Science &Tech Ministry targets 2000mw of electricity in 2017

THE Ministry of Science and Technology says it has perfected plans to generate at least 2000 mega watts of electricity via solar energy.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this on Monday at a world press conference to brief the media on the outcome of his tour to the seventh general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA  in  Ethiopia last week.

Dr. Onu said out of the 2000 mega watts of electricity to be generated this year, 1000 will be off grid while the other 1000mw will be on grid. To underscore the need for renewable energy, he said the world for the first time spent about $300 billion in 2016 to promote renewable energy, just as countries were also increasing percentage of contributions to their energy mix.

Power

IRENA is an inter-governmental organization involving many countries from all the continents that emphasis the importance of renewable energy.

Its major thrust is to ensure that we move away from Focil fuels to renewable energy. IRENA is also promoting the use of bio-energy, ocean, solar, geo-thermal, hydro power energy. At the United Arab Emirate, the minister led the Nigerian team to the seventh general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, headquartered in Abu Dhabi .

Onu who emphasized the importance of renewable energy to Nigeria’s quest for sustainable energy said it had become necessary that the world is moving towards renewable energy as the only sustainable way to make sure that energy is accessed and energy security is achieved globally. “We are planning to generate 2000 mega watts of electricity from solar. 1000 will go to off grid and the remaining 1000 will go to on grid.

“Basically, what is happening now is that the world wants to reserve our environment and hand over our planet to our children and future generations in a manner that they would find this planet habitable. It is very important that energy is produced and utilized in a manner that is sustainable. Both energy access and energy security must be sustainable. The way this can be active is through the use of renewable energy,” he added.

Electricity from solar

According to the minister, 120 countries were accredited during the seventh general assembly and over 150 organizations including the United Nations participated. Meanwhile, Onu said Nigeria was elected as one of the four vice presidents of IRENA during the seventh general assembly.

Its role will be to ensure that the eighth general assembly which will take place early next year, January 13-14 in Abu Dhabi is successful. With the election, Nigeria will be one of the vice presidents in addition to the president that will chair deliberations and also to prepare for a successful general assembly.

As a result of discussions that took place in the assembly, including ministerial round tables, in attendance were three prime ministers, 75 ministers that represented their various countries. “From the IRENA Assembly, it became very clear that the world is moving towards renewable energy as the only sustainable way to make sure that energy is accessed and energy security is achieved globally.

“What is very interesting is that this platform being provided by IRENA is fully supported and also being encouraged by countries that are rich in crude oil. And they are doing this for economic reasons, acknowledging the  fact that it is very important that we diversify our energy. If in the future solar energy is competitive, it means that if we do not play a role at this level, then we will be regretting. We are happy Nigeria is playing an  important role at this beginning,” said the minister.

Similarly, the minister said major discussions in Ethiopia meeting was how Africa can eradicate tsetse fly from the continent to boost agriculture and safe guide human lives. With this meeting, he said that plans were under way to ensure total eradication of the disease in Nigeria

In Nigeria, 2.3m persons living with HIV not on treatment

No less than 2.3 million Nigerians living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus are not on any form of treatment even as health experts have raised alarm over the growing incidence of resistance to Anti-retroviral drugs in the country.

Disclosing this yesterday in Lagos, a professor of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Suleiman Akanmu, said only 900,000 persons living with HIV in the country are currently on a treatment programme as against the estimated total number of 3.2 million persons nationwide.

Akanmu, who is also the Chairman, National Task Team on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nigeria, spoke during a joint stakeholders’ Summit with the theme: “Drug Resistance Monitoring, Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load” organised by World Health Organisation, WHO, blamed the development on inability to carry out routine viral load test, as well as unavailability of second and third line drugs to treat HIV.

SUMMIT: From Left – Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Health Specialist at Amsterdam Institute of Global Health Development, Tobias Rinke De-wit; Consultant Public Health Physician/ Head Prevention National AIDs/STIs Control Programme, FMOH, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike; Professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard School of Public Health, Phyllis Kanki and WHO vocal point for HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Dr Rex Mpazanje, during the joint stakeholders’ Summit on Drug Resistance Monitoring, Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load organised by WHO recently in Lagos.

Failing 1st line drugs

“Many of our patients that are on first line drugs are failing and they are supposed to be put on second line drugs which is not available now. Also we are not detecting failure on time, if you have about 900,000 Nigerians on first line drugs, we do not know how many of them have failed the first line regimen because we do not routinely carry out viral load test to show that while on drugs, the virus is still detectable in them.

“If we have facilities in Nigeria where people can easily do viral load test, then we would be able to detect first line failure and be talking about putting them on second line regimen,” he argued.

Äkanmu, however, called for more research and support for laboratories in the country to effectively carry out viral load test and when detected there should be enough drugs to put them on second line regimen.

“Research is key, in other parts of the world, before you put a patient on ART, they normally do drug resistance testing to know what type of drug the individual is sensitive to before applying the drugs, but that is not feasible in our situation.

