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Insecurity: Ogun Gov, Cleric Preach Peace, Unity

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From Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta

An Islamic scholar and Judge of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Kwara State, Abdur Raheem Ahmad Sayi, has observed that the access of Nigerians, particularly Youths to the loads of misinformation on the cyber space contributes to the current insecurity in the Country.

He has therefore, urged the Federal Government to devise a technology to regulate access to deluge of misguided information on the internet, particularly those capable of fuelling security and religious crises in the country.

The cleric made his position known, weekend while delivering a lecture at the 2021 special Ramadan Iftar programme by the Ogun State Government.

Justice Say organised that failure by the government to do the needful might spell doom for the unity of Nigeria.

Justice Sayi during the lecture with “Threats to National Security and Unity: Religion as a Panacea or Problem” explained that failure by the federal government to find lasting solution to security issue in Nigeria, could lead to anarchy in the country.

The cleric who observed that internet could be educative, entertaining and informative, however regretted that promoters of hate and disunity had used it to spread messages of discord and fake news among Nigerians.

He noted that the country was sitting on a keg of gunpowder, which could explode anytime, if efforts were not made to check the social malaise.

The judge, appealed to Islamic leaders and their Christian counterpart, to inculcate the core values, tenets and teachings of love and unity of mankind, in the minds of their adherents rather than preaching prosperity.

“You should use religion as instrument to foster unity and oneness, rather than to promote discrimination, hate and disharmony” he told the religious leaders.

The cleric equally charged media practitioners to continue to play a pivotal role in reversing the trend of insecurity, by imbibing and practising responsible journalism, which, he observed would go a long way in preserving societal peace and unity of the country..

Speaking on the occasion, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, explained that the special programme was a symbolic one, as it was the first, to be hosted by his administration.

He said the programme was to appreciate the prayers, solidarity and support his government enjoyed from the Muslim community in the last two years.

Abiodun urged the people of the irrespective of their religious persuasion to always engage only in acts that promote security, peace and unity of Nigeria.

According to the governor, “neither of the two major religions in the country supports banditry, insurgency, kidnapping or rebellion against the State”.

He further noted that “the leaders and followers; government and people, have the responsibility towards the security and unity of our nation. Otherwise, our actions and inactions without responsibility towards one another become threat to national security and unity”.

Highlighting steps taken by his administration to restructure and reinvigorate security mechanism in Ogun, Abiodun said that the Security Trust Fund was reconfigured and made it private sector led, adding “we made huge investments in patrol vehicles and communication equipment for our security agencies in the state and initiated regular meeting of the State Security Council that had been in limbo before the inception of our administration”.

He also said his administration had created initiatives to fully and productively engage the hitherto restive youth via the development of Ogun State Job portal, a database of unemployed or underemployed youth, Anchor Borrowers Scheme and FADAMA GUYS.

“In my inaugural speech about two years ago, I made a commitment that ours is an administration that will observe all elements of good governance – that we will be fair, just, equitable, open, transparent, accountable, inclusive and obey the Rule of Law.

“Two years down the line, I am proud that even our worst critics will readily admit that we are a promise keeping administration with manifest delivery of electoral promises across the state. It is also generally acknowledged that we have been even-handed in our dealings with all parts of the state and the strata, regardless of religious belief, political persuasions and ethnic affiliations.”

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AfDB Signs $75m Loan Agreement to Boost Indorama’s Fertilizer Production, Export Capacity

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The African Development Bank (AfDB), has signed a 75 million dollar loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited.

The bank announced this in a statement issued on its website late Thursday.

According to the statement, the loan will enable Indorama to increase its fertilizer production and develop a port terminal for exports.

The statement also said that the loan would help in supporting food production and food security across regional and international markets while fostering job creation in Nigeria.

It said that the expansion would include the development of a third urea fertilizer production line and a new shipping terminal at Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt.

“The new production line is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of urea, one of the most widely used fertilizer worldwide.

“Indorama’s two operational urea fertilizer lines serve Nigeria’s domestic market.

