Nigeria On Tit-For-Tat Mission, Bans Flights From Saudi Arabia, UK, Others

December 12, 2021

Nigeria’s Presidential Steering Committee is set to ban flight into and out of Nigeria for countries that have put the nation on their Omicron red alert.

As a result, with effect from Tuesday, December 14, Nigeria will restrict airlines coming from Canada, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia into Nigeria. Minister of Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika, today, December 12 in Lagos, said that the ban is meant to reciprocate restricted flights from Nigeria into those countries over the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

Hadi Sirika said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would also place the United Kingdom, Canada and Saudi Arabia on a red list over the outbreak and spread of the Omicron variant.

The minister said that if those countries placed Nigeria on a red list, they lacked a moral right to have their airlines fly into Nigeria on commercial operations.

“There is also the case of Saudi Arabia that put Nigeria on the ban list. On Sunday, I participated in a meeting with the COVID-19 task force.

“We have given our input that it is not acceptable by us and we recommended that Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Argentina also be put on the red list.

“As they did to us, if they do not allow our citizens into their countries; who are they coming, as airlines, to pick from our country?

“They are not supposed to come in. I am very sure in the next three days; Monday or Tuesday, all those countries will be put on the red list of COVID-19.”

The minister stressed that airlines of the affected countries remained banned and the countries placed on Nigeria’s red list.

Hadi Sirika apologised to Nigerians intending to travel to those countries, but said Nigerian government’s decision is in the interest of the country.

It will be recalled that the UK had on December 4, added Nigeria to its red list and imposed a travel ban, citing the Omicron variant.

British Health Minister, Sajid Javid, who announced the development, had said Nigeria was second only to South Africa in terms of Omicron cases linked to travels.

Canada and Saudi Arabia had also banned flights and Nigerians from coming into their countries. Nigeria currently has a signed Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with over 90 countries.

However, over the years, stakeholders have lamented that most air agreements between Nigeria and other countries have been one-sided as Nigerian airlines have been unable to reciprocate the agreements due to what they termed “aero-politics”. According to Hadi Sirika, Nigeria can no longer fold her hands to overlook the sovereignty of over 200 million of her citizens being taken for granted.

Famzhi Interbiz Boss, Mariam Suleiman, Faces Trial Over Alleged N2 Billion Fraud

Editorial staff

December 12, 2021

The Federal Government has arraigned the Chairman and Managing Director of Famzhi Interbiz Limited, Mariam Suleiman, over allegations bordering on fraud to the tune of over N2 billion.

Mrs. Mariam Suleiman was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo alongside her company on a two-count charge.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that while Mrs. Mariam Suleiman is the 1st defendant, the firm is the 2nd defendant in the case.

After taking the plea, her counsel, Victor Giwa, informed the court that a bail application dated and filed on November 1 was before the court, adding that the complainant had been served.

He said the application sought an order admitting her client to bail on self-recognition or in such favourable and liberal terms as the court might, in its discretion, deem fit to make, in the circumstances of this case, pending the final determination of the case.

Lawyer to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Moshood Adeyemi, who instituted the matter on behalf of the Federal Government, acknowledged receipt of the bail application even as he did not oppose the bail application.

Moshood Adeyemi, however, informed the court that the 1st defendant claimed that her travel documents were not in her custody.

He urged the court to give bail conditions that would make the defendant to stand her trial, drawing attention to the fact that the international passport of her client was with the Nigeria Police Force.

The AGF lawyer said the development might be due to the number of people affected by the investment scheme, as the managing director was said to have been reported to different agencies of government.

Justice Ekwo, after perusing the application and averment attached, order Mariam Suleiman to deposit the original of the deed of assignment dated January 4, 2020, attached to the affidavit in support of the application.

He ordered the registry of this court to verify documents and file affidavit of same and ordered that the international passport of the 1st defendant be returned by the prosecution and deposited in the registry of the court forthwith.

“The 1st defendant should not travel out or leave the jurisdiction of this court without prior leave of court.”

The judge, who ordered Mariam Suleiman to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending compliance with the bail terms, adjourned the matter until March 1 and 3, 2022, for trial.

Source: NAN.

How Developers Are Abusing Private Estate And Abuja Mass Housing Policy – Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not happy to see that developers have been abusing the private estate development and mass housing policy of the FCT Administration.

“We allocated land and we have the responsibility to make sure that developments are done according to regulations established. But the reality is that it has not worked like that.

“The reality is that going round the city, especially in the fringes and parts of phases 3 and 4, you will see massive estates built under the concept of “mass” housing, but they are all empty. Absolutely empty. No off-takers, no tenants and these structures become security challenge.

