The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue with its operations against insurgents in the North-East in spite of the purported remorse demonstrated by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in an online video.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, had released an online video clip in Arabic and Hausa languages on Thursday showing remorse and asking for forgiveness.
According to the DHQ spokesman, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, had advised the public to discountenance the online video clip.
“The DHQ wishes to state emphatically that not minding the contents of the video clips, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to fight in order to consolidate the successes recorded so far.
“The said video clip should, therefore, be discountenanced as it could be another ploy or antics of the terrorists to keep our innocent citizens off their current security alertness to maximise casualties if attacked.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces are now determined more than ever before to end this ugly trend.
“The DHQ is also reassuring citizens that all captives under the coffer of the insurgents would regain their freedom with the ongoing military’s final offensive against the terrorists.’’
Abubakar said the CDS commended all officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices, determination and courage to complete the task against the terrorists.
The statement also advised the public not to be carried away by the video clips but to be extra vigilant and security conscious at all times during the Easter celebrations and beyond. (NAN)
Premium Times
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Video - Nigeria raises interest rates
In response to a steep surge in inflation in January, Nigeria's Central Bank raised the policy rate to 12% from 11%. It also tweaked other elements of monetary policy, by increasing the Cash Reserve Ratio, to 22.5% from 20%. The decision comes just four months after the Monetary Policy Committee slashed the CRR to inject liquidity into the system. The expected outcomes, however, have not materialized.
John Obi Mikel appointed captain for Nigeria Super Eagles
Mikel, 28, replaces CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa and Siasia informed both players about his decision on Wednesday night, telling ESPN FC that he decided to hand the armband to the team's longest serving player.
"Mikel is the oldest serving player in the team and it is the right thing for him to have the armband," Musa told ESPN FC. "This is just to correct what was done in the past.
"The most important thing for us right now is to concentrate on the two games in front of us and make sure that we beat Egypt and qualify for the [African] Nations Cup."
ESPN
Alex Iwobi released from hospital - Will play for Nigeria against Egypt on Friday
The Super Eagles host Egypt on Friday in their African Cup of Nations qualifier and there had been fears Iwobi - hospitalised with food poisoning - would be unavailable.
But the Arsenal star dismissed those suggestions, tweeting: "Had the maddest food poisoning but I am good now and feeling ready for the Egyptian match."
Iwobi has been at the centre of a tussle between England and Nigeria recently, with the former trying to tempt him to play for them rather than the country of his birth.
The 19-year-old represented England at various youth levels before playing two friendlies for Nigeria's senior team.
But after his rise to prominence at Arsenal this season, the FA made one last attempt persuade him to return.
Iwobi, however, rejected their advances and is now set to seal his status as a Nigeria international by facing Egypt on Friday.
Mirror
Related story: Video - Nigeria and England fight over football player Alex Iwobi
South Korea to train Nigeria on $8.56 e-Government project
The South Korean global agency is investing $8.56 million for the implementation of capacity building programme for e-Government in Nigeria.
Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, is currently leading a 14-man delegation to the10- day High Level Capacity Building for e-Government in Nigeria Benchmarking Invitational Program.
The Invitational Program, designed for senior government officials was put together by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The collaboration with the Korean Government is expected to enhance Nigeria’s capability for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance, with its attendant benefits trickling down to the masses.
The project has three components :Establishing an e- Government Master Plan (ii)Capacity Development Programme (CDP) and (iii) Establishing an e- Government Training Center in Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, the Minister stated that the project is geared towards ensuring that Nigeria makes the best use of the opportunity of e- Government to increase the nation’s capability for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance.
This, he averred, is in tandem with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari,in his desire to turn around the fortunes of the country in laying a new and enduring foundation for a better future for the masses of our people.
The Minister, urged participants at the event to take a full advantage of the Korean Government’s gesture in taking new initiatives that will impact the way Nigerians are governed and propel the country to greatness that will give the needed impetus to the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The participants include the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Permanent Secretaries, National Assembly members and others.
Vanguard
Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, is currently leading a 14-man delegation to the10- day High Level Capacity Building for e-Government in Nigeria Benchmarking Invitational Program.
The Invitational Program, designed for senior government officials was put together by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The collaboration with the Korean Government is expected to enhance Nigeria’s capability for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance, with its attendant benefits trickling down to the masses.
The project has three components :Establishing an e- Government Master Plan (ii)Capacity Development Programme (CDP) and (iii) Establishing an e- Government Training Center in Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, the Minister stated that the project is geared towards ensuring that Nigeria makes the best use of the opportunity of e- Government to increase the nation’s capability for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance.
This, he averred, is in tandem with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari,in his desire to turn around the fortunes of the country in laying a new and enduring foundation for a better future for the masses of our people.
The Minister, urged participants at the event to take a full advantage of the Korean Government’s gesture in taking new initiatives that will impact the way Nigerians are governed and propel the country to greatness that will give the needed impetus to the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The participants include the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Permanent Secretaries, National Assembly members and others.
Vanguard
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Video - Nigeria to pump $1.76bln in second quarter
Nigeria's government will pump 1.76 billion dollars into the economy over the next quarter to rekindle the economy hard hit by a slump in oil revenues. Crude oil accounts for the bulk of Nigeria's revenue hurting Africa's largest economy since prices started dropping in June 2012. Parliament has already passed the country's budget for 2016, calling for record spending. Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun and Minister of Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, say the fresh money would be spent mostly on capital projects and job creation.
Nigeria expects oil output freeze at Doha meeting
OPEC member Nigeria expects oil producers to agree a supply freeze at a meeting in Doha next month which should stabilize crude prices even if Iran does not join, its petroleum minister said on Wednesday.
Qatar has invited OPEC members and major non-OPEC producers to meet on April 17 to agree a freeze following an initial deal in February between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and non-OPEC member Russia to hold supply at January levels.
"I expect that we will reach a conclusion on stabilization, stabilize current production as of January," Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters in an interview in Abuja.
It was not clear whether all 13 OPEC members including Iran would attend the Doha meeting, though Iranian officials have made it clear Tehran will not freeze output as it wants to raise exports following the lifting of Western sanctions.
But Kachikwu said Iran's impact was limited anyway as the country would take time to ramp up production.
"We are likely to see Iran not signing on," he said. "But we have all decided that if they don't we will proceed because we do not believe that currently their entry into the market will create too much of a threat for the next year," he said.
"So basically price stability is our expectation," he said, referring to the impact of a Doha deal.
