Edo Attracts $531.2m From Oil Palm Investment- Commissioner

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March 27, 2022

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Edo, Stephen Idehenre, says the state has attracted about 531.2 million U.S. dollars from nine firms in the oil palm sector through the state oil palm programme.

Idehenre made this known during the inauguration of the year 2022 farming season and the FOARE Mushroom Production Centre in Benin.

He noted that the state oil palm programme was created to bring opportunities to large, medium and small investors in the oil palm sub-sector.

He also said that 62,000 hectares of land had been allocated to investors under the programme.

“The programme is expected to create more than 200,000 jobs across the oil palm value chain and would add more than 1,000,000 metric tonnes to local production of crude oil palm by 2030.

“No fewer than 22,272 jobs were created from crop enterprise in 2021 while, the project activities in 2021 supported about 1,093 rice, cassava and catfish farmers.

“1,050 hectares of land was also developed for the farmers. This number will be scaled-up in the 2022 farming season,” he said.

According to him, the state is making steady progress in agriculture that will drive home the sector as the major economic pillar for job and wealth creation.

The commissioner said “we are attracting enough values to justify the decision to make the sector one of the pillars of the state Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda,” he said.

NFC Postpones Date Of Zuma Film Festival To May 1

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has disclosed the 12th Edition of Zuma Film Festival, scheduled to hold in Abuja from April 2 to 9, 2022 has been shifted to between May 1 and May 7.

The Director, Public Affairs of NFC, Brian Etuk, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja.

Etuk explained the shift in date became necessary to achieve a successful and impact driven international film festival having recently designated Abuja as the official Host City of the festival, in line with best global practices.

He said that the collaborative partnership between the NFC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to jointly host the festival had provided the opportunity for increase in domestic, foreign investors and stakeholder’s participation and attendance.

He said that the festival bouquet had equally been up scaled in content, scope and design to achieve its desired objectives.

According to him, the NFC, FCTA and its partners regret any inconvenience caused by the shift in date.

He assured that all related activities prior to new date of May 1 to 7, for the festival, themed “Show the Money,” with the International Conference Centre, and Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja as event venues, would be communicated accordingly.

It was reported that the FCTA permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, in November 2021, said the administration in partnership with NFC would hold the Zuma Film Festival in April.

Adesola, who made the disclosure while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the NFC, said the administration accommodated the hosting of the festival in its 2022 budget.

Kate Middleton Stuns In Icy Blue Gown During Final Leg Of Caribbean Tour With Prince William

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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Kate Middleton is being compared to Cinderella after showcasing a glamorous look for her and Prince William’s final leg of their royal tour of the Caribbean.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception hosted by the Governor General on Friday at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas.

Kate turned heads for a gorgeous satin turquoise gown, which she accessorized with long earrings and a necklace featuring matching jewels.

It is reported that Kate’s gown was designed by Phillipa Lepley. The color paid tribute to the Bahamas’ flag. Many online weighed in on the duchess’ stunning ensemble, declaring that she was giving off Cinderella vibes.

Friday’s occasion was hosted by the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith.

Kate and William touched down in the Bahama on Thursday for the final leg of their Caribbean tour and were welcomed by 8-year-old Aniah Moss. The young local presented the British royals with a bouquet of flowers. Middleton, 40, paid tribute to the colors of the country’s flag by wearing a fitted aquamarine dress by Emilia Wickstead.

“[Kate] said I had a nice dress and I was beautiful and thank you for the flowers,” Moss, who wore a special floral dress with white gloves for the occasion, “I think they’re very tall!”

According to news outlets, the royal couple had busy schedules for the final leg of the tour. The pair were expected to participate in The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta in Nassau, meet one of the winners from William’s Earthshot Prize, learn new ideas about how reefs are being preserved and restored, as well as see how the people in Abaco coped with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Oscars Kicks Off With Honors For Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover For Film, Humanitarian Work

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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Hollywood ushered in the Academy Awards weekend by bestowing honorary Oscars to Samuel L. Jackson and other movie industry veterans on Friday, for their decades of film and humanitarian work.

Jackson was among the recipients of the annual Governors Awards from the Academy, the group that will hand out best picture and other trophies at a live ceremony on Sunday.

Actor Denzel Washington introduced Jackson at Friday’s black-tie event by noting he has appeared in 152 films that have grossed more than $27 billion at movie box offices over five decades.

As he accepted the award, Jackson thanked his family, business representatives, “and every person who ever bought a ticket to any of my movies.”

“Lethal Weapon” star Danny Glover received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his advocacy for justice and human rights. He currently serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

Writer-director Elaine May and Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann also were honored.

Eat Borsch, Save Ukraine: Refugee Masterchef Winner Cooks For Charity

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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Ukrainian MasterChef winner Olga Martynovska, who fled to Prague with her 6-year-old daughter to escape the conflict, cooked up borsch and other traditional dishes on Saturday to raise funds for those trapped back home.

At a stand flying the Ukrainian flag at a popular farmer’s market along the city’s Vltava river, Martynovska and fellow refugees dished up delicacies including poppy seed cakes, pierogies and home-made sweets.

“I’m doing my job but it’s not because I want to do it in front of the river here in Prague,” said Martynovska, next to a sign reading “Eat Borsch, Save Ukraine.”

“We collect the money in different ways to buy the…necessary medicines for Ukrainians who stay in hot points and really need it.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, around 300,000 refugees have fled to the Czech Republic, joining a pre-war Ukrainian community of nearly 200,000. Nearly 3.8 million people have fled Ukraine since the outbreak of war, most of them heading to Poland, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Martynovska, who also served as a MasterChef judge after her victory, said she was fortunate to find safety with friends in Prague and she wanted to help those left behind in Ukraine.

On a sunny morning, customers standing in line said they were happy to splash out on a bowl of borsch to support refugees and others affected by the war.

“I want to support Ukraine because I have a lot of friends from Ukraine,” said Xenie Harash.

“Also I love borsch and I gladly support the Ukrainian army.

Second Black Box Of Crashed China Plane Recovered

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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The second black box has been recovered from last week’s deadly China Eastern plane crash, state media reported Sunday and could help solve the mystery of the jet’s breakneck descent.

The Boeing 737-800 was flying between the cities of Kunming and Guangzhou on Monday when it nosedived into a mountainside, disintegrating on impact and killing all 132 people on board.

The cause of the disaster, China’s deadliest plane crash in more than 30 years, is not yet known.

“The second black box from China Eastern flight MU5735 was recovered on March 27,” a local news agency reported.

Public broadcaster CCTV broadcast images of rescuers recovering an orange-coloured cylinder covered in soil, which was discovered 1.5 metres deep at the roots of a tree.

The plane was equipped with two flight recorders: a cockpit voice recorder and one in the rear passenger cabin tracking flight data.

The former was found on Wednesday and sent to Beijing for analysis, which is expected to take several more days.

The second black box contains data such as speed, altitude and heading.

Hundreds of people, including firefighters, doctors and investigators — some dressed in full-body protective suits — remained at the scene of the tragedy on Sunday recovering human remains and the wreckage of the plane.

Earthmovers assisted in the operation on the mountainside, which is covered in dense vegetation.

Early recovery efforts were hampered by heavy rain, forcing a temporary pause due to what state media called the “the small risk of landslides” in the large pit that was bored out by the impact of the aircraft.

Lagos Police Commissioner Alabi Re-Echoes Ban On Officers Duties In Mufