Central Bank Inaugurates Brown Revolution In Plateau State

November 11, 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has inaugurated Nigerian Brown Revolution to boost wheat value chain under its Anchor Borrower Scheme.

The scheme was Inaugurated on November 9 in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. It is aimed also at enhancing food security generally.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who inaugurated the Brown Revolution, expressed pride that Agricultural sector has been one of the critical non-oil sectors which made significant contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Buhari, who was represented by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said: “agricultural sector was one of the critical non-oil sectors which have made significant contributions to the GDP accounting for a 22.35 and 23.78 per cent.

“This is contribution to the overall GDP in the first and second quarters of 2021 respectively.

“It was also instrumental in supporting the emergence of our economy from the recession in the second half of 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ensuring food security means ensuring availability and access across all demographics in the country.”

The president said that the inauguration is coming at a time the 2021/2022 dry season farming is commencing, which he described as significant.

He said food security cannot be attained if farmers are not encouraged and adequately equipped with access to the best inputs and opportunities to learn effective agronomic practices for improved yield.

He said that as a country, Nigeria had relied on the proceeds of oil exports for so long with the volatility of oil prices and its implications on foreign reserves.

“There was no other choice but to work towards the diversification of the Nigerian economy by investing in other productive sectors of the economy.”

Earlier the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, represented by his Deputy Governor and Head, Corporate Services, Edward Adamu, said that wheat is the third most widely consumed grain in Nigeria after maize and rice.

Emefiele said that it is estimated that the country only produced about one per cent (63,000 metric tons) of the 5-6 million metric tons of the commodity consumed annually in the country.

“Hence the enormous demand-supply gap is bridged with more than 2 billion dollars spent annually on wheat importation.”

He said that the intervention is necessary as wheat is the second highest contributor to the country’s food import bill and given the high growth rate of the country’s population.

He pointed out that the demand for wheat is projected to continue to rise, even as he lamented that over the years, the availability of low-yielding seeds variety and poor agronomic practices had hampered successful cultivation of wheat in the country.

He added that this had led to low productivity and wheat production unappealing to farmers and the private sector.

He said that the strategy for the wheat value chain involved ensuring availability of high-yield seeds by financing seed multiplication and establishment of seed ripple centre.

Others, Emefiele said, are expanding land under cultivation for wheat to a capacity that could meet total national demand.

He said the strategy sought to reduce wheat importation by 60 per cent in two years and ultimately eliminate wheat importation or reduce it to an insignificant contributor to the country’s total food import bill.

The Deputy Director and Head, Anchor Borrowers Programme, Chika Nnwaja, said that there are more than 500 farmers working on the wheat farm.

Nnwaja said that the programme had added value to the local community, created job opportunities and reduced poverty in the local community we operate. Source: NAN.

President Buhari Beckons French Investors, Business Community

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2021

President Buhari participates at the African Finance Summit in Paris

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended an invitation to French Investors and business community to Nigeria as quickly as possible.

“Let me finally stress that Nigeria is open for partnership and cooperation. I invite the French business community to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.

“As our development partners, rest assured that we will stand together with you throughout our partnership journey to guarantee our mutual interest.’’

President Buhari in a keynote remarks today, November 10, at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum, with focus on “Beyond the Pandemic,” said that outlook on Nigerian economy remains bright, with sustained investments in infrastructure, particularly ICT, that favour global businesses and a friendly regulatory environment that supports Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

The President assured that the Nigerian economy is being re-engineered and re-positioned to be globally more competitive, favouring business and entrepreneurship to drive growth and development.

“For us in Nigeria, lessons drawn from the pandemic prompted us to redouble efforts to mitigate its socio-economic effects. Despite prevailing uncertainties, our equitable and sustainable reform initiatives resulted in substantial economic gains and steady recovery.

“I can assure you that our administration is on the right path to achieving multi-sectoral progress. We have revitalized the economy by increasing investments in capacity building, health, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, climate change, and food security.

“Today, these actions are yielding self-employment, expanding our human resource pool and strengthening our national productivity for sustainable development.”

The President told a gathering of French and Nigerian businessmen that the government recognized the nation’s risk profile and decided to re-assess and update the National Security Strategy in 2019.

