There Will Be No Cause For ECOWAS War In Niger, Abdulsalami Assures

August 22, 2023

Former Nigerian military Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar has ruled out the possibility of war in Niger Republic between the new military junta and the forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He declared: “hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war. It doesn’t pay anybody, but then again, our leaders have said if all fails, and I don’t think all will fail.
“We will get somewhere. We will get out of this mess.”
General Abdulsalami, spoke today, August 22, while answering questions from newsmen shortly after an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa, Abuja. The President is also the chairman of ECOWAS.
General Abdulsalami, who was appointed by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government as an envoy to Niger Republic, recalled his visit to Niger with his team at the weekend, said that they had discussions with the military people for the purpose of finding a way out of “the lacuna we find ourselves.”
He said that he was at the Presidential villa along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, to give a report back to President Tinubu on their discussions in Niger.
General Abdulsalami said that their visit to Niger was very fruitful, saying: “it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully we will get somewhere.”
On the plan by the junta for three year transition, to which ECOWAS had objected, Abdulsalami said that talks are still ongoing.
“They have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of state and President.
“He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully.”

I Will Stop Land Speculation, Revoke Undeveloped One In Abuja, Wike Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

August 21, 2023

The new minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has vowed that he would move fast to stop the age-long land speculation in Abuja and will also revoke the land whose owners have not developed till now.
The minister, who assumed office straight from the swearing-in at the Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja gathered some key top officials of the ministry to say: “let me tell you that the period of land racketeering is what? Over!
“And to those the government allocated land with C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) and they refused to develop it and have become land speculators, ehe, the land is gone. I’m going to revoke them. I will revoke them.”
Wike wondered how the government would give somebody a land to develop, and he probably paid N200,000 and such person would be looking for who would buy the same land at N2 billion or N3 billion, and asked: “who does that?
“We will take back our land and give it to those who want to develop it. And you must sign that you are going to develop it with certain period of time.”
The minister also vowed to demolish houses and structures that are erected on green areas and those that distort the original master plan of Abuja.
“If you know built where you are not supposed to build, it will go down; be you minister somewhere, be you ambassador. If you know you have developed where you are not supposed to develop, your house must go what? Down!
Those who have taken over the green areas to build (structures), sorry, our parks must come back. The green areas must come back.
“So, if you know anybody who is involved in taking over green areas and parks to now do restaurant, no! We will not accept that.
“Sorry, if your father has done that, sorry. If your mother has done that, sorry. There is nothing I can do. It will go down.”
Wike, who is the immediate past Governor of River State under the People’s Democratic party (PDP), stressed the urgent need to address the environmental issues around the federal capital.
“We must sit down to look at what we can do differently on waste disposal. It is very very key.”

Tinubu To New Ministers: Serve Nigeria, Not Religions Or Regions

Editorial staff

August 21, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has charged the 45 newly inaugurated Ministers of the Federal Republic to prioritize the interests and welfare of the entire nation and its diverse population, above any regional or state-specific considerations.

Speaking today , August 21, at the inauguration of new members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House Conference Centre, the President underscored the immense responsibility the ministers now bear in shaping policies that will significantly influence the lives of hundreds of millions of Nigerians.

“You are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region, or ethnic nationality. You are a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” President Tinubu declared, setting the tone for his directive to the new ministers.

“This is all about the cohesion and work of a great team, and I believe we now have it. It is an honour to be chosen to serve as a minister in the Federal Executive Council, and such a high honour comes with tremendous responsibility. In this moment of abundant promise and peril in equal measure, all of you that have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves. Nigerians are highly expectant of excellence in service delivery, accountability, and transparency,” he said.

The President reminded the new ministers that they can not disappoint Nigerians, who expect them to serve with integrity, dignity and competence to actualize the Renewed Hope manifesto of the administration—failing which he will not hesitate to take necessary remedial measures.

“As your country honours you today, you must each work to make yourselves worthy in the eyes of God and our entire nation’s people. Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of all citizens of this great country,” President Tinubu said, while congratulating each of the ministers and welcoming them to “the Administration of Renewed Hope.”

He said that the newly appointed ministers were selected based on their track records of excellence in both the public and private sectors, saying that they effectively represent the rich diversity present within Nigeria.

Expressing his wishes for the success of the cabinet members in the discharge of their duties, the President invoked a metaphor of a journey, in which he is the driver of a vehicle, along with all Nigerians as passengers.

