Friday, February 12, 2016
Video - Dangote Group depending on international operations for expansion
The giant Nigerian conglomerate, Dangote Group is also struggling with a constricted supply of foreign currency as currency regulations remain tight. The Group's Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin says the company is currently relying on income generated from its international cement operations in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Senegal and Cameroon; and it is making financing arrangements through export-credit agencies for the first time. Devakumar also said the company is seeking to increase sales and protect market share at its cement unit in Nigeria amid weaker demand, while expanding elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The company will be building two new plants in Nigeria within three years, with the capacity to produce 9 M metric tons of cement, annually. The group has also gotten regulatory approvals to start building a 3 million-ton capacity plant in Nepal.
12 Nigerian generals accused of fraud
Twelve senior Nigerian army officers have been handed over to the anti-corruption agency for their alleged involvement in an arms scandal.
The army did not name them, but said they included six serving generals.
If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) finds enough evidence against them, they would be tried in a military court, the army said.
A presidential inquiry last year found that fake contracts worth $2bn (£1.3bn) were awarded by last administration.
It alleged that the money, which was meant to buy arms to fight the Islamist Boko Haram group, has gone missing.
The former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was charged in December in connection with the case involving $68m that is alleged to be missing. He was accused of awarding phantom contracts to buy helicopters, fighter jets and ammunition, which he denied.
Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said the 12 officers referred to the EFCC included three serving major generals, one retired major general, three brigadier generals, four colonels and a lieutenant colonel.
The army's announcement follows President Muhammadu Buhari's order last month to investigate 20 former military chiefs and officers over the alleged arms procurement fraud.
Suspects released
Several close associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan are also facing trial in connection with the scandal.
During the fight against Boko Haram, many soldiers reported that they did not have enough equipment to take on the insurgents.
Mr Buhari, who came to power last May, was largely elected on a promise to tackle corruption.
Meanwhile the army has released 275 people arrested on suspicion of being members of Boko Haram in the north-eastern Borno state after they were found to have no links with the Islamist group.
They included 142 men, 49 women, 22 boys and 50 girls, a spokesman for the state governor, Usman Kumo, told the BBC Hausa service.
It is not clear how long they were in detention.
Last year, Amnesty International accused the military of maltreating detainees and said since 2011 more than 8,000 people had died in custody during the fight against Boko Haram.
Earlier this month, the UK-based campaign group criticised the reinstatement of an army general it accuses of committing war crimes.
The military said the allegations were being investigated.
BBC
The army did not name them, but said they included six serving generals.
If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) finds enough evidence against them, they would be tried in a military court, the army said.
A presidential inquiry last year found that fake contracts worth $2bn (£1.3bn) were awarded by last administration.
It alleged that the money, which was meant to buy arms to fight the Islamist Boko Haram group, has gone missing.
The former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was charged in December in connection with the case involving $68m that is alleged to be missing. He was accused of awarding phantom contracts to buy helicopters, fighter jets and ammunition, which he denied.
Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said the 12 officers referred to the EFCC included three serving major generals, one retired major general, three brigadier generals, four colonels and a lieutenant colonel.
The army's announcement follows President Muhammadu Buhari's order last month to investigate 20 former military chiefs and officers over the alleged arms procurement fraud.
Suspects released
Several close associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan are also facing trial in connection with the scandal.
During the fight against Boko Haram, many soldiers reported that they did not have enough equipment to take on the insurgents.
Mr Buhari, who came to power last May, was largely elected on a promise to tackle corruption.
Meanwhile the army has released 275 people arrested on suspicion of being members of Boko Haram in the north-eastern Borno state after they were found to have no links with the Islamist group.
They included 142 men, 49 women, 22 boys and 50 girls, a spokesman for the state governor, Usman Kumo, told the BBC Hausa service.
It is not clear how long they were in detention.
Last year, Amnesty International accused the military of maltreating detainees and said since 2011 more than 8,000 people had died in custody during the fight against Boko Haram.
Earlier this month, the UK-based campaign group criticised the reinstatement of an army general it accuses of committing war crimes.
The military said the allegations were being investigated.
BBC
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Video - 70 people reported dead by suicide bombing at refugee camp in Northern Nigeria
As many as 70 people are reported to have been killed by a twin suicide bomb attack at a camp in northern Nigeria. The camp is said to be for people displaced by the violence and fighting involving the Boko Haram group. The attack took place around 85km outside Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. The incident actually took place on Tuesday, but a breakdown in the telephone system had prevented the information being made public earlier.
Video - Nigeria wages war against importation of substandard goods
Nigeria recently announced plans to begin blacklisting manufacturers and importers of sub standard products. Nigerian markets are usually flooded with counterfeit products but the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, says it is now poised to check the trend by naming and shaming the culprits. In an interview with our Nigerian correspondent, Deji Badmus, Director General of SON, Joseph Odumodu said the organization is determined to get rid of substandard products from the country's markets.
Video - Investigation underway on possible misconduct by Nigerian military
Nigerian soldiers fighting ISIL-affiliated group Boko Haram are being investigated - for alleged misconduct. That follows a recent raid blamed on Boko Haram, in which at least 86 people were killed. The country's military says it has set up a special court martial.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)