“The implementation of this multi-sectoral strategy has contributed to the progress we have made in fighting insurgents and terrorists in the North East of the country. Working closely with international partners, we are firmly addressing the root causes of crimes, and taking measures to prevent and counter violent extremism.

“As I said at the 5th edition of the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, investing in humanity is investing in our collective survival. With this in mind, we have incorporated the Public-Private Partnership model into our economic recovery plan, to attract private sector participation in the financing and operations of critical economic and social infrastructure. This measure is already helping to mitigate COVID-19 triggered capital flight and decline in grant and development financing.

“Also, at the just concluded COP26 in Glasgow, I stressed the link between modern infrastructure and the overall economic development of a nation. Hence, the massive infrastructure expansion programme, we have been executing in various sectors since the beginning of this administration. 1.5 trillion Dollars is the cumulative amount estimated to be spent within a period of ten years from 2015.

“So far, we have made significant investments in railways, seaports, roads, renewable energy, housing, and many others attractive to prospective investors. Institutions such as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the recently created Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria run as independent world class institutions to support and facilitate investments in the country.”

President Buhari said that opportunities in the mining sector had been expanded, with simplified licensing process, extensive investments in transportation of raw materials, equipment and other mining elements by road and by rail.

“To keep the progress in the digital economy, the fastest growing sector in Nigeria in both 2020 and 2021 on track, we recently approved the national policy on Fifth Generation (5G) network.

“Our ultimate goal is to leverage ICT platforms to spur further investments and create jobs, while diversifying support to other emerging sectors. Already, several foreign investors are taking advantage of our recent ranking as the leading start-up ecosystem in Africa.

“Over a week ago, I launched the E-Naira, the electronic version of our national currency. When fully operationalized, this innovation will increase participation in fin-tech within Nigeria, increase efficiency in the banking sector, and boost our capacity to combat illicit flow of funds.”

The President said that the oil sector is also getting more attention to expand opportunities with the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

‘’In the oil and gas sector, I recently signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The legislation, which is expected to serve as a liberalizing force in the industry, introduced incentives such as tax holidays, zero-interest loans, and easy repatriation of profits.

“Our plan is to increase Liquefied Natural Gas exports and expand our domestic market. Partnerships in textile and leather processing, tourism, and health sectors are also areas we can explore.”

The President noted that the agricultural sector, through Anchor Borrowers Programme, provided loans and technical support to small holder farmers, leading to the expansion in the number of rice mills in Nigeria from ten in 2014 to forty today.

“The country has also increased the number of active fertilizer blending plants to more than forty-six, from fewer than five in 2014.

“Similarly, we have set aside several million hectares of available arable land for agriculture, and have embarked on the creation of Special Agriculture Processing Zones across the country.’’

President Buhari assured the investors of the country’s willingness to create a win-win situation at every point.

“I am proud to reiterate our resolve to reduce and ultimately eliminate obstacles to access and retention of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Our investment-friendly policies are backed by the rule of law, practical security policies and a resilient population.”

The National Security Adviser to the President, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, Nigeria’s Special Envoy on Chad and Lake Chad Basin, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama also gave an overview on key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Some business leaders from Nigeria at the event were Founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Mohammed Indimi, Founder/ Chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who also heads France-Nigeria Business Council, Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA, Tony Elumelu and Chairman/Editor-In-Chief of ThisDay Group and Arise News Channel, Nduka Obiagbena.

I’m Humbled By The Victory, Soludo Reacts To Anambra Guber poll

Editorial staff

November 10, 2021

File Photo of President Buhari and Gov Elect, Chukwuma Soludo

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo, has confessed that his victory in the Anambra State governorship election over the weekend humbled him.

Reacting today, November 10 to the result of the election in his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor-elect, Professor Soludo described the feat as the will of God.

“Let me say that with utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the result of the 2021 Anambra governorship election, as declared by INEC,” said Soludo who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“And this reflects the supreme will of the Almighty God and the overwhelming sacred mandate of the people.”

He thanked his wife and children for encouraging him despite their reservations at some point, saying his victory in the election was a result of his perseverance in the last 12 years.

