Lagos Acquires 750 Hectares Of Farmland For Feedlots

October 22, 2021

The Lagos State Government has announced the acquisition of 750 hectares of farmland at Igbodu in the Epe area of the state for feedlots

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, at the official inauguration of the perimeter fencing of farm settlements/estates and agricultural land in the state today, October 22, also announced the deployment of coconut trees for perimeter fencing in all farms settlements and estates across the state.

The pilot programme is located at the Lagos State Integrated Red Meat Development Programme, Lagos Type one Feedlot, Iyafin Production Hub, Badagry.

The commissioner, who was represented on the occasion by Dr Rasheed Macaulay, Director, Veterinary Services in the ministry, said that the state government is deploying multiple strategies along the up, mid and down streams of the coconut value chain to promote its production, processing, utilisation and commercialisation, for both local and export markets.

She said that the feedlots is under construction and would soon begin operations, adding that the coconut tree fencing technology is sustainable, environment friendly; serves for security purposes as well as a source of income to the farming business with little or no maintenance cost.

Olusanya said that with a proven technology such as the use of coconut trees for perimeter fencing farm settlements should key into the programme.

She noted that the technology of using coconut trees as perimeter fencing of farms and agricultural lands stemmed from the fact that the resources to fence large expanse of land are highly expensive.

According to the commissioner, the technology involves planting of coconut trees along the perimeter and then stringing barbed wires from one trunk to the other by the third year after planting.

“I am highly delighted to be part of history on this day for the official inauguration of using coconut trees for the perimeter fencing of farm estates, farm settlements and agricultural lands in Lagos State.

“The importance that Lagos State attaches to this crop is evident in the fact that her crest or official emblem is anchored by two coconut trees, thus describing coconut as the tree of Lagos.

“The theme of this year’s World Food Day celebration is “Our Actions Are Our Future: Better Productivity, Better Nutrition and Better Environment for a Better Life”, she said.

She said that this speaks more to the coconut value chain sub-sector of agriculture than any other one.

“By nature, it is a crop of the future. Even with the technology available, the minimum gestation period is between three and five years with the ability to continue fruiting for more than 80 years after planting.

“In addition, mixing coconut value chain with any other farming activities like livestock, fisheries or other crops or planting is solely ornamental.

“The purpose is generally considered as one of the ways to create wealth and generate employment thus making room for optimal utilisation of resources,” she said.

Olusanya said that for the coconut value chain to fully unleash its potential the state is collaborating with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) through a Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) arrangement.

According to her, the collaboration is for the value chain to contribute to the sustainable development of the state in terms of wealth creation, health benefits and mitigation of climate change.

She noted that the implementation of the inception or value chain analysis would commence by the first week of November 2021.

She added that the outcome was expected to give birth to directional, specific and coordinated interventions in coconut value chain by FAO, UNIDO and other international development agencies that have shown interest in the sector.

She urged operators of farm estates, settlements and agricultural lands across the state to employ this technology and take the opportunity of subsidised coconut seedlings for this purpose.

“Just as we are well aware of the nutritional importance of coconut, it is also important to note that coconut trees play a big role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and global warming.

“Coconut trees are natural wind breakers and to reduce erosion.

“Thus, coconut speaks well to productivity, nutrition and environment for a better life than other agricultural value chains,’’ she said.

Olusanya said that this occasion, therefore, served as a timely wakeup call and an opportunity to plant coconut trees as much as space permits so as to achieve the objective of 10 million active coconut trees from now till 2026.

“There is no better place to start this campaign than within existing farm settlements and estates and agricultural lands in the state with a proven technology such as the use of coconut trees for perimeter fencing.

“In order to encourage the operators of farm settlements/estates and agricultural lands to embrace this technology, the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) has been directed to make the seedlings available at subsidised rates,” she said.

Source: NAN.

