Owerri airport will boost economic activities in the South East.

Owerri airport will boost economic activities in the South East.
The remodeled passenger terminal of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri airport will boost economic activities in the South East.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State, Trade and Investments and supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom when he inspected facilities at the airport yesterday, March 1.
The supervising minister who expressed satisfaction with the work done at the airport was accompanied on the inspection tour by the supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof.Viola Onwuliri, Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Sylvester Monye, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Jamila Shu’ara and the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. George Uriesi.
The tour took the inspection team to the remodeled passenger terminal, the ongoing apron expansion project and the new cargo terminal of the airport. The two ministers at separate comments during the inspection, praised President Jonathan for envisioning the transformation agenda in the aviation industry which has led to undeniable positive developments in the industry, including the Airport Remodeling Project.
The remodeled passenger terminal in Owerri was expanded to double the size of the old terminal and has a full complement of the ultra modern terminal facilities, including conveyor belts, check-in counters, offices, toilets and shops.

Yakubu Dati
GM (Corporate Communications)

Costa Rica 2014: Bala Nikyu urges Flamingoes to score

Costa Rica 2014: Bala Nikyu urges Flamingoes on goals scoring

Head coach of the Nigeria U17 women national team, Bala Nikyu has
urged his players to improve on their goal scoring abilities ahead of
the FIFA 2014 women World Cup in Costa Rica.

Nikyu in an appraisal of the Flamingoes, after two victories in two
friendly games in Portugal said the team is doing everything possible
to ensure that no stone is left unturned in preparations for the World
Cup.

"I'm happy with the progress so far. Playing two matches and winning
both is good, but not the ultimate.  We are not still good enough at
converting chances when we create them, knowing at the World Cup such
chances are not easy to come by - we missed some early chances against
the Portuguese's U14 boys, which if it was at the World Cup could cost
us," he noted.

"Winning the friendly games is not the issue, but watching the games
and knowing where we are lacking, seeing lapses and improving on them
is what I'm after. We had several scoring chances in the first five
minute but lost them. We will continue to work on improving and
creating chances and also converting them," he said.

Ahead of the scheduled friendly matches against Benfica's women club
and Belgium women U17 national team respectively, Nikyu stated that he
is not keen about the pedigree of their opponents but hope to expose
the players with the friendly games.

"We are not after the division where the teams play. I don't know
them, but seeking to learn from every opponent that comes our way on
where and what we are not doing well. We note areas we could still
have problem and try to solve them. We are training well and seeking
to get better for the World Cup," he said.

Nikyu however, appealed to football loving Nigerians for their
prayers, promising that they are all focused on recording success at
the World Cup.

The Nigeria U17 women will trade tackles with Benfica's  women club
side on Sunday, March 2 and later travel to Belgium to play its U17
women national team on Tuesday, March 4th.

NIGERIA AT 100: LET’S TAKE THIS COUNTRY WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO

NIGERIA AT 100: LET’S TAKE THIS COUNTRY WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO

Looking around our country, it is not hard to focus first on the differences between us and dwell on the numerous negatives of today. Easy to miss the positives and overlook our strengths. That is why I have chosen to deliver a different kind of message for Nigeria at 100. A message I pray will appeal to our sense of "country". Nigeria is without question one of the fastest growing nations in the world. With a fast growing population, a steady climbing economy and a very strategic position on the world map; it’s safe to say, Nigeria will one day join the pack of top nations in the world. We are a nation created on the bedrock of God’s blessings, from our encouraging climate, non existent natural disasters, teeming population, vast basin of human and natural resources; our success story when told shouldn’t be a surprise to many. Nigeria is great, but we know it can be greater.

Our build up to greatness will have many challenges; some of which we are facing now. Issues like Corruption, Boko Haram, Politics and Militancy in the Niger Delta, just to mention a few, were not caused by the present administration, but have been gradually evolving though subsequent administrations. Finger pointing is not only immature; it is irrelevant to the solution. We must unite, forget religion, forget location, forget tribe, forget ambition and think of our Nation. We the common citizens in the Niger-Delta were very instrumental to bringing peace to our region; at great cost. Over 2000 killed in Odi by our own civilian government under Obasanjo, hundreds killed in Gbaramatu by the Yaradua government not to talk of the thousands who died in other less noticed conflicts under their watch. Many of us forgave them. Because we found peace.