Nigeria, which is the top oil producer in Africa, has been at the front of pushing for a production freeze as a slump in oil prices has whacked its public finances and sparked the worst economic
crisis for decades.
Kachikwu said Nigeria's current oil output was 2.2 million barrels a day and he planned to boost it to 2.5 million barrels but this would not add to the global crude supply glut.
"Whatever the extra (it) won't be in the market but go for our refining," he said.
The West African nation has been trying to kick start production at its four outdated refineries due to limited fuel imports and to end widespread petrol shortages.
Reuters
Qatar has invited OPEC members and major non-OPEC producers to meet on April 17 to agree a freeze following an initial deal in February between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and non-OPEC member Russia to hold supply at January levels.
"I expect that we will reach a conclusion on stabilization, stabilize current production as of January," Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters in an interview in Abuja.
It was not clear whether all 13 OPEC members including Iran would attend the Doha meeting, though Iranian officials have made it clear Tehran will not freeze output as it wants to raise exports following the lifting of Western sanctions.
But Kachikwu said Iran's impact was limited anyway as the country would take time to ramp up production.
"We are likely to see Iran not signing on," he said. "But we have all decided that if they don't we will proceed because we do not believe that currently their entry into the market will create too much of a threat for the next year," he said.
"So basically price stability is our expectation," he said, referring to the impact of a Doha deal.
Nigeria, which is the top oil producer in Africa, has been at the front of pushing for a production freeze as a slump in oil prices has whacked its public finances and sparked the worst economic
crisis for decades.Kachikwu said Nigeria's current oil output was 2.2 million barrels a day and he planned to boost it to 2.5 million barrels but this would not add to the global crude supply glut.
"Whatever the extra (it) won't be in the market but go for our refining," he said.
The West African nation has been trying to kick start production at its four outdated refineries due to limited fuel imports and to end widespread petrol shortages.
Reuters
Video - Fuel shortage persists in Nigeria despite increased supplies
Nigeria has been battling a long bout of fuel scarcity with long lines at petrol stations now the norm. The situation has lasted for about a month now. And despite ramping up supply, the scarcity has simply refused to go away.
Alex Iwobi forced out of training with Nigeria Super Eagles due to food poisoning
Iwobi, 19, was struck down after eating a salad with the rest of the squad at the training base in Abuja.
"He suffered from food poisoning and so was not part of the training," Siasia told a news conference. "But his condition is stable."
Iwobi has played two friendlies for Nigeria, having come through the youth ranks with England, and was expected to make his first competitive appearance for the country of his birth in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Egypt on Friday.
That would have meant Iwobi's international allegiance was pledged to Nigeria, with reports on Monday that England had tried to get the player to commit to them.
Iwobi linked up with Nigeria after scoring on his first Premier League start for the Gunners on Saturday, in a 2-0 victory at Everton.
ESPN
Related stories: Video - Nigeria and England fight over football player Alex Iwobi
Nigeria to inject N350 billion to boost economy
The Nigerian government says it will inject N350 billion to stimulate its economy, which is facing a severe crisis occasioned by falling oil prices.
Nigeria’s economic growth in the last quarter stood at 2.1 percent. The total growth recorded in 2015 was 2.8 percent, the slowest since 1999, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
Briefing journalists at the end of a two-day National Economic Council (NEC) retreat at the conference hall of the Presidential Villa, the minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said the N350 billion would be spent mostly on capital projects and job creation.
“From the Federal Ministry of Finance in anticipation of the approval of the budget, we have virtually lined up about N350billion which we would be pumping into the Nigerian economy in the forthcoming months.
“We explained our rationale and the processes that we have put in place, safeguards to ensure that this money actually achieve the desired objective, which is to stimulate the economy.
“We are already discussing with some of the contractors who will be paid these monies and the objectives from the overall criteria is how many Nigerians would be re-engaged.
“We are specifically looking at contractors who have laid off staff and how many Nigerians are you going to put back to work as a result of this money that we are planning to release.
“We believe this would bring significant economic activity,” she said.
Ms. Adeosun said the retreat, which was the first by the present administration, deliberated extensively on the drop in revenue, particularly as to how it affects the state government and their ability to pay salaries and fulfil other obligations.
According to her, the general resolve of the council was that there was a need to bring in more cost efficiency in the operations of government, specifically the setting up an efficiency unit within the state governments, to rationalize expenditure and to increase IGR.
She said there was a need to generate data because data is the basis of any revenue collecting efforts, just as there was a need to develop incentives for both federal and state revenue generating agencies to ensure alignment of interest between the two arms of government.
The governors, Ms. Adeosun said, were tasked to focus on property and consumption taxes in their states to help improve their revenue in a fair manner.
“Tax payer education must be intensified and to expand the tax base and ensure that there is a buy-in in the revenue collection agencies from the populace” she said.
State governors were also encouraged to, where possible, rationalize the number of commissioners and general political appointees as well as adopt cost control measures to be able to sustain their states.
NEC also discussed the need to review the counterpart funding needed to access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund from 50 percent to 10 percent.
The states currently need to have a counterpart fund of 50 percent to access the UBEC grants,
Upon review, it would become 10 and 90 percent contribution.
According to the minister, this will release an estimated “58 billion naira that is currently un-accessed”.
The minister said the council discussed that with N53billion, Nigeria could revamp at least 1,000 of the worst classrooms in each of the 36 states.
She said the council also discussed getting a “legislative approval to change the need for counterpart funding on the part of state governments”.
Premium Times
Nigeria’s economic growth in the last quarter stood at 2.1 percent. The total growth recorded in 2015 was 2.8 percent, the slowest since 1999, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
Briefing journalists at the end of a two-day National Economic Council (NEC) retreat at the conference hall of the Presidential Villa, the minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said the N350 billion would be spent mostly on capital projects and job creation.
“From the Federal Ministry of Finance in anticipation of the approval of the budget, we have virtually lined up about N350billion which we would be pumping into the Nigerian economy in the forthcoming months.
“We explained our rationale and the processes that we have put in place, safeguards to ensure that this money actually achieve the desired objective, which is to stimulate the economy.
“We are already discussing with some of the contractors who will be paid these monies and the objectives from the overall criteria is how many Nigerians would be re-engaged.
“We are specifically looking at contractors who have laid off staff and how many Nigerians are you going to put back to work as a result of this money that we are planning to release.
“We believe this would bring significant economic activity,” she said.
