FocalPoint Reports

Local manufacturer calls for FG’s protection …as KAM Steel acquires N60bn plant, targets 10,000 jobs A call has gone to the federal government to expedite actions towards supporting indigenous manufacturers in local capacity building for the steel industry in Nigeria. The Chairperson of KAM Holding, Alhaja Bolanle Yusuf, who made the call at the official takeover of the Standard Metallurgical Company (SMC) by KAM Steel Integrated Company Limited at Igbafa village in Sagamu local government area of Ogun State. The transfer of ownership to KAM Steel, an Integrated Company under the KAM Holding, an indigenous investment specialized in the manufacturing of iron and steel products, was witnessed by major stakeholders in the industry. Alhaja Yusuf said the acquisition was part of the KAM Steel to increase its capacities and reposition Nigeria as a self-sufficient nation, with the target to create 10,000 jobs for Nigerians. She noted that “If Nigeria must come out of the wilderness o

COVID-19: Akwa Ibom govt to shut down unapproved testing centres Akwa Ibom State government has condemned in strong terms attempt to use serological testing in the determination of a person’s COVID-19 status, saying it has  40 per cent chances of error and a further threat to health. Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, COVID-19 Management Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem disclosed this on Monday, saying the move was aimed at further protecting the lives and property of Akwa Ibom people. According to him, the state government position was pursuant to NCDC guidelines and in line with the global best practices. He said, “in line with emerging realities in COVID-19 detection and management, it has become imperative for the state government to unambiguously define her position on the standard and quality of test acceptable within the borders of Akwa Ibom state. “The state government hereby announces that the testing method acceptable in Akwa Ibom is the PCR test. This positi

BREAKING: Orji Kalu arrives Minna to visit IBB, Abdulsalami, Niger Governor, others The Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has arrived Minna, Niger state for his visit to his political leaders. Kalu arrived at the power state at exactly 2 pm alongside political friends, associates, and aides. The Senate Chief Whip is currently with the former Military head of state,  General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), after which he will proceed to the homes of former President of Nigeria and Military General, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governor of Niger state Abubakar Sani Bello and  Emir, Etsu of Lapai, Niger State, Details of the meeting were still being gathered at the time of filing this report.

Edo Election: Police Will Remain Apolitical, Says IGP   The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has insisted that the force will not align with any political party ahead of the September 19 Edo Governorship election. Mr Adamu was speaking during a meeting with Civil Society Groups on Monday, led by the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Mr. Clement Nwankwo. According to the Police boss, ensuring adequate security during the election is paramount. Before the meeting went into a closed-door session, Mr Nwankwo urged the IGP to ensure that the Electoral Offences Commission Bill is passed by the National Assembly. The IGP, on Sunday, warned politicians and their supporters against violence in the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo, urging them to conduct themselves properly and play according to the rules. A statement by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said that the Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone or group that may want to sabotage the

Just in: Gov Bello reacts to S’court judgement affirming his reelection Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. …Calls for other parties to join him taking the state to the next level Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has said the judgments of the Supreme Court upholding his election for a second term in office as governor of Kogi State was an affirmation of the landmark victory entrusted to him by the people of Kogi State at the November 16, 2019 polls. In a statement by Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary, (CPS) to the governor, Bello said the Apex Court’s decision upholding his victory is an affirmation of the identical positions on the matters taken by the erudite jurists at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. Recall Governor Yahaya Bello polled a total of 406,222 votes against his closest rival, the PDP candidate who polled 189,704 votes with a winning margin of 216,518 votes in the November 16 gubernatorial poll held last year. The Supreme Court which last Tuesday the 2

Special forces to handover families of dislodged terrorists in Nasarawa Over 700 families of dislodged terrorists in Nasarawa State last week are to be handed over to Governors from 16 states from the Northern part of the country. The families of the terrorists expected to be handed over in Nasarawa state include wives and children of the terrorists dislodged from Otu Forest in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The handing over ceremony is taking place at the 123 Special Forces Battalion Headquarters, Doma Nasarawa State. Arms and ammunition recovered from the terrorists have been displayed while Government officials as well as traditional rulers have started arriving the command for the handing over.