“If we are going to prevent viral resistance from evolving, then we must ensure that the virus does not replicate, because the resistance is coming from the ability of the virus to replicate, so we must administer drugs that do not allow the virus to replicate itself”.

At the forum, the WHO country representative, Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu expressed the global health body commitment to produce guidelines that will help countries to improve surveillance of drug resistance as well as monitor and detect it in a public health setting.

Alemu who was represented by the WHO vocal point for HIV/AIDs, TB, Malaria, Dr Rex Mpazanje said that drug resistance are inevitable but the important thing for countries was to minimize the impact of that resistance to the programme outcome.

“The challenge in Nigeria is that there have been load of works done in drug resistance but to large extent these have not been properly coordinated at national level.

We have several initiative been done but there is no opportunity to disseminate it to everybody, so we are using this meeting to bring together expertise to disseminate what they have doing in term of drug resistance. Presently Nigeria is doing well as they always follow the WHO guideline on which drugs to use.”

In Nigeria, 2.3m persons living with HIV not on treatment

No less than 2.3 million Nigerians living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus are not on any form of treatment even as health experts have raised alarm over the growing incidence of resistance to Anti-retroviral drugs in the country.

Disclosing this yesterday in Lagos, a professor of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Suleiman Akanmu, said only 900,000 persons living with HIV in the country are currently on a treatment programme as against the estimated total number of 3.2 million persons nationwide.

Akanmu, who is also the Chairman, National Task Team on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nigeria, spoke during a joint stakeholders’ Summit with the theme: “Drug Resistance Monitoring, Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load” organised by World Health Organisation, WHO, blamed the development on inability to carry out routine viral load test, as well as unavailability of second and third line drugs to treat HIV.

SUMMIT: From Left – Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Health Specialist at Amsterdam Institute of Global Health Development, Tobias Rinke De-wit; Consultant Public Health Physician/ Head Prevention National AIDs/STIs Control Programme, FMOH, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike; Professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard School of Public Health, Phyllis Kanki and WHO vocal point for HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Dr Rex Mpazanje, during the joint stakeholders’ Summit on Drug Resistance Monitoring, Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load organised by WHO recently in Lagos.

Failing 1st line drugs

“Many of our patients that are on first line drugs are failing and they are supposed to be put on second line drugs which is not available now. Also we are not detecting failure on time, if you have about 900,000 Nigerians on first line drugs, we do not know how many of them have failed the first line regimen because we do not routinely carry out viral load test to show that while on drugs, the virus is still detectable in them.

“If we have facilities in Nigeria where people can easily do viral load test, then we would be able to detect first line failure and be talking about putting them on second line regimen,” he argued.

Äkanmu, however, called for more research and support for laboratories in the country to effectively carry out viral load test and when detected there should be enough drugs to put them on second line regimen.

“Research is key, in other parts of the world, before you put a patient on ART, they normally do drug resistance testing to know what type of drug the individual is sensitive to before applying the drugs, but that is not feasible in our situation.

“If we are going to prevent viral resistance from evolving, then we must ensure that the virus does not replicate, because the resistance is coming from the ability of the virus to replicate, so we must administer drugs that do not allow the virus to replicate itself”.

At the forum, the WHO country representative, Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu expressed the global health body commitment to produce guidelines that will help countries to improve surveillance of drug resistance as well as monitor and detect it in a public health setting.

Alemu who was represented by the WHO vocal point for HIV/AIDs, TB, Malaria, Dr Rex Mpazanje said that drug resistance are inevitable but the important thing for countries was to minimize the impact of that resistance to the programme outcome.

“The challenge in Nigeria is that there have been load of works done in drug resistance but to large extent these have not been properly coordinated at national level.

We have several initiative been done but there is no opportunity to disseminate it to everybody, so we are using this meeting to bring together expertise to disseminate what they have doing in term of drug resistance. Presently Nigeria is doing well as they always follow the WHO guideline on which drugs to use.”

Barrow asks ECOWAS to keep troops in The Gambia for six months

•Gambia parliament revokes emergency rule

Gambian President Adama Barrow has requested that troops of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should remain in his country for the next six months.
ECOWAS Commission President Marcel Alain de Souza, who revealed this yesterday in Abuja, said Barrow would go back to his country from Senegal as soon as it was convenient.
He said the regional body was doing everything possible to ensure that Barrow return to his country.
“He will go when he is sure that the country is safe for him,” de Souza said.
He noted that the ECOWAS force must be sure that there is no stockpiling of arms.
Barrow, according to the president of ECOWAS Commission, also requested that sufficient force be on ground for the next six months.
On the request of amnesty by former President Yahya Jammeh, de-Souza said it was yet to be approved by ECOWAS, African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
He explained that such a request must get the nod of these bodies before it can be granted, stressing that the blanket request of the former president, which includes his family members, supporters and aides would have to follow UN procedures.
The ECOWAS Commission boss hinted that the former strongman might not get all what he requested for, as he cannot be guaranteed anything outside what any other citizen in the country gets.
He stressed that the constitution and the laws would have to be enforced as the UN, AU and ECOWAS have to validate his request.
The ECOWAS has told President Barrow not to witch-hunt his predecessor.
The regional body advised that the issue of unifying and rebuilding of the country should be paramount.
Also yesterday, the Gambian National Assembly revoked a state of emergency declared by Jammeh in an attempt to stay in power.