Ms. Adeosun said the retreat, which was the first by the present administration, deliberated extensively on the drop in revenue, particularly as to how it affects the state government and their ability to pay salaries and fulfil other obligations.
According to her, the general resolve of the council was that there was a need to bring in more cost efficiency in the operations of government, specifically the setting up an efficiency unit within the state governments, to rationalize expenditure and to increase IGR.
She said there was a need to generate data because data is the basis of any revenue collecting efforts, just as there was a need to develop incentives for both federal and state revenue generating agencies to ensure alignment of interest between the two arms of government.
The governors, Ms. Adeosun said, were tasked to focus on property and consumption taxes in their states to help improve their revenue in a fair manner.
“Tax payer education must be intensified and to expand the tax base and ensure that there is a buy-in in the revenue collection agencies from the populace” she said.
State governors were also encouraged to, where possible, rationalize the number of commissioners and general political appointees as well as adopt cost control measures to be able to sustain their states.
NEC also discussed the need to review the counterpart funding needed to access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund from 50 percent to 10 percent.
The states currently need to have a counterpart fund of 50 percent to access the UBEC grants,
Upon review, it would become 10 and 90 percent contribution.
According to the minister, this will release an estimated “58 billion naira that is currently un-accessed”.
The minister said the council discussed that with N53billion, Nigeria could revamp at least 1,000 of the worst classrooms in each of the 36 states.
She said the council also discussed getting a “legislative approval to change the need for counterpart funding on the part of state governments”.
Premium Times
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Video - Nigeria and England fight over football player Alex Iwobi
England's Football Association is making a last minute bid to stop Arsenal wonder kid Alex Iwobi committing his international future to Nigeria's Super eagles. The Nigeria-born youngster reported to the Super Eagles camp in Abuja yesterday, ahead of a crucial African Cup of Nations qualifiers with Egypt.
Unemployment rate rises to 10.4 percent in Nigeria
The National Bureau of Statistics late on Monday night released the country’s labour statistics for the fourth quarter of 2015 with the report putting the country’s unemployment rate at 10.4 per cent.
The Bureau in the report which was made available to our correspondent at about 10:32pm explained that the 10.4 per cent in unemployment rate for the fourth quarter was an increase of 500 basis point over the 9.9 per cent recorded in third quarter of 2015.
It said as was the case in previous quarters, unemployment and underemployment was higher for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2015.
For instance, the report stated that while 12.3 per cent of women in the labour force (those between 15‐65 willing, able and actively working or searching for work) were unemployed in Q4 2015, another 22.0 per cent of women in the labour force were underemployed in Q4 2015.
On the other hand, 8.8 per cent of males were unemployed in the fourth quarter of 2015, while another 15.7 per cent of males in the labour force were underemployed during the same period.
It said Nigeria with an unemployment rate of 10.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 has a better unemployment rate than reported in 66 countries but worse than 111 countries, including 23 African countries which have unemployment rates lower than 10.4 per cent.
The report reads in part, “Unemployment is not just a Nigerian problem. The International Labour Organisation on whose recommendation most countries in the world unemployment methodology is based including Nigeria, states that 201 million people globally are unemployed and this may rise to 219 million by 2019.
“With eight million Nigerians technically unemployed (not including the remaining 14.4mn underemployed), this means four per cent of the worlds unemployed are Nigerians.
“If we add the number of underemployed in Nigeria (though other countries and the ILO methodology do not add this to unemployment and keep these numbers separate like we now do in Nigeria) in the interest of seeking full time and gainful employment for Nigerians, then Nigeria will represent about 14 per cent of global unemployment.”
PUNCH
The Bureau in the report which was made available to our correspondent at about 10:32pm explained that the 10.4 per cent in unemployment rate for the fourth quarter was an increase of 500 basis point over the 9.9 per cent recorded in third quarter of 2015.
It said as was the case in previous quarters, unemployment and underemployment was higher for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2015.
For instance, the report stated that while 12.3 per cent of women in the labour force (those between 15‐65 willing, able and actively working or searching for work) were unemployed in Q4 2015, another 22.0 per cent of women in the labour force were underemployed in Q4 2015.
On the other hand, 8.8 per cent of males were unemployed in the fourth quarter of 2015, while another 15.7 per cent of males in the labour force were underemployed during the same period.
It said Nigeria with an unemployment rate of 10.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 has a better unemployment rate than reported in 66 countries but worse than 111 countries, including 23 African countries which have unemployment rates lower than 10.4 per cent.
The report reads in part, “Unemployment is not just a Nigerian problem. The International Labour Organisation on whose recommendation most countries in the world unemployment methodology is based including Nigeria, states that 201 million people globally are unemployed and this may rise to 219 million by 2019.
“With eight million Nigerians technically unemployed (not including the remaining 14.4mn underemployed), this means four per cent of the worlds unemployed are Nigerians.
“If we add the number of underemployed in Nigeria (though other countries and the ILO methodology do not add this to unemployment and keep these numbers separate like we now do in Nigeria) in the interest of seeking full time and gainful employment for Nigerians, then Nigeria will represent about 14 per cent of global unemployment.”
PUNCH
NNPC withheld $25bn from Nigeria over five years
Nigeria's state-owned oil company has failed to pay the government $25bn (£17.5bn) over five years, the nation's fiscal commission has said.
It includes $15bn that the nation's auditor general last week said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to pay in 2014 alone.
Oil revenue accounts for roughly two-thirds of the government's funding.
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to crack down on corruption since coming to office last May.
In a statement, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), an independent body, said: "Records at the Commission's disposal indicate that between January 2011 and December 2015, the total indebtedness of NNPC to the Federation Account was 4.9 trillion naira."
Previous allegations
Under the current set-up, the NNPC hands over its oil revenue and money is then paid back based on a budget approved by parliament.
The state oil giant has been mired in corruption allegations and losing money for many years.
Last month, the government announced that the NNPC would be broken up into seven different companies.
A separate audit ordered under former President Goodluck Jonathan and carried out by global accountancy firm PwC, found that the NNPC had failed to pay the government $1.48bn between January 2012 and July 2013.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but the economy has suffered because of the recent decline in the price of oil.
BBC
Related stories: NNPC did not pay Nigeria government $16bn in oil revenue
Former Nigeria Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi comments on audit that proves missing $18.5 billion
Video - Sanusi Lamido's TEDx speech - Overcoming the fear of vested interest
It includes $15bn that the nation's auditor general last week said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to pay in 2014 alone.
