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Presidents Buhari and Xi Jinping Exchange Letters On 50 Years Of Diplomatic Relations
Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Xi Jinping of Nigeria and China respectively exchanged goodwill messages on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Nigeria-China relations on Tuesday February 10.
In the letter titled ‘Letter of Felicitations’ shared by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Monday, Buhari expressed satisfaction with the progress of support from China in the building of rail, road, power, defences, and many other areas.
Replying, President Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Nigeria relations, and is ready to join efforts to take the opportunity of the anniversary to promote the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation in all fields under the Belt and Road Initiative and within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation so as to bring benefits to wo countries two peoples.
“In recent years, the China-Nigeria strategic Partnership has enjoyed a good momentum of development, which effectively improved the well-being of two peoples. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, China and African countries including Nigeria have joined their hands in the fight against the pandemic, and showcased the brotherhood of China and Africa in weal and woe,” he wrote.
Earlier, President Buhari praised the cooperation between both countries in the fight against the COVID-29 outbreak.
“In recent years, Nigeria and China have also witnessed steady development of their strategic partnership. In the face of significant challenges faced by international community, the two sides are upholding a common position of preserving multilateralism, not interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and safeguarding common interest of developing countries,” he wrote.
“This year is vital for China-Nigeria relations. The FOCAC has become a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and China, as well as between Africa and China. Nigeria is ready to work with China to make the new session of FOCAC this year a success.”
Caption: Dignitaries at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations in Abuja on Tuesday February 9
February 10, 2021
Enugu workers pay Thank-you visit to Gov Ugwuanyi over construction of secretariats for NLC, TUC
Workers of Enugu State, under the aegis of the Organized Labour, on Tuesday, paid a Thank-you visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his administration’s consistency in addressing their issues in spite of various challenges confronting the nation.
The Organized Labour, comprising the state leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), described Ugwuanyi as a God-fearing, peaceful and Labour-friendly leader, who has lived up to expectations in fulfilling his promises to workers of the state since his assumption of office in 2015.
They maintained that Gov. Ugwuanyi has made a lot of promises to the workers and fulfilled them expeditiously despite “the state’s dwindling resources occasioned by the nation’s economic recession, which your administration has experienced twice in five years, the novel COVID-19 pandemic, #EndSARS protests, among others”.
Speaking, the State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo said that the governor’s steadfastness and commitment to the welfare of the workers of Enugu State have brought pride to the state, nationally, to the extent that “any time we go for our national meetings, when other labour leaders will be crying that this one has not been done, we will be giving them information about new things that are happening in Enugu; and they have always applauded you (Ugwuanyi), even without you being in our national meeting”.
On the ongoing construction of befitting secretariat complexes, simultaneously, for the NLC and TUC in the state, Comrade Nwobodo, who disclosed that the major aim of their visit was to thank the governor specially for the landmark feats, noted that the former secretariat given to NLC around 1998 by then military administration “was an eyesore, but today you (Ugwuanyi) have come to wipe our tears”.
The labour leader added that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration is not only constructing an ultramodern secretariat for the NLC, the state government also deemed it important to construct the same for the TUC.
He revealed that Enugu State chapter of the TUC “never had a secretariat but were using the Association of Senior Civil Servant office, since it was created around 2006”.
Comrade Nwobodo who pointed out that Gov. Ugwuanyi has changed the narrative of NLC and TUC in Enugu State, added that their greatest joy was that the governor is building the two secretariats simultaneously, “and that is why we are here to say thank you Sir for wiping our tears and changing the narrative”.
According to him, “our words cannot be enough to register our heartfelt gratitude but we will continue to pray for you and support your peaceful and people-centered administration”.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Benneth Asogwa, while endorsing the presentation made by the NLC Chairman, said that they are amazed that the governor commenced the landmark projects, as he earlier promised, when they least expected them because of the nation’s challenges.
Comrade Asogwa assured the governor that “even though you belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a political party, we are strongest party you have because the workers of Enugu State will always be with you even when you leave office as a governor”.
He stated that the endorsement was “because of the way you (Ugwuanyi) have loved and cared for the workers of Enugu State since the time you assumed office”.
His words: “Your Excellency has always listened to us; in fact the minimum wage issue has always been a nightmare to us until you assumed office.
