 

The party accused the governor of harassing banks not to grant loans to the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in order to pay the salary before he left office in October.

The APC also accused Fayose of diverting the September allocation received in October to other things instead of paying the workers.

Fayose in the monthly media chat on Friday titled, ‘meet your governor’, had told workers the workers to forget about their September salary for now because it was Fayemi who owed them.

But the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Ekiti, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement on Sunday, described Fayose’s refusal to pay workers salary as “wicked, callous and insensitive to come from a governor to workers who are the engine room of government policy and programme”.

The APC spokesperson argued that since the federal allocations were paid in arrears, it was incumbent upon Fayose to pay September salary with September federal allocation that he collected in October after Fayemi had left.

Olatunbosun also reacted to Fayose’s aide, Lere Olayinka, who said Fayemi lied on his claims in a media chat on Akure-based Ondo State radio station, Adaba FM, on the debt profile of the state and projects execution during his administration that put Ekiti State ahead of its peers in the country.

Describing Olayinka as “an internet rat and a pathological liar”, Olatunbosun said records would show the people the debts profile of Ekiti State during Fayemi’s administration, adding that the experience of Ekiti people in Fayose’s hand during Christmas would convince the people who was a liar between the two leaders.

He said, “It was Fayose as Governor-elect who went to harass the banks that had overdraft arrangement with the Fayemi administration to stop granting such facilities to Fayemi even though it is the same facility Fayose is currently using to pay salaries as admitted in his media chat.

“We wish to remind Governor Fayose that even if it was Fayemi that did not pay September salary, government is a continuum and whoever assumes office inherits both assets and liabilities of that state. It is therefore a misnomer for Governor Fayose to declare in a heartless manner on state radio and television that Ekiti workers should forget September salary”, Olatubosun said.

He added that Fayose’s declaration had confirmed speculations and fears that he had misapplied the September salary amounting to over N1. 5 billion.

“If he paid December salary with November allocation that he received in December, what stopped him from paying September salary with September allocation that he received in October?

“Why skipping September salary only to pay October salary with September’s allocation? What is he planning to do with the one month salary that is outstanding now and which allocation he had already collected”, Olatunbosun queried.

“Governor Fayose tricked Ekiti people that apart from using his contacts in Abuja to get money released to the state, he will also attract Federal projects.

“While he has received about N22 billion from Abuja so far out of which he finds it difficult to pay Ekiti worker’s September salary, there is no mention of any project for Ekiti State in the 2015 budget, neither is any Ekiti road among the recently approved roads by the Federal Executive Council”, Olatubosun said.

The APC spokesperson, therefore, urged Ekiti workers to demand for their September salary from Fayose, whom he claimed had received an up-to-date allocation from the Federal Government.

Ekiti APC Lampoons Fayose Over Workers Unpaid September Salary

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has faulted Governor Ayodele Fayose over his refusal to pay the September salary of workers in the state. 

The party accused the governor of harassing banks not to grant loans to the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in order to pay the salary before he left office in October.

The APC also accused Fayose of diverting the September allocation received in October to other things instead of paying the workers.

Fayose in the monthly media chat on Friday titled, ‘meet your governor’, had told workers the workers to forget about their September salary for now because it was Fayemi who owed them.

But the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Ekiti, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement on Sunday, described Fayose’s refusal to pay workers salary as “wicked, callous and insensitive to come from a governor to workers who are the engine room of government policy and programme”.

The APC spokesperson argued that since the federal allocations were paid in arrears, it was incumbent upon Fayose to pay September salary with September federal allocation that he collected in October after Fayemi had left.

Olatunbosun also reacted to Fayose’s aide, Lere Olayinka, who said Fayemi lied on his claims in a media chat on Akure-based Ondo State radio station, Adaba FM, on the debt profile of the state and projects execution during his administration that put Ekiti State ahead of its peers in the country.

Describing Olayinka as “an internet rat and a pathological liar”, Olatunbosun said records would show the people the debts profile of Ekiti State during Fayemi’s administration, adding that the experience of Ekiti people in Fayose’s hand during Christmas would convince the people who was a liar between the two leaders.

He said, “It was Fayose as Governor-elect who went to harass the banks that had overdraft arrangement with the Fayemi administration to stop granting such facilities to Fayemi even though it is the same facility Fayose is currently using to pay salaries as admitted in his media chat.

“We wish to remind Governor Fayose that even if it was Fayemi that did not pay September salary, government is a continuum and whoever assumes office inherits both assets and liabilities of that state. It is therefore a misnomer for Governor Fayose to declare in a heartless manner on state radio and television that Ekiti workers should forget September salary”, Olatubosun said.

He added that Fayose’s declaration had confirmed speculations and fears that he had misapplied the September salary amounting to over N1. 5 billion.

“If he paid December salary with November allocation that he received in December, what stopped him from paying September salary with September allocation that he received in October?

“Why skipping September salary only to pay October salary with September’s allocation? What is he planning to do with the one month salary that is outstanding now and which allocation he had already collected”, Olatunbosun queried.

“Governor Fayose tricked Ekiti people that apart from using his contacts in Abuja to get money released to the state, he will also attract Federal projects.

“While he has received about N22 billion from Abuja so far out of which he finds it difficult to pay Ekiti worker’s September salary, there is no mention of any project for Ekiti State in the 2015 budget, neither is any Ekiti road among the recently approved roads by the Federal Executive Council”, Olatubosun said.

The APC spokesperson, therefore, urged Ekiti workers to demand for their September salary from Fayose, whom he claimed had received an up-to-date allocation from the Federal Government.

Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria tasks FG on Ajaokuta steel

The Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN) on Sunday in Lagos called on the Federal Government to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi for national industrial growth.

The association’s National Secretary, Titus Orimijupa, noted that the revival of the industry was key to industrial development and mass employment.

Workers in the company had in October commended the federal government for its efforts in reviving the industry.

Orimijupa said the government should do all within its power to complete the project had been abandoned for several decades.

According to him, the coming on stream of the industry will give the economy the much-needed shot in the arm.

“The government should to show the political will to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The government needs the same will to revive the Delta Steel Company and others to make them productive,’’ he said.

Orimijupa said other countries should not be allowed to “smoke’’ Nigeria out of steel business.

He said: The sector has been taken over by the Asians.

“If steel is fully revived, the country stands the good chance of recording massive technological and economic advancement. It will definitely engage a lot of young Nigerians as it will reduce the increasing rate of unemployment and youth unrest.’’

The ISSSAN scribe noted that the steel industry would enhance agricultural transformation, automobile industries, construction works among others.

(NAN)

Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria tasks FG on Ajaokuta steel

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN) on Sunday in Lagos called on the Federal Government to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi for national industrial growth.

The association’s National Secretary, Titus Orimijupa, noted that the revival of the industry was key to industrial development and mass employment.

Workers in the company had in October commended the federal government for its efforts in reviving the industry.

Orimijupa said the government should do all within its power to complete the project had been abandoned for several decades.

According to him, the coming on stream of the industry will give the economy the much-needed shot in the arm.

“The government should to show the political will to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The government needs the same will to revive the Delta Steel Company and others to make them productive,’’ he said.

Orimijupa said other countries should not be allowed to “smoke’’ Nigeria out of steel business.

He said: The sector has been taken over by the Asians.

“If steel is fully revived, the country stands the good chance of recording massive technological and economic advancement. It will definitely engage a lot of young Nigerians as it will reduce the increasing rate of unemployment and youth unrest.’’

The ISSSAN scribe noted that the steel industry would enhance agricultural transformation, automobile industries, construction works among others.

(NAN)

Auto, cement, FMCG industries key drivers in 2014

Nigeria’s manufacturing sector recorded what may be described as robust performance in the outgoing year. Key reasons for this virile performance included slight policy focus on the sector and increased advocacy roles of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), chambers of commerce, as well as experts.

Consistent pratfalls of oil prices in the international market also exposed the weaknesses of the manufacturing sector and underscored the need for economic diversification through manufacturing and other real sector areas.
Key sub-sectors that drove the sector during 2014 included automotive and cement industries, as well as the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) sub-sector, where food, beverages, sugar and personal care played significant roles.
During the year, full implementation of the automotive policy, initiated by the Federal Government, attracted 21 companies who signed commitments with technical partners to set up assembly operations with product lines for cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pick-up trucks, mini-buses, buses, as well as trucks.

Peugeot Automobiles of Nigeria (PAN), Innoson Vehicle Manufacturers and VON Nigeria had new leases of life, as PAN resumed assembly of Peugeot cars in July while VON also started assembly of Nissan and Hyundai vehicles.
Dana Motors signed technical partnership agreements with Kia and Renault for a semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly plant, while Kewalram Chanrai Group began discussions and feasibility studies to convert a former textile industry in Isolo to an SKD assembly plant.
Also, Coscharis Motors acquired several acres of land at Lekki, Lagos, for the building of Joylong brand of cars and mini-buses, with feasibility studies ongoing.

Moreover, the cement industry recorded a number of activities within the year. Dangote Cement ramped up its capacity to 29 million metric tons per annum (MT), from 20 million MT. The company also introduced 3X cement brand as well as 32.5 and 52.5 grades.African businesses to form Lafarge Africa. It appointed Guillaume Roux as its chief executive officer. The business deal saw the second largest cement maker ramp up capacity to 8.5 million MT, 4.5 million MT from Wapco and 4 million MT from the South African business. This does not include 2.5 million MT capacity of the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UniCem) and 1 million MT of Ashaka Cement. UniCem will achieve 5 million MT by 2016, while Ashaka anticipates to have 4 million capacity soon.
“The intended Lafarge Wapco/Lafarge Africa consolidation, with a unified management across four businesses in Nigeria, is much better positioned to deliver growth than Lafarge Wapco as a stand-alone company,’’ says CSL Equities, economic and market research firm, in its June report on the combination, which included Wapco, South African business, UniCem and Ashaka Cement.

Within the year, Bua Group announced investment of over $500 million in a green-field cement plant at Okpella, Edo State, to add additional 3 million tons per annum to the Nigerian cement market by February 2015.
Recall that Bua Group recently bought shares in Edo Cement Company Limited, maker of Rhino Cement, which was producing 300,000MT per annum.

Just like cement, which was propelled by the backward integration policy, the sugar industry reported huge positives as investors pledged to pump $2.6 billion into the sub-sector. Dangote Sugar has been pumping about $2 billion investments in six states in the country, through its recently acquired Savannah Sugar in Numan, Adamawa State. HoneyGold Group has also been investing $300 million on two sites in Adamawa State, while Crystal Sugar Mills invested $30 million to expand its operations to produce 60,000 tons of sugar/annum from its acquired 1,500 TCD sugar plant at Hadejia, Jigawa State.

