Buhari Advocates Humane, Inclusive, Stronger, Diversified Partnership Between Nigeria And Russia

October 24, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has advocated a stronger partnership that is humane, inclusive and diversified between Nigeria and Russia.

He also advocated a renewed Nigeria-Russia relations towards bolstering the age-long relationship that had been mutually rewarding and promising.

In statement at the second plenary of the Russia-Africa Summit, in Sochi, Russia, today, October 24, President Buhari wanted the initial warmth and harmony enjoyed with the former USSR after Nigeria’s independence in 1960 to be revitalized so that citizens of both countries can benefit from soci0-cultural, educational, technological and trade exchange.

The Russia-Africa Summit is co-chaired by President Vladimir Putin of Russia and African Union Chairman and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

“Nigeria’s relations with Russia just like the rest of Africa began during the Soviet era when diplomatic relations were first established in 1960. That relationship covered areas such as education, healthcare, solid minerals development and military assistance especially during Nigeria’s civil war.

“More recently, our partnership has extended to the oil and gas sector as well as military and technical assistance in support of our fight against Boko Haram insurgency. At this point, I would once again like to thank His Excellency, President Putin for his support especially in the area of security.

“It is my hope that through this forum, Russia and Africa will revitalize their time-tested relationship by exploring new opportunities for the collective benefit of our peoples,” the Nigerian leader said.

President Buhari said that the collapse of the USSR in 1991 affected relations between Russia and African nations, which lagged behind historical levels, noting that the former Soviet Union had been a key partner of Africa.

“We all remember the strong support we received from the former Soviet Union in our anti-colonial struggles. Africa will continue to remember this, and many other significant gestures of solidarity and support that shaped our history as a continent. We are eternally grateful to the Soviet Union for coming to the aid of Africa in its hour of need.

“As we live in an increasingly changing world driven by trade, technology and innovation, the time has come to inject new energy and pragmatism in Africa-Russia relations for the mutual benefit of both Africa and Russia.”

President Buhari said that the mutually beneficial relationship must go beyond trade and business to address challenges like counter-terrorism, poverty eradication, human and drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, climate change and migration.

“Our continent is rich in human and natural resources but is lagging behind in capital and technology. This is why we see increased conflict, migration and instability that is also impacting many nations outside Africa.

“On our part, we in Africa have continued to view Regional Integration as a key development priority. Our integration is one that seeks to address our infrastructure deficit, conflicts and terrorism, climate change, human trafficking and trade,’’ the President told the leaders at the summit,’’ the President told the leaders.

According to the Nigerian President, the inclusive economic diversification agenda of Africa, captured in the visionary Agenda 2063, will forge a new Nigeria-Russia cooperation, pointing out that progress had been witnessed in areas of power generation, solid minerals development and rail transportation.

President Buhari said the progress should be expanded to agriculture, manufacturing and other means of transportation, adding that “we already have over 200 Nigerian university students in Russia benefiting from Russian Government scholarships which have been on-going since 1960.

“Earlier this year, Nigeria signed a Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with Russia which will expand the human capital development support we are already receiving.”

Quoting late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jnr. the President said peace and prosperity can only be achieved through collaboration and mutual respect.

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Youth Corps Members To Enjoy N30,000 New Minimum Wage – Minister

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has confirmed that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will enjoy the new minimum wage of N30,000.
Dare, in his official Twitter handle today, October 23, said: “New Minimum Wage: NYSC members to enjoy new minimum wage/allowee Details coming …”
“Next week the DG NYSC will provide details of the new allowee for the Youth Corp members after full briefing from the Ministries of Finance And MYSD.”

