Russia’s weaponisation of food, energy impact all countries- Zelens
Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that alongside its ongoing nuclear threat, Russia is also weaponising essentials like global food and energy markets, and using them “not only against our country, but all of yours as well”. Zelenskyy disclosed this to world leaders in the UN General AssemblySince the start of the war, Ukrainian ports in the Black and Azov seas were blocked by Russia and its ports on the Danube River targeted by drones and missiles, he said. “It is a clear Russian attempt to weaponise the food shortage on the global market, in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of the captured territories.”He said the impact of that weaponisation could be seen from Africa to South-East Asia. He added that Russia was conducting mass kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children, making it a clear case of genocide. He said the children were taught to hate Ukraine and all ties broken with their families in Russia.
Source:Punch
September 20, 2023 14:13 UTC
Cardoso: Inflation, debt management, forex top manufacturers’ demands
He said, “There is also the issue of current unimpressive forex reserves; high inflation rate; low possibility of raising market rates to more attractive levels; high debt profile and increasing debt servicing costs and public aversion to more borrowing. “Better attempts should be made to ensure a strategic balance between tackling inflation and engendering economic growth through effective funding. So, promoting long-term macroeconomic management under this scenario is a task that has the CBN Governor located right in the middle.”Speaking further, Ajayi-Kadir said there is a need for the country’s fiscal policies and monetary policies to be in sync. He added that manufacturers expect that the new Governor will actively support this policy handshake as this was lacking in the last administration. “I recall that we severally sought to meet with the former CBN Governor to express our concerns over the BDCs management of the forex disbursements but we never got a chance, neither did we get any responses to the fact-based submissions we made on manufacturers’ forex application and receipts.”
Source:Punch
September 20, 2023 13:01 UTC
Zelensky set for first in-person Russia showdown of war
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky is set to go face to face with Russian officials for the first time since his country was invaded, as the UN Security Council meets Wednesday for a potentially dramatic session. Zelensky flew to New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where he delivered a speech Tuesday in his trademark military fatigues urging the world to stand firm against Russia. On Wednesday, he will address a special session on the war at the powerful Security Council, where Russia is a permanent member wielding veto power against any decisions. It will be the most direct diplomatic encounter between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow invaded in February 2022. It will be the most direct diplomatic encounter between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow invaded in February 2022.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 20, 2023 11:57 UTC
AGRA engages 967,000 Nigerian farmers in food production
AGRA has said it has engaged no fewer than 967,000 farmers as part of efforts to enhance food production in Nigeria. The Country Director of AGRA, Dr Kehinde Makinde made the assertion during an inspection visit to NAERLS/ AGRA demonstration farms/commissioning of a Screen house at Likoro village of Kudan local government area of Kaduna State. According to him, farmers in the two states of Kaduna and Niger states were trained and supported in new farming skills. He said the AGRA train will soon move to Nasarawa, Gombe and Oyo states to provide similar technical skills and support to farmers in these states. He further maintained, “Our major concern is food production.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 20, 2023 11:30 UTC
Legal provisions for suspicious deaths
But when such happens, does the law have any provision on how to handle such matters and what are the legal perspectives to such issues? What legal steps should be taken when there is a suspicious death? Across Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, there is a Coroners Law which is the legal framework set up to investigate the circumstances around a suspicious death by conducting a Coroner’s inquest, which is simply a fact-finding mission. An inquest is held mandatorily under the law, when there is reasonable cause to believe that the cause of a death is unknown, sudden, unnatural or suspicious, due to various issues. The verdict is to be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, the Chief Coroner, the Chief Medical Examiner and the Divisional Police Officer for the district.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 20, 2023 04:52 UTC
Again, national grid collapses five days after restoration
The National grid has collapsed again, just five days after it was restored following a similar incident that led to a total blackout across the country. The generation data indicated that only Afam VI (GAS/STEAM), Azura-Edo IPP (GAS), and Delta Gas contributed to the grid at the time. However, as of 7 p.m., generation had increased to 1,914.60 MW with 12 generators on the grid. The contributing generators were Afam VI (Gas/Steam), Azura-Edo IPP, Delta Gas, Egbin (Steam), Geregu (Gas), Kainji (hydro), Odukpani (NIPP), Okpai (Gas/Steam), Olorunsogo (gas/steam), Olorunsogo (NIPP), Trans-Amadi, and Omotosho (Gas). Although the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has yet to react to the development, the grid collapsed twice on September 14, 2023, marking 421 days since the last incident was recorded.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 19, 2023 22:34 UTC
BREAKING: Gunmen kill eight soldiers, policemen in Imo
No fewer than eight security agents comprising soldiers, policemen and Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps have been killed by gunmen in Imo State. The incident which happened on Tuesday morning in Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state has thrown the area into panic. The joint security taskforce team who were in two security trucks were ambushed and set ablaze by their attackers. A resident in the community who do not want to reveal his identity for security said that he saw the security agents a few minutes before they were set ablaze. Our correspondent saw a video clip of the attack as the security agents set ablaze in the two vehicles.