Again, Confluence Sugar Company has been investing $240 million in Kogi State. Furthermore, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Flour Mills of Nigeria plc, McNichols Consolidated plc, Lucke Sugar, and Dogan Sugar also expanded their packaged sugar manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, according to Latif Busari, executive secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

Unilever, maker of personal care products, had its investments reach $200 million within the year. Procter & Gamble, another leader in the industry, set up a $300 million plant at Agbara, Ogun State. There were also various investments by food and beverage firms such as International Breweries and Guinness, among others.

Auto, cement, FMCG industries key drivers in 2014

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Nigeria’s manufacturing sector recorded what may be described as robust performance in the outgoing year. Key reasons for this virile performance included slight policy focus on the sector and increased advocacy roles of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), chambers of commerce, as well as experts.

Consistent pratfalls of oil prices in the international market also exposed the weaknesses of the manufacturing sector and underscored the need for economic diversification through manufacturing and other real sector areas.
Key sub-sectors that drove the sector during 2014 included automotive and cement industries, as well as the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) sub-sector, where food, beverages, sugar and personal care played significant roles.
During the year, full implementation of the automotive policy, initiated by the Federal Government, attracted 21 companies who signed commitments with technical partners to set up assembly operations with product lines for cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pick-up trucks, mini-buses, buses, as well as trucks.

Peugeot Automobiles of Nigeria (PAN), Innoson Vehicle Manufacturers and VON Nigeria had new leases of life, as PAN resumed assembly of Peugeot cars in July while VON also started assembly of Nissan and Hyundai vehicles.
Dana Motors signed technical partnership agreements with Kia and Renault for a semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly plant, while Kewalram Chanrai Group began discussions and feasibility studies to convert a former textile industry in Isolo to an SKD assembly plant.
Also, Coscharis Motors acquired several acres of land at Lekki, Lagos, for the building of Joylong brand of cars and mini-buses, with feasibility studies ongoing.

Moreover, the cement industry recorded a number of activities within the year. Dangote Cement ramped up its capacity to 29 million metric tons per annum (MT), from 20 million MT. The company also introduced 3X cement brand as well as 32.5 and 52.5 grades.African businesses to form Lafarge Africa. It appointed Guillaume Roux as its chief executive officer. The business deal saw the second largest cement maker ramp up capacity to 8.5 million MT, 4.5 million MT from Wapco and 4 million MT from the South African business. This does not include 2.5 million MT capacity of the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UniCem) and 1 million MT of Ashaka Cement. UniCem will achieve 5 million MT by 2016, while Ashaka anticipates to have 4 million capacity soon.
“The intended Lafarge Wapco/Lafarge Africa consolidation, with a unified management across four businesses in Nigeria, is much better positioned to deliver growth than Lafarge Wapco as a stand-alone company,’’ says CSL Equities, economic and market research firm, in its June report on the combination, which included Wapco, South African business, UniCem and Ashaka Cement.

Within the year, Bua Group announced investment of over $500 million in a green-field cement plant at Okpella, Edo State, to add additional 3 million tons per annum to the Nigerian cement market by February 2015.
Recall that Bua Group recently bought shares in Edo Cement Company Limited, maker of Rhino Cement, which was producing 300,000MT per annum.

Just like cement, which was propelled by the backward integration policy, the sugar industry reported huge positives as investors pledged to pump $2.6 billion into the sub-sector. Dangote Sugar has been pumping about $2 billion investments in six states in the country, through its recently acquired Savannah Sugar in Numan, Adamawa State. HoneyGold Group has also been investing $300 million on two sites in Adamawa State, while Crystal Sugar Mills invested $30 million to expand its operations to produce 60,000 tons of sugar/annum from its acquired 1,500 TCD sugar plant at Hadejia, Jigawa State.

Again, Confluence Sugar Company has been investing $240 million in Kogi State. Furthermore, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Flour Mills of Nigeria plc, McNichols Consolidated plc, Lucke Sugar, and Dogan Sugar also expanded their packaged sugar manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, according to Latif Busari, executive secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

Unilever, maker of personal care products, had its investments reach $200 million within the year. Procter & Gamble, another leader in the industry, set up a $300 million plant at Agbara, Ogun State. There were also various investments by food and beverage firms such as International Breweries and Guinness, among others.

FX crunch for telecoms slows down N1.4trn expansion drive

The recent ban on import of electronics, and telecommunications equipment with official Foreign Exchange (FOREX) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is slowing down on-going network expansion initiatives across the country, as the cost of infrastructure procurement and rollout rises, market observers say.

The implication of the ban is that importation of these items would no longer be funded with FOREX purchased from the bi-weekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) sessions conducted by the CBN.
According to the CBN, the decision was specifically aimed at maintaining existing stability in the FOREX market, whilst strengthening the ailing naira and conserving foreign reserves.

Mobile operators have warned that the ban, which is one in a series of steps taken to cushion the impact of falling oil prices, will drive up the cost telecoms equipment and 3G smartphones.
This outcome is however not in consonance with the larger objectives of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Federal Government has already set the target of an 80 percent growth penetration in 3G services by 2018, in consonance with the NBP. “Mobile operators will need more naira to buy foreign exchange.

It simply increases the cost of telecoms equipments and certainly affects rollout plans”, said Akinwale Goodluck, corporate services executive at MTN Nigeria, in an interview with BusinessDay. According to Goodluck, telecoms operators in the country still have a lot of ground to cover, in terms of mobile network coverage and access. According to the ministry of communications technology, 40 million Nigerians still lack access to basic Information Communications Technology (ICT) services.

Market observers are however of the view that the apex bank’s ban on import of equipment with foreign exchange is particularly worrisome, considering the limited number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The country has an estimated 30, 000 BTS.
This figure, they say, is grossly inadequate to meet the communications needs of over 130 million active mobile phone subscribers in the country.

“Nigeria’s telecoms operators, put together need over 60,000 functional telecoms towers to be able to deliver top-notch services to their growing subscribers”, said Olusola Teniola, chief executive officer, Internet Solutions Limited, in a report. Estimates are that it cost about N24.75 million to install a single base station, along with its tower, special antennas and two generators to power the site.
Industry experts told BusinessDay yesterday, that telecoms towers are like the central telecoms towers are like the central nervous systems of communications because they allow mobile subscribers across the country make and receive calls.
To deploy 60, 000 base stations, mobile operators will however require an estimated N1.4 trillion in order to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) mandates of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to O.I Gbadamosi, director of Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, in a circular, titled, ‘Exclusion Of Transactions From RDAS Window’, the decision to move in this direction is however necessitated by the need to strengthen the various policy measures already initiated by apex bank.
Mobile operators say that the apex bank’s decision only adds more complexity to network deployment. They further say that the industry is still grapling with other issues which hinder the deployment of critical network infrastructure.
 These, they say, include multiple taxation and regulation, delays in site approvals and inordinate Right of Way (RoW) charges. Beyond this, Goodluck says the CBN’s recent declaration on imports will have a massively negative impact on Nigeria’s broadband plans and targets. The broadband plan seeks to promote cheaper access devices from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by challenging the industry to produce sub-$30 smartphone devices.

According to Goodluck, the country’s low smartphone penetration will remain a tough nut to crack in view of the CBN ban, as the cost of smartphones will rise. MTN, the nation’s largest mobile operator, with about 56 million customers, says that there are only 12 million 3G smartphones in Nigeria, out of a population of 170 million.
“The ban would mean that smartphones and devices will remain unaccessible to the majority of Nigerians.” In recent times, telecoms companies in Nigeria, have urged handset makers operating in-country to drive down the cost of smartphones in order to trigger greater usage of 3G (Third Generation) data services.

High smartphone acquisition cost has been identified as the major barrier hindering widespread adoption and usage of 3G data services in the country.

FX crunch for telecoms slows down N1.4trn expansion drive

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The recent ban on import of electronics, and telecommunications equipment with official Foreign Exchange (FOREX) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is slowing down on-going network expansion initiatives across the country, as the cost of infrastructure procurement and rollout rises, market observers say.

The implication of the ban is that importation of these items would no longer be funded with FOREX purchased from the bi-weekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) sessions conducted by the CBN.
According to the CBN, the decision was specifically aimed at maintaining existing stability in the FOREX market, whilst strengthening the ailing naira and conserving foreign reserves.

Mobile operators have warned that the ban, which is one in a series of steps taken to cushion the impact of falling oil prices, will drive up the cost telecoms equipment and 3G smartphones.
This outcome is however not in consonance with the larger objectives of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Federal Government has already set the target of an 80 percent growth penetration in 3G services by 2018, in consonance with the NBP. “Mobile operators will need more naira to buy foreign exchange.

It simply increases the cost of telecoms equipments and certainly affects rollout plans”, said Akinwale Goodluck, corporate services executive at MTN Nigeria, in an interview with BusinessDay. According to Goodluck, telecoms operators in the country still have a lot of ground to cover, in terms of mobile network coverage and access. According to the ministry of communications technology, 40 million Nigerians still lack access to basic Information Communications Technology (ICT) services.

Market observers are however of the view that the apex bank’s ban on import of equipment with foreign exchange is particularly worrisome, considering the limited number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The country has an estimated 30, 000 BTS.
This figure, they say, is grossly inadequate to meet the communications needs of over 130 million active mobile phone subscribers in the country.

“Nigeria’s telecoms operators, put together need over 60,000 functional telecoms towers to be able to deliver top-notch services to their growing subscribers”, said Olusola Teniola, chief executive officer, Internet Solutions Limited, in a report. Estimates are that it cost about N24.75 million to install a single base station, along with its tower, special antennas and two generators to power the site.
Industry experts told BusinessDay yesterday, that telecoms towers are like the central telecoms towers are like the central nervous systems of communications because they allow mobile subscribers across the country make and receive calls.
To deploy 60, 000 base stations, mobile operators will however require an estimated N1.4 trillion in order to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) mandates of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to O.I Gbadamosi, director of Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, in a circular, titled, ‘Exclusion Of Transactions From RDAS Window’, the decision to move in this direction is however necessitated by the need to strengthen the various policy measures already initiated by apex bank.
Mobile operators say that the apex bank’s decision only adds more complexity to network deployment. They further say that the industry is still grapling with other issues which hinder the deployment of critical network infrastructure.
 These, they say, include multiple taxation and regulation, delays in site approvals and inordinate Right of Way (RoW) charges. Beyond this, Goodluck says the CBN’s recent declaration on imports will have a massively negative impact on Nigeria’s broadband plans and targets. The broadband plan seeks to promote cheaper access devices from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by challenging the industry to produce sub-$30 smartphone devices.

