Day: June 19, 2023

President Bola Tinubu will join world leaders in Paris on Thursday to review and sign a New Global Financial Pact that places vulnerable countries on priority list.

These countries would enjoy support and investment, following devastating impact of climate change, energy crisis and after effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement by Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, said the summit would hold between June 22 and 23.

Alake said the summit would look at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that faced difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted.

He said it woul mobilize innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change and foster development in low-income countries.

It would also encourage investment in “green” infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing economies.

Alake said that Tinubu and other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists would take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Alake said the summit would look at the rising cases of poverty, with a view to providing access to finance and investment to leverage inclusive growth.

The Summit, which would be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France, would be held at Palais Brongniart.

The President would be accompanied by members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and other senior government officials.

The President will return to Abuja on Saturday.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Monday pledged to give priority to the health and safety of Nigerians.

He said that the development of a country was critically tied to the health of its people.

The President stated this during an audience with the Co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, and President of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, in Abuja.

While saluting the courage and commitment of Bill Gates in working for humanity, he commended the partnership with Aliko Dangote Foundation.

The President said his administration would make their work in Nigeria and Africa successful, particularly in the areas of eradicating polio, measles, malaria and other diseases from the continent.

He, however, warned about the budgetary constraints and other issues around funding.

The President praised Bill Gates’ efforts in the area of Climate Change and in eradicating polio and malaria from Africa.

He told the philanthropist that the West needed to hear more from him with respect to the plight of the developing countries, saying “you have all it takes to help developing nations more”.

Dangote, in his remarks to the media after the visit, congratulated President Tinubu on his election and successful assumption of office.

He said the visit to the Villa was to brief the President on the activities of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation, highlighting their commitment to improving the health sector in Nigeria.

Dangote expressed the Foundations’ willingness to cooperate further with the government in achieving its goals.

He seized the opportunity to commend the President for the removal of fuel subsidy, expressing confidence that more state funds would be allocated to education, health, infrastructure, and other critical areas of the economy.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged the newly sworn-in Judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to flee from temptations as their reputation and integrity mattered most.

Ariwoola made the call on Monday in Abuja while administering oath on them.

“I am making it clear to you to keep your heads high above the murky waters of corruption and favouritism.

“You must also redouble your efforts and dialogue with your conscience because you have a divine mandate to justify your appointments,” he said.

He also urged them to give good accounts of themselves as none would be allowed to drag the name of the judiciary in the mud.

“Industrial disputes and litigations are in steady rise, you should be consciously on your toes knowing that Nigeria ranks among the most litigious country,’’ he reminded them.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the six newly sworn-in Judges are Justices Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma, Muhammad Adamu Hamza, Damachi-Onugba Joyce Agede, Hassan Muhammed Yakubu, Buhari Sanni and Sanda Audu Yelwa.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Donnington Nigeria Ltd has dragged Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and others to a Federal High Court, Abuja on criminal charges bordering on breach of the Money Laundering Act.

Ahmad (2nd defendant) was sued alongside a company, Velocity Logistics & Marine Limited (1st defendant), where he was alleged to be a director and shareholder on 12-count charge before Justice James Omotosho.

The charge is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/175/2023.

The company alleged that Ahmad aided Velocity Logistics, a designated non-financial institution, between Jan. 2014 and Jan. 2018 in failing to report in writing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) any lodgement or outflow transaction from the company’s Zenith Bank account number: 016639377 of the sums above N5 million.

This, it said, as required under Section 10(1)b of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and thereby committed an offence under Section 18(a) of the said Act and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

Donnington Nigeria Ltd, the complainant, also filed three different charges against three other companies and their directors.

In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023, the complainant, suing on Federal Government’s behalf, preferred 20 counts against Winslow Logistics Ltd and Mr Alkali Habib, a director and shareholder.

In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/176/2023, Sahams Crystal Investment Ltd and Abdulmumini Haruna are being sued on 14 counts also bordering on money laundering infractions.

