Cholera Outbreak In Kano: 5 Die, 184 Cases Treated

July 19, 2022

Cholera outbreak has claimed five lives and 184 cases that have been treated in 20 Local Government Areas of Kano State.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa, who confirmed the cases at a media briefing in Kano today, July 19, said that five deaths were recorded, while 184 of the cases were treated and the patients fully recovered.
According to him, this year’s outbreak is low, compared to 2021 in which the state recorded 12,116 cases with 329 deaths.

He said that Cholera outbreak is seasonal and that it is a bacterial infection of humans, caused by v.cholarae, saying that the risk factors for cholera transmission are poor personal and environmental hygiene.

Other risk factors, he said, included food and water contamination, poor waste disposal and open defecation, advising residents on effective hand washing, personal and environmental hygiene to control the situation.

He called for the support of the media on public enlightenment in order to mitigate the outbreak to the minimum. Tsanyawa reiterated the state government’s commitment towards curtailing the situation and ensuring a healthy state.

He also commended the Kano Emirate Council for its effort in enlightenment campaign on public health in general.

Buhari Unveils New NNPC, Says It’ll Guarantee National Energy Security

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), with a promise that the company will, by law, ensure that Nigeria’s National Energy Security is guaranteed.

Speaking at the occasion today, July 19 at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the President said that Africa’s largest National Oil Company would also support sustainable growth across other sectors of the economy as it delivers energy to the world.

The President recounted how God had used him to consistently play an important role in shaping the destiny of the country’s NOC in the last 45 years.

He expressed optimism that the NNPC Limited will sustainably deliver value to its over 200 million shareholders and the global energy community; operate without relying on government funding and free from institutional regulations such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“This is a landmark event for the Nigerian oil industry.

“Our country places high premium in creating the right atmosphere that supports investment and growth to boost our economy and continue to play an important role in sustaining global energy requirements.

“We are transforming our petroleum industry, to strengthen its capacity and market relevance for the present and future global energy priorities.

“By chance of history, I was privileged to lead the creation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on the 1st July 1977. Forty-Four (44) years later, I was again privileged to sign the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, heralding the long-awaited reform of our petroleum sector.

“The provisions of PIA 2021, have given the Nigerian petroleum industry a new impetus, with improved fiscal framework, transparent governance, enhanced regulation and the creation of a commercially-driven and independent National Oil Company that will operate without relying on government funding and free from institutional regulations such as the Treasury Single Account, Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Acts.

“It will, of course, conduct itself under the best international business practice in transparency, governance and commercial viability.

“Coincidentally, I, on the 1st of July 2022 authorized transfer of assets from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to its successor company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and steered the implementation leading to the unveiling of Africa’s largest National Oil Company today.

“I therefore thank Almighty God for choosing me to consistently play an important role in shaping the destiny of our National Oil Company from the good to the great.”

The President assured stakeholders in the industry that Africa’s largest NOC will adhere to its fundamental corporate values of Integrity, Excellence and Sustainability, while operating as a commercial, independent and viable NOC at par with its peers around the world.

He said that the company would focus on becoming a dynamic global energy company of choice to deliver energy for today, for tomorrow, for the day days after tomorrow.

He thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for demonstrating uncommon courage and patriotism in the passage of PIA that culminated in the creation of NNPCL.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said with the signing of the PIA, which assures international and local oil companies of adequate protection for their investments, the nation’s petroleum industry is no longer rudderless.

“From the onset of this administration, Mr. President never concealed his desire to create a more conducive environment for growth of the oil and gas sector, and addressing legitimate grievances of communities most impacted by extractive industries.

“While the country was waiting for the PIA, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry lost about $50 billion worth of investments. In fact, between 2015 and 2019, KPMG states that “only 4 percent of the $70 billion investment inflows into Africa’s oil and gas industry came to Nigeria even though the country is the continent’s biggest producer and the largest reserves.

“We are setting all these woes behind us, and a clear path for the survival and growth of our petroleum industry is now before us.”

Sylva described the unveiling of NNPC Limited as a new dawn in the quest for the growth and development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, opening new vintages for partnerships.