Oil revenue accounts for roughly two-thirds of the government's funding.
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to crack down on corruption since coming to office last May.
In a statement, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), an independent body, said: "Records at the Commission's disposal indicate that between January 2011 and December 2015, the total indebtedness of NNPC to the Federation Account was 4.9 trillion naira."
Previous allegations
Under the current set-up, the NNPC hands over its oil revenue and money is then paid back based on a budget approved by parliament.
The state oil giant has been mired in corruption allegations and losing money for many years.
Last month, the government announced that the NNPC would be broken up into seven different companies.
A separate audit ordered under former President Goodluck Jonathan and carried out by global accountancy firm PwC, found that the NNPC had failed to pay the government $1.48bn between January 2012 and July 2013.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but the economy has suffered because of the recent decline in the price of oil.
BBC
Related stories: NNPC did not pay Nigeria government $16bn in oil revenue
Former Nigeria Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi comments on audit that proves missing $18.5 billion
Video - Sanusi Lamido's TEDx speech - Overcoming the fear of vested interest
Monday, March 21, 2016
Video - Information minister Lai Muhammed says Nigeria is 'on top' of security problem
Information minister tells Al Jazeera's Nick Clark that country's armed forces have decimated Boko Haram's ability to launch big attacks.
Video - Number of lions in Nigeria in sharp decline
There has been a sharp decline in the population of lions in Africa, and particularly west Africa. In Nigeria for instance the number of lions is declining fast according to the country's interior ministry. The country officially had 44 lions in 2009 and now only 34 lions remain.
European Union to lift Ban on importing beans from Nigeria
Indications have emerged that the ban on exportation of beans produce to the European Union countries, EU, imposed on Nigeria by the European Food Safety Authority, will be lifted by June this year.
The development came weekend following the visit of a EU / Dutch team to the Central Laboratory of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Lagos.
The team was in the country to inspect the procedures of the regulatory agency to ensure that future export of beans and other agricultural produce from Nigeria meet the standards of importing countries.
The European Food Safety Authority had in mid-2015 banned some agricultural produce which included beans from Nigeria, citing that the rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03mg per kilogramme to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide, when the acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg.
Speaking during the visit, the Acting Director General, NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni noted that the ban has no doubt resulted in a huge economic loss to Nigeria; although she insisted that the beans which resulted in the ban were smuggled out of the country and did not pass through her agency.
“The ban was placed about a year ago due to high insecticide residue in beans but let me sound a note of caution here that the beans that were rejected never passed through NAFDAC, they were beans produce smuggled out of the country.
“The ban has brought about a huge economic loss in the sense that Nigeria has large expanse of land, we have a lot of farmers that produce beans and the beans are not able to go out.”
She reiterated that agricultural produce that passes through the agency never gets rejected because of the rigorous process it goes through before certification.
Vanguard
The development came weekend following the visit of a EU / Dutch team to the Central Laboratory of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Lagos.
The team was in the country to inspect the procedures of the regulatory agency to ensure that future export of beans and other agricultural produce from Nigeria meet the standards of importing countries.
The European Food Safety Authority had in mid-2015 banned some agricultural produce which included beans from Nigeria, citing that the rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03mg per kilogramme to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide, when the acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg.
Speaking during the visit, the Acting Director General, NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni noted that the ban has no doubt resulted in a huge economic loss to Nigeria; although she insisted that the beans which resulted in the ban were smuggled out of the country and did not pass through her agency.
“The ban was placed about a year ago due to high insecticide residue in beans but let me sound a note of caution here that the beans that were rejected never passed through NAFDAC, they were beans produce smuggled out of the country.
“The ban has brought about a huge economic loss in the sense that Nigeria has large expanse of land, we have a lot of farmers that produce beans and the beans are not able to go out.”
She reiterated that agricultural produce that passes through the agency never gets rejected because of the rigorous process it goes through before certification.
Vanguard
Friday, March 18, 2016
Video - Nigeria's currency shortage preventing importers from purchasing gasoline
The fuel crisis has worsened in Nigeria as importers struggle to get dollars. Oil-rich country's main cities are facing acute gasoline shortages as importers feel the pinch of a plummeting local currency.
Nigeria is the 6th happiest country in Africa
Nigerians have been ranked as the 103 happiest people in the world.
According to World Happiness Report, Nigerians are also the 6th happiest people in Africa.
The World Happiness Report 2016 update, which ranks 157 countries by their happiness levels, was released in Rome on Wednesday, in advance of UN World Happiness Day, March 20th.
The latest release shows that Nigeria dropped from its 78th position in the World and 2nd in Africa in the 2015 happiness ranking.
Denmark emerged the world’s happiest place, while Algeria, standing at 38 at the global level, maintains its position as the happiest place in Africa.
Mauritius is now the second happiest country in Africa, followed by Libya, Morocco and Tunisia respectively.
According to the report, eight sub-Saharan countries were among the 10 least happy places on earth to live.
The bottom 10 were; Madagascar, Tanzania, Liberia, Guinea, Rwanda, Benin, Afghanistan, Togo, Syria and Burundi.
South Africa and Ghana stood at 116 and 124 respectively on the Global happiness ranking.
Daily Post
According to World Happiness Report, Nigerians are also the 6th happiest people in Africa.
The World Happiness Report 2016 update, which ranks 157 countries by their happiness levels, was released in Rome on Wednesday, in advance of UN World Happiness Day, March 20th.
The latest release shows that Nigeria dropped from its 78th position in the World and 2nd in Africa in the 2015 happiness ranking.
Denmark emerged the world’s happiest place, while Algeria, standing at 38 at the global level, maintains its position as the happiest place in Africa.
Mauritius is now the second happiest country in Africa, followed by Libya, Morocco and Tunisia respectively.
According to the report, eight sub-Saharan countries were among the 10 least happy places on earth to live.
The bottom 10 were; Madagascar, Tanzania, Liberia, Guinea, Rwanda, Benin, Afghanistan, Togo, Syria and Burundi.
South Africa and Ghana stood at 116 and 124 respectively on the Global happiness ranking.
Daily Post
Aliko Dangote bids to acquire majority stake in Peugeot Nigeria
Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Nigeria’s Kaduna state, told journalists on Thursday that Dangote is a key member of a consortium that has applied to acquire the majority stake in the company which is currently owned by Nigeria’s state-backed “bad bank”, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The consortium is made up of Aliko Dangote, Kaduna and Kebbi states, as well as the Bank of Industry (BoI).
