News Summary 7th December 2016; President Buhari In Dakar, Sirleaf Concludes Visit To Nigeria, etc.
President Muhammadu Buhari has strongly admonished Nigerian elite to stop making expensive demands on the federal government saying should things be done the old way as they desire, the country will remain impoverished.
This was when he granted audience to a select group of Nigerians resident in Senegal and Cote d’ Ivoire on the margins of the international forum on peace and security in Dakar.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture says it has commenced the purchase of grains towards stocking her silos as directed by the presidency.
Minister of agriculture and rural development at a press briefing says under ECOWAS treaty Nigeria cannot close her doors on her neighbors especially on the supply of agricultural produce.
President Buhari Arrives Dakar
President Muhammadu Buhari is in Dakar, Senegal to participate in the 3rd international forum on peace and security beginning today.
State house Correspondent Adamu Sambo reports that the President arrived in Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport at about 8 o’clock in the evening local time of Tuesday.
President Macky Sall of Senegal led a high powered delegation to give the Nigerian leader a befitting reception on his first official visit to the West African country since coming to power.
President Buhari is expected to join other African leaders at the peace and security forum convened by president Macky Sall in collaboration with the African Union to discuss security related challenges affecting the continent.
The president who has identified improved security in Nigeria as a priority for development shares the vision of the forum in finding solutions to among others terrorism, violent extremism, piracy, drugs and human trafficking.
The theme of the two day forum is, Africa and its security challenges: perspectives for effective solutions.
President Buhari is being accompanied on the visit by Governors Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Ministers of Defence, foreign affairs and interior as well as the national security adviser.
VP At AfDB Economic Conference
Countries in Africa, especially Nigeria have been on their toes trying to ensure sustainable food production, and reduce dependence on food importation.
This is in the wake of prediction of possible population explosion that may result in millions of people going without food.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at an International Conference in Abuja has been explaining the country’s efforts at improving the agro-allied industry in the country.
Dev. Partners At Africa Economic Conference
The revolution of Agriculture in Africa is set to take a new dimension as development partners on the continent harness opportunities to pursue growth and reduce poverty through industrialization.
At a round table discussion on the way forward to transforming Africa’s agriculture, Nigeria’s Minister Of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh aligned his position with AFDB, ECA and UNDP on industrializing agriculture to reduce wastage, fight poverty and inequality as well improve value.
Senate Leader Flags Off Distribution Of Relief
The Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative has assured of its commitment to create an enabling environment for internally displaced persons to return to areas where normalcy has returned.
The Senate Leader Ali Ndume who is a member of the initiative gave this assurance while flagging off distribution of relief materials delivered by the national emergency management agency to IDPs in Adamawa and Borno States
House Assesses Impact Of Sugar Policy On Sugar Production
The House of Representatives committee on industry says it will drive to ensure all milestones in the National Sugar Master plan are reached and implemented in order to improve upon sugar production in Nigeria
Chairman of the Committee, Representative Abubakar Hussaini Moriki while addressing the staff and management of three sugar refineries in Lagos and the Savannah sugar refinery in Numan, Adamawa State, said it has become expedient to see how close Nigeria is to realizing its sugar self-sufficiency target in 2020.
This he said is in line with the national sugar policy on the sector which took effect in 2013.
The Committee Chairman expressed satisfaction with the level of backward integration these companies have been able to achieve with supervision by the National Sugar Development Council.
He advised them to ensure maximum capacity utilization in order to generate jobs and reduce importation of sugar.
The Committee’s visit is in preparation for the 2017 budget consideration.
Immigration Service On Ease Of Doing Business In Nigeria
The Nigerian Immigration Service says it is poised to supporting the ease of doing business in the country, through process reforms and attitudinal change in officers at its service windows who have been tasked to eschew corruption and unethical conduct.
Comptroller General of the Service, Mohammad Babandede was speaking on the need for professionalism when he decorated newly promoted officers at the service Headquarters in Abuja.
FG Bans Importation Of Vehicles Through Land Border
Importation of Vehicles into Nigeria through the land borders have been banned by the Federal Government.
The prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles.
