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CBN, MAAN set to release 300,000 MT of maize for february

Mosunmola Ore
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About 300,000 metric tonnes of maize are soon to be released into the Nigerian market from strategic anchors under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which watchers believe will reduce the current price of maize from N155,000 per metric tonne.

The anticipated release follows moves made by the CBN, working with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in the last quarter of 2020, to facilitate import waivers to four agro-processing companies to import 262,000 tonnes of maize to bridge the shortfall in production and augment local production.

With the release of 300,000 metric tonnes in February 2021, it is expected that the prices of maize in the Nigerian market will drop significantly, thereby increasing demand for the crop and ultimately enhancing the gains of maize farmers.

Prior to the CBN-NCS collaboration, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of 30,000 tonnes of maize from the National Strategic Grain Reserve to support the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) at a subsidized rate.

In a chat with news men in Abuja, the National President of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) Alhaji Bello Abubakar, attributed the current shortfall in the quantity of maize available in the market, to include insecurity around the major maize producing belt of Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and part of Kano states. Alhaji Bello also identified the activities of hoarders and middlemen who engage in hoarding of the grain.

Also speaking the same vein, a prime anchor under the maize production, Dr. Edwin Uche, noted that banditry, drought in some parts of the country in 2020 and activities of middlemen are responsible for the current high price. He however opined that the planned dry season farming which is first of its kind in the country, timely distribution of inputs to farmers and improved security, would go a long way to enhance production and ensure stability in price. He expressed optimism about the price crashing to N120,000 per metric tonne in the next couple of days.

Another major stakeholder in the maize production, Mr. Ayodeji Balogun of AFEX, attributed the hike in price to cash-flow problem of farmers which has compel farmers to resort to collecting cash from buyers ahead of production and resort to side-selling, especially across the borders of neighbouring countries due to higher prices.

It will be recalled that the CBN in 2020 had provided credit facility and seed support to maize farmers, to enable them increase their yield, particularly due to the challenge posed by the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As part of the Bank’s financing framework, the CBN has facilitated the funding of maize farmers and processors through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) Commodity Association, Private/Prime Anchors, State Governments, Maize Aggregation Scheme (MAS), and the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS).

Confirming the release of credit to its members by the CBN, the National President of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Dr. Bello Abubakar disclosed that over 200,000 farmers targeted to producee more than 25 million metric tonnes of maize in the 2020/2021 planting season.

According to him, the credit secured by the CBN are being distributed to members along the maize value chain, nation-wide. He expressed confidence that the support of the CBN would boost production and ultimately ensure availability as well as stability in the price of the commodity. In spite of cases of insecurity in some parts of the country, he said farmers were committed to meeting the objective of food security.

Abubakar also charged middlemen not to take advantage of the supply gap to hike the price of the grains, even as he assured that farmers would maintain reasonable price. He equally urged the Federal Government to put in place mechanism to protect farmers from market triggered shocks.

Fulani Herdsmen: Presidency cautions Ondo Governor against quit notice

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Presidency has countered the directive given by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to herdsmen to leave the State.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement, said there is a need for dialogue between the State government and leaders of the Fulani community in the state, to resolve the matter.

He said: “The Presidency has been keenly monitoring events occurring in Ondo State and the “orders” by the government of the state, “asking herders to vacate the forests in seven days.”

“What is clearly emerging is a lack of consistency in messaging which in turn leads to various contradictions regarding the accuracy and the intent behind the message. There is little to be said other than to call for restraint on both sides and urge the state government and the leadership of the Fulani communities to continue their dialogue for a good understanding that will bring to an urgent end, the nightmarish security challenges facing the state.”

Shehu advised the State Governor, a seasoned legal practitioner, to uphold the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and beware of actions that could cause chaos.

“Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a seasoned lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and indeed, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has fought crime in his state with passion and commitment, greater sensitivity and compassion for the four years he has run its affairs and, in our view, will be the least expected to unilaterally oust thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals.

“If this were to be the case, rights groups will be right in expressing worries that the action could set off a chain of events which the makers of our constitution foresaw and tried to guard against.

“We want to make it clear that kidnapping, banditry and rustling are crimes, no matter the motive or who is involved. But, to define crime from the nameplates, as a number of commentators have erroneously done- which group they belong to, the language they speak, their geographical location, or their faith is atavistic and cruel.

“We need to delink terrorism and crimes from ethnicity, geographical origins and religion—to isolate the criminals who use this interchange of arguments to hinder law enforcement efforts as the only way to deal effectively with them.

“The President, who swore to defend the constitution has spoken against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in asking citizens of Northern origin to leave; he did not spare the group based in Sokoto, ‘Muslim Solidarity Forum,’ which asked the Bishop of Sokoto to leave and is prepared to do all that the law permits to protect citizens all over the country in their choice of where they wished to reside and are treated as equal citizens,” he said.

