The Super Eagles of Nigeria, again suffered another defeat of 4-0 in the hands of their Mexican counterparts, in a international friendly. The Super Eagles have failed woefully to record any win in their eight friendly matches so far. Early this morning, June 4, at the 77,500- capacity LA Coliseum in Mexico, the Super Eagles started the game with some kind of determination, but were given early warning by two quick goals and topped it in the second half with another two. In what was the concluding tie in the 2021 MexTour Series, Hector Hererra gave Mexico the lead after poking in from his team’s first corner kick barely two minutes into the game. Though Ibrahim Sanusi tried frantically to clear the ball off the line, he could not deny the North Americans their first goal of the game. While the dust was yet to settle on the first, the fast-paced Mexicans came calling again; opening the Nigerian defence before Rogelio Funes Mori blasted home from close range to make it 2-0 for Mexico. Though the fast tempo of the Mexicans was slowed down by the Eagles, the CONCACAF giants dominated virtually in all departments of the game. Nigeria’s first corner kick did not come until the 35th minute but they made little out of it. That nonetheless, it wasn’t all Mexico in the first half as Nigeria had their own chance late on. Nigeria’s last win in a friendly match was in March 2019 when they beat Egypt 1-0 with a first-minute goal by Paul Onuachu. Source PREMIUM TIMES.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still lamenting the defection of Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that it isan act of unpardonable betrayal. This is as the former national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams declared in Edo State: “it is with great pleasure, relief and deep sense of personal satisfaction that I welcome you to our party, the APC. I have for long looked forward to this day, when you will reunite with the APC, your original party.” In a statement, the PDP’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan called the governor’s defection an “unpardonable act of betrayal” and said from Matawalle’s statement, it is clear that he joined the ruling party out of intimidation. “The statement by Governor Matawalle further confirms that the APC has been promoting insecurity, particularly terrorism and kidnapping for ransom, in various parts of the country as a way to create an emergency situation to cover their atrocities, siphon public funds as well as intimidate and coerce state governors elected on the platform of other political parties to join their fold,” the statement reads. “PDP holds that by this confession, it is therefore clear that Governor Matawalle did not defect to the APC because the Party has any democratic credential as erroneously claimed by the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, but only surrendered to intimidation and cowardly joined those behind the killings and acts of violence in Nigeria,” the party said. “Of course, the APC, as a party of political bandits, does not have any democratic credential to attract well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians. Governor Matawalle must however note that joining such individuals, who have brought so much anguish and pain to his people, is an unpardonable act of betrayal which will continue to act as an albatross particularly against the backdrop of his own vows. “On the reclaiming of the governorship mandate, the PDP described Matawalle’s boast as the feeble kick of a disoriented and confused deserter, stressing that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear on the responsibilities of a deputy governor that finds himself under an absconding governor like Matawalle.” And in a letter to Zamfara governor, Adams Oshiomhole said that it takes a man of courage, conscience, principles and honour to make a long-awaited move as done by the governor, stressing that not many politicians in this clime would have the audacity to undertake such move from PDP to the APC. The letter which he personally signed and made available to reporters in Benin by his media aide, Victor Oshioke, Oshiohole, who is former Edo governor, said that Zamfara governor’s defection was with great pleasure. “I am delighted that your coming to the APC with your legion of supporters is not only a boost for our great party in terms of numbers, but brings on board our platform, a sound mind, accomplished administrator and proven performer, who has won the admiration of the Zamfara people by virtue of your exceptional leadership.” Zamfara governor last week defected from the PDP to the APC, over irreconcilable differences with some leaders of the main opposition party.”
