BETTER SECRETS

Lands in Uyo

2020-02-23T06:36:00.002+01:00

Get tips on getting lands in Uyo from Uyo Lands @ www.uyolands.blogspot.com

Some Raw Facts About New Cable Network in Town: TSTV

2017-10-02T11:11:00.002+01:00

TSTV is truly the new deal in town. It is owned by ABS, and they are set to compete with Naspers for the market share in Nigeria

Here in Nigeria, ABS is trading with the name TSTV, but operates under the company name TELECOM SATELLITES LIMITED. TELECOM SATELLITE is registered under the Companies and Allied Matters act, Laws of Nigeria.

1. TSTV stands for “Telcom Satelite TV”, it’s a Pay-As-You-Go TV provider in Nigeria, operated by ABS and Telcom Satellites TV.

2. TSTV offers a rich blend of local and international channels and packages for your Entertainment, News, Sports, Kids, Health etc. and will be distributed on the ABS 3A Africa beam, located at 3 degrees west.

3. The technology is the HBB TV tech. HBB is a combination of satellite and internet service for TV service. TSTV will run on 4.5g network every subscriber will get 20gig of data for 3k monthly, the data can also be used for video calls and wifi.

4. TSTV has been launched on October 1 with 100 channels including 12 sports channels for all the football leagues we want to follow.

5. The decoder also has a hotspot of 20Gb and video call conferencing with a camera.

6. The TSTV decoder will have 50 gb hard disk to record TV programs and a pause/play function.

7. It is the first Nigerian TV to launch a Pay as you use so you can pause your subscription whenever you are traveling.

8. It is just N5000 for the decoder and dish and subscription prices are N200, N500, N1000, N1500 and N3000 respectively.

9. TSTV Decoder + Dish cost N5000 . The TSTV Decoder Offers 200+ Channels but will start with 100+ channels, FREE 20GB Data, Video Calls, Pause Subscription, Record & Playback Feature And More.

10. TSTV Subscription Fee ranges from N200, N500, N1000, N1500 and N3000. Note that with TSTV, you don’t need to pay subscription monthly or periodically. You pay as you go.

11. TSTV Africa will function in ALL states in Nigeria but will launch first in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Kano.

12. TSTV shows Live Sports like Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and so much more.

13. Some Sport Channels on TSTV Africa are Sport 1-10, Fox Sport HD, and Ts Sports.

14. Some of Entertainment Channels on TSTV are E entertainment, Tele Novela, Fox, MBC 4.

Something to Remember about Number Ten (10)

2017-10-01T05:50:00.002+01:00

Hello. My name is Ubong Edem.

Before i proceed, i wish you a Happy New Month.

In our calendar, October is the tenth month. And the first of this month lands on Sunday.

This is why i decided to stop by and refresh our memories on some events recorded in the Bible, that correspond to this number.

Do you know that:

It took ten (10) generations from Adam to Noah? - Genesis 5

GOD delivered Israel from Egypt with Ten Plagues? - Exodus 7

We have all heard and known the Ten Commandments - Exodus 20

Do you know that Boaz went with ten Witnesses to Marry Ruth? - Ruth 4

We all know of the parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25

Do you remember the ten leprous healed by Jesus? - Luke 17

Do you remember the parable of the ten pounds at ten servants - Luke 19

These are some, you can add your as comment.

Happy New Month.

Happy Eid el Ftr from ProductionPanel

2016-07-07T13:23:00.000+01:00

We celebrate with Nigerians on this special day,
and we are pleased to use this medium in saying
Thank you for producing with us.

ProductionPanel Team.
www.productionpanel.com

Latest Private Training on the Production of Car Washing Liquid, Liquid Laundry Soap and Liquid Air Freshener

2016-06-16T15:10:00.001+01:00

Hello. Ubong Edem here. I’m sorry that I’ve not been updating you guys on Production for a while now. I’ve been busy for a while now. But I promise to update you this week’s private training on the production of Liquid Car wash, Liquid laundry soap and liquid Air Freshener in Port Harcourt.

Get more updates by adding us on

whatsapp: 2348069344902

www.productionpanel.com

Fresh Soap from My Micro Factory (Take A Look)

2016-04-12T20:35:00.002+01:00

Hi. Ubong Edem here. Some Nigerians have been saying that I don’t need to introduce myself any further, as the things I’ve so far done in production sector have stood out to speak. But for the benefit of those who are yet to know; by the grace of GOD, a graduate of Chemical Engineering and the guy behind www.productionpanel.com/fresh.html ie. An e-skills acquisition center.

Over the last weekend, I decided to produce something different from the normal: “Bar Soap, Bleach, Powdered Detergent, Liquid soap, paints, pomade, hair growth cream, air freshener, disinfectant, etc” that I’ve been producing, and here is one of the products.

The truth of the matter is that the economy will help. You need to help yourself by producing something, firstly for your own use, instead of wasting money on consuming other people’s , secondly, produce and sell, as such, you generate daily income.