According to Goodluck, the country’s low smartphone penetration will remain a tough nut to crack in view of the CBN ban, as the cost of smartphones will rise. MTN, the nation’s largest mobile operator, with about 56 million customers, says that there are only 12 million 3G smartphones in Nigeria, out of a population of 170 million.
“The ban would mean that smartphones and devices will remain unaccessible to the majority of Nigerians.” In recent times, telecoms companies in Nigeria, have urged handset makers operating in-country to drive down the cost of smartphones in order to trigger greater usage of 3G (Third Generation) data services.

High smartphone acquisition cost has been identified as the major barrier hindering widespread adoption and usage of 3G data services in the country.

Insurers Write To Cancel Move For Parallel Regulator

The brokerage arm of the insurance industry has written a formal letter to the House of Representatives, giving notice of its withdrawal of the bill seeking its transformation into a parallel industry regulator.
This follows a recent agreement in priciple to withdraw the proposal.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, the brokers’ association, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), gave notice of the withdrawal of the bill seeking its transformation into another regulator in the industry.

Cracks had appeared in the industry, with the decision of the insurance brokers to self-regulate.
The brokers, under the umbrella of the NCRIB, pushed for an act in the National Assembly to create an Institute of Chartered Insurance Brokers and transform it from its current status of market association, to a regulator.
The bill was enrolled this year in both chambers of the National Assembly and had passed through second reading in the two houses. It was sponsored by Gbenga Kaka in the Senate and Uzoma Nkem-Abonta in the House of Representatives.

There were however reservations from within the NCRIB and opposition from the educational arm of the industry, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) which also protested to the federal lawmakers about the implication of a parallel regulator.

In the letter dated December 18, and signed by its president, Ayodapo Shoderu, the NCRIB indicated that it was no longer interested in the bill and noted that it has also notified the Senate President about its intention to withdraw it.
The letter titled “withdrawal of NCRIB proposed bill before the National Assembly”, sent to the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, and copied Jibrin Abdulmumin, the chairman, House Committee on finance, stated, “we refer to the above mentioned bill submitted by our council sometime in October 2014 to the National Assembly, seeking amendments to the NCRIB Act 21 of 2003, and which had undergone second reading at the Senate, before our governing board decided to withdraw it.

“In the same vein, we hereby wish to notify the House of Representatives to stop further action on the bill”.
Section 2 of the bill which states the duties of the institute if the act is approved, has been condemned by operators who say it is tantamount to running parallel to the industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the educational arm of the industry, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN). These two bodies are a creation of an act of parliament.

Duties of the institute according to Section 2 of the bill include, establishing and maintaining a central organisation for all insurance brokers, and “enrolling persons as chartered insurance brokers.”

Others are, to secure in accordance with the provision of the act, the establishment and maintenance of a register of chartered insurance brokers, containing the names, addresses and qualifications and such other particulars as may be prescribed, of all persons who having applied in the prescribed manner, are entitled under the provisions or the act, to be registered, and the publication from time to time, of the lists of these persons.

Insurers Write To Cancel Move For Parallel Regulator

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The brokerage arm of the insurance industry has written a formal letter to the House of Representatives, giving notice of its withdrawal of the bill seeking its transformation into a parallel industry regulator.
This follows a recent agreement in priciple to withdraw the proposal.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, the brokers’ association, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), gave notice of the withdrawal of the bill seeking its transformation into another regulator in the industry.

Cracks had appeared in the industry, with the decision of the insurance brokers to self-regulate.
The brokers, under the umbrella of the NCRIB, pushed for an act in the National Assembly to create an Institute of Chartered Insurance Brokers and transform it from its current status of market association, to a regulator.
The bill was enrolled this year in both chambers of the National Assembly and had passed through second reading in the two houses. It was sponsored by Gbenga Kaka in the Senate and Uzoma Nkem-Abonta in the House of Representatives.

There were however reservations from within the NCRIB and opposition from the educational arm of the industry, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) which also protested to the federal lawmakers about the implication of a parallel regulator.

In the letter dated December 18, and signed by its president, Ayodapo Shoderu, the NCRIB indicated that it was no longer interested in the bill and noted that it has also notified the Senate President about its intention to withdraw it.
The letter titled “withdrawal of NCRIB proposed bill before the National Assembly”, sent to the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, and copied Jibrin Abdulmumin, the chairman, House Committee on finance, stated, “we refer to the above mentioned bill submitted by our council sometime in October 2014 to the National Assembly, seeking amendments to the NCRIB Act 21 of 2003, and which had undergone second reading at the Senate, before our governing board decided to withdraw it.

“In the same vein, we hereby wish to notify the House of Representatives to stop further action on the bill”.
Section 2 of the bill which states the duties of the institute if the act is approved, has been condemned by operators who say it is tantamount to running parallel to the industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the educational arm of the industry, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN). These two bodies are a creation of an act of parliament.

Duties of the institute according to Section 2 of the bill include, establishing and maintaining a central organisation for all insurance brokers, and “enrolling persons as chartered insurance brokers.”

Others are, to secure in accordance with the provision of the act, the establishment and maintenance of a register of chartered insurance brokers, containing the names, addresses and qualifications and such other particulars as may be prescribed, of all persons who having applied in the prescribed manner, are entitled under the provisions or the act, to be registered, and the publication from time to time, of the lists of these persons.

NACCIMA recommends single-digit rates to boost agric exports

Amid falling oil prices and naira devaluation, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has recommended allocation of 10 percent of the total budget to agriculture sector as well as introduction of a single-digit lending rate regime to boost export of agricultural commodities in order to ramp up foreign exchange earnings and create millions of jobs.

At a one-day dialogue session on the national agriculture value chain themed, ‘Enhancing Agricultural Exports through Adequate Financing for Stakeholders in the Agribusiness,’ held in Lagos, NACCIMA and stakeholders in the agric sector observed that Nigerian agricultural sector was still dominated by peasant farming methods, just as high interest rates remain a major impediment to financing the sector.

They therefore suggested that in the GES arrangement, each of the state and the Federal Government should provide 25 percent as support for seeds and fertiliser to farmers directly, rather than provide succour through the general price subsidy.
The stakeholders said while the Federal Government should increase the budget allocation to agriculture to at least 10 percent, single-digit interest rate should be in operation for farmers.

They said the paid up share capital of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) should be raised to N500 billion, while its treatment should be at par with that of the Bank of Industry (BoI).

“Government should provide incentives on imported farm tools and equipment to reduce their cost,” stakeholders said. “All agricultural products for export must be guaranteed and risk insured while finance-friendly banks should be underwritten by the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank and/or the Central Bank of Nigeria,” they said, adding that special arrangement need be made for women by BoA to aid their easy access to agricultural loan.

NACCIMA recommends single-digit rates to boost agric exports

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Amid falling oil prices and naira devaluation, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has recommended allocation of 10 percent of the total budget to agriculture sector as well as introduction of a single-digit lending rate regime to boost export of agricultural commodities in order to ramp up foreign exchange earnings and create millions of jobs.

At a one-day dialogue session on the national agriculture value chain themed, ‘Enhancing Agricultural Exports through Adequate Financing for Stakeholders in the Agribusiness,’ held in Lagos, NACCIMA and stakeholders in the agric sector observed that Nigerian agricultural sector was still dominated by peasant farming methods, just as high interest rates remain a major impediment to financing the sector.

They therefore suggested that in the GES arrangement, each of the state and the Federal Government should provide 25 percent as support for seeds and fertiliser to farmers directly, rather than provide succour through the general price subsidy.
The stakeholders said while the Federal Government should increase the budget allocation to agriculture to at least 10 percent, single-digit interest rate should be in operation for farmers.

They said the paid up share capital of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) should be raised to N500 billion, while its treatment should be at par with that of the Bank of Industry (BoI).

“Government should provide incentives on imported farm tools and equipment to reduce their cost,” stakeholders said. “All agricultural products for export must be guaranteed and risk insured while finance-friendly banks should be underwritten by the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank and/or the Central Bank of Nigeria,” they said, adding that special arrangement need be made for women by BoA to aid their easy access to agricultural loan.

Akwa Ibom challenges Cross River for tourism market

Akwa Ibom State is giving neighbouring Cross River State a stiff fight for the position of Nigeria’s major tourism destination.

The state is doing this by rapidly expanding and improving development of tourism and related infrastructure .
Since the commissioning of the Akwa Ibom International Airport, the state has partnered with airlines to ensure more flights arrive the destination, with a view to matching flight frequency at the Margret Ekpo International Airport Calabar, its rival.

The airport facility development is also yielding fruit, as many visitors, especially holiday makers, visit the state, although some Calabar-bound passengers fly through Uyo, in Akwa Ibom state because of the regularity of flights from there.
Patrick Umanah, a tour operator and indigene of Akwa Ibom state, observed that Le Meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort is being promoted by the state and Starwood Group, the managers of the resort, as a one-stop-shop for leisure and exclusivity. The government, according to him, has also opened the Ibeno Beach to the public, furthering the leisure options for visitors.

Due to the growing number visitors, the state recently partnered with Starwood Group for a Four Points By Sheraton hotel facility in Ikot Epkene, while many other hotel brands are now seeing Uyo as an investors’ haven, somewhat changing the focus on the usual Calabar and Obudu.
By building the ultramodern 30,000 capacity stadium in Uyo, the government, according to Wale Olajide, a sports promoter, is taking the voluntary hosting right of Calabar Stadium, which before now used to be the venue for most foreign football matches in Nigeria.
The AFCON Qualifiers between Nigeria and South Africa was held at the stadium nicknamed Next of Champions by Godswill Akpabio,
governor of the state.
“With the matches hosted in Uyo, most hotels were fully booked. Investors in hospitality are now eyeing the state, while locals make brisk business on match days”, Olajide said.

In an attempt to also woo visitors during the Christmas period, as Cross River does with the Calabar Carnival, Akwa Ibom hosted the Christmas Carol Night. The event which has held over the past six years is aimed at gathering people to sing in praise of God, but is also a bait for outsiders to visit, see and appreciate the state.