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has paid a royal homage on Alhaji Aminu Ado Beyero on his coronation as the 15th Emir of Kano. Professor Danbatta, who hails from Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano State, congratulated Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, in his personal capacity and on behalf of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, as well as Board of Commissioners and the entire staff of the Commission. In a congratulatory message during the visit to the Emir in his palace in Kano, Professor Dambata said: “On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), I heartily felicitate with Your Highness and the Kano Emirate Council on your coronation and presentation of Staff of Office as the 15th Emir of Kano.” He said that the Commission, while rejoicing with the monarch, also prays that peace, progress and prosperity continue to be the hallmark of his reign. “As we delightfully share in the bliss of this historic event with Your Highness and the good people of Kano Emirate, we also pray for Almighty Allah’s (SWT) health, wisdom and guidance as you receive the staff of office. The Executive Vice Chairman said that the Commission will continue to work with traditional institutions towards advancing the course of telecommunications infrastructure deployment for the rapid socio-economic development of their communities. “In the matrix of our stakeholder engagement, traditional rulers are the closest to people at the grassroots and therefore play a very important role. “The Commission, therefore believes by working closely with the traditional rulers, we stand a better chance to seek understanding from the locales towards creating the needed conducive environment for telcos to build their telecoms infrastructure in their domains, thereby extending telecoms services that will transform the lives of the people.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government’s focus on agriculture is paying off handsomely, and that Nigerians are happier for it. The President, who spoke today, July 2 while receiving in audience, former Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe at the Presidential villa, Abuja, said: “we needed to go back to the land, as petroleum could no longer sustain the country, particularly with fluctuating prices. “Today, we eat what we grow, and we have stopped importation of many food products. There’s no foreign exchange to even waste again. “Agriculture has also helped us to generate employment. We have embraced technology, and some people are even leaving the offices to go back to the land. And they are not regretting it. That is the feedback we get.” The former Prime Minister congratulated President Buhari for achievements Nigeria has attained under him, especially in agriculture, and for successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saying that he was in the country on the auspices of Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, Boshe said that the organization is working in 16 countries in Africa, “and if we want to change anything in the continent, it must start with Nigeria.” He stressed that Africa must emulate what is happening in other parts of the world as regards agriculture, and with Nigeria having achieved greatly, being able to stop rice importation, “we want to champion the Nigerian policy at the continental level. “We should have a common African voice on food self-sufficiency. Africa can feed the globe.”
The African Export Import Bank, (Afreximbank), a pan-African multilateral trade finance institution with headquarters in Cairo, Egypt has promii to build an African Medical Center of Excellence in Abuja. This was made known today, July 2, when a delegation of the bank, led by its President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Professor Benedict O. Oramah, visited the Federal Capital Territory Administration. Professor Benedict Oramah said that the bank’s team was in the FCTA to brief the Minister on the progress made on the construction of the African Medical Center of Excellence and the African Trade Center in Abuja. He commended the FCT Minister for the tremendous support the bank has enjoyed from the FCTA, especially as it begins to implement some of its initiatives in Nigeria that are based in Abuja. The Bank’s Director, Export Development and Ag. Director Project and Asset Based Finance, Oluranti Doherty said that the bank is working closely with leading international medical, human resource and construction consultants and expressed optimism that the ground breaking ceremony will be carried out by November of 2021. Responding, the minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, expressed excitement about the project and said that establishment of the Medical Centre in Abuja will not only attract people seeking medical attention within the African continent to the Center, but also reduce medical tourism from Nigeria. Malam Muhammad Musa Bello commended Afreximbank for its various projects and investments in the FCT, saying: “We feel highly honoured with your tangible presence in respect of the projects you are doing here and we look forward to your investments either directly or as an enabler because as you know, Abuja itself is a city that started from scratch and it’s a work in progress. So, we want enablers like you.” The Minister advised the bank to support the FCT Administration in the provision of infrastructure, especially in the proposed location of the Medical Centre of Excellence as well as the powering of street and traffic lights within the city. The Minister said that Nigerian laws made provisions for the eligible customer that consumes electricity in excess of 2 megawatts to independently source for electricity. He said that the FCT could explore this possibility with support from the bank. “The law in Nigeria now allows for what we call Eligible Customer. Once your consumption is up to two megawatts and obviously the consumption of the city is far above two megawatts, that allows us to create a solution that is off grid, and then of course, we look at renewable options.” The minister had in May last year, presented the Certificate of Occupancy of the land for the African Medical Center of Excellence to be situated in the proposed Abuja Medical City Development Project, to Mr. Abdoulaye Kone, Afreximbank’s Regional Chief Operating Officer, Anglophone West Africa.