Thank you.

Ubong Edem

www.productionpanel.com

234(0)8069344902

(Open Fast) One of the Problems Encountered By Producers.

2016-03-28T05:23:00.000+01:00

Hello. On the Easter Sunday, someone who I believe to have been producing soap called, saying that she has gone through my posts, she’s heard about me and what I do for either Producers or prospective Producers.

See what she said: “ The Challenge I have is how to really make my soap harder and last longer, even though it foams well. Please, what formulation do I use to solve this?”

A Nigerian Producer encountered the above problem. I am here to make it clear that my formulation and steps takes care on its own, of that kind of problem.

So, what are you waiting for?

Must we continue to consume and believe that we’ll match other Countries who are producing?

If it must be better, it must start with you.

Learn How to produce anything right now @ www.productionpanel.com

Call or Whatsapp: 2348069344902

www.productionpanel.com is for real. We have successfully turned many people into Producers.

Happy Easter.

Ubong Edem

Motivation for Producers: Whose Hands?

2016-03-17T10:35:00.002+01:00

I came across a post today on NigerianHub on the subject: "Whose Hands?",
and decided to share it with Producers or Prospective Producers.

"A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Serena
Williams hands is worth Millions. It all depends in whose hand it is.

A rod in my hands will keep an angry dog away. A rod in Moses' hands
parted the mighty Red Sea. It all depends in whose hand it is.

A sling shot in my hand is a toy, a sling shot in David's hand was a
mighty weapon. It all depends in whose hand it is.

Two fishes and 5 loaves of bread in my hand is just enough for breakfast
in my house. Two fishes and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands fed
thousands. It all depends in whose hand it is.

Nails in my hands might just cause a temporary injury. Nails in Jesus
Christ's hands produced salvation for the entire world. It all depends in
whose hand it is.

As you see now, it all depend in whose hand it is, so put your concerns,
worries, fears, hopes, dreams, families and your relationships in God's
hands because It all depends in whose hand it is.

This message is now in your hands.... What will you do with it? It all
depends in whose hand it is.

 God bless you!"


This has to do with commitment, dedication and willingness to do something.

This is a call to action. Rise up and take a step to produce a world-class
product.

Learn how to Produce Liquid/Bar Soap, Detergent, bleach, paints, powder,
cream, etc. right now from
www.productionpanel.com

Call Ubong Edem right on 234(0)8069344902

And become a Producer

Inspiration For Producers: GIFT

2016-03-09T13:42:00.000+01:00

Isaiah 9 : 6

People are fun of oppressing those that they can conquer.

Prophet Isaiah looked into the future and told the people what it held.

Isaiah announced a personality. Someone has to introduce another person. Because of lack of person of help, a man stayed by a river for over 30 years, until Jesus came and helped him.

There are people, who instead of building a family, they tend to destroy. But, look at Jesus, when He comes, He helps.

GOD says that He will put a personality in your family.

Today, collect a personality from GOD, the giver here.

“Enthusiasm must be nourished with new actions, new aspirations, new efforts, and new vision”.

– John Mason

Today, the world is complaining of lack. Don’t you think it is time for you to rise and do something?

You can now produce one thing or the other.

Get over to www.productionpanel.com

Whatsapp: 2348069344902

Ubong Edem.

BETTER SECRETS: New Month Message for Producers

2016-02-02T08:50:00.001+01:00

BETTER SECRETS: New Month Message for Producers: Hi. Ubong Edem here. The Bible says in Genesis "Abraham called the name of that place THE LORD WILL PROVIDE, as it is said to this d...

New Month Message for Producers

2016-02-02T08:49:00.003+01:00

Hi. Ubong Edem here.

The Bible says in Genesis "Abraham called the name of that place THE LORD WILL PROVIDE,
as it is said to this day,..."

I pray that HE provides all for you.

If you ever wanted to produce anything, please visit http://productionpanel.com

And you'll know that you are on the right track.

Your desire of Producing will be made reality, if only you let us guide you.

Thank you for being there.

HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Ubong
http://www.productionpanel.com | 2348069344902
Read Nigerian News as they happen: http://nigerianhub.com

Source: http://www.nigerianhub.com/showthread.php?tid=6657

Latest Update

2015-12-29T02:25:00.001+01:00

Thank you continuously getting your news and other information from here.

Please, kindly visit NigerianHub for latest updates.

Thank you.

Bill To Compel N’East States To Forfeit 15% Of Allocation For Development Underway

2015-12-28T04:55:00.000+01:00

The proposed Northeast Development Commission (NDC) that is currently being legislated by the Nigerian
Senate, if passed into law, will get its funding from 15 per cent deductions from the monthly allocations of the six states in the region.

The six non-oil producing states, which are rated amongst the poorest in Nigeria, will have to part with 15 per cent of their income from the Federation Account to enable the new commission help them fix their states which had been destroyed by Boko Haram.