Nigeria Loses N5.37 Trillion Annual Through Tax Evation- Revenue Boss

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler has said that Nigeria is losing about $15 billion (about N5.37 trillion) to tax evasion annually.
Fowler, who spoke today, October 23 at a seminar by the West Africa Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) on “Exchange of Information” as a tool to combat offshore tax evasion, especially in the ECOWAS sub-region, said that the increasing mobility of income and assets had created a major challenge for tax administrators in the sub-region.
A statement by FIRS quoted Fowler as saying that Nigeria would implement the first Automatic Exchange of Information standard by 2020.
According to the revenue boss, there is a direct linkage between tax compliance, domestic tax investigation, tax audit, information gathering framework and the international infrastructure for the exchange of information among tax authorities.
“Nigeria had demonstrated her commitment to improving transparency around tax matters, when she signed a declaration and joined the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information on 17th August 2017.
“Furthermore, to facilitate the process of implementing the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information under the Common Reporting Standard, Nigeria published the AEOI regulations in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
“Finalized and issued CRS guidelines, constructed and finished a dedicated building for the operation of the AEOI and put in place the necessary Information and Communication Technology infrastructure to operationalize the AEOI processes.
“Nigeria has done all these to enable us conduct the first exchange of information under the automatic exchange of information regime by September 2020.”

If My Wife Discovers I’m Kidnapper, She’ll Divorce Me – Suspect

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

A suspected kidnapper, 35 year old Hamidu Badori, who was arrested by the operatives of Bangi Division of the Nigeria police has expressed fear that his wife would divorce him if she knows that he is into kidnapping business.
Badori, who was paraded by the Police, said that bad company and greediness led to his involvement in kidnapping saying that he should have been contented with his farm work.
“I should have concentrated on my farm work, even though the money is small at least I would have saved my good and that of my family. I have realized that what I did was wrong between man and God and I pray that my family forgave me. I have dragged my family name to mud.
“My wife does not know that I am a kidnapper and there is every possibility that she divorce me at the end of the day.”
Hamidu Badori was one of the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of the daughter of one Sariki Aliyu, of Kudun-Gure Fulani settlement camp Kotonkoro in Mariga Local Government Area of NigerState.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar said that the Police are on the trail of the three fleeing suspects adding that the case would soon be charged to court.

Buhari Rejoices With Justin Trudeau Over His Election As Canadian PM

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with Justin Trudeau on his election as the Prime Minister of Canada. Buhari also felicitated with the Liberal Party of Canada and Canadians generally on the outcome of the Federal election in the country.
The Nigerian leader acknowledged that Nigeria-Canada trade had gone up to $948.4 million in 2018, saying that would be glad to strengthen the cordial relations with Prime Minister Trudeau across a wide range of shared values and interests.
The President recalled that the visit of Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, to Nigeria in October 2018, provided an opportunity for Nigeria to appreciate the humanitarian assistance of Canada to civilian populations affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Buhari stressed that with the common membership of Nigeria and Canada in the Global Counter Terrorism Forum and several other international organisations, both countries will continue to stand together on issues of peace and security that guarantee a better and more secure world for all.