The former CBN governor also thanked the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano; the leadership of APGA, party faithful, as well as the residents of the state for their love and support all through the events that lead to his victory in the poll.

While remembering the three policemen killed by gunmen in the period of the campaign, he extended a hand of fellowship to his co-contenders in the election to move the state forward.

Almost four days after the keenly contested election and a supplementary poll that ensued, INEC finally returned Soludo elected as the winner.

Soludo polled a total of112,229 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 53, 807 to emerge second.

Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate got a total of 43,285 votes to emerge the third position.

Prof. Florence Obi, Returning Officer for 2021 Anambra Governorship election announced this in the early hours of today, November 10 at INEC headquarters, Awka.

INEC suspended collation of results late Sunday night and declared the exercise inconclusive following non conduct of election in Ihiala local Government area.

The commission however, fixed Tuesday November 9 for supplementary election in Ihiala.

Announcing the final result, Obi noted that after adding up the results collated from Ihiala, Soludo continued his lead in the election.

She said that Soludo won in 19 out of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.

Obi listed the areas where Soludo won to include; Dunukofia, Awka South, Oyi, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Idemili South and Onitsha South.

She also stated that the APGA candidate also won in Njikoka, Orumba South, Onitsha North, Idemili North, Ekwusigo, Aguata, and Nnewi South, Orumba North and Ihiala Local Government Areas.

The PDP candidate won in Ogbaru with 3,445 votes, APGA scored second while APC came third in the same council.

Senator Ifeanyi Uba of thee Young Progressive Party (YPP) won in his home Local Government, Nnewi North in spite of coming a distant fourth in the overall score card with 21,261 votes.

The returning officer, who doubles as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, said: “Prof. Chukwuma Soludo having scored the highest number of valid votes was declared winner of the election”.

Soludo was born on July 28, 1960 and hails from Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He obtained a first in Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and worked in many National and international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for West Africa and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Prof Soludo was the Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Planning Commission among other achievements.

Nigeria Govt To Involve Citizens In Farming, In “Operation Feed Yourself” Advocacy

Editorial staff

November 10, 2021

Nigeria Federal Government has indicated its plan to involve Nigerians in all categories of farming in its drive for “Operation Feed Yourself,” as one of the three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition.

Others are providing support to farmers across the country, especially by providing useful weather and soil pattern information that will improve farming yields, and also encouraging State Governments to ensure prompt release of budget for nutrition and related activities.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made these known at a meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed. The meeting was convened by the Oyo State government which already has an integrated farming model, and the Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on how weather information can be helpful to farmers.

According to the Vice President, “there are practical steps that can be taken by the States and Federal Government in the next 12 months.

“I think that some of the suggestions are important, especially those that have come from the UN Food System Dialogue.”

The Vice President listed the different stages to include the establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements; the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens by individuals and schools; the adoption of weather information to support farming; leveraging the support of the UN agencies and other partners for nutrition activities, and the call on MDAs and States to release funding for nutrition activities.

“States and the Federal Government of Nigeria will promote what the convener has described as “Operation Feed Yourself..

“This is more of the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens. This is simply something that we think should be a mass appeal to citizens in the States, and the encouragement we can give them so that individuals and schools develop their own farms or homestead gardens.

“This obviously not only helps individuals and families but the excess can be sold to others and generally improve food security.

“The establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements or farm estates or any variety of those kinds of integrated farming arrangements will improve food and nutrition security. What we are recommending is the sort of model that Oyo State has or any of the variety that States have. That sort is obviously recommended because of the way that it is structured and the obviously good result that they have been getting.”

FCT Now Next To Lagos In Revenue Generation, Minister Boasts; Presents N64.8 Billion Budget For 2022

Editorial staff

November 10, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello has presented before the National Assembly, a budget of N64,861,604,695.00 for 2022, boasting that the Internally Generated Revenue of the capital territory is now second only to that of Lagos State.

Presenting the FCT’s Budget to the Joint Senate and House Committees on the FCT at the National Assembly yesterday, November 9, the Minister stressed the need to increase the FCT’s budgetary allocation.