“We were afraid that the jaw-jaw relationship between the state government and labour in Enugu might get soiled over the recent new minimum wage but you never allowed it to happen that way. In short, you were the one initiating the processes and making sure that it took off without any stress.
“We don’t want to continue recounting all you have done to ensure that the workers are taken care of, but we cannot forget in a hurry that we are one of the states in Nigeria that have never cried at any point in time over non-payment of salaries. Even when recession was biting deep you continued paying us, you never owe anybody.
“It is an exemplary leadership that has not been equaled by anybody else, even when we know that we are not among the list of states that receive large allocations from the Federal Government. We thank you for that Your Excellency”.
Comrade Asogwa also appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for the quality secretariats his administration is building for the labour unions, expressing optimism that “by the time we finish our secretariat it will not just be the best but also outstanding”.
He equally commended the governor for keeping faith with his administration’s start-to-finish policy, maintaining that “every project you started is either completed or ongoing”.
Thanking God for bringing the governor on board “at this critical period in the nation’s history”, the TUC Chairman said: “If He (God) didn’t bring you at this critical period the workers of Enugu State would have suffered, the people of Enugu State would have seen the effects of these recession and COVID-19 pandemic to the maximum”.
On the state government’s rural development agenda, the labour leader said: “It is not only that you take care of workers, you are still embarking on development projects. Normally, other governments will come and concentrate projects in the city where people can easily see them, but we know that in the hinterlands of Enugu State we feel the impact of your government.
Even as labour leaders, we do not just watch to see what your government does for workers, we also look at the impact you are making in the lives of other people. And we are satisfied with your untiring efforts”.
Also in the delegation were the State Chairman of JNC, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, the State President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Kenneth Ugwueze, the State Secretary of NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwaigbo, his TUC counterpart, Comrade Daniel Nwodo and the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Chief Nweke Odo, who attended the event in his capacity as the State Treasurer of NLC, among others.
February 10, 2021
Ghana shuts parliament as 17 lawmakers test positive for COVID-19
Ghana has shut down its parliament for at least three weeks over a surge in cases of coronavirus among lawmakers and parliamentary staff.
The speaker of the house, Alban Bagbin, declared that the legislature will be in recess until March 2
This is to disinfect and sanitize the premises.
About 17 members of parliament and 151 supporting staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
“I have, in consultation with leadership, decided that sitting of the House be adjourned for three weeks,” the Speaker said.
So far, Ghana has confirmed a total of 73,003 COVID-19 cases, resulting in 482 deaths and over 65,000 recoveries.
February 10, 2021
Nigeria’s rep arrives in Cameroon to repatriate 9,800 Nigerian refugees
Nigeria’s representatives have arrived in Marwa, in Cameroon for the repatriation of 9,800 Nigerian refugees.
The 9,800 are those in the first phase of the repatriation from Cameroon out of 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge in Minawao camp in Central Africa country.
A statement on Wednesday by Spokesman for the Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, Mallam Isa Gusau, said his boss had arrived Marwa in Cameroon alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development towards the voluntary repatriation of 9,800 Nigerians of Borno origin, who are among the 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge
He said the 9,800 constitute the first batch of citizens who have shown willingness to be evacuated to resettlement houses built by the Borno State Government in Bama and Banki towns.
He disclosed that Zulum arrived in Cameroon on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday led the Nigerian delegation to a meeting on the tripartite (repatriation) agreement signed between Nigeria, Cameroon and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, which is to hold in Marwa in far north Cameroon, with Governor of Cameroon’s far north, Mijinyawa Bakare as the host.
He said before travelling to Cameroon, Zulum had had a series of meetings with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the federal commission, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Senator Basheer, and with relevant ambassadors with all meetings aimed at following all established procedures towards lawful repatriation.
Gusau said, “Zulum is in Cameroon alongside the Perm Sec Fed Min of Humanitarian Affairs, Malam Bashir Nura Alkali and the ministry’s humanitarian director, Ali Grema, some officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the governor’s adviser on External and Liaison Services, Ambassador Adamu Abbas who is also a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) established for the implementation of the tripartite repatriation agreement; a member of House of Representatives representing Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge federal constituency of Borno State, Zainab Gimba, chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, special adviser on projects monitoring and evaluation, Engr Abba Wakilbe and the governor’s principal secretary, Bar Mustapha Busuguma.