Russia Formally Agrees To Return To Work On Ajaokuta Steel Project

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

Russia has formally made a firm commitment to President Muhammadu Buhari to soon return to work on Ajaokuta Steel project in Kogi State of Nigeria.
The commitment was made today, October 23 by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, on sidelines of ongoing Russia-Africa Summit.
The two leaders, at a bilateral meeting, agreed to start new infrastructure projects and expand trade and investment, security and military cooperation.
In statements made by both leaders, Nigeria and Russia will work together to improve efficiency of Nigeria’s oil sector, which is the backbone of the economy, in a way that will see to rehabilitation of epileptic oil refineries through establishment of framework for a joint venture between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Russia-based leading oil company, Lukoil. Both NNPC and Lukoil will work towards the prospection of oil in deep offshore.
Nigeria and Russia also agreed to revive and solidify the venture between the NNPC and Russia’s gas giant, Gazprom for the development of Nigeria’s enormous gas potential and infrastructure.
The issue of uncompleted and abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill was presented by President Buhari. His request for the return of Russia, on a government-to-government relationship for completion and commissioning of the plant was accepted by President Putin.
Earlier in the day, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch Olamilekan Adegbite had a very fruitful discussion with his counterpart in Russia on Ajaokuta.
The Russia government agreed to support development of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure by constructing 1,400 kilometres track from Lagos to the South-South city of Calabar.
There was also discussion on the advancement of ongoing project for the establishment of a nuclear power plant in Nigeria. According to President Putin, the next step in the implementation of the project should be the commencement of construction of a power plant.
On security and military cooperation, one that existed for fifty-nine years of Nigeria’s independence, President Buhari agreed to renew Nigeria-Russia Military Technical Agreement that had lapsed within a short time, saying: “I have directed the Minister of Defence to work with the Ministry of Justice to conclude this matter within the shortest possible time.”
This military cooperation agreement is expected to give impetus to further cooperation in direct procurement of military hardware on a government-to-government basis at a lower cost as well as training of military personnel and modernization of armed forces and renewal of infrastructure and equipment which President Putin promised to undertake.
On protracted issue of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, Ikot-Abasi, Akwa-Ibom State, President Buhari said that he had asked the Ministry of Justice, “to submit a comprehensive report on the UC Russel (the Russian owners of the plant) matter…I want to assure you that the aim of our reforms is to ensure such investments are concluded and actualized in a professional and painless manner.”
The two Presidents also addressed partnership in education and agriculture. The Russia leader said they would give additional scholarships to Nigerians.
“We seek your Government’s support especially in the areas of wheat production. Today, Nigeria produces less than one hundred thousand metric tons of wheat locally while our imports are projected to exceed five million tons in 2020.
“We therefore need your support to bridge the deficit which will create jobs and save our foreign exchange for other important areas like security, defence and infrastructure,” President Buhari said.
On this, President Putin promised to promote joint efforts, given his country’s ranking as the current number one wheat producer in the world.
“We can do a lot together,” Putin added.
The Russian President said Nigeria should take advantage of Russia’s potassium resources to advance President Buhari’s local fertiliser production program. Putin promised his country’s support for the geological prospection of Nigeria’s solid minerals and gave assurances of working with Nigeria and other African countries to secure and stop the incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as they did in securing the Somali coastal areas.
President Putin expressed further determination to secure Nigeria and the rest of Africa from terrorists. He told President Buhari that 2,000 ex-ISIS terrorists joined Boko Haram last year.
In conclusion, President Buhari said: “to move forward, may I suggest that our countries organize the fifth Joint Commission meeting to review and ratify all the agreements (about 40) contained in the Intergovernmental Nigeria-Russia Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Protocol of November 11, 2016.”
President Putin agreed to the proposal.
Both leaders emphasized the need for reform of United Nations Security Council. President Buhari asked Russia to support Nigeria’s aspiration for a permanent membership of the council.

President Buhari and President Putin in a handshake

New Minimum Wage Takes Effect From April 2019, Arreers To Be Paid December

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

Federal Government has resolved to backdate the new minimum wage of N30,000 to April 18, 2019 even as Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo directed the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to effect payment of the Arreers on or before 31st December, 2019.
The Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, made this known to news men today, October 23 shortly after the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential villa, Abuja, presided over by the Vice President.
Also briefing the news men, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that N1.7 billion was approved by FEC for procurement and installation of communication equipment for airport towers in Zaria and Katsina.
He said that the equipment would ensure safety and efficiency at the airports, adding that the completion period for the contract is eight months.
This was even as the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, said that the FEC approved the use of methanol in the Nigerian economy.
The Minister said that methanol “is derivable from gas that accompanies crude oil,” saying that it had been profitable for oil companies to flare the gas, which has posed great environmental problems in the country.
According to him, FEC approved methanol to be used as transportation fuel, cooking and that it is cheap and safe.

