Nigeria Makes Headway In Securing China’s Funding Of Projects

Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, at the weekend, in Beijing, made a strong case why the Chinese government should assist Nigeria financially in funding critical major infrastructure projects in the country.

Senator Udoma who was in China for the Coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) also used the opportunity to discuss issues of vital economic interest with that country’s Vice Minister for Commerce, Mr. Qian Keming; and officials of China EXIM bank, where he stressed the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries will eventually enjoy if Nigeria’s economy is assisted to grow rapidly.

At the Johannesburg Summit in South Africa in December 2015, China had agreed to Assist African countries in ten strategic areas that will help their economy. It pledged $60 billion in aid, grants and concessional loans.

Nigeria is trying to get as much of the Chinese funding for projects in the form of grants, aids, investments and loans. The loan component will however be within the country’s debt sustainability limits. Projects proposed for the facility by Nigeria is in the region of about $20 billion, and the Minister said Nigeria will be in a better stead if the Chinese government will assist with a substantial part of the funds required.

During the various meetings, Senator Udoma stressed the need for special consideration for Nigeria given its strategic relationship with China, its economic potentials, and its capacity to redeem its part of the transaction obligations.

The Minister said following the meetings, both countries expressed satisfaction with the proposals and are very anxious to take proceedings to the next level.

During the Cooperation meeting attended by ministers from various countries in Africa, China’s President Xi Jinping said the meeting was an important step taken by China and Africa to implement the consensus of Chinese and Africa leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC.

“It is a significant measure to boost China-African cooperative development. The meeting demonstrates to the world once again that no matter how the international landscape may change, the resolve of China and Africa to pursue unity and win-win cooperation will never change”, Jinping said.

The President noted that the weak performance of the world economy brings both opportunities and challenges to the economic development of China and Africa. “We must stand shoulder to shoulder and march forward hand in hand,” he admonished.
In his keynote speech, China’s State Councilor, Yang Jiech, explained that his country initiated the meeting at this time “to take stock of the delivery of summit outcomes, to align our thinking, built consensus, overcome challenges and difficulties, share experience and promote cooperation, so that we can pool the wisdom and strength of both sides and give a leg up to the implementation work”.

At the plenary session, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was pleased that both China and the African countries have attained a high level of implementation of the outcomes of the summit, have acted promptly to take forward the five pillars and ten plans of cooperation and have made substantial progress in enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across board.

He added that China has delivered on its commitments and made every effort to advance follow-up actions.

Akpandem James
Media Adviser to the Hon Minister

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Teenagers Could Lose Their Virginity to S3x Robots in the Near Future

In the future teenagers may lose their virginity to s*x robots, according to an expert. Professor Noel Sharkey from Sheffield University, while speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival, warned that android s*x dolls may have damaging consequences for society.
 He said: "S*x robots are accessible now and certainly [will be common] within the next 10 years. I think there will be an age limit. Certainly there should be, but if your dad or mum had one, you could sneak in and use it."
 He added: "It’s not a problem having s*x with a machine. But what if it’s your first time, your first relationship? What do you think of the opposite sex then? What do you think a man or a woman is? "It will get in the way of real life, stopping people forming relationships with normal people."
 Recently there has also been a warning that the rise of s*x robots could cause performance anxiety in men and women who fear they can’t match the lovemaking skills of amorous androids. Technological advances means s*x with human-looking androids - previously the stuff of science fiction films like Ex Machina - is becoming a reality.
 Artificial intelligence expert David Levy predicts that as people get more comfortable with robotics, sexual relations - and even love and marriage - with androids will become more and more popular. But because these male and female s*x robots will be built to the user’s specific ideals of perfection, those with less-than-perfect human bodies could become anxious about whether their partner is pleased by them.
 Levy, the author of ‘Love And S*x With Robots’, told the Toronto Star robots that are "wonderful lovers" could cause "performance anxiety” among men and women.
 Meanwhile, new research has found that one in four young people in the UK would happily date a robot. The only caveats, according to the survey of 18- to 34-year-olds, is that their android beau must by a "perfect match", and must look like a real-life human being.
 The proportion of young people who are willing to go on a date with a robot is significantly higher than the overall proportion of British adults - only 17% of whom were willing.
"Our bodies, our identities and our senses are enhancing thanks to technology and societal shifts," said Ghislaine Boddington, co-founder and creative director of East London design unit body

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Wike Begs Niger Delta Avengers To Accept Dialogue

