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Saudi govt. donates 50 tonnes of dates to FG
Saudi govt. donates 50 tonnes of dates to FG
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Nigeria on Friday donated 50 tonnes of dates to the Federal Government.
The reports gathered that the donation was presented by the Saudi Amb. to Nigeria, Mr Faisal Alghamdi.
Dates are basically tropical fruits that are grown on date palm trees.
It is scientifically known as phoenix dactylifera and is one of the healthiest fruits in the world.
It was received by Amb. Murtala Jimoh, the Deputy Director, Middle East and Gulf Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on behalf of the Nigerian Government.
Alghamdi said that the humanitarian donation reflected the brotherly bond between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia that had lasted for decades.
According to him, the Saudi government through the King Salman’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), has been providing necessary humanitarian assistance to Nigeria at different sectors of the economy.
The ambassador said that it was part of the country’s continued commitment aimed at alleviating the sufferings of people in distress.
“To fulfill its humanitarian pioneering role all over the world, my country has handed over more than 50 tonnes of dates to the friendly and brotherly Nigerian Government, in addition to the 50 tonnes of dates distributed in Kano on Wednesday.
“The relief centre has been providing necessary humanitarian assistance to Nigeria at various fields, the most recent is the execution of Et’am three Initiative done in March through the distribution of food baskets to 5,606 beneficiaries.
“In Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno and Abuja, at the cost of 40, 000 dollars.
“Furthermore, Suadi government through the KSRelief carried out a medical diagnostic campaign in Abuja, Kano and Lagos in the last quarter of 2023, in which different medical procedures were offered free of charge to Nigerians.
“Today’s handover of dates is part of the annual humanitarian and relief assistance presented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque to a number of friendly countries, among which is Nigeria,’’ he said.
Responding, Amb. Jimoh, lauded the initiative of the Saudi government, saying that the 50 tonnes of dates would be distributed accordingly.
According to him, the donation of 50 tonnes of dates from the Saudi Government through the KSRelief means a lot to us, and the dates is meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Victims of Natural Disasters across the country, particularly in the IDPs camps.
“So, we took a little of the 50 tonnes of dates last week at the MFA and we are here for the symbolic handing over,
“Also this afternoon, Amb. Adamu Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary MFA, will formally hand over these dates to the Permanent Secretary of the Humanitarian Ministry for onward transmission to affected people across the country.
“So it goes a long way to demonstrate the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the Kingdom, and this is not the first time this gesture is being extended to us.
“It has been done over a period of time that even food materials were supplied to the affected people across the IDPs camps in the country,’’ he said.
According to him, both countries are strategic partners in their respective regions and are key players in these regions.
“The two countries are strategic countries in their respective regions, in Africa Nigeria is a major player while in the middle-east and gulf, Saudi Arabia is a big player as well.
“The cultural relations have existed, even before the independence of the two countries. We have the religious tourism which has been the core relationship in the past.
“But in the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, he has placed emphasis on a cordial and strategic relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia through the crown Prince and various areas of partnership were discussed.
“The two leaders also agreed on the establishment of the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia business council which will drive the economic relationship moving forward,’’ he said.
Saudi govt. donates 50 tonnes of dates to FG
Lagos Market Clash: Unions threaten to cut tomato supply
The Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria has threatened to cut tomato supply to Lagos State over alleged destruction of its goods.
Its National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Alaramma, made the disclosure during a news briefing in Zaria on Sunday.
Alaramma is also the National Secretary of Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria.
He said the clash at Ile-epo Market in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, which began on May 1, had caused the destruction of their investment in over 60,000 empty tomato crates.
Alaramma said that raffia basket was initially used for conveying tomatoes to the south, however, it caused more damages on the tomatoes, hence, the introduction of plastic crates.
“Over 70 members of the association rent out the crates to tomato dealers across the country; we have over 60,000 crates which were about to be returned to the north at the market during the turmoil.
“These crates were burnt by the ‘area boys’ during the clash and they prevented our people from quenching the fire.
“We have audio-visual and other proof supporting our claims,” the chairman said.
According to him, each empty crate costs N6,000; therefore, members lost over N360 million investment.
He appealed to the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders to look into the issue and compensate the association, to cushion the effect of the damage.
Alaramma said that the association was already in touch with its legal team over available legal remedies, in the event of unfavourable responses from the government.
“If nothing is done, we will have no option than to cut supply of tomatoes to Lagos over this incident,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a section of Ile-epo Market was on Wednesday evening set on fire as hoodlums clashed leaving many people injured while some goods were destroyed in the process.
Lagos Market Clash: Unions threaten to cut tomato supply
NDLEA intercepts 4,752kg of cannabis in Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 40-ft gas tanker marked RBC 77XG with 511 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck.
The Spokesperson for the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives had intercepted the tanker during a stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on May 1.
He said the consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo State and was meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution.
Babafemi said the four suspects arrested in connection with the seizure were: Efe Mikel, 39, Ebigide Cyril, 29, Ejechi Monday, 41 and Friday Chukwudi 39.
In another development, two suspects, Aminu Umar 25, and Anas Umar, 22, were arrested with 207.1 kilograms of cannabis sativa in their houses at Ungwan Rimi, Basawa, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State on April 29.
Also, Bashir Umar, 35, was nabbed at Ladanai, Hotoro area of Kano State, on May 3, with 194 bottles of codeine syrup.
In the same vein, in Osun, NDLEA operatives on May 1, arrested 51-year-old Suleiman Usman, an ex-convict, currently facing trial for another drug offence at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.
Babafemi added that at the time of his latest arrest at Okinni town, Suleiman was found in possession of 4.4grams of Cocaine, 28.5kg of cannabis sativa, 20 tabs of rophynol weighing 6.2grams and 812 pills of tramadol.
“The following day, May 2, NDLEA operatives at Agbara checkpoint, Seme border, Badagry Lagos, intercepted a Toyota camry car marked KJA 825 FT conveying 113 jumbo parcels of cannabis with a total weight of 64kg.
“The driver, Charles Amoni, 45, was promptly arrested,“ he said.
Also, in Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bauchi-Jos road on April 29, arrested Clement Chukwuka, 39, with 595 bottles of codeine; 38,260 pills of opioids such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam.
Babafemi said another suspect, Friday Ibochi, was nabbed at NDLEA check point, Aloma junction, Otukpa, Benue, on April 30, with 66 blocks of cannabis weighing 33kg.
In the same vein, a 42-year-old Ifeanyi Stanley, was arrested with 12kg of same substance at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
NDLEA intercepts 4,752kg of cannabis in Abuja
NERC unbundles TCN, establishes new system operator
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has unbundled the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with the establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO)
The company disclosed this in an order signed by its Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba and Mr Muslim Oseni, Vice Chairman in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the order, TCN will transfer all market and system operation functions to the newly formed NISO.
The company said that this is in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which provides clearer guidelines for the incorporation and licensing of the independent system operator (ISO).
It said that previously, TCN held Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and System Operations (SO) licences issued by NERC.
”With the establishment of NISO, TCN will now transfer its assets and liabilities related to market and system operations to the new entity.
According to the order, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has been directed to incorporate a private company limited by shares under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) by May 31.
”This new company, to be named the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO), will assume the market and system operation functions as specified in the Electricity Act and the terms of TCN’s system operation licence,”It said.
The company outlined NISO’s responsibilities to include managing assets and liabilities related to market, and system operation on behalf of market participants and consumer groups.
”The new ISO will also negotiate contracts for ancillary services with independent power producers and generation licensees.
”In addition to performing market and system operation functions for the benefit of market participants and system users”It said.
NERC unbundles TCN, establishes new system operator
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