Kogi Gov Challenges Media To Set Agenda For Nigeria’s Progress, Says Politicians Have Failed

Editorial staff

October 22, 2021

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has challenged media and media owners in Nigeria to take the front seat in setting agenda for the progress of the country.

According to him it is the media, editors and media owners that should set agenda for politicians in the country not the other way round.

“If you allow the politicians to continue to set the agenda for this country, especially in the area of selecting leaders, from top-down or bottom-up, then, I don’t think we are ready to get the country on the right track.

” This is because, whether we like it or not, Nigeria will always be who or what we want it to be when journalists and media owners set the correct agenda for the politicians, and Nigerians and drive it through.

“If you don’t, only God knows what will happen after 2023. However, it is worthy to ask what agenda are we setting, is it ethic, religious, or class agenda,” Yahaya Bello asked.

The governor, who spoke today, October 22 at the 17th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference 2021 (ANEC) organised by Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said that media practitioner should not be doing the old thing in the current trend and expect different result.

He noted that media agencies have reporters all over the country, and “it is high time they tell themselves the truth and set the agenda,” adding that God would not send an angel to become the president of Nigeria.

“It is Nigerians that will have to choose their leaders to fix the various challenges facing the country.”

“By the time you allow the politicians to continue to drive the agenda, whatever you see, you should take it. This is democracy and numbers matter.

” Also, communication to the masses are usually through the media. How you set the agenda and messages to the people matter. If you do not communicate the right message to the people, we will continue to have who we do not desire.

“It takes decisive, courageous, fair-minded and balanced leader to be able to fix this country and to be able to fix our challenges as a nation.

“However, it requires the collaboration, understanding, and painstaking agenda setting of the media, to educate, sensitive and teach our people on the various steps of how to select the next leader or leadership.”

Presidential Committee Fingers IPOB In The Killing Of 175 Security Personnel In Southeast, Others

Editorial staff

October 22, 2021

File photo: Suspected IPOB members set ablaze Imo State police headquaters recently | Credit BarristerNG

A committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for terrorist, treason, felony and others has come out with a report indicting the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Kanu, who is the leader of the group, of responsible for the killing of 175 security personnel in the Southeast.

The 24-member committee, which comprised members of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence Agency also fingered Kano and his IPOB group in the murder of Chike Akunyili, the widower of the late Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili and former Presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, as well as over 184 others.

The committee, which was headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said that consequent upon the instigating directives of Kanu, members of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, carried out massive attacks on democratic institutions especially facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission with a view to hampering democratic process in Nigeria.

It said that the attacks that were carried out between October 2020 and June 2021 led to the killing of 175 security operatives.

The report read in part: “Acting on the instigating directives of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB members and #EndSARS protesters attacked and killed many security agents, destroyed several public and private properties, including police stations, public transport buses and other facilities across the country.

“That on October 21, 2020, Nnamdi Kanu through an online call-in radio programme(Radio Biafra), further instigated IPOB members to burn down all police stations and kill government security forces, which was carried out, and security personnel (especially police officers) were killed and public and private properties destroyed.

“That 175 security personnel were killed by IPOB/ESN, comprising 128 policemen, 37 military personnel and 10 other security operatives. Killing of prominent Nigerians: Recently there were gruesome killings of traditional leaders: Obi 1 of Okwudor autonomous community, Eze E. AnayochukwuDurueburuo and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebineowerre autonomous community as well as the killings of Dr. Chike Akunyili and eight others as well as the killing of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak on May 30, 2021.”

The committee found that as a consequence of Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcasts, there were 19 attacks on INEC facilities that resulted in the destruction of offices as well as burning of 18 INEC logistical vehicles, several election materials, equipment and ICT gadgets in Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

The Presidential committee said that 164 police stations and formations, including police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State were attacked by IPOB/ESN leading to the death of 128 policemen while 144 were injured and 628 vehicles were destroyed.

It said 396 firearms and 17,738 ammunition were carted away during the IPOB/ESN attacks.

