Group Says Story About Embezzlement Of Kwese Basketball Sponsorship Deal Is Fake News

December 2, 2021

Members of the Nigeria Basketball Accountability Group have described as blatant falsehood and fake news, the recent report alleging the embezzlement of $2.2 million of Kwese Sponsorship money by the former NBBF President and now Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar.

The group, in a statement today, December 2, said that the allegation in some section of the media was the machination and handiwork of scammers in Nigeria Basketball Federation, determined to foist an obnoxious constitution and buy over voters in a fraudulent election they attempted to organize in Benin City, Edo State, on October 30, 2021.

It said that the Nigeria Basketball Federation under the former president, transparently managed sponsorship deals with DStv (2010-2016), Zenith Bank (2009-2016) and Kwese (2016-2017).

The stressed that his tenure recorded the first victory of any African team or any non-American or non-European team and laid the solid foundation for the elevation of the game of basketball in Nigeria both locally and internationally when the Nigerian Men’s team qualified for the London 2012 Olympics through the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

“This was followed by the first ever victory at the Men’s African Championship (Afrobasket) in Tunisia in 2015 which also qualified Nigeria to its second Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.”

The group asked: “why was there no report of wrong doing of any kind either in respect of public or sponsors funds during his entire tenure from 2009-2017 until now in 2021, when a well planned and dubious election was stopped?.

“Why has neither DSTV, Zenith, Kwese nor the Ministry of Youth and Sports management reported any wrong doing to any competent court or investigative agency empowered to investigate and unravel such matters during that entire period?”

It said that the simple answer is that there was no wrong-doing in NBBF management of any kind in the period between 2009 – 2017.

“This is in contrast to the scandalous management of teams and funds between 2017 and the Tokyo Olympic games in 2021.

“The paid writers using the visibility of the former president’s present office to spread falsehood and attempt to tarnish his reputation and integrity in the hope of settling old scores is both cheap and despicable and has consequences.

“While he is known not to respond to such smear campaign, on our part, we will spare no effort to hold the paid writers and their medium accountable for spreading what in all good conscience of every true basketball lover or stakeholder knows to be absolute rubbish.

“Our advice is for any aggrieved party to report any perceived wrong doing to EFCC, ICPC or any competent court instead of undertaking cheap blackmail.”

6 Abuja Councils Share N4,476,067,191.05 For October

Editorial staff

December 2, 2021

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disbursed a total sum of N4,476,067,191.05 to the six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of October 2021,

The figure indicates a slight decrease in revenue from N4,726,127,134.71billion disbursed in the month of September to N4,476, 067,191.05 in the month of October, representing 5.3 percent decrease.

The Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who presided over the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), commended all stakeholders for their cooperation, despite challenges recorded in the past.

The figures released indicate that the sum of N2,530,406,244.92billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N1,945,660,946.13 was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N4,476,067,191.05.

However, distributions to area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N467,596,505.31, while Gwagwalada got N470,262,942.36 and Kuje received N409,219,387.28.

Others include, Bwari Area Council which received N384,085,033.55, Abaji N401,888, 840.83 and Kwali received N397, 353, 535.59 bringing the total sum to N2,530, 406, 244.92 disbursed to the six area councils.

Distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,566,571,879.02 with 15 percent Pension Funds which took N226,478,989.57, One percent Training Fund which gulped N44,760,671.91 and 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution accounting for N107,849, 405.63, bringing the total sum to N1,945,660,946.13.

While calling for more commitment and synergy on the part of all stakeholders, the minister however commended them for showing understanding in the distribution of monthly allocation to area councils and other stakeholders.

She stressed the need to strengthen institutions that would outlive the present administration.

Fire Razes Down N24 Million Worth Of Farm Produce In Yobe

Editorial staff

December 2, 2021

Fire has destroyed farm produce worth N24 million in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Local Government Information Officer, Alhaji Ali Abdullahi, in an interview today, December 2 with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gulani, the fire which started in the late hours of today, destroyed 16 millet farms of about 115 hectares.