He thanked the President for his unparalleled leadership, steadfastness, and unalloyed support towards ensuring that the country’s oil and gas industry is on a sound footing.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, announced that the company had adopted a strategic initiative to achieve the mandate of energy security for the country by rolling out a comprehensive expansion plan to grow its fuel retail presence from 547 to over 1500 outlets within the next six months.

He assured stakeholders and the global energy community that the new company was endowed with the ‘‘best human resources one can find anywhere in the industry.’’

“NNPC Limited is positioned to lead Africa’s gradual transition to new energy by deepening natural gas production to create low carbon activities and positively change the story of energy poverty at home and around the world.”

INEC To Davido: Don’t Drag Us Into Politics Over Certificate Of Return To Osun Governor-Elect

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the nephew of Ademola Adeleke, the Osun Governor-elect, Davido, not to drag it into politics over the issuance of a Certificate of Return to Adeleke that was declared winner of the governorship election held in the state last week Saturday.

Reacting to the musician who complained that the Commission has not presented the winner of the election with a Certificate of Return after 48 hours as provided by the law, the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said that the Commission has up to 14 days to issue the winner with the Certificate of Return.

“Those that intervene and play roles in the electoral process should try to have basic knowledge of the constitutive legal instruments that guide and regulate the conduct of elections.

“The Commission is a public trust and a creation of the Constitution and the law and must be seen to respond to public demands for transparency and openness.

“The Commission will continue to uphold the basic tenets of transparency, openness and inclusivity in the conduct of elections and the delivery of electoral services.

“The Commission is not a political party and will not be swayed by partisan political interests. “Section 72 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that a sealed certificate of return at an election in the prescribed form shall be issued within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned by the Returning Officer in an election under the Act.

“The Commission conducted the Osun Governorship election on the 18th day of July 2022 and the Returning Officer made a declaration and a return on Sunday the 19th day of July 2022. Majority of the staff of the Commission that superintended the election are just returning to Abuja.

“The Supervising National Commissioner whose responsibility it is to present the certificate of Return is still in Osun waiting for the arrival of the certificate.

“The Commission made the Declaration and the Return and it is uncharitable to insinuate that the Commission does not want to issue the winner of the election with a Certificate of Return.

“There is no law in place that mandates the Commission to issue a certificate to any candidate within 48 hours. Those that influence public opinion, especially in the electoral process should try to arm themselves with basic knowledge of the law and the processes and procedures of the Commission.”

Dangote Industry Completes Issuance Of ₦187.6 Billion Unsecured Bond

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Dangote Industry Limited has announced the completion of its ₦187.6 billion Series 1 Bond Issuance, described as the largest corporate bond ever issued in the history of the Nigerian capital market.

The transaction, according to the Group, represents the first issuance by it at Group level and comprises of a seven-year Tranche-A bond, issued at 12.75 percent and a 10-year Tranche-B bond, issued at 13.50 percent, under the newly established N300 billion Debt Issuance Programme

It said that the bond issuance was well received by domestic pension funds, asset managers, insurance companies and high net-worth investors, adding that it is planning to utilize the net proceeds from the bond issuance to part-finance the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Project, an Integrated Petrochemical Complex, and the largest Single Train Petroleum Refinery in the World.

According a statement by the Group, Standard Chartered Capital & Advisory Nigeria Limited acted as the Lead Issuing House and Bookrunner on Transaction, while Meristem Capital, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Vetiva Capital, Absa Capital Markets, Afrinvest Capital, Coronation Merchant Bank, Ecobank Development Company, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, FCMB Capital Markets, Greenwich Merchant Bank, Quantum Zenith Capital, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria and United Capital acted as Joint Issuing Houses.

Speaking on the significance of the Transaction, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Industries, Olakunle Alake considered it a pride to have set the milestone by showcasing the depth and liquidity of the Nigeria Debt Capital Market.

“The success of this transaction further demonstrates investor confidence in our credit story and the appreciation of the work done by the Group across several key sectors that are crucial to the development of the continent.

