To Stem Economic Collapse, We Must Go Local – Osinbajo

June 11, 2020

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has presented the report of Presidential Panel On The Economic Sustainability Plan to President Muhammadu Buhari with emphasis on embracing local contents in the nation’s economic development.

Presenting the report today, June 11, Professor Osinbajo said that the panel recommended support for local production and manufacturing of all that is possible, including tech apps, software, shoes, garments, steel fabrication, ceramics and furniture, with the required capital and essential machinery.

He said that the panel’s recommendations were hinged on President Buhari’s mantra of “produce what we eat and consume what we produce,” adding that they are aimed at creating millions of new jobs.

“We need to focus on encouraging local production, local services, local innovation, and emphasize the use of local materials. “Nigeria and Nigerians can produce our food, build our houses and construct our roads, using local materials in all cases. If we must import, it must be to support local production. “We have therefore recommended that we must carry out mass programmes that create jobs and utilise local materials. “Such will include: A Mass Agricultural Programme, which is expected to bring between 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of new farmland under cultivation in every State of the Federation and create millions of direct and indirect job opportunities.

“Extensive Public Works and Road Construction Programme focusing on both major and rural roads and using locally available materials like limestone, cement and granite.

“Mass Housing Programme to deliver up to 300,000 homes annually, engaging young professionals and artisans who form themselves into small and medium scale businesses within the construction industry, using indigenous labour and materials.

“Installation of Solar Home System, targetting 5 million households, serving about 25 million individual Nigerians who are currently not connected to the National Grid.”

Vice President Osinbajo said that such measures have been recommended in view of the havoc which the consequences of coronavirus, including inevitable mandatory lockdowns and social distancing had caused the economy, especially the severe negative impact they have on farms and factories, as well as on trade, transport and tourism. “Several projections, including those done by the NBS on behalf of the Economic Sustainability Committee, showed:

(i) a severe downturn in our oil earnings, as a result of which, even with oil price at 30 dollars a barrel, we would still have a shortfall of about N185 billion every month, in the amount available for allocation to the three tiers of Government;

(ii) that Unemployment may rise to 33.6% or about 39.4 million people by the end of 2020, if we fail to take prompt preemptive measures;

(iii) that millions more will fall extreme Poverty, before the pandemic ends;(iv) that GDP may fall to between minus 4.40% and minus 8.91%, depending on the length of the lockdown period and strength of our economic response.”

First Lady Announces Death Of Her Protocol Officer

Editorial staff

June 11, 2020

First Lady, Aisha Buhari has announced the death of her protocol officer, Alhaji Sani Yekini.

Aisha, on her Twitter handle, expressed her deepest sympathy to the family of Alhaji Yekini.

“On behalf of my family and entire staff of my office, I wish to condole the family of Mr Sani Yekini, a protocol officer in my office who died earlier today, may Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”

She described Yekini, who died after a protracted illness, as a committed, dedicated and courageous staff.

“Mr. Yekini served in my office for 4 years, he was down with diabetes and lost the battle today, He was a very committed, dedicated and courageous staff.”

The First Lady prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Paradise and give his family the fortitude to bear the lost.

Source: NAN.

Buhari Thumbs Up For 9th National Assembly, Says It Has Brought Dignity To Nigeria

Editorial staff

June 10, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the leadership and members of the 9th National Assembly for their sense of duty and diligence in handling issues related to the development of the country.

President Buhari salutes the vision, courage and patriotism of the Assembly, acknowledging the understanding and maturity of the lawmakers in speedily processing bills that directly impact the welfare of Nigerians, courageously finding common grounds to move the country forward and passionately carrying out their oversight functions with justice and fairness.

The President, in a goodwill message on the anniversary of the National Assembly today, June 10, acknowledged that the the leadership of the two chambers have been using their wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge to ensure a peaceful working relationship among lawmakers, between both chambers, the Judiciary and the Executive, “by always focusing on the larger picture of nation building.

“President Buhari stressed that the Federal legislature has brought dignity and honour to the country, even as he looks forward to more years of harmonious working relationship, with focus on improving the livelihood of citizens, and creating an enabling environment for a prosperous nation where both the young and old can fully realize their dreams.

Federal Government To Sink Over N115.5 Billion On Road Projects Across Nigeria

Editorial staff

June 10, 2020

The Federal Government has approved over N115.5 billion for the construction of some roads in parts of the country.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who briefed news men today, June 10, on the outcome of the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said: “the Ministry of Works presented two memoranda for consideration and award of three roads, all of which Council graciously approved.

