News
Nigeria, EU Sign Over €900m Agreements For Developmental Projects
Nigeria and the European Union, on Thursday, signed finance agreements worth over €900m for development projects.
The agreements were signed at the EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue in Abuja.
It formed a central part of the EU-Nigeria cooperation to advance the country’s green, resilient, digitally inclusive transition under Government Priorities and Global Gateway.
Developed jointly between the EU and Nigeria, the first signed agreement would drive new programmes through Global Gateway as follows: climate-smart agriculture, €29m); sustainable energy, €37m; access to health services, €45m; and education support to youth and education development in the North-West region, €5.4m.
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In addition, the second signed €46m agreement will also contribute to building access in Nigerian social protection safety; support to border management and reintegration of returnees, €28.4m; support to the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of Boko Haram combatants in the North-East region, €20m and, support to improving the criminal justice system, access to justice and the fight against corruption, €30m.
The third signed finance agreement was a loan issued to two Nigerian private companies and banks by the European Investment Bank, as part of the Global Gateway strategy.
This includes a “2X challenge” €50m credit facility to female entrepreneurs and managers in Nigeria, expected to create jobs and growth in line with the green economy priorities. The second €14m loan was for Emzor Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients to finance the construction of a manufacturing plant for the production of anti-malarial drugs.
The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said the EU would continue to invest in priorities of security, democracy and prosperity for all.
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She said, “I am delighted to be visiting Nigeria to further strengthen our partnership, and I look forward to launching a package of new actions, as part of the Global Gateway strategy and EU support to Government priorities.
“Building on our long-standing cooperation, and in the best spirit of shared responsibility, commitment and accountability, the EU will continue to invest in our common future and priorities of security, democracy and prosperity for all, not least through the package of loans and grants that I am signing and launching here today that will benefit the Nigerian businesses, farmers, youth and the society as a whole.”
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, stated that the EU-Nigeria relations were one of the most vibrant development partnerships in terms of volume, thematic interventions, and geographical spread in the deployment of resources.
Bagudu said, “The EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue is happening at the take-off of the current administration in Nigeria and presents opportunities for proper articulation and consolidation of priorities in our partnership.”
News
Edo To Dredge Ikpoba River For Revenue, Flood Control
Edo State government has proposed the dredging of Ikpoba River to curb flooding and exploring potentials for enhancing revenue generation in the state.
The state Commissioner for Mining, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed this when he led a delegation on an inspection of the river in Benin City.
According to him, the initiative was to find a lasting solution to the incessant challenges of flooding and river overflow on the busy road.
He added that his team was on the ground to assess the condition of the river to get a firsthand observation of its impact on communities near its bank.
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Also speaking, Director of Mining in the ministry, Mr. Omoruyi Ihianle expressed the state government’s determination to turn challenges into successes.
He stated that the primary objectives of the project were to generate revenue for the state government through mining and to mitigate flooding in the host communities.
“As a government, we have found a way of converting our challenges until success.
“As a result of the silted river channel, the host communities have been suffering from flooding, hence the Edo State Government is stepping in to desilt while raising revenue for the State Government,” he said.
News
JUST IN: Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Is Dead
Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has died.
Waidi Akanni, a former teammate and associate, confirmed the legendary goalkeeper’s death to TheCable on Thursday.
Rufai, affectionately nicknamed Dodo Mayana, died at 61 after a reported battle with long-term illness.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria also announced the demise of the former goalkeeper on the team’s official X account.
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“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the post reads.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”
Rufai is regarded as one of the best football goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced. He was the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He also represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Rufai had over 60 caps for the Super Eagles over the course of a decade with the team.
News
AMCON Sells Ibadan DisCo For N100bn
The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has announced the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for N100 billion.
AMCON’s Managing Director/CEO, Gbenga Alake, disclosed this at a media parley on Thursday.
Apart from IBEDC, AMCON also manages other distribution companies, including the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
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Alake said, “Today, I announce to you that Ibadan DisCo has been sold. When we came in, it had already been sold, but we renegotiated the price and got almost double of what it was initially going to be sold for.”
Regarding ongoing legal issues, Alake stated, “We have sold it, and whatever is still happening in court, we will face it.”
However, officials of IBEDC did not respond to inquiries about the sale.
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