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Minister cautions against delay in Pension Contribution Remittances 

Ime Njoku
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The  Minister of State in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on pension managers in the FCT Administration to eradicate the delay in pension contribution remittances,

The minister who made this call at a two-day pension management system retreat organised by FCT Area Council Staff Pension Board in collaboration with the National Pension Commission, also called for prompt payment of accrued pension benefit, efficient management of group life assurance scheme, timely compliance reporting and issuance of sanctions where necessary.

She, therefore, commended the giant strides of the FCT Area Council Staff Pension Board in developing a sustainable service charter to guide staff, stakeholders and the public towards accessing prompt pension services, stressing that the provision of sustainable service was in line with the present administrations next level agenda anchored on good governance.

Aliyu used the forum to task stakeholders and participants to assess the progress of contributory pension system in the FCT with a view to making sacrifices towards a sustainable pension regime, just as she urged the FCT Area Councils and agencies to domesticate performance assessment towards effective service delivery in line with Mr. President directive to introduce performance measurement at all levels of administration.

While speaking on the theme: “Service Charter a panacea for improved pensio delivery”, the minister noted that this year edition was poised to discuss issues of service delivery and central transfer system introduced by the National Pension Commission, while calling on stakeholders to come up with workable solution to improve pension remittances and services in general.

She, however, expressed the confident that the calibre of resource persons and participants present at the retreat would guarantee sustainable pension service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory.

Earlier, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said that the retreat would improve efficient service delivery within the area council, adding that FCT Administration has always given top priority to pension issues.

Adesola who called on the six Area Council chairmen in the FCT to take pension matters seriously, stressed on the need for prompt remittances of all pension deductions to beneficiaries accounts, while charging participants to take advantage of the retreat to restrategize and reflect on better ways of resolving pension matters.

 

 

EU summit: Turkish sanctions on agenda

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Concerned that their credibility is at stake, European Union leaders are set to consider on Thursday expanding sanctions against Turkey over its exploration of gas reserves in Mediterranean waters claimed by EU members Greece and Cyprus.

At their last summit in October, the leaders offered “a positive political EU-Turkey agenda” to Ankara, including trade and customs benefits and the prospect of more funds to help Turkey manage Syrian refugees on its territory if it halts its “illegal activities” in the eastern Mediterranean.

But EU foreign ministers unanimously agreed this week that Turkey’s behaviour has not improved. After chairing their videoconference on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “in several aspects, the situation has worsened”.

“The stakes are very precise, very clear: the credibility of the European Union,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told reporters. He recalled that the leaders said in October that there would be consequences if Turkey “continued its delinquent behaviour”.

“So now, it will be seen whether, as Europe, we are really credible in what we ourselves have agreed to,” Mitsotakis said.

The 27 EU countries are split over how best to handle Turkey. France and Cyprus have pushed for tougher measures like economic sanctions, but other countries are concerned about further undermining the country’s already ravaged economy and destabilising the region.

“France will keep a clear position,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, ahead of the summit. “We must be coherent with the decisions and our demands to Turkey from last October, draw the consequences and we must defend sovereignty and stability of EU states, in particular in the eastern Mediterranean but also the whole region.”

Still, EU diplomats fear the bloc’s “credibility, values and interests” are on the line.

“We can’t say there’s a problem in October and do nothing in December when things have got worse,” one said before the summit, according to The Associated Press news agency. He was not permitted to speak on the record as the deliberations were continuing.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brushed off the threat of sanctions and accused the EU, which Turkey is a candidate to join although its membership talks are blocked, of acting “dishonestly” and failing to keep its promises.

“Any decision to impose sanctions against Turkey won’t be of great concern to Turkey,” Erdogan told reporters.

About a year ago, the EU set up a system for imposing travel bans and asset freezes on people, companies or organisations linked to drilling activities “which have not been authorized by the Republic of Cyprus, within its territorial sea or in its exclusive economic zone or on its continental shelf”.

Two officials are currently on the list: the vice president of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and the deputy director of its exploration department. The idea would be to add more people or some organisations to the list, the diplomats confirmed.

It is unclear anyway whether more sanctions would slow Turkey down. Steps were taken in the past — the slashing of funds meant to prepare Turkey for EU membership and the virtual freezing of its accession talks — yet Ankara has only become more vocal.