EFCC seeks forfeiture of Diezani’s N9.08b

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of N9.billion allegedly laundered for former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Allison-Madueke.
Mrs Alison-Madueke, who is in London, has denied any wrongdoing, alleging that she is being persecuted.
Justice Muslim Hassan had on January 6 ordered the temporary forfeiture of the money.
They include a N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) said to be stashed in banks.
The court ordered the banks holding the money to supply proof that it was not stolen or risk losing it permanently to the Federal Government.
Only an Executive Director of First Bank Plc, Dauda Lawal, responded.
EFCC said the allegedly laundered money was a proceed of crime.
Yesterday, the commission’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed Justice Hassan to make an order forfeiting the money permanently to the Federal Government.
Justify the freezing of the money, the lawyer said Section 17 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act makes a property that is reasonably suspected by EFCC to be proceeds of unlawful act forfeitable to the Federal Government.
“Can it be said that from the facts and circumstances of this case, that the N9,080,000,000.00, which is the naira equivalent of $40million cannot be reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity?” Oyedepo asked.
The EFCC lawyer said there was a conspiracy to launder the money, adding that there was “a meeting of the minds” by those it indicted.
Oyedepo was arguing EFCC’s opposition to an application by Lawal, who was accused of aiding Mrs. Alison-Madueke in laundering the funds.
Lawal is praying the court to discharge the interim forfeiture order.
His lawyer, Mr Charles Adeogun, urged the court to issue an order directing a refund of the temporarily forfeited N9.08billion on the grounds that EFCC seized it through coercion.
He argued that before such forfeiture orders could be made, it must be ascertained that the property in question is unclaimed, and that such property or funds form proceeds of an unlawful act.
Adeogun argued that his client admitted having received $25 million on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s behalf, but was coerced by the commission to further admit receiving $65 million.
According to him, the $40 million was taken as an overdraft from his bank to offset the alleged extra sum.
He is, therefore, praying the court to order the immediate refund of the sum to his client.
But, Oyedepo argued that there was a meeting of the minds between Lawal and some officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to launder the funds.
“My lord, paragraph 4 of our reply affidavit shows a meeting of the minds of one Gbenga Komolafe, former Group Managing Director, Crude Oil Marketing Division of NNPC, Prince Haruna Momoh, former Group Managing Director, Petroleum Product Marketing company, Umar Farouk Ahmed, and Group Managing Director, Nigerian Product Marketing Company, Stanley Lawson, Babajide Sonoiki and the second respondent, Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria.
“The evidence shows their agreement to retain and launder funds on behalf of the former Petroleum Minister Diezanni Alison-Madueke.
“It’ll amount to contesting the obvious to argue that the second respondent did not have knowledge of the source of the money,” Oyedepo said.
The lawyer denied that EFCC detained Lawal without a court order, adding that his statement was lawfully and voluntarily obtained.
He said Lawal admitted that the $40million was in his possession.
Oyedepo added: “I submit that the proper order your Lordship should make is the final forfeiture of the N9.08billion to the Federal Government being sum found in proceed of unlawful activity.
“I urge my Lord to hold that the second respondent (Lawal) has not shown good cause why the said sum should not be forfeited. The funds were recovered from him. The funds we’re seeking to attach is in possession of the second respondent.
“Having advertised to the whole world pursuant to the order of my lord and no one else came to claim the money except the second respondent, it’ll be appropriate to order the forfeiture of the N9.08billion.
“For the other respondents, in view of their failure to react to the case, they are deemed to have admitted the facts contained in our application.
“Since no one has shown cause in relation to N23,446,300,000 and the sum of $5milion, I, therefore, urge your lordship to order the forfeiture of the sums to the Federal Government finally.”
Justice Hassan adjourned until February 16 for judgment.

