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Arepo Explosion: NNPC Condemns Activities Of Vandals, Begins Repairs Of Pipeline

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Monday in Abuja condemned the renewed attack on its facilities at Arepo in Ogun. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the System 2B pipeline at Arepo was again vandalised on Saturday barely...

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Africa’s Economic Growth Must Focus On Equity- AU Commission

The Dlamini Zuma-led administration of the African Union Commission has noted that Africa’s economic growth needs to focus on equity, inclusiveness, the preservation of natural capital and creation of decent jobs, especially for the youth and women.
 
Speaking in a communique made available to journalists after the just concluded meeting of the Heads of the African Union Commission, the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank Group in Addis Ababa, the Commission said it firmly believes the time is ripe for a paradigm shift and a change in mindset towards realizing the vision of a continent that is integrated, prosperous and peaceful, and a dynamic force in the global arena.
 
It also emphazised that Africa’s challenge is economic transformation, which agenda should be led by Africans, noting that to achieve this objective, the Commission has committed to explore all avenues for mobilizing sources of finance including tapping into Africa’s own resources and global financial opportunities.
 
The communique also acknowledged that external partners have contributed to Africa’s progress through instruments such as the Africa Development Fund (ADF) to which the Commission remains committed. 
 
To support the vision of Africa’s leaders to transform the continent over the next 50 years, the communique reaffirmed the commitment by the three pan-African institutions to collaborate closely with Regional Economic Communities and other partners to foster the agenda of an integrated and prosperous continent.
 
"We have agreed to engage with Africa’s leaders and peoples in articulating and preparing such an African led transformation agenda for the next 50 years. We shall pursue this discussion in the upcoming African Union meetings and through consultations with Regional Economic Communities, Partners and other stakeholders to realize the vision of the African Renaisance" 
 
"We seize the opportunity presented to us to reaffirm the spirit of Pan Africanism and African solidarity, which inspired the political evolution of the continent in the last 50 years, and is now critical for realizing Africa’s socio-economic transformation"
 
Recognizing the progress the continent has made in several areas, including peace, and security, good governance, economic growth, regional integration and attracting investments, we reflected on the key challenges, opportunities and priorities facing Africa going forward, drawing on the experience of the last 50 years"
 
"We welcome the continent’s resilience in the face of the recent global financial and economic crises but commit to further action with all relevant stakeholders to enhance Africa’s economic independence, reduce vulnerability and diversify its relations within the global economy" the communique jointly signed by Dr Nkosana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and Dr Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) reads.

 

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UPDATE: 78-yr-old Mother Of Bayelsa Speaker Kidnapped

Armed men yesterday abducted the 78-year-old mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Friday, Mrs. Betinah Okunwa Benson.

The gunmen,reportedly arrived the residence of the Speaker's mother in  Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state at about 12.30am.

According to a statement issued by the Media Aide to the Speaker,Mr.Preye Kiyaramor, the gunmen who came in two speed boats shot sporadically into the air to scare away people before going away with their victim,"The incident has been reported to the police. No contact has been made with the kidnappers at the time of sending this report."

While supporters of the Assembly Speaker are pointing accusing fingers at the  Sacked Five Council Chairmen following the Speaker's claim last week of an alleged sponsored impeachment plot against him,Others claimed the crisis rocking the Speaker's community over his involvement in the tenure elongation of the Community Development Executives may have been responsible.

The Coordinator of the Media Centre of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield,Lt.Col. Onyeanka Nwachukwu said he was not aware of the incident. But the spokesperson of the Bayelsa Command of the Police,Mr.Fidelis Oduna,confirmed the incident,"Yes,the Mother of the Bayelsa Speaker has been kidnapped and we have dispatched our men into the area with a view of unravelling those behind the kidnap".

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JTF Arrests Suspected Boko Haram Commander In Maiduguri

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on ``Operation Restore Order’’ says that it has apprehended Mohammed Zangina, a suspected Boko Haram commander, in Maiduguri.

JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said this via a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.

Musa said that Zangina was arrested after an operation at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Maiduguri.

``The JTF has arrested a high-profile Boko Haram commander and `Shura’ Committee member at about 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. He was arrested in GRA, Maiduguri,'' he said.

Musa said that Zangina was in Maiduguri to plan for series of attacks before he was captured.

``He came to Maiduguri to plan several deadly attacks against civilians and security personnel.

`` Zangina, a.k.a Malam Abdullahi, is often referred to as Alhaji Musa. He is the leader of Boko Haram in the north-central part of the country; he is the coordinator of most of the suicide attacks and bombings in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Potiskum.

``He is a key member of the `Shura’ Committee of the Boko Haram terrorists and he is among those declared wanted. A bounty of N25 million was placed on him by the JTF in November 2012,'' he said.

Musa said that Zangina had survived numerous attempts to capture him before he was eventually arrested in Maiduguri.

``He has survived several security manhunts in his hideouts in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Potikum before his eventual arrest,'' he added. (NAN) 

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Opposition Elements Jealous Of Aregbesola’s Achievements — Akere

In this chat with SEFIU AYANBIMPE, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Olumo Sunday Akere, speaks on the activities of the present administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the state. He dismisses the criticisms of the opposit...

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Interbank Lending Rates Rise On NNPC Cash Recall, T-bills Auction

Nigerian interbank lending rates rose by about 100 basis points this week, to an average of 12.5 per cent, as dollar sales by the state-owned energy firm NNPC and treasury bills sapped naira liquidity. The NNPC sells the bulk of dollars traded on the i...

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