A statement from the Customs Public Relations Officer Wale Adeniyi says the ban is sequel to a presidential directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigeria to sea ports only.
The order takes effect from 1st January 2017.
The restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of rice whose imports through land borders have been banned since April 2016.
Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to use the grace period up till 31st December 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring ports.
Sirleaf Concludes Two Day Visit
The two day visit to ECOWAS institutions by the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ended.
Addressing journalists at the end of the visit, President Sirleaf expressed satisfaction with the visit pointing out that it has enabled her to understand better the workings and challenges faced by the institutions
She reiterated the need for greater synergy between the organs and the institutions just as she called for prudency in managing scarce resources
The chair also used the occasion to speak to efforts to bring peace to troubled Guinea Bissau
Madam Sirleaf has since left Nigeria
Buhari Receives Liberian Leader
Before leaving Nigeria, President Sirleaf held bi-lateral discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock.
President Buhari made a case for African leaders to unite and show more commitment towards ensuring that peace and stability reign supreme across the continent for sustainable growth and development.
2 New Supreme Court Justices Sworn In
Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen says if the judiciary is to successfully defend its integrity and independence, then all its judicial officers must always remain above board.
He stated this at the swearing in of two new justices of the Supreme Court.
Lai Mohammed At The Nigeria Embassy In Abu Dhabi
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says corrupt elements are doing everything possible to truncate the good work of the present administration, as a response to the government’s determined fight against corruption.
Addressing staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Minister said as the government fights corruption, corruption is also fighting back, using even unsuspecting sources, making it the biggest challenge facing the administration at the moment.
Minister of power at public hearing
Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has suggested repeal and re-enactment of the federal highways act 1971.
This was at a public hearing by the senate committee on works on a bill to repeal the Federal Roads Maintainance Agency Act and re-enact the Federal Roads Authority Act.
SGF Represents Buhari On Ending Insurgency
The Nigerian Army must intensify efforts and work closely with other security agencies for strategies to address security challenges and ensure total eradication of insurgency, says President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff conference in Owerri.
SGF On Volunteerism
Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babchir David Lawal has advised Nigerians to champion the course of volunteerism in order to promote peace and development of the country.
He gave the advice at the 2016 International Day of Volunteerism celebration in Abuja.
NAF Acquires Aircrafts
The Nigerian Airforce has acquired four Super Mushshak Aircrafts from Pakistan for its primary flying training.
The handover ceremony of the aircrafts was held in Kaduna.
IGP Launches Change Campaign In Kano
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris says the force is rebranding itself towards ensuring efficient service delivery.
He was speaking in Kano during the launch of the change begin with me campaign and the rebranded Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit of the Police Force.
Opec Boss Commends President Buhari’s Role
Restoration of peace and normalcy in key oil producing regions like Nigeria’s Niger Delta, will better position exporting countries to reap the benefits of a rebounding oil market,
Secretary General, Organization of Petroleum Countries, OPEC, Dr Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo stated this position in an exclusive interview with NTA’S energy correspondent Hauwa Salihu Adam in Vienna where he commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s role when the politics of oil almost took the better of rebalancing process
APC publicity secretary on his policy direction
The new National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi says he will use effective communication strategy to promote the good image of the party as a governing party.
He stated this in an interview with political correspondent Abdullahi Garba Birnin Kudu.
Ghana Last Minutes Campaigns In Ghana
Last minutes campaigns in the battle for Ghana’s Presidency will now be shifted to the polling centers as campaigns ended Monday ahead of Wednesday’s general election.
Mohammed Ali reports that the top two political parties intensified last minutes campaigns to sway more undecided votes for their candidates.
ECOWAS On Leadership Crisis
Strategic leadership capacity has been identified as vital towards addressing the capacity gap within the ECOWAS planning elements for the military, police and civilians.
This was at the senior mission leadership course by the National Defence College in collaboration with the economic community of West African states held in Abuja.
Socialist Party pays tribute to Fidel Castro
The Socialist Party of Nigeria held a candle night tribute for the late Cuban President Fidel Castro in honour of his contributions to humanity.