“You will see beautiful mansions but no access roads, well-built estates, but the designs on paper are different from what you see on the ground. The quality of road, that is meant to be constructed there, the drainages and the layouts are different from what you see on the plans.”

The Minister spoke, December 10, when he received in audience, members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the operations of housing estate developers in the FCT, led by its Chairman, Hon. Blessing Onuh, said: “I want to reiterate that every estate is supposed to have green areas, community social centers, places for recreation, for sports and worship because it is meant be a Community”

He decried instances where frictions arose between off-takers and the developers often due to non-disclosure of hidden charges that used to frustrate off-takers who could neither sell their house or vacate them.

Acxording to Muhammad Musa Bello, most of the challenges are as a result of institutions that became weakened due to the rise in FCT’s population and other factors.

“People who were supposed to check standards against performance could not do the work effectively and that is the crux of the matter.”

He said that the FCTA is working with the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and the relevant security agencies as some of the estates also served as a means of money laundering where the basic concepts of KYC (Know Your Customers) have been jettisoned.

Minister said that these challenges are surmountable with the support of the legislature and the judicial system, even as he promised that the FCTA will strengthen its own institutions.

He said that efforts would be made to ensure workable system to be better staffed, better equipped and sanctions applied to individuals who fail to do what they are supposed to do.

Earlier, the Chairman of the ad-hoc Committee, reminded the FCT Administration that on the 29^th of June, the Speaker and leadership of the House of Representatives constituted a committee to investigate the operations of real estate developers in the FCT.

He said that the Committee’s mandate is expansive and included liaising with the relevant agencies of the FCTA, prosecute estate developers in cases of fraud and also called on members of the public to lodge their complaint where they will have the opportunity to interface with developers in solving them.

He called for the support and cooperation of the FCT Administration, saying: “there is the need for us to sanitize the sector and in sanitizing it. It has to be a joint force. You have the guidelines and the policies and all it takes is for us to do the right thing.”

We Produce Enough Rice But Middlemen Sabotage Us By Importing, Farmers Complain

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2021

Rice Farmers have said that they are producing enough rice for Nigerians, especially during the end of the year festivities, but that Middlemen are sabotaging them by continuing to import foreign rice.

Deputy National President of the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Segun Atho, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos, lamented the continuous smuggling of foreign rice into the country.

Segun Atho also blamed the marketers of foreign rice for allegedly sabotaging the growth of the sector.

“We can affirm that we have locally processed rice available all over Nigeria for the Yuletide. We have more than enough to meet any demand; we have enough to go round.

“As it is, we are still looking for more distributors for our locally processed rice, because Nigerians still have a hang for foreign rice.

“Our local marketers are also not helping the situation because they are not ready to off take locally grown rice.

“The marketers should stop hoarding or boycotting local rice for their own benefits. If you sell Nigerian rice, you can still make good returns on your investments.”

Segun Atho said that smugglers of foreign rice are having a field day because of the growing demands for their products at the detriment of local rice.

According to him, security agencies and governments are making efforts to change the trend but some unscrupulous persons are bound at sabotaging their efforts.

“Let the marketers go to the north and off take this rice to the south. Our local rice has flooded markets in Niger, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, but the opposite is the case in the south.

“In Lagos, that should be the centre of excellence in the promotion of Nigerian goods, we still crave for imported rice.

“The security agencies at the land borders have their hands full chasing smugglers of foreign rice. We cannot develop like this.

“The President is making great efforts in this sector; we just have people who want to sabotage his efforts.

“The marketers should be asked why the price of local rice is almost at par with foreign rice.”

Segun Atho also questioned why some Nigerians are refusing locally processed rice, adding: “let’s eat what we grow and grow what we eat and Nigeria will move forward.”

Ebira People From Kogi Launch Ebira-English Dictionary Tomorrow In Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

December 10, 2021

Ebira speaking people from Kogi State Central Senatorial District will launch a standard Ebira-English Dictionary in Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), tomorrow, December 11.
Speaking to newsmen about the launching, chairman of the organising committee, Engineer Shuaibu A . Salami said that the launching would be chaired by Professor Adam Ahmed Abere of the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) and supported by a Board member of the NNPC, Mrs. Lami Onayi Ahmed.

