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  • Oil prices rise on uncertainty over Libyan crude exports

    Oil prices rose, Tuesday on uncertainty over Libyan oil exports, although plans by producer cartel OPEC to raise output loom.

    Brent sweet crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at 74.95 dollars per barrel at 01.04 GMT, up 22 cents, or 0.3 per cent from their last close.

    The United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at 68.33 dollars a barrel, up 25 cents, or 0.4 per cent.

    Traders said prices were mostly driven higher by uncertainty around oil exports by Libya, a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    Eastern Libyan commander, Khalifa Haftar’s forces have handed control of oil ports to a separate National Oil Corporation (NOC) based in the East of the country.

    The official state-owned oil company based in the capital Tripoli, also called NOC, will not be allowed to handle that oil anymore, he said.

    In comments later confirmed to the Media, Ahmed Mismari, spokesman of Haftar’s Libya National Army (LNA), said on television that no tanker would be allowed to dock at eastern ports without permission.

    The permission must be from a NOC entity based in the main eastern city, Benghazi.

    Oil markets have tightened significantly since 2017 when OPEC and its partners started withholding supply to prop up slumping prices at the time.

    “Despite the OPEC agreement (last week) we believe that tight supply is likely to drive oil prices higher during 2018,’’ Jason Gammel of U.S. Investment Bank Jefferies said in a note.

    Oil has been predicted to rise to 100 dollars before the end of this year by an analyst. (Reuters/NAN)

  • IGP Idris deploys Special Intervention Force to Plateau

    The Nigerian police have deployed Special Intervention Force led by Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of operations, to restore peace to troubled Plateau State.

    Mr. Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officers, said on Monday in a statement, that the special force had been mandated to restore lasting peace to troubled Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South local governments where scores of people were killed at the weekend and other flash points.

    The special force is backed up with two helicopters, five Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), three Police Mobile Force Units (PMF), two Counter Terrorism Cells (CTU ) and Police Intelligence Unit and Police Intelligence Unit.

    The Special Intervention Force, also includes personnel of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) , detachment of Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Conventional Policemen, and Special Anti-Robbery Squads.

    Members of the team have started arriving in Plateau state and working in synergy with the Plateau State Police Command to ensure that the peace and normalcy restored are sustained in the affected areas and other flash points in Plateau State, he said.

    Moshood said that the police have also deployed Special investigation Team comprising the Intelligence Response Team ( IRT), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and the Technical Platforms.

    The team, led by Commissioner of Police of the IGP Monitoring Unit, is to carry out a thorough and discreet investigation into the killings and promptly apprehend those responsible.

    “To achieve success in this operation, the team will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rule of engagement will be fully adhered to.

    “The Police Special Intervention Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on the affected areas by the Plateau State Government.

    “The personnel of the Police special Intervention Force will carry out twenty four hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search of vehicles, and suspected locations and hideouts of the assailants .

    “The Team will also engage in continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest promptly those responsible for the killings and nip in the bud and prevent any further attack, attempt to attack or cause any form of violence that can lead to killings and other criminalities in the affected areas.

    The deployment of the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force will equally cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable settlements, government and private infrastructures and facilities in all the affected areas and other flash points in the State.

    The police appeal to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, the youth groups, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their wards and followers to support the police.

    “You are hereby called upon to prevail on your subjects, adherents/followers, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force in the discharge of their responsibilities.’

    The police implored leaders to allow police Investigation and the law to take it full course, and not resort to reprisals and counter attacks.

    “ Members of the public in the affected areas, other flash points or in any other location in the State in distress or with information to the Police Special Intervention Force and the investigation team can use the following numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844, and 09053872296’’

    The massive deployment of men and material was carried out by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who is troubled by the recent killings of innocent people in Barkin-Ladi (Gashishi), Riyom, Jos South.

    The mayhem of 23rd and 24th of June, 2018 resulted in the loss of several innocent lives and properties.

  • Nigerian firm automates garri production

    By Biola Lawal

     A Nigerian company, Dalisatech Limited, has produced a machine that  automates garri production, from cassava  peeling to frying into the end product, a popular staple in the country.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the machine was invented  by Dalistech after four years of research.

    Until now, cassava  had to be peeled manually before being processed by a machine, for mostly manual frying.

    Part of the garri processing plant

    NAN reports that Dalisatech garri processing plant however, peels cassava, washes it, grinds it, presses it and fries it into garri.

    Managing Director of Dalisatech Group, Mr. Samuel Taniniwo told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that the Dalistech machine would assist economic growth by helping to boost food production.

    Taniniwo disclosed that Dalisatech had also produced a machine “that makes palm oil production.a lot easier and cost effective with massive output’’.