“We have submitted bids for the car-maker with Aliko Dangote on board together with BoI, Kebbi and Kaduna State, we are confident our bid will sail through,” El-Rufai told a conference, without providing further details.
Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria Ltd. (PAN), a joint venture between the Nigerian government and the French automaker, was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Kaduna, Nigeria. The company manufactures and markets motor vehicles under the brand name Peugeot. Some of its popular models include the passenger cars 206, 306,307, 406, 607 and Partner, among others.
In the 1980s, PAN was producing 90,000 cars annually and was profitable. But before long, cheap, second-hand vehicles imported from Asia and poor manufacturing infrastructure impeded the company’s profits. The Nigerian government subsequently sold off its controlling stake in the company in 2006 to local core investors. The new investors struggled to keep PAN afloat and accumulated bad loans in the process. In 2012 AMCON acquired a controlling stake in the company and took over the company’s debt. But even AMCON has struggled with the company ever since.
In January AMCON announced it was looking to sell its stake in the company and invited bids from investors. AMCON currently owns a 79.3% interest in PAN.
Forbes
Related stories: Video - Aljazeera speaks with Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote
Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote says Nigeria's economic crisis exaggerated
Nigerian Sports Commision to be dissolved
The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has confirmed that the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC), formed in 1971 as think-tank for the growth of sports in Nigeria was henceforth dissolved or simply merged with the Ministry of Sports.
The major gap in the dissolution of boards or committees in Nigeria is that it is sometimes done because of political or sectional interests and not to enhance the efficiency of the body.
In the beginning, the NSC was formed to “develop Sports Sector to a World Class Level, while “providing improvement in the quality of life for the entire citizenry”.
If we grade the establishment based on the above founding target, then by all means and purposes, the agency should be scrapped!
Mr. Dalung said, “Sports is a veritable tool for national development, it is a determinant in foreign policy and a determinant in tourism therefore should be properly harnessed to project the country in good light”.
From the above statement, it must mean that the NSC was not performing the task for which it was set up.
Sadiq Abdullahi, a former Davis Cup player for Nigeria, said Mr. Dalung had finally done what should have been done years before. “For me, this is a welcome decision that is long overdue. It is a decision that may well put Nigeria back on the right path to glory.
“Dalung seems to suggest that he has found the political will, courage and determination to finally do what is right for sports.
“The nation has experienced failure in sports for the last 30 years and the time has come uproot and begin afresh.”
“In order for ten people to have an amazing prowess, you have to have one hundred practicing intensely and one thousand just participating in the sport culture,” Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games said.
“In order to sell millions of T-shirts and basketball shoes, you have to have tens of millions of people playing sports and attributing to it a positive image,” could be added by today’s sporting good industry,” added Professor Jean-Loup Chappelet of the IDHEAP Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration.
What has happened in Nigeria is that we have not been able to get ‘one thousand just participating in the sport’ from which we would be able to pick a credible 10.
The NSC failed to provide the environment to have these ‘1000’ participate in competition against themselves thereby limiting the pool from which likely elite athletes could be discovered and groomed.
With the dissolution, the sports ministry must “be structured and organized to meet global best practices and best standards,” Mr. Abdullahi added.
“The organizational structure must be consistent with the private organizational structure if a business model is intended.
“To restore hope and confidence, the ministry would have to modify its institutional structure and operational processes in order to prevent corruption and fraud.
“This is consistent with global best practices in accountability, transparency and ethical governance.”
A word surely should be enough for those who want to give sports a lift in Nigeria.
Premium Times
The major gap in the dissolution of boards or committees in Nigeria is that it is sometimes done because of political or sectional interests and not to enhance the efficiency of the body.
In the beginning, the NSC was formed to “develop Sports Sector to a World Class Level, while “providing improvement in the quality of life for the entire citizenry”.
If we grade the establishment based on the above founding target, then by all means and purposes, the agency should be scrapped!
Mr. Dalung said, “Sports is a veritable tool for national development, it is a determinant in foreign policy and a determinant in tourism therefore should be properly harnessed to project the country in good light”.
From the above statement, it must mean that the NSC was not performing the task for which it was set up.
Sadiq Abdullahi, a former Davis Cup player for Nigeria, said Mr. Dalung had finally done what should have been done years before. “For me, this is a welcome decision that is long overdue. It is a decision that may well put Nigeria back on the right path to glory.
“Dalung seems to suggest that he has found the political will, courage and determination to finally do what is right for sports.
“The nation has experienced failure in sports for the last 30 years and the time has come uproot and begin afresh.”
“In order for ten people to have an amazing prowess, you have to have one hundred practicing intensely and one thousand just participating in the sport culture,” Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games said.
“In order to sell millions of T-shirts and basketball shoes, you have to have tens of millions of people playing sports and attributing to it a positive image,” could be added by today’s sporting good industry,” added Professor Jean-Loup Chappelet of the IDHEAP Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration.
What has happened in Nigeria is that we have not been able to get ‘one thousand just participating in the sport’ from which we would be able to pick a credible 10.
The NSC failed to provide the environment to have these ‘1000’ participate in competition against themselves thereby limiting the pool from which likely elite athletes could be discovered and groomed.
With the dissolution, the sports ministry must “be structured and organized to meet global best practices and best standards,” Mr. Abdullahi added.
“The organizational structure must be consistent with the private organizational structure if a business model is intended.
“To restore hope and confidence, the ministry would have to modify its institutional structure and operational processes in order to prevent corruption and fraud.
“This is consistent with global best practices in accountability, transparency and ethical governance.”
A word surely should be enough for those who want to give sports a lift in Nigeria.
Premium Times
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Video - U.S. officials say militants still control part of north eastern Nigeria
In Nigeria a contradiction has now emerged about the status of the war status of the war against the Boko Haram. Commander of the U.S. Africa Command says Boko Haram still control a significant territory in north eastern Nigeria. His comments sharply contradict Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari declaration earlier this year that the terrorists no longer control of any territory.
How did St. Patrick get to be the Patron Saint of Nigeria
An Irish bishop in Nigeria named St. Patrick, who is said to have died on March 17 in the year 461, as the country's patron in 1961, the same year Ireland opened its embassy in Lagos. The Irish actually have a long history in the country: Irish nationalist Roger Casement — executed in Dublin in 1916 for his role in the Irish rebels' Easter Rising — served as a British consular officer in Calabar, in southeastern Nigeria, during the 1890s. Casement's interest in and sympathy for Africans under colonial rule was unusual for a European in the Victorian era, and likely helped shape his views on social justice.