This is coming exactly two months after Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo disclosed in Maiduguri, Borno State, during a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ roundtable on North East that the Presidential Initiative for Northeast-Nigeria (PINE) will be spending the sums of N97 billion and N116 billion on the short term and long term basis respectively in the rebuilding and development of the Boko Haram-ravaged region within five years’ time frame.

The Nigerian Senate said it was determined to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North East region after years of devastation by the Boko Haram insurgency.

It hopes that if the bill seeking the establishment of the NDC fully comes on board anytime in 2016, the commission would have to rely on the 15 per cent per cent of the six states’ grants as well as three per cent of the total annual budget of any solid minerals extraction mining company operating in the troubled North East states, including agricultural processing companies, as a source of the commission’ funding.

The bill also wants a chunk of the 50 per cent of the funds due to member states of the commission from the Ecological Fund to be channelled into the coffers of the new commission.

The 18 senators from the six North East states sponsored the bill as representatives of theirs states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Taraba and Yobe.

We learnt the Bill has gone through second reading and is awaiting a public hearing before the final clause-by-clause consideration and eventual passage into law.

The senators said the new proposed law is expected to give the people of the zone a sense of belonging through deliberate legal efforts to rebuild the region.

The bill says the commission, if established, will have such monies granted or lent to, or deposited with the commission by the federal government or a state government, any other body or institution whether local or foreign.

The bill also provides that the commission, when established, “shall in every year submit to the National Assembly, through the president of the country, an estimate of the expenditure and income of the commission during the next succeeding year for approval not later than September 30.”

When fully activated, the commission will be charged with the responsibilities “to receive and manage fund from allocation of the Federation Account and international donors for the settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency as well as tackling the menace of poverty, literacy level, ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the region.”

One of the co-sponsors of the Bill, Senator Danjumma Goje, told LEADERSHIP in an interview that the Bill was inspired by their collective concern about the development of their region.
“Like I said earlier, we need to rebuild that part of the country and give the people a true sense of belonging. It is not a fault of theirs that the activities of insurgents have destroyed their sources of livelihood, crippled the economy, lives lost, properties destroyed,” said Goje.

Leadership

Letter to President Buhari

2015-12-27T04:29:00.004+01:00

A guide to PMB’s New Year Resolutions

Dear PMB,

This time last year when we witnessed the last Sunday of the year 2014, things were still somewhat fluid about who would lead our dear country, Nigeria. To the discerning few though, it was clear the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, would not return because of his abysmal failure to lead the country aright, as well as his government’s unholy romance with corruption. Some of us said so directly; some others did indirectly. Some others were too blind to see the handwriting on the wall. One thing was clear though; many of those who felt the former president would find his way back did not credit him with much by way of performance. Rather, they hinged their optimism mainly on what they termed the ‘power of incumbency’. Some of us felt well, if incumbency was that powerful such that we would not be able to remove a non-performing leader, then there was no point holding elections. We jolly well would have told the former president to carry on.

Then came the 2015 elections in which you roundly defeated your predecessor and he had to concede defeat in March. But President Jonathan did not lose the election the day he conceded defeat; he lost it the day you were successfully chosen as the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate on December 23, last year. Some of us told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then to begin to pack its bag and baggage in readiness to vacate Aso Rock while the then president should join the unemployment queue. Former President Jonathan has since returned to his home town, Otuoke, in Bayelsa State, while your humble self has since May 29 taken his former position.

Since then, there have been a few things you did which Nigerians felt you should have done otherwise, or you should not have done at all. Mr President, some of your comments have not particularly gone down well with many Nigerians. One was your statement to the effect that even without you doing anything, there has been noticeable changes in the country. In other words, your ‘body language’ has been working wonders. This was true to a large extent, at least initially. But, whether in terms of power supply which dramatically improved on your assumption of office, or fuel supply which similarly witnessed relative stability after the initial hiccups then, things have nosedived in both sectors as I write. Electricity supply has returned to its epileptic past even as fuel queues have not only returned but have done so with an uncommon obstinacy. What these tell us is that ‘body language’ cannot last forever. It seems to have lost its potency and it can only continually get eroded as more and more people notice this weakness.

Although you have apologised to Nigerians for the fuel scarcity and they have accepted your apology (I guess I am speaking the minds of many of them), but beyond the apology is what happens next. How do we get out of the fuel scarcity conundrum? That is the main issue now as we prepare to usher in a new year.

Aside the temporal efficacy of your ‘body language’, the import of your statement, Mr. President, is that the country is on auto-pilot and this did not go down well with many people. Even if it was true that a few things knocked themselves into shape when you assumed office, one would have expected such statement to come from the people themselves. I am not even sure it is something to celebrate by your top aides. I may be wrong here, though. But certainly the statement ought not to have come from you directly.