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Niger-Delta militants to embrace dialogue as the blowing up of oil facilities is negatively affecting the nation’s economy.
According to a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic media he the governor also accused Nigerian Agip Oil Company of being responsible for some of the conflicts in the area, stating that should Agip continue to act against the security of the state, the state government will revoke the certificate of occupancy of the oil company.
The governor also stated that the destruction of oil installations also damage the environment which will negatively impact host communities.
He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when he received the Ogba, Ndoni, Egbema Local Area (ONELGA ) Youths Consultative Council (OYCC).
He said that should the oil production continue to drop, the nation will face crisis, hence the need for the restoration of peace through negotiation and dialogue.
He said : "If the oil production continues to drop, this country will be in crisis. Blowing up oil facilities also has negative effect on our environment. There is need for the dialogue to go on.
"I believe in one united Nigeria and it is in our interest to have peace for development ".
Governor Wike added that the Niger Delta State Governors should be involved in the the process for the award of pipeline contracts for the identification of clean groups without links to cultists.
He commended the OYCC for promoting peace in ONELGA, which is the highest oil producing local government in the country.
The governor assured the people of ONELGA that his administration will execute more development projects in the area. He added that the people also benefit from the the entrepreneurial loan scheme of his administration for small businesses.
Earlier, President of OYCC, Mr Kingsley Ogumike praised Governor Wike for executing developmental projects in the area and appointing indigenes of the area into key positions.

They appealed to the governor to always invest in the security of the local government area. He assured the governor of the support of the youths in the area.



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/wike-begs-niger-delta-militants-embrace-dialogue/

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Babangida Returns To Nigeria After Medical Trip

Former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has returned to Nigeria. He arrived the Minna International airport Friday in a private aircraft.

IBB, who was rumoured to have died in some media, arrived around 3:30pm from Germany in a chartered aircraft with number N550 DR after a medical trip and was wearing ‎a black kaftan and black cap to match.

The former Military President was in company of his son, Aminu, and daughter, Halima, and was welcomed at the airport by his first son, Mohammed, daughter Aisha, former governor, Abdulkadir Kure, Umar Ndanusa and former federal permanent secretary Idris Adamu Kuta.

He was immediately driven straight to his Hilltop Mansion, where one of his personal assistants, hinted that IBB would brief the press later.

Incidentally, in a phone call to a private television station in Lagos a few days ago, IBB had allayed fears of his demise and had said that he would be returning to the country on Sunday.

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Nathi Mankayi Crowned King In The 22nd Annual South African Music Awards

Sama Award Night was a massive night for Afro-soul sensation Nathi Mankayi, who was crowned King of the 22nd Annual South African Music Awards at the Durban ICC, beating out stiff challenges from established superstars and fellow newcomers alike.

Nathi, whose album and single sent the nation into a collective swoon last year, scooped five awards.
The Awards include best R&B/soul/reggae album, best newcomer best male artiste, best-selling full-track music download and best-selling album of the year.
In the best female artiste category, Zonke took home the laurel, while two of her fellow nominees in that category, Judith Sephuma and Zahara also claimed one SAMA statuette apiece – for best adult contemporary album and best produced album, respectively.
Big Nuz beat out a tough field to claim best Kwaito Album Honours, as well as the trophy for best duo/group of the year.
Another firm local gospel favourite, joyous celebration, claimed success in the best-selling DVD category.

 

Nathi Mankayi with his New Mercedes-Benz

The South African Music Awards is a celebration of excellence, creativity, innovation and development. While the Awards do reward individual talent, they are also a celebration of the strength and robustness of the South African music industry as a whole, demonstrating their world class abilities.
Now in its 22nd year, the growth of the SAMAS is intertwined with the resolve to improve the situation of the youth in South Africa to create a clear, coherent and focused development agenda.

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El-Rufai Visits Man Attacked In Kaduna By Muslim Youths For Not Fasting

Muslim Youths Attack 41-year Old Carpenter for Not Fasting


Barely a week after 74-year old Bridget Agbahime was murdered in Kano for alleged blasphemy, a carpenter, Mr. Francis Emmanuel, was attacked in Kakuri area of Kaduna metropolis by some Muslim boys for not fasting.

The incident which almost claimed the life of Emmanuel happened at Sokoto Road, Kakuri on Tuesday at about 2:30pm and was rushed to the St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri for medical treatment.

Emmanuel was badly injured during the incident, sustaining deep machete cuts on various parts of his body.

The 41-year old man, who spoke with journalists on his sick bed in severe pains from the attack, said he was taking his lunch when the boys numbering about six descended on him on the grounds that he was not fasting.

“I went to buy wood to do some work. When I came back I bought food to eat. As I was eating about six Hausa boys came and asked me whether I am a Muslim or a christian. I did not answer them. They asked why am I not fasting? I told them that I am not a Muslim.