Now, we as a nation must join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan to move this country forward. We have no other home. Those of you who have forgotten how bad it has always been may not appreciate that it could have been worse, can still get a lot worse. The phrase "In all things give thanks" was extracted from the Bible but in the Quran it is also stated that all things come from Allah so give thanks. Let’s all in our little constituencies, preach the word of Peace, Forgiveness and Sincerity and leave the rest for our creator. Politics should be helping us achieve this, not used as a tool to achieve selfish personal ambitions at the expense of the people. Be not deceived. No one party can solve these problems just as can no one region. We have to work together. Those who abused Obasanjo got Yaradua, those who abused Yaradua got Goodluck and those who abuse Goodluck, will get worse. Only people who do not love Nigeria will resist this call.

Nigeria is 100 and nothing can take that away from us. There have been many obstacles to achieving that and for the first time, I can see hope. A national conference coming yet no major calls for separation. That in itself is a cause to celebrate albeit low-keyed, reflect on the past and plan for the future. Only a stable democracy can give this to us. As we mourn the children, men and women dying in the north from the Boko Haram menace, those in the Niger Delta dying silently from oil spillages and conflicts, those dying on the highways from avoidable accidents and the less privileged who die every day from starvation; let’s us be strong and believe in our victory, because it will surely come. Let’s break all divides of Party, Tribe, Religion and Misplaced Loyalty and celebrate Hope for our Nation. Nigeria is great, and whether they like it or not, it will be greater.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill

Rivers state

DHQ DID NOT COMMENT ON SENATE DIRECTIVE

DHQ DID NOT COMMENT ON SENATE DIRECTIVE

The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to an incredible online news report in the Daily Newswatch newspaper of 27^th February, 2014 where it claimed that the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade granted it a telephone interview on the Senate directive to the Chief of Army Staff.  The paper claimed in the purported interview that Gen Olukolade said the Senate does not have the powers to order the military around. It went further to attribute several unbelievable statements to General Olukolade as regards the Senate Committee on Defence and Army’s directive to the Chief of Army Staff on the fight against terror in the north east.

We wish to state categorically and unequivocally  that the Director of Defence Information did not at any time and in any form grant interview to the said newspaper or any other media organization on the issue. The Defence Headquarters is completely at loss on how the paper concocted such story and mischievously attributes it to Gen Olukolade.

It is even more shocking to note that the paper willfully syndicated the spurious interview to some online media outfits with the intent to brew discontent between the revered Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigerian and the Nigerian Armed Forces. 

The Defence Headquarters and indeed the Nigerian Armed Forces hold the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the highest esteem knowing that as a key arm of Government whose responsibility it is to make laws for the country, its resolution and decisions are not to be trivialized, questioned or repudiated in the manner the paper attributed to the director of Defence Information. We challenge the paper to produce the tape recording of the said interview if it ever lays claim to any credibility as a conveyor of truth.

The general public is hereby urged to totally disregard the spurious and     non-existent ‘interview’ as it is clearly a handiwork of mischief makers who are craving for undeserved popularity. 

Kogi SWAN Names Samuel AhmaduNew PRO

Kogi SWAN Names New PRO

The Kogi State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria
(SWAN) has appointed Samuel Ahmadu as its Public Relations Officer.

A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association,
Paul Omale and Joe Adama said the appointment was made at a general
meeting of the body on Friday in Lokoja.

Ahmadu, whose appointment takes immediate effect, replaces Pikawi
Dauda who recently relocated to Kaduna State.

Ahmadu is currently the managing Editor of SavidNews, contributor to
Goal.com and the former media officer of Kogi United Football Club of
Lokoja.

In his appointment speech, Ahmadu pledged to promote the ideas and
activities of the Association.