Mr. President, we are beginning to see what your policy thrusts are. Your maiden budget of N6trillion appears ambitious, given the downturn in oil prices. Your government’s intention to downplay oil in the government’s revenue profile is good, at least on paper. Whether it is realistic is a different matter entirely; but it is worth giving a trial because that is where we should be going. There are some salient aspects of the budget which appear good on the surface; again, whether they are attainable is the issue. For instance, the proposed creation of about 500,000 jobs for teachers is good, just as the social safety net of N5,000 monthly proposed for the indigent elderly. One can only hope that these have been well thought-out so they do not end the way of the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) of the PDP which was alleviating poverty in reverse by pumping hefty sums of money into the pockets of the party’s wealthy chieftains.

Many Nigerians are also not happy that your government’s major policies are announced abroad. It was in Iran that you first announced that some past public officials who stole public funds have started returning part of the loot. You were also outside of the country when you said that Nigeria was broke and also that the Federal Government was considering negotiating with Boko Haram insurgents. The same thing applied to your announcement that you would appoint your ministers in September, 2015.

With regard to the anti-corruption war though, we are beginning to see some action, especially with the arraignment of some of the big suspects involved. It has been fascinating as it is revealing so far; but when we realise that the shared arms fund that has given us so much shock was only a fraction of what was stolen in the oil sector where Diezani Alison-Madueke held sway, then we can only see how callous some of our so-called leaders can be, given the millions that go hungry daily and the countless others that were dying and being displaced because some people had stolen the money that was supposed to be used to buy arms.

We are also hearing a lot of speculations about plea bargain. I guess with time, some people would start talking of state pardon, even as the case proper is yet to begin. For me, though, what is most important is the recovery of our common patrimony that was stolen. But that should not be a reason to start giving the impression that things have to be done differently only because those involved are big thieves. Will a poor man who stole a goat or cow have the opportunity of plea bargain if he returns that goat or cow? Although plea bargain is used in some parts of the world as a way to resolve disputes and save valuable time and money on litigation, it is not done the way we do it in Nigeria. So, the president has to be wary of the kind of plea bargain he would allow for the unconscionable looters. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to have been done.

Dear Mr. President, it is not that you are not aware of some, if not all of these issues; but it is important to put them together in a way that they would attract your attention and enable you decide which of them you may want to rethink in the coming year. You may also be compiling a list of your New Year resolutions. This may as well serve as a guide.

Happy New Year in advance, sir.

The Nation

Buhari mourns Nnewi gas victims

2015-12-26T07:05:00.000+01:00

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep regret over the loss of lives following Thursday’s gas explosion at an industrial complex in Nnewi, Anambra.

A statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Friday by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president was greatly shaken and shocked by such large-scale loss of human lives in a single industrial accident.

According to the statement, Buhari sympathised with the families of the victims “who were looking forward to a joyous Christmas celebration’’.

The president extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the government of Anambra over what he described as “this unfortunate tragedy on Christmas eve’’.
“My heart and prayers go to these grieving families at this difficult and painful moment,’’ the statement quoted the president as saying.

The statement revealed that President Buhari also commiserated with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Musdafa, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Adda Gombeji, who passed on at the age of 87.
“He has placed a call to condole with the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who has equally lost his own mother.

“The President personally made the phone calls to the Lamido of Adamawa and Emefiele to express his sympathy to the monarch and the CBN governor over the death of their mothers,’’ the statement added.
Buhari described a mother as, “an invaluable component of family life, and the pillar and comforter of the children’’.

He prayed to Allah to bless the souls of the deceased, and grant the Lamido, Godwin Emefiele and other members of their families the fortitude to overcome the losses.

Sun News

Governorship Election: Kogi Elders Urge Faleke To Accept The Will Of God

2015-12-26T07:00:00.003+01:00

Kogi West Elders Committee has called on the Deputy Governor-Elect, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke to accept the outcome of the Kogi governorship election as God’s way of answering the prayers of the Kogi West people for power rotation.

Rising from an extra-ordinary meeting at Obajana, the committee said it was prepared to prevail on Faleke to work harmoniously with the Governor-Elect, Alh. Yahaya Bello to effect the desired change in Kogi State.

The Committee called on political stakeholders from both Central and West to accept and abide by the decision of the APC leadership which favours the age-long agitation for power rotation in the state.

“That the West and Central senatorial districts have agreed to stand on the path of unity and hold on the two positions of governor and deputy governor bestowed on us by God.

“That we declare our solemn and total support for the governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and ensure his success; otherwise his failure is ours and not his,” the committee said.

Kogi West is made up of Lokoja, Kogi/Koto, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas.

Information

Bayelsa: Gov Dickson Warns Against Minimum Wage Reduction

2015-12-25T07:02:00.003+01:00

Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants, saying that he will not subscribe to any move for the downward review of the present minimum wage of N18,000, in spite of financial hardship facing the state.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa yesterday, Dickson maintained that rather than reduce the minimum wage, as being advocated in some quarters, his administration would do everything within its reach to create a more enabling environment to discharge its duties effectively.

