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Perm Sec Rallies Support For Fight Against Corruption

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Jalal Arabi has called on all Nigerians especially the professionals to give credence to President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to rid the country of corruption adding that it’s the greatest legacy to bequeath the younger generation.

Arabi gave the advice on Friday, while speaking to State House Correspondents, soon after his investiture as a fellow and Patron of the Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria.

He said the goals of the body, which had to do with forensic investigation by professionals in various fields of endeavor, endeared him to the association.

The permanent Secretary noted that the intension of the institute was to have a congregation of all well-meaning professionals in the country that care about the sustainable development of the nation.

He said, “of course, from the name, forensic and investigative professionals, you will agree with me that it is all encompassing when you compare the wider sphere of influence on our development.

“It will be pleasing to any citizen of the country to appreciate that there is a way to be followed, to contribute to the sustainable development of this nation and without any incubation. You will believe that that is what the President of this nation stands for.

“I often tell people that care to listen, that my generation, looking deeply and inward, will have nothing to compete for than to ensure that they bestow a legacy for generations to come. The only way we can do that is to appreciate that if there were mistakes in the past then we take the lessons from those mistakes and make sure that we now lay a solid foundation for the upcoming generations to know that of course there are good reasons for them to live positive, patriotic and conscientious lives.”

According to Arabi, “President Buhari has always said, what he is doing is not for him but for those that are coming after him because he has seen it all. He has never hidden the fact that the system has done everything for him, thus making him so lucky and fortunate. 

He noted that the fight against corruption, infrastructure development and job creation embarked upon by President Buhari administration is geared towards a better and just society.

Arabi implored all Nigerians not to be greedy or selfish but try to see beyond the present.

The Permanent Secretary also urged all caliber of professionals to contribute their quota towards fighting corruption assuring that the Buhari administration would support the Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in the country to make it function as any other legal institute as a means of strengthening the fight against corruption in the country.

“In the legal profession, in the medical profession, in accounting and other humanities, there are segments of their calling that have to do with forensic and investigative aspects of the profession in order to attain results.

“It is project that the association feels if all hands are on deck, to make it succeed, our country will be the better for it,” he said.

Lending his support for the establishment of the proposed Institute of Forensic Professionals, he said: “Imagine a situation whereby there is an institute that saddles itself with the responsibility of going against corruption and related vices that retard the development of a nation, you can’t be at fault for it.

“Those were the qualities that I saw in their promoting the project form the onset, that made me to listen more and engage, so that we can appreciate where they are heading to.”

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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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