NNPC Boss, Kyari, Bags 2020 Zik Leadership Award

November 8, 2021

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari has clinched the 2020 Zik Prize for Public Service Leadership’.

The award was given at the weekend by the Public Policy Research & Analysis Centre (PPRAC) at an occasion held at Eko Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

At a well-attended event, witnessed by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Lafia, retired Justice Sidi Bage and several other dignitaries, Kyari received the latest recognition from the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Speaking on behalf of the Centre, Chief Mac Wabara said Mallam Kyari was recognized following his distinguished leadership role and sterling achievements in the NNPC, which are all evident through the various reforms he instituted at the Corporation through transparency and accountability.

“Mele Kyari continues to seamlessly transform the operations of NNPC, including deepening domestic gas utilization, rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and public disclosure of NNPC accounts, the first in NNPC’s 44 years of existence.”

He added that Kyari’s greatest achievement, no doubt, was turning around the fortunes of the NNPC, from a loss of position, into a profit-making entity.

“Under Kyari’s watch at the NNPC, the company declared a profit after tax of N287bn in 2020 after losses were reduced from N803bn in 2018 to N1.7bn in 2019. This is unprecedented in the history of the NNPC.”

Wabara explained that Mallam Kyari also consistently played a huge role in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), stressing that with the coming of the legislation, the NNPC is now well-positioned to operate efficiently, like its global peers.

Responding, Mallam Kyari said that in the last two years, the NNPC has automated its processes and systems; reduced its costs of operations and focused on delivering value to Nigerians, in line with his Management vision of Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE).

He added that the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has placed huge responsibility on the NNPC to do things differently and be much more accountable to its shareholders, the over 200 million Nigerians.

He said the Zik Leadership award will spur him and his Management team to work harder towards becoming an International National Oil Company that is at par with its global peers.

Other recipients of the prestigious Zik Leadership Award include the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Director-General and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamo and MD/CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji.

Established in 1994 by the PPRAC and now in its 26th edition, the Zik Prize in Leadership is aimed at highlighting Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s legacy of patriotic fervor and nationalist vision.

NNPC To Motorists: Don’t Engage In Panic Buying Of Petrol, There’s Enough

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has cautioned motorists in Nigeria not to engage in panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.

In a statement today, November 8, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad said that the NNPC has over 1.7 billion litres of petrol in stock and more product is expected to arrive into the country daily over the coming weeks and months.

“It is therefore unnecessary to entertain any fear of scarcity of petrol throghout the festive season and beyond.

“The NNPC is also not aware of any plan by government to cause an increase in the pump price of petroleum. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has made that declaration last week.

“In view of these assurances therefore, the NNPC is advising motorists and other consumers of petrol to maintain their regular pattern of the purchase of petrol without getting into a panic situation that may send the wrong signals around the country.

“The NNPC is also engaging all stakeholders to ensure smooth supply and distribution of products to every part of the country during the festive season and beyond.”

NCC Awards N20 Million Grant To 4 Nigerian Tech Startups To Encourage Indigenous Technology

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2021

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has awarded N20 million grant to four Nigerian tech startups towards encouraging development of indigenous technologies and contents.
The four tech startups, according to the Commission’s chief information strategist, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement today, November 8, are: Clearflow System Hub, Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions, Kalibotics, and CyberNorth Tech.
The statement said that the lucky ones emerged winners of Virtual NCC Internet of Things (IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021, and received N5 million each on their innovative technology solutions aimed at making life better for Nigerians.
It said that while Clearflow System Hub and Aelaus Engineering Teams/Hyech Electronics Solutions emerged winners on IoT category on kidnapping and banditry, Kalibotics and CyberNorth Tech, emerged winners on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management solutions.
It said that the grant is for the novel digital solutions of four startups, aimed at finding innovative digital solutions in addressing the challenges of insecurity and to stem the growth in national e-waste rates, while advancing the frontier of Internet of Things (IoT) in Nigeria.
The statement quoted the Commission’s Director of New Media and Information Security, Dr. Haru Al-Hassan as saying at the prize-giving ceremony, held at the Commission’s headquarters, in Abuja, that the Commission is a frontline driver of innovation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Dr. Al-Hassan, who stood in for the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danvatta, said that the organized event was aimed at driving the creation of problem-solving tech innovations.
Professor Danbatta said that the initiative is in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, Executive Order 5 of 2017, and Section 1 (f) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 which focuses on promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology.
The Executive Vice Chairman said that the occasion also symbolises the NCC’s commitment to deliver objectives of pillars 4, 7 and 8 of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, and the aspirations of the Commission’s SVP 2021-2025 in promoting innovative services and maintaining effective partnership and collaborations with relevant stakeholders.
This was even as the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska, who was represented by Head, Research and Development, Kelechi Nwankwo, said that the event demonstrated the critical role that the telecommunications sector plays in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment towards continuously supporting innovations for nation building.
He stressed the determination of the Commission towards harnessing the potentials of Nigerian youth in addressing emerging challenges through ICT, adding that the event boldly demonstrates Commission’s resolve to champion the efforts of government to leverage telecommunications-based solutions to address societal issues that need urgent attention.
Representatives of agencies in the security governance sector, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that attended the event lauded the NCC for the meaningful initiative.

