19082019 - Nigeria to spend N2.53bn on 43 ministers

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16—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 VISIT: From left— Marketing Manager, Hero Lager Beer, Obum Okoli, Commissioner for Youth, Anambra State, Mr. Afam Mbanefo and Senior Manager, Marketing, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Mr. Donatus Okpako, during the People’s Hero courtesy visit <strong>to</strong> the Anambra State Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy in Awka. No ban, restrictions on importation of food items —Presidency •Says importers can source for forex from non-govt financial institutions By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—THE Presi dency yesterday said that the Federal Government has neither banned nor restricted importation of food items in<strong>to</strong> the country. It also explained that the recent directive by President Muhammadu Buhari <strong>to</strong> the Central Bank of <strong>Nigeria</strong>, CBN, <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p providing foreign exchange for importation of food items did not mean a restriction on importation of food items. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant <strong>to</strong> the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja further stated that any importers of food items that wished <strong>to</strong> source their forex from nongovernment financial institutions (and pay Cus<strong>to</strong>ms duty on those imports – increasing taxtake) were free <strong>to</strong> do so. The Presidential spokesman was replying <strong>to</strong> a report in Financial Times, which was a letter <strong>to</strong> the Edi<strong>to</strong>r with the titled, “Muhammadu Buhari sparks dismay over policy shift on food imports”, published on August 15, 2019. Shehu wrote: “Your article, ‘Muhammadu Buhari sparks dismay over policy shift on food imports’ (August 15) suggests the <strong>Nigeria</strong>n government is restricting the import of agricultural products in<strong>to</strong> the country. “This is simply incorrect. To be absolutely clear, there is no ban or restriction -on the importation of food items whatsoever. “President Buhari has consistently worked <strong>to</strong>wards strengthening <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s own industrial and agricultural base. A recent decision sees the Central Bank maintain its reserves <strong>to</strong> put <strong>to</strong> use helping growth of domestic industry in 41 product sec<strong>to</strong>rs rather than provide forex for the import of those products from overseas. “Should importers of these items wish <strong>to</strong> source their forex from non-government financial institutions (and pay Cus<strong>to</strong>ms duty organizers, the event will bring <strong>to</strong>gether various stakeholders, intending off-takers and other interest groups in the Real Estate Industry <strong>to</strong> brains<strong>to</strong>rm and proffer solutions <strong>to</strong> various problems militating against the progressive and sustainable development of the industry. “It is also designed <strong>to</strong> highlight the available incentives of the Real Estate Developers Association of <strong>Nigeria</strong> which could be tapped <strong>to</strong> benefit all classes of the society.” They noted that South East region was strategically chosen <strong>to</strong> host the summit, <strong>to</strong> showcase the potentials of the on those imports – increasing tax-take, something the Financial Times has berated <strong>Nigeria</strong> for not achieving on many occasions) they are freely able <strong>to</strong> do so. Diversification of forex provision “Diversification of forex provision <strong>to</strong>wards the private sec<strong>to</strong>r and away from <strong>to</strong>p-heavy government control, a diversification of <strong>Nigeria</strong>’s industrial base, and an increase in tax receipts – are all policies one might expect the Financial Times <strong>to</strong> support. “Yet for reasons not quite clear, the author and this newspaper seem <strong>to</strong> believe the President’s administration seeks <strong>to</strong> control everything – and yet do so via policies that relinquish government control. We look forward <strong>to</strong> the next instalment of Mr. (Neil) Munshi’s bizarre and puzzling article series.” The Financial Times report was titled, “Muhammadu Buhari sparks dismay over policy Enugu gears up S-East Housing Summit By Elizabeth Uwandu ENUGU—REAL Estate Developers Association of <strong>Nigeria</strong>, REDAN, South- East zone has concluded arrangements <strong>to</strong> host a major Housing Summit and Exhibitions next month. The Summit tagged Akulueuno 2019 - South East Housing Summit and Exhibitions will hold on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Kobb Civic Center (Shoprite), Polo Park Mall, Enugu. The Summit packaged in collaboration with Goldspectra Communications Network promises <strong>to</strong> be very educative, enlightening and promotional in all ramifications. According <strong>to</strong> the housing industry in the zone and explore the abundant investment opportunities available in the industry as well as <strong>to</strong> properly