Today’s (Wednesday) meeting is in line with provisions of the tripartite agreement which has spelt out international best practices on humanitarian issues involving movements of persons between two or more countries as well as roles and limitations of all parties, and the protection of the rights of refugees who can only be repatriated at their own will.”
The majority of refugees at the Minawao camp are mostly from Borno State and have regularly appealed to Governor Babagana Zulum to spearhead their repatriation.
In September 2019, Zulum during his trip to the camp had promised the refugees that he would in response to their appeal work with stakeholders towards their successful repatriation and dignified resettlement.
February 10, 2021
BioNTech Starts Vaccine Production At New German Site
German Covid-19 vaccine maker BioNTech said Wednesday it has started production at its new facility in Marburg, expected to significantly boost the EU’s vaccine supply.
“We have started the first step of vaccine production in our production facility in Marburg,” the company said in a statement.
The factory, whose launch was fast-tracked by German authorities, will produce mRNA, the active ingredient in BioNTech’s vaccine developed with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
It will then be purified and concentrated before being transported to a “production partner” to be finished.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will carry out quality checks in February or March.
“The first vaccines produced at the Marburg site are expected to be delivered at the beginning of April,” BioNTech said.
The main European factory for producing the vaccine is Pfizer’s plant in Puurs, Belgium.
Once fully operational, the new Marburg site in Hesse state will be one of the largest mRNA production facilities in Europe, with an annual production capacity of up to 750 million vaccine doses.
BioNTech plans to produce up to 250 million doses there in the first half of 2021.
“We continue to work with Pfizer on a series of measures to meet global demand,” said the company, confirming its goal of delivering two billion doses in 2021.
BioNTech bought the Marburg plant from Swiss pharma giant Novartis last year to ramp up vaccine production, and retained the 300 employees already working there.
BioNTech had announced in mid-January that it would have to delay shipments of the jabs to the EU due to necessary modifications at the Puurs factory, sparking ire across the bloc.
But the company said in early February it would meet its contractual commitments for the first quarter and pledged to send up to 75 million extra doses to the bloc in the spring.
The EU has ordered a total of 600 million doses of BioNTech and Pfizer’s so-called Comirnaty vaccine.
February 10, 2021
Buhari Directs Conclusion Of Financing For West-East Coastal Rail Line
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja directed the Ministries of Transportation and Finance to conclude financial arrangements with appropriate co-financiers that will partner with the Federal Government f0r construction of the West-East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar, linking some major cities in South East and South-South.
Speaking at the virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Rail Line, the President said the West-East Coastal rail line will connect Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenegoa, Port Harcourt, Aba, and Uyo.
“Furthermore, the contract for the important Central Railway traversing Itakpe – Baro – Abuja with connection to Lokoja and a new seaport in Warri has been signed and is expected to achieve an appreciable level of completion during the tenure of this administration,’’ the President said.
President Buhari noted that the cities of Jibiya and Maradi constitute a significant trading core between Nigeria and the Niger Republic – a tradition dating back many centuries.
“This vital infrastructure line will establish an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport services between Northern and Southern regions of the country, reaching Nigerian southern ports of Lagos and Warri.
“The entire route encompasses territory inhabited by close to 80 million people across 10 states of the country. This project has a branch line to Dutse the capital of Jigawa State to open up this corridor which is endowed with vast resources.’’
He said the Kano–Maradi rail line has been identified as a viable line that will significantly enhance the movement of passengers and freight to the hinterland, especially raw materials from both agricultural and mineral resources for our industries.
“The rail line traverses the major commercial and administrative centre of Kano and passing through other economic hubs of the country including Kazaure, Daura, Katsina and up to the border town of Jibiya and the Niger Republic city of Maradi., “ the President stated.
He said the Kano-Maradi project, when completed, would serve import and export of goods for the Niger Republic and other countries in the sub-region through Nigerian ports.
“The country would earn revenue through expansion of trade and commerce, while the people of Niger Republic will benefit from the ease of transportation logistics at an affordable cost in their import and export business.
“The connection to the Niger Republic through rail will also foster Trans-Sahara trade and contribute to the expected gains in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.’’
President Buhari commended the construction company handling the project, Messrs Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited, for supporting knowledge and technology transfer by investing in the establishment of a learning Institution for Transportation and Railway Science.
“We have in the rail sector embarked on the completion of the 1,424 Kilometer Lagos – Kano rail line to join the one being flagged-off today for the country’s Western axis.