“In this new assignment, we are in this boat together, even if it is a vehicle, I am the driver. The entire nation sits watchful, as you and I navigate this vehicle. We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians. God be with you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

To Stop Exporting Lithium As Raw Material, Nasarawa State Partners NASENI On Local Processing

Greenbarge Reporters

August 21, 2023

The Nasarawa State government has gone into partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to start local processing of lithium that is being mined in the State instead of exporting it as raw material.
Information reaching us said that the processing policy is in line with NASENI’s drive to encourage the processing of Strategic Solid Minerals and to ensure that batteries are produced locally for both electric vehicles as well as other energy storage applications.
The partnership move was made known when the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule visited the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Nasarawa state is one of the states acknowledged to have potentially the largest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.
Recently NASENI has made headlines on its efforts to encourage investors and Nigerian lithium offtakers from around the world to come and partner with it to process various combinations of lithium into batteries locally. This will include lithium processing from mineral crushing and extraction all the way to final products that can be used both locally and also export to other countries.
Some companies from China have already started visiting NASENI as a response to the call. Dr. Gwandu said during the visit that NASENI will partner with other government agencies such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and other investing institutions on this effort.
He expressed joy that Nasarawa state governor is coming to collaborate with NASENI in this regard.
“A number of companies have indicated interested in investing in Nasarawa state to process lithium in various quantities ranging from 1,000-3,000 tonnes per day.
“So far, almost 6,000 tonnes per day are projected to be processed daily in Nasarawa alone.”
Governor Sule said that the companies have already indicated interest to process the 6,000 tonnes per day in Nasarawa state.
He said that other states such as Kebbi, Kwara, etc., might also attract such kind of companies and investments.
According to him, there is need for proper coordination for all hands to be on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes its place by being recognized as one of the largest lithium producers in the world.
The Governor sai that there is something happening that is akin to Gold Rush which he termed ‘Lithium Rush” happening in his state.
He said that this is because lithium price in the world market has jumped from $6,000 per metric tonnes to $78,000 per metric tonnes. “Nasarawa state has a large quantum of Lithium and hence the need to have a better working synergy with NASENI for purposeful exploration, extraction and processing.”
According to Governor Sule, NASENI has been useful to the state, considering the number of projects that are adding value to the economy of his state.
He suggested that the NASENI Solar in Gora may be used as lithium processing and battery production plant, considering its proximity to the raw materials and to the NASENI Solid Minerals institute, located in Nasarawa town.
While promising to give the Agency necessary support, he called for more collaborations with the State as it plans a second economic summit that would be tagged “Lithium Rush Summit.”

Wike Emits Fire Into Office, Says He Will Demolish Houses, Structures That Distort Abuja Master Plan

Greenbarge Reporters

August 21, 2023

Nyeson Wike assumed office shortly after he was swon-in today, August 21, emitting fire and brimstone.
He warned that massive demolition of houses and other structures that distort the Abuja original master plan will be embarked upon soon.
“Houses and other structures that distort the original Abuja master plan will go down (be demolished).”
The minister, who addressed top officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in his office, said that he would not look at faces or status of anyone whose house or structure violates the master plan.
“People who are distorting the master plan of Abuja, your houses will go down.
“People who have built on green areas, your houses will go down.”
Wike, who came into President Bola Tinubu’s government under the All Progressives Congress (APC), as minister, still on the platform of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described the FCT as too dirty, saying: “we shall embark on cleaning up of the environment.”
More later

Niger Military Junta To ECOWAS, Others: We’ll Fight To Defend Ourselves Against Invansion

Greenbarge Reporters

August 21, 2023

Niger Republic’s self-declared Head of State, Abdourahmane Tiani, has warned that though he doesn’t want war, but that if their is foreign invasion, his men will fight to defend the country.
He emphasized that Niger Republic don’t want a war but would defend itself against any foreign intervention, if compelled to fight.
The junta leader was reacting to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which rejected the junta’s 3-year transition plan and still make military invasion as part of the option on the table.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, had announced the decision of the inter-governmental body of West African countries in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
In a late-night address on Saturday, the coup leader said that the country would return to civilian rule within three years and did not give details of the plan.
“Our ambition is not to confiscate power. Transition period will not exceed three years.
“Meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit their vision for the transition within 30 days,” Tiani had said.
The junta leader spoke after meeting with an ECOWAS delegation, led by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Reacting to Tiani’s proposal, Musah said ECOWAS would no longer accept prolonged transition periods in the region.
“ECOWAS is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the shortest possible time.
“The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility, that is, defending the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them.”
Musah added that the “military aspect is very much on.”