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its partners in the Oil Mining Lease (OML 130) Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) and Production Sharing Contract (PSC) are set to earn over $760m from fresh Gas Supply Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) and Gas Entitlement Agreement (GEA) executed Thursday at the NNPC Towers. This contained in a statement today, July 2 by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Dr. Kennie Obateru The statement said that the agreements, which are part of the Corporation’s gas commercialization programme involve Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), South Atlantic Petroleum Nigeria Limited (SAPETRO) and Prime 130 Limited. It said that the sale structure under which the agreements were executed is designed to provide a clear delineation for the allocation of the gas sale proceeds to all the participating parties, including midstream handling and transportation. The statement quoted the Corporation’s Group Managing Director, Malam Kyari as describing the moment as pride “for all of us. “I understand all the delays, they are completely unavoidable. It is desirable for us to have full alignment of all parties before we proceed. The end result is that there would be clarity around our relationship and we would be unlocking resources that have been on the table for many years. “We now have a clear line of sight around gas revenue of up to $250million dollars, and also another $510 million dollars that is applicable to the rest of us.” Mallam Kyari said that apart from the revenue boost, the agreements have also opened up an opportunity to have the dispute settlement agreement for the OML 130 PSC and ultimately to have a renewed production sharing contract which would now guide the relationship going forward. On the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill, the GMD assured the parties that the fiscal terms proposed in the oil reform legislation remain some of the most attractive in the global oil and gas industry, noting that investors have no cause to worry. In his response, Mr. Mike Sangster, Managing Director of TEPNG, expressed delight at the signing of the agreements, adding that the parties were committed to the terms of the agreements. He commended the GMD and the NNPC for their vigorous pursuit of the aspiration of the decade of gas programme of the Federal Government. OML 130 is a deepwater block located 130kilometres offshore Niger Delta at water depths of well over 1000metres. The block contains the producing Akpo and Egina fields and Preowei discovery. The asset originally known as Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 246 was awarded in 1998 to SAPETRO and was later converted to OML 130 in February 2005 after commercial discovery of oil in Akpo and Egina in 2000 and 2003 respectively. At conversion, the Federal Government, represented by NNPC, exercised its rights as concessionaire of the block in April 2005 whereby it entered into a PSC with SAPETRO as contractor and TUPNI as operator for 50% of the interest in OML 130 PSC and a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between TUPNI, SAPETRO and PRIME 130 for the other 50% interest in the OML 130 block. In April 2006, SAPETRO farmed-out 90% of its Contractor interest in the OML 130 PSC to CNOOC. The remaining reserves on the block are estimated at One billion barrels of liquids and over 1.2trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Gas from the block was transported and sold to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) via the Akpo-Amenam Gas Pipeline and was funded in kind by the PSC under the Gas Utilization Agreements (GUAs) for a consideration of 1TCF of gas which was achieved in July 2018, thus terminating the GUA. It was projected that the parties would agree on the post- 1TCF regime for the monetization of the gas upon the expiration of the GUA. However due to underlying disputes on the PSC and other reasons, the post-1TCF regime was never agreed upon. The new agreements offer the gas sales framework for the 100% volume under the PSC and the PSA.
Nigeria has said that the greatest threat to the existence of human race today, apart from COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the climate, is terrorism.
Represented by the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Major General Babagana Monguno at the ongoing Second United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of members states, convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Nigeria warned that terrorism has continued to manifest itself as vicious and relentless global threat, recognizing no border, nationality and all religions. He noted that terrorism has become a contemporary weapon of violence for non-state actors in this era of globalization.
“I can say with total conviction that apart from pandemics, natural disasters and the climate itself, today the greatest threat to the existence of human race is the global scourge of terrorism.”
He said that in order to deal decisively with the complex nature of terrorism and other transnational organized crimes, the international community must see the threat of terrorism to a particular country as a threat to global peace and security.”
The NSA said that preventing terrorist attacks, safe guiding borders, empowering national police, improving the criminal justice system, curbing elicit financial flows as well as hurting the abuse of drugs and hard substances remain extremely daunting challenges for most nations, including Nigeria in addressing the scourge of terrorism.
“The fallout of activities associated with jihadist and other forms of terror have collectively heightened insecurity in the greater part of African continent with serious economic, social and political implications for its people.
“In the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and the so called the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with known affiliation to other international terror networks such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda have continued to undermine the security and livelihoods of the whole of the people, while at the same time overlapping into neighboring countries of the Lake Chad Basin.
” It was disclosed that over a million persons have been internally displaced in the communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states , while over seven million remain in need of humanitarians assistance in North Eastern Nigeria.”