COVID-19: WHO says 9 in 10 countries experience disruption to health sector The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to health services in nine out of 10 countries, adding that low- and middle-income countries have faced the greatest difficulty. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, said this on Monday in a statement accompanying the results of the investigation. The findings were taken from a fresh survey conducted by the global health body. In total, 105 countries filed reports as part of an investigation into the impact of the COVID-19 on 25 core health services. “Data collected from five regions over the period from March to June 2020 illustrate that almost every country (90%) experienced disruption to its health services, with low- and middle-income countries reporting the greatest difficulties,” the WHO said. According to the survey, the COVID-19 pandemic has had the greatest impact on the delivery of routine immu

Universities clamouring for re-opening are cash cows to some govts ― ASUU …Aligns with position of UNILAG over governance structure CALABAR zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said that Universities clamouring for the re-opening of Nigeria Universities are those serving as cash cows to some governments. The Coordinator of the zone, Dr Aniekan Brown of the Department of Sociology & Anthropology, University of Uyo (UNIUYO) who made the assertion while briefing newsmen Monday in Uyo, stressed the need for members of the public to know that it was unreasonable to contemplate re-opening universities because the facilities to ensure the safety and lives of students, lecturers are not in place. Brown maintained that the COVID-19 pandemic actually exposed the vulnerability and frailties of the country in the different sectors of the economy especially the Education sector as Nigeria Governments have ingloriously exhibited gross inability to meet the standards

 NLC supports Aviation unions protest Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Monday lend it support to the protest of the aviation unions over the planned concession of some of the country’s airports. Recall the unions staged a peaceful walk round the country’s airport yes. A statement signed by the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, titled, ” The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns the plans to Concession Nigeria’s major airports “, read : ” It is with great alarm that we learnt of the renewed efforts by the Federal Government to concession Nigeria’s major airports, namely: the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport – Abuja, the Murtala Mohammed International Airport – Lagos and the Port Harcourt International Airport, to private sector interests”. ” Nigerians may recall that the current concession drive of the present government did not start today. It has been part of the neo-liberal predilection of successive governments stretching from the days of military rule up till the current demo

FRSC to commence enforcement of speed limit devices in vehicles The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) has again emphasised that over speeding, reckless driving and overloading are among the causes of road accidents in the country. The Corps says it is poised to ensure the reduction of road crashes by 15% and fatalities from road crashes reduced by 20%. This is according to the Zonal Commander FRSC Zone 12, ACM Umar Ibrahim who made the revelation while speaking with journalists in Bauchi. The zonal commander stated that the Corps, over the years, noticed that the offence of overloading is rampant in the North, especially on market days. According to him, on such market days transporters are seen jam-packing their vehicles with people, goods and animals, stressing that, “When such vehicles are involved in a crash, the fatalities are usually high.” He submitted that over speeding, overloading and reckless driving endangers the lives of commuters, warning drivers to stop the dangerous pra

Plateau PDP holds congress, elects new excos The rancorous Plateau State Congress of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP eventually held at weekend in Jos with a former Commissioner for Works, Chris Hassan emerging as the State Chairman of the Party. The exercise, initially delayed by myriads of courts injunctions was presided over by Maj. Gen. Amnon Kwaskebe and held at Langfield event centre in Jos on Saturday/Sunday. Other contestants had pulled out of the race which, Hassan polled 1,649 votes. Despite boycotting the exercise, their names were not cleaned from the ballot papers and the final result showed former House of Reps Member, Bitrus Kaze scoring 22 votes, Monica Gwom scored 13 votes and Aminu Zang had no vote. Bitrus Golen who beat Amos Gombi (a former Deputy Chairman) by 1,585 to 23 votes would be the Deputy Chairman; Emmanuel Tuang who polled 1,592 is the State Secretary having defeated Iliya Zakari who scored 10 votes. Immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of