He emphasized that the FCT has been performing well in its revenue generation drive “as it is now only second to Lagos State in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”

The Minister, who did not give details of the amount of such Internally Generated Revenue said that the total figure in the 2022 budget also contained in the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on 7^th of October 2021.

According to Muhammad Musa Bello, the National Budget estimates of the FCT leveraged the 2021-2022 Medium Term National Plan (MTNDP) of the Federal Government.

Hevsaid that the priority of the of the MTNDP is the completion of on-going critical projects that will have the greatest impact on the citizenry and accordingly, the 2022 FCT budget estimates targets the sustained completion of 18 priority projects both within the Federal Capital City (FCC) and the satellite towns.

Some of these priority projects, he said, include the installation of solar street lights along various roads in the satellite towns; provision of roads, water and electricity supplies to the resettlement site of Galuwyi Shere (Phase II); Rehabilitation and upgrading of street lighting facilities within the FCC; Design/ construction of dam, treatment plant, tanks and other bulk water supply infrastructure to Karshi; Abuja Light Rail Transit Phase II Addendum 1-2 (2); and the Rehabilitation of Federal Government Buildings amongst others.

The Minister said that the construction of the Mpape –Shere Galuwyi road is a bold initiative of the Administration to ensure a successful resettlement process of original inhabitants in about 16 communities while the implementation of the Abuja Light rail Mass transit Phase II Addendum 1-2 (2) will fund the completion of a remaining 5.76km rail line thereby extending the rail line from Baizango to the Kubwa station.

The Minister said that the Greater Abuja Water supply project is a bilateral initiative to enhance water supply in the FCT and its implementation will extend the supply of potable water to 33 Districts covering Gwarimpa, 1 and 2, Utako, Dutse, Gudu Kaura, Wuye, Mabushi, Jahi, Kado , Karmo, Lokogoma, Kabusa, Dape amongst others.

On the performance of the 2021 National Budget, Muhammad Musa Bello said that the 2021 Appropriation Act had allocated the sum of N37, 430,762,421.00 for infrastructure development activities of the FCT Administration.

As of date, the Minister said, a total sum of N30,147,069,087.06 has been released, representing a budget performance of 81% while the actual utilization as at September 30 2021 stood at N18,350, 329,852.46 representing 60% of the sum released.

That was even as members of the Committee commended the FCT Administration for its 2021 national budget performance and its revenue generation performance.

It called for special funding to tackle security challenges in the FCT and also for the development of the satellite towns.

The minister was accompanied by the Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Ag Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Barr. Abdullahi Kuyambana and other senior officials of the Administration.

Communication Commission Uncovers New Malware Attacking Android Devices

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2021

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the discovery of a new Android malware, known as ‘AbstractEmu.’
According to Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission’s chief spokesman in a statement today, November 9, the malware can gain access to smartphones, take complete control of infected smartphones and silently modify device settings while simultaneously taking steps to evade detection.
He said that the discovery was announced recently by the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), the national agency established by the Federal Government to manage the risks of cyber threats in the Nigeria, which also coordinates incident response and mitigation strategies to proactively prevent cyber-attacks against Nigeria
Adinde said that AbstractEmu has been found to be distributed via Google Play Store and third-party stores such as the Amazon Appstore and the Samsung Galaxy Store, as well as other lesser-known marketplaces like Aptoide and APKPure.
The advisory stated that a total of 19 Android applications that posed as utility apps and system tools like password managers, money managers, app launchers, and data saving apps have been reported to contain the rooting functionality of the malware.
“The apps are said to have been prominently distributed via third-party stores such as the Amazon Appstore and the Samsung Galaxy Store, as well as other lesser-known marketplaces like Aptoide and APKPure. “The apps include All Passwords, Anti-ads Browser, Data Saver, Lite Launcher, My Phone, Night Light and Phone Plus, among others.
“According to the report, rooting malware although rare, is very dangerous. By using the rooting process to gain privileged access to the Android operating system, the threat actor can silently grant itself dangerous permissions or install additional malware – steps that would normally require user interaction. Elevated privileges also give the malware access to other apps’ sensitive data, something not possible under normal circumstances.
“The ngCERT advisory also captured the consequences of making their devices susceptible to AbstractEmu attack. Once installed, the attack chain is designed to leverage one of five exploits for older Android security flaws that would allow it to gain root permissions. It also takes over the device, installs additional malware, extracts sensitive data, and transmits to a remote attack-controlled server.
“Additionally, the malware can modify the phone settings to give app ability to reset the device password, or lock the device, through device admin; draw over other windows; install other packages; access accessibility services; ignore battery optimisation; monitor notifications; capture screenshots; record device screen; disable Google Play Protect; as well as modify permissions that grant access to contacts, call logs, Short Messaging Service (SMS), Geographic Positioning System (GPS), camera, and microphone.
“The ngCERT also asserts in the advisory that, while the malicious apps were removed from Google Play Store, the other app stores are likely distributing them. Consequently, the NCC wishes to reiterate a two-fold ngCERT advisory in order to mitigate the risks. The two-fold advisory include:
1. Users should be wary of installing unknown or unusual apps, and look out for different behaviours as they use their phones.
2. Reset your phone to factory settings when there is suspicion of unusual behaviours in your phone.
“The NCC, in exercise of its mandate and obligation to the consumers, will continue to sensitise and educate telecoms consumers on any cyber threat capable of inflicting low or high-impact harms on their devices, whether discovered through the ngCERT or the telecom sector’s Centre for Computer Security Incident Response managed by the Commission.”
It will be recalled that the NCC, in October 2021, alerted telecom consumers of the existence of new, high-risk and extremely-damaging, Android device-targeting Malware called Flubot and outlined steps to prevent the eir devices from being attacked by the virus.