Donnington also filed 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023 against Equip Logistics Services Limited and Edwin Iyk Anyadigibe, its director and a shareholder for failure to comply with the requirements of submitting to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, a declaration of the activities of the company contrary to the money laundering act, among others.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter on Monday, Counsel to the complainant, Ugbede Idachaba, informed that the matter was scheduled for the arraignment of the defendants.

However, the REA’s MD, Mr Ahmad, and others were not in court.

Lawyers to all the defendants, including Mohammed Ndarami, SAN, who represented Ahmad and Velocity Logistics, and Victor Opera, SAN, who appeared for Equip Logistics, urged the court to dismiss the suits for being incompetent.

They said the charges filed against their clients were incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suits.

Ndaram, who said a preliminary objection was filed on June 16, informed that the defendants were not in court because they went on Hajj.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the four suits until June 26 for arraignment and for hearing of the preliminary objections filed by the defendants.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the proceedings, Opara said a preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the cour had already been filed.

According to him, our conception is that the whole charge is incompetent and we have challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge as constituted, instituted and prosecuted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Donnington Ltd, in its arguments, said though there had been a long-held rule that a private citizen cannot institute and prosecute crime in Nigeria except with the consent and authorisation of the Attorney-General of the Federation, it said that “the rule has been overruled by the 2022 decision of the Supreme Court in the case of RAPHAEL OBIJIAKU Vs CHIEF JOE OBIJIAKU & 2 ORS (2022) 17 NWLR (PT. 1857) 377 at 405 Paras E- F.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, has restated commitment to training and retraining of troops in operational readiness to combat security challenges confronting the nation.

Ajunwa stated this during the Opening Ceremony of 81 Division Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers (WOs) and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) competition holding at 243 Recce Battalion Barracks, Ibereko Badagry, Lagos, on Monday.

The GOC, represented by Brig.-Gen. NJ Edet, Commander, 9 Brigade of 81 Division, noted that as it was often said in military circles that “ soldiers sweat in peace time through training, the less blood they shed in war”.

He said: “This old maxim is relevant today as it was relevant ages ago when it first came into existence.

“Interestingly, the letter and spirit of the maxim form the essential ingredients of the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya.

“Which is `To have a Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defense of Nigeria’.

“The COAS had taken giant strides in areas of operational readiness of the Nigerian Army in a bid to achieve his vision,” he said.

Ajunwa further stated that in sustaining professionalism in the Nigeria Army, the WOs and SNCOs Competition amongst other aspects of training had been carefully crafted into the COAS Training Directive for the Year 2023.

“In executing the training directive, Headquarters 81 Division scheduled its Warrant Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers Competition from June 19 to June 23.

“The WOs and SNCOs Competition is aimed at improving the leadership qualities of the participants, improve on their level of endurance, discipline and also prepare them for higher responsibilities.

Similarly, in his opening address, the Commanding Officer, 243 Recce Battalion, Barracks Ibereko, Badagry, Col. N Akpagher, who is the host, said 120 personnel from four formations within 81 Division would be participating in the competition.

“The formations are 9 Brigade, 35 Artillery Brigade, 45 Engineer Brigade and 81 Division Garrison,” he said.

The CO said the events in which the participating formations would be competing for included Map Reading, Weapon Heading, Combat Swimming and Obstacle Crossing.

He said that general instructions containing rules and regulations governing the competition had been sent out to ensure a level playing field for all competing formations.

Akpagher urged all participating troops to go beyond their comfort zones to derive the maximum benefits from the competition and make their formations proud.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate retirement of National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and Comptroller-General of Customs, with immediate effect.

Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to Bassey, the president has appointed their replacements.

Those appointed are: Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taofeeq Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, and AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

Others are; DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police, Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye, Chief of Defense Intelligence, Col. Adebisi Onasanya, Commander Brigade of Guards, and Lt.-Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja.

Also appointed are, Lt.-Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Lt.-Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim, 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger, Lt.- Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote, 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Similarly, the President has approved the appointment of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows: Maj.- Isa Farouk Audu, Commanding Officer State House Artillery, Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu, Second-in-Command, State House Artillery.