He restated his commitment to the training and re-training of public servants in 2016 to promote human capacity building, which is one of the cardinal points of his administration.

On the delay over the payment of December salary, Dickson empathized with workers on the development, explaining that up till the time of the press briefing, the state was yet to receive its monthly allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

He, however, said the government was working round the clock to ensure the payment on or before next week by exploring other means, adding that, he has directed the state financial team to liaise with financial institutions to effect payment of workers and pensioners.

Leadership

Why Petrol should Be Sold at N50 per litre – TUC

2015-12-25T06:10:00.000+01:00

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)) yesterday, Thursday 24th December, 2015 faulted government’s retention of fuel subsidy, saying petrol should be sold at N50 per litre with adequate local refining capacity in the country.

President of the Congress, Comrade Bobboi Kaiýgama, said in a statement: “The price of crude oil in the international market has dropped drastically. This should have a direct effect on domestic consumption of the product”.

He advocated the need for a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the subsidy and why it has become impossible to refine and purchase fuel at N50 per litre.

He further said the proposed deficit financing at ₦2.22 trillion is certainly high, saying this could be reduced by the recovery of stolen funds . The union also faulted government’s decision to borrow N1.8trillion to fund the 2016 budget.

“We charge the federal government to as a matter of urgency warn the governors who want to sabotage the administration by saying they cannot pay ordinary N18,000 minimum wage. We dare them to try it”, he said.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), yesterday charged Christians and Muslims in the country to share whatever they have with their neighbours which is the very essence of humanity.

TUC also yesterday said the birth of Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed should bring tidings of good hope to Nigeria and the world, adding that since the two leaders symbolise peace, their followers should follow suit.

Daily Trust

Amaechi As train conductor

2015-12-25T06:04:00.000+01:00

Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi turned a train conductor in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital last week.

This was hours after he had been welcomed by a huge crowd during his first official engagement in Rivers state which he ruled for about eight years.

Amaechi, a former Rivers Governor and ex-Speaker of the State' House of Assembly, was in Port Harcourt for the inauguration of Port Harcourt-Aba (in Abia State) Mass Transit Train Service at the Port Harcourt Station of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Policemen, especially of the traffic department, had it so tough on Wednesday, December 16, sweating profusely in the scorching sun, in their attempts to control the traffic, which was at a standstill for some hours.

Most of the teeming associates of Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and an ex-Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of Nigerian Houses of Assembly, as well as reporters had to alight and parked their cars in safe places and trekked long distances to the railway terminus at the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town.

The former Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation also had a hectic time, before getting to the NRC’s office.

The kick-off was fixed for 10 a.m., but the minister of transportation and members of his entourage could not get to the venue until 11:55 a.m.

Immediately after inaugurating the fully-air-conditioned train, with executive seats, the ex-chairman of NGF decided to ride it to Aba, with the other coaches occupied by his associates, admirers and top government officials.

By the time the event was rounded off, it became a Herculean task to control the surging crowd, making the transportation minister to become emergency conductor, as he stood by the door checking in some persons and had to apologise to many others, for not being able to make the historic journey.

Amaechi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also played the role of an official of NRC, by holding a flag and standing by the side of the train, to direct passersby and motorists on the railway.

Most people who saw Amaechi with the flag were eager that the mass transit train service should quickly commence, thereby putting an end to the horrible traffic on the deplorable Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu expressway, which now has craters at the middle of the federal road.

The historic inauguration was also attended by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation; Alhaji Sabiyu Zakari, and the Managing Director of NRC, Adeseyi Sijuwade.

Also in attendance were retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte; a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Nimi Briggs; eminent monarchs from Rivers and Abia states; ex-Rivers commissioners and Wike’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, who recently resigned, among others.

Amaechi, in his address, assured that the Federal Government would take a position on the Port Harcourt International Airport, ranked as the worst in the world, as soon as possible.

He also gave an assurance that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s would revive the railway sub-sector.

Amaechi said: “I want to say to the Governor of Abia State that there is no political party in development. Just like we say, naira has no colour. So, there is no PDP, no APC. If your governor is ready to contribute to mass transit in Aba and Abia, we are ready to work with him.

“It is with great delight and humility that myself and the Minister of State for Aviation welcome you to this landmark event of formal flag-off of the Port Harcourt -Aba Mass Transit Train Service by the NRC, which marks another milestone in the development of railway system in Nigeria.

“I am delighted to note that as part of the ongoing efforts and commitment of the Federal Government to provide safe and affordable means of mass transportation in the country, the NRC has completed the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, being segment of the narrow guage Eastern rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, and the line is ready for commissioning and commence operations.

“This administration’s plan is to revive the railway sub-sector and achieve a Nigerian railway system that is modern, safe and affordable, and could serve as a vehicle for the delivery of sustainable economic growth, social harmony and political stability. The trains will run between Port Harcourt and Aba, with stops at key locations along this important corridors. Without doubt, the services will enhance significantly, commercial activities and foster integration among the people of Rivers and Abia States.