guide genuine off-takers on affordable housing schemes choices available <strong>to</strong> them. The keynote speakers for the event are, Managing Direc<strong>to</strong>r, Federal Mortgage Bank of <strong>Nigeria</strong> - Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Managing Direc<strong>to</strong>r Family Homes Fund -Mr Femi Adewale , Group Managing Direc<strong>to</strong>r, Copen Group and National President of REDAN - Surveyor Ugochukwu Chime , the BOT Chairman of REDAN and former Managing Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Shelter Afrique, Nairobi - Prince Seyi Lufadeju. shift on food imports. Critics say <strong>Nigeria</strong>n President’s move threatens <strong>to</strong> send prices skyrocketing.” It read: “<strong>Nigeria</strong>n President Muhammadu Buhari is coming under fire after calling for the Central Bank <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p providing the foreign currency needed <strong>to</strong> pay the country’s vast food import bill. “Mr Buhari this week “directed” the Central Bank <strong>to</strong> cease providing dollars and other currencies <strong>to</strong> importers as part of his efforts <strong>to</strong> spur domestic agricultural production and attain “full food security” for Africa’s most populous nation. “But he drew criticism from economists and analysts who said the move threatened <strong>to</strong> send food prices skyrocketing and brought the central bank’s independence in<strong>to</strong> question. “ Since 2015 the central bank has enforced a controversial policy that denies foreign currency for dozens of imported products from cement <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong>othpicks <strong>to</strong> rice, but Mr Buhari’s call would represent a vast expansion of the prohibition. “Don’t give a cent <strong>to</strong> anybody <strong>to</strong> import food in<strong>to</strong> the country,” the President said, according <strong>to</strong> a statement from his spokesman, who added that “the foreign reserve will be conserved and utilised strictly for diversification of the economy, and not for UK faces food, fuel and drug shortages, says leaked document Britain will face shortages of fuel, food and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal, according <strong>to</strong> leaked official documents reported by the Sunday Times, but whose interpretation was contested by ministers. Setting out a vision of jammed ports, public protests and widespread disruption, the Times said the forecasts compiled by the Cabinet Office set out the most likely aftershocks of a no-deal Brexit rather than the worst case scenarios. But Michael Gove, the minister in charge of coordinating no-deal preparations, challenged that, saying that the documents did set out a worst case scenario and that planning had been accelerated in the last three weeks. The Times said up <strong>to</strong> 85 percent of lorries using the main channel crossings “may not be ready” for French cus<strong>to</strong>ms, meaning disruption at ports would potentially last up <strong>to</strong> three months before the flow of traffic improves. US whiskey exporters struggle after year of EU tariffs When Europe’s tariffs on United States (US) whis key hit in June 2018, craft Distillery Mountain Laurel Spirits LLC lost 10 percent of its sales overnight as its European distribu<strong>to</strong>r simply s<strong>to</strong>pped buying its award-winning Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey. Foreign governments subject <strong>to</strong> U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have targeted American distilleries and their bourbon and rye whiskeys for retaliation. The industry fears new tariffs under consideration by the U.S. government could result in even higher tariffs on their products in Europe. “We went from a marginally profitable business <strong>to</strong> breaking even,” Mountain Laurel’s owner and chemical engineer-turned-distiller, Herman Mihalich, said while testing his latest batch of rye whiskey in the sleepy hamlet of Bris<strong>to</strong>l in southeast Pennsylvania. Airbnb records 30% growth rate in first-quarter on booking strength Airbnb Inc recorded $9.4 billion in <strong>to</strong>tal book ing value in the first quarter, up 31 percent from the year-ago quarter, a source familiar with the matter said penultimate week, a key number that could help pull in inves<strong>to</strong>rs as the home-sharing company plans its foray in<strong>to</strong> the public market. The San Francisco-based home rentals company booked 91 million nights on its platform in the quarter, leading <strong>to</strong> the surge in <strong>to</strong>tal booking value, which measures the transaction dollars on its platform, the source said. Airbnb had about $3.5 billion in cash on its balance sheet as of March 31, the source said. The company reported a 40 percent revenue growth rate in 2018 compared with the previous year, according <strong>to</strong> the source. Airbnb is readying for a listing in the first half of 2020, according <strong>to</strong> the Wall Street Journal, which first reported Airbnb’s first-quarter financials earlier in the day. PES up against the clock <strong>to</strong> sell Philadelphia