Illegal Importation Of Rice Through Land Borders Worries Minister, Holds Stakeholders Meeting

Editorial staff

November 8, 2021

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar has expressed worries over the increase in the illegal importation of rice through land borders.

The minister, who spoke yesterday, November 7 at a meeting, in Abuja, with the Steering Committee of the National Taskforce on the illegal importation of rice through land borders, said: “the ministry is very concerned about the increase in smuggling and has convened this meeting to discuss critical issues in order to strategise and come up with concrete measures to enable the committee carry out its duties effectively.”

The Minister observed that the ban on rice importation had brought about a significant increase in local rice production and unlocked economic opportunities for rice investors in the country, insisting that the huge improvement in the rice sub-sector needed to be sustained for the country’s economic growth, as signified by the huge contributions of the agricultural sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP).

He said that this is in line with the Federal Government’s diversification policy.

”The resumed smuggling of foreign rice, especially through the land borders, is constituting a serious threat to these achievements.

”Therefore, if the smuggling is left unchecked it will jeopardize all government efforts to enhance the domestic rice industry and make them ineffective.

”The Federal Government and the private sector have invested a lot of resources in rice production and processing over the years, because of the government’s commitment to the development of the sub-sector through its various interventions.

“The Ministry has been supporting farmers, especially smallholders and rice processors, with quality seeds of improved varieties, production and processing machinery and equipment.

”Also, the provision of modern rice mills of various capacities, parboilers, dryers, colour sorters, in order to boost rice production and improve the quality and competitiveness of domestic rice.

”The Nigerian rice industry has recorded significant progress in terms of investments due to an increase in the quality and quantity of the milled rice and it has in turn, increased the competitiveness, consumer preference and patronage of our milled rice.

”There is no better time than now to maintain the rice production momentum, in order to achieve self-sufficiency for food and nutrition security ,job creation, wealth generation and import substitution,” the minister said.

In his remarks, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Custom Service, retired Colonel Hameed Ali said that the meeting had presented an avenue for the committee to deliberate and discuss how to curb insecurity and smuggling of rice into the country.

”The Nigerian Customs Service cannot fight alone in the operation of the border patrol, but needs other security agencies, such as the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, to beef up the joint operations of the taskforce.”

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractice, Alhaji Dahiru Ado, commended the ministry, the Nigerian Customs Service and other partners in their sustained efforts in tackling the menace of illegal rice importation through the land borders into the country.

He said that his committee would continue to track vessels that bring in rice into the country through Benin Republic and that the companies involved would be apprehended.

Source:NAN.

Kaduna Govt Goes Tough With Banned Street Beggars, Hawkers, Others

Editorial staff

November 8, 2021

The Kaduna state government has directed relevant agencies to ensure stricter enforcement of the laws banning almajiris, beggars and street hawkers in the state.

A statement yesterday, November 7 from Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to governor Ahmed el-Rufai reminded all residents that the state has laws protecting children and banning street begging and hawking.

The statement said that the government had directed the taskforce charged with enforcing the recent security restrictions, including the ban on motorcycles, to also take action against abuse of child rights, street begging and hawking as part of its mandate.

The statement appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the security agencies in the enforcement of the relevant laws, and upholding law and order in the state.

Source: NAN.

Stop Making Postgraduate Studies Tool For Degree Acquisition – Heads Of Postgraduate Schools

Editorial staff

November 8, 2021

Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools in Nigerian Universities (CPDPGCS) have suggested that Postgraduate studies should be more productive than being made a mere tool for Degree acquisition in Nigeria.

They advocated restructuring of the curriculum of postgraduate studies to promote critical and innovative thinking “rather than being a mere tool for degree acquisition.”

In a communique yesterday, November 7 after its 60th meeting at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, the academics called on TETFund to institute innovation fund in addition to the various research grants on ground.

“This should be available to take research through the development to application/commercialization stage to complete the R-D-A trajectory.”