Senators give conditions for Magu’s confirmation

APC caucus under pressure over  acting chairman, envoys

Senators may have set three conditions for Ibrahim Magu’s confirmation as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The three conditions are:
•a report from President Muhammadu Buhari containing a fact-sheet on how he arrived at his decision to re-present Magu;
•withdrawal of security reports on Magu, which were presented to the Senate about six weeks ago by the Department of State Services (DSS); and
•satisfactory performance by Magu before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and  Financial Crimes, which has been mandated to screen him. Magu must clear himself of all allegations before the committee.
The three conditions, The Nation learnt, were agreed upon by some senators.
The conditions were set at a meeting of some senators last night to create fresh hurdles for Magu.
The Presidency is believed to be lobbying senators in a bid to get Magu the job.
Some members of the kitchen cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari are said to be reaching out to Senate President Bukola Saraki, principal officers and caucuses in the Upper Chamber.
Besides, Magu’s renomination has put pressure on the APC Caucus, which has about 63 of the 109 senators.
A Senator, who spoke in confidence, said: “I must admit that Magu’s confirmation is still an issue among us. We have some senators for and against.
“At the Executive Session, we had a disagreement on whether or not the Senate President should read the President’s letter of renomination of Magu or not.
“After a bit of argument, the leadership accepted the wish of the majority to read it. We are now faced with the confirmation process.”
Another source confirmed that three conditions had been set for Magu’s confirmation by some senators, particularly by those opposed to his candidacy.
A senator from the Northwest spoke of the Upper Chamber’s readiness to confirm Magu if the DSS could withdraw the security report it had earlier sent to the Senate. In the face of the law and going by legislative business, the DSS report is still valid, he said, pleading not to be named “because of the controversy surrounding this issue”.
“It is left to the Executive to put its house in order by cooperating with the Senate.
Another senator said: “Once the President sends a comprehensive report on how Magu was cleared of all the allegations against him, we will not waste time in confirming him as the fourth EFCC chairman.
“In fact, if we get a brief from the President superseding the DSS report, we will confirm Magu. Our concern is that all these allegations have to be cleared for posterity.”
A senator from the Southeast also claimed that “where there is neither a report from the President nor withdrawal of DSS copies on Magu, the Senate will have no choice than to depend on the report of its Anti-Corruption Committee led by Sen. Utazi Chukwuka.
“This is why we have decided that the committee should also screen Magu. Before we rejected his nomination about five weeks ago, the committee could not screen him.”
Speaking with our correspondent, another high-ranking senator: “subjecting Magu to any screening process by Utazi committee is unnecessary”.
“The practice is for any nominee to appear before the Senate and respond to issues. Handling it at the committee level, if it is the plot, is a signal that Magu might be ambushed.”
Magu’s renomination has put pressure on the APC Caucus in the Senate.
It was gathered that with about 63-64 APC senators( out of 109), there is no reason why the Senate should not confirm Magu if  those from the ruling party are committed to Buhari’s anti-corruption drive.
A Senator from the Northcentral said: “APC has a comfortable simple majority in the Senate to confirm Magu. We are under pressure to use our vantage position to support the anti-corruption agenda of Buhari.
“Since we are now united as APC Caucus, the onus is now on us to demonstrate this unity of purpose. This is our dilemma.”
A source spoke of intense lobbying for Magu by some associates and members of the President’s kitchen cabinet.
“The lobbying has started all over again but this time around the Presidency is not standing aloof. “Some key figures in the Presidency, including some ministers, have been pleading with senators on Magu’s confirmation, “a senator from the Northeast added, also stressing that he should not be identified.

PHOTOS: Fayose stops DSS from arresting Apostle Suleiman in Ekiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, in the early hours of Wednesday prevented the operatives of the Department of State Services from arresting the founder of The Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, in Ado Ekiti.

NNPC refineries produce additional 4.6m litres of Kerosene, 7.7m litres of diesel

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) three refineries produced additional volumes of 4.6 million litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene otherwise known as kerosene and 7.7 million litres of Automative Gas Oil otherwise known as diesel as at today (Tuesday).

The Chief Operating Officer of the Refineries, Mr. Anibor Kragha made this disclosure while making a presentation before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream on the current status of the refineries at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Mr. Kragha said the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) are all back on stream.

“The refineries are all running, they are producing and they are all fully re-streamed. We are ready to take Distinguished Senators of this committee on a facility tour of all of them on a date that is convenient for the Senators to have a first-hand status of the refineries,” Mr. Kragha assured.

He noted that efforts are also underway for the refineries to commence the production of Aviation Turbine Kerosene otherwise known as Jet A1 fuel.

The COO, Refineries informed that the Corporation is also working on a holistic strategic plan to ensure the operational integrity of the refineries adding that the challenges of aging equipment within the refineries are surmountable.

He assured the Committee that the NNPC would continue to work hard to ensure the availability of petroleum products nationwide, stressing that the refineries were also producing Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.

In his remarks, the Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum Downstream, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, assured the NNPC of the Committees’ readiness to continue to provide strategic support to the Corporation in order for it to meet its statutory mandate.

Replicating the Unilorin Example at JAMB

Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding. – Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.

Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) Professor Ishaq Oloyede needs to introduction. There are members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ready to give him free publicity any day – most recently they added his name to a petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Before then they have tried to block his appointment to his current position by President Muhammadu Buhari.