“They are the award of the Jebi-Lamba-Bele Road in Adamawa State for N26.829 billion. The Achingali-Udobi-Udona-Umuwana-Ubakala Road, including the bridge, across the Imo River in Imo State, for the sum of N11.540 billion. The Jarmai-Bashar-Zuruk-Karim Lamido Road, linking Plateau and Taraba States, in the sum of N77.279 billion.

”Fashola said that the projects are consistent with the ministerial responsibilities his ministry was mandated to execute under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the commitment to improving road transport infrastructure across Nigeria.

“For example, the road that links Plateau and Taraba States, when completed along with the Ibi Bridge, will reduce the journey time from Abuja to Jalingo in Taraba from about 12 hours to about eight hours.

“It will be a significant reduction in journey time and also the other roads will be equally beneficial in bringing down cost of goods, cost of transportation and cost of doing business.”

EDITORIAL: Igala Kingdom: A Case Of Pride In Trespass

Greenbarge Reporters

June 10, 2020

Ever since Igala land was brought from Benue State to join in the newly created Kogi State in 1991, its neighbours, mainly Ebira people had never known peace. The Igala people have continued to struggle to hanker after power, grab lands that never belonged to them, pursue segregative and self-centred agenda as well as being neck-deep in expansionism, aimed at colonizing other Kingdoms.

The latest of such meddlesomeness and careless display of criminal greed was a jankara market judgment, delivered by an obscured judge in an obscured corner on June 2, 2020, not only giving away almost half of the whole Kogi State to Igala but asked that they should be compensated with N10 Billion for their purported land that was hired and used by the colonialists in the 1840s.

Shamelessly and ignorantly, the Igala King, the Attah, gathered a motley crowd of his subjects to jubilate over the pre-determined and arrangee judgment, an act that portrayed insensitive arrogance.

As a matter of fact, besides the fact that the judge who delivered the controversial and vexed judgment either deliberately or ignorantly lose sight of the propriety of the issue at stake, the argument put forward by the desperate Igala Kingdom exposed them as a pathological thieves, liars and rampage elements in the jungle.

Let’s look critically on only this aspect of their argument: that they hired out the land stretching from Igala to Ajaokuta, to Lokoja and Koton karfe to the colonialists in the 1840s and that because they were the ones that gave out such lands to the colonialists, therefore, they can lay claim to the ownership, at the turn of this century and specifically in the year 2020.

All said and done, Igala people need to tell the world who gave them these lands in the first place!!!.

Failing to identify the authority that conferred on them the right to these lands, the Igala Kingdom and Igala people, have, by their current marauding moves, admitted that what they have done and are still doing is akin to what happened in some big cities like Lagos and Abuja where people would jump into the lands that don’t belong to them and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. The situation became so rampant and disturbing that Lagos State government, in particular, at a time, legislated against the practice with stiff penalties for the marauders and land thieves.

It goes without saying therefore that Igala have now collectively come out to say that they jumped into the lands that didn’t belong to them and hired such lands out to the colonialists thereby committing an offence of trespass in simple legal terminology; an offence that is punishable with some years of imprisonment with hard labour!.

It is unfortunate that those who do not know what is called shame have woken up from the darkness where they have been sleeping since 1840s to lay claim to, and ask for compensation on the lands they stole and hired out to the available customers.

We in Greenbarge Reporters wonder why would any sane people want to be identified with issues that are pregnant with criminality and are even proud of it, especially, when the Federal Government, realizing the danger land matters pose to the unity and peace of the country, enacted land use Act? When the State Government, this time, Kogi, has the right under the Land Use Act to take any land from anyone: and such set of people meddling in the land that they originally trespassed on, under the very nose of a governor, whose land is involved in the latest madness.

We are simply wondering where the Igalas get their energy and courage from, with which they always tinker with the relative peace in Kogi State in particular and Nigerian in general. This is the same thing they were famous in doing in Benue State from whence they came: it is a well known fact that Igala people were always at loggerheads with their brotherly neighbours, such as Tiv people and Idomas. Is it not time they returned to sanity and lived peacefully with themselves and the neighbours? Or do they just enjoy thriving in trouble waters, displaying “busy-body” posture?

Are Igalas, indeed, still in the dark past so much that they don’t know that the day had broken? That they need to wake up and be reasonable?

They should stop snoring and dreaming that in the year 2020; the computer age, any tribe would just go to sleep while they trespass on their land or when they demand for money (N10 Billion) from modern government run by Nigerians over the land they stole and hired out to medieval government ran by white people?