According to Engineer Salami, the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will be at the launch along with Ebira people in his cabinet.
Other prominent Ebira people expected at the launch are the Central traditional ruler of Ebira people in FCT, Dr. Abdulkarim Ibrahim, Hon. Abdulhameed Momoh, Senator Oseni Yakubu, former Director in the CBN, Chief J O. Omuya; Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Raimi Yusuf, former Editor-In-Chief of Blueprints newspaper, Hajiya Zainab Suleiman, Dr. Abdullahi Anate, Abu Imam, Ambassador Lawal, Ogirima Raji, Hon. Asuku Bello as well as Barrister Yusuf Amuda and Barrister Momohsani Shuaibu.
The launching committee chairman said that the Standard Ebira-English Dictionary has been comprehensively packaged in such a way that it will enhance the learning; reading and writing of Ebira language by especially, the new generation of Ebira people, particularly those that were born and brought up outside home.
Engineer Salami said that the book will be reviewed by an expert in the language, Itopa John Sadik, even as the Talba of Ebira, Alhaji Hamza Usman and Onyize of Ebira land, Minister of State in the FCT ministry, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Abdulmumuni Isa of the CBN and Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar Gamji, as well as other prominent people, even from outside Ebira confinement, will play outstanding roles at the occasion, scheduled to hold from 11am at the Unique World Garden, near Grand Ibro Hotel, Wuse zone 5.

About 1 Million COVID19 Vaccines Expire In Store

Editorial staff

December 9, 2021

About one million COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have expired in Nigeria last month without being used.

According to sources, it is one of the biggest single losses of doses that show the difficulty of African nations in getting shots.

Governments on the continent of over one billion Africans have been pushing for more vaccine deliveries as inoculation rates reach richer regions, increasing the risk of new variants such as the Omicron coronavirus now spreading across South Africa.

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and home to more than 200 million people, fewer than 4% of adults have been fully vaccinated, according to the World Health Organization.

The expired doses were made by AstraZeneca and delivered from Europe, the sources with direct knowledge of vaccine delivery and use told Reuters.

They were supplied via COVAX, the dose-sharing facility led by the GAVI vaccine alliance and the WHO which is increasingly reliant on donations.

A source with knowledge of the delivery said some of the doses arrived within four-to-six weeks of expiry and could not be used in time, despite efforts by health authorities.

A count of the expired doses is still underway and an official number is yet to be finalised, the sources said.

“Nigeria is doing everything it can. But it’s struggling with short shelf life vaccines. Now (supply is) unpredictable and they’re sending too much,” a source told Reuters.

A spokesperson for the National Primary Health Care Development Agency – the body responsible for vaccinations in Nigeria – said the number of vaccines received and used is still being tallied and it would share its findings in the coming days.

The WHO said doses had expired, but declined to give a figure. It said 800,000 additional doses that had been at risk of expiry in October were all used in time.

“Vaccine wastage is to be expected in any immunization programme, and in the context of COVID-19 deployment is a global phenomenon,” the WHO said in a statement responding to Reuters’ questions. It said vaccines delivered with “very short” shelf lives were a problem.

Nigeria’s vaccine loss appears to be one of the largest of its kind over such a short time period, even outstripping the total number of vaccines that some other countries in the region have received.

The Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib is yet to released an official statement.

But he once told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja that some doses of Astrazeneca vaccine donated by the UK government would expire in September and October.

Faisal had also assured that the government would make use of the vaccines before the expiration.

Fed Government Shuts Down Shop Allegedly Selling Fake Fertilizer

Editorial staff

December 9, 2021

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has sealed off a fertiliser shop in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State for alleged sale of substandard products.

Assistant Director, Farm Inputs Support Services of the (FMARD), said that the product was taken for laboratory test and was confirmed substandard.

He said laboratory analysis showed the nutrient content of the substandard product was N.P.K 7-0-6 as against the N.P.K 20-10-10 written on the bags.

He added that the product would negatively affect farmers’ productivity.

“This particular shop is found to be selling substandard fertiliser.

“By regulation, the FMARD is mandated to seal any shop or production facility found to be engaged in either production or sale of substandard fertiliser.

“Therefore, the shop shall remain sealed until conclusion of additional investigation,’’ Adamu said.

“Farmers are being cheated because they will not get the value for their money. The product will affect the yield of their efforts negatively.

“So, as an authority, we are carrying out this assignment in order to safeguard the interest of our farmers,’’ Adamu stressed.

He warned those involved in the production of the substandard product to desist, adding that anyone caught would face the full wrath of the law.

Adamu advised farmers to always buy quality fertiliser for good results, and report any dealer who engaged in the sale of substandard products to the appropriate authority.

Source: NAN

We Can’t Take Roles Of Women For Granted, FCT Minister Tells Group

Editorial staff

December 8, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has given assurance that the Muhammadu Buhari’s Federal Government will never take the important roles women are playing for granted.

Speaking today, December 8, when he received members of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) in audience, the Minister commended the Councl over its efforts at ensuring inclusivity of women in governance.

“I commend you for the promotion of inclusivity of women in the country, you have done tremendous work and have been very supportive of our activities, particularly during COVID-19.

“We know the role of women in Nigeria and we know the role of women in bringing about this particular government and we know the positive views of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari in respect to gender issues.