Joe Adama,
Secretary, Kogi SWAN

NO ATTACK ON GOVERNOR NYAKO’S CONVOY

NO ATTACK ON GOVERNOR NYAKO’S CONVOY

The alleged attack on the convoy of Governor Nyako as presented in a breaking news report on some television channels this afternoon is not true.    The truth is that the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako visited Michika and Shuwa areas of the State to sympathise with the communities that were attacked by terrorists recently.  While returning, the convoy came across a noticeable pandemonium which resulted from the alarm raised by some people who had mistaken a convoy movement of troops on patrol at Kirchinga village, for another impending attack by terrorists.  In the ensuing stampede and confusion, people scampered into the bush ostensibly to escape from those mistaken for terrorists.

The incident which was presented as a “Breaking News” and scrolled on TV is therefore not a true reflection of what actually happened.  The report is capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heightening tension. 

The military authorities therefore find it necessary to put the records straight and call on residents to go about their normal activities while remaining vigilant.  The operations in the North East are being consolidated and every effort is made to stop the terrorists from continuing their atrocities in that part of the country.

AC OLUKOLADE

Major General

Director Defence Information

CALL FOR COHERENT MANAGEMENT OF WEST AFRICA’S FISH RESOURCES

CALL FOR COHERENT MANAGEMENT OF WEST AFRICA’S FISH RESOURCES

West Africa needs to develop a coherent regional policy to manage its dwindling fishery resources with a view to ensuring a sustainable balance of its strategic role in the economies of Member States, a senior official at the Republic of Benin Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, has said.

“Such a policy must effectively reconcile the various roles of the sector, a critical source of revenue, food security and a diminishing resource which had generated some tensions related to the issues of access and market, a reflection of the absence of dialogue,” said Mr. Idrissou Yacouba Toure, Director of Cabinet in the ministry.

Fishery accounts for between three and five percent of the GDP of five ECOWAS Member States of Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali and Senegal with about five million people involved in the sector mainly in harvesting, processing and trading in fish and related products as well as ancillary activities such as building canoes and sale of fishing gear.

With about 50 per cent of West Africa’s estimated 300 million population consuming fish, the region is confronting a depleting fish stock and has to develop a mechanism for the sustainable management of this valued resource.

Speaking during the ongoing three-day meeting of the regional fisheries Committee which opened in Cotonou on Thursday, 27^th February 2014 to agree a mechanism for the sustainable management of the region’s fishery resources, Mr. Toure urged ECOWAS, Member States and partners to agree on the elements of such a regional policy.

He said his country was working to revamp its agriculture, including the fishery sector and would use the opportunity to develop new approaches for harmonising the various approaches in the sector.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Lapodini Marc Atouga said the Cotonou meeting would also establish sub-committees on trade, governance and aquaculture to improve the effectiveness of the sector.

In order to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change on natural resources including fisheries, the Commissioner said ECOWAS was working with its partners in this area under the Monitoring for the Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) scheme, which will be presented to the Committee during the ongoing meeting.

He said the meeting will also discuss the mechanisms for the effective use of ECOWAS text to facilitate intra-community trade in this sector, adding that the Commission is willing to leverage the experiences of Member States to improve the sector.

UPDATE ON COUNTER-TERRORISTS CAMPAIGN

UPDATE ON COUNTER-TERRORISTS CAMPAIGN

AIR AND LAND OPERATIONS CONTINUE AMIDTS ENCOUNTERS

The air operations to clear terrorists bases sited in Daggu and Yazza  areas of Borno State during the weekend have registered the expected results in the ongoing campaign against terror.  The mopping up operation by ground forces after air assault has confirmed the death of several terrorists located in the bases.  Civilians had earlier been evacuated from the vicinity of the identified terrorist enclaves in line with operation orders before the air and land assaults.  Extensive cordon and search of the entire locality is ongoing with a view to apprehending the wounded and other members of the terrorists group who might still be trying to flee.