    “The era of crude methods of Garri and palm oil production is over,’’ he stated.

    “The progress made so far is a product of four years of  unrelenting research and hard work of my team made of young skilful and talented Nigerians,” Taniniwo said.

    According to him, the machines were“made up of state of the art metals that modern method of fabrication offers and can compete with any similar machines produced anywhere in the world’’.

    The Dalisatech MD also noted that the machine “are in accordance with the requirements of relevant regulatory agencies in Nigeria’’

    He urged Nigerian farmers to “take advantage of these innovations to add value to their produce’’.

    “Nigerians should watch for more innovations, particularly in mechanised farm equipment production,”  he said, adding that “Dalisatech is poised to take food production in Nigeria to the next level’’.

    Taniniwo said that the Dalisatech palm oil plant also has the capacity of producing palm oil that could meet up with the domestic demand of Nigerian consumers.’’(NAN)

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  • 2019: Leverage on NTYR—Philanthropist urges Ebonyi youths

    Mr Julius Ukachukwu, an Abuja based businessman and philanthropist, has urged Ebonyi State youths to take advantage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run (NTYR) Act and contest for all the political positions in state in 2019.

    Ukachukwu, who addressed Ebonyi delegates during a solidarity visit at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention on Sunday in Abuja, said youths should leverage on NTYR and wrestle power.

    President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed into law the `Not Too Young To Run’ Bill into law.

    The President, who signed the bill in company of members of the `Not Too Young To Run’ movement at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also jokingly appealed to the young people to postpone their campaign (presidential ambition) till after the 2019 general elections.

    The bill was passed by the National Assembly in July 2017 to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution, to reduce the age qualification for president from 40 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.

    Ukachukwu encouraged the delegates to go back home and mobilise support for every aspiring youth so that Ebonyi could realise its potentialities.

    Ukachukwu said that the youths could change the narrative of the state to become economically viable and in turn stop begging politicians for tips.

    “When the youths final take over in 2019 by the grace of God, the life of Ebonyi youth will change from street hawking and housemaid to something better.

    “ Ebonyi state is blessed with a fertile land and has no business being in the present quagmire with good leadership in place

    “I will support any youth politician that is ready to change the life and welfare of the teeming jobless but hardworking youths in the state positively,’’ he said.

    The philanthropist said 2019 would provide an opportunity for the youths to bring the desired change.

  • FG to reduce cost of houses through FISH- Oyo-Ita

    FG to reduce cost of houses through FISH- Oyo-Ita

    By Kate Obande-Okewu

    The Federal Government says it plans to reduce the cost of providing houses to civil servants through the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Scheme (FISH).

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Oyo-Ita said that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was currently partnering relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reduce cost of infrastructure and land.

    She added that this partnership would further reduce the cost of the houses and make it affordable for civil servants, instead of the initial price placed on it by the developers.

    She said that the major challenge FISH was encountering was that the concept of the programme was not captured by relevant MDAs in their various budgets, but has been addressed in 2018 budget.

    “ Now we have to go back to the drawing board, we are now working with our infrastructure housing MDAs.

    “To see how we can bring down the prices to a level that civil servants can actually take advantage of.

    “The private developers will no longer have to bear the cost of the land and infrastructure because these are two things that cause high cost of houses,

    “We will now take advantage of the developers input by way of skills and technical knowhow, while the government agencies provide the land and infrastructure.’’

    The head of service expressed her gratitude to the FCT Minister, Minister of Power, Works and Housing for providing a district for the FISH programme.

    She also thanked the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, for providing infrastructure for FISH in the 2018 budget, and the Minister of Finance for their contributions towards the programme.(NAN)

    KTE/OU

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    Edited by Obike Ukoh

     

     

     

  • AEPB seeks cooperation of FCT residents to check activities of beggars

    AEPB seeks cooperation of FCT residents to check activities of beggars

    By Deji Abdulwahab

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to collaborate with the Board to check activities of beggars in the area.

    Mr Muktar Ibrahim, the AEPB Head of Information and Outreach Unit, spoke in Abuja, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Ibrahim who described guardians of children beggars as syndicates, exploiters and molesters, also urged the syndicates to desist from using children to source for livelihood.

    “We advise such people to desist from using other people’s children to source for livelihood. It is wicked and evil; it is not what we desire at this point of our national development.’’

    He assured the FCT residents that AEPB would not relent in its efforts to unmask the exploiters and molesters of the beggars.

    According to him, a guardian ought to provide some form of mentorship and sustenance for the wards under him or her.

    “But when you find somebody that sends students to the streets under the guise of guardianship and mentorship, I think there is contradiction there.