As the saying goes that a person’s good works attest for them even in their absence, the entire drama put up by the ASUU members could not dissuade President Buhari to pass on the rare opportunity of getting one of the best hands the country has to offer to take JAMB to the next level.

I was one of those that hailed the progress at JAMB under the leadership of Professor Dibu Ojerinde and had thought at that time that not much could be achieved afterwards. How wrong was I. Professor Oloyede brought the Midas Touch he had used to transform the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and has within the shortest time demonstrated that innovation is continuous.

He has proven to be the father of Computer Based Testing as his antecedent at UNILORIN has confirmed. The JAMB Registrar, I later came to know, grew the capacity of that university ICT hub from mere two buildings derived from a partnership with a private firm to a capacity that now has six halls and the capacity to enable 1500 students simultaneously take examinations. It did not end there as the university can also remotely connect with peers all over the world.

Building infrastructure for CBT is however not enough to give accolades to a man but as the opening quote showed, Professor Oloyede is not an automaton even when he is given to innovation. He has what the best machine cannot give. He has that endless flow of human spark of spirit, he has unrivalled compassion, loves fellow humans and has understanding that immediately endears him as a role model.

No wonder, instead of joining issues with ASUU members, he took his time to school them on the intricacies of running a tertiary institution that conforms with contemporary standards. While he held sway at UNILORIN, his leadership style, I have come to learn is the one of prompt response to students issues while the well-being of staff is not allowed to suffer.

He believes in hands on experience and never shied from impacting same on the students as can be seen by the many projects that allowed UNILORIN students practice what they learnt like the FM station that allowed student broadcast for 24 hours daily.
The JAMB Registrar has also proven to be a man with interest in the future generations, initiating projects that will outlive the present while delivering benefits to those that are yet unborn.
This explains why the University’s Webometrics rating soared to the best in Africa courtesy of the groundwork that Professor Oloyede did.

It was to his credit that examination malpractice was completely eradicated owing to his watchful eyes and strictly disciplinary measures within the time he was at the helm of affairs. One can thus imagine the value added for Nigerian tertiary schools when he fully implements such measures against cheating in the unified entrance examination. Definitely, an immediate impact would be improvement in the quality of undergraduates since those that cannot perform without cheating would be weeded out.

His current innovations that have brought about sanity, peace and tranquility are worthy of mention. His anti corruption drive which has brought an end to the duplicity and exploitative scratch cards for candidates while also halting the frittering away of funds realized from the sales. Confidence has been restored in the system especially now that candidates have control of how they interact with the examination body right from their phones using USSD codes.

These landmark achievements notwithstanding, there are those who remain envious and would rather band together under any umbrella to cause mischief, including exploiting the platform of ASUU. But, if Professor Oloyede is ASUU’s nightmare, then he is the doyen of Nigerian students, leaders of tomorrow who have a lot to learn from his exemplary leadership whether from his stint at UNILORIN or his current assignment at JAMB.

SON seizes 1,000 bags of underweighed rice

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Osun says it confiscated more than 1,000 underweighed bags of rice in Osogbo markets on Monday.

Mr Sunday Badewole, the SON State Coordinator, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Badewole said the agency made the confiscation during the enforcement operation where more than 1,000 bags of 5kg, 10kg and 25kg of bags of rice were confiscated.

He said many of the rice sellers had reduced the quantity of rice from the kilogrammes that were indicated on the bags, to make more money.

Badewole said the observation carried out by the enforcement team of the agency in the markets during the raid revealed that rice sellers would remove some measures from the bags of rice and seal it back for sale.

He said the quantities removed would thereafter be repackaged in another bag, sealed and sold to buyers.

Badewole said the rice sellers confessed that they used to buy empty rice bags from Lagos to repackage the quantities that was stolen from the original bags.

“Based on the information from our operations directorate headquarters that under weighed bags of rice were in circulation, we went to the market with our scale.

“But it is very unfortunate that many of these small bags of rice have been reduced by the sellers to make more gain,’’ he said.

Badewole said all the shops where the underweighed rice were found had been sealed and put on hold.

NAN

RCCG warns pastors, members against Ponzi schemes

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has warned its Pastors and members against using the church platform to participate in Ponzi schemes.

A memo issued by the General Secretary of the church, Pastor Johnson Odesola, to all Pastors in charge of regions and provinces, threatened disciplinary actions against defaulting members.

According to the memo, the doctrine of the church does not support get rich quick schemes.

The memo reads partly: “Please be informed that the doctrine of the church does not support get rich quick schemes, gambling, betting, etc in any form.

“God is and remains our supplier by the application of biblical principles of working diligently with our hands.
“All senior pastors are hereby authorised to ensure no one uses the pulpit or any platform of the RCCG to promote any such schemes.”

This is coming at a time when Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries, OFM, Worldwide, fired one of his Pastors, Joseph Aiyedun, for using the ministry’s name to participate in popular money doubling scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Movement, MMM.

