Cross River seeks synergy between NDDC, Niger Delta govs for development (Read full details)

Ben Ayade

To ensure sustainable development in the Niger Delta, the Cross River State government has called for cooperation between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and governors in the region.

Speaking with The Guardian in Calabar, the state capital on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on NDDC, Mr. Victor Ekpo said: “The NDDC will succeed in developing the Niger Delta only if it collaborates with governors and the local councils.

“The NDDC should partner all the governors in the Niger Delta for sustainable development of the region. The commission was set up to solve the problems of the area and not to create more.

“Unlike the former board, they patronised militants and if you are not a top militant they will not recognise you. If you come up with reasonable proposals, they throw it away because you don’t have groups in the creeks who will kidnap and kill people.

“The moment you introduce yourself as a militant general they will start working with you. I am advising this board to pursue sustainable development because the idea of patronising militants is not ideal.”

He cautioned: “If there is no collaboration, the commission will not succeed because duplicating projects or clash of interest will lead to confusion. If they want to work for the interest of the people, there is need for proper collaboration.”

FG committed to establishment of 6 special economic zones (Read full details)

Nigeria's minister of industry, trade and investment, Okechukwu Enelamah

In a bid to boost direct foreign investment into the country, the federal government has reiterated its resolve to expend N51.4 billion for establishment of six special economic zones this year.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, who gave this hint, said the federal government decision to invest in the special economic is predicated on that fact that the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State , has attracted over $20 billion in investments to the country.

He stated this at a stakeholders’ forum and the unveiling of the Roadmap of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority organised by OGFZA in Onne yesterday.

Represented by the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investments, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, he said the Federal Government would not relent in its support to investors in the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority because of their immense contribution to national development.

The minister explained that the federal government appreciates the critical role of free zones as veritable engines of growth for the economy, hence, the decision to appropriate N51.4b in the 2017 budget for the establishment of six special economic zones in the country.

“In order to underscore the critical role of the Free Zones as drivers of economic growth, the Federal Government in the 2017 budget estimates made
a strong policy statement in support of the concept of the Free Zones by setting aside a special provision of N51.4 billion for the establishment of six Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country having recognized Free Zones as veritable engines of growth for the economy.

“For this reason, the Federal Government will continue to support OGFZA and investors in the Oil and Gas Free Zones because of their important
contributions to national economic development. Over the years, the Oil and Gas Free Zones have attracted more than $20 billion in investments and
created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. They have also facilitated the transfer of skills and technology in the oil and gas sector to Nigerians” he said.

The minister said he was delighted by proactive stance of the management of the oil and gas free zone to prepare a detailed roadmap and an information-rich marketing brochure, to further attract investors and give impetus to businesses.

“The Roadmap we are unveiling today is a critical work tool for OGFZA. It will help to measure economic and social progress in the Oil and Gas Free Zones. The steps outlined by OGFZA to enhance service delivery, improve on the ease of doing business and automate its operations will help in creating the enabling environment to create and sustain investments” he added.

On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, said the roadmap has been designed to improve the ease of doing business in the zone

“The path of the new OGFZA is well laid out in our roadmap, which we are unveiling today, along with our marketing brochure to guide existing and potential investors to the array of incentives available in the Free Zones. The Roadmap is a product of our vision to be the premier investment promotion agency of government by facilitating the establishment of businesses in the Oil and Gas Free Zones with the creation of an enabling environment for investment” he said.

NFF confirms March 23 for Eagles, Senegal friendly…See full details

Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed Senegal as one of the two countries that would face the Super Eagles in an international friendly game slated to hold in London next month.

The match, which is part of the Eagles’ build up for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun billed for August 28 in Uyo, would help Nigeria manager, Garnot Rohr, to fine-tune the team that would battle the reigning African champions.

According to Super Eagles’ spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, discussions are still on going between the NFF and Ghana/Morocco, one of who would be Nigeria’s second friendly opponent in London during the March FIFA window.

“The match against Senegal has already been confirmed for March 23, but the NFF is still working round the clock for the second opponent which might be Ghana or Morocco also to hold in London.

“The NFF is still discussing with these countries. I can assure you immediately this friendlies are confirmed, the Eagles’ coach will begin listing players for the matches. The World Cup qualifier against Cameroun is very important and the coach is not taking any chances,’’ he said.

Nigeria perennial rivals, Ghana’s Blacks Stars finished fourth in the just concluded 2017 AFCON, which took place in Gabon, while Morocco was among the last eight in the tournament.

Federation explains Nigeria’s early ouster (Read full details)

Hockey

The Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has attributed Nigeria’s ouster from the 2017 African Clubs Hockey Championship in Kenya to late preparation for the tournament.

Chairman, Niger State Hockey Association, Sani Legbo Kutigi, said in Minna at the weekend that Nigeria’s representative, Niger Flickers, did not go to camp early to make the team technically sound.

“Many of the countries that featured in this year’s championship were in camp for almost six months and this were the teams we beat thoroughly last year in Zambia,” he said.

Kutigi maintained that Nigeria’s performance at last year’s tournament in Zambia was impressive due to early preparation.

“Last year, we won a bronze medal at the continental level and we were hoping to build on this achievement in the same competition this year, but we couldn’t make it past the group stage.

“Hopefully, by next year if we are able to pick the ticket again to represent Nigeria we will surely do better,” he said.

He thanked the Niger state government for sponsoring the team to the competition and maintained that next year they will not disappoint the state and the country at large.

Federation explains Nigeria’s early ouster