In the early 1920s, Irish priests of the Order of the Holy Ghost established their mission in southern Nigeria. Later St. Patrick's Society for Foreign Missions, dedicated on March 17, 1932, became one of many Catholic groups in Nigeria providing education both religious and secular.
These days Catholics in the country number some 20 million, and Nigerian seminaries send their ordinates all over the world to serve as priests. In fact, since numbers of clergy in Ireland have long been in decline, Nigerian priests have recently been assigned to churches there.
Though St. Patrick's Day is not an official public holiday in Nigeria, plenty of Guinness stout will be consumed anyway. It's the second most popular beer in the country, brewed with sorghum or maize instead of the European recipe's barley, and packs a 7.5 percent alcohol content.
And "Irish diplomats of course celebrate St. Patrick's Day," says Eoghan McSwiney, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja. "The Embassy organizes high-profile St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the capital Abuja, and in Lagos, as well in Accra, Ghana. We are joined by friends and colleagues from the diplomatic corps and from the highest levels of the Nigerian public and private sector."
NPR
In the early 1920s, Irish priests of the Order of the Holy Ghost established their mission in southern Nigeria. Later St. Patrick's Society for Foreign Missions, dedicated on March 17, 1932, became one of many Catholic groups in Nigeria providing education both religious and secular.
These days Catholics in the country number some 20 million, and Nigerian seminaries send their ordinates all over the world to serve as priests. In fact, since numbers of clergy in Ireland have long been in decline, Nigerian priests have recently been assigned to churches there.
Though St. Patrick's Day is not an official public holiday in Nigeria, plenty of Guinness stout will be consumed anyway. It's the second most popular beer in the country, brewed with sorghum or maize instead of the European recipe's barley, and packs a 7.5 percent alcohol content.
And "Irish diplomats of course celebrate St. Patrick's Day," says Eoghan McSwiney, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja. "The Embassy organizes high-profile St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the capital Abuja, and in Lagos, as well in Accra, Ghana. We are joined by friends and colleagues from the diplomatic corps and from the highest levels of the Nigerian public and private sector."
NPR
Nigerian teenager sentenced to 37yrs in jail for defrauding American of $40 million
The presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, found Igbokwe guilty of the 12- count charge bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences as slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the statement of judgement made available to Daily Trust by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwijaren, Justice Akapo indicated that Igbokwe's cumulative sentence is to run with effect from October 28, 2013.
The court also ordered Igbokwe to return the $40 million as a restitution to the victim and forfeit a Toyota Corolla car, which is a proceed of the crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Igbokwe was arraigned on October 28, 2013 when he pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charges levelled against him. He later changed his plea and was convicted by Justice Akapo accordingly.
Igbokwe (Alias David Prince) and his accomplice, Ifeanyi Obi duped the American, M. Silva, the sum of $40 million.
The victim wired $40m in several instalments through Western Union to Igbokwe.
Igbokwe also confessed that he had duped other foreigners, including T. Bedwell $6,000 and R. Hunt $15,000.
PUNCH
Nigeria loses top investor destination in Africa to Ivory Coast
The difficult patch that Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, is going through does not seem to be abating.
According to a new Nielsen report (pdf) which provides a ranking of business prospects for leading markets in Sub Saharan Africa, Nigeria is no longer the top investor destination on the continent. In its place, Cote d’Ivoire has risen to the top of the rankings.
Buoyed by a fast growing economy and a lengthy period of political stability highlighted by successful elections last year, Cote d’Ivoire is now regarded as a prime destination for investment in Africa. Although, that status could now be affected following a recent attack by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb (AQIM).
Having been ranked as the top investor destination at the start of 2015, Nigeria has now fallen to fourth on the rankings. The ominous slide fits the narrative of Nigeria’s slowing economic growth amid a global slump in commodity prices. Oil in particular, Nigeria’s main export and revenue source, has been badly hit.
According to the research firm, Nigeria’s slide was “driven primarily by deteriorating macro-economic indicators”. It also adds that “consumer indicators and overall confidence levels” have also dipped. A recent Capital Importation report (pdf) by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics confirms this. Last year, Nigeria’s recorded total inflow of capital into the economy stood at $9.6 billion —a 53% drop from the previous year and the lowest recorded total since 2011.
While incidental economic factors have largely contributed to Nigeria’s floundering economy, the country’s government has also come in for criticism for not managing the crisis effectively. President Buhari’s handling of the economy has been questioned with the Central Bank of Nigeria instituting strict monetary controls in response to commodity prices and a currency slide. These controls, which inevitably strained citizens and hardly had the desired effect, have been described as unorthodox.
As Buhari closes in on his first year in office, many Nigerians will be hoping that in his second year, the focus will be on triggering an economic rebound in Africa’s biggest economy following slowed growth.
Quartz
According to a new Nielsen report (pdf) which provides a ranking of business prospects for leading markets in Sub Saharan Africa, Nigeria is no longer the top investor destination on the continent. In its place, Cote d’Ivoire has risen to the top of the rankings.
Buoyed by a fast growing economy and a lengthy period of political stability highlighted by successful elections last year, Cote d’Ivoire is now regarded as a prime destination for investment in Africa. Although, that status could now be affected following a recent attack by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb (AQIM).
Having been ranked as the top investor destination at the start of 2015, Nigeria has now fallen to fourth on the rankings. The ominous slide fits the narrative of Nigeria’s slowing economic growth amid a global slump in commodity prices. Oil in particular, Nigeria’s main export and revenue source, has been badly hit.
According to the research firm, Nigeria’s slide was “driven primarily by deteriorating macro-economic indicators”. It also adds that “consumer indicators and overall confidence levels” have also dipped. A recent Capital Importation report (pdf) by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics confirms this. Last year, Nigeria’s recorded total inflow of capital into the economy stood at $9.6 billion —a 53% drop from the previous year and the lowest recorded total since 2011.
While incidental economic factors have largely contributed to Nigeria’s floundering economy, the country’s government has also come in for criticism for not managing the crisis effectively. President Buhari’s handling of the economy has been questioned with the Central Bank of Nigeria instituting strict monetary controls in response to commodity prices and a currency slide. These controls, which inevitably strained citizens and hardly had the desired effect, have been described as unorthodox.