Aviation unions embark on peaceful protest at Lagos A irport Aviation unions, namely, Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, National Union of Air Transport Employee, NUATE, Association of Aviation Professionals, ANAP, and Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, airport branch, Monday embarked on a peaceful walk around the major roads at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The action, which is a directive from the national headquarters of the various unions, was programmed to take place simultaneously at all the country’s airport. The unions are protesting the manner the current Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika is carrying out the concessioning of some of the country’s major airports without carrying the aviation workers unions along. The unions are also protesting that some of their colleagues who were disengaged from service have not been paid their retirement and pension. Members of the unions who started the peaceful walk from the ” Freedom Square ” at

AT last, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has paid $5,901,000 to 197 scholarship beneficiaries of 2019, while payment procedures for 94 beneficiaries of 2018 were ongoing. Director of Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Mr. Charles Odili, in response to Vanguard inquiry, on Monday, said among the 197 beneficiaries were 12 PHD – 2016 and 13 PHD – 2019, totaling 43, who got $30,000 each,  amounting to $1,290,000. He said 154 MSC beneficiaries of 2019 were paid $30,000 each, amounting to $4, 420,000, bringing the grand total to $5,910,000. Odili said gave the description of 94 beneficiaries of 2018 still awaiting payment as 40 PHD and 54 MSC. Meanwhile, a group, Niger Delta Enterprise Initiative, NDEI, yesterday, applauded the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Expanded Interim Management Committee, EIMC, NDDC, for clearing $5.9 m bills for 197 scholarship students, including 12 PHDs, while processing 94 others. President of the group, Mr. George Kerley in a state

President  Buhari is the Problem of the Niger  Delta , Obule Replies Omo -Agege  Comrade Francis Obule the Delta State Coordinator of PDP .Mobilizers   has faulted  Senator Ovie Omo -Agage,  the Deputy Senate President for saying that  President  Buhari is  not to  blame for  the under development of the Niger Delta  region.  Comrade Francis Obule the PDP Chieftain who spoke in  Sapele Delta State  asserted with emphasis that  PMB having spent  five  solid years on the saddle of leadership is enough time  for him to make meaningful and  positive impact   for the  people of the  Niger region which is the nation's  major economic mainstay.  Comrade Obule noted  in his speech that  even though he has  so much respect for the DSP  , Senator Ovie Omo Agege , but we need to tell ourselves the truth,  that since the day the  APC led Federal  government took over the reins of power all problems and  advancement  of this country  are  under the leadership of Presiden

United Kingdom To Confiscate £117m Properties of Former Delta Governor, Ibori  The United Kingdom has moved to confiscate proceeds of loot in the £117m worth of properties linked to James Ibori, former governor of Delta State, Sahara Reporters reports that Ibori appeared in court on Thursday via video link. Ibori, who governed Delta from 1999 to 2007, had reportedly pleaded guilty at London’s Southwark Crown Court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering, and thereafter, received a 13-year jail sentence. Kinnear said the London Metropolitan Police found that Ibori used the money he stole from Delta State to buy six houses in London. Kinnear said the London Metropolitan Police found that Ibori used the money he stole from Delta State to buy six houses in London.

 Erosion Washes Away Over 50 Houses Into River Niger in Delta People of Patani Local Government Area of Delta State are counting their loses as erosion washed away over 50 houses in the community into the River Niger. Residents of Abari Community in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State are counting their loses as erosion washed away over 50 houses in the community into the River Niger. FocalPoint Reports the people are deprived of the opportunity of enjoying facilities from a series of abandoned massive projects.  As predominantly fishing, farming and trading community, its indigenes residing along the bank of the River Niger are described as hard-working, peaceful and loving people from the Ijaws part of Delta State.  At the National Assembly, they are represented by one of the longest-serving Senators in Nigeria, Senator James Manager, while another long-serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nicholas Mutu represents them at the lower house.  Both at