“That there were three IPOB/ESN attacks on Nigerian Correctional Service, including the Headquarters of NCoS, Owerri, Imo State where 1,841 inmates escaped. That the Headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Umuahia, Abia State was also attacked by IPOB/ESN leading to the death of one officer,” the report read.

Nollywood Actors, Led By Zak Orji, Rise Against Insecurity, Secessionists; Visit Aso Rock

Editorial staff

October 22, 2021

Presidency Photo: Ahmed Bala, Zack Orji, Ben Kure, Saheed Balogun, Gentle Jack, Mr Ibu, Chiege Alisigwe, Benedict Johnson, Andy Chukwu, and Sani Denja.

Popular Nollywood Actors, led by Zak Orji have kicked against insecurity and agents of the division of Nigeria. The group operates under the auspices of Ambassadors of Voice for Change.

The group, which also comprised

National Council for Women Society (NCWS) and representatives of National Associations of Nigerian Students (NANS), as well as other stakeholders, visited the Presidential villa, Abuja today, October 22, where they were received by the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

Zack Orji expressed the readiness of the group to collaborate with the security agencies and Nigerians to ensure that there is peace and unity in the country.

“There is no way government is going to work alone without the cooperation of the people. This movement will cover the 36 States of the Federation.

“Our aim is to engage road shows, town hall meetings, rallies and all kinds of meetings to sensitize people so they can be on the same band wagons as ourselves.”

The group commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on its effort to restore peace and unity in the country and assured him of their continued support.

Responding, Femi Adesina said that the desire of President Buhari is to see that peace and unity reign in all parts of the country.

“Mr. President is actuated by nothing else than peace and unity of the country, many times he has said that those of them that fought for the unity of Nigeria will not sit down with their eyes open and see the country dismembered in their presence.

“What Mr. President wants is peace, unity and whatever it takes for Nigeria to have peace, she will have it. I remembered I did a piece recently where I said for Nigeria, it is ‘Peace Dole’ (Peace by Force).”

“The idea of this movement, Ambassadors of Voice for Change, is very good. I am sure it is God that inspired it.

“We know that there are lots of forces attempting to pull the country apart but if the country will stay together (and it will stay together), we need initiatives like this, we need voices like this, we need ambassadors like this.”

The Special Adviser said that it is in our collective interest that Nigeria survives. “Our collective interest is that our unity in diversity is maintained, so that we remain together in peace and unity, and there is strength in unity.”

He thanked the Voice for Change Ambassadors executives for the timely initiative, and assured them that because this is an initiative for peace and unity, his office will lend itself to project it.

The Ambassadors of Voice for Change is an organization made up of actors, musicians, comedians, producers, directors, and film makers, with representations from National Council for Women Society, National Associations of Nigerian Students, and market women across the country.

The representatives that were the State House included Zack Orji, Ahmed Bala, John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Sani Denja, Saheed Balogun and Ben Kure.

Others are Gentle Jack, Benedict Johnson, Andy Chukwu and Chiege Alisigwe.

Energy Transition: NNPC Boss Wants Countries Be Allowed To Develop At Their Pace

Editorial staff

October 22, 2021

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari has advocated for the consideration of what he calls “energy justice” in the implementation of energy transition.

“Talking about energy transition, it is my very well-considered view that there must be energy justice, which means that countries should develop at their own pace while taking into consideration the realities that they face.”

In a paper titled: “Insecurity as it Affects the Oil and Gas Sector,” which he delivered at the 17th All Nigerian Editors’ Conference in Abuja today, October 22, ahead of the commencement of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland next week, Mele Kyari argued that wholesale execution of energy transition without regard to the peculiar socio-economic conditions of various countries would cause dislocations that could exacerbate security challenges in developing nations.

The paper is backgrounded on the discussions on countries transiting to less carbon-intensive energy sources that have been gaining momentum in the last few years, with global leaders calling for a shift away from fossil fuels as a critical action towards tackling climate crisis.