Customes Arrest 15 Allegedly Re-Bagging Foreign Rice As Local One

Editorial staff

October 23, 2019

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced the arrest of a syndicate of 15 people who allegedly re-bag foreign rice as local rice for sale to unsuspecting consumers.
The Comptroller of Customs in Adamawa and Taraba States Command, Kamardeen Olumoh, disclosed this on Tuesday when he led Journalists to the scene of the crime at a warehouse in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
According to him, the suspects were found with 900 bags of rice with duty paid value of N14.5 million.
Olumoh explained that operatives of the command busted the warehouse in conjunction with others from the Federal Operation Units and Strike Force, as part of efforts towards sustaining the fight against smuggling in the country.
He said that 15 people, including the manager and labourers at the warehouse, were rounded up by the security operatives while carrying out their nefarious act.
The comptroller who took reporters to the Customs Headquarters in Yola where it has seized a truckload of grains intercepted by operatives along the Mubi-Yola Road, said that investigation revealed that the truck was also carrying foreign rice re-bagged as local rice concealed under bags of beans with a duty paid value of N10.3 million.
Three suspects were also arrested in the process and all the arrested suspects would be prosecuted, Olumoh added.
While the Nigerian Government has since closed its borders with neighbouring countries, the comptroller described the activities of smugglers as sabotage.
He warned smugglers that Adamawa and Taraba States remain no go areas for them as the Command would soon embark on raiding markets in search of smuggled foreign rice.
Olumoh also appealed to market heads to caution their members against the sale of foreign rice as a way of supporting local farmers who have the capacity of feeding the nation.

Gov Ganduje Of APC Greets Ex Gov Kwankwaso Of PDP At 63

October 22, 2019

The governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has sent goodwill message to his predecessor, ex governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his 63rd birthday anniversary.
In a sponsored advertisement on page 41 of Daily Trust of today, October 22, governor Ganduje prayed that the Almighty Allah grants his predecessor good health and prosperity.
“I, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on behalf of myself, the government and the good people of Kano state, wish to congratulate our former Governor and Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso on his 63rd year anniversary. “While wishing him more returns in future, I pray that Allah Almighty grants him good health and prosperity.”

Few Days To Nov 16 Election: Bayelsa PDP Top Notchers Troop To APC

Editorial staff

October 22, 2019

Top notchers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Robert Enogha and Chief Claudius Enegesi have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Prior to his defection, Enogha was the Chairman, Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority and former two-time member of the Bayelsa House of Assembly.
Enogha, who was until his defection one of the restoration leaders in Ogbia, was also a former Commissioner for Environment.
Enegesi, one of the political associates of Jonathan, was a Speaker in the old Rivers State when Ada George was the governor.
The party stalwart, who was the pioneer Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa when the party was formed in 1998, was a former national executive member of the party and a former caucus chairman of PDP, Ogbia chapter.
Also In Nembe, Chief Bright Erewari-Igbeta, a former House of Assembly member and presently Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment resigned his appointment from the government and also from the party.
In the same council, Chief James Jephthah, aka Octopus after series of meeting with leaders and supporters of PDP under the Octopus Umbrella said he and his political associates had decided to withdraw their membership of the PDP.
But Enigha, while joining the APC, cited dictatorial tendencies in PDP as a reason for his decision to leave the party.
He said: “I write to formally inform you of my withdrawal of membership from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I am doing this with so much pain as a founding member of the party which was truly democratic as at then.
“I must acknowledge the immense benefit and experience I have gathered over the years through service as a loyal and faithful member. However I have lost confidence in the party’s ability to accept where the opinion of majority counts, hence my resignation”.
Also in Brass, Chief Beimo Spiff the coordinator of the PDP governorship campaign council in Brass Local Government Area and brother to Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, Chairman of the PDP reconciliation committee, dumped the party for the APC.
Spiff and his supporters were received by the Secretary of the party, Alabo Martins.
Beimo- Spiff in his letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman of the party said he was resigning from the party due to some “despicable injustices in the party.”

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