On top of that, Erdogan has shown his willingness to encourage refugees from Syria to cross the border into Greece and on into Europe to ensure that his demands are well understood.

Turkey also plays a military role in Libya, a main point in Africa for refugees and migrants hoping to reach Europe.

The EU leaders in Brussels will also be discussing the coronavirus pandemic, issues relating to the budget, and Brexit.

CBN flags off input distribution to rice farmers

Mosunmola Ore
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The Central Bank of Nigeria has flagged-off the 2020 input distribution to rice farmers and loan recovery drive under the RIFAN-CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

This was disclosed by the apex bank yesterday.

the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed that beneficiaries of the RIFAN-CBN ABP have increased over the years, from an inaugural 75,000 beneficiaries in 26 states to about 275,000 beneficiaries; majority of whom were empowered in 2018 across the 36 states and FCT to cultivate 220,000 hectares.

The apex bank also revealed that beyond rice, the Commodity Association Window has been expanded to cover more commodities like maize, cassava, sorghum, soybean, ginger etc.

Despite the challenges, the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed that beneficiaries of the RIFAN-CBN ABP have increased over the years, from an inaugural 75,000 beneficiaries in 26 states to about 275,000 beneficiaries; majority of whom were empowered in 2018 across the 36 states and FCT to cultivate 220,000 hectares.

The apex bank also revealed that beyond rice, the Commodity Association Window has been expanded to cover more commodities like maize, cassava, sorghum, soybean, ginger etc.

CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele said:“Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has proven to be a game-changer in the financing of Smallholder farmers in Nigeria, as it has revolutionized agricultural financing and has remained the fulcrum of our agricultural transformation initiatives. Beyond being a tool for economic empowerment, job creation, and wealth redistribution, it has also galvanized financial inclusion in our rural communities.”

“With a population of about 200 million people, importation of any major food item will continually drain our external reserves, export our jobs to countries where those food items are produced, and distort our commodity value chains as we will not be able to guarantee the supply of raw materials for our agro-allied companies.”

the initiative has a potential of saving our hard-earned forex, creating more jobs, ensuring the smooth transition of our commodity value chain, and ensuring steady supply of raw materials for our agro-allied companies.

 FCTA projects 90% completion for road network, discourages roadside trading 

Ime Njoku
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Commuters traversing the ever busy Dutse:Alhaji road, in Bwari Area Council of the the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are now feeling at ease, following the speedy completion of major expansion works on the road.

In particular, many residents in communities such as Dutse-Alhaji, Duste-Makaranta, Sokale, Usuman Dam and Bwari Town are now very happy, as for a road they hitherto used to spend two hours, they traverse now in 40 minutes.

This is coming against the backdrop of years of untold hardship and nightmarish experiences, resulting in loss of daily man-hours by commuters while plying the road, despite FCT Administration’s assurances to hasten up the project and ease traffic gridlock there.

Recall that the road expansion works awarded by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to Setraco Construction Company (SCC) ltd, in as part of efforts to reduce daily traffic gridlock on that road axis leading to Bwari town of Abuja.

However, on a visit to the area, the Chairman, commercial drivers Association covering Ushafa and Bwari axis of Duste-Alhaji, Abdurasheed Aminu,  said the road is now okay, as they are at comfortable using the road.

Aminu described the development as a dream come true, as commuters like never before, are enjoying a seamless vehicular and human traffic flow, thereby improving the socioeconomic welfare of people in the area.

“At this stage, the road is okay, but let them give us a garage, because we don’t have anyone here, so people are parking on the road corridor. Even the Keke riders don’t have a garage, so they should also be given a garage, to enable us do what we do better,” he stressed.

According to the Director, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Engineer, Felix Nwankwo, the road is virtually completed as it’s at almost 90%, the only thing remaining is the wearing curve and some portions with small cable works.

Nwankwo, who spoke with newsmen during inspection of the road said, all the junctions and entrances have been designed for the project which was awarded in 2010, as part of the Kubwa infrastructure project, so the traffic is going to be ok.

According to him, “What is left, is just relocation of the underground cables, because if we do it by Monday, before the end of this year or early next year, they will finish it. They are capable of doing it.