As Buhari closes in on his first year in office, many Nigerians will be hoping that in his second year, the focus will be on triggering an economic rebound in Africa’s biggest economy following slowed growth.
Quartz
Nigeria plans to generate 4,000MW of electricity from nuclear energy
The Federal Government is currently working towards generating 4,000MW of electricity using nuclear energy.
The plan is to start a programme in the coming years that will give the country 1,000MW in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000MW thereafter.
A statement on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this was disclosed during a meeting President Muhammadu Buhari had with the Director-General of of International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shehu said the ministers who spoke at the meeting gave updates on the country’s presentation for the utilisation of nuclear energy.
Shehu said, “The Ministers of Power, Solid Minerals, Health, Science and Technology who briefed the meeting said preparatory steps taken so far included the training of doctors and other medical specialists to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of specialist medical centres and the procurement of necessary equipment aimed at protecting the health of the citizens.
“Nigeria, said the Ministers, is aspiring to start a programme in the coming years that will give this country 1,000MW of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000 megawatts thereafter.”
He quoted the President as welcoming the support IAEA for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity using nuclear energy.
Speaking in company with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and a number of ministers, Buhari said he was happy that the organisation was developing a programme from which Nigeria would benefit.
He urged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.
In his address, Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps, so far, toward a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
PUNCH
The plan is to start a programme in the coming years that will give the country 1,000MW in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000MW thereafter.
A statement on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this was disclosed during a meeting President Muhammadu Buhari had with the Director-General of of International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shehu said the ministers who spoke at the meeting gave updates on the country’s presentation for the utilisation of nuclear energy.
Shehu said, “The Ministers of Power, Solid Minerals, Health, Science and Technology who briefed the meeting said preparatory steps taken so far included the training of doctors and other medical specialists to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of specialist medical centres and the procurement of necessary equipment aimed at protecting the health of the citizens.
“Nigeria, said the Ministers, is aspiring to start a programme in the coming years that will give this country 1,000MW of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000 megawatts thereafter.”
He quoted the President as welcoming the support IAEA for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity using nuclear energy.
Speaking in company with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and a number of ministers, Buhari said he was happy that the organisation was developing a programme from which Nigeria would benefit.
He urged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.
In his address, Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps, so far, toward a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
PUNCH
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Gender equality bill rejected in Nigeria
Nigeria's Senate has been condemned for rejecting a proposed bill aimed at eliminating "all forms of discrimination" against women.
Rights activists say the bill would promote women's equality in marriage, inheritance and education.
But some lawmakers voiced opposition, saying the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill is not compatible with Nigerian culture and religious beliefs.
Others said the constitution already recognises the rights of everyone.
In Islam, women get half of men's share in inheritance and it is unacceptable for anyone to change that, a Muslim senator told the BBC.
One Christian lawmaker also quoted some sections of the bible to condemn the bill.
But the Senate's decision to throw out the bill has been widely condemned.
Human rights activist Bukky Shonibare says it was a sad day for Nigerian women.
"It shows how backward we are and how much we want to hold on to our lopsided religious and cultural beliefs," she told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme.
It is unfortunate that some men who see the emancipation of women as a threat are the ones being trusted with making laws and order, she added.
"Every Senator that voted against the bill should hide in shame," said prominent actress Uche Jombo.
Some activists have started circulating a petition urging the Senators to reconsider.
BBC
Rights activists say the bill would promote women's equality in marriage, inheritance and education.
But some lawmakers voiced opposition, saying the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill is not compatible with Nigerian culture and religious beliefs.
Others said the constitution already recognises the rights of everyone.
In Islam, women get half of men's share in inheritance and it is unacceptable for anyone to change that, a Muslim senator told the BBC.
One Christian lawmaker also quoted some sections of the bible to condemn the bill.
But the Senate's decision to throw out the bill has been widely condemned.
Human rights activist Bukky Shonibare says it was a sad day for Nigerian women.
"It shows how backward we are and how much we want to hold on to our lopsided religious and cultural beliefs," she told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme.
It is unfortunate that some men who see the emancipation of women as a threat are the ones being trusted with making laws and order, she added.
"Every Senator that voted against the bill should hide in shame," said prominent actress Uche Jombo.
Some activists have started circulating a petition urging the Senators to reconsider.
BBC
Video - President Muhammadu Buhari discusses oil theft with Equatorial Guinea's president
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is back in Nigeria after a two day tour of Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Together with host President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the leaders discussed piracy along the Atlantic ocean and oil theft among other issues.
Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote launches tomato paste factory in Nigeria
The highly anticipated Dangote tomato paste factory, located in Kano, northern Nigeria, has commenced operations in an attempt to curb the import of tomato pastes into the Nigerian market. The $20 million facility, which is the size of 10 football pitches set within 17,000 hectares of irrigated fields, will directly employ 120 people. It is also expected to produce about 430,000 tons of tomato pastes annually, which is a significant ingredient in most local Nigerian dishes such as Jollof rice, stew and many soups.This plant will help save tons of tomatoes from rotting away in the Nigerian market. According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria produces about 1.5 million tons of tomatoes a year, but over 900,000 tons is lost to rot. This is obviously a huge sigh of relief for farmers in Northern Nigeria where this crop is grown the most. However, the Dangote Group, owned by Africa’s richest man, has said that the company will buy tomatoes from farmers who grow this crop in large quantities. This is because the factory requires a huge supply of tomatoes to be functional.
Still, the start of Dangote’s tomato paste factory raises several questions like whether commencing operations will beat imported pastes out of the market or if Dangote will be able to slash the cost of his tomatoes looking at how he slashed the price of cement across Nigeria?
Quick facts about the tomatoes industry in Nigeria
Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomatoes in the world.
It is the largest producer of tomatoes in sub-Saharan Africa
It is the eighth largest importer of tomato paste in the world after Iraq and Japan.
The country has a significant demand for processed tomatoes but almost half of the tomato pastes found in its markets have been imported from China and Italy.
Last year, the Director General and CEO of the Raw Material and Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, revealed that Nigeria spends about $1.5 billion annually on tomato product-importation from China and other parts of the world.
Erisco tomato paste known as Nagiko is the first tomato paste to be made in Nigeria.
Ventures Africa
Mexicans arrested in Nigeria for running "industrial scale" crystal meth lab
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four Mexicans for allegedly running a crystal meth production laboratory on an "industrial" scale.
The anti-drug agency said it had uncovered the lab producing the banned stimulant, disrupting what it said was "a major drug trafficking organization".