The rest are; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat, Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence, Maj. TS Adeola, Commanding Officer, State House Armament, Lt. A. Aminu, Second-in- Command, State House Armament.

Tinubu also approved the appointment of two additional Special Advisers and two Senior Assistants.

They are; Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser, Policy Coordination, Hannatu Musawa, Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy, and Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters, Senate.

Also, Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim was appointed Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters, House of Representatives.

Similarly, the President has appointed Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.

*It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nigeria and the U.S. on Monday restated commitment to further foster partnership in the oil and gas industry to ensure energy security and transition.

This decision was reached in Abuja when Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State (Energy), and his team visited Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

The team is in Nigeria to explore more opportunities in the areas of emerging technologies, investments, finance, carbon management, gas development and utilisation among others to attain energy security and transition.

Speaking, Kyari lauded the U.S. for progressing its interventions in Nigeria, particularly in the oil and gas industry towards supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reduce emissions and create the right framework in knowledge and material support.

He expressed appreciation for the support the U.S. rendered to Nigeria when it was making progress to bring the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) into place.

“And I am also aware that several supports are coming our way to increase our capacity to produce green energy in Nigeria as we progress towards enhancing gas development and penetration which is much cleaner for the environment.

“With this development, there is a clear indication that Nigeria is moving towards net zero emission by 2060,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who expressed satisfaction with the team’s visit, described U.S. as a strong partner in Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.

“His Excellency, Ambassador Pyatt, is here with us to further the course of our engagements with the U.S. in our collaboration to ensure a safer and healthier world and greener environment.”

Aduda emphasised that Nigeria and the U.S. were working round the clock and very closely to ensure a better future globally.

Pyatt, who is the head of U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources (BER), in his remark, said the U.S. team’s presence was a reflection of U.S. President, Joe Biden, and the U.S. Government’s commitment to its partnership with Nigeria.

“You have to make a decision about how you need to continue to develop your resources in a way that will deliver benefits to the citizens of this country and also protect our shared environment,’’ he said.

Pyatt said the 2022 African Energy Summit reflected Biden’s directions to lean into its partnerships with Africa and to identify opportunities to further grow cooperation between American Companies, the American government and Nigerian our counterparts.

He said the energy transition and the rapid shift to more sustainable sources of energy and the emergence of technologies to reduce carbon intensity of the fossil fuel being used, were really bordering issues.

He said that Russia, having marginalised itself through its actions with Ukraine and the sanctions that followed and the implications for the global market, called for a tremendous opportunity.

“I am very proud of the work that the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources (BER) has done jointly with NNPC Ltd, specifically in the area of carbon management.

“We are committed to continuing that partnership, and in just the next few weeks we will have a team back here to continue exploring opportunities in that area,’’ he said.

Pyatt said it would key into investment, recognising the fact that President Bola Tinubu had offered to unlock new growth and interest from foreign investors, including significantly the American companies.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the commission which was responsible for regulating upstream technical and commercial activities was working towards zero emission attainment.

Komolafe, who also sought U.S. cooperation and support in Nigerian upstream programmes, said the commission was making effort to ensure that the development of hydrocarbon was done in a responsible and cleaner manner.

He said in trying to ensure cleaner environment, the commission was progressing in Nigerian Gas Commercialisation Programme, a major climate action commitment of Nigeria towards decarbonising the environment.

Mr Ahmed Farouk, Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), also said the authority was focused on emission reduction and decarbonisation, thereby urged the bureau to assist in capacity building and knowledge sharing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that U.S. Climate Envoy, John Kerry, had in 2022 visited Nigeria and met former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, GCEO and other key players on climate change and energy transition.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Eighteen thousand children, aged between 10 and 17, are subjected to child labor in Angola, said the director of the National Institute for Children, Paulo Kalesi.

In an interview with ANGOP, as part of the month of the child, the official pointed to the informal sector with 75% of the cases detected in the 18 provinces of the country.