He said that the local authorities believed that the fire started by a lighted cigarette stick dumped in the area.

“Usually during harvest, the wind blows strongly.

“And if herdsmen around the area drop their cigarettes on shrubs or start fire to prevent their cattle from insect bites, fire can easily start and escalate.

The official said that the council chairman, Alhaji Dayyabu Jibilwa, had earlier conducted an on-the-spot-assessment of the damage recorded.

He said that Jibilwa commiserated with the affected farmers and assured them that the state and local governments would support them to cushion the effect of their losses.

Dry Season Farming: CBN Supports 5,676 Wheat Farmers With Inputs

Editorial staff

December 2, 2021

The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has distributed fertilisers and other inputs to 5,676 wheat farmers for the 2021 dry season activities in Bauchi State.

The inputs were distributed to the farmers at Zirma Bakin, Kogi village in Warji Local Government Area of the state under the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP, which is the critical component of the Federal Government’s agriculture transformation programmes aimed at encouraging productivity to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

It also focused at enhancing farmers’ access to inputs, new technologies and agricultural financing as well as encouraging processing, value addition and farmer enterprising skills.

The programme is being implemented by the CBN in partnership with states and consortium of commercial banks through inputs dealers otherwise called “Anchor Clients.”

CBN’s Development Finance Officer (DFO), Bauchi Zonal Office, Aminu Haruna said that farmers in the state have been selected to participate in the programme to accelerate wheat cultivation.

“The wheat farming is introduced by the CBN to assist small holder farmers to cultivate wheat towards enhancing food security in the country.

“We are targeting 15,000 wheat farmers in Bauchi State, now we have the first batch here and other batches are also coming up soon.

According to him, the wheat cultivation programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Wheat Farmers, Processors and Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (WFPMAN).

In his remarks, Bauchi State Coordinator of the association, Ibrahim Sadiq said that the apex bank would distribute inputs to the farmers to enable them to improve their productivity.

Sadiq listed the items to include assorted fertilisers, seeds and chemicals, adding that each of the benefitting farmers recieved items worth N360,000 to cultivate one hectre of land.

He said the farmers are expected to repay the loan in kind at harvest.

“The idea is to boost wheat production, it is about the second largest consumer of our Foreign Exchange, apart from oil.

“So, we need to farm and we need to feed ourselves.”

The District Head of Warji, Alhaji Alhasan Samaila-Boyi warned against diversion of the inputs and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the inputs to boost their production.

One of the beneficiaries, Kassim Idris, lauded the gesture, and pledged to work towards achieving higher yields at harvest.

Source: NAN.

Communication Commission Clears MTN, Others To Bid For 5G Networks In Nigeria

Editorial staff

December 2, 2021

Nigeria’s Communications Commission (NCC) has said that three telecommunications companies: MTN Nigeria Plc., Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited have qualified to bid for the auction of 3.5 gigahertz spectrum for the deployment of 5G networks in the country.

The NCC Public Affairs Director, Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement today, December 2, said that the bidders have complied with the Bid Deposit Intent as outlined in the Information Memorandum.

According to the statement, the bidders have also complied with all the regulatory principles of the open and transparent auction commission.

“Qualified bidders who have met the criteria to participate in the 3.5 Ghz spectrum licensing process, including the payment of the intent to bid deposit (IBD) stipulated as described in the Memorandum of Information (IM), include MTN Nigeria Plc., Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited.

“Consequently, the stage is now set for the three companies to participate in the Main Auction, as well as in the mandatory Mock Auction process, which will come as a precursor to the Main Auction.”

The Commission also reaffirmed the dates for both the Drill and the Main Auction. The mock auction is scheduled for Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja at 11:00 a.m. M., While the main auction will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the same place and at the same time.