FG orders investigation into why Big Brother Nigeria is being shot in South Africa

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate why the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show is being shot in South Africa.

In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Lai Mohammed said the NBC should determine whether Multi-Choice, by shooting the show in South Africa, has breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way, as well as the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.

”As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action,” he said.

Lai Mohammed said while concerned Nigerians have bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regard as an anomaly (of shooting outside the country a show meant for Nigerians), they should remain calm while the NBC investigates the issue and submits its findings.

Why I want Igbos to contest for presidency in 2019 – Obasanjo

Former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Igbos to contest for the presidency in 2019.

He stated this when he hosted the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State chapter, at his Abeokuta Hilltop residence on Tuesday.

Obasanjo said he was in support of the return to regional governance, as it will solve the problem of marginalization.

He also said the people of Ogun West senatorial district, should be allowed to produce the next Governor.

“Irrespective of the thinking of the people ahead of 2019, I personally think that South-East should have a go at the Presidency too.

“The same is happening here. If Ijebu and Egba have produced the governor, it is only fair and just to allow the Yewa or Ogun West to also produce governor. Or else, one day, they will also stand up and take up arms against this injustice against them. That is my personally position on this,” Obasanjo said.

Speaking on the crisis in Southern Kaduna, the former president said: “My findings so far show that everyone is talking from the position of strength. People are not talking from knowledge of what they know and this is not helping. We must be able to dump all our sentiments to overcome the challenges.

“Just like other cases of injustice around us, we need peace; it is only peace with justice that can solve all these crises. Genuine peace is what everyone is craving for and this can only come when there is justice.”

Airlines Profitability Remain Static- IATA

Chief Financial Officers of many airlines across the globe have reported that profitability was unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

This is the result of International Air Transport Association (IATA) quarterly business confidence survey in early January 2017.

Industry heads were slightly more optimistic about the outlook for profits over the coming 12 months than they were in October’s survey. But set against a more difficult operating backdrop, the latest survey results continue to indicate that momentum in the profitability cycle has weakened.

IATA noted that the responses on the demand side were broadly consistent with the trend pick-up in passenger volumes towards the end of last year, as well as the stronger-than-expected 2016 peak season for air freight.
Their participants remain very positive about the outlook for passenger (especially) and cargo demand over the 12 months ahead.

Thirty-one per cent of respondents reported an annual increase in operating costs in Q4 2016 (the highest proportion since July 2014).

With a rebalancing in the oil market slowly taking place, and some signs of emerging labour cost pressures, the forward-looking weighted-average score remained above the 50-mark for just the second time in the past 10 surveys, pointing to a further increase in input costs over the coming year.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported lower passenger yields in Q4 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, underlining the challenging profitability environment.

On the freight side, ongoing concerns about future capacity growth, particularly related to belly-hold capacity from additions to the passenger fleet, mean that respondents remain negative on the prospects for freight yield over the coming 12 months.

Airline employment activity increased for the eighth consecutive quarter in Q4 2016. Half of the respondents expect to keep employment levels unchanged at current levels over the next 12 months.

When surveyed in early-January, airline CFOs and heads of cargo reported that profitability was unchanged in Q4 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

As was the case in the previous quarter’s survey, the responses were evenly balanced, with 39 per cent of respondents reporting an increase in profits and 39 per cent reporting a decrease.

The latest survey results reflect an operating environment that has become more challenging since mid-2016, with fuel prices trending higher but yields continuing to trend downwards.

The weighted-average score for profitability over the next 12 months increased again in the January survey, taking it to a six-quarter high.

The majority of respondents (42 per cent) expect profits to increase over the next 12 months – the first time this has been the case since the April 2016 survey. But this proportion is some way below the 60-70 per cent level that was the norm a few years ago, and momentum in the profitability cycle has weakened.

Half of the respondents reported a year-on-year increase in passenger traffic during Q4 2016. This ties in with a pick-up in the upward trend in seasonally-adjusted passenger traffic in the latest monthly data from the period.
However, ongoing disruption and uncertainty in certain markets, particularly Turkey, was noted by a number of participants, and the backward-looking weighted-average score dipped to its lowest level in four years.

Given the recent pick-up in the economic cycle, the majority (74 per cent) of respondents expect passenger volumes to increase over the next 12 months – the highest proportion since October 2013.

All told, the forward-looking weighted-average score remained stable at a high level, broadly in line with its five-year average.

In keeping with signs of a strong 2016 peak season for air freight, 52 per cent of respondents reported an annual increase in cargo volumes in the final quarter of last year.

The wider global trade backdrop remains weak, but the weighted-average score for volumes over the next 12 months increased again in the January survey.

Emirates Airline Signs New Deal With Sabre

Emirates Airline has signed a deal with Sabre which will enable the carrier to easily purchase a range of customized fares.

Sabre and Emirates have also signed a new long-term global distribution agreement to make the airline’s fares available to travel agents globally who use Sabre.