The NNPC Boss maintained that his concept of energy justice is to allow each country, especially developing nations, to progress at their own pace while leveraging on their hydrocarbon resources for smooth transition to Net Zero by 2050.

According to the NNPC CEO, individual nations should be allowed to transit on the basis of their contributions to the carbon emission to the point that ultimately, there will be justice for all by 2050.

“Energy justice would ensure that as we transit, we are allowed to develop at a pace and in a manner that is just,” Mallam Kyari added.

The NNPC helmsman also urged the media industry and other stakeholders to champion the cause of energy justice in the global quest for cleaner energy, stressing that gas development remained the only option for Nigeria to achieve energy transition.

Speaking on NNPC’s refineries and the role they play in ensuring energy security for the country, he said NNPC management under his leadership was keen on changing the narrative and getting the refineries back on stream by taking advantage of the free-hand given to the management by President Muhammadu Buhari to do the right thing.

“This is the first time in history that NNPC and its subsidiaries are allowed to do things the way things should be done. Now, I can confirm to you that we have taken responsibility and we will fix the refineries. We have started the process, contractors have been mobilized to the Port Harcourt refinery ; while the same process for Warri and Kaduna refineries will conclude by the end of this year,” he declared.

On the menace of crude oil and products theft, the NNPC CEO said much progress has been made through collaboration with security agencies.

He called for support of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and other stakeholders towards reducing insecurity within the oil and gas industry.

Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, said the purpose of the conference is to find solution to the various security challenges facing the country.

Isah also called on all stakeholders to rise up to the insecurity challenge by giving their best in defence of the nation.

Regulator Warns Against New High-Risk, Damaging Malware In Existence

Editorial staff

October 22, 2021

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted millions of Nigerian telecom consumers of the existence of new, high-risk and extremely-damaging, Malware called Flubot.

A malware is a generic word used to describe a virus or software, designed specially to “disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.”

According to the information today, October 21, from the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), Flubot “targets Androids with fake security updates and App installations”.

The ngCERT affirmed that Flubot “impersonates Android mobile banking applications to draw fake web view on targeted applications” and its goal transcends stealing personal data and essentially targets stealing of credit card details or online banking credentials.

FluBot is circulated through Short Message Service (SMS) and can snoop “on incoming notifications, initiate calls, read or write SMSes, and transmit the victim’s contact list to its control centre.”

This malware attacks Android devices by pretending to be “FedEx, DHL, Correos, and Chrome applications” and compels unsuspecting users to alter the accessibility configurations on their devices in order to maintain continuous presence on devices.

The new malware undermines the security of devices by copying fake login screens of prominent banks, and the moment the users enter their login details on the fake pages, their data is harvested and transmitted to the malware operators’ control point from where the data is exploited by intercepting banking-related One Time Passwords (OTPs) and replacing the default SMS app on the targeted Android device.

Consequently, it secures admittance into the device through SMS and proceeds to transmit similar messages to other contacts that may be on the device it has attacked enticing them into downloading the fake app.

It suffices to say that, when Flubot infects a device, it can result in incalculable financial losses. Additionally, the malware creates a backdoor which grants access to the user’s device, thus enabling the invader or attacker to perform other criminal actions, including launching other variants of malware.

In view of this discovery and understanding of the process by which this malware operates, and in order to protect millions of telecom consumers and prevent criminal forces, irrespective of location, from using telecom platforms to perpetrate fraud and irredeemable damages, the NCC hereby wishes to reiterate the advisory of ngCERT as follows:

Do not click on the link if you receive a suspicious text message, and do not install any app or security update the page asks you to install.
Use updated antivirus software that detects and prevents malware infections.
Apply critical patches to the system and application.
Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) over logins.
Back-up your data regularly.
If you have been affected by this campaign, you should reset your device to factory mode as soon as possible. This will delete any data on your phone, including personal data.
Do not restore from backups created after installing the app. You may contact ngCERT on incident@cert.gov.ng for technical assistance.
You will also need to change the passwords to all of your online accounts, with urgency, around your online bank accounts.
If you have concerns that your accounts may have been accessed by unauthorised people, contact your bank immediately.