“On the Eastern corridor of the country, the Port Harcourt – Enugu – Makurdi – Maiduguri rail line with branches to Owerri, Imo State and Damaturu, Yobe State, have been awarded for reconstruction to include a deep seaport in Bonny Island and a Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt with the objectives of achieving a vibrant and functional railway.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, appreciated the President for bringing the life-long dream of the state to reality with inclusion on the Kano-Maradi rail line.
Governor Masari, accompanied by the Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar, urged the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to work towards the completion and commissioning of the project by 2023.
The Minister of Transportation said the feasibility study for the Kano-Maradi railway started in 2012 and was concluded by 2015, thanking the President for support and regular intervention.
February 10, 2021
NDLEA Intercepts ₦32 Billion Cocaine At Lagos Port, arrest clearing agent
Cocaine worth N32bn has been recovered in a consignment at the Tincan Port in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
It was gathered that the consignment, which arrived Nigeria from Brazil on board a vessel marked MV SPAR SCORPIO was placed on surveillance for some days before two clearing agents showed up on Monday to clear it.
The Commander, Tincan Port Command of the NDLEA, Sumaila Ethan, said the clearing agents were arrested, while the consignment was searched and the substance weighing 43.11kg was found in it.
He said, “After a thorough search, we discovered 40 compressed parcels, which after laboratory investigations, tested positive for cocaine. The two clearing agents have been taken into custody, while we continue with the investigation. The seizure is no doubt an attestation to the renewed vigour in the operations of the agency.
“The Tincan Port seizure followed the various seizures made at the Lagos and Abuja airports as well as in Edo, Katsina, Nasarawa and Benue states in the last three weeks.”
Commending the operatives of the Tincan Port Command, the Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa charged them and other officers and men from different commands across the country to remain vigilant.
He said, “The successes we recorded in the last three weeks can only serve as a challenge to raise the bar and do more. We’ll continue to do our best to motivate the officers and men of the agency, and we expect full commitment, dedication to work and discipline in return so that we can collectively achieve the goal of ridding our nation of illicit drugs.”
February 10, 2021
Court Orders CBN To Unfreeze all Accounts Of #EndSARS Protesters
Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unfreeze the accounts of 20 individuals linked to the #EndSARS protests.
The CBN had in October 2020 asked banks to freeze accounts of 20 #EndSARs protesters.
Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Pamilerin Emmanuel.
Others are Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon and Idunu A. Williams.
The #EndSARS protests, which held for 13 days in various parts of the country, called for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police and urged the government to carry out general police reforms.
Donations were received in various currencies, including naira and dollars using Flutterwave to provide food, medical care and legal aid to protesters.
However, the donation link was disabled. The donation was subsequently moved to Bitcoin
February 10, 2021
#EndSARS: Court Orders CBN To Unfreeze Promoters’ Accounts
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unfreeze the bank accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the ruling following the agreement reached by parties in the suit to amicably resolve the matter.
The Judge while commending counsel to the CBN, Mr Michael Andoaka, and lawyer to the defendants, Mr. Femi Falana, ruled that “all processes filed in respect of the case are hereby deemed to have been withdrawn.”
Justice Mohammed then, set aside the November 4, 2020 order and ordered that all the accounts of the affected persons “be immediately defreezed.”
The CBN, in an exparte motion, had prayed the court to freeze the bank accounts of Bolatito Rachael Oduala and 19 others who participated in last year’s protest to end police brutality in the country.
The apex bank said it took the action to investigate the promoters of the protest on allegations bordering on terrorism financing, among others.
February 10, 2021
Each Weapon retrieved from Bandits Can Kill 2,000 People- Zamfara Govt
The Zamfara State Government says its sustained dialogue with bandits was producing results.
Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran, said more gunmen had submitted their weapons.
He spoke on Tuesday at a joint press briefing with the Police at the State Command Headquarters in Gusau. Anambra 360 Reports
Daura commented on the arms a bandit leader, Daudawa and his followers gave up on Monday.
“These 20 AK47 riffles were surrendered at once by just one gang of repentant armed bandits and l can tell you, each of these weapons is capable of killing 2,000 persons”, he said.
Commissioner of Police, Yaro Abutu, assured that the command would continue to support government’s peace initiative.
He said the command had rescued many kidnapped victims and recovered several arms and ammunition from repentant bandits in recent months.
February 10, 2021