refinery in cash crunch Finding a buyer for Philadelphia Energy So lutions’ oil refinery has grown urgent as the bankrupt company’s funds dwindle and no signs emerge that it is winning a fight for insurance payouts after a June blaze at the plant, according <strong>to</strong> court documents and bankruptcy experts. Without access <strong>to</strong> the more than $1 billion in insurance coverage, selling the refinery has become one of the company’s only options <strong>to</strong> raise cash before being forced <strong>to</strong> liquidate. At least three parties have potential proposals <strong>to</strong> buy the shut Philadelphia refinery, each with plans <strong>to</strong> reopen the 1,300-acre (5.3-square km) site with a mix of oil refining and alternative energy production, sources familiar with the plans said. Initial meetings are scheduled between the prospective buyers and a collection of vetters over the next several weeks, but it is unclear how long it would take for any official bid <strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong>gether, the sources said. PES was not available for comment on whether it had reviewed any of the proposals or how viable it considered them <strong>to</strong> be. encouraging more dependence on foreign food import bills. “The Central Bank has not said whether it will follow the directive and did not respond <strong>to</strong> a request for comment. ‘’Analysts said that instead of inspiring a renaissance of <strong>Nigeria</strong>n agriculture, the foreign currency import ban would create food shortages, drive further smuggling, and send prices higher.” Some s<strong>to</strong>ries credited <strong>to</strong> Reuters
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019—17 MEDIATION: Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State (right); Commandant, 211 Regiment, Group Captain Phillip Bindul (middle); the state At<strong>to</strong>rney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ndukwe Nnawuchi (left), and others during the mediation visit of the Governor <strong>to</strong> Umuowa over the land dispute with the Nigera Air Force, weekend. Attack on Ekweremadu: MASSOB apologises, advocates coalition of pro-Biafra groups By Dennis Agbo MOVEMENT for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has condemned and appologised for Saturday’s “physical attack and disrespectful actions of some Igbo against Sena<strong>to</strong>r Ike Ekweremadu in Germany.” MASSOB said it confirmed through the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra, We won’t zone gov ticket for Anambra 2021— PDP By Dennis Agbo THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it would not zone the governorship ticket for the 2021 election in Anambra State. The party declared that its priority is <strong>to</strong> identify a credible and sellable candidate that would secure vic<strong>to</strong>ry for it. This came on the heels of a recent request <strong>to</strong> Governor Willie Obiano by some traditional rulers from the southern sena<strong>to</strong>rial district of the state <strong>to</strong> ensure that their zone produced the next governor. All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, National Chairman, Chief Vic<strong>to</strong>r Oye, had earlier in the year said the party zoned governorship ticket <strong>to</strong> Anambra South. Meanwhile, PDPNational Vice Chairman, South-East, Chief Austin Umahi, who made the party’s position known, said zoning the governorship might be the internal affair of APGA, which had nothing <strong>to</strong> do with PDP. IPOB, Emma Powerful, that Ekweremadu’s attackers were members of IPOB in Germany. MASSOB is the premeir pro- Biafra group that, in 1999, resumed agitation for res<strong>to</strong>ration of Republic of Biafra. The defunct country was re-integrated in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Nigeria</strong> at the end of Civil War in 1970. MASSOB spokesman, Samuel Edeson, in a statement, yesterday, said it was disheartening that some groups According <strong>to</strong> him, there is no way another party’s zoning arrangement would apply <strong>to</strong> PDP. Addressing newsmen in Enugu, after PDP’s monthly zonal meeting, at the weekend, he wondered what ”the zoning people” were talking about. He stated that PDP has not been in power in the state for a very long time, so it would go the wholehog of identifying the best candidate <strong>to</strong> win the election. “Anambra election is very cardinal <strong>to</strong> us; we wouldn’t allow what happened before <strong>to</strong> happen again <strong>to</strong> us because we are determined and dogged <strong>to</strong> recapture Anambra as a party, because the state belongs <strong>to</strong> PDP, if not for sabotage and PHD (Pull Him Down) syndrome in Anambra State, which we have taken precaution <strong>to</strong> nip in the bud this time around. “On the issue of zoning, this is PDP not APGA. We are going for the best candidate, irrespective of where he comes from. If he likes, let him come have turned the non-violent struggle for the actualisation of Biafra in<strong>to</strong> an abusive and systematic gestapo against the citizens of Biafra. It described the attack on Ekweremadu by IPOB as codemnable, noting