As the Commission intensifies efforts in ensuring increased broadband access, enabling telecoms consumers to carry out their legitimate activities more efficiently and effectively online, it also restates its commitment to empowering consumers through useful information and education to protect them from falling victims of all kinds of cyber-attack while online. This explains the rationale for the launch of telecom sector’s Centre for Computer Security Incident Response by NCC on 30th September, 2021.

COVID19: Healthcare Workers’re Dying In Large Number, WHO Laments, Calls For Action

Greenbarge Reporters

October 22, 2021

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed great concern over the large number of healthcare workers that have died of COVID19 across the world and insisted on urgent concrete action to better protect them.
Director-General of the world body, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, who addressed newsmen in COVID-19 virtual news conference, with focus on healthcare workers and vaccine equity, said that an increasing proportion of the workforce are also suffering from burnout, stress, anxiety and fatigue.
He called on the member state governments and stakeholders to strengthen the monitoring and reporting of COVID-19 infections, ill-health and deaths among healthcare workers.
“We have been calling for systematic standardised data collection for over a year and half.
“We know that many nurses have become infected and many have died. They work long hours, work without breaks, and they have been called to do work without protective equipment or without support.
“WHO and partners advocate for inclusion of disaggregation by age, gender and occupation as a standard procedure, to enable decision makers and scientists to identify and implement mitigation measures that will further reduce the risk of infections and ill-health.”
He appealeded to political leaders and policy makers to do all within their power to make regulatory, policy and investment decisions that ensure the protection of healthcare workers.
He called on leaders and policy makers to ensure equitable access to vaccines so that healthcare workers were prioritised in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Jim Campbell, Director of the WHO Health Workforce Department, said: “we have a moral obligation to protect healthcare workers, ensure their rights and provide them with decent work in a safe and enabling practice environment.
“This must include access to vaccines.”
Catherine Duggan, Chief Executive Officer of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, said: “we cannot afford to lose more healthcare workers from the pandemic; we need long-term, sustainable investments in the health workforce.”
Duggan said WHO is currently leading efforts to develop a global healthcare worker compact, based on existing legal instruments, conventions and resolutions.
According to him, the compact aims to provide member states, stakeholders and institutions with comprehensive guidance on existing obligations to protect healthcare workers and safeguard their rights.
He said the compact would also promote and ensure decent work, free from gender, racial and all other forms of discrimination.
The guidance will be presented to the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022.
Source: NAN.

Federal Revenue To Introduce Road Infrastructure Tax To Fund Rehabilitation, Others

Editorial staff

October 21, 2021

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mamman Nami, has hinted that the Service is thinking of introducing Road Infrastructure Tax in Nigeria to make the informal sector contribute to building a modern society.

Muhammadu Nami, who spoke today, October 21 while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its National President, Chris Isiguzo, in his office, in Abuja, said that the proposed Road Infrastructure tax to be administered by FIRS, will provide government with adequate funding for road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance, as well as providing the needed security for roads in the country.

“One quick and very important intervention required of you is in the area of the Road Infrastructure Funding Scheme that the country needs in order fix our roads and bringing the informal sector to the tax net.”

The FIRS boss said that in many jurisdictions, road users pay for the use of road infrastructure, and that this should not be seen as an additional burden on the people because it has the potential of making life better for all.

Muhammad Nami said that Nigeria’s economy presently relies heavily on non-oil revenues to discharge its statutory responsibility of paying salaries and providing social amenities to the citizenry.

“Without the tax that you pay, governments at all levels would not be able to fulfil their mandate to the electorates. Tax money also helps to ensure the roads you travel are safe and always in good condition.”

