BIG STORY

Reduce Number Of Nigerians You Give Visa, Buhari’s Minister Begs EU

Published

6 years ago

May 15, 2019

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has appealed for support from the European Union Mission in reducing the spate of youths’ migration to the union’s member countries.

Ogbeh gave the appeal in an interview with newsmen at the end of the monthly meeting of Heads of Missions of European Union member countries in Abuja on Tuesday, NAN reports.

The minister, who said that youths’ migration was not sustainable, disclosed that a joint committee would be set up to advance the programme.

According to him, rather than youths going out, the FG wants them to come back and invest in agriculture.

“We met today to explore areas of support for agriculture, agro-industrial growth and put forward the European Union proposal for partnership and enhanced support.

“We also looked at the possibility of their private sector investors coming into Nigeria to play a part.

“We also raised the issue of migration of our youths across to Europe and the fact that it is not sustainable.

“It is something that Nigeria will like to see come to an end by creating economic activities here to make sure that young people stay back at home.

“The response of the European Union was very encouraging.

“We want to set up a joint committee that can advance this programme because rather than youths going out, we want them to come back and invest in agriculture.

“We are also lucky that Nigerian youths are interested in agriculture, different from youths in other countries. Even those who studied other courses are interested in agriculture.

“We did raise the issue of kidnapping of investors here, we do not want any Nigerian or foreigner investing here to be kidnapped and taken away,’’ Ogbeh said.

On the exportation of agriculture produce to the EU, he said the government would also partner with the quality control departments of the union to avoid exportation of contaminated and harmful agriculture produce.

Ogbeh said that issues dealing with value addition, livestock production, training, seeds improvement, training, Economic Partnership for Africa (EPA) were also discussed during the meeting.

“The EU are asking us to lay areas where we want them to participate like value addition, livestock production, training, seed improvement, training, Economic Partnership for Africa which has not been resolved,” he said.

Mr Richard Young, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation, said that challenges and opportunities in the agriculture sector in Nigeria were discussed at the meeting.

Young noted that the meeting with Ogbeh also discussed the ease of doing business between the Nigeria and the EU.

On lifting the ban on Nigerian dry beans by the EU, he said, “I think the issue of the beans has to do with the phyto-sanitary standards and that will be sorted out in due cause but this depends on the improvement of the quality of the beans to meet the standards that we require.

“There are many challenges in the agriculture sector but also there are vast opportunities.

“We were very concerned to focus on the role of the private sector and how private sector investment can contribute to enhancing productivity in the agriculture sector,” the EU deputy head said.

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Related Topics:bigstory Chief Audu Ogbeh European Union

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2024

PorscheClassy News

Oil marketers sourcing “Premium Motor Spirit”, “PMS”, also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price by 11.8 percent to N939.50 per litre, down from N1,060 per litre.

As of Thursday, December 19, petrol was still being sold at N1,060 per litre in Lagos and surrounding areas.

However, by Friday, MRS, a leading marketer, along with others, had adjusted their prices, now selling at N939.50 per litre.

It’s worth noting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had earlier lowered the ex-pump price of petrol to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the refinery, this price reduction is intended to offer much-needed relief to Nigerians ahead of the holiday season.

Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, made this announcement.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on “PMS” (“petrol”). From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM,” Chiejina said.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

More to come…

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BIG STORY

EFCC Allocates N18bn For Allowances, N5bn For Travels In Proposed 2025 Budget

Published

5 hours ago

December 20, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to allocate N18 billion for allowances in 2025.

This figure is part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under consideration and awaiting approval by the national assembly.

As per the appropriation bill, the EFCC’s total budget for 2025 stands at approximately N62.2 billion.

This budget includes personnel costs (N38.6 billion), overheads (N20.9 billion), and capital expenditure (N2.2 billion).

Within the allowance budget, N1.7 billion is designated for “non-regular allowances,” while “regular allowances” are set at N16.7 billion.

Other proposed expenditures for the EFCC include welfare packages (N1.4 billion), fuel and lubricants (N2 billion), financial charges (N1.2 billion), construction and provision of office buildings (N1.1 billion), and maintenance services (N2.1 billion).

The EFCC also plans to allocate N4.9 billion for “local travel and transport,” with “international travel and transport” expected to cost N1.7 billion.

The proposed budget includes N800 million for the purchase of fixed assets.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu unveiled the N49.7 trillion 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”

In his address to the national assembly, Tinubu stated that it was time “we rewrite Nigeria’s narrative together.”

The primary focus of next year’s budget will be the defence, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2024

PorscheClassy News

A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, made the ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Friday.

The bail conditions include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens in society, with the defendant required to leave his international passport with the court. Farotimi is also prohibited from granting media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

More to come…

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