that Igbo culture abhors disrespect for elders and persons in authority. The group said if actually Sena<strong>to</strong>r Ekweremadu was sabotaging or had sabotaged Biafra struggle as alleged by from anywhere and let his brother act as the deputy. The most important thing is that PDP wants <strong>to</strong> reclaim Anambra State because the state is very cardinal <strong>to</strong> the South-East. “There’s no way South-East Governors Forum would meet as PDP and Anambra State would be lacking. So the onus lies on us <strong>to</strong> get Anambra back on the stream for PDP.” By Vincent Ujumadu A WKA—GOVERNORSHIP candidate of Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, in the 2017 election in Anambra State, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, has left the party with all the officials for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Apart from Ezeemo, the state Chairman of PPA, as well as other state and local government officials of the party also defected <strong>to</strong> PDP. At a reception for the former PPA IPOB, the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB did not take meaningful and acceptable steps <strong>to</strong> draw the attention of Ekweremadu <strong>to</strong> the alleged degradation. Edeson said: “MASSOB, as a leading figure of current Biafra agitation, advise other pro-Biafra groups, including IPOB that Igbo political leaders, are not the major obstacle of our chances of achieving independence from <strong>Nigeria</strong> state. “The major hurdles militating against the freedom of Biafra people from <strong>Nigeria</strong> is noncohesion and brotherhood among the leaders of pro-Biafra groups. “Ike Ekweremadu and other perceived and alleged enemies of Biafra are not our major obstacle against Biafra. IPOB can never actualise Biafra alone. “MASSOB, LNC, BNC, BIM and others operating individually can’t achieve Biafra alone. Biafra will be more achievable when a strong coalition of MASSOB, IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, BNC, BIM and others from Niger Delta regions are established under a collegiate leadership.” members in Awka by the Anambra State PDP leadership, Ezeemo also announced his intention <strong>to</strong> contest the 2021 governorship election on the platform of PDP, thus becoming the first aspirant <strong>to</strong> make his ambition known <strong>to</strong> the leadership of the party. He said: “From the situation on ground PDP has all it takes <strong>to</strong> govern the state after a long wait. With my departure from PPA, there is nothing left in that party, as all those who made the party Catholic bishops decry insecurity in <strong>Nigeria</strong> By Chidi Nkwopara CATHOLIC Bishops of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province have decried the growing degree of insecurity in the country and urged Christians <strong>to</strong> watch and pray. The position of the bishops was made public in a ninepoint pas<strong>to</strong>ral statement they issued after their Second Plenary meeting of 2019 held at Sacred Heart Pas<strong>to</strong>ral Retreat Centre, Orlu. The statement by the Chairman and Secretary, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, Archbishop of Owerri, and Most Rev. Dr. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, respectively, was entitled Be strong, fear not. They said: “Our people are currently undergoing unbearable threats from some of our political leaders and even from our security agents. The situation has been compounded by the marauding so-called herdsmen and other bandits.” According <strong>to</strong> the Catholic Bishops, the situation has equally been compounded by government’s apparent silence over infringements at various levels and by shady land deals by certain community leaders. They added: “Every day, and across our states, we hear heartbreaking tales of kidnapping, raping, maiming, ex<strong>to</strong>rting, land-grabbing, killing and destroying of people’s sources of livelihood. We continue often <strong>to</strong> hope in vain for our elected public officers and security agents <strong>to</strong> protect our citizens as expected and as enshrined in our Constitution.” They also opined that the unemployment situation had continued <strong>to</strong> cause great concern <strong>to</strong> the society, as governments fail <strong>to</strong> provide jobs and fac<strong>to</strong>ries that they promised, noting “many youths now look more for quick money-making ventures, even at the cost of their lives, rather than pursue creative, innovative and gainful jobs.” Anambra PPA gov candidate, officials defect <strong>to</strong> PDP what it was in Anambra State also left with me. “Now that we have joined PDP, we want the leadership of the party <strong>to</strong> support whoever the people would select as their candidate for the forthcoming election. “I like transparency and I hope there will be transparency during PDP primaries. My decision <strong>to</strong> join PDP was borne out of the fact that I need a bigger platform <strong>to</strong> enable me actualise my ambition.”
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19082019 - Nigeria to spend N2.53bn on 43 ministers

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