“I have the pleasure to inform you that the Federal Government, through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, is planning the remodelling and the redevelopment of our major railway stations within the country. Under the rail modernisation programme, government will open new railway lines to achieve an efficient rail network.”

In an interview with reporters in Port Harcourt, Amaechi expressed optimism that Nigerians would continue to experience change, especially in the transportation sector.

On the number of jobs the project would create for people in the Southsouth and Southeast zones of Nigeria, the minister of transportation stated that it was not the direct jobs that were important.

He said as soon as the train commenced operation, the indirect jobs were by far more important, stressing that people would start getting services and there would be activities, as the train would be stopping in every station, with many people hawking one thing or another.

Amaechi assured that the informal economic activities would blossom the economy of the country, especially the economy between Port Harcourt and Aba.

The transportation minister disclosed that there would be a new rail line that would pass through Port Harcourt, noting that the Nigerian government was going to do basically two and the seven would be done with private investors.

The permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, in his remarks, noted that the Port Harcourt-Aba mass transit train service was part of the remarkable success stories of the Buhari’s administration.

The king and paramount ruler of Port Harcourt, His Majesty Eze Victor Woluchem, Eze Epara Rebisi XII, stated that the railway and trains that were moribund had now come back to life, just a few weeks after the inauguration of Amaechi as transportation minister.

The managing director of the NRC stated that since the inception of Port Harcourt railway station in 1912, so many passenger and cargo trains had traversed the rail network.

He reiterated that sequel to the substantial progress on the rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge network of Eastern Rail Line, traversing Port Harcourt to Gombe, the NRC, earlier this year, commenced inter-city train service from Port Harcourt to Kano and Port Harcourt to Gombe.

Sijuwade noted that the kick-off was the first time of establishing a mass transit train service between Port Harcourt and Aba, reiterating that Rivers state is the home of oil and gas, as well as a commercial nerve centre.

NRC’s managing director disclosed that the train has 68-seater air-conditioned modern passenger coaches, together with standard class coaches, stressing that the train would always run four trips daily from Monday to Saturday and would depart Aba at 5 a.m. and get to Port Harcourt at 7:15 a.m. and return, while the second train would leave Aba at 3 p.m.

Sijuwade said: “Movement relating to business transaction within the Ariaria International Market in Aba and other markets like Oil Mills, Mile One, School Road and Diobu Markets in Port Harcourt are done mostly by road.

“In both cities (Port Harcourt and Aba), booming shopping centres and new markets, where fabric materials, plastics and motor parts are sold, are not fully patronised, due to bad roads between Aba and Port Harcourt.

“Port Harcourt is renowned for being the homestead of petroleum and gas industries and a commercial nerve centre of the Southsouth, showcasing full-scale inter-modal trades, with the presence of an international airport, inland container depots, seaports and petroleum produce facility bases. The associated business activities undoubtedly require the mass movement of people by rail.”

Sijuwade added that the train service would surely reduce congestion on Port Harcourt-Aba expressway, while business activities would be enhanced, assuring that production capacity in all facets of the economy would operate at optimal levels.

The Nation

Akwa Ibom: Gov. Emmanuel inaugurates Akwa Ibom Chief Judge

2015-12-24T05:49:00.000+01:00

Governor Udom Emmanuel has sworn into office, the Chief Judge of the state: Justice Stephen Okon.

Administering the Oath of Office at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, His Excellency charged Justice Okon to demonstrate a high sense of professionalism as he leads the state’s judiciary.

The Governor described the state’s Chief Judge as a committed public servant who has grown in rank in the legal profession to the present status and wished him well in his endeavours.

The Governor noted with delight the harmonious relationship existing between the executive and other arms of government.

He particularly charged the judiciary not to compromise justice and fairness in the discharge of it duties, pledging to make the welfare of Akwa Ibom State citizens the focus of his administration.

Justice Okon, in his interaction with Government House correspondents shortly after his swearing-in to office, said he would harness his wealth of experience in the dispensation of justice in the state and solicited for proper funding to enable the judiciary live up to its responsibilities.

Justice Okon is the sixth State Chief Judge since the creation of the state.

He was born in 1952.

A native of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, the legal luminary attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Mbierebe Obio and later attended Exams Success Correspondence College, Yaba and the University of Lagos before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island in 1979.

Okon has been engaged in private legal practice until 1998 when he was appointed High Court Judge.

He was the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo branch from 1994 to 1996 and has held key positions as a reputable legal practitioner until his appointment as Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State.

The Eagles

Education: SSANU protests sack of 45 FUTA staff school teachers

2015-12-24T05:43:00.000+01:00

Staff of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State yesterday protested over the alleged dismissal of 45 teachers of the University Staff Primary School by the federal government.

The protesters under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities said affected teachers have been served their dismissal letters.