He said that the recent rise in the price of crude oil ordinarily should have impacted positively on the Petroleum Profit Tax payable by oil producing companies. However, it has shown otherwise due to some reasons.

On the challenges facing the service of delivering on its mandate, he said: “Crude oil production has been limited by OPEC quota. Nigerian OPEC quota as at July 2021 was about 1.5mbpd as against its crude oil production budget of 1.8mbpd.

“This is a shortfall of 300,000 barrels per day. Our average daily crude oil production is around 1.250mbpd as against the allocated 1.5mbpd OPEC quota which has resulted in a shortfall of almost 250,000 barrels per day mainly caused by crude oil theft and force majeure declared by some of the IOCs.

“The total shortfall to FGN budgeted production is about 550,000 barrel per day.

“Huge losses brought forward and un-recouped capital allowances reported by most of the companies due to production shut in and the fall in oil price in 2020 as a result of the covid-19 pandemic which reduced their revenue. ”

He said that with challenges in the oil and gas sector, reforms have been carried out by the agency with visible impact on the economy such as the deployment of technology in tax administration to improve domestic revenue mobilization in view of dwindling oil prices.

Muhammad Nami added that the service created 10 Value Added Tax, VAT, Regional Coordination Offices across the country to drive collection of VAT.

“We have commenced usage of VAT Form 002A for enrolment and tracking of branch offices of major VAT payers. This will certainly improve our VAT collection and capacity. We achieved 114.66 percent of our VAT collection target in the first half of the year.

“It will interest you to know that the Service collected a total of N4.2trn between January to September, 2021. This feat was achieved as a result of the efficiency and effectiveness of the TaxProMax Solution and intelligence/data we gathered, mined and analyzed in the period under review.

“The Service successfully facilitated both the mock and external audits for the ISO 27001:2013 certification of the Exchange of Information (EOI) centre, to meet international information security management standards.”

Earlier, the NUJ National President, Isiguzo said the visit of the union was part of his resolve to engage critical institutions as a key stakeholder in charting a way forward for the country’s collective good.

The NUJ President described FIRS as a vital institution in the country, which “requires all the support it needs especially at a time when the country is security-challenged, adversely affected by Covid-19 and faced with FOREX crisis as well as political intrigues from different parts of the nation.”

He said that the NUJ has noted closely the FIRS’ strident efforts to shore up the country’s revenue by deploying technology and the requisite personnel in this regard.

“Of interest to the Union is your digital technology solution, TaxPro-Max.

“The numbers show that it has assisted in boosting efficiency in tax administration and collection rates across the country.

“However, with your recent admission that only about 44 million out of a possible 100 million plus pay tax, it makes it urgent for a robust integrated media campaign to get more Nigerians into the tax net. This the NUJ is willing to spearhead.”

Isiguzo assured the FIRS boss and his management team that NUJ will commend the agency where it has done noble.

He said that the union will not shy away from criticizing the FIRS constructively as well as hold it accountable to the Nigerian people, in line with constitutional guarantee as contained in Chapter 22 of the 1999 Constitution as amended

Terrorists From My Country Still Taking Cover In Nigeria, Turkish President Alerts