Pastor Confesses To Have Kidnapped Catholic Priest, Gets N1.5 Million From Ransom

Editorial staff

December 2, 2021

“I am a pastor with Apostolic Church of Christ in Lagos. I got N1.5 million from the kidnap of the priest. I never knew I will be arrested. I regret my actions because I am now a disgrace to the body of Christ and my family.”

This was a confession of a 35 year old pastor, Izuchukwu Anoloba over the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Fidelis Ekemgba.

Izuchukwu, was arrested by the Imo State Police Command, together with others, accused of holding the priest for over seven days and was made to pay a ransom of N5 million to them.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hassaini, who paraded the suspects, said that the syndicate is a deadly one and that the pastor was arrested in Lagos following intelligence gathering by men of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command.

According to the police boss, the 45 year old priest, in charge of St. Peters Catholic parish in Umunohu Amakaohia in the Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of the state, was double-crossed and whisked away by his abductors.

He commended his men for an excellent job, even as he said that he would continue to make the state uncomfortable for criminals.

The Pastor, Anoloba, who spoke to newsmen, confessed that he got N1.5 million from the ransom the priest paid them.

Source: Punch.

Low Quality: European Union Threatens To Ban Nigerian Cocoa – Osinbajo Alerts

Greenbarge Reporters

December 1, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has cautioned against what he called imminent rejection of Nigerian cocoa by the European Union, beginning from 2022, due to continuous use of chemicals more than the original level.
Recall that the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria recently alleged that the EU had threatened to reject cocoa produced in Nigeria from 2022 due to a fall in the commodity’s quality.
The vice president who spoke in Abuja at the Nigerian Cocoa Summit and Awards in Abuja, advised farmers to institute a mechanism and extend good agronomic practices and knowledge to ensure that cocoa produce from Nigeria meet international standard.
Osinbajo, who was represented by the Gap Lead, Dr. Eze Kingsley Uzoma, warned that the residual effects of indiscriminate application of chemicals would reduce the quality of the seed and depreciate earnings in the sector as he tasked farmers to use them within permissible standard.
This was even as the National President of CFAN, Adeola Adegoke expressed concern that cocoa, which contributed the highest foreign exchange earnings in the 1950s to 1960s, had reduced its earnings due to myriad of challenges confronting the sub-sector.
Adegoke said that the advent of climate change has added another factor that is negatively affecting the production of cocoa.
He explained that Nigeria is adjudged to be the second largest producer of cocoa in the past, but that the country currently produces about 250,000 metric tons
In his remark, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, attributed Nigeria’s loss of cocoa power in the global market and competitiveness to lack of improved seedlings, pest infestation, pesticide contamination leading to a low quality of cocoa beans among others.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Dr. Karima Babangida, said that the ministry is collaboration with all relevant stakeholders towards increasing cocoa production from the present 250,000 metric tons to 714,000 metric tons.
“This is in line with the new National Cocoa plan as proposed to be sent to Federal Executive Council by the Ministry and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.”
He said that the National Cocoa Plan (2021 to 2030) is aimed at promoting a sustainable cocoa economy, resurgence in production and industrialisation to trigger a robust domestic consumption, farmgate prosperity, youth engagement thereby leading to increased foreign exchange earnings from export of consistently superior quality beans and products.
He said that the Federal Government would be willing to support any state that is pushful in its quest to diversify the economy, especially in area of increase in cocoa productivity to ensure that Nigeria regains its position as one of the highest cocoa producing countries in the world.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo, said that Nigeria has the potential of becoming leading trade hub of Africa leveraging on Africa continental free trade agreements (AFCFTA) but Nigeria is yet to fully harness these potentials for economic growth and development.
According to him, the Ministry of Trade and Investment has the mandate to enhance competitiveness and providing the enabling environment that will boost Nigeria’s agric commodities sector.
He appealed to private sector groups to support growth of agriculture knowing that the Federal Government is committed to developing policies geared towards development of the cocoa sector.
Source: NAN.