Henceforth, We’re Going To Sack Corrupt Airport Staff – Authority’s MD

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2021

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu has said that henceforth, any airport staff, of whatever category, found to be corrupt will be stripped of his right to work in the vicinity of the airport.
Captain Yadudu, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, November 8 after the authority`s management meeting said: “we plan to have meeting with the airports regional managers and the Head of Departments (HODs). “After the meeting with the HODs, they will meet with their stakeholders then the agencies.
“ Primarily, to inform them that henceforth any violator will lose his or her ODC (On Duty Card) which means you lose your access card to the terminal.
“And we agreed that once you lose your ODC at the airport, you will not get it back. If it is a company, we will advise them to get a new staff. If it is an agency, we will advise them to get another personnel.”
The Managing Director said that any staff that lost his ODC would permanently lose his right and privilege to come to the airport terminal.
Captain Yadudu said that the management further agreed that all personnel working in the airport, either private or government, ought to boldly write his or her name on the chest of the uniform for ease of visibility.
He said that those whose names are not boldly written henceforth would lose their jobs.
The Managing Director said that the stakeholders would soon be properly informed about the new development regarding violator`s penalties.
He advised all airport users to send messages of any wrong actions to a new WhatsApp number that would be available shortly.
“If you see the name of the person (violator), put his name and the act of violation. We will get back to you through your number.
“The sanction will be permanent. This is just the begining of our strategy. If anyone loses his or her job I, think he or she will not try evil again.
“You can see we have the all relevant officers here, all the regional managers, security chiefs are here, and leaders of operation are here. So, the implementation is immediate.”
Captain Yadudu said that the management would keep improving the rules and regulations at the airports to further strengthen safety and security of air transport system.
This was even as the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
who was at meeting, said that tackling extortion in the airport required holistic approach.
Oduwole called on the airport users to make use of the new app that the presidency would also make available by downloading it.
She said that anyone could easily pass urgent massages, either good or bad that emanated at any airports in Nigeria with immediate response.
Oduwole said that there is need to have an accountability mechanism to strengthen the aviation system across the country.
“Nigerians, public sectors , private sector, everybody including the media should help us by making the complaints. We need that feedbacks.
“There is an app. You can download it, the app covers all the airports. All the airports are mentioned in that app. That information comes straight to the presidency and FAAN, among others.
“Please get the name, and that specific agency of any one found extorting passengers.
”Several agencies are working at the airports, immigration, customs and NDLEA, among others.”
According to her, it helps if one can get the name and the agency in order to go straight to where the matters are or the root of the problem.

Source: NAN.

NNPC Boss, Kyari, Bags 2020 Zik Leadership Award

Greenbarge Reporters

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.

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