Greenbarge Reporters

October 21, 2021

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has alerted his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari of the existence of terrorists from his country.
According to him, members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) that attempted to take cover power from him on July 15, 2016 through a failed coup are currently in Nigeria.
Erdogan made these known yesterday, October 20 at a joint press conference with President Buhari in Abuja, Nigeria.The Turkish leader was on a two-day working visit to Nigeria.
He told Buhari: “Turkey has been fighting against terrorist organisations for many decades, such as the PKK, PYD, FETO, DASH and other terrorist organisations.
“The perpetrator of the heinous failed coup of July the 15th, FETO, is still illegally active in Nigeria, and we are continuously sharing our intelligence with the Nigerian interlocutors and authorities.
“I hope and pray that our Nigerian brothers will forge a closer solidarity in this field with us, the Republic of Turkey.”
He sought the collaboration of the Nigerian government to overcome extremism and terrorism that has become a global phenomenon.
The Turkish President commended President Buhari for hosting him and his delegation.
“The most auspicious results and I would like to thank my distinguished brother, President Buhari, for being such a gracious host for me and for my delegation.”
Meanwhile President Buhari praised President Erdogan for opening his country’s borders to accommodate millions of refugees in dire need of humanitarian support.
President Buhari said at the joint press conference that his Turkish counterpart has set an example to the rest of the world on how to treat refugees.
‘‘I commend Your Excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating 4 million refugees fleeing from conflict areas particularly in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. You have indeed set an example to the rest of the world.”
President Buhari described the two-day visit of President Erdogan and the First Lady, Emine Erdogan, as a reflection of the ‘‘robust, warm and cordial bilateral relation’’ between Nigeria and Turkey.
He said that it was the second time he has had ‘‘the pleasure of receiving my Brother in Abuja.’’
On the accomplishments from the visit, President Buhari said: “during the visit, we held very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey.
‘‘The key issues we touched on included a Series of Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that had been finalised.
‘‘As a positive outcome, eight major Agreements/MoUs on a number of the key sectors including Energy, Defense Industry, Mining and HydroCarbons among others were signed today. We have agreed that implementation is to commence immediately.
‘‘In the course of our discussions, we also reviewed the travel ban list based on the revised COVID-19 protocols and removed Turkey from Nigeria’s Travel Ban List. Turkey has indeed achieved remarkable success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.’’
President Buhari said President Erdogan’s meeting with a Joint Session of the Nigeria and Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry, before departing Nigeria, would be another opportunity to engage and exchange views on more productive ways of pushing ahead the socio-economic ties between the two countries.
He thanked the Turkish President and the First Lady for commissioning the Turkish Cultural Centre in Abuja as well as opening the newly renovated Government Secondary School in Wuse, Abuja, undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIIKA).
Turkish President, sympathised with Nigeria on the attack in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed several lives, the Turkish leader pledged that his country would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism as well as in the fields of military, defence and security.
‘‘We are ready to share our ever expanding capabilities with Nigeria especially in the field of defence industry and security, which has been praised by the entire globe.
‘‘This sensitivity that we have showcased in fighting terrorism, I hope will be reciprocated by our Nigerian brothers, sisters and counterparts,’’ he said.
The Turkish President announced that his country has increased its diplomatic presence in Africa to 43 missions, adding that the third round of the Turkish-African business forum will be held in Istanbul this October while the third Turkish-African partnership summit will follow in December.
President Erdogan expressed delight that many Nigerian students are currently studying in Turkey and benefiting from scholarships.

Kano Widow, Made To Shed Tears Of Joy

Editorial staff

October 20, 2021

A widow in Kano, Maryam Abdullahi, shed tears of joy today, October 20 when she received gift of food items donated by a philanthropist.

The former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa-Bichi, had distributed food items to hundreds of less privileged, to commemorate this year’s Eid-El-Maulud.

“My husband died last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and left me with five children.

“The small business of frying bean cake (akara) I engaged in, could not be sustained due to lack of capital.

“We thank the Almighty Allah for this gesture; we really appreciate the //donor, may Allah continue to guide him,” she said, amidst tears.”

Another beneficiary, Malam Abubakar Idris, said that the gesture came at the right time when many people could not afford three meals a day.

He said that the philanthropist was a man of God who had interest of the poor at heart.

Speaking while distributing the items, Buffalo-Bichi said that the aim was to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged to cushion the economic hardship.

“As we are celebrating the birth of our Noble Prophet (Peace and Blessing of God be Upon him), we feel obliged to put smiles on the faces of people who could not afford food for their families.”

He listed the items distributed to include bags of rice, millet, maize, meat, as well as clothing materials..

Each beneficiary got 50 kg bag of rice, maize, millet, some portion of meat and clothing materials..

Source. NAN.

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