Nelson, Muhammad, Ikenna Bag 2021 Public Service Integrity Awards

Editorial staff

November 30, 2021

Three Nigerians, Nelson Okoronkwo, Muhammad Ahmad and Ikenna Nweke have bagged the 2021 Public Service Integrity Awards.

Nelson Okoronkwo is the Deputy Director, Legal, in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture while

Muhammad Ahmad is Assistant Commander of Narcotics in the

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as Ikenna Nweke is a PhD student from Imo State, studying in Japan.

Okoronkwo was recognised for his consistent acts of integrity in the different ministries where he served and is a committee member on fertilizer distribution that led to the recovery of billions of naira from racketeers with collaborators within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He was credited to have reported corrupt practices that led to the Ogoni cleanup investigation in the Federal Ministry Environment.

As Committee Chairman on Illegal Recruitment in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the Deputy Director facilitated the detection and removal of over 3,000 fake employers from the Service, thereby saving the government millions of naira in terms of salaries and emoluments.

The NDLEA officer, Ahmad, was recognised for demonstrating the highest ideals and standards of the public service in the discharge of his responsibilities.

Also a recipient of the Chairman/Chief Executive Award for Outstanding Performance and Integrity, Ahmad recently recovered and declared to his Agency the sum of 24,500 USD offered to him as bribe by a drug baron to compromise an investigation of 27.950 kg of cocaine, worth billions of naira

That was even as Nweke, the Nigerian PhD student in Japan founded a wallet containing a very large amount of money and other valuables and returned it to the Japanese police.

He declined 10 per cent of the money offered to him as a reward.

The Nigerian, who joined the event virtually from his base in Japan, was recognised for his act of ‘‘honesty and integrity,’’ by the President.

On Nweke, President Muhammadu Buhari who declaring open, the 3rd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector, today, November 30 said: “I am also happy to note the ICPC special award to Ikenna Steve Nweke, a Nigerian Ph.D student from Imo State studying in Japan.

‘‘He has done Nigeria proud in far-away Japan by displaying traditional Nigerian values of honesty and integrity and returning a wallet containing a very large sum of money and other valuables to the police.

‘‘He also declined 10% of the money found as a reward offered to him.

‘‘I join the ICPC in declaring him ICPC CITIZENS ANTI-CORRUPTION VOLUNTEER GROUP ICON.

‘‘He is indeed an icon and a beacon for our youths. I also congratulate all those to be awarded the ICPC Certificate of Integrity through their agencies.’’

The President warned that his administration would not hesitate to punish Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that fraudulently present new projects as ongoing projects in the budget.

“We reduced the cost of governance by maintaining our promise to complete abandoned or ongoing projects commenced by previous administrations and have ensured that MDAs do not put forward new capital projects at the expense of ongoing projects.

‘‘Government has, however, noted from the activities of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that some MDAs have devised the fraudulent practice of presenting new projects as ongoing projects.

‘‘Necessary action and sanctions will continue against the heads of such errant MDAs. I am confident that ICPC will continue to maintain the vigilance required of her by the ICPC Act in this regard.”

The President described the summit with the theme “Corruption and Cost of Governance: New Imperatives for Fiscal Transparency,” as auspicious.

He recalled the negative impacts of unnecessary cost of governance and an opportunity offered by the event for critical stakeholders to offer suggestions on ways to further reduce the cost of governance and promote transparency and accountability in government expenditure.

‘‘I am delighted that the Legislative and Judicial arms of government are also under focus on managing the cost of governance because government is a collective and is not the business of the Executive branch alone.

‘‘On 19th August 2020, the Federal Executive Council adopted the National Ethics and Integrity Policy which I launched on 25th September 2020.

‘‘I am delighted that some public officers continue not only to demonstrate the core values of ethics, integrity and patriotism but have been identified for their sterling anti-corruption disposition in their workplace.”