EFCC Partner RMAFC  to Recover Unremitted Revenue From Government Agencies  Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). RMAFC explained that the collaboration would ensure recovery of unremitted revenue accruable to the federation account. The Chairman, Elias Mbam, spoke on Friday when he visited the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mohammed Umar. The partnership would be on monitoring the agencies and blocking leakages. Christian Nwachukwu, RMAFC Public Relations Officer, in a statement said Mbam urged revenue generating and collecting agencies to deliver. Mbam noted that with dwindling revenue caused by the global oil crisis, more funds were needed in the federal purse. Umar, in his remarks, assured of EFCC’s readiness to support the RMAFC, He told Mbam to forward specific areas of concentration ahead of the working synergy.

How Military Intercepts Speed Boat With 13 Kidnapped Foreigners, Kill 137 Criminals, Arrest 170 The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said its troops deployed for “Operation ‘Delta Safe” have intercepted a speed boat with kidnapped 13 foreigners comprising 6 Russians and 7 Ukrainians on Lome waters. The coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who disclosed while giving updates of Armed Forces operations in August 2020, said 137 criminals including Boko Haram terrorists, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandits were killed and 170 arrested. He said the boat was arrested on August 19, 2020, by Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under the subsidiary Operation ‘Silent Heat’, which was launched on August 1, 2020. He said the Operation ‘Silent Heat’ is aimed to protect critical installations, key points and vital points as well as combat all forms of illegalities or crimes in the area in order to maintain conducive environment for oil and gas in

Mulade Congratulates Dikio as PAP Interim Coordinator, Calls for Peace, Economic Stability in Delta A renowned Niger Delta Activist and Traditional Chief from the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, has congratulated Col Milland Dixon Dikio over his recent appointment as Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). In a statement made available to news men in Abuja during the weekend, Chief Mulade Urged Milland Dikio to build on the existing peace initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the sustenance and economic stability of the region. Mulade also said that "More is expected of Dikio as over thirty thousand beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme need post amnesty integration to harness the long term benefits of the programme.” The Peace Ambassador also encouraged the Niger Deltas and Ijaw people at large to support Dikio who is also an illustrious Ijaw man from the oil rich Niger Delta. Mulade further urged

Do away with Executive Orders or risk dictatorship, says Ekweremadu Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Wednesday said unless Nigeria stops executive legislation through Executive Orders, the country may be heading towards authoritarianism and possible dictatorship. Ekweremadu, according to a statement by his spokesman, Uche Anichukwu, said this in a paper titled: “Executive Order and Democratic Governance” which he delivered at the ongoing 60th Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Abuja on Wednesday. He said: “Democracy envisages the division of governmental powers into three different arms, each with distinct powers and responsibilities clearly provided for in a country’s grundnorm. “The philosophy behind this compartmentalisation of powers is the need to preserve the liberty of citizens and prevent abuse and tyranny by one arm of government over the other. “Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution provides that the legislative powers of the Federal

Buhari Appoints Dikio As Amnesty Programme Coordinator President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Col. Milland Dixon Dikio as the new Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Daily Independent has gathered. Daily independent reported that A credible source in the Presidency said the appointment of Dikio, who hails from Rivers state takes immediate effect. It will be recalled that the President suspended Prof. Charles Dokubo, the former Coordinator in February 2020 following numerous allegations and petitions.