The communique said that the existing curriculum could engender training of researchers who are competent to solve societal needs, as envisaged by the global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The CPDPGCS urged universities to adopt problem solving instruction models in postgraduate training to encourage information analysis by students and help them form their own perspectives.

It also harped on allowing students to determine their own research topics rather than their supervisors to stir their creativity.

“CPDPGCS frowns at the increasing wave of knowledge theft in the ivory towers. University authorities should curb the menace with measures such as activation of plagiarism checker, and quality assurance mechanism, among others.

“Universities should ensure that postgraduate research reports (theses) are uploaded online (into the University repository) to reduce or curb the incidences of plagiarism.

“For the assurance of the quality of postgraduate research, every university should have a quality assurance operational manual apart from the postgraduate manual. It is thus imperative they have research management Office,” it said.

It advocated the strengthening of the supervision committee system for postgraduate students especially PhD students, emphasising strict adherence to NUC recommended carrying capacity for students’ supervision.

According to it, professional fellowships are needed to enhance professional efficiency while PhD is needed for lecturing in the university.

“The fellowship of any profession is a professional qualification and not a university academic degree.

“Therefore, medical doctors in academics should still be encouraged to take a PhD for their academic career progression. No university should equate a professional fellowship with a PhD.”

Zamfara Battles Desertification, Plants One Million Trees

Editorial staff

November 8, 2021

The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has announced, his government is currently battling desertification and has concluded plans to plant one million trees to contain the spread.

The governor, who hosted the Zamfara state side event, at the ongoing COP26 in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, said that the tree planting project would be executed in partnership with the Nigeria’s Great Green Wall project aimed at also fighting soil erosion in the state.

He said that Zamfara is one of the frontline desert states in Nigeria with 50 per cent of its landmass under threat of desertification, coupled with soil degradation caused by annual flooding during rainy seasons.

“My administration ventured into the scheme to save the largely agrarian society cultivating millet, guinea-corn, maize, rice and other crops and guaranteeing Nigeria’s food security.”

Governor Matawalle lamented that climate change, which is a major driver to armed banditry bedevilling the state, is the result of the taking over of pastoralists’ grazing reserves, water and resting points,

Matawalle said that the state government is presently channelling resources to address these issues, including establishing modern pastoral settlements known as RUGA, where herders are being settled in one place with all the required amenities provided for them and their animals.

The project, according to him, had mitigated the perennial skirmishes between farmers and herders that gave birth to armed banditry in the first place.

The governor also said that the state government had already keyed into the World Bank-funded Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes programme, which has desertification control and landscape management as one of its components.

According to him, his administration is doing its best to protect natural habitats, protect and restore the eco-system and reclaim the land by building defences, including resilient infrastructure and agriculture.

“The state government requires collaboration with partners to raise the finances that will strategically support this drive.”

Source: NAN.

Osinbajo Wants Punitive Measures Against Military Intervention In Africa’s Governance

Editorial staff

November 7, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the world leaders to rise in unison in discouraging military intervention in democratic governance in Africa.

He specifically asked that punitive measures should be taken by all the world organizations against such intervention.

Professor Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government today in Accra, Ghana on the political situation in the Republics of Guinea and Mali, proposed punitive measures and proactive preventive steps towards addressing military intervention in civil rule in the region.

According to him, the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Commonwealth, and other relevant or related financial institutions should act in unity simultaneously “to suspend a country, where there has been seizure of power, from these bodies.”

At the virtual summit, Professor Osinbajo also proposed engagement with the military junta and all stakeholders in Guinea and the enforcement of necessary “punitive measures that will ensure that the military junta does not overstay in power.”

The Vice President also restated Nigeria’s position calling on all leaders to always respect the principles of democracy and the constitutions of their respective countries.

Nigeria’s position on the situation in Guinea had been restated by Professor Osinbajo at the summit, by asking for the unconditional release of President Alpha Condé and calling for more pressure to be put on the country’s military leaders to return the nation to democratic rule.

Nigeria’s Vice President had commended the efforts of stakeholders in Mali and re-emphasized the need to strictly respect and follow the electoral timetable for transition to civil rule.

ECOWAS leaders in the communique issued at the end of the last special summit in Accra had, amongst other resolutions, decided to freeze the financial assets of members of the military junta, place a travel ban on them, while also demanding that the junta return Guinea to constitutional rule within six months.

Vice President Osinbajo, who leaves Abuja this morning, would be joined by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and is expected back in Abuja later today.

Plateau Senator, Gyang, Sends 615 Youths To Farm With Special Training

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2021

Senator Istifanus Gyang (PDP, Plateau North), has deployed 615 youths from 73 electoral wards of Plateau North to farm, with special training on post-season farming.