    “I call on them to desist from their wicked act.

    “I expect that any guardian that is interested in the welfare of his or her ward should do the right thing, either engaging such a child in some meaningful employment or sending him/her to school.

    “But not push such child to the streets to beg. I don’t think that is good enough,” he said. (NAN)

    ADA/ ELLA/OU
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    Edited by Ella Anokam/Obike Ukoh

     

  • Emir of Bauchi lauds UNICEF intervention in educating African children June 23, 2018 7:55 pm by a

    Emir of Bauchi lauds UNICEF intervention in educating African children

    By Amina Ahmed
    The Emir of  Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, has applauded the various interventions by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) toward educating African children.

    Rilwanu made the commendation on Saturday during interactive session with school children organised by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with UNICEF, Bauchi office in Bauchi.

    The session, which was to commemorate the Day of the African Child in Bauchi had participants from Alkaleri, Bauchi, Ganjuwa and Toro Local government Areas of the state.

    The emir said that UNICEF in its  various interventions, complemented government’s efforts toward
    ensuring that school children were enrolled, mentored and mobilised to obtain basic education.

    He added that “we appreciate the various contributions by UNICEF in the area of education because it has complemented government’s efforts toward providing basic education for our children.”

    The representative of UNICEF, Bauchi office, Mr Samuel Kaalu, advised children to adhere to parental and school guides for successful educational process.

    According to him, the future generation needs to be educated to foster national development.

    He commended the Bauchi State Government over its interventions in various educational programmes, adding that the Child Rights Act should be domesticated to ensure that children were well catered for.

    The Chief Counsel, Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, Mr Sabiu Gumba, said that the Child Rights Act had
    yet to be presented to the ministry for action.

    Mr Abubakar Mansur, the Director of Planing, Research and Statistics, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said that the board was committed to ensuring all facilities were provided in schools across the state.

    He added that “the board is committed to ensuring that facilities are provided to suit the girl-child.

    “We are mobilising parents, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that enrollment drives campaign.”

    Various activities were conducted to commemorate the Day of the African Child by children, which had “Leave No Child Behind in Education as ts theme for this year, including a walk on major streets in Bauchi metropolis, debate competition. (NAN)”  (NAN)
    AE/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

     

     

     

     Posted in General news |

    News Agency of Nigeria
    Powered by Metric Internet

    NAN

  • Photos: 2 cultists arrested for chilling murder of 2 OOU students

    Muritala Babatunde and Taiwo Razak, Black Axe Fraternity members arrested for murder

    Two members of the cult group Black Axe Confraternity  have been arrested in Oru, Ogun state over the chilling murder of a 22 year-old student Oriade Adebisi and his girlfriend, Julian Eke Imaga.

    Julian Imaga, 18 years-old and Adebisi were both students of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye. They were killed on 28 May by the cultists, one of whom was a drop-out from the university. Their bodies have been recovered and sent to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

    Oriade Adebisi murdered

    The cultists were arrested by operatives of the IGP-Intelligence Response Team(IRT) led by DCP Abba Kyari, in collaboration, with Oyo State FSars and Ogun State Police Command.

    In a chilling post by Abba Kyari on his Facebook page,  Oriade Adebisi was ambushed in Oru-Ijebu by the killer cultists in the night of 28 May, while driving in his Honda Crostour Car with Reg.No. FST 350 FA. He was in the company of his girlfriend Julian Eke Imaga. The incident happened after Adebisi had visited a friend of his identified as Akogun.

    Julian Eke Imaga, murdered

    “All of a sudden as he was driving towards Oru junction,  three armed armed men emerged on a motorcycle and whisked away the said Oriade Adebisi and his friend together with the car to unknown destination.

    “On the receipt of this complaint on 3 June, Operatives of the IGP-Intelligence Response Team(IRT) led by DCP ABBA Kyari in collaborations of Oyo state FSars and Ogun state police command swiftly swooped on the hoodlums and two of the principal suspects Muritala Babatunde  and Taiwo Rasak  were subsequently arrested”, Kyari reported.

    An iPhone X and with Etisalat sim and two pairs of canvas shoes belonging to the Adebisi were recovered from the first Muritala Babatunde.

    The Abba Kyari team at the scene of murder in Oru Ogun state

    The 29 year-old Babatunde, said to be the leader of the Black Axe Fraternity, also known as Aiye Fraternity, said in a confession he had nursed criminal intent on Adebisi for sometime before he attacked him on 28 May.

    His grouse was that Adebisi did not recognise his ranking in the Aiye Fraternity and was giving another cult group money.