They however vowed that they would resist the development.

The workers of the institution displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Buhari this not the change we voted for. Save our jobs’, ‘Daramola Don’t privatize FUTA Staff Primary School’, ‘Teachers are not 2nd class citizens’, ‘Stop maltreating us in FUTA staff primary School’ etc.

Addressing newsmen, the chairman of the association in the institution, Mr Benedict Chukwudi said that members of SSANU nationwide would begin an indefinite strike from today if the federal government failed to withdraw its circulars that sacked the 2000 members.

Vanguard

National transportation master plan coming, says Amaechi

2015-12-24T05:38:00.002+01:00

Federal Government is developing a national transportation master plan to diversify the economy and improve on non-oil sector revenues, the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, said yesterday, Wednesday.

Amaechi, who spoke yesterday at a briefing after a tour of facilities at the Lagos airport, said the master plan would reduce unemployment and develop the rural economy.

He added that the government was determined to fully exploit the potentials of the transport sector by opening it up for new investment.

The minister said if properly repositioned, the sector holds the key to unlocking the country’s economic potentials.

Amaechi identified the sector’s problems as including bad roads, inadequate fleet, airplane services and congested ports .

He said: “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation master plan that will be implemented as a fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non-oil revenues.

“While reducing dependence on oil revenues, it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift.

“The problems of Nigerian transport system include bad roads, inadequate fleet of buses and trucks; irregular and inadequate trains and airplanes services and congested ports.”

The minister also mentioned dearth of suitably trained transport managers and planners, capital restructuring bottlenecks, serious issues of institutional reforms and ineffective traffic regulations.

“The Buhari administration is determined to fully exploit the potentials in the transportation sector. As a first step, the government will pursue the enactment of legislation that will open up the sector to new investments that will lead to economic prosperity,” he said.

Amaechi also revealed plans to re-introduce rail lines that would assist in the movement of petroleum products by next year.

He said investment in rail transportation could generate over 250,000 direct jobs .

The minister said: “The movement of petroleum products by rail will be re-introduced in 2016. As you are aware, we have commenced and almost completed the narrow gauge rehabilitation which will be retained for the movement of cargoes.

“At the same time, massive investment into the standard gauge to link most parts of the country with faster trains for passenger movements has begun. In 2016, we hope to complete work on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line as Mr. President is highly committed to it. Work will start in earnest on the standard gauge on many routes .”

On aviation, Amaechi said safety would not be negotiable, as he identified the challenges of the sector to including weak airlines and decaying infrastructure .

He said: “The ministry of transportation in collaboration with relevant parastatals and agencies has drawn up short term plans that are currently being implemented, of which the travelling public will take notice of the improvements in the not distant future.

“These plans include the expeditious completion of ongoing airports remodeling projects at Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the decongestion of airports access roads among several others. The new terminal in Lagos will generate additional 15 million passengers annually, making a total of 30 million passengers yearly nationwide.

“The medium and long term plans will require significant investments to upgrade and expand infrastructure to meet current and future requirements.

“As a result of limited resources for capital projects development, government is exploring the possibility of private sector participation to towards the realisation of the industries’ potentials.

“The Ministerial Committee on the National Airline has submitted its report to the President, which the government is studying carefully and will announce its decision in due course.

“In June of this year, Nigeria scored 96.44 per cent during the International Civil Aviation Security Audit.

Despite this feat, the nation can ill afford to let its guards down considering recent events in the international scene, where passenger airplanes have been blown out of the skies.

“Subsequently in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and International Aviation Organisation (ICAO) annex 17, the Federal Government is looking to overhaul and streamline the security apparatus at the nation’s airports for a seamless and more effective security surveillance and enforcement. This will also improve facilitation and passengers’ experience.”

The Nation

FAAC Meeting: N369 Billion Distributed For November

2015-12-23T05:04:00.000+01:00

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed the sum of N369 billion to the Federal, State and Local Governments for the month of November.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said that gross statutory revenue for the month which stood at N297 billion declined by over N102 billion compared with what was received in October.

She, however, promised that government is looking at ways of increasing revenues from the non-oil sector.

Channels

Senate begins another process of amending 1999 Constitution

2015-12-23T04:46:00.000+01:00

Nigerian Senate has begun another process of amending the 1999 Constitution, just as Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu retains his position as Chairman of the new committee.

Announcing the composition of the committee, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said Ekweremadu will lead 37 other senators to carry out the exercise.

Ekweremadu was the chairman of the committee set up by former Senate President, David Mark, in the Seventh Senate.

Saraki, who noted that the eighth Senate had made the amendments of the constitution, its major deliverable, said: “With the composition of the committee, the Senate had set the stage for the activities leading to the delivery to our people. The work already carried out by the Seventh Senate had made the jobs of the new committee, easier”

Saraki urged the committee to do away with traveling across the country for facts gathering, just as he asked them to concentrate on the issues that would de-emphasise recurrent expenditure that had been substantially agreed upon by the last committee

Vanguard

Our plan to increase mining’s N400b revenue, by Fayemi

2015-12-22T05:44:00.001+01:00

Minister pledges one million jobs, revival of Ajaokuta Steel Complex
Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi yesterday said the mining sector’s N400 billion contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will soon go up.