“We had no space on December 20, 2014 when this year’s edition of the Christmas Carol Night held. Some guests stayed in hostels. It was good business for us and we hope for more events like it”, Benjamin Udeme, a hotel manager in Uyo said.
But tracing the beginning of the race for infrastructure development in the state, Isaac Ekong, a lawyer, said: “The story changed when the state government forwarded an Appropriation Bill of a whopping N309 billion for 2011, out of which 80 per cent was devoted to capital projects, thus making the state the highest in capital to recurrent ratio in the country. Since then, the state government has not relented in dreaming and actualising its dreams”.

Akwa Ibom challenges Cross River for tourism market

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Akwa Ibom State is giving neighbouring Cross River State a stiff fight for the position of Nigeria’s major tourism destination.

The state is doing this by rapidly expanding and improving development of tourism and related infrastructure .
Since the commissioning of the Akwa Ibom International Airport, the state has partnered with airlines to ensure more flights arrive the destination, with a view to matching flight frequency at the Margret Ekpo International Airport Calabar, its rival.

The airport facility development is also yielding fruit, as many visitors, especially holiday makers, visit the state, although some Calabar-bound passengers fly through Uyo, in Akwa Ibom state because of the regularity of flights from there.
Patrick Umanah, a tour operator and indigene of Akwa Ibom state, observed that Le Meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort is being promoted by the state and Starwood Group, the managers of the resort, as a one-stop-shop for leisure and exclusivity. The government, according to him, has also opened the Ibeno Beach to the public, furthering the leisure options for visitors.

Due to the growing number visitors, the state recently partnered with Starwood Group for a Four Points By Sheraton hotel facility in Ikot Epkene, while many other hotel brands are now seeing Uyo as an investors’ haven, somewhat changing the focus on the usual Calabar and Obudu.
By building the ultramodern 30,000 capacity stadium in Uyo, the government, according to Wale Olajide, a sports promoter, is taking the voluntary hosting right of Calabar Stadium, which before now used to be the venue for most foreign football matches in Nigeria.
The AFCON Qualifiers between Nigeria and South Africa was held at the stadium nicknamed Next of Champions by Godswill Akpabio,
governor of the state.
“With the matches hosted in Uyo, most hotels were fully booked. Investors in hospitality are now eyeing the state, while locals make brisk business on match days”, Olajide said.

In an attempt to also woo visitors during the Christmas period, as Cross River does with the Calabar Carnival, Akwa Ibom hosted the Christmas Carol Night. The event which has held over the past six years is aimed at gathering people to sing in praise of God, but is also a bait for outsiders to visit, see and appreciate the state.

“We had no space on December 20, 2014 when this year’s edition of the Christmas Carol Night held. Some guests stayed in hostels. It was good business for us and we hope for more events like it”, Benjamin Udeme, a hotel manager in Uyo said.
But tracing the beginning of the race for infrastructure development in the state, Isaac Ekong, a lawyer, said: “The story changed when the state government forwarded an Appropriation Bill of a whopping N309 billion for 2011, out of which 80 per cent was devoted to capital projects, thus making the state the highest in capital to recurrent ratio in the country. Since then, the state government has not relented in dreaming and actualising its dreams”.

INEC replies critics: ‘We have capacity to monitor parties’ campaign spending’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that despite open criticisms from different quarters on the
commission’s inability to monitor and appropriate sanctions on political parties that contravene the electoral act in terms of spending on political campaigns, the commission has said it was ready to do justice within its means to ensure that it regulates spending on campaigns by
various political parties in the 2015 general elections.

Though how a political party’s candidate raises his or her campaign funds is the party’s affair, the process must comply with the extant laws and pass the integrity test. First, Nigerian laws are unambiguous on campaign
expenses and funding.

The 1999 Constitution in Section 221 clearly states: “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

The Companies and Allied Matters Act also expressly forbids companies in Section 38(2) from funding or donating gifts, property or money to any political party or association.

According to section 91 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the maximum expenses to be incurred by a candidate in a presidential election shall be N1billion while the governorship is N200 million.

The Electoral Act also placed a campaign ceiling of N40million and N20million for senatorial and House of Representatives candidates respectively.

N10million is the fixed amount for election expenses in the state assembly and chairmanship election in an area council.

Accordingly, sanctions for candidate who knowingly flaunts these campaign spending limits are as follows: For presidential election its N1million fine or 12 months imprisonment or both.

Governorship, N800,000 or nine months or both. 600,000 or imprisonment for six months would be slammed on a senatorial candidate who goes against the Electoral Act while 500,000 or five months imprisonment will be slammed on a House of Representatives candidate who defaults on the campaign spending.

While explaining the situation to BD SUNDAY during the week, Kayode Idowu, the chief press secretary to INEC Chairman said the commission’s capability to monitor and sanction political parties on spending during the electioneering campaigns were not in doubt.
According to him, “The commission has put structures in place to track expenditures. That structure did not exist in 2011. And we could not
do much in that regard. Now, we have been able to put structure in place to track expenditure and we are going to continue to do that. We have a department that monitors that, aside from the underground findings; they also dispatch their members to political rallies to monitor how much is being expended on what. But the situation now is that we can’t know whether a person has overspent until he or she has spent it.”

On whether INEC has access to the bank accounts of various political parties to determine their spending sprees, Idowu confirmed that the
commission was not limited to having access to political parties’ bank accounts, adding that they will always demand for the bank statements when there was need for it.

It would be recalled that at a fund raising dinner for President Jonathan’s re-election held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa recently, 21 PDP governors donated N50million each which amounted to N1.05billion. Business owners in the Oil and Gas sector donated N5billion while their counterparts in the Real Estate & Building made a donation of N4billion. Likewise, the Transport and Aviation sector made a pledge of N1billion; Agriculture donated N500million while those in the power sector pledged N500m. Board of the Shelter
Development Limited donated N250million while the Construction sector pledged N310million. Road Construction players pledged N250million while the National Automotive Association pledged N450million.

Chairman of the fundraising dinner, Tunde Ayeni, who is also the chairman of Skye Bank, made a donation of N2billion; Bola Shagaya donated N5billion, while former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, who was chairman of the fundraising planning committee, donated N5bn on behalf of himself and his friends.

Others are Chairman of SIFAX group, 100million and Rivers state PDP Chapter, N50million.

Speaking on this development, Yunusa Tanko, chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), told BD SUNDAY that there was need for INEC to give adequate attention to regulate spending during the electoral campaigns noting that failure to do this may give advantage to political party(s) with financial war chest over others.

“How INEC could control spending on political campaigns are there in the electoral acts, but the only issue here is, will the commission be allowed to carry out its independent functions? This is one of the reasons while we called for INEC to be funded independently. There are limitations to how INEC could sanction those in government on what they spend on political campaigns for their parties.

“As far as we are concerned, if a political party is spending above the required amounts then there is an issue. INEC has to be truly independent, they don’t have to be under the whims and caprices of any political for it to be used to their advantage,” he said.

INEC replies critics: ‘We have capacity to monitor parties’ campaign spending’

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that despite open criticisms from different quarters on the
commission’s inability to monitor and appropriate sanctions on political parties that contravene the electoral act in terms of spending on political campaigns, the commission has said it was ready to do justice within its means to ensure that it regulates spending on campaigns by
various political parties in the 2015 general elections.

Though how a political party’s candidate raises his or her campaign funds is the party’s affair, the process must comply with the extant laws and pass the integrity test. First, Nigerian laws are unambiguous on campaign
expenses and funding.

The 1999 Constitution in Section 221 clearly states: “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

The Companies and Allied Matters Act also expressly forbids companies in Section 38(2) from funding or donating gifts, property or money to any political party or association.

According to section 91 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the maximum expenses to be incurred by a candidate in a presidential election shall be N1billion while the governorship is N200 million.

The Electoral Act also placed a campaign ceiling of N40million and N20million for senatorial and House of Representatives candidates respectively.

N10million is the fixed amount for election expenses in the state assembly and chairmanship election in an area council.

Accordingly, sanctions for candidate who knowingly flaunts these campaign spending limits are as follows: For presidential election its N1million fine or 12 months imprisonment or both.

Governorship, N800,000 or nine months or both. 600,000 or imprisonment for six months would be slammed on a senatorial candidate who goes against the Electoral Act while 500,000 or five months imprisonment will be slammed on a House of Representatives candidate who defaults on the campaign spending.

While explaining the situation to BD SUNDAY during the week, Kayode Idowu, the chief press secretary to INEC Chairman said the commission’s capability to monitor and sanction political parties on spending during the electioneering campaigns were not in doubt.
According to him, “The commission has put structures in place to track expenditures. That structure did not exist in 2011. And we could not
do much in that regard. Now, we have been able to put structure in place to track expenditure and we are going to continue to do that. We have a department that monitors that, aside from the underground findings; they also dispatch their members to political rallies to monitor how much is being expended on what. But the situation now is that we can’t know whether a person has overspent until he or she has spent it.”

On whether INEC has access to the bank accounts of various political parties to determine their spending sprees, Idowu confirmed that the
commission was not limited to having access to political parties’ bank accounts, adding that they will always demand for the bank statements when there was need for it.

It would be recalled that at a fund raising dinner for President Jonathan’s re-election held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa recently, 21 PDP governors donated N50million each which amounted to N1.05billion. Business owners in the Oil and Gas sector donated N5billion while their counterparts in the Real Estate & Building made a donation of N4billion. Likewise, the Transport and Aviation sector made a pledge of N1billion; Agriculture donated N500million while those in the power sector pledged N500m. Board of the Shelter
Development Limited donated N250million while the Construction sector pledged N310million. Road Construction players pledged N250million while the National Automotive Association pledged N450million.

Chairman of the fundraising dinner, Tunde Ayeni, who is also the chairman of Skye Bank, made a donation of N2billion; Bola Shagaya donated N5billion, while former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, who was chairman of the fundraising planning committee, donated N5bn on behalf of himself and his friends.

Others are Chairman of SIFAX group, 100million and Rivers state PDP Chapter, N50million.

Speaking on this development, Yunusa Tanko, chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), told BD SUNDAY that there was need for INEC to give adequate attention to regulate spending during the electoral campaigns noting that failure to do this may give advantage to political party(s) with financial war chest over others.

“How INEC could control spending on political campaigns are there in the electoral acts, but the only issue here is, will the commission be allowed to carry out its independent functions? This is one of the reasons while we called for INEC to be funded independently. There are limitations to how INEC could sanction those in government on what they spend on political campaigns for their parties.