Source:Punch
September 19, 2023 21:30 UTC
Metro - Gunmen kill eight soldiers, policemen in Imo - Punch Newspaper
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Source:Punch
September 19, 2023 18:47 UTC
Dangote refinery to start petrol refining November – Official
Dangote Refinery is set to begin refining petrol by November 30, 2023, and diesel and jet fuel operations by October 2023, the group’s executive director Devakumar Edwin says. Furthermore, Edwin pointed out that the refinery would initiate a gradual increase in petrol production, aiming to reach an impressive 650,000 barrels per day by November 30. He emphasised the refinery’s readiness to receive crude oil, stating, “Right now, I’m ready to receive crude. He said that the setback is momentary, and the refinery would soon run exclusively on Nigerian crude oil as of November 2023. He noted that the Nigerian oil would be purchased in US dollars, and not naira because it is in a free trade zone on the outskirts of Lagos.
Source:Punch
September 19, 2023 16:35 UTC
Diphtheria worsening in Borno, Bauchi, Kano States – MSF
The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised the alarm that Diphtheria is worsening in Nigeria, especially in the northern Nigeria states of Bauchi, Borno and Kano. The MSF said its teams treated 6,707 suspected and confirmed cases in Kano, 110 cases in Borno and 21 cases in Bauchi. “A serious diphtheria outbreak is tearing through Nigeria, where thousands of people have been infected and hundreds more have died. “We’re currently seeing more than 700 people with suspected diphtheria and admitting more than 280 patients on a weekly basis in Kano State’s two diphtheria treatment centres,” says Dr Hashim Juma Omar, MSF emergency project medical doctor. “MSF teams are responding to the outbreak in Kano, Borno and Bauchi states.
Source:The Guardian
September 19, 2023 16:14 UTC
Arms mop-up: Police plan clampdown on VIPs, cultists
Accordingly, the Delta State Police Command has assured that no one would be spared, including politicians, cultists and other bearers of illegal arms in the state. Our correspondent had asked the command’s spokesman if the illegal firearms seizure would be extended to cultists and VIPs, including politicians. They (illegal arms bearers) are part of those we have been parading. She said, “Since IGP has given the directive, no one with illegal arms in the state will be spared. People will continue to source for illegal arms which are readily available in the country if they have money to buy.
Source:Punch
September 19, 2023 15:47 UTC
Michael Jackson’s moonwalk hat up for auction in Paris
Michael Jackson’s historic moonwalk hat, a black fedora he tossed aside just before dazzling the world with his iconic moonwalk dance, is set to be auctioned in Paris on September 26. The much-anticipated sale at the Hotel Drouot is expected to fetch between 60,000 and 100,000 euros ($64,000–$107,000). Organized by Arthur Perault of the Artpeges Gallery, the auction will feature around 200 items of rock memorabilia. The hat was picked up by a man named Adam Kelly, who initially thought Jackson’s staff would retrieve it. A chunk of wall from the now-closed Bus Palladium venue in Paris, signed by various rock stars, is also part of the auction.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 19, 2023 12:08 UTC
Why construction, building materials markets will thrive in Q4 2023—Expert
Building materials markets and construction industry generally are among sectors that have been predicted to thrive in the last quarter of 2023. According to the latest report from Bismarck Rewane-led Financial Derivatives Company, building materials and construction have been identified among sectors that will thrive in the last quarter of the year (2023). Building materials markets and construction industry generally are among sectors that will thrive in this last quarter of the year (2023) and the signs are there already. The likely driving factors are the products of the building materials markets and the construction industry are basic needs of man. This is not considering the food sellers that will sell food to the workers and the building materials workers.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
September 19, 2023 08:19 UTC
Pension board to commence e-verification for ex-servicemen
The Military Pension Board will begin electronic verification for retired military personnel in 2024. The exercise is expected to be held before the end of the first quarter of the year. The immediate past MPB Chairman, Rear Admiral Sabur Lawal, disclosed this during the handover ceremony to his successor on Monday. He said, “I would like the newly appointed military board pension to work on the issues of electronic verification of retirees, which is very important. “We are just going to add to his achievements and prioritise the welfare of our staff and the veterans.”
Source:Punch
September 19, 2023 03:50 UTC
Chinese foreign minister to visit Russia for security talks today
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, will begin a four-day visit to Russia for security talks on Monday, his foreign ministry said, the latest in a series of high-level visits and phone calls between the two sides. China and Russia are strategic allies, with both countries frequently touting their “no limits” partnership and economic and military cooperation. China’s foreign ministry said in a statement Monday that Wang would hold strategic security consultations at the invitation of Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia’s security council. In an earlier briefing, the Russian foreign ministry said Wang would meet with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov, and the two planned to “focus on efforts to strengthen collaboration on the international scene”. Last month, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia and Belarus and called for closer military cooperation.
Source:Punch
September 18, 2023 23:31 UTC