    Here are the confessions of  Babatunde and his accomplice Taiwo Razak:

    MURITALA BABATUNDE “M” 29 YRS: He hails from Oru Ijebu in Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun state. That he is a university dropped out and that while he was in the university at Ago iwoye , he was initiated into cultism called Black Axe confraternity popularly known as “AIYE”. That he is now the current Number one “AIYE” Ijebu-North axis and had in his possession two locally made pistols which He and his gang members normally use to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

    He added that on 28/05/2018 at about 2300hrs, having noticed the Said oriade Adebisi’s movement along Oru-Ijebu junction , whom he had been nursing criminal intents against , he quickly called his gang members (Rasak Taiwo “m” aka IKU and Sodiq “m” ) and the said Oriade Adebisi and his girlfriend were kidnapped in his car and taken to the bush along Ijebu-ode Awa/Ibadan expressway where both of them were killed.

    He confessed further that before Oriade Adebisi was killed , he ordered him to deactivate his password on his iPhone and he took the iPhone and two pairs of shoes from his and thereafter abandoned the car at the expressway having dumped their lifeless bodies in a bush at the back of uncompleted building where they were murdered. He Confessed that the late Victim whom he say was a Yahoo boy was giving money to a Rival cult group and was not giving him money and has not recognised him as the overall Cult leader of that area.

    TAIWO RASAK “M” AGED 18YRS: He hails from Imota in Ikorodu LGA of Lagos state. He confessed that he was initiated into AIYE confraternity in year 2015. That he went to stay with the first suspect Muritala Babatunde at Oru-Ijebu who is the Number One in their confraternity. He added that on 28/05/2018 in the late hour of the night, Babatunde Muritala called him and one Sodiq “M” (cult member) to meet with him at Oru junction.

    On their arrival , Babatunde Muritala told them that he wanted to kill Oriade Adebisi who has parted away with his money. He confessed that Muritala then called his girlfriend Seun Yetunde “F” who had been monitoring the said Oriade’s movement and she brought a bag that contained two guns and a cutlass. That Muritala then gave him one of the guns, handled one and handed over the cutlass to Sodiq while waiting patiently for Oriade to come. Few minutes oriade and his girlfriend arrived in a car. Suddenly , “we
    based him down with gun” he said. Muritala took over the steering having ordered the said oriade and the girl to the backseat while himself and Sodiq were at the back seat with them and they drove off the junction. He added that they took them to the bush along the expressway where they were killed with planks and gun.

  • Full speech of President Buhari at APC National Convention

    Full Speech of President Buhari at the APC National convention in Abuja.

    ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) EAGLE SQUARE ABUJA

    JUNE 23, 2018

    PROTOCOLS

    It is my pleasure to address you today, on the occasion of our great party’s 2nd National Convention and the first since we rode on its glorious platform to a victorious political outing in 2015. Congratulations again to all who worked or contributed to our success.

    2.         I want to begin by acknowledging your presence and congratulating all our delegates who have emerged from the wards, local Governments and State congresses from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT gathered here today as the party’s highest ranking constitutional organ, to elect and usher in a new leadership for the party at the national level.

    3.         I am also using this opportunity to thank the outgoing National Executives of the party, especially those who will not be offering themselves for re-election at today’s convention for their tireless efforts in securing victory for the party at the last elections and managing the success thereafter.

    4.         I want to assure everyone here that despite a few lingering issues with the congresses in some states, our great party will emerge stronger after this convention. The unresolved cases we have is the price we have to pay for success, as everyone wants to be associated with a winning team. I am imploring all those with grievances to keep faith with the party until we put things right.

    5.         I have been following the preparations leading to this event and I must commend this Convention Committee under the leadership  of His Excellency, Governor Badaru Abubakar for providing a level playing field and instilling confidence in both aspirants and delegates with their thorough approach and adherence to transparency.

    6.         I commend all the delegates from across the country for your sacrifice and patience, travelling all the way from your different destinations and waiting in inclement weather, as it has been raining all the day. Thank you for your commitment.

    7.         The adoption of consensus as a first option is commendable and the process has led to a lot of healing and cohesion across the states and the zones, and where elections are inevitable, I have been assured that the process adopted will result in clear and undisputed results. Again I am appealing to all contestants to keep faith with the party.

    8.         May I, therefore, appeal to all to put our great party ahead of personal considerations and to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith. You are all important to our party’s progress and all must come together to ensure success in the forthcoming polls so as to enable us to continue the good work we have been doing for our fellow Nigerians.

    9.         I thank you all for being here and congratulate the new National Executive to be elected shortly.

    God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless our Party.

    APC!

    APC!!

    APC!!