“The Pedestrian bridge is not our contract. It’s the contract of the transportation Secretariat, so we will write them, to remain them, they came here and started it and left. We have already a layback for them. They are the ones handling the pedestrian bridge project, not STDD,” he stated.

On his part, the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskteam on City Sanitation and Traffic Management, Comrade Ikharo Attah, commended the engineers of the STDD as well as those who handled the project, for doing a wonderful job.

“We, as traffic managers are extremely elated, because this will make our traffic management job a lot easier than when we had to come and stay here, and keep our men till 10 pm.

 “When we came here about two months ago, following a marching order by the FCT Minister, that the road should be motorable within two months, many persons doubted that this would work, but within the period we have almost finished the road. 

Despite the#EndSARS protests that stopped the work for about a week or so, the work is almost completed. The challenges we are having here is people trying to bring street trading to the main road; and people trying to turn a section of the road into a parking lot which we are discouraging. But by and large, the beautiful thing is that the FCTA has kept its two months promises to ensure that the road is motorable.

“Our appeal and fear is that the rate of speed that people plying the road now used especially at night, because they drive as if they are on the race track. That is very worrisome.”

 

Europa League Roundup

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Rangers earned top spot in their Europa Leaguea s a comfortable 2-0 win away at Lech Poznan ensured they finished above Benfica. Leicester City also topped their group after beating AEK Athens by the same scoreline at the King Power Stadium.

Goals from Cedric Itten and Ianis Hagi earned Rangers victory, and a £900,000 bonus for topping Group D after Benfica drew 2-2 with Standard Liège. It also means Steven Gerrard’s side will be seeded in the last-32 draw, avoiding heavyweights like Manchester United, Arsenal, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen and Roma.

Swiss forward Itten pounced on a defensive mistake to put the visitors ahead, drilling an unstoppable drive past keeper Filip Bednarek at his near post on the half-hour. That helped settle Rangers after a nervous start, with Lubomir Satka missing the best chance for Poznan as he put his free header over the bar. Ianis Hagi settled matters with 18 minutes left, heading home after Connor Goldson had hit the bar.

“I think it is a huge achievement to win the group and it is thoroughly deserved,”Gerrard said afterwards. “Going on our performances over the six games, we deserve to be in the number one position. I think our progress and how quickly we are moving forward is clear to see, certainly from a European point of view.

”To be at this level now, competing and beating teams at this level shows the big steps that we have taken. The challenge now is can we keep building on it?” the Rangers manager added. “We are looking forward to the draw on Monday. We will need a bit of luck … but we will hopefully have a fit squad [in February] and if we do we will be a challenge for whoever we face.”

Leicester will also be seeded in Monday’s draw after quickfire first-half goals from Cengiz Under and Harvey Barnes earned a 2-0 win over AEK Athens and top spot in Group G. Braga beat Zorya Luhansk 2-0 in the group’s other game, but had to settle for second place.

The hosts were without the injured James Maddison but were able to leave Jamie Vardy on the bench in a comfortable victory. The result rarely looked in doubt after the Foxes went ahead 12 minutes in, when Youri Tielemans’ cross was sliced into the air by defender Stratos Svarnas.

Turkish winger Under lashed the rebound home on the volley from 15 yards, and Barnes got Leicester’s second two minutes later, cutting in from the left and firing a shot that deflected in off Ionut Nedelcearu. Wilfred Ndidi and Dennis Praet missed chances as Brendan Rodgers’ side pushed for more goals, but the job was done.

Brendan Rodgers and Cengiz Under celebrate Leicester’s 2-0 victory.
Brendan Rodgers and Cengiz Under celebrate Leicester’s 2-0 victory. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC/Getty Images
Napoli and Real Sociedad both claimed their places in the last 32 with a 1-1 draw at the newly renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Piotr Zielinski put the hosts ahead in the 35th minute but Willian José grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors. The La Liga side squeezed through after AZ Alkmaar lost 2-1 at Rijeka.

In Group A, Switzerland’s Young Boys produced an extraordinary late comeback to deny Cluj a place in the last 32. The Romanian side went ahead in the 84th minute, but Jean-Pierre Nsame and Gianluca Gaudino both struck in stoppage time to send the 10-man hosts through instead of their nine-man opponents.