Four Nigerians believed to be joint owners of the lab were also arrested with the Mexicans, who were said to be production experts hired as "technical partners".
The laboratory, found in Asaba, was "similar to the ones found in Mexico" and the first to be discovered in Nigeria, the NDLEA said.
It produced between 3,000 and 4,000 kilograms of the drug per production cycle. The agency described the output as "an industrial scale".
During the raid in Asaba, agents recovered 1.5 kilograms of finished methamphetamine and 750 litres of liquid methamphetamine.
The NDLEA, set up to fight drug trafficking, said recently that Nigeria has graduated from being a transit point for smuggling to a drug-production and consuming nation.
"We are set now to prosecute the four Mexican suspects arrested over running a super methamphetamine production laboratory," NDLEA spokesman Ofoyeju Mitchell disclosed on Tuesday.
"The delay in taking them to court was caused by the inability to get Spanish interpreters on time.
"The suspects, arrested last week, claimed they did not understand English. We now have interpreters and we are ready."
Mitchell did not disclose a precise date for the prosecution but said it would be "very soon".
AFP
The anti-drug agency said it had uncovered the lab producing the banned stimulant, disrupting what it said was "a major drug trafficking organization".
Four Nigerians believed to be joint owners of the lab were also arrested with the Mexicans, who were said to be production experts hired as "technical partners".
The laboratory, found in Asaba, was "similar to the ones found in Mexico" and the first to be discovered in Nigeria, the NDLEA said.
It produced between 3,000 and 4,000 kilograms of the drug per production cycle. The agency described the output as "an industrial scale".
During the raid in Asaba, agents recovered 1.5 kilograms of finished methamphetamine and 750 litres of liquid methamphetamine.
The NDLEA, set up to fight drug trafficking, said recently that Nigeria has graduated from being a transit point for smuggling to a drug-production and consuming nation.
"We are set now to prosecute the four Mexican suspects arrested over running a super methamphetamine production laboratory," NDLEA spokesman Ofoyeju Mitchell disclosed on Tuesday.
"The delay in taking them to court was caused by the inability to get Spanish interpreters on time.
"The suspects, arrested last week, claimed they did not understand English. We now have interpreters and we are ready."
Mitchell did not disclose a precise date for the prosecution but said it would be "very soon".
AFP
Eight year old teachers in Nigeria given salary due to identity fraud
Children as young as eight are being paid teaching salaries by the state as part of identity fraud in the north-eastern Nigerian state of Bauchi, officials have found.
The scam, which involves drawing the salaries of non-existent civil servants, is widespread, a BBC correspondent in Nigeria says.
But the government has recently been cracking down, removing thousands of "ghost workers" from its payroll.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest economy.
It is the continent's top oil producer, but its economy is currently under huge strain due to the recent collapse in oil prices.
The state has been able to save millions of dollars as a result of an ongoing verification of its workforce, the auditor general for Bauchi said.
Abubakar Gabi said that thousands of workers and pensioners did not appear for an exercise aimed at rooting out ghost workers and claimants.
BBC
Related story: Pharmaceutical research institute of Nigeria paid “ghost workers” for months before backdoor recruitment
The scam, which involves drawing the salaries of non-existent civil servants, is widespread, a BBC correspondent in Nigeria says.
But the government has recently been cracking down, removing thousands of "ghost workers" from its payroll.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest economy.
It is the continent's top oil producer, but its economy is currently under huge strain due to the recent collapse in oil prices.
The state has been able to save millions of dollars as a result of an ongoing verification of its workforce, the auditor general for Bauchi said.
Abubakar Gabi said that thousands of workers and pensioners did not appear for an exercise aimed at rooting out ghost workers and claimants.
BBC
Related story: Pharmaceutical research institute of Nigeria paid “ghost workers” for months before backdoor recruitment
Suicide bombers attack mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria - 22 confirmed dead
Two female suicide bombers have attacked a mosque in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing 22 worshippers, the army says.
The first bomber struck inside the mosque, while the second blew herself up outside as survivors tried to flee, eye witnesses told the BBC.
Eighteen other people were wounded in the attack, the army added.
Maiduguri is the birthplace of Islamist group Boko Haram's insurgency which has killed 20,000 people since 2009.
"We were just a few metres away from the mosque when a loud bang erupted and all we could see was dark smoke and bodies littered around,'' another witness told Associated Press news agency.
The attack took place a few minutes after worshippers started an early morning prayer, the chief imam of Umarari mosque on the outskirts of the city told the BBC Hausa service.
"My hearing was affected by the blast. I can't hear well at the moment," he added.
A statement from Nigeria's army says all the wounded have been taken to a hospital in a nearby town.
Last year, a regional military offensive helped drive out Boko Haram from most of the areas it had seized in north-eastern Nigeria.
However, the group, which is linked to the so-called Islamic State, has continued to carry out suicide attacks in northern Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon.
BBC
The first bomber struck inside the mosque, while the second blew herself up outside as survivors tried to flee, eye witnesses told the BBC.
Eighteen other people were wounded in the attack, the army added.
Maiduguri is the birthplace of Islamist group Boko Haram's insurgency which has killed 20,000 people since 2009.
"We were just a few metres away from the mosque when a loud bang erupted and all we could see was dark smoke and bodies littered around,'' another witness told Associated Press news agency.
The attack took place a few minutes after worshippers started an early morning prayer, the chief imam of Umarari mosque on the outskirts of the city told the BBC Hausa service.
"My hearing was affected by the blast. I can't hear well at the moment," he added.
A statement from Nigeria's army says all the wounded have been taken to a hospital in a nearby town.
Last year, a regional military offensive helped drive out Boko Haram from most of the areas it had seized in north-eastern Nigeria.
However, the group, which is linked to the so-called Islamic State, has continued to carry out suicide attacks in northern Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon.
BBC
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Video - Top Nigerian government officials accused of diverting money to Boko Haram
Nigeria's former top military Chief is struggling to meet a tough bail condition granted him last week. A federal judge last week ordered Alex Badeh to be remanded in prison custody until he is able to meet a 10 million dollar bail bond before he can regain temporary freedom. He is standing trial for allegedly stealing around 20 million dollars while he was head of the Nigerian military. Badeh is only one of several senior serving and former military officers being accused of diverting money meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko haram.
Video - Former Nigeria Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh shows proof of malpractice by NFF
Proof that the Nff did not pay Oliseh Sunday before he resigned.
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