“Before I knew it, one of them slapped me. As I stood up, the rest came and surrounded me and started attacking me with knives. I don’t know them. Nobody could come to my aid because of the type of dangerous knives they were carrying.
“They used cutlasses scissors and knives on me. I became unconscious, I don’t even know who brought me to the hospital,” he said.

source:thisdaylive.com

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Taliban overrun Afghan army base, kill at least 9 soldiers

Nine soldiers were killed when the Taliban attacked an army base in central Afghanistan, a politician said on Tuesday.

Obaidullah Barakzai, a parliamentarian for Urozgan province said that the base was surrounded by Taliban for five days and all roads leading to the camp were cut off.
“The insurgents broke into the base on Monday and took several soldiers hostage,’’ he told newsmen.
The Defence Ministry confirmed the attack on an Afghan National Army base in the Rigak area of Dehrawood district, Urozgan province, but gave no further details.
“A team has been sent to the area for further investigation,’’ spokesman Gen. Mohammad Radmanish said.
The Taliban has however claimed responsibility.
Meanwhile the insurgents have been showing increasing activity throughout the province.  NAN

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just in: FG Commences Recruitment Of 500,000 Graduates For Teaching

Non-graduates’ training programmes also open for additional 100,000 young Nigerians

IN WHAT IS THE FIRST ROLL-OUT OF ITS N500B SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES, the Buhari presidency will start taking applications online for positions in the 500,000 direct teacher jobs scheme, through an internet portal named npower.gov.ng. 

Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to the Vice President, Laolu Akande stated this in a press release made available to the press on Wednesday.

Akande said that while the portal would be live on Saturday June 11, applications are expected to start coming in on June 12, the beginning of next week. Young unemployed Nigerians are advised to visit the website and apply.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in his May 29th Democracy Day broadcast to the nation formally launched the unprecedented social investment programmes already provided for under the 2016 Appropriation by the administration.

“The 500,000 Teacher Corps, nicknamed N-Power Teach on the portal, is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes Nigerians can start applying for from Sunday, June 12.

“Others are N-Power Knowledge which will train 25,000 Nigerians in the area of technology, and N-Power Build, which train another 75,000 in the areas of building services, construction, utilities, hospitality and catering, automotive vocations, aluminium and gas services.  He said.

Akande said that all trainees would be paid for the duration of their training.

He explained that the N-Power Teacher Corps initiative which will engage and train 500,000 young unemployed graduates, is a paid volunteer programme of a 2-year duration.

He said Unemployed Nigerians selected and trained will play teaching, instructional, and advisory roles in primary, and secondary schools, agricultural extension systems across the country, public health and community education-covering civic and adult education.
“Besides their monthly take home pay estimated at about N23,000, the selected 500,000 graduates will also get computer devices that will contain information necessary for their specific engagement, as well as information for their continuous training and development. They get to keep the devices even after exiting from the program.” He added.

Akande said that according to the plan of the Buhari administration, the N-Power Teacher Corps programme is an invaluable opportunity for young Nigerians to make immense economic and social contributions to the nation while developing their skills. It will also help to address the problems of inadequate teachers in public schools.
He said also that persons enlisted under the scheme will gain work experience and acquire key competencies through academic and non-academic capacity building programmes intended to improve their competitiveness in the workplace.
He added that their devices will come loaded with knowledge-oriented applications and software that will enable them acquire the skills and capacity.
“Under the N-Power Knowledge scheme, there are three aspects: Creative, Technology Software and Hardware. These three sub-divisions would will train 25,000 young Nigerians in all.
“5000 of them would be trained in Animation, Graphic Design, Post-Production, Script-Writing. All of those under the sub-division of N-Power Knowledge-creative category.

“The N-Power Knowledge scheme also has a technology category in two aspects: hardware and software. 10,000 Nigerians would be trained, and equipped in the area of software development, including web designers, and another 10,000 in hardware expertise including to repair, maintain and assemble mobile phones, tablets, computers and other devices.” Akande said.

He also said that the N-Power Build category was designed realizing that the presence of a well-trained and highly skilled youth population in any economy has direct impact on entrepreneurship/wealth creation, which in turn leads to a decline in unemployment. 

He stressed that N-Power Build is an accelerated training and certification (Skills to Job/Enterprise) programme that will engage and train 75,000 young unemployed Nigerians in order to build a new crop of skilled and highly competent workforce of technicians, artisans and service professionals. 

He added that the other schemes in the Buhari presidency Social Investment Programmes which would soon be rolled out in the coming weeks.