The NSA said that social media platforms have become instrument often leverage by terror groups to propagate their ideologies, recruit vulnerable youths, radicalize them and instill fear in the target community, as well as deflate the moral of defense and security forces.
He noted that the terrorist groups approach is to portray the government as incapable of guaranteeing the protection and well-being of the population.
The NSA said that the Nigerian Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has continued to confront these challenges by setting up new structures and national institutions as well as empowering them.
He said that the Federal Government has improved the coordination of humanitarian supports for Non-Government Organizations by creating the Ministry of Humanitarians Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
General Monguno said that the President is funding commitment to the first regional organization for countering insecurity- the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), and has continued to yield results, diffusing tensions and curbing the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP within the fridges of the Lake Chad Basin.
He expressed President Buhari’s commitment in working with all nations, not just those in the sub region and the African continent but the entire international community.
He said that Nigeria committed in working within the confine of legitimacy and legality in dealing with the multiple problems of security in the country without hurting the sensibility of innocent people, as well as abiding by the international standards of human rights of the people.
A major joint military operation by the Air taskforce and ground troops of the Nigerian military went berserk today, July 1, killing no fewer 37 ISWAP/Boko Haram Fighters at Bula in Yobe State.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper today said that the elimination of the insurgents in Yobe come at the time another offensive airstrikes was launched by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with attack jets that destroyed dozens of terrorists’ camps at Abadam axis and Sambisa Forest.
It was gathered that the intelligence-led airstrikes coordinated by the Air Task Force Command attacked the hideouts of ISWAP elements in Jabullam and Yauma Wango in Abadam Local Government Area and Parisu in Sambisa Forest on Wednesday.
Intelligence sources said that the air raids were launched after series of aerial surveillance missions indicated massive convergence of the terrorists, placed on standby to stage attacks.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets dispatched by the ATF Command scored accurate hits on the targeted locations, obliterating and killing scores of the terrorists in the general areas.
“Several gun trucks and armoury of the terrorists were destroyed, while a ground assessment by sources revealed that a number of ISWAP high-value fighters were eliminated. Many were seriously injured, in the military’s attack.”
NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the operation, said their Air Task Force was swift in providing close-air support to the ground.
“The operation, which was efficiently coordinated by our Air Task Force and ground troops, resulted in the neutralization of the terrorists’ elements. We have also sustained aerial bombardments to rout the fleeing ISWAP-Boko Haram criminals.”
“We must discourage the export of raw minerals. Refining, processing, or beneficiation is the only real way to maximize our mineral wealth and create good-paying jobs and opportunities for our people.”
This is the position canvassed today, July 1, by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the maiden edition of the (virtual) Strategic Engagement on Sustainable Mining, Titled: “Resurrecting Our Buried Prosperity” in Abuja.
Professor Osinbajo stressed: “it is clear that unless we get the management of our solid mineral resources right, we would continue living in the terrible paradox of suffering in the midst of plenty. The problems are numerous but solvable. The principal issue is that of the challenges of implementing the regulatory framework.”
The Vice President, who praised the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for driving the initiative, advised that the strategic engagement should lead to the production of or the fine-tuning of a clear working document that spells out with clarity, the roles and responsibilities of each party: the Federal, the States and the Local Governments, as well as the mining communities.
“Even where these roles and duties have been defined in existing legislation, this is an opportunity to simplify the language, explain the relationships, take input on implementation concerns, and get everyone’s buy-in.”
Speaking on the effective collaboration among all levels of government to ensure the proper regulation of mining activities, Osinbajo said that it will ensure that the country fully reaps the rewards from its largely untapped wealth. “The Federal Government cannot effectively regulate mining without actively, and deliberately working with States, Local Governments and mineral-producing communities. “The Federal Government, States and Local Government have to jointly develop working arrangements to ensure that mining is attractive to investors, profitable for States and Local Governments, not just from proceeds but also from personal income tax paid to States by mine workers and staff of mining companies. “This engagement is one that could be a game-changer for mining in Nigeria, and it could mean a new era of huge earnings and prosperity for our people from our mining resources. But this will only happen if we adopt a collaborative and cooperative approach. If we work together, we will reap far more than we could ever gain by working alone.”
Osinbajo, who stressed the need for the development of the Mining sector to drive national development, referenced the huge iron ore deposits, gold, bitumen, tin, coal, among other precious minerals deposits in different parts of the country.