Ijaw Youths Threatens Another Shut Down of Oil Companies in Delta Ijaw youths from the oil rich Egbema kingdom, Warri North local government Area of Delta state, yesterday issued another threat to shutdown NPDC, Elecres Nig, Chrome oil, Chevron Nigeria limited and other multinational oil companies, operating in their domain In a press release sent to. FocalPoint Reports disclosed that the Warri North Ijaws are ready to shut down   the oloduwa Creeks of opuama/polobubo Egbema kingdom, has what they termed continuous  depravations, encumbrances, unjust  and cruel marginalization of the hapless people of polobubo and opuama communities. The statement reads; Enough is enough as Gen, Silas Toruwei and is team blows hot, vows to shutdown NPDC, Elecres Nig, Chrome oil, Chevron Nigeria limited and other multinational companies, operating in the oloduwa Creeks of opuama/polobubo as what they termed continuous marginalization, burdensome and oppression of polobubo and opuama communit

IPC condemns Femi Fani-Kayode’s assault on journalist The International Press Centre (IPC) condemns the verbal assault inflicted on a journalist by a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani Kayode. The journalist, Eyo Charles, who reports for the Daily Trust Newspaper, was seen in a video posted by The Cable, an online newspaper, asking the former Minister at a press conference in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria, if he was funded to embark on a tour of projects in the state to which he responded with verbal attacks. The Minister was also seen threatening to deal with journalist Eyo Charles, who has since claimed that a security detail in the entourage of the former Minister confronted him after the press conference. IPC views this development as repulsive and unacceptable since there was nothing wrong with Journalist Eyo Charles wanting to know if the tour was an independent initiative or a sponsored one. “The former Minister had the option of not answering the question and the

NUJ Berates Fani-Kayode over attack on journalist The   Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned what it termed “gangster-like outburst” by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode against Cross River State-based journalist, Eyo Charles, over a question the former minister considered embarrassing.  Fani-Kayode had launched verbal assaulted on the journalist for daring to ask a question bordering on the source of the funding of his tour of projects in some states. In a statement, yesterday, NUJ president, Chris Isiguzo, said by denigrating the journalist, Fani-Kayode had exposed himself as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media. “It is instructive to remind the likes of Fani-Kayode that it is the Constitutional right of journalists to monitor and keep a check on people and institutions in power. By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani Kayode is very conversant with the watchdog role of the media. “For him to have embarked on asse

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Joint Campus Committee, JCC, in Lagos State has called on the government to reopen all schools as soon as possible. According to the Chairman, Lagos NANS JCC, Comrade Ogunsanya Rasheed, in a statement yesterday, reopening the schools would not only keep the students busy but would bring those already disillusioned with education back on track. He said with over 4.1 million students in Lagos State, ranging from pupils in primary schools to students in tertiary Institutions, keeping them productively busy was important. He, therefore, appealed to the government to provide the enabling environment for schools to reopen in a safe condition as soon as possible. He noted that the provision of educational facilities in the 10 tertiary institutions in the state was paramount to giving quality education to students and that it would be the vocal point of NANS rebirth in Lagos State. “Moreover, the welfare of Lagos State students which i

NDDC Probe: We Will Continue To Probe Corrupt Government Agencies, Reps Leader Tells PDP The Leadership of  the Nigerian lower chamber  has vowed  to continue probe all ilegal activities happening in all government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The House of Representatives Majority Leader Alhassan Ado Doguwa made the statement in reaction to an allegation the PDP leveled against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the suspension of sittings of various House committees to enable their members observe the annual recess In a statement on Monday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Doguwa insisted that investigations into government agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust (NSITF), the review of the Power sector as well as all other allegations of corruption in government expenditure, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), had not been discontinued, as alleged by the PDP. He also asked u

Bayelsa West: Dickson  Wins PDP Senatorial Ticket Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson  has won the Senatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). FocalPoint Reprts that Dickson became victorious as he was given an automatic ticket for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District election scheduled for October 31, 2020. The stakeholders and top political players of the PDP from Bayelsa West decided not to pick the party’s nomination form for the senatorial district out of respect for the former governor. The PDP chairman in the state, Chief Solomon Agwanana, said the people of the senatorial district were unanimous in the position that Dickson had the capacity, the pedigree and indeed the tested voice to provide the much needed effective representation at the Senate. Agwanana said the people had implicit confidence in the capacity of the former governor to exploit his vast experience and potential in the interest of the senatorial district, the state and the entire Ijaw Nati