Emirates operate over 3,600 flights weekly to over 150 destinations across six continents. Sabre’s technology will enable the airline to effectively market and sell its expansive roster of fares globally through the Sabre Travel Marketplace, reaching more than 425,000 travel agents across the world.

Sabre Branded Fares enables travel agents to meet a growing demand and expectation from consumers for more personalized products and services. Using Sabre’s enhanced solution, travel agents can now provide travellers with Emirates’ range of branded fares, which enable passengers to choose fares based on what is most important to them – such as purchasing a budget fare, earning the most air miles or having the greatest degree of flexibility.

Commenting, Vice President EMEA at Sabre, Dean Bibb, said “Emirates airline is a brand that invests significantly in differentiating the traveller experience, and personalization plays a central role in this strategy. The airline’s new range of branded fares offers passengers more choices and greater control over their travel experience, which often means happier travellers and higher satisfaction. Helping our airline customers put travellers at the heart of their operation is a major focus for Sabre and our investment efforts.”

Travel agents using Sabre can now offer clients more informed choices and a higher level of customer service, while also driving up sell opportunities based on enhanced visibility to specific brand offerings

ANC: Ivory Coast out of African Nations Cup as Morocco, DR Congo advance

Ivory Coast failed to make it past the group stage in their defense of the African Nations Cup, crashing out without winning a game after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco.

The Elephants needed to beat Morocco in the last round of matches in Group C to make the quarterfinals but instead followed fellow giants Algeria out of the tournament.

Ivory Coast were outsmarted by Morocco coach Herve Renard, who guided the Ivorians to the title two years ago.

On 24 minutes, Renard’s side went close to taking the lead as a free kick from Faycal Fajr hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced away.

Wilfried Zaha and Salomon Kalou then both missed chances to give Ivory Coast the lead, and Morocco made the Elephants pay when they went ahead just after the hour mark.

Substitute Rachid Aliou scored Morocco’s goal with a curling long-range shot, confirming Ivory Coast’s elimination.

“It’s tough to go out like that in the first round. It’s hard to swallow,” Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie said.

Ivory Coast’s woes continued the recent curse of the champion at the African Nations Cup. Egypt, winners in 2010, didn’t qualify in 2012, while Zambia went out without winning a game in 2013 and Nigeria failed to qualify in 2015

Meanwhile, DR Congo topped Group C with a colourful 3-1 win over Togo in Port-Gentil and progressed alongside Morocco.

The Leopards took the lead in the 29th minute through Junior Kabananga’s third goal of the tournament, with Ndombe Mubele then adding a delightful finish nine minutes after the break.

Togo’s Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba pulled a goal back 15 minutes later before fellow substitute Paul-Jose M’Poku’s fine free kick wrapped things up for Florent Ibenge’s side with 10 minutes to go.

The result took DR Congo to seven points from their three group games as they secured top spot, while Togo were left bottom with only a point to their name.

Jose Mourinho is ‘calm and in control’ as Manchester United boss – Sir Alex

Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit understands Jose Mourinho’s approach but also sees how it can be frustrating to fans.
Jose Mourinho should be inspired by the progress his Manchester United team have made — and they are “unlucky” not to be challenging Premier League leaders Chelsea, according to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Stoke, the equaliser coming courtesy of a Wayne Rooney free kick which saw the England captain pass Sir Bobby Charlton’s mark to become the club’s all-time record scorer with 250.

United sit in sixth in the standings — two points behind Manchester City and four adrift of Liverpool, although 14 shy of Chelsea — and Ferguson has no doubt Mourinho and his squad are moving in the right direction following the summer exit of Louis van Gaal.

“I think he has done really well. It is like a player coming to Manchester United. It is not easy coming and transforming the club’s fortunes from my time, it is not easy,” Ferguson said in an interview with BBC Sport. “I thought Louis van Gaal did a good job and I think Jose is doing a great job.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jose Mourinho has been unfortunate to draw so many matches as Manchester United manager.
“He has got to grips with the club — you can see that. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six draws I think, 1-1 – and every game he has battered that team.

“I think without all of those draws, they would be challenging Chelsea.

“That is the unfortunate part, but he has got to live with that but I think he will be inspired by the progress of the team.”

Ferguson, who retired in May 2013 following 26 years at the helm, feels former Chelsea boss Mourinho has slowly grown into his role at Old Trafford.

“I think Jose is finding solutions now,” the 75-year-old added. “There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn’t getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now — he is calm and in control.

“That is the obvious observation I am making of the team now. The team is mirroring its manager.

“It is playing with great energy, determination and will to win, which I think is really important.”

PPPRA board meets to review petrol price, others

Following the myriad of suggestions favouring adjustment in the price of petrol, the board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), the agency responsible for fixing fuel price, will meet on Thursday to consider among other issues, the review of the petroleum product pricing template.