“As far as we are concerned, if a political party is spending above the required amounts then there is an issue. INEC has to be truly independent, they don’t have to be under the whims and caprices of any political for it to be used to their advantage,” he said.

On a mission to creating one million jobs by 2025

After serving as a special adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Kola Masha decided to venture out on his own by setting up an agricultural franchise business called Doreo Partners. The motivation was spurred by the need to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths across the country and to make an impact on the nation’s economic growth. He spoke with RITA OHAI on the success of his company and the principles that sustain an agribusiness Doreo is an impact investing firm whose goal is to empower other businesses in solving Nigeria’s underlying social problem; which is spiraling youth unemployment.

Their investment thesis is very simple; at the foundation of it all is a desire to increase the profitability of multiple small and medium scale agri-ventures across the country.
The team at Masha’s company believe that if they are able to make farmers very lucrative, they can create market forces that will draw millions of young people into the sector.

With Babban Gona (a Hausa term that means ‘great farm’) being their flagship model, they state that they are on their way to producing about a million farmers by 2025.

Explaining how the system works, Kola, the brain behind the company posits, “Babban Gona is a model we have developed called an agricultural franchise where effectively what we do is franchise organizations that we call trust groups. These trust groups are businesses where farmers come together as a unit to help each other produce high quality grains at really high yield.

“We go out and identify a really great leader of that group and we work with that leader to form the franchise and then we deliver four services to them. The first is training on how to run their group effectively and on how to migrate from a subsistence mindset to thinking about farming as a business and then finally this makes them farmers.
“The second is we get them access to credit so they are basically able to access the full suite of resources that they need to get best practice yields. And then finally we help them market their products.
“It’s truly a win-win for both the farmers and the buyers,” he says, “because we are basically playing a role to stream-line the process and get the farmers and buyers cost effective products.”

As opposed to the middle man who is more interested in the finalizing transactions, the chief executive officer of Doreo Partners informs that his projects are more about adding value than fiscal reward.
And he is recording tangible achievements in this area especially with his farmers beating the national average crop produce of 1.4 tons per hectare, by generating up to 6.9 tons on every hectre.

Giving further proof on how the soil has been good to him, he added, “The quality of maize we produce is the highest quality in Nigeria and it is gold standard terms of being able to eliminate key toxins.”

“Also we have grown about 30 fold over the last twenty-four months and we are working with 2000 thousand of Nigerian farmers in northern Nigeria,” he said. Kola is certain that agriculture can be Nigeria’s job creation engine. Considering the fact that the food sector contributes about 22 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, this portends tremendous growth potential for this industry.

According to him, “Yields today are 20 percent of what they could be in other developing countries. It is labour intensive and also requires some higher skilled to lower skilled labour; for the quantity of jobs we are looking to generate in the nation, [agriculture] is what we need.”

Although Nigerians are more inclined towards getting blue collar jobs due to the seemingly comfortable nature of these occupations, Masha is certain that meeting the 1 million-farmers target is an achievable feet.
He says, “If you look at the reasons why young people may not want to go into agriculture. It goes beyond the fact that it may be considered dirty work. However, the one thing Nigerians are, is that we are definitely entrepreneurial people and if we see an economic opportunity, we will pursue it.

“The reasons Nigerians do not go into agriculture is because they do not have access to large farm lands. Most of them get it through inheritance and these tracts of land are relatively small. If you have a small piece of land and you are getting low yields, the economic value is very small. Factor on top of that that agriculture is labour intensive. Traditionally, older farmers that have large farm bases are able to offset the costs because they have free labour sources in their children. Younger farmers don’t have that free labour source, they end up having to hire and that in its self further reduces their profitability.

“The model that we have put together really addresses all these issues. Whatever amount that they have, it is our prerogative to ensure that they can get a good living from that by optimizing their yields. In addition to that as part of the package they get, we offer mechanization services that reduces that burden on these farmers and enables them to effectively transition to be farm managers,” he revealed.

While the President has proposed a Transformational Agenda scheme
designed to combat food insecurity and ensure national sufficiency in the local agri-sector by 2015, some stakeholders have tagged the objectives of the Agenda as overly ambitious.
With raging insurgency taking place in the North and the low amounts of rainfall recorded this year further fueling doubts, concerns surrounding this issue are gradually taking root.

Regardless of analytical projections by critics, Kola has a different opinion as he expresses, “I think food security by 2015 is feasible but I’m not exactly what the government’s definition of food security is. [he laughs]
“I am a simple farmer,” he continued, “but the reality is that the steps that the government is taking are critical. I believe the most important one was in liberalizing the seed sector and enabling high quality producing seed companies to access the market.
“However, if you look at how much fertilizer Nigeria farmers really needs to meet the output required for us to get to that point where we are producing yields that can put the country at the point where we are sustainable food wise, as well as the size of the market, there is no way that the government can completely meet these needs.

He further said that, “The next thing is to put in place institutions that create easier access to capital. They have started to do this with the NISRAL programme and I think the ability to actually access that capital is critical.”
Highlighting important steps the government can take to boost the crop-producing sector as an approach to meeting the set targets, he advised, “Quite frankly, if there is really one thing that they could do, it is in providing rural roads.
This infrastructure is very valuable. Based on all the studies, when you bring in good roads to an area it dramatically improves the life of those people because you are reducing the cost of products that need to get there and you are helping them market their products most effectively so you are making them better business people.”
As with most valiant entrepreneurial ventures, there are a chunk of difficulties that the business owners need to surmount to reach a level of sustainable profitability.
For Kola, there have been two major challenges. The first being finding adequate human resources to carry out job functions and the other, sourcing financial capital.

This issues surrounding low-skill set among employees are things he believes are peculiar to Nigeria because of the inadequate attention paid to the educational system.
In his opinion, “Nigeria is worse off than other places because of the under-investment in our educational system.
“The educational sector [here] is seeing more volume than they had to bear about thirty years ago and requisite investments have not been made to increase the quality in line with the volume. As a result, many individuals have been left behind in that process.

Comparatively, he says, “If you look at Ghana that invests heavily in its educational system, you may have some human capital challenges but not to the same degree.”

As for whether he is willing to overlook any inhibitions and pursue his vision of establishing impact through the provision of services for his clients, Masha posits, “The journey has been worth it as I have been able to find that intersection between what I do well and what I enjoy doing.

“My family has always been one where we measure our success by the level of impact that we can have on society as a whole. I personally track every job I create on an annual basis,” he finished.

On a mission to creating one million jobs by 2025

Posted by Sylvester No comments

After serving as a special adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Kola Masha decided to venture out on his own by setting up an agricultural franchise business called Doreo Partners. The motivation was spurred by the need to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths across the country and to make an impact on the nation’s economic growth. He spoke with RITA OHAI on the success of his company and the principles that sustain an agribusiness Doreo is an impact investing firm whose goal is to empower other businesses in solving Nigeria’s underlying social problem; which is spiraling youth unemployment.

Their investment thesis is very simple; at the foundation of it all is a desire to increase the profitability of multiple small and medium scale agri-ventures across the country.
The team at Masha’s company believe that if they are able to make farmers very lucrative, they can create market forces that will draw millions of young people into the sector.

With Babban Gona (a Hausa term that means ‘great farm’) being their flagship model, they state that they are on their way to producing about a million farmers by 2025.

Explaining how the system works, Kola, the brain behind the company posits, “Babban Gona is a model we have developed called an agricultural franchise where effectively what we do is franchise organizations that we call trust groups. These trust groups are businesses where farmers come together as a unit to help each other produce high quality grains at really high yield.

“We go out and identify a really great leader of that group and we work with that leader to form the franchise and then we deliver four services to them. The first is training on how to run their group effectively and on how to migrate from a subsistence mindset to thinking about farming as a business and then finally this makes them farmers.
“The second is we get them access to credit so they are basically able to access the full suite of resources that they need to get best practice yields. And then finally we help them market their products.
“It’s truly a win-win for both the farmers and the buyers,” he says, “because we are basically playing a role to stream-line the process and get the farmers and buyers cost effective products.”

As opposed to the middle man who is more interested in the finalizing transactions, the chief executive officer of Doreo Partners informs that his projects are more about adding value than fiscal reward.
And he is recording tangible achievements in this area especially with his farmers beating the national average crop produce of 1.4 tons per hectare, by generating up to 6.9 tons on every hectre.

Giving further proof on how the soil has been good to him, he added, “The quality of maize we produce is the highest quality in Nigeria and it is gold standard terms of being able to eliminate key toxins.”

“Also we have grown about 30 fold over the last twenty-four months and we are working with 2000 thousand of Nigerian farmers in northern Nigeria,” he said. Kola is certain that agriculture can be Nigeria’s job creation engine. Considering the fact that the food sector contributes about 22 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, this portends tremendous growth potential for this industry.

According to him, “Yields today are 20 percent of what they could be in other developing countries. It is labour intensive and also requires some higher skilled to lower skilled labour; for the quantity of jobs we are looking to generate in the nation, [agriculture] is what we need.”

Although Nigerians are more inclined towards getting blue collar jobs due to the seemingly comfortable nature of these occupations, Masha is certain that meeting the 1 million-farmers target is an achievable feet.
He says, “If you look at the reasons why young people may not want to go into agriculture. It goes beyond the fact that it may be considered dirty work. However, the one thing Nigerians are, is that we are definitely entrepreneurial people and if we see an economic opportunity, we will pursue it.

“The reasons Nigerians do not go into agriculture is because they do not have access to large farm lands. Most of them get it through inheritance and these tracts of land are relatively small. If you have a small piece of land and you are getting low yields, the economic value is very small. Factor on top of that that agriculture is labour intensive. Traditionally, older farmers that have large farm bases are able to offset the costs because they have free labour sources in their children. Younger farmers don’t have that free labour source, they end up having to hire and that in its self further reduces their profitability.

“The model that we have put together really addresses all these issues. Whatever amount that they have, it is our prerogative to ensure that they can get a good living from that by optimizing their yields. In addition to that as part of the package they get, we offer mechanization services that reduces that burden on these farmers and enables them to effectively transition to be farm managers,” he revealed.

While the President has proposed a Transformational Agenda scheme
designed to combat food insecurity and ensure national sufficiency in the local agri-sector by 2015, some stakeholders have tagged the objectives of the Agenda as overly ambitious.
With raging insurgency taking place in the North and the low amounts of rainfall recorded this year further fueling doubts, concerns surrounding this issue are gradually taking root.

Regardless of analytical projections by critics, Kola has a different opinion as he expresses, “I think food security by 2015 is feasible but I’m not exactly what the government’s definition of food security is. [he laughs]
“I am a simple farmer,” he continued, “but the reality is that the steps that the government is taking are critical. I believe the most important one was in liberalizing the seed sector and enabling high quality producing seed companies to access the market.
“However, if you look at how much fertilizer Nigeria farmers really needs to meet the output required for us to get to that point where we are producing yields that can put the country at the point where we are sustainable food wise, as well as the size of the market, there is no way that the government can completely meet these needs.

He further said that, “The next thing is to put in place institutions that create easier access to capital. They have started to do this with the NISRAL programme and I think the ability to actually access that capital is critical.”
Highlighting important steps the government can take to boost the crop-producing sector as an approach to meeting the set targets, he advised, “Quite frankly, if there is really one thing that they could do, it is in providing rural roads.
This infrastructure is very valuable. Based on all the studies, when you bring in good roads to an area it dramatically improves the life of those people because you are reducing the cost of products that need to get there and you are helping them market their products most effectively so you are making them better business people.”
As with most valiant entrepreneurial ventures, there are a chunk of difficulties that the business owners need to surmount to reach a level of sustainable profitability.
For Kola, there have been two major challenges. The first being finding adequate human resources to carry out job functions and the other, sourcing financial capital.

This issues surrounding low-skill set among employees are things he believes are peculiar to Nigeria because of the inadequate attention paid to the educational system.
In his opinion, “Nigeria is worse off than other places because of the under-investment in our educational system.
“The educational sector [here] is seeing more volume than they had to bear about thirty years ago and requisite investments have not been made to increase the quality in line with the volume. As a result, many individuals have been left behind in that process.

Comparatively, he says, “If you look at Ghana that invests heavily in its educational system, you may have some human capital challenges but not to the same degree.”

As for whether he is willing to overlook any inhibitions and pursue his vision of establishing impact through the provision of services for his clients, Masha posits, “The journey has been worth it as I have been able to find that intersection between what I do well and what I enjoy doing.

“My family has always been one where we measure our success by the level of impact that we can have on society as a whole. I personally track every job I create on an annual basis,” he finished.

Restructuring agricultural extension services to boost farmers’ businesses

The Federal Government, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), has put in place several policies designed to improve farmers’ productivity. However, a fundamental gap between these policies and their implementation continue to frustrate their success. This gap affects many areas of agricultural life including access to information, credit, markets, land and security. This gap is the absence of a functioning and responsive agricultural extension services.

This agricultural extension services have been identified as an important part of the intended transformation of the agricultural sector. The ATA is aimed at making agriculture work for Nigerians especially rural farmers such that it becomes not just a development programme but also an income generating commercial activity. But for that to be achieved, extension services to farmers must be restructured to be efficient and effective.
Available data have shown that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s food is produced by farmers in the villages, 60-70 percent of whom are women. These farmers work on small plots of land and rely on rainfall for irrigation. If adequately empowered, smallholder farmers have the capacity to feed the nation.
Farmers’ inability to access vital information that is beneficial to them and the ineffective dissemination of information by extension agents cause poor feedbacks between farmers, research institutes and policy makers in the agricultural sector. Extension services in the country have been known for a long time to depend on the use of mass media and extension agents in information dissemination and getting feedbacks.
Sule Abdul, a tomato farmer in Alabata, Odeda, Ogun State, says, “Any time the extension agents come, they pick selected farmers for training so that those farmers can come back and teach us what they have learnt but most of the farmers when they come back cannot explain anything to us.”
He adds, “Most of the extension agents cannot come to us because of bad roads to our community. The extension agents are also very few compared to the number of farmers they have to train in the community.”
Abdul also says he normally listens to radio stations for information but he does not really understand what they are saying most times. “This also affects output because when improved varieties that will improve production comes we get to know about it very late,” he adds.
Abdul’s case is similar to thousands of other farmers across the country. Further investigation shows that the extension service system has been marred with a lot of challenges especially in the area of feedbacks. This is because the majority of farmers depend on radio stations for their source of information without necessarily being able to express their concerns and share their experiences or opinions about an issue that concerns them. On their part, the extension agents with whom these farmers would have found solace are faced with a lot of challenges which include inadequate funding and poor access roads.
The supervisory authorities are not able to get clear feedback on the quality of extension services being delivered in the villages. This is due to the absence of channels through which farmers can appraise the agents.
Another dimension to this problem is narrated by Sule Usman, a yam farmer in Wukari, Taraba State. “I needed to get a loan for the next farming season but I didn’t even know where to go. I went to a micro-finance bank on the recommendation of a friend and I was asked for collateral which I couldn’t provide and the loan was not given to me,” Usman explains.
Farmers’ inability to access low-interest loans is further complicated by illiteracy. Many of the farmers cannot read and write, and so it is hard for them to get timely information. They need information on how to link up across the value chain and how to transport their produce to the market.
Usman adds: “I still farm with the farming methods my father taught me before he died and that was roughly 50 years ago. I really want to use modern technologies but I don’t even know where to get them from and how to operate them. The extension service agent that is supposed to teach us modern technology hardly visits my farm.”
Adewumi Olusegun, another farmer in Oyo State, shared his experience which suggested that urgent steps must be taken to revamp extension services in Nigeria. “My farmland is very far from the town as I spend N5, 000 on transportation every time I go to town to get fertilisers for my crop. So it will be difficult for the extension agents to come to our farmlands because the roads are bad and it is very far from town.
Low government funding for extension services has led to the unavailability of input materials needed to support farmers such as 4WD vehicles, farmer’s skills acquisition centres, demonstration centres, demonstration kits and low morale exhibited by the extension workers.”
Olusegun further says that “any time an improved seed variety comes out; it takes months or a year before we get the information and when we get it we still don’t know what to do. I am a cassava farmer, I heard that the government is talking about increasing cassava production, but I don’t know how the government wants to achieve it and if they have technology that will help us improve our farm produce.”
“There exists a wide extension agent-to-farm ratio in Nigeria where it is estimated that there is one extension agent to 2,500 to 10,000 farm families depending on the state,” according to The Extension Transformation Group (TETG).
According to a study conducted by Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsunmi in 2008, her findings showed that “74.44 percent of the farmers surveyed had no contact with extension services for three years while only 4.8 percent were visited within a year. Only 27.4 percent were visited or had contact with extension services for 1-4 times a year.”
The challenges identified by Ogunsunmi should have been addressed by now because food consumption in Nigeria presents massive investment opportunities to everyone.
In 2009/2010, the total food consumed in the country amounted to N9.6trn of which N1.3bn – or 14 percent, was imported. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated in its report entitled “the consumption pattern in Nigeria” that 64.7 percent of total household income was spent on food, with 35.3 percent spent on non-food items.
However, the federal government is not resting on its oars. “No agricultural sector can work unless the farm input sector is functional and efficient,” Akinwumi Adesina, minister of agriculture and rural development.
According to the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperative (CTA), more than 80 percent of Brazil’s 4.5 million family farmers have improved their output and income as a result of Brazil’s Zero Hunger Campaign, known locally as Fome Zero, together with an effective and efficient extension programme that focuses on family farmers, have been the key to their success story.

Nigeria can replicate this with the ATA and a well restructured, efficient and effective agricultural extension services so that farmers can improve their output and income.

Until this is done, Nigeria may not become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, suggesting that pragmatic efforts have to be made in boosting farming businesses via the adoption of efficient agricultural extension services because of the importance of extension services to food production.

Agriculture can be a great source of employment because the sector has a lot of derivative values, to propel the nation’s ambitious economic transformation and industrial revolution. The agricultural sector is full of potentials, which have to be unlocked, to diversify the economy, reduce dependency on food imports, revive rural economies and reduce rural-urban drift.

Restructuring agricultural extension services to boost farmers’ businesses

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Federal Government, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), has put in place several policies designed to improve farmers’ productivity. However, a fundamental gap between these policies and their implementation continue to frustrate their success. This gap affects many areas of agricultural life including access to information, credit, markets, land and security. This gap is the absence of a functioning and responsive agricultural extension services.

This agricultural extension services have been identified as an important part of the intended transformation of the agricultural sector. The ATA is aimed at making agriculture work for Nigerians especially rural farmers such that it becomes not just a development programme but also an income generating commercial activity. But for that to be achieved, extension services to farmers must be restructured to be efficient and effective.
Available data have shown that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s food is produced by farmers in the villages, 60-70 percent of whom are women. These farmers work on small plots of land and rely on rainfall for irrigation. If adequately empowered, smallholder farmers have the capacity to feed the nation.
Farmers’ inability to access vital information that is beneficial to them and the ineffective dissemination of information by extension agents cause poor feedbacks between farmers, research institutes and policy makers in the agricultural sector. Extension services in the country have been known for a long time to depend on the use of mass media and extension agents in information dissemination and getting feedbacks.
Sule Abdul, a tomato farmer in Alabata, Odeda, Ogun State, says, “Any time the extension agents come, they pick selected farmers for training so that those farmers can come back and teach us what they have learnt but most of the farmers when they come back cannot explain anything to us.”
He adds, “Most of the extension agents cannot come to us because of bad roads to our community. The extension agents are also very few compared to the number of farmers they have to train in the community.”
Abdul also says he normally listens to radio stations for information but he does not really understand what they are saying most times. “This also affects output because when improved varieties that will improve production comes we get to know about it very late,” he adds.
Abdul’s case is similar to thousands of other farmers across the country. Further investigation shows that the extension service system has been marred with a lot of challenges especially in the area of feedbacks. This is because the majority of farmers depend on radio stations for their source of information without necessarily being able to express their concerns and share their experiences or opinions about an issue that concerns them. On their part, the extension agents with whom these farmers would have found solace are faced with a lot of challenges which include inadequate funding and poor access roads.
The supervisory authorities are not able to get clear feedback on the quality of extension services being delivered in the villages. This is due to the absence of channels through which farmers can appraise the agents.
Another dimension to this problem is narrated by Sule Usman, a yam farmer in Wukari, Taraba State. “I needed to get a loan for the next farming season but I didn’t even know where to go. I went to a micro-finance bank on the recommendation of a friend and I was asked for collateral which I couldn’t provide and the loan was not given to me,” Usman explains.
Farmers’ inability to access low-interest loans is further complicated by illiteracy. Many of the farmers cannot read and write, and so it is hard for them to get timely information. They need information on how to link up across the value chain and how to transport their produce to the market.
Usman adds: “I still farm with the farming methods my father taught me before he died and that was roughly 50 years ago. I really want to use modern technologies but I don’t even know where to get them from and how to operate them. The extension service agent that is supposed to teach us modern technology hardly visits my farm.”
Adewumi Olusegun, another farmer in Oyo State, shared his experience which suggested that urgent steps must be taken to revamp extension services in Nigeria. “My farmland is very far from the town as I spend N5, 000 on transportation every time I go to town to get fertilisers for my crop. So it will be difficult for the extension agents to come to our farmlands because the roads are bad and it is very far from town.
Low government funding for extension services has led to the unavailability of input materials needed to support farmers such as 4WD vehicles, farmer’s skills acquisition centres, demonstration centres, demonstration kits and low morale exhibited by the extension workers.”
Olusegun further says that “any time an improved seed variety comes out; it takes months or a year before we get the information and when we get it we still don’t know what to do. I am a cassava farmer, I heard that the government is talking about increasing cassava production, but I don’t know how the government wants to achieve it and if they have technology that will help us improve our farm produce.”
“There exists a wide extension agent-to-farm ratio in Nigeria where it is estimated that there is one extension agent to 2,500 to 10,000 farm families depending on the state,” according to The Extension Transformation Group (TETG).
According to a study conducted by Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsunmi in 2008, her findings showed that “74.44 percent of the farmers surveyed had no contact with extension services for three years while only 4.8 percent were visited within a year. Only 27.4 percent were visited or had contact with extension services for 1-4 times a year.”
The challenges identified by Ogunsunmi should have been addressed by now because food consumption in Nigeria presents massive investment opportunities to everyone.
In 2009/2010, the total food consumed in the country amounted to N9.6trn of which N1.3bn – or 14 percent, was imported. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated in its report entitled “the consumption pattern in Nigeria” that 64.7 percent of total household income was spent on food, with 35.3 percent spent on non-food items.
However, the federal government is not resting on its oars. “No agricultural sector can work unless the farm input sector is functional and efficient,” Akinwumi Adesina, minister of agriculture and rural development.
According to the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperative (CTA), more than 80 percent of Brazil’s 4.5 million family farmers have improved their output and income as a result of Brazil’s Zero Hunger Campaign, known locally as Fome Zero, together with an effective and efficient extension programme that focuses on family farmers, have been the key to their success story.