MTN Sells Share To Nigerians, Beginning Tomorrow, December 1

Editorial staff

November 30, 2021

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has said that the public offer, for the sale of up to 575 million shares, to retail investors will be priced at ₦169.00 per share.

According to the giant network,bthe Offer will open at 8:00 am on December 1st, 2021 and close at 5:00 pm on December 14th, 2021.

It said that the minimum subscription is 20 shares and lots of 20 shares thereafter.

Also, the Offer includes an incentive in the form of 1 free share for every 20 shares purchased, subject to a maximum of 250 free shares per investor. The incentive is open to retail investors who buy and hold the shares allotted to them for at least 12 months after the allotment date.

Meanwhile the local bourse extended its bearish performance driven by sell pressure on GTCO (-1.4%), ZENITH (-1.0%), and DANGSUGAR (-1.2%), as the benchmark index shed 5bps to 43,248.05 points. Consequently, YTD return moderated to 7.4% while market capitalisation shed ₦11.9bn to ₦22.6tn. Trading activity improved as volume and value traded rose 5.5% and 57.2% respectively to 224.9m units and ₦3.7bn. ACCESS (42.2m units), ZENITH (39.0m units), and FBNH (16.9m units) led activity by volume while ZENITH (₦935.4m), NESTLE (₦916.1m), and GTCO (₦414.0m) led by value.
Across the sector coverage, performance was mixed as 3 indices lost, 2 indices gained, while the AFR-ICT index closed flat. The Insurance and Banking indices were the only gainers, up 1.6% and 0.3% respectively on account of buying interest in AIICO (+9.2%), WAPIC (+4.2%), ACCESS (+4.4%), and ETI (+3.7%). Conversely, the Oil & Gas index lost the most, down 0.4% due to sustained sell pressure on OANDO (-2.0%). Trailing, the Consumer and Industrial Goods indices fell 21bps and 4bps respectively due to price depreciation in DANGSUGAR (-1.2%), GUINNESS (-0.8%), and WAPCO (-0.6%).

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth (advance/decline ratio), waned to 0.5x from 0.6x as 11 stocks advanced while 24 stocks declined. AIICO (+9.2%), ACCESS (+4.4%), and WAPIC (+4.2%) led gainers while UPDCREIT (-9.9%), IKEJAHOTEL (-9.6%), and UPDC (-9.3%) led decliners. In the next trading session, we expect the bearish performance to continue in the absence of any positive catalyst.

University Of Ilorin To Go Into Full Mechanize Farming, Vice Chancellor Promises

Editorial staff

November 30, 2021

The Vice-Chancellor of the Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Professor Noah Yusuf, has said that the institution will turn its vast hectares of land to a highly mechanised farming to boost food production in the state.

Professor Yusuf, who spoke to newsmen today, November 30 on various activities lined up to mark the 11th Convocation Ceremony of the institution, said: “the university has been harvesting various crops in its farm and sold them at subsidised prices to the immediate university workers and its communities in Igbaja and Ilorin.

“Our plan is to turn the vast hectares of land in Igbaja into a highly mechanised farming.

“This will boost food production within the axis and the country at large.”

The vice-chancellor said that the university would convocate 1,079 students: 28 with First Class, 282 with Second Class Upper, 532 with Second Class Lower and 97 with Third Class and others with Pass.

He said that the university had completed plan to commence gradual movement from the Adeta Campus to Atere Main Campus to decongest the campus following high level of interest and increase in number of admission.

He called on philanthropists to assist the institution to provide quality education for Nigerians, saying that 1, 287 had been offered admission for 2021 academic session.

“In the academic sphere, the university has established a Centre for Peace and Security Studies as part of its determination to practically demonstrate the town and gown culture.

“We all know that threat to peace is the greatest challenge facing the country now more than ever before.

Source: NAN.

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