Igala should know that the easiest way to stoke trouble and cause havoc to the peace in the society is this emotion-laden land matter. They should come off this bad and dangerous habit.

Surely, a stitch in time will save a lot.

34 Year Old Mother Of 13 Children, Gives Birth To Set Of Quadruplets

Editorial staff

June 9, 2020

A 34-year-old mother of 13, Hauwa’u Sulaiman, has given birth to a set of quadruplets at the Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Sulaiman told the News Agency of Nigeria today, June 9 that she is now blessed with 17 children.

Upon delivery, the mother and the babies were transferred to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital for better care.

She, however, said that the only male among the quadruplets died before they arrived ABUTH.

Hawa’u said that the three remaining infants were placed under observation at the pediatrics care unit of the hospital while she has been receiving medical care at the maternity ward.

“I am very healthy and strong but the medical experts advised that I need to be monitored very well before they can discharge me.”

Her husband, Sulaiman Mohammed, said that his wife had in the past, given birth to two sets of triplets; two sets of twins and three single babies at different times before the quadruplets.

Osinbajo Commissions 200,000-Capacity Yam Storage Facility At Zaki Biam In Benue

Editorial staff

June 9, 2020

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, today, June 9, commissioned and handed over by virtual means, 200,000-capacity Yam Storage Facility at the Zaki Biam International Yam Market in Benue State.

The 200,000-capacity Yam Storage Facility is part of the National MSMEs’ Shared Facility Scheme being implemented by the Federal Government under the National MSMEs Clinics put in place by the Buhari administration.
The Zaki Biam Yam market is said to account for about 70% of yams cultivated in the country, with over 200 trucks loading 2 million tubers of yams weekly from the state renowned as the nation’s food basket.
Speaking at the commissioning, Professor Osinbajo assured that the post-harvest losses due to poor storage facilities for the nation’s agriculture produce would be a thing of the past if more storage and processing facilities like the new storage facility in Benue State are established around the country.
“Post harvest losses have been the bane of agricultural production in Nigeria, Nigeria produces 17 million tons of yam annually, but loses up to 40% on account of inadequate storage and processing facilities.
“Following discussions between the Federal Government’s MSME Clinics project, the Benue State government and market stakeholders, it was unanimously agreed that this 200,000 capacity Yam Storage Facility should be located right here in Zaki Biam, Benue State.”
The Vice President said that President Muhammadu Buhari was excited about the commissioning of the facility because “a major concern for him has been that the COVID-19 crisis does not in any way disturb agriculture and the food supply chain.”
“That we are able to commission this project in the midst of the pandemic is especially heart-warming for him.”
Professor Osinbajo explained the role of the Federal Government in the Shared Facilities project under the National MSMEs Clinics.
“In 2016, Mr. President asked me to chair an initiative called the MSME Clinics. The idea was to provide a meeting point in every state between regulatory or approving authorities (such as NAFDAC, SON, CAC, BOI, FIRS, etc, and small and medium scale businesses in every State.
“So, at such an event the MSMEs bring their problems and challenges to the regulatory authorities, and the authorities can offer on the spot services and advice to MSMEs. This includes advice on how to access credit facilities through the Bank of Industry (BOI).
“One of the initiatives of the clinics was the idea of building Shared Facilities for the benefit of small businesses operating within clusters. This is because most individual businesses cannot on their own afford equipment necessary for their businesses.”
Aside from the 2-units of warehouses with a combined capacity to store 200,000 tubers of yam in the Shared Facility in Benue, the Vice President noted: “there is the re-construction of 660 units of stalls/sheds, construction of a Police/market administrative building, construction of 8 units of public toilets, provision of solar-powered borehole with an overhead tank, construction of internal roads with drainage and installation of solar street lights.”
he commended the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, for his leadership and the solid support he has given to this project and to congratulate him on this commissioning of this game changing project.
“I also commend and congratulate our MSME Clinic partners and everyone that has worked to make this possible.”

Igala Kingdom Expansionism: Maigari Of Lokoja Describes Attah Igala As Ignorant, Overambitious, Barbaric

Editorial staff

June 9, 2020

File pic: Attah of Igala | Credit: Kogireport

The Maigari, traditional head of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, Alh. Kabiru Mohammadu Maikarfi III, has described the Attah Igala Iboni Idoko, as ignorant, barbaric and overambitious by seeking to expand Igala Kingdom to his domain.

In a statement today, June 9, the Maigari of Lokoja said: “we, the natives and indigenes of Lokoja are Nupe/Bassa Nges and not Igalas, neither have our people or any part of our territory been under the control of the Atah Igala at any time in history, NEVER!