He stated that sustainable mining activities, will further help reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil to grow a productive and competitive economy, noting that with deposits in excess of 42 billion tonnes, Nigeria has the second-largest bitumen deposit in the world and almost twice the country’s oil reserves. “How about iron ore? We have the 12th largest iron ore deposit in the world, more than 3billion tons. Besides, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) confirms that Nigeria has over 44 mineral deposits in commercial quantities in over 500 locations across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. These minerals range from industrial and energy minerals, such as iron ore and coal, to gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. “So buried in the ground in various parts of Nigeria are riches that could ensure that no Nigerian is unemployed, underfed, or neglected. And this is not mere speculation because, before the discovery of oil, Nigeria developed its infrastructure, roads, rail, dams, provided free education in the western region for example, from the proceeds of minerals, agriculture and taxes.”
Professor Osinbajo said that the Buhari administration has taken some major steps to further develop the country’s Mines and Steel sector, including in the areas of security. “As part of the the Federal Government’s post-COVID-19 efforts to preserve existing jobs and create new opportunities, N6 billion was approved for the Mining Sector under the current Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), for the development of Mineral Processing Clusters across the six geo-political zones of the country to promote large-scale investment in mineral exploitation. “On security in mining areas, as part of broad efforts to re-engineer the national security architecture to more efficiently confront our challenges, the President recently approved a raft of measures aimed at ensuring the security of mining concerns and mining sites. The Vice President said that these measures, which will be driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser in concert with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, “will be hugely significant in creating an enabling environment for the growth of the sector. “There must also be a framework for ensuring that environmental degradation is remedied.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has asked Niger Delta youths to be the vanguard of promoting peace in the region to attract investment and developments.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by Niger Delta All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Vanguard, at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers, Abuja, today, July 1, Chief Sylva said development can only come to the region in an atmosphere of peace.
“I will emphasise that peace is very crucial to development. Development can only take place where peace thrives,” he said adding that everyone in the region especially the youths must be Ambassadors of peace.
Sylva said he was quick to associate with any group that promotes peace in the country especially in the Niger Delta Region because it is a panacea to luring the oil companies and other companies to the region.
“If we want to bring back the oil companies the job before us is to bring back peace to the region. Every Niger Delta youth must be part of the peace process. This is the only way the oil companies can return to the region. It is not for us to say the oil companies to come back to the region but also for us to do what will bring peace,” the minister added.
He lamented what he called “ugly incidents in the past” that led to the exodus of the oil companies from the region and however noted that the new initiative of engendering peace in the region “is a welcome development”.
While thanking the APC Youth for the visit and award given to him, Sylva said Federal government will continue to pay attention to the region to bring the needed development.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has done so much for the Niger Delta since coming on board and call for cooperation from all for the success of the regime.
In an earlier address, the leader of the Niger Delta APC Youth Mr Fiawei Pathfinder said they decided to visit to show support for President Buhari and Chief Sylva’s efforts in bringing the needed development in the region.
“We use this opportunity to sincerely express our appreciation and thank Mr President for these monumental achievements so far recorded since 2019 till date, and that’s why we are solidly behind Mr President’s agenda, because of his commitment to the development of the region with the bid to turn the region into a beehive of economic activities that would engender economic growth, job creation, stability and industrial hub of the country”.
“Your performance in this short time has silenced your critics and naysayers because of the pragmatic reforms and strategic approach you have injected into the oil and gas sector and that has galvanised the entire industry into a beehive of activities,” he said.
Pathfinder commended Sylva for his leadership roles in the region and noted that “the understanding and selflessness of your leadership have brought on board young people in the Niger Delta region and other regions of the country, and that is why we call you icon and beacon of Nigeria Delta region.”
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Nigeria has said that the greatest threat to the existence of human race today, apart from COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the climate, is terrorism.
A major joint military operation by the Air taskforce and ground troops of the Nigerian military went berserk today, July 1, killing no fewer 37 ISWAP/Boko Haram Fighters at Bula in Yobe State.
“We must discourage the export of raw minerals. Refining, processing, or beneficiation is the only real way to maximize our mineral wealth and create good-paying jobs and opportunities for our people.”
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has asked Niger Delta youths to be the vanguard of promoting peace in the region to attract investment and developments.