“The proceeds from this landmark transaction will be used to part-finance the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Project which is the initiative by the Group to establish the largest refinery in Africa, thus positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of refined crude. We want to specially thank the investor community for their support on this transaction, as well as our various advisors and stakeholders.”

Also speaking on the transaction, Standard Chartered’s Executive Director, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Nigeria & West Africa, Olukorede Adenowo, said that the transaction reflected the strong credit quality of the issuer as well as the resilience of the Nigerian domestic debt capital markets, despite the current global market volatility.

“We thank the Board and Management of the Dangote Group for continuously striving to develop the domestic debt capital markets and setting records through its various issuances both at the subsidiary and Group levels. We also thank the Securities & Exchange Commission, Nigerian Exchange Limited (“NGX”) and FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ”) for their unwavering support throughout this entire process.”

The statement said that the Bond notes will be listed on the NGX and FMDQ.

Zulum Greets Buhari At NNPC

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2022

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, greeting President Muhammadu Buhari when they met at the official unveiling of the new Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja, today, July 19.

Heat Wave Devastates Europe, Fueling Fires in France, UK, Spain, Italy, Others

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Meteorologists warned earlier this month that heatwaves could be a trend for summer in Europe this year due to high-pressure systems

Heat wave is reportedly broiling Europe, spilling northward to Britain and fueling ferocious wildfires in Spain and France. It is also reported to be bombing planes and leading to firefighters battling flames in tinder-dry forests.

Reports said that two people have been killed in the blazes in Spain, and Spanish Prime Minister has linked it to global warming, adding: “Climate change kills.”

Reports said that hundreds of heat-related deaths have been reported in the Iberian peninsula, as high temperatures have gripped the continent in recent days and triggered wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans.

Reports have it that some areas, including northern Italy, are also experiencing extended droughts, suspecting that climate change is making such life-threatening extremes less of a rarity. The reports said that the heat waves have come even to places like Britain, which braced for possible record-breaking temperatures.

The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help children cool off.

In France, heat records were broken and swirling hot winds complicated firefighting in the country’s southwest.

“The fire is literally exploding,” said Marc Vermeulen, the regional fire service chief who described tree trunks shattering as flames consumed them, sending burning embers into the air and further spreading the blazes.

“We’re facing extreme and exceptional circumstances,” he said.

Authorities evacuated more towns, moving another 14,900 people from areas that could find themselves in the path of the fires and choking smoke. In all, more than 31,000 people have been forced from their homes and summer vacation spots in the Gironde region since the wildfires began July 12.

Three additional planes were sent to join six others fighting the fires, scooping up seawater and making repeated runs through dense clouds of smoke, the Interior Ministry said Sunday night.

More than 200 reinforcements headed to join the 1,500 firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Gironde, where flames neared prized vineyards and billowed smoke across the Arcachon maritime basin famed for its oysters and beaches.

Spain, meanwhile, reported a second fatality in two days in its own blazes. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found Monday in the same hilly area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier when he was trapped by flames in the northwestern Zamora province. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) of forest and scrub.

Passengers on a train through Zamora got a frightening, close look at a blaze, when their train halted in the countryside. Video of the unscheduled — and unnerving — stop showed about a dozen passengers in a railcar becoming alarmed as they looked out of the windows at the flames encroaching on both sides of the track.

Climate scientists said that heat waves are more intense, more frequent and longer because of climate change, and that coupled with droughts have made wildfires harder to fight.

They said that climate change will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

“Climate change kills,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said today, July 18, during a visit to the Extremadura region, the site of three major blazes. “It kills people, it kills our ecosystems and biodiversity.”

Teresa Ribera, Spain’s minister for ecological transition, described her country as “literally under fire” as she attended talks on climate change in Berlin.

She warned of “terrifying prospects still for the days to come” — after more than 10 days of temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cooling only moderately at night.

At least 748 heat-related deaths have been reported in the heat wave in Spain and neighboring Portugal, where temperatures reached 47 C (117 F) earlier this month.

The heat wave in Spain was forecast to ease on Tuesday, but the respite will be brief as temperatures rise again on Wednesday, especially in the dry western Extremadura region.