“In Angola, what worries most is child labor in the informal sector of the economy (in markets and warehouses), this is where the law does not work as we would like”, he pointed out.

Paulo Kalesi said that the provinces of Luanda, Bengo, Huíla, Benguela, Huambo, Cabinda, Lundas Sul and Norte are those with the highest number of violations.

He said that the Angolan Government has approved the Child Labor Eradication Plan, coordinated by the Ministries of Public Administration, Labor and Social Security and Social Action, Family and Women Promotion, with various components of action, to alleviate this problem

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço decided on Monday to authorise the Chief Commissioner of the National Police, Sebastião Domingos Gunza, to take his retirement.

The information is expressed in a press release from the Presidency’s Office, stating that João Lourenço acted in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) .

Sebastião Domingos Gunza was sworn in as Chief Judge of the Court of Auditors on same day

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço Monday urged the Court of Audit (TC) judges to develop greater capacity to monitor the projects aimed to develop the national economy and the improvement of people’s living conditions.

“The Government is on track, but we need speed up this process even more”, he said, calling on the judges to “develop more the capacity for the Audit Court to better monitor this pace”.

Delivering his speech at the swearing in ceremony of the Audit Court Chief Judge Sebastião Domingos Ngunza and of judges of the Audit Court and Supreme Court, the President said that the government “is doing a lot in a short period of time” but it wants to do more.

João Lourenço expects agility from the Court of Audit to avoid disruptive situations in the execution of projects for the construction of infrastructure in sectors such as energy and water.

According to the Head of State, the country needs to provide more energy, more water for the industries and the population, as well as public works infrastructure of civil construction, roads and bridges.

João Lourenço called for the need to build more school infrastructure of all levels and more hospitals.

Sebastião Domingos Gunza was sworn in as Chief Judge of Court of Audit, while Sebastião Jorge Bessa, Manuel da Cruz Neto, Armindo Gidião and Januário José Domingos as judges of the same court.

Carlos Alberto Cavuquila was sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço Monday recommended the governor of the Central Bank of Angola (BNA) commitment to keep the national currency (Kwanza) strong and exercise greater control over inflation.

João Lourenço made the call at the swearing-in ceremony of the governor of BNA Manuel António Tiago Dias, stating that the right policies carried out by central bank will ensure a strong economy.

The Angolan Head of State also swore in Rui Manuel de Sousa Malaquias as member of the Economic and Social Council (CES), a consultative body of the President of the Republic.

Stressing the role of CES, the president João Lourenço underlined the fact of this body to integrate a “group of thinkers” in terms of the economy and finance that will contribute to a strong economy.

To João Lourenço, when talking about the Angolan economy the focus should be on its diversification.

“Let us be honest in recognising that there is still much more to be done, that is, in terms of diversification of the economy we are very far from being satisfied,” he said.

The BNA, the Economic and Social Council and the government itself must join hands and work towards this great task of diversifying the economy, which is our salvation

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The newly appointed governor of the Central Bank of Angola (BNA) Manuel António Tiago Dias on Monday in Luanda promised to work on the implementation of monetary policy measures aimed to ensure the stability of prices and the national currency, Kwanzas.

Speaking to the press after the swearing in ceremony, the new BNA governor also pledged to work on the appreciation of the Kwanzas, a task he described as tough.

“It is not an easy task (…), we count on everyone’s support. We are counting on the help of the commercial banks to play their role,” said the BNA governor, adding that the commercial banks should help boost the Angolan economy.

He said that the stability of prices and of the national currency depended on national production.

BNA´s governor said that, the greater the diversification of the economy, particularly export revenues, the greater the stability of prices will be.

Profile

Manuel António Tiago Dias was appointed by the President João Lourenço as governor of the BNA, taking over from José de Lima Massano who, at his own request, recently left his post.

He holds a master’s degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Bordeaux in France.

He joined the BNA in 1997, where he held various positions until his appointment, in 2016, as deputy governor.

He also held positions of director of the Statistics Department, deputy director of the Studies and Statistics Department and head of the Studies and Statistics Division

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)