FG To Establish Oil And Gas Facility In Akwa Ibom The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylvia. Credit: @FMPRng   The Federal Government has approved the establishment of an oil and gas logistics facility in Akwa Ibom State. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva who made this known in Uyo on Sunday, assured that work would soon commence at the site of the project. Sylvia noted that the decision to establish the facility in Akwa Ibom was strongly influenced by the prevailing peace and security of lives and property in the state. “We want to send a message to the rest of the states, that there is something to be gained in maintaining peace,” he said. He also commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the state government’s efforts in maintaining peace and security. “Few concerns were raised on the choice of Akwa Ibom for our retreat, but politics was not part of the consideration,” he said. “I have the full support of NNPC to announce to you th

NDDC medical referrals seek Buhari’s intervention to save lives By Ugochukwu Alaribe – Umuahia Patients under the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, medical referrals Batch 8 2019, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to prevail on the Commission to release funds to enable them to get medical attention. Vanguard gathered that NDDC carries out medical interventions by releasing funds for treatment of persons with critical medical conditions who had been referred to various specialist hospitals, in some cases, abroad. The delay in releasing funds for Commission’s Medical referrals Batch 8 2019 has continued to endanger the lives of benefitting patients. The beneficiaries, who are from the NDDC areas of jurisdiction, are selected after rigorous scrutiny of their medical condition, socioeconomic status, and the medical referral for specialist treatment. However, since 2019 when approval was given for medical referral batch 8, no funds have been released to the benefici

FACT CHECK: Is the FG constructing 27-kilometre UNIMAID fence for N64bn? Although news reports suggest the claim that FG is constructing a 27.3km fence at the university at the cost of N64bn is false, there is no sufficient evidence.

Edo polls: Okowa is not mobilizing thugs — Aniagwu Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa …says they won’t trade words with failing APC By Festus Ahon DELTA State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was not mobilizing thugs to disrupt and rig the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election for Governor Godwin Obaseki as alleged by the All Progressives Congress, APC. He noted that Delta does not produce thugs and would not trade words with “failing APC in the Edo state”. Advancing reasons why Okowa was supporting the reelection bid of Obaseki, Aniagwu, in a media conference yesterday, said:  “Okowa joined Obaseki last week for the campaign in his capacity as the Chairman South-South Governors Forum, but the APC in their usual propaganda said Okowa imported thugs to the state. “How can one send thugs to disrupt his party rally when victory is assured? Governor Okowa is supporting Obaseki on the strength of his performance, he is

N449m Radio House renovation project, ready in weeks — Lai Mohammed Lai Mohammed The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the on-going rehabilitation of the Radio House in Garki Abuja will be completed and commissioned in weeks. The Minister gave the assurances on Monday in Abuja after an inspection of the N449 million rehabilitation project in company with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms Grace Gekpe, other management members of staff, and the contractor. Mohammed noted that it was the first time in the 33 years  life of the edifice that any substantial rehabilitation works are being carried out on the structure The Radio House is the Headquarter of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and equally house the Office of many past Information Ministers. Mohammed said the project which was meant to last for 12 weeks has been delayed due to the advent of COVID -19. He said the scope of the works included the rehabilitation of the entire

Nigeria to become Africa’s largest Avocado producer by 2030 — Obasanjo  Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo James Ogunnaike Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday disclosed that Nigeria could be the largest producer of the Avocado crop by 2030 with the enthusiasm of the country’s farmers. Obasanjo made this disclosure when the Avocado Society of Nigeria (ASN) paid him a courtesy visit at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Pent House residence in Abeokuta. The former President, who was conferred with the ASN Grand Patron award, said the country possessed all qualities needed to take over the East African countries in avocado crop planting. In a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President who was responding to question on the prospects of the crop by 2030 says “I want to see Nigeria becoming one of, if not the leading avocado producer in Africa.” Obasanjo had earlier explained that “Avocado is a unique crop