Nigeria has 44 mineral assets, including precious minerals, which, Fayemi said, could make the sector a key source of economic growth and diversified revenue base for Nigeria.

He gave all mining licensees till March 1 deadline to use their licences or lose them.

He said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASC).

Fayemi, who reeled out his plans at the ministry’s inaugural media conference in Abuja, said he was projecting about one million direct jobs from solid minerals.

He said: “Today, we have at least 44 known mineral assets that include precious minerals, base metals, bulk minerals and what are known as rare earth minerals.

“We have reasons to believe that available data of our reserves understates what the almighty God has blessed our country with many cases. We have barely updated some of the geosciences data collected 50 years ago or earlier. So, we are cautiously optimistic that our mining endowments actually exceed what is currently stated.

“That said, based on current data, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector makes up about 0.34 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means based on current official exchange rates, the mining sector contributes N400 billion in value to the economy.

“While that is a significant role, it is smaller than its true potential as the vast majority of our mining assets are yet to be exploited. In fact, what has been happening is that the sector has more or less been operating sharply below capacity, with many mining operations manned by small-scale artisanal miners, as opposed to the large-scale players.”

He pledged to sanitise the solid minerals sector.

“We will work with stakeholders to review existing licences and bring them up to date where there are issues. Our goal is to get licensees, who are sitting on the fence to have sufficient confidence to start investing real capital.

“That said, starting March 1, 2016, we will start enforcing the “use it or lose it” doctrine enshrined in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007. The period from today to March 1, 2016, should be considered an amnesty period to allow regularisation of papers,” he said.

Responding to a question, Fayemi said all things being equal, the solid minerals sector could create about one million jobs.

He explained: “I can tell you that the solid minerals sector is one that can provide at least a million direct jobs and much more than that in indirect jobs with people working in the mines and associated sectors like construction. We know that we can do it, but we need to formalise the jobs and we need to ensure that we bring them into the economy so that it can serve our nation better.

“We have commenced discussions with the World Bank once again and the bank is desirous of supporting the sector. We need to be ready, we ought to show commitment ourselves as a government and that way, it will be easier for us to receive support from a whole range of players.

“If we deliver on this vision, then we can build a mining sector that Nigerians can be proud of in 30 years or more from now. This sector should deliver double digit growth over the next decade, with important direct and indirect economic impacts on households.

“We will focus on supporting and growing Nigeria’s position in mineral assets with commercially proven reserves. Our assets will then be used to serve two key markets: a domestic industrialisation market that is more beneficiation focused and an export market that is more focused initially on the export of ores and raw materials.

“The mix of investors that will target Nigeria will reflect that preference of serving both the domestic and export markets. We anticipate that as we expand our geosciences databases and insights, we will also expand what minerals we compete in.”

Fayemi said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was not privatised, but was put under concession in 2005 for a decade.

Fayemi added that it was revoked in 2008 and that led to the lingering legal issue facing the steel complex.

“But I can assure you that this is a matter that Mr. President insists on and I am reasonably confident that before the end of the first quarter of 2016, we would have a direction as to whether we are taking it over and running it ourselves or resolving the legal issues involved and allowing this to determine who gets to run Ajaokuta.

“I was in Ajaokuta last week and we were so distraught by the time we left, that how could a nation do this to itself? Ajaokuta in itself is a city; it has an airport, seaport and 60 kilometres of internal rail. It has a rail from Ajaokuta almost to Warri and another linking it to Itakpe 60 kilometres. How do you invest this amount of resources and then you walk away from it?

“It is unacceptable to any sane human being and that is why for us, we just have to fix Ajaokuta.

Unfortunately, the figures being quoted for fixing it is not a figure that the Nigerian state can come by easily.

“We have to figure out a creative and innovative way of ensuring that we partner with people who can make it happen so that we begin to deliver liquid steel and its products to our country,” he said.

“Fixing Ajaokuta is not just the plant alone, it is also a matter of the infrastructure, that will make Ajaokuta perform better, you cannot bring in cooking coal, which is what is needed in the manufacture of steel, except you do so in deep seaport and even when you produce the steel, the central rail line that we have now only stops in Abuja, you need the central rail line to also move from Abuja to Lokoja and then develop spur lines that will join existing standard gauge rail that exist.

“So, even if I were to give you a figure for putting Ajaokuta in shape to run, that does not mean it will start to run.

“For example, Ajaokuta has 110 megawatt power plant in it that could supply the whole of Kogi, possibly Ekiti and still have enough for its operation internally; but it is dead mostly. So, we need to do a total costing on it to determine what exactly it needs.”

The Nation