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Milan finished top of Group H as Norwegian forward Jens Petter Hauge scored a fine solo goal in the first half to earn a 1-0 win at Sparta Prague. Lille qualified as runners-up despite an unexpected 3-2 defeat to Celtic. In Group K, Austria’s Wolfsberger defeated Feyenoord to go through at the Eredivise side’s expense. Group winners Dynamo Zagreb beat already-eliminated CSKA Moscow 3-1 in Croatia.

Elsewhere, Leon Bailey scored twice as Bayer Leverkusen beat Slavia Prague 4-0 to take top spot in Group C, and PSV Eindhoven pipped Granada to first place in Group E after a 4-0 win over Omonia. The La Liga side go through as runners-up after a goalless draw at PAOK Salonika.

Talk show host tests positive for covid-19

Aisha John-Mark
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America’s talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres said on Thursday that she had tested positive for the coronavirus but was feeling fine.

The American comedian said on Twitter that all her close contacts had been notified.

“I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately, I’m feeling fine right now,” she said in a Twitter posting.


A representative said production of the show had been halted until January.

DeGeneres is the latest celebrity to test positive for the disease. Actors Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Bryan Cranston and Hugh Grant along with singers Kanye West, Bad Bunny and Gloria Estefan are among those who have said they were diagnosed with the virus or had suffered symptoms.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is filmed in the Los Angeles area which this week re-imposed restrictions on household gatherings and shut down indoor and outdoor dining amid a surge of coronavirus cases.

 

MTV: Wizkid, Tiwa Savage lead nominations for music awards  

Aisha John-Mark
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Nigerian artists, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy are all in the lead of nominations for the MTV Africa Music Awards.

After a four-year hiatus, the awards is back and in February 2021, it will take place in Kampala, Uganda.

 Burna Boy, Busiswa, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Innoss’B, Kabza De Small, John Blaq, Master KG, Suspect 95, Sheebah, Soraia Ramos, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and WizKid all got two nominations each.

A second round of nominations will be announced on January 5, 2021. Those categories are Best Collaboration, Best International, Personality of the Year, Best Alternative Act, Best Fan Base Award and Song of the Year.

Here is a full list of nominations;

Best Female

Simi (Nigeria)

Sheebah (Uganda)

Sho Madjozi (South Africa)

Busiswa (South Africa)

Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Best Male

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Kabza De Small (South Africa)

Harmonize (Tanzania)

Fireboy DML (Nigeria)

Master KG (South Africa)

Rema (Nigeria)

Best Group

Blaq Diamond (South Africa)

Sauti Sol (Kenya)

Kabza De Small / DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)

Ethic (Kenya)

Rostam (Tanzania)

Artist of the Year

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Master KG (South Africa)

Davido (Nigeria)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Breakthrough Act

Elaine (South Africa)

Tems (Nigeria)

Omah Lay (Nigeria)

Zuchu (Tanzania)

John Blaq (Uganda)

Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)

Focalistic (South Africa)

Best Hip Hop

Nasty C (South Africa)

Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)

Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)

Kwesi Arthur (Ghana)

NGA (Angola)

OMG (Senegal)

Best Ugandan Act

Sheebah

Bebe Cool

John Blaq

Vinka

Daddy Andre

Spice Diana

Best Lusophone Act

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)

Preto Show (Angola)

Anna Joyce (Angola)

Mr Bow (Mozambique)

Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Francophone Act

Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)

Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal)

Stanley Enow (Cameroon)

Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concert

Black Motion (South Africa) – Red Bull Rendezvous

Niniola ft Busiswa (Nigeria / SA) – Africa Day Benefit Concert

Singuila (Congo) – DCDR Series

AKA (South Africa) – AKA TV

 

FCTA develops hazard mappings to mitigate effects of disaster

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), says it has developed what it called hazard mappings and carried out vulnerability and capacity assessment of the entire FCT to mitigate the effect of disasters in the territory.

Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dr. Abbas Idriss, disclosed this when he received in his office, executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, led by its chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche.

Idriss explained that hazard mapping enables the agency to know which hazard is associated with which area in the FCT and also enables the agency to handle any disaster case as it comes without any problem.

He added that the agency has also carried out vulnerability and capacity assessment of the entire FCT, to know if there will be a flood and how vulnerable such a flood is going to be at any point in time.

“It might interest you to know that over these years, we have developed what we called hazard mapping of the entire FCT. By this, we are able to know which hazard is associated with which area n the FCT and by so doing, we can handle any disaster case as it comes without any problem.

 We have also carried out vulnerability and capacity assessment of the entire FCT. We have to do that to determine if there will be flood and how vulnerable the flood is going to be at any point in time. We can also estimate the number of people that can be affected by the flood and know how many people we can rescue or evacuate at any point in time”, he explained.

The Director-General added that the agency came up with these measures because it wants to be seen as an agency that can prevent and mitigate disasters and not an agency that distributes relief materials to victims of disasters.

He, therefore, called on the NUJ to assist the agency in educating residents so that they can adhere and respect the early warning signals, especially avoiding driving into floods.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of NUJ, FCT council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, had appealed to the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, to consider appropriate funding for FEMA, because of the enormous tasks and responsibilities of the agency, especially advocacy, rehabilitation and assistance to those affected by one form of disaster or the other.

Ogbeche commended the Director-General of FEMA for setting the pace in disaster and post-disaster management in the FCT and for his service to the administration and residents of the territory.

He continued: “Let me also commend you for your impressive undertakings in the committee that looked into the violent clashes, occasioned by the EndSARS protests in the FCT.

For the fact that you worked within the time frame and came up with a painstaking report, speaks  of your commitment, dedication and unalloyed commitment to, not just peace and stability in the FCT, but it also demonstrates your passion for this country.”

Nnenna.O

Nasarawa Governor appoints aid as APC Caretaker Chairman

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has appointed his Special Adviser on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Mr. John Mamman, as the caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision was taken in Nasarawa State Capital, Lafia after an emergency APC stakeholders meeting attended by the governor and APC stakeholders, including the first civilian governor Senator Abdullahi Adamu and formal Governor Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura.

Mr. Mamman’s appointment was approved by the National Working Committee of the party to serve for six months.

He is a retired permanent secretary hails from Kokona Local Government Area of the State.

He joined the Governor’s administration at its inception in 2019 as Senior Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and was upgraded to Special Adviser three months later.

Mamman replaces the late Philip Tatari Shekwo, who was killed last month by gunmen.

Nnenna.O

FIFA ranking:Super Eagles fifth best in Africa

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Nigeria’s senior national team has ended 2020 as the 35th best football playing country in the world.

Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles remain unmoved in December’s ranking released by Fifa on Thursday morning.

The three-time African champions garnered a total of 1474 points to stay as the fifth-best team on the continent behind Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

 

In a year inundated by the coronavirus pandemic which crippled football-related activities globally, Nigeria played four games. Their first match of 2020 ended as a 1-0 defeat to Algeria in an international friendly. This was followed up with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in another international warm-up game staged at the Jacques Lemans Arena, Austria.

Nigeria’s double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifier versus Sierra Leone ended 4-4 and 0-0 respectively.

Senegal are ranked first on the continent and 20th in the world with 1558 points, while the Carthage Eagles are 26th in the world and second in Africa after amassing 1503 points.

Belgium claimed the team of the year prize for the third consecutive time having won six of their eight matches played in 2020.

Their three immediate chasers – France (2nd), Brazil (3rd) and England (4th) – retain their respective rankings. The only change in the top five compared to 2019 is the appearance of Portugal in fifth place.

The team with the most progress in 2020 were Hungary (40th), after a gain of 44 points and 12 places allowed them to end the year in the top 50. In eight matches played in 2020, the Magyars lost just once (to Russia), a sequence of results that enabled them to secure a berth at the Uefa Euro 2020.

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Other notable climbers include Ecuador (56th, + 41 points compared to December 2019), Malta (176th, + 32 points), Brazil (3rd, + 31 points), and Equatorial Guinea (134th, + 31 points). Burundi (138th), meanwhile, picked up 29 points and made the most significant move in terms of places, ascending 13 positions.

2022 Fifa World Cup hosts, Qatar boast a striking 1391 points over the course of a year to finish fifth in Asia and 58th in the world.

The next Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings will be published on 18 February 2021

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