Falana Campaigns For Release Of Ex EFCC Boss, Bawa

Editorial staff

August 20, 2023

A Lagos based Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has begun campaing for the release of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, who has, by today, August 20, spent 67 days in the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS) without any charges and trial.

He said, in a statement today, August 20, that the remand order of Bawa has since expired.

According to him, Bawa’s detention is against the provisions of Section 493 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 or section 35 of the Constitution of Nigeria to authorise the detention of a criminal suspect for 67 days without trial.

Under the Act, the cumulative lifespan of a remand order is 56 days.

He said: “Sometime last month, I had cause to demand the immediate release of Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, from the custody of the State Security Service.

“In the alternative, I requested the Federal Government to charge the two detained suspects before a court of competent jurisdiction, if there was evidence that they had committed criminal offences.”

Presidency Reshuffles Federal Cabinet Ahead Of Inauguration Tomorrow

Editorial staff

August 20, 2023

The Presidency has made some changes in the Ministerial positions and nomenclature ahead of their swearing-in tomorrow, August 21.

A statement today, August 20, from the Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale said that some ministers awaiting inauguration have been redeployed.

They are as follows:

The redeployment of Engineer Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

“The Federal Ministry of Youth is to be re-assigned to a Minister-Designate soon.

“The Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy have been reshuffled as follows:

“(A) H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy

“(B) Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior

“(C) Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation.”

The statement said that both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:

“(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources

“(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources.

“The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

“All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.”

Niger State Gov, Bago, Appoints 131 Women Into Political Positions

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2023

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has approved the appointment of 131 women into various political positions in the State.

In a statement today, August 20, the spokesman to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said that 41 of the appointees would serve as coordinators while the remaining 90 would serve as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).
According to Governor Bago, the appointments were in fulfilment of his campaign promise to allow women the chance to contribute to the building of the state.
The Governor therefore, enjoined the appointees to be dedicated to duty and contribute their quota to the success of his administration, going forward.

Agency For Science, Engineering Boss Storms Czech Embassy Over Failed Delta2 Project

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2023

The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Dr. Bashir Gwandu has stormed the embassy of Czech Republic in Abuja, Nigeria to find out from its Ambassador, Zdeněk Krejčí why Delta2 Project, which was supposed to benefit Nigeria’s technology companies and entrepreneurs and the country’s economic development failed.
Dr. Gwandu told the Ambassador in his office in Abuja yesterday, August 18, that he was on a fact-finding visit on the reason for the failure of the project.
The Delta 2 project was supposed to be a bilateral collaboration between the governments of Nigeria (represented by NASENI) and the Czech Republic (represented by Technology Agency of Czech Republic, TA CR) that would ensure take-off of projects that would foster growth and expansion of infrastructure, manufacturing and innovation in Nigeria, leading to Made-in-Nigeria technologies and products.
Dr. Gwandu said that the new administration at NASENI is ready to work with the Czech government to drive Nigeria’s industrialization agenda and attract new investments in the country that would ensure domestication of technologies through partnerships.
According to him, the mandate of NASENI is to make sure that Nigeria produces most of the goods and services it currently imports of which Nigeria has the capability to produce locally, thus developing the country’s economy and creating jobs for millions of Nigerians.
“I want us to work on government-to-government level on new initiatives we embark on. We want a relationship that is beneficial to our country.
“We have a lot of companies we are reaching out. We want to work with Czech government and companies. We want them to come here and start producing and domesticating technologies. We want to industrialize Nigeria.
“We want Czech companies to come and invest here in Nigeria and have partnership with us.”
Gwandu said that NASENI is working on new initiatives that would accelerate Nigeria’s industrialization and would partner companies from Czech Republic and other countries ready to set up factories and industrial base in Nigeria.
Responding, Czech Ambassador, who did not answer the NASENI boss question, commended him and his team for making out time to visit him at the embassy to enquire on why Delta2 Project did not take off. He said that his country is ready to work with NASENI on scientific cooperations.
“We await your new initiatives. In our country we have a grant agency and a technology agency responsible for scientific cooperations and also the academy of sciences which will be beneficial to you.
“We have about two or three companies that are ready to work with you and three universities working with tropical agriculture. I think they deserve your cooperation.”
He said that they are ready to work with NASENI to make the new initiatives fruitful.

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