Nigeria can replicate this with the ATA and a well restructured, efficient and effective agricultural extension services so that farmers can improve their output and income.

Until this is done, Nigeria may not become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, suggesting that pragmatic efforts have to be made in boosting farming businesses via the adoption of efficient agricultural extension services because of the importance of extension services to food production.

Agriculture can be a great source of employment because the sector has a lot of derivative values, to propel the nation’s ambitious economic transformation and industrial revolution. The agricultural sector is full of potentials, which have to be unlocked, to diversify the economy, reduce dependency on food imports, revive rural economies and reduce rural-urban drift.

The Boko Haram many routes into Nigeria

Since July 26, 2009, acts of domestic terrorism perpetrated by the Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”), also known as Boko Haram, have eclipsed Nigeria’s long standing security threats such as piracy, militancy, kidnappings, and armed robbery.

The Nigerian Islamist group attracted worldwide attention beginning from July 2009, when it staged a violent anti-government uprising that resulted in the death of thousands of people, mostly civilians, security operatives and the sect members including their spiritual leaders, Mohammed Yusuf.

The group has since then ramped up violent attacks on diverse government and civilian targets, including a suicide bombing attacks on different locations in the country, with the most hit states being Adamawa,Yobe and Borno, the epicentre of the crisis.

Of particular concern are the growing sophisticated arms and weapons used by the Islamists in recent attacks, as shown in the seizures made by security forces in northern Nigeria.

Geographically, Borno, with an area of 61,435sq.km, is the largest in the federation in terms of land mass. Located on the north eastern corner of Nigeria, the state occupies the greatest part of the Chad Basin and shares porous borders with Republic of Niger to the north, Chad to the north east and Cameroon to the east.

In Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, the porous nature of the borders is almost tearing the states apart due to the war waged by Boko Haram against government as well as security establishments including school children, business men/women and teachers.

Boko-Haram1The terrorist war, which has so far caused the deaths of thousands of security and civilian population and the destruction of property worth billions of Naira, is gradually crippling the socio- economic activities in the three affected states in the North-East.

Pundits believe that the preponderance nature of the porous borders in Yobe and Adamawa must  be tackled to stem the influx of terrorists into the two states, including Borno, seen as the birth place and breeding ground of the Boko Haram sect.

According to the Comptroller of Immigration in Borno State, Mr. Modu Musa Miringa, the state shares borders with Niger to the north, Chad to the north-east and Cameroun to the east.

Speaking on the influx of illegal immigrants into the state almost on daily basis, Governor Kashim Shettima, in an interview, said: “Locals in border communities believe that willing emigrants from Niger, Chad and Cameroon can venture into Nigeria through more than 10,000 routes that have no gate, police and Customs or Immigration officers.

“It is equally through the same unmanned borders that smugglers, peddlers, traffickers and other sundry offenders troop into Nigeria from Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Libya”.

“From Cameroon, for instance, there are over 300 routes that people can get into Nigeria or out of the country with any kind of truck or load, provided they know the terrain,” said a local fisherman called Kunce Mai Zare in Kuros- Kawwa, a village in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

He alleged that smugglers of contraband goods and those engaged in arms shipment use various means of transportation including donkeys, camels and bull-driven carts to ferry their consignment into the country without a trace.

A primary school teacher in Ashigashiya, Mr. Yusuf Usman Ngoshe, who relocated to Maiduguri as a result of the crisis, told our correspondent, in an interview, that “there are over 50 border villages and hamlets directly linked with some settlements in Cameroon”.

Investigation also indicated that many people in central Borno, Bama, Kala Balge and Ngala Local Government Areas have direct links with Cameroon. Also, apart from Banki, Maksamari, Kumshe, Sigal Diba, Mokhole, Djilbe, Wulgo and Gamboru, there are dozens of settlements with hundreds of people who are more connected to Cameroon than Nigeria. Today, all these local government areas are under the control of Boko Haram.

Likewise, dozens of villages and small towns in the state where it is difficult to identify whether their indigenes are Nigerian, Nigerien or Chadian have all been sacked by the ongoing violence.

Such communities are Zaga, Fage, Bula Batube, Ngilewa, Kabbal Balram, Ngurno, Baga, Kawwa, Barwati, Bisagana, Arage, Mitile, Mallam Fatori, Kadi, Asagar, Gashagar, Foguwa and Galjiya, among others.

“Boko Haram has been able to smuggle arms into Nigeria using various methods such as the use of specially crafted skin or thatched bags attached to camels, donkeys and cows where arms are concealed and moved across the borders with the aid of nomadic pastoralists or herders. Its members are known to connive with merchants involved,”a security source said.

There have been deadly Boko Haram attacks in Borno since the beginning of this year. These attacks started in the mountanous villages between Gwoza, Gamboru Ngala council areas which share boundaries with Cameroon and Chad.

The attacks subsequently spread like wildfire targeting security formations, public and private schools, markets, places of worship as suicide bombers hit church and mosques while towns and villagers were captured by the Islamists under security agents watchful eyes.

The attacks claimed thousands of lives, left others injured and property worth billions of naira destroyed as the terrorists gained confidence and were better motivated than our security forces.

Governor Shettima lent credence to the motivation of the Boko Haram fighters when he said: “Our security operatives including the military forces are incapacitated to fight or challenge the activities of the insurgents in the North-east sub region”.

Shettima apparently implied that the terrorists have sophisticated weapons more than our security agencies, and that is why anytime they strike, they succeed and overawe our armed security forces and civilians.

Over 15 local government area and hundreds of communities and towns in Borno have been sacked/displaced by the activities of the insurgents since the beginning of this year.

A rundown of the activities of Boko Haram between January and March 2014 in Borno and, by extension, Yobe is as follows:

3rd January: 9 killed in Kayamula village of Konduga L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

8th January: Wala, country home of member representing Chibok, Gwoza and Damboa federal constituency at the National Assembly, Honourable Peter Biye, came under attack. No live was lost, but the attackers destroyed the lawmaker’s house, a church before carting away food stuff, etc.

9th January: 38 suspected terrorists and one soldier lost their lives in an encounter with troops of 195 Battalion, Damboa.

11th January: 8 killed in Sabon Gari of Hambagda Jaji Ward of Gwoza L.G.A by suspected terrorists.

12th January: 5 killed in Kayamula village of Konduga by suspected terrorists.

14th January: 43 killed in a bomb blast at the general area of Post Office, Maiduguri.

15th January: Terrorists attacked a police station in Banki, a town bordering Cameroon Republic and killed one policeman.

16th January: 12 people killed in Gashigar village of Mobbar Council Area by suspected Boko Haram Islamists. Gashigar shares boarder with Niger Republic.

19th January: 19 killed in Ngawo Fate, Alau villages of Konduga L.G.A by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

20th January: One staffer of Government Girls Secondary School, Wulgo, Gamboru Ngala L.G.A was shot dead by suspected insurgents.

20th January: 3 killed by suspected terrorists in Wala village of Gwoza L.G.A.

21st January: 8 killed in Kaya Village of Damboa L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

21st January: 10 killed in Njaba village of Damboa L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

24th January: Soldiers engaged fleeing terrorists along Firgi- Gwoza Highway and during exchange of gunfire, 4 suspected terrorists were killed.

24th January: Suspected Boko Haram members invaded Wala village of Gwoza Council area and killed two civilians.

26th January: Suspected Boko Haram members invaded Kawuri village of Konduga Council area and killed 85 residents.

30th January: Suspected Boko Haram members planted improved explosive devices (IEDs) on Gwoza -Madagali highway killing seven bus passengers.

From 1st to 4th February: 75 Strike Group, NAF, Yola raided Boko Haram hideouts Bulabullin, Yujiwa, Alagarno villages of Damboa axis of Borno and inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents.

5th February: 18 traders in Gulani council area of Yobe killed by suspected Boko Haram members who ambushed them in Ngalda village.

5th February: 3 killed by suspected insurgents at a relaxation spot/ beer parlour in Askira Uba Council Area.

10th February: 7 killed by suspected insurgents in separate attacks in Chinene and Jebra villages of Gwoza L.G.A.

11th February: 62 killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga Council Headquarters of Borno state.

14th February: 10 killed in Baga town of Kukawa Council Area, a fishing community bordering Chad.

