19 filling stations sealed for alleged malpractice

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) claims to have sealed filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states respectively for allegedly selling petrol at the rates of N 148 and N 150 which is above the pump price of N 145.

The Sokoto operations Controller of the Department, Mr Mohammed Makera, disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto today Tuesday 6th December, 2016 where he said that eleven (11) of the axed stations were in Sokoto State while eight were in Kebbi. He further disclosed that eighteen (18) of the filling stations were owned by independent marketers and described  one as belonging to a major oil company.

Makera added that they were each fined N 100,000 per pump as well as placed on a two-week suspension. He also assured the public that officials of the department would ensure that the unsuspecting motorists were not cheated by the marketers.

The controller also assured that there were adequate supplies of petroleum products and urged motorists to desist from panic buying.

Minister of Agriculture denies claims of famine by 2017.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh said the Federal Government has already mapped out plans to support dry-season farming that would discourage the presumed food shortage.

He stated that about 10 dams would be constructed in States to support farm irrigation system. He also stated that Nigeria has 33 silo sites with capacity to store about 2 million tons of grains.

In his words “The threat of famine, I think that is a bit of an exaggeration. No danger of famine now. We are doing far better than we did a decade ago. Our neighbours in the West, North and Central Africa are buying, they have always bought, people are buying and storing and this is a challenge I am happy about as it says to the farmer, there is a market for your produce."

"We are not going to face famine, the Government will make sure it doesn’t happen. The GES scheme is working.”

African Development Bank (AfDB) invests $800 million in agriculture.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President African Development Bank (AfDB), made this statement on Monday,  5th of December 2016 in Abuja during the opening of the African Economic Conference (ACE) organised by the bank in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

He stated that the support is based on the platform of the AfDB’s initiative 'Technology for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT)' as part of the efforts to design and encourage technological innovation within the sector.

Highlights of his statement include

- the scheme is targeted at 40 million farmers in ten years.

- $24 billion would be used to support Nigeria’s agric sector to fight hunger and post-harvest loses within a 20 year frame.

- the initiative would also reduce post-harvest losses.

He did however identify poor infrastructure and access to finance as major challenges, stressing that it has became imperative to develop the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) to which he urged African nations to invest in the SCPZ in order to create jobs and support private agro-allied firms through incentives and infrastructure.

Liberian President visits Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf To Nigeria.

On his twitter post, he described Liberia as a valued partner.

Young Lady Surrenders Packs of Condoms by Nancy Chukumezie

Ninsiima Allen, a 25 years prostitute from Wakaliga in Uganda, surrendered packs of condoms  in her possession to a church after been convicted by the Holy Ghost.  

According to Robert Kayanja facebook page she gave her life to Christ after attending one of the church crusades, she was also reported to have gone back to the brothel, encouraging her former colleagues to receive salvation.

On urging from the church, she was encouraged to undertake an HIV test to which was found negative.