“It supports the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for a quarter of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs about a third of its labour force.

“The new production line and terminal, which will help meet growing global demand for fertilizer, is expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria”, the statement said.

The statement also quoted the Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Department, AfDB, Ousmane Fall, as commending the partnership.

Fall said the bank was proud of its continued partnership with Indorama, the IFC, and other lenders on this critical project.

He said the partnership aligned with the bank’s strategic priorities to Feed  and industrialise Africa, while generating significant development outcomes in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Manish Mundra, Group Director for Africa, Indorama Corporation said the establishment of the fertilizer plant underscored Indorama’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth, economic diversification, and leveraging its strategic geographic location.

“This landmark financing represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a major player in the global fertilizer market.

“With this third line, Nigeria is prepared to significantly ramp up its export capacity, thereby, enhancing its position as a key exporter of fertilizer to Africa and the world.

“Furthermore, the establishment of this fertilizer plant will not only address critical issues such as broader food security but will also stimulate agricultural growth and create employment opportunities in Nigeria,” he said.

Reports says that the AfDB’s loan follows a strategy to support investment in private sector development to promote the growth of the real sector.

The 75 million dolllars loan is part of a 1.25 billion dollars facility arranged by IFC.

The financing package includes a 215.5 million dollars loan from IFC’s own account, a 94.5 million dollars loan through the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Programme (MCPP), and 940 million dollars in parallel loans mobilised from other development finance institutions and commercial banks.

Some of the banks include the AfDB, Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and Rand Merchant Bank.

Others are Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).

The Standard Bank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are also part of the banks.(NAN)

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NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel

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The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres of adulterated diesel.

The NSCDC Commandant in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, told newsmen on Friday in Awka, that the suspects were arrested on March 23 along Atani Road, in Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

He said that his team arrested Oluchukwu Okeke, 28, from Ogbaru in Anambra; Emeka Chukwuma, 34, also from Ogbaru in Anambra; and Ifunanya Ike, 29, from Mbano in Imo state.

According to Maku, they were conveying 65 kegs of 25 litres each of suspected adulterated diesel, estimated to be 1,625 litres in four different vehicles.

He said that the vehicles were two shuttle buses, a white-colored bus with registration number AWK429XY and another ash-coloured bus with registration number GDD277XB.

“This arrest was made possible in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, and preliminary investigation revealed that the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma and headed to Okoti community, both in Ogbaru area.

“I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for their support in the fight against criminality in the state.

“This type of synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against perpetrators of this heinous crime.

“NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national, state, and local government assets and infrastructure, is known for its zero tolerance in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.

“We remain focused on freeing Anambra state of illegal petroleum products racketeering and other related criminalities,” he said.

Maku added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations were completed.

He called on members of the public to assist the command in its renewed vigour to stamp out illegal oil refining activities in the state through the provision of intelligence on illegal oil bunkering activities within their domains. (NAN)

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Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

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As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders and Nigerians to emulate Christ’s sacrifice.

Badejo made the remark in his Good Friday message made available to Newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.

Badejo enjoined all leaders, people in authority and Nigerians to emulate Jesus in order to improve society and institutions.

The catholic bishop emphasised that Good Friday teaches us the best qualities of leadership in service, humility and love.

He noted that Good Friday represents all the challenges and problems in life, at work, in family and country at large.

According to him, those problems will be solved not just by praying, but by serious, honest and selfless efforts by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil.

“Nigeria is not beyond repair, but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.

“Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world.

“That is exactly what is good about it, even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust.

“Jesus Christ, the son of God, gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside. By His death on Good Friday, Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others.

“Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God.

“Good Friday invites us to repent, do away with sin, but do something for the good of others and thus, enjoy God’s favour,” he said.

Badejo remarked that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ, which reminds all that the victory of good over evil is inevitable.

He said that, just as all conspiracies against Christ’s resurrection could not stand, similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter as planned by God.

“That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes?

“Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen.

“If Jesus had not died, salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is.

“I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others,” Badejo said. (NAN)

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