Reliable sources in the agency told Daily Trust that PPPRA will come up with the latest template sooner than later which could see petrol price rise or fall.

The template which was last updated on May 23, 2016, pegged the price of petrol between N135 and N145 per litre but many developments have taken place in the oil and foreign exchange (FX) markets since then.

Daily Trust learnt that the board, which was formally inaugurated in November, had only met twice. It did not review the template at past meetings because the PPPRA management was yet to brief it on the matter. But, one of the main issues on the agenda during Thursday’s meeting is the review of the template, our sources said. Mr. Gbenga Oshinowo, who is a member of the PPPRA board and the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) confirmed the meeting.

“The matter (pricing template review) has been raised and we are meeting on Thursday this week. By the time we meet, it will be clear as to which direction to go,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that PPPRA has come under sharp criticisms lately for “unnecessary charges” that the agency inputs in the pricing template which made the price of petrol N145 per litre.

For instance, a House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of Pump Price of Petrol on Monday said the 84kobo port charge and the 30kobo administration charge collected by the agency were fraudulent.

The legislators noted that, for instance, the 30 kobo “administrative charge”, was provided for in the 2016 budget but Nigerians still paid it. They insisted that if the unnecessary costs were removed, Nigerians would not have to pay more than N70 per litre.

Meanwhile, oil workers – comprising the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have said they would not accept another increase in petrol price. PENGASSAN in a submission it made to the House Committee on petrol price template review said it believed that this is not the right time to review the template due to the current economic situation.

“We also call on government to reduce the sundry charges created by some bodies controlled by government – for instance NPA charges, NIMASA charges, storage charges – as this will go a long way to push down the landing cost,” it said.

Donald Trump: “We will announce immigration Restrictions of Iraq, Yemen, Syria, seven African and middle Eastern countries”

Donald Trump has said a “big day” is planned on national security, including an announcement to build a wall on the border between the US and Mexico.

The new US president is expected to sign several executive orders regarding immigration and border security over the next few days.

They are likely to include the “extreme vetting” of people coming from seven predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa.

This would restrict refugee access.

Mr Trump tweeted: “Big day planned on national security tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!”

Building a 2,000-mile wall along the Mexican border was one of his key proposals during the presidential election campaign.

There will also be measures that force so-called sanctuary cities in the US to co-operate with the authorities on deporting illegal immigrants.

“Sanctuary cities” are places that don’t arrest or detain immigrants living in the country illegally.

‘Down payments’

Later this week, Mr Trump is expected to announce immigration restrictions from seven African and Middle Eastern countries, including Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.

He is also likely to halt access to the country for some refugees – until the vetting process can be made more rigorous.

The BBC’s David Willis in Washington says immigration and humanitarian organisations are likely to be outraged by the measures.

Trita Parsi, from the National Iranian American Council, said: “Donald Trump is making good on the most shameful and discriminatory promises he made on the campaign trail.

“He called for a Muslim ban and is now taking the first steps to implement one. This will not stand. The American people are better than this.”

BBC North America editor Jon Sopel said: “Throughout this week the new president has been making a series of down payments on his most high profile election pledges.

“On Monday and Tuesday, jobs and trade; today, border security.”

The US President also took to Twitter to express his concern about the level of violence in Chicago.

He threatened to “send in the Feds” – federal authorities – if the city did not “fix the horrible carnage” taking place.

Local media has said that more than 40 people have been murdered and 228 shot so far in 2017.

The Chicago Police Department said it was “more than willing to work” with federal agencies to “boost federal prosecution rates for gun crimes” in the city.

Check out the last photos of Gambia's ex-president, Yahya Jammeh, as he lfet the country on exile

On Friday, January 20, 2017, Gambia's ex-president, Yahya Jammeh accepted the December election by announcing that he was finally stepping down for his successor President Adama Barrow after weeks of Political crisis.

After stepping down from power, the former leader was flown into political exile to Equatorial Guinea. He traveled with mediator Alpha Conde, the president of Guinea. Check out his last photos in Gambia taken at the airport after the cut...

Photos: Skeletal remains of man found in abandoned warehouse

The skeletal remains of a man was discovered in an abandoned warehouse on Saturday, January 20th, around a storage area in Old Wood Best Municipal Road Soi, Thailand. Authorities are currently investigating to identify the skeleton but they suspect it has been there between five to six months. More photos after the cut.

Photos: Scores dead and injured in ghastly accident along Lokoja-Okene road

An accident involving a bus belonging to Delta Line and another vehicle along Lokoja-Okene road, Kogi State, on January 17th claimed the lives of many while scores sustained various degrees of injuries. Godspower Efebuno posted the photos on Facebook : 

"On my way from Warri to Abuja a Serious accident that left scores dead and others seriously injured right in front of me at Agadama Junction by Lokoja - okene road, Kogi state. Pls join me and pray for them. And pls note that some of them were coming to warri, so if u know anyone pls pass the message across" More photos below...