“And in the FCT, we have always keyed into these views and ideals and that is why we have a specific Departments and Units dedicated to handling these issues.” The Minister added

Commenting on requests made by the NCWS President for more support to the Council, Malam Bello affirmed that it was incumbent on everybody to support the NCWS because of its complementary activities and programmes.

“Quite frankly, your requirements are things that everyone will want to support because it is our duty to support you because you are complementing what we are doing.”

The Minister asked the NCWS President to work closely with FCTA’s Social Development Secretariat in order to build an institutional relationship.

The NCWS national President, Dr. Shoda had requested the Minister to assist the group in its activities to help improve the livelihood of women across FCT.

Benin Republic Lures Nigerian With 30,000 Hectares Of Land To Produce Rice

Editorial staff

December 8, 2021

Government of the Republic of Benin has lured a Nigerian company, Labana Rice Mills with 30,000 hectares of land to cultivate rice in that country.

Alhaji Abdullahi Idris-Zuru, the General Manager of the company, who made this known in a statement today, December 8 in Birnin Kebbi, said that the company would in 2022, finance farmers in the country through the Benin Republic Government, to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice during the dry season.

“A total of 30,000 hectares of farmland are being made available in Benin Republic to Labana Rice Mills for cultivation of rice.

“These resolutions were made during a joint meeting of Beninous Government officials with Labana Rice Mills delegation at Cotonou, the country’s capital, last weekend.

“The meeting with the Labana delegation led by the Chairman, Abubakar Abbah-Adamu, was chaired by the Benin Minister of Agriculture, Gaston Dossouhoui.”

He said that the Beninouis government granted the farmland after an assessment of the company’s rice mills and and farms in Kebbi, Nigeria.

“The report has convinced the government of Labana Rice Mills’ capacity to be a reliable partner in agriculture,” the general manager added.

He said that the chairman of the company, Abbah-Adamu, expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence the Benin government had in Labana rice mills and the government and people of Nigeria.

Source: NAN.

Full Vaccination Can’t Guarantee Your Safety From COVID19, Medical Association’s Warns

Editorial staff

December 8, 2021

The President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Innocent Ujah, has warned the public to be cautious because being fully vaccinated does not guarantee total safety from COVID-19 infection.

Dr. Ujah, in a speech at the 11th Annual Symposium of the Health Writers Association Of Nigeria (HEWAN) today, December 8 in Lagos said that preventive measures should still be adhered to.

He said that research is ongoing to ascertain the degree of protection vaccines provide against the virus and transmission.

The symposium was themed: “Building Confidence In COVID-19 Vaccines”, and sub themed: “Addressing COVID-19 Hesitancy In Nigeria: The Role Of The Media.”

According to the NMA boss, there is an urgent need to inoculate more Nigerians against the virus toward achieving herd immunity quickly.

The NMA president noted that the available vaccines in the country are more than the population that had been vaccinated, stressing the need to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Dr. Ujah said that vaccine hesitancy was fueled by mistrust, complacency, fear and misinformation, saying that the media have a role to play in educating the public on the importance of vaccine.

He commended HEWAN for its efforts in disseminating health promotion messages and dispelling rumours and misinformation about the various vaccines.

Dr. Ujah appealed to world leaders to ensure equitable access to the vaccine, especially for the most vulnerable people.

According to him, Africa must stop its dependence on other countries for vaccine, noting that the continent must develop vaccine production capacity.

Ujah was represented by Dr Saliu Oseni, Deputy Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association.

Also, Professor Oyewale Tomori, Professor of Virology, called for collaboration between the government and private sector to actualise the vaccine production in the country.

Tomori, in his speech titled: “Vaccine Production In Nigeria: The Role Of The Government”, said that there is a need for government to remove bureaucracies that hinders synergies in vaccine development.

The virologist appealed that the government should make the facts available to people to enable them decide, bridge mistrust and invest.

Tomori advised the public to maintain all preventive measures and avoid exposure to the virus, adding that these would assist to curtail spread of the virus.

The professor said that people ascribe the vaccine to what it was not supposed to do.

He said the role of the vaccine was to protect a person from getting infected by the virus, and not to stop exposure, noting that the vaccine was internal while exposure was external.

Tomori noted immunity takes at least 10 days before it develops, adding that it was a body reaction.

Commenting, Mrs Chioma Obinna, President of HEWAN, said that the theme was chosen following continued conspiracy theories around the COVID-19 vaccines and the disease as a whole.

Obinna said that many Nigerians continued to reject the COVID-19 vaccine out of ignorance or based on unconfirmed stories and information they get from social media, friends and family members.

“As responsible health journalists, these and more informed our choice of the topics for this year’s symposium,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

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