In Britain, officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 C (101.7 F), set in 2019, could be shattered.

“Forty-one isn’t off the cards,” said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. “We’ve even got some 43s in the model, but we’re hoping it won’t be as high as that.”

France’s often-temperate Brittany region sweltered with a record 39.3 C (102.7 F) degrees in the port of Brest, surpassing a high of 35.1 C that had stood since September 2003, French weather service Meteo-France said.

Regional records in France were broken in over a dozen towns, as the weather service said Monday was “the hottest day of this heat wave.”

The Balkans region expected the worst of the heat later this week, but has already seen sporadic wildfires.

Early Monday, authorities in Slovenia said firefighters brought one fire under control. Croatia sent a water-dropping plane there to help after struggling last week with its own wildfires along the Adriatic Sea. A fire in Sibenik forced some people to evacuate their homes but was later extinguished.

In Portugal, much cooler weather Monday helped fire crews make progress. More than 600 firefighters attended four major fires in northern Portugal.

Source: PBS News Hour.

Bad Operation Environment Forces Aero Contractors To Shut Down Flight Operations

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Aero Contractors has confirmed the suspension of its flight operations and that passengers would no longer be able to book flight because of what it called “challenging operational environment.”

In a statement posted on its Twitter account today, July 18, Aero Contractors said: “due to the impact of challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited wishes to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger service operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

“This does not in any way affect the maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

“The decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing maintenance resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited.”

Aregbesola’s Allies, APC Members Worked For My Victory, Osun Gov-Elect Confirms

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

The Osun State governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has confirmed that some allies of the minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (of the ruling All Progressives Congress – APC) joined forces with him to defeat the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the same APC, in the last Saturday’s governorship election in the State.

Speaking with Channels TV today, July 18, Adeleke said: “I did not work with Aregbesola. I did not even speak to him, but I know some APC members and his allies that joined us.

“I can’t tell whether Aregbesola asked his associates to support me or not because I never had a conversation with him.”

The Governor-elect confessed that “it is not easy to defeat an incumbent anywhere in the world,” without the help of insiders.

Crisis In PDP: Wike Is Just Displaying Youthful Exuberance – Sule Lamido

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been displaying youthful exuberance in the ongoing crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He alleged also that Governor Wike is being instigated against the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, anchored in Kano, Sule Lamido assured that the crisis rocking the party would be handled with wisdom, admitting that it is normal to have internal squabbles in politics.

Lamido, who is a former foreign affairs minister in the government of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said that Governor Wike, though committed and responsible, but has been exhibiting signs of youthful exuberance.

“There are people that are inciting him (Wike), but the deed has been done and this did not start now. It happened with Peter Odili, it happened with Osinbajo. He should learn a lesson from them.

“It is not a crime to have internal friction in politics. What is important is to have people with wisdom, competent people to solve the problem. PDP members should be at ease we won’t disappoint them, everything will be resolved.

“We did the national convention. The highest gathering of decision-making of the PDP chose Atiku. Wike contested and lost. Wike is a responsible and committed man but there is some youthful exuberance in him.”

Lamido said that those who accused him of nepotism in Jigawa State politics are free to pursue their political ambitions elsewhere, even as condemned politicians in the state who criticized him for supporting the gubernatorial ambition of his son, Mustapha.

“Is it a crime to love my son? I think my only crime in Jigawa is having children. Who doesn’t love his children?”

GOCOP Sees New Code Of Practice For Journalists As Toxic, Undemocratic, Against Free Speech

Editorial staff

July 19, 2022

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), a body of over 100 veteran journalists and editors in various media organizations spread across Nigeria, has risen against the new code of practice, prescribed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

GOCOP, in a position paper, signed by its President, Maureen Chigbo and Secretary-General Collins Edamoruse, insisted that the new code of practice is in conflict with the existing regulatory framework, such as Cybercrime Act, Laws of Defamation, Label and Privacy.

GOCOP recalled, with concern that the new Code of Practice was initiated by NITDA, for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, in alignment with some “Authorized Government Agency,” namely Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), or any supposed agency authorized, and that such enactment had generated controversy and censure from media stakeholders and civil society organizations (CSOs) in recent time.