Also yesterday, troops in pursuit of those who carried out attack in Buni Yadi last week, had fierce encounter with the terrorists around Mainok and other locations between Apa and Abulum in Borno State.  The air and land operations that ensued recorded the death of some terrorists. Soldiers also died in the encounters.

Meanwhile, suspects who are believed to have been responsible for detonating the bomb that exploded at Bintu Sugar Ngamari area of Maiduguri yesterday killing many citizens and wounding several others have been arrested and are helping in the ongoing investigation on the incident.  Patrols are continuing on land and air in the entire mission area in North East towards apprehending or eliminating the rampaging terrorists in the area.

Meanwhile the campaign coordination cell has in its report, dismissed as untrue the reports claiming that civilians were mistakenly killed in the air operations in some parts of the mission area, as the claim could not be confirmed after the mopping up aspect of the operation.  The reports are believed to be part of the  design by those bent on discrediting the counter terrorists mission.

Defence Headquarters has reaffirmed its directive that necessary care should continue to always be taken to ensure safety of innocent Nigerians in the operational areas notwithstanding the fierceness of the encounters.

WEST AFRICAN FISHERIES EXPERTS MEET IN COTONOU

WEST AFRICAN FISHERIES EXPERTS MEET IN COTONOU

West African fisheries experts will begin a meet in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Thursday 27th February 2014 to finalize a governance document for the sustainable management of the region’s dwindling fisheries resources, a key source of revenue for economic and social development.

More than 600,000 West Africans depend on fishing and fishery related industries, a sector that generates about 400 million US dollars annually and remains a critical source of livelihood, food security and biodiversity for the region’s teeming population.

Although West Africa accounts for one per cent of the global fish export with an annual catch of some 500,000 tons, the region is at risk of reaching exploitation limits necessitating the development of a regional mechanism for good governance and best management practices for sustainability.

The three-day meeting of the Regional Fisheries Committee will finalize the Terms of Reference for operationalizing the work of the region’s sub-committees for the governance, aquaculture and trade in the sector as well as the framework for intra-regional cooperation among the various bodies active in the sector.

The meeting, which will also be attended by directors of fisheries of Member States, partners and other stakeholders will also finalize the mechanism for the effective implementation of the regional text on trade in fisheries and avail the participants of information for accessing regional funds for agriculture.

Other participants will include representatives of the Fisheries Commission for West and Central Africa, NEPAD, FAO, the National Agricultural Investment Programmes of Member States and other stakeholders.

NFF to unveil Super Eagles' 2014 World Cup jersey in Abuja

NFF to unveil Super Eagles' 2014 World Cup jersey

The Nigeria Football Federation will on Thursday unveil the new jersey
of Nigeria's National Football Teams, which will also serve as the
Official Jersey of the Super Eagles at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals
taking place in Brazil this summer. The new and refreshing design is
produced by Adidas, the official kit supplier of Nigeria National
Teams and the leading kit manufacturers in the world.

Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Alhaji
Bolaji Abdullahi will be special guest of honour at the event slated
for the front area of the Dankaro Football House, Package B of
the National Stadium Complex.

Also invited are Director General of the National Sports Commission,
Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports,
Senator Adamu Gumba, Chairman of the House of Reps' Committee on
Sports, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, Chairman of the League Management Company,
Hon. Nduka Irabor, President-General of Nigeria Football Supporters
Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and a number of prominent football figures.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari will have the compliment of
Members of his Executive Committee, as well as NFF Management led by
General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu. The Assistant Coach of Super
Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, will represent Head Coach Stephen Keshi, who
is already in the United States preparatory to its
friendly against Mexico in Atlanta.

"There is a uniqueness about the new jersey that Nigerians will love.
The design is a top-of-the-range thing specially for the FIFA World
Cup Brazil 2014," Amadu said.

Super Eagles' players, goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, midfielder Abdullahi
Shehu and striker Ejike Uzoenyi will showcase the new wears at the
occasion.

NFF's Director of Marketing, Mr. Adama Idris, will explain the concept
of the new design, which will be worn for the first time by the Super
Eagles at next week's international friendly against Mexico in
Atlanta, Georgia, USA.