 “These include the Conditional Cash Transfer that pays N5000 monthly to one million Nigerians, the Micro-Credit Scheme for more than 1.5 million Nigerians, the Home Grown School Feeding programme that will serve 5.5 million Nigerian pupils in primary school a free hot meal per day this year and the Education support grant programme for 100,000 tertiary students in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics, STEM and education.” Akande said.

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PMS price hike: Presidency rolls out palliatives, to pay N5000 monthly to 1m Nigerians Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/fuel-price-hike-presidency-rolls-palliatives/

ABUJA – To cushion the harsh effect of the new pump price of Premium Motor Spirt, PMS also called petrol on the people, the presidency is set to implement the N500 billion earmarked in the 2016 budget for social welfare. A statement by the media spokesperson for Vice President Yemi Osinabjo, Mr. Laolu Akande in Abuja on Sunday stated “All together the federal government would be directly impacting the lives of more than 8 million Nigerians in different social investment 2016 budget spending that would provide succor and be a ready-made palliative to ordinary Nigerians.” Giving a breakdown of the interventions and palliatives, Akande said that said that there would “the direct payment of N5000 monthly to one million extremely poor Nigerians for 12 months as provided for in the 2016 budget for which N$68.7B has been appropriated.” Similarly, the government has also made available a “direct provision of very soft loan -cash for market women, men and traders, including artisans and Agric workers. This would be for a total of 1.76m Nigerians, without the requirement for conventional collateral. Some of the traders will likely get about N60,000. A total sum of N140.3B has already been appropriated for this in the budget”. The details also showed their there would be “payment of between N23,000 to N30,000 per month to 500,000 unemployed graduates who would be trained, paid and deployed to work as volunteer teachers, public health officers and extension service workers among other responsibilities. They would also be given electronic devices to empower them technologically both for their assignments and beyond”. According to the media aide, “100,000 artisans would also be trained and paid N191.5B has been set aside for this in the passed budget.” He also said that “At least 5.5 million Nigerian primary school children -ie starting first in 18 states-three per geopolitical zones-would be fed for 200 school days under the free Homegrown School Feeding Programme”, as “N93.1B has been appropriated for this in the 2016 budget.” In this same vein “100,000 tertiary students in Science Technology Engineering & Maths-STEM, plus Education will partake in the N5.8B already provided for this education grant in the budget. Akande stated that “This payment would also be paid directly to the students.” He stated that these measures that would start in a matter of weeks would certainly lift the ordinary man from the pangs of economic hardship and poverty. “Long before now, the Presidency has made adequate arrangements in the 2016 budget to ensure that Nigerians are lifted from poverty and hardship,” Akande said, adding that “the Buhari presidency is keen to ensure that Nigerians are lifted and that if necessary on an ongoing basis palliatives measures would always been considered to address the conditions of the people.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/fuel-price-hike-presidency-rolls-palliatives/

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Saboteurs behind Edo APC crisis, Oshiomhole tells Oyinlola panel

Alexander Okere, Benin

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday, described the lingering crisis in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress as the handiwork of enemies of the state and the party.
He also said the crisis was being blown out of proportion.
Oshiomhole said this at the Government House in Benin, when he received the members of the fact-finding committee set up by the national secretariat of the APC to assess the internal wrangling rocking the party in Edo State ahead of the state’s governorship election on September 10.
The national leadership of the party had, on May 10, inaugurated the five-member reconciliation committee, led by a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to look into the immediate and remote challenges affecting its Edo State chapter.
Other members include Senator Osita Izunazo, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Hajiya Fatimah Mohammed and Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi.
The Edo State chapter of the party has, for several months, been battling with internal crisis ranging from the reported fallout between Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, over his (Odubu) decision to contest the governorship election.
The recent impeachment of the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Edoror, by 17 lawmakers, has also been linked to the crisis in the party in the state.
But Oshiomhole noted that the state had been put in a bad light by individuals who claimed to be members of the APC but remained committed to the opposition party.
He added, “The more dangerous enemies are those whom people purport to have joined the APC but their soul is in the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party). By the choice of their language and style and tactics, it is clear that they wish to be in the APC while working in futility hoping that they can discredit the APC so that their own party that they have grounded, dismantled and rest can hopefully be revived.
“So maybe in seeking to settle us, you will also need to settle Abuja. Otherwise, we might just be shedding a crocodile tears. The headlines that you refer to are credited to people who purport to be in this party. When you see their language in the print and electronic media, you wonder if this is a Hiroshima war.
“They are now the ones, having benefited from my labour and accomplishment, using the most uncouth and violent language to describe my person. The official attitude seems to be, ‘reconcile everybody.’ That is fine.”
source; PUNCH.

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