16th February: 106 killed in Izge village of Gwoza L.G.A.

18th February: Suspected terrorists invaded the country home of Major General Tukur Buratai, the JTF Commander in the Niger Delta, in Buratai District of Biu L.G.A. And killed two security guards.

19th February: Over 100 killed in Bama L.G.A by suspected terrorists.

19th February: About 75 of attackers in Bama council area killed by military airstrikes at the outskirts of the town while attempting to flee after an attack.

22nd February: Two killed in Mairari village of Konduga in suspected Boko Haram attack.

24th February: Over 40 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe were massacred by suspected terrorists.

28th February: One female student of Waka College, Biu L.G.A was slaughtered by suspected insurgents in a rented room (off campus) in Bubalwada ward.

1st March: Over 70 killed in twin explosions in Ajilari Railway Crossing, Gomari general area of Maiduguri.

1st March: 40 people killed in Mainok village of Kaga by suspected terrorists.

2nd March: 36 people killed in Mafa Council headquarters by suspected terrorists.

3rd March: About 15 killed in Jakana village of Konduga Council area by suspected terrorists.

5th March: A clash between terrorists and security operatives in Mafa General Area left many terrorists killed.

The second and third quarters of 2014 were considered as the worst in Borno following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok Local Government Area while writing their SSCE WAEC on the 14th of April.

Kano, Bauchi and Plateau states were also not spared of Boko Haram attacks during the outgoing year.

The Boko Haram many routes into Nigeria

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Since July 26, 2009, acts of domestic terrorism perpetrated by the Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”), also known as Boko Haram, have eclipsed Nigeria’s long standing security threats such as piracy, militancy, kidnappings, and armed robbery.

The Nigerian Islamist group attracted worldwide attention beginning from July 2009, when it staged a violent anti-government uprising that resulted in the death of thousands of people, mostly civilians, security operatives and the sect members including their spiritual leaders, Mohammed Yusuf.

The group has since then ramped up violent attacks on diverse government and civilian targets, including a suicide bombing attacks on different locations in the country, with the most hit states being Adamawa,Yobe and Borno, the epicentre of the crisis.

Of particular concern are the growing sophisticated arms and weapons used by the Islamists in recent attacks, as shown in the seizures made by security forces in northern Nigeria.

Geographically, Borno, with an area of 61,435sq.km, is the largest in the federation in terms of land mass. Located on the north eastern corner of Nigeria, the state occupies the greatest part of the Chad Basin and shares porous borders with Republic of Niger to the north, Chad to the north east and Cameroon to the east.

In Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, the porous nature of the borders is almost tearing the states apart due to the war waged by Boko Haram against government as well as security establishments including school children, business men/women and teachers.

Boko-Haram1The terrorist war, which has so far caused the deaths of thousands of security and civilian population and the destruction of property worth billions of Naira, is gradually crippling the socio- economic activities in the three affected states in the North-East.

Pundits believe that the preponderance nature of the porous borders in Yobe and Adamawa must  be tackled to stem the influx of terrorists into the two states, including Borno, seen as the birth place and breeding ground of the Boko Haram sect.

According to the Comptroller of Immigration in Borno State, Mr. Modu Musa Miringa, the state shares borders with Niger to the north, Chad to the north-east and Cameroun to the east.

Speaking on the influx of illegal immigrants into the state almost on daily basis, Governor Kashim Shettima, in an interview, said: “Locals in border communities believe that willing emigrants from Niger, Chad and Cameroon can venture into Nigeria through more than 10,000 routes that have no gate, police and Customs or Immigration officers.

“It is equally through the same unmanned borders that smugglers, peddlers, traffickers and other sundry offenders troop into Nigeria from Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Libya”.

“From Cameroon, for instance, there are over 300 routes that people can get into Nigeria or out of the country with any kind of truck or load, provided they know the terrain,” said a local fisherman called Kunce Mai Zare in Kuros- Kawwa, a village in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

He alleged that smugglers of contraband goods and those engaged in arms shipment use various means of transportation including donkeys, camels and bull-driven carts to ferry their consignment into the country without a trace.

A primary school teacher in Ashigashiya, Mr. Yusuf Usman Ngoshe, who relocated to Maiduguri as a result of the crisis, told our correspondent, in an interview, that “there are over 50 border villages and hamlets directly linked with some settlements in Cameroon”.

Investigation also indicated that many people in central Borno, Bama, Kala Balge and Ngala Local Government Areas have direct links with Cameroon. Also, apart from Banki, Maksamari, Kumshe, Sigal Diba, Mokhole, Djilbe, Wulgo and Gamboru, there are dozens of settlements with hundreds of people who are more connected to Cameroon than Nigeria. Today, all these local government areas are under the control of Boko Haram.

Likewise, dozens of villages and small towns in the state where it is difficult to identify whether their indigenes are Nigerian, Nigerien or Chadian have all been sacked by the ongoing violence.

Such communities are Zaga, Fage, Bula Batube, Ngilewa, Kabbal Balram, Ngurno, Baga, Kawwa, Barwati, Bisagana, Arage, Mitile, Mallam Fatori, Kadi, Asagar, Gashagar, Foguwa and Galjiya, among others.

“Boko Haram has been able to smuggle arms into Nigeria using various methods such as the use of specially crafted skin or thatched bags attached to camels, donkeys and cows where arms are concealed and moved across the borders with the aid of nomadic pastoralists or herders. Its members are known to connive with merchants involved,”a security source said.

There have been deadly Boko Haram attacks in Borno since the beginning of this year. These attacks started in the mountanous villages between Gwoza, Gamboru Ngala council areas which share boundaries with Cameroon and Chad.

The attacks subsequently spread like wildfire targeting security formations, public and private schools, markets, places of worship as suicide bombers hit church and mosques while towns and villagers were captured by the Islamists under security agents watchful eyes.

The attacks claimed thousands of lives, left others injured and property worth billions of naira destroyed as the terrorists gained confidence and were better motivated than our security forces.

Governor Shettima lent credence to the motivation of the Boko Haram fighters when he said: “Our security operatives including the military forces are incapacitated to fight or challenge the activities of the insurgents in the North-east sub region”.

Shettima apparently implied that the terrorists have sophisticated weapons more than our security agencies, and that is why anytime they strike, they succeed and overawe our armed security forces and civilians.

Over 15 local government area and hundreds of communities and towns in Borno have been sacked/displaced by the activities of the insurgents since the beginning of this year.

A rundown of the activities of Boko Haram between January and March 2014 in Borno and, by extension, Yobe is as follows:

3rd January: 9 killed in Kayamula village of Konduga L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

8th January: Wala, country home of member representing Chibok, Gwoza and Damboa federal constituency at the National Assembly, Honourable Peter Biye, came under attack. No live was lost, but the attackers destroyed the lawmaker’s house, a church before carting away food stuff, etc.

9th January: 38 suspected terrorists and one soldier lost their lives in an encounter with troops of 195 Battalion, Damboa.

11th January: 8 killed in Sabon Gari of Hambagda Jaji Ward of Gwoza L.G.A by suspected terrorists.

12th January: 5 killed in Kayamula village of Konduga by suspected terrorists.

14th January: 43 killed in a bomb blast at the general area of Post Office, Maiduguri.

15th January: Terrorists attacked a police station in Banki, a town bordering Cameroon Republic and killed one policeman.

16th January: 12 people killed in Gashigar village of Mobbar Council Area by suspected Boko Haram Islamists. Gashigar shares boarder with Niger Republic.

19th January: 19 killed in Ngawo Fate, Alau villages of Konduga L.G.A by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

20th January: One staffer of Government Girls Secondary School, Wulgo, Gamboru Ngala L.G.A was shot dead by suspected insurgents.

20th January: 3 killed by suspected terrorists in Wala village of Gwoza L.G.A.

21st January: 8 killed in Kaya Village of Damboa L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

21st January: 10 killed in Njaba village of Damboa L.G.A. by suspected terrorists.

24th January: Soldiers engaged fleeing terrorists along Firgi- Gwoza Highway and during exchange of gunfire, 4 suspected terrorists were killed.

24th January: Suspected Boko Haram members invaded Wala village of Gwoza Council area and killed two civilians.

26th January: Suspected Boko Haram members invaded Kawuri village of Konduga Council area and killed 85 residents.

30th January: Suspected Boko Haram members planted improved explosive devices (IEDs) on Gwoza -Madagali highway killing seven bus passengers.

From 1st to 4th February: 75 Strike Group, NAF, Yola raided Boko Haram hideouts Bulabullin, Yujiwa, Alagarno villages of Damboa axis of Borno and inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents.

5th February: 18 traders in Gulani council area of Yobe killed by suspected Boko Haram members who ambushed them in Ngalda village.

5th February: 3 killed by suspected insurgents at a relaxation spot/ beer parlour in Askira Uba Council Area.

10th February: 7 killed by suspected insurgents in separate attacks in Chinene and Jebra villages of Gwoza L.G.A.

11th February: 62 killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga Council Headquarters of Borno state.

14th February: 10 killed in Baga town of Kukawa Council Area, a fishing community bordering Chad.

16th February: 106 killed in Izge village of Gwoza L.G.A.

18th February: Suspected terrorists invaded the country home of Major General Tukur Buratai, the JTF Commander in the Niger Delta, in Buratai District of Biu L.G.A. And killed two security guards.

19th February: Over 100 killed in Bama L.G.A by suspected terrorists.

19th February: About 75 of attackers in Bama council area killed by military airstrikes at the outskirts of the town while attempting to flee after an attack.

22nd February: Two killed in Mairari village of Konduga in suspected Boko Haram attack.

24th February: Over 40 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe were massacred by suspected terrorists.

28th February: One female student of Waka College, Biu L.G.A was slaughtered by suspected insurgents in a rented room (off campus) in Bubalwada ward.

1st March: Over 70 killed in twin explosions in Ajilari Railway Crossing, Gomari general area of Maiduguri.

1st March: 40 people killed in Mainok village of Kaga by suspected terrorists.

2nd March: 36 people killed in Mafa Council headquarters by suspected terrorists.

3rd March: About 15 killed in Jakana village of Konduga Council area by suspected terrorists.

5th March: A clash between terrorists and security operatives in Mafa General Area left many terrorists killed.

The second and third quarters of 2014 were considered as the worst in Borno following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok Local Government Area while writing their SSCE WAEC on the 14th of April.

Kano, Bauchi and Plateau states were also not spared of Boko Haram attacks during the outgoing year.