An urgent appeal for US$222.6 million was made on Tuesday by the UN refugee agency and partners to assist more than 315,000 Burundian refugees this year. “Increased international support is crucial to ensure Burundian refugees receive meaningful protection and care in neighbouring countries,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) Regional Director for the East, Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region. A UN statement said for nearly seven years, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have hosted Burundi refugees. And although a political transition last year has brought…
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The Federal government, through its Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has intensified efforts and connected many rural communities in the Northeast and surrounding areas. Mr Ahmad Salihijo, Managing Director (MD), of the Agency, made the declaration during the inauguration of a 30 kWp Solar Hybrid Mini Grid at Mbela Lagaje village, Mayo Belwa local government area, of Adamawa on Wednesday. Salihijo said that the Agency was currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), and Energising Education Programme (EEP), among others, which was aimed at boosting rapid economic development in the country. According to the MD, the Federal…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is providing a US$965,000 grant to Morocco’s Super Energy Service Company to support the firm’s growth plans. The Bank said the deal was sealed on Tuesday. The grant will provide Société d’Ingénierie Energétique (SIE) with operational tools to develop a pipeline of bankable energy efficient investment projects, said Brice Mikpomhpoue, Officer in Charge at the North Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office of the AfDB. AfDB, Africa’s multilateral lender, said the grant was channelled through its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). SEFA is an AfDB-managed special fund, providing finance for renewable energy. SIE…
The Senate on Wednesday at plenary confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee Mr Aghughu Adolphus, for appointment as Auditor-General for the Federation. The confirmation was sequel to the presentation and consideration of a report of the Committee on Public Accounts by the Chairman, Sen. Urhoghide Mathew (PDP-Edo). Urhoghide in his presentation, said that the committee after screening, found the nominee qualified to be appointed, given his experiences, pedigree and performance over the years at the Audit House. He said the nominee when he appeared before the committee, was clearly told that the Senate and the nation expect him to justify the…
The new service chiefs on Wednesday in Abuja promised to improve the security architecture of the country. Speaking separately at their screening by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Defence, they promised to bring their wealth of experience in war theatres in the past to bear on their new assignments. The nominees are Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Others are Rear Adm. Awwal Gambo, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and AVM Isiaka Amao, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS). Speaking at the screening, the CDS said…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday sought the consideration and approval of the Senate for the 2021 Police Trust Fund budget. Buhari’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and read at plenary session. President Buhari said in the letter that his request was in Pursuant to Section 4 (5) and Section 21 of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019. “I hereby forward the 2021 budget proposal of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for the kind consideration and passage by the Senate. “The estimate of revenue and expenditure in the 2021…
Niger governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello has directed the immediate closure of boarding schools in four local government areas in the state. The Governor stated this in a state broadcast at the Government House following the abduction of 27 students of Government Science College Kagara and some staff and members of their families. The schools affected by the closure order are located in Rafi, Mariga, Munya and Shiroro local government areas. Sani-Bello said all options will be implored to ensure the release of all that have been abducted. He however maintained that against its policy, the state government will not pay ransome,…
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the abduction of some staff and students of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state and directed the Armed Forces and Police to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives A statement by the President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, said the president had also dispatched to Minna, Niger, a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation. According to Shehu, the team is also expected to meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College. The presidential aide quoted the president as assuring…
Total U.S. oil output has contracted by a record one-third, or 3.5 million barrels per day and more, as anomalous low temperatures caused disruptions to well operations in Texas, the country’s largest oil-producing region, according to a watchdog. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that prior to the winter freeze, the U.S. daily output stood at some 11 million barrels.Along with causing massive power outages, one of the coldest U.S. winters in decades has forced a number of largest oil companies, including Motiva and Exxon Mobil, to temporarily shut down their refineries, according to the report. France’s Total has cut crude processing…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 16 deaths and 1,368 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 148,296. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday. The new infections registered today doubled the 574 cases reported as at Feb. 15. It stated that the 1,368 new infections were reported from 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The NCDC stated that Anambra State registered the highest infections for the first time since the pandemic broke out in February 2020, in the country. It noted that of the 1,368 new…