“That we are totally disappointed at the show of ignorance, delusion, greed, barbaric and the over-ambitiousness of HRM Michael Iboni Idoko, the Atah Igala as demonstrated in his ill-advised claim to lands and territories outside his Kingdom in this age and century based on recent transactions with the colonial administrators without a recourse to long standing history of our people.”

The Lokoja traditional head said that the recent Court Judgment of the Federal High Court between the Atah Igala and the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the 2nd day of June, 2020, granting to the claimant, HRM Michael Iboni Idoko, the Atah Igala the possession of Ajaokuta, Koton Karfe and particularly Lokoja as being part of the Igala Kingdom is not acceptable in any civilised society in this 21st century.

“I, HRH Alh. Kabiru Mohammadu Maikarfi III, The Maigari of Lokoja, hereby express unreservedly the resolve of the Lokoja Traditional Council on behalf of the good, peaceful, accommodating, law abiding and bona-fide natives of Lokoja and its surrounding communities as follows:

“That even though we are known to respect the rule of law, we totally and unequivocally reject the ruling of the Federal High Court of the 2nd day of June, 2020 in its entirety especially because,

a). We are not joined in the matter, neither is our defense sought.

b). We have occupied and lived on our side of the Niger River beyond Idah for more than ten centuries without any encumbrances from the Igalas, nor from any other tribe within the entire neighborhood.

c). We therefore, consider the ruling of the Federal High Court granting Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Koton Karfe to the Atah Igala a mischievous, biased and a premeditated script intended to destabilize the polity and thereby render the State ungovernable.

d). We are aware of the clamour by many to gain control over Ajaokuta because of the apparent potentials and possible benefits that the Steel Industry could present. However, Geregu which is an older community is a clear testimony of our presence and occupation of that axis and not that of Atah or the Igalas.

“In the light of the above, we advise HRM Michael Iboni Idoko to desist from his obnoxious and overambitious claim in order to maintain and preserve the peaceful, mutual and harmonious relationships that has existed among the different ethnic nationalities within Kogi State. To this end, I implore the State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Yahaya Adoza Bello to stop this evil before it blossom.

“In the same vein, I urge my good and peace loving people of Lokoja to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding as we explore all legal avenues and instruments to get redress.”

Govt Not Involved In Spreading Coronavirus, FCT Minister Of State Swears

Editorial staff

June 9, 2020

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has debunked insinuations in some quarters that government is responsible for the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The minister, who spoke today, June 9 at an emergency coronavirus meeting of stakeholders in the FCT, asked Nigerians to disregard such unhealthy rumour, even as she pleaded for collective efforts of all stakeholders in the fight against the virus.

Dr. Ramatu also advised against stigmatizing coronavirus patients as they did not deliberately seek to be infected.

She appealed to residents of the FCT to do all they can to curb the spread of the virus by obeying all the extant guidelines, including wearing face masks, maintaining personal hygiene and observing social distancing.

She reminded all the stakeholders of community transmission which is on-going, adding that it would take collective efforts by all to stop its spread.

The Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who chaired the meeting, charged royal fathers and Area Council Chairmen most of who attended the meeting to take the responsibility of educating and sensitizing residents at the grassroots level on the need to adhere to established protocols in the fight against the virus.

Malam Muhammad Bello expressed the appreciation of the FCTA to the frontline health workers and called for a standing ovation for them for their efforts in the fight against the virus in the FCT.

The minister stressed that the onus of spreading the information on the spread of the virus at the grassroots level fell heavily on the shoulders of the Area Council Administration and traditional and religious institutions.

He pledged the commitment of the FCT Administration to the fight against the virus, ven as he said that defeating it required a collective responsibility by all. He asked all the stakeholders to play their part, by supporting the efforts of the Administration.

President Buhari Condoles With Burundi Over Death Of President Nkurunziza

Editorial staff

June 9, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has sympathized with the People of Burundi over the death of their President, Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.

President Nkurunziza died of heart failure today, June 9. His death was confirmed by the country’s government on its official Twitter page.

The tweet reads: “The Government of the Republic of Burundi announces with great sadness the unexpected death of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, following heart failure on June 8, 2020.”
In a condolence message today, President Buhari said: “it is with profound grief and sadness that we received the news of the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza. President Nkurunziza was a true patriot that steered the country through turbulent times with wisdom and foresight.

“At this time of great pain and loss, the Government and people of Nigeria as well as myself, express our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Burundi. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the family of the President. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

President Nkurunziza is due to be replaced in August this year by a political ally, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who won the May 20, 2020 Presidential election.

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