He called on the government of Ondo, and all the 35 others across the federation to draw clear lines between the criminals and law-abiding citizens, who must equally be saved from the infiltrators.

“Beyond law and order, the fight against crime is also a fight for human values which are fundamental to our country,” he said.

 

Nnenna.O

COVID-19: African countries to pay $3 to $10 per vaccine dose

Lantana Nasir
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African countries will pay between $3 and $10 per vaccine dose to access 270 million COVID-19 shots secured this month by the African Union (AU), according to a draft briefing on the plan prepared by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximban).

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who serves as AU chair, said last week arrangements had been made with the bank to support member states who want access to vaccines. Countries can pay back the loans in instalments over five to seven years, the document showed.

Afreximbank’s press office declined to answer questions on the terms outlined in the briefing, saying the document was in draft form and meant for confidential discussion by members of a team created by Ramaphosa to secure vaccines and financing for the continent’s coronavirus immunization programs.

The AU team also declined to comment.

The document, which was shared with Reuters by two sources, provides the first public details on the prices manufacturers are offering African nations outside of the COVAX global vaccine sharing scheme led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the GAVI vaccine alliance.

Although the prices are discounted, some experts worry about countries already struggling to manage the economic fallout of the pandemic having to borrow more money to protect their people.

“No country should have to take on debt to pay for the vaccine,” said Tim Jones, head of policy at the Jubilee Debt Campaign, a British charity working to end poverty.

The companies supplying shots Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson and the Serum Institute of India did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

AstraZeneca, whose shots Serum will provide, declined to comment.

John Nkengasong, who heads the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the prices were comparable to those available through COVAX.

“My thinking is that the vaccines market will open up in the coming months, when for example Johnson & Johnson and others land on the market.

For now, what is critical is access to the market, secure quantities and start vaccinating,” Nkengasong Said.

The AU is concerned that vaccine supplies to be released through COVAX in the first half of the year may not extend beyond the needs of frontline healthcare workers.

COVAX is due to start rolling out vaccines to middle-income countries in February, with about 600 million doses earmarked for Africa this year.

Doses secured by the AU that will supplement that supply are due to start arriving in March.

Serum will provide 100 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine at $3 each, according to the draft document, roughly what it said would be the price for India’s government.

That is enough to vaccinate 50 million people with its two-dose regimen.

Pfizer will provide 50 million doses of its two-shot vaccine at $6.75 each, the document showed. By comparison, the European Union and the United States are paying around $19 per dose, while Israel is paying $30 for the Pfizer vaccine.

J&J, which is expected to report Phase III trial results in the coming weeks, will provide 120 million doses of its single-shot vaccine at $10 each.

The U.S. government is paying around $14.50 a dose, including development costs.

Population size will determine how much of each vaccine various African countries will be offered.

Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation, stands to pay roughly $283 million if it takes its full allocation of 42 million doses. Ok Zambia would have to find $25 million for its allocation of less than 4 million doses, according to the document.

Talks are underway to secure additional vaccines, including Russia’s Sputnik V, according to the briefing.

Africa aims to have 60% of its 1.3 billion people vaccinated against COVID-19 within the next two to three years to achieve some measure of herd immunity.

Afreximbank’s financing arrangement hopes to cover shots for about 15%, with 20% to be supplied through COVAX and the remaining 25% covered by the World Bank and other sources, the document showed.

Afreximbank has said it would provide advance procurement guarantees of up to $2 billion to vaccine manufacturers, upon receipt of firm orders from member states.

Under the plan, countries would have to pay a 15% deposit on any order to take advantage of the financing. They would then repay Afreximbank via quarterly instalments made over five to seven years, using their own resources, World Bank loans or funds from other sources, it said.

The World Bank said it was in discussions with the African Union and governments throughout Africa to support their vaccine needs but did not provide further details.

Countries paying through instalments would also have to pay unspecified financing charges.

“We need a way to secure the economy by vaccinating people,” said Africa CDC chief Nkengasong.

Tokyo Olympics ‘unlikely’ to go ahead

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Tokyo Olympics look “unlikely” to go ahead as the coronavirus pandemic continues to paralyse large parts of the world, a senior official from the London 2012 Games has said.

Keith Mills, who was deputy chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, said Tokyo officials should be making plans to cancel.

Japanese and International Olympic Committee officials remain adamant the 2020 Games, already postponed for a year, will go ahead in July and August despite the ongoing health crisis.

 

“Personally, sitting here, looking at the pandemic around the world, in South America, North America, Africa and Europe, it looks unlikely,” Mills told the BBC.

“If I were sitting in the shoes of the organisers, I would be making plans for a cancellation and I’m sure they do, but I think they will leave it until absolutely the last minute in case the situation improves dramatically.