It said that NITDA Code had listed its objectives to include inter alia: “set out measures to combat online harms such as disinformation and misinformation. It also seeks to Adopt and apply a co-regulatory approach towards implementation and compliance.”

But, GOCOP reminded the government that Journalism professional practice draws its legitimacy, powers and rights from Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011.

“Specifically, Sections 22 of the Constitution cede to GOCOP members the privilege to “at all times be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”

GOCOP described the NITDA Code and its prescriptions as toxic, undemocratic and a clear affront on free speech and civil liberties which the media promotes.

“We emphasize that this is a Constitutional responsibility which, we will not for any reason whatsoever, abdicate under the weight and encumbrance of the NITDA Practice Code.

“We restate that this Code is unknown to the Constitution and against the principles of free press, free speech and civil liberties as enshrined therein. “Nigeria is a democracy, and in a democracy, it is the duty of the National Assembly (Congress or Parliament) to make laws for the promotion of good governance.

“While it is the duty of National Assembly to make laws, it is also the responsibility of the Judiciary to interpret the laws while the Executive is saddled with execution of the laws and allied issues of leadership.

“Therefore, NITDA, an Executive agency, by issuing a Practice Code to regulate the media, has clearly over-reached itself and cannot be allowed to surreptitiously usurp the powers of the National Assembly.

“The provisions and prescriptions of the Code are largely undemocratic, primitive, anti-press freedom and they seek to promote anarchy and perpetrate a culture of silence across all media platforms for as long as information is conveyed, transmitted or disseminated via the Internet using computers or any electronic device including handhelds.

“It seeks to deny journalists, especially GOCOP members whose duties are carried out via internet-enabled devices, the right and privilege to source and disseminate information, and hold government accountable as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The Code is an attempt to take away the powers which the Constitution has guaranteed the press. In effect, the Code is an aberrant intruder into the field of Journalism which NITDA has no legal powers to regulate.

“We reiterate that GOCOP has put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members through its Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, which has the sole responsibility of checking the excesses of the Guild’s members and members of the public can approach it to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct by our members.

“This shows that GOCOP as a body of Online Journalists takes its responsibility of self-regulation very seriously.”

GOCOP therefore resolved that “in view of this, we strongly reject the NITDA’s Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries as it clearly serves to undermine the media. It is yet another attempt by the Government to gag the media and suppress press freedom in general.

“We find this fresh move to gag the media both reprehensible and repugnant as it shows the desperation of the Federal Government to muzzle free press. We recall that the government had failed in the past in its desperation to enact anti-free press laws including The Protection from Internet Falsehoods and Manipulation and Other Related Matters Bill, 2019, commonly known as Social Media Bill.

“Need we remind this government that it rode to power on the crest of free press, especially as it took advantage of the social media, which it now wants to render prostrate.

“GOCOP strongly rejects the NITDA Practice Code in its entirety. It is a baseless affront on the Constitutional powers vested in the media.

“We urge the federal government to jettison the NITDA Code and rely on existing regulations such as the Cybercrime Act, Laws of Defamation, Libel and Privacy to protect itself and citizens against any perceived unprofessional journalistic conduct.

“We therefore advise NITDA to jettison this code in its entirety or ready to face legal action.

“We call on the National Assembly to call NITDA to order on its ill-advised move to usurp the powers of the Legislature.”

GOCOP explained that as a body of online publishing organizations, it is made up of professional journalists with backgrounds in Broadcasting, Print and New Media.

“We are a self-regulating professional body and we subscribe to the Ethics of the Journalism profession which hold facts, truth, fairness and balanced reporting as sacred in the discharge of our duties.

“GOCOP, as Body of Professionals, has put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members. GOCOP has several Committees including the Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, which has the sole responsibility of checking the excesses of the Guild’s members and affords the public an avenue to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct by any of our members.

“This shows that GOCOP as a body of Online Journalists takes its responsibility of self-regulation very seriously.

“The GOCOP is also fully guided by relevant statutes which govern other stakeholders in the Nigerian media, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), both of which some of us are members.”

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