Senator Gyang, who spoke yesterday, November 6 at the opening of the training, said that the move is to empower his constituents with necessary skills to boost agriculture.

The Senator, who organised the training in collaboration with the Federal College of Horticulture, Gombe, said that people of the zone are mostly agrarian and hence the need for the training.

“What we have seen over the years is that we record a lot of waste after harvest.

“Not only that, we need to improve the process of packaging and marketing our products, so that we can draw a lot of profit from our farms,” he said.

Gyang stated that the country is an oil-driven economy but indicated that Nigeria needs to diversify if it must survive beyond oil.

According to him, there is the need to acquire the requisite knowledge as farmers to boost agriculture which is a viable alternative to oil.

The lawmaker called on the participants to take the training seriously as the materials used would be with them to always make reference to when needed.

He appreciated the people of Plateau North and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for availing him the platform to be elected to represent the constituency at the National Assembly.

Rep Musa Bagos (PDP, Jos South/Jos East), asked the participants to give the training all the attention it deserves because the knowledge acquired would last a life time.

“Some of you will be the next millionaires of the next generation through the training, because the next generation of millionaires will come from agriculture and not oil,” he said.

Provost, Federal College of Horticulture, Gombe, Dr. Babawuro Ali, said that participants would, among other things, be trained on dry season and irrigation techniques in agriculture.

Ali, who was represented by Japheth Amila, a lecturer with the institution, said that the participants would also be taught post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables; the causes and management.

“They will also learn rice production practices as well as transportation and marketing of fruits and vegetables.”

Mrs. Sarah Dung, a potato farmer who benefitted from the training, said that it is the first time such a training is being held in Plateau North.

Dung said that she cultivates her potato more during dry season than rainy season because of potato blight which is more prevalent during the wet season.

She said that she learnt a lot from the training, including how to preserve her crops to avoid wastage.

Mr. Ezekiel Gyang commended the Senator, saying that such is what is expected from representatives in the national and state assemblies.

Gyang, however, hoped that at end of the training, participants would be giving some funds to start their farms to put into practice the knowledge acquired.

Source: NAN.

Report Illegal Distributors Of Fuel, Gas To Authorities To Avert Fire Outbreaks – FCT Minister

Editorial staff

November 6, 2021

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has called on residents in the territory to report illegal distributors of fuel, kerosene and gas to appropriate authorities.

Ramatu Aliyu, who made the call today, November 6 while sympathising with victims and residents of the Kubwa Market fire at the scene that led to the loss of lives and propertu on Friday evening, said: “report anyone selling any flammable material near you either gas, fuel or kerosene.

“Report anyone that is not a legalised distributor of flammable materials or chemicals as there are depots made for things like these.

“There are assigned gas depots across the FCT and the government is still making more efforts to give us more gas plants.

“Natural disasters can occur anywhere but gas depots, most times, are kept away from human,” she said.

She appealed to FCT residents and members of the Kubwa community to be more law abiding.

“These laws are made to protect us, no matter the impact of the law.

“When we send Development Control officials you will be aggrieved and feel it is an infringement on your fundamental human right.

“But these laws are to protect you still the dangers would have been worse than the impact of these laws.

“We are lucky there was prompt support and response of the federal and FCT fire services,” she said.

The Minister frowned at the presence of fuel tankers directly under a transformer.

“As we speak there are more tanks seen with kerosene, if we had that much ripple effect, it would have been simultaneous and we would have lost more lives and property in this hard time.

“For instance, this is a tank, near a high tension wire, transformer and should there be a spark, it would be a ripple effect that will destroy thousands,” she said.

The minister, however, said that the likely cause of the fire would be investigated as well as whether or not the distributors were licensed to operate.

She commended the public for being calm as she described the incident as ‘’disheartening.

“It is disheartening when we lose loved ones and family, it is more disheartening when we have to visit them in pain and even bury our loved ones or see them deformed.

“We bear this pain with the families, we feel with them and may the souls of the departed rest In oeace,” she prayed.

The minister visited the Emergency Response Unit and Mortuary of the Kubwa General Hospital to ascertain the information given to her.

Mr Muhideen Lasisi, Chief Medical Director, Kubwa General Hospital, confirmed that the hospital recorded five deaths and 11 people with body burns.

“We have 11 living and five bodies brought to this hospital.

”’What the hospital has done in synergy with the government and security agencies is an example of service to the people.

“The minister has shown willingness and commitment to bear the cost of the service.”

Source: NAN.

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