Amaechi warns Governors against ban on okada

                                       

Nigeria's Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has warned that a nationwide ban on motorcycles and tricycles will have an adverse effect on the country’s economy.

Amaechi stated this while speaking at the celebration of the national day of Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The former Rivers Governor, however, advised riders to get trained, so they could reduce their recklessness.

SOURCE:Dailypost.ng

Raila endorses Munya re-election

                                 

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has backed the re-election of Meru Governor Peter Munya in the August 8 poll.

During his visit in Meru, Raila asked residents to support Munya because he "truly believes in devolution".

He expressed sympathy for the Governor and accused Jubilee of frustrating his efforts to push for devolution.

"Munya is a friend ... we have a lot in common as far as devolution is concerned and he has been frustrated in his efforts. In this regard, we will work closely with Munya if we get to head the national government," the Cord chief said on Monday.

"We will release sufficient funds - at least 45 per cent of the total revenue - to county governments to cater to their functions."

The ODM leader said he was astonished to hear Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi express regret over the Jubilee merger.

"They were laughing at other coalitions like Cord for being unable to merge constituent parties...and they said they had fulfilled their mission. I was surprised to see the same Kiraitu regretting having dissolved his APK to join Jubilee, saying it was a mistake," he said.

Nigerian Senate renames Benin Airport in honour of late Oba Erediauwa

                                     

This was sequel to a motion moved on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, by the Senator representing Edo South, Mathew Urhoghide and seconded by Senator Jeremiah Oseni (Plateau South).

Senator Urhoghide took his time to read the biography and achievements of the late Oba, stressing that, he was also instrumental to the creation of Edo State from the then Bendel State, “the role which necessarily made him the father of Edo State.”

Urhoghide believed that, “late Oba Erediauwa’s memory is worth immortalizing when his achievements, numerous selfless services and contributions to Nigeria’s development of this outstanding Monarch which are worthy of emulation and commendation are taken into consideration”.

He also stressed that, the airport was one and half kilometres away from the palace of the Oba of Benin and that the kingdom of the late Monarch was a host to the airport.

The Senate, therefore, resolved to immortalize the late Monarch, by renaming the federal airport to ‘Oba Erediauwa Airport,’ Benin city.

Source:dailypost.ng

BREAKING:Bird flu hits Plateau,kills 42,000 poultry

                                          

A bird flu outbreak in Nigeria's central state of Plateau since last month has killed 42,000 poultry so far, leading to the catastrophic loss of revenues by poultry farmers and posing huge risks to consumers of poultry products in Africa's most populous country.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria which gave the figure on Monday said in the past week more birds were depopulated in local farms due to the outbreak.

"This development has brought huge losses to local farmers," said John Dasar, Plateau State head of the local poultry association.

In total, 12 farms have been so far affected by bird flu outbreak in the state.

The bird flu, also known as avian flu, is influenza that spreads among birds and can affect humans.

Dasar attributed the fast spread of bird flu in the central Nigerian state to the hesitation by farmers to report cases in their farms to the authorities.

At least 130 poultry farmers were affected by the disease in 2015 and 2016 but none of them had been compensated by the authorities, he said.

Nigeria earmarks N750b to tackle food scarcity

                                

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal Government has approved N750 billion to tackle food scarcity in the country.

Osinbajo stated this, on Monday, during the inauguration of Senior Executive Course SEC 39 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos.

According to him, “The country has over 84 million hectares of arable land, but only 40 percent is cultivated with a population of about 180 million people, it internal market is big enough to support an optimum agricultural production and at the same time provide more work to the citizens.”

The Acting President, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, urged Nigerians to take advantage of agricultural opportunity open by the federal government to be self reliance.

Prof Osinbajo said this year’s theme, “Science, technology and innovation for the development of agriculture and agro allied industries in Nigeria,” has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari because of his belief that agricultural sector provides enormous potentials for quick industrialisation in Nigeria.

He continued, “Nigeria remains as agrarian economy, with over 70 percent of the informal sector jobs created from this sector, has other multiplier effects that could drive rapid economic recovery and growth in Nigeria in the shortest possible time.”

He said the APC administration is battle ready to tackle food security in the country, adding that N750 Billion naira agricultural intervention fund has been approved to boost the agricultural sector.

According to him, when science, technology and innovation became the key drivers of agricultural sector, food security will not only guarantee sufficiency for our teeming population, but also industrial development which would enhance employment opportunities for youths and it will take substantial number of youths out of poverty.

Source:Sunnewsonline.com

Kenya heightens action on hate speech ahead of August polls

                        

Kenyan authorities said on Monday that they will enhance monitoring and prosecution of individuals spreading inflammatory messages to prevent inter-communal hostilities ahead of August 8 general elections.

Hassan Mohamed, CEO of National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) said that state agencies will intensify vigilance during the campaign season to prevent spread of divisive messages that may jeopardize peace and stability as Kenya gears up for national polls in August.

"We have recruited additional personnel that have already been deployed to all counties to monitor campaign language by aspirants for various seats. Any contestant who incites communities will be liable for prosecution," said Mohamed.

He spoke in Nairobi during a meeting with leading broadcasters to discuss guidelines that should be adopted to prevent conflict sensitive reporting ahead of August polls.

The East African nation is already on a campaign mode as leaders from major political parties traverse the country to woo voters ahead of August polls that are expected to be hotly contested.

BREAKING:Philippines militants behead German hostage Jurgen Kantner

                          

Militants in the southern Philippines have beheaded a German man after a deadline to pay his ransom passed, the Philippine government has said.

A brief video circulated on Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, appears to show Jurgen Kantner being killed.

Shortly after the video appeared, the Philippine government envoy Jesus Dureza confirmed the German’s death.

“We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim,” Dureza said in a statement. “Up to the last moment, many sectors including the armed forces of the Philippines exhausted all efforts to save his life. We all tried our best. But to no avail.”

Military officials in the south said they had not yet found Kantner’s body.

Militant group Abu Sayyaf had demanded a ransom of 30m pesos (£480,000) be paid by Sunday to spare the 70-year-old.

The group had previously released videos that showed a haggard Kantner appealing for payment of the ransom.

Kantner was abducted from his yacht, the Rockall, off the southern Philippines last year.