“But it is a tough call.”

A man walks past the Olympic rings on display at the Odaiba waterfront in Tokyo.

Tokyo and other parts of Japan are currently under a state of emergency to quash a surge in infections, and polls indicate that public support for the Olympics has plunged.

 

But World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said he still thought the Games would go ahead.

“I don’t think it will be cancelled,” Coe told Sky News.

“It’ll be a challenge, we know. It’s pretty self-evident. There will be adaptations.

“I think the Games will take place but they will look different.”

First Nigerian blind DJ, Akpeji, set to release debut album

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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A blind disc jockey (DJ) and musician, Mr Augustine Akpeji, popularly known as DJ Aus, says plans have been concluded to release his first album in 2021 that will entertain members of the public.

Akpeji, a producer and multi-instrumentalist, told Newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that his album would contain positive vibes to thrill his fans. Akpeji, the winner of the first disability reality show (Ability in Disability) talent hunt, said that he was working hard to ensure the early release of the album.

According to him, “I am coming out with a lot of positive vibes, with more music in my first album. “Yes, I will hit the public with my vocals that some people call the ‘golden voice’ and it will be with songs from different genres. “I will also do more mixes to be played in gatherings,” he said.

The Edo-born musician described music as entertaining medicine, adding that he cannot live without it. “I am trying to use my technology to key into the entertainment industry and I am okay with everything that comes my way,” he said. Akpeji enjoined other persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discover their God-given talents and put them into use.

“They must not give up on their dreams and talents, as everyone has an embedded talent. “It is just for us to locate the talents, develop them and put into better use. If you have gotten yours, don’t give up on it and if you have not, try to discover it. “More PWDs will surely tap some of my talents and they will be fortunate to learn from it,” he added. Reports have it that Ekpeji won a reality TV talent hunt show titled: “The AID (Ability in Disability) talent show”, organised by Miss Health International Foundation in 2020.

Joe Biden to be sworn in as 46th President of the United States

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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US President-elect, Joe Biden is to be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States at a moment of profound turmoil and loss for America.

Biden will be sworn in shortly before noon on Wednesday by Chief Justice John Roberts on the Capitol’s West Front, with a vista of iconic national monuments stretching across the National Mall.

Instead of a vast throng of supporters, Biden will look out upon a field of flags from each of the 50 US states and territories representing those who could not attend because of the pandemic.

Biden will take the oath of office on the steps of the US Capitol where exactly two weeks prior a mob of Donald Trump supporters, who is preparing to leave the White House, breached security barriers and stormed the building in an effort to overturn the results of the presidential election.

In the aftermath of the deadly assault on the Capitol and as the death toll from the coronavirus surpasses 400,000, Biden will assume the presidency in a city resembling a war zone and devoid of the celebratory pomp and pageantry that comes with a presidential inauguration.

Even before the attack on the Capitol, the inaugural planning committee urged Americans to stay home in an effort to minimize the risk of further spreading the disease.

After refusing to concede, Trump will hold a farewell event at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on Wednesday morning.

When Biden takes office, Trump will be nearly 1,000 miles away, at his south Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.

Trump, who was impeached for a second time on a charge of “incitement of insurrection” after the deadly siege of the Capitol, leaves Washington for an uncertain future.

Whether he mounts a political comeback in 2024 probably depends on the outcome of his Senate impeachment trial, which will forge ahead in the first days of his post-presidency.

If convicted, the Senate can vote to disqualify him from ever again holding future office.

Trump’s absence at the ceremony will be a final show of disregard for democratic norms and traditions.

Only four US presidents have skipped their predecessor’s inauguration – most recently Andrew Johnson in 1869.

Mike Pence, the outgoing vice-president, will attend the ceremony to demonstrate support for a peaceful transition of power.

The Clintons, Bushes and Obamas are all expected to attend the ceremony.

Biden will take the oath alongside Kamala Harris, who will make history as the nation’s first female, first Black and first Asian American vice-president.

She will be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina member of the supreme court.

Some elements will remain unchanged. Biden is expected to deliver an inaugural address, in which he will appeal for national unity.

After his remarks, Biden will continue the tradition of reviewing the troops.

But Biden will forgo the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Instead, the inaugural committee has planned a virtual “Parade Across America” that will begin after his swearing-in.

On the eve of his inauguration, Biden led a remembrance ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool honoring the 400,000 people who died from the coronavirus pandemic.

Confronting the virus will be Biden’s most urgent priority after he is sworn in.

 

More covid 19 cases linked to arrivals for Australian Open

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Ten people who have flown to Melbourne for the Australian Open have tested positive to coronavirus, authorities said.

Lisa Neville, police minister for the Australian state of Victoria, reported three new cases on Wednesday, adding one of the cases was a player who has been in “hard lockdown” since arrival into Australia as he came in on a flight where positive cases had been recorded.

The second case related to another player and the third is a support person with the player, she added.

She said: “In the meantime, the player, the support person and their bubble – so the other support person and player they’re with – will not be training until we have a final confirmation either that they are shedding or that they are positive.

“If they are positive, those two [the player and support person] will go into the health hotel and their bubble will be considered close contacts and will be in lockdown for the 14 days.”

 

 

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said the safety of the Victorian community will not be compromised, but added the body was walking a “tightrope”.

He told ABC News Breakfast: “I do understand the players, this is a new experience for them and I don’t think anyone expected to know what the 14 days was like and they are adapting to it.

“At the beginning, it was pretty challenging with their adaptation, it’s got a lot better, I think the majority of the players understand and accept it and there is a minority struggling with it but we are going to do whatever we can to make it better for them.”

 

 

Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan has been one of the most outspoken complainants and she posted a picture of herself on Instagram holding up a sign reading: “We need fresh air to breathe.”

The critics have received the most publicity but there are plenty of players who have accepted the restrictions without complaint and appreciate how their situation looks to Melburnians, who endured the strictest lockdown in the world to reduce community cases to zero.

Two-time former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka wrote in a long Twitter post addressing her fellow players: “This has been a very difficult time for a lot of us that did not expect to end up in the situation we are in today, myself included.

Australian Open: Quarantine continues for 72 players confined to hotel rooms

“To be in a 14 day hard quarantine is very tough to accept in terms of all the work that everyone has been putting in during their off-season – to be prepared for playing our first grand slam of the year.

“I understand all the frustration and feeling of unfairness that has been coming and it is overwhelming.

“We have a global pandemic, nobody has a clear playbook of how to operate at full capacity and without a glitch, we all have seen it last year. Sometimes things happen and we need to accept, adapt and keep moving!”

CHAN 2020: Zambia Pips Tanzania

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Zambia’s Chipolopolo got off their journey at the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to a winning start overcoming Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Tuesday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Two goals in the second half from Collins Sikombe and Emmanuel Chabula helped Zambia register win their opening game.

Former Africa champion looked the better side even when getting the outlet seemed futile in the opening minutes.

The best chance for Tanzania came in the early stages of the game but Baraka Majogoro’s effort was well tamed by goalkeeper Allan Chibwe.

Sikombe broke the deadlock in the 64th minute converting from the spot before Chabula doubled the advantage with 12 minutes to play.

Victory means Zambia go top in group D that also has Guinea and Namibia.

 

source BSNsport

CHAN 2020: Morocco downs Togo

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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It was a debut to forget for Hawks of Togo in the ongoing 2020 Championship of African Nations in Cameroon, as they suffered defeat to Atlas Lion of Morocco in the group C opening match,

Togo edged Nigeria’s Super Eagles B Team in the qualifier of the competition and booked a place for the very first time in the country history.

Morocco, in its part defeated the Nigeria side in the final of 2018 edition of the tournament to emerge champions on the home soil.

The defending champions expectedly dominated the possession but we’re unable pull down the backline of the West Africa country.

But in the 27th minute the North Africa netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot through Yahya Jabrane .

All the efforts of Togo to comeback into the game proved abortive ad Morocco stood their ground to secure maximum point.

 

source BSNSports.com.ng

 Ndidi’s Goal Sends Leicester Top of EPL

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Leicester City moved to the top of the Premier League table and increased the pressure on struggling Chelsea manager Frank Lampard with an impressive victory at The King Power Stadium, BSNsports.com.ng reports.

The Foxes knew a win would see them overhaul Manchester United and they were on their way after only six minutes when Wilfred Ndidi fired in off the inside of the post from 20 yards.

Chelsea rarely threatened, although they were denied a first-half penalty by VAR when Christian Pulisic went down under a challenge from Jonny Evans, only for the technology to confirm the offence took place just outside the area.

Lampard’s misery was swiftly reinforced as Leicester City broke clear to add a second four minutes before the break, James Maddison sweeping a cool finish past Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy on the half-volley from Marc Albrighton’s pass.

Chelsea barely raised a gallop after the break and it was Leicester who created the better openings as James Justin headed wide when unmarked and Mendy saved from Youri Tielemans.

Leicester are now a point ahead of Manchester United having played a game more while Chelsea are in eighth, five points off the Champions League places.

In the first game of the day, goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio secured a 2-1 win for West Ham against West Brom.

West Ham took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Bowen chested in Vladimir Coufal’s cross.

The visitors levelled soon after the restart through Matheus Pereira’s thunderous drive from distance.

Dara O’Shea then blocked Manuel Lanzini’s goal bound shot but Antonio gave West Ham the win with a hooked finish.

The win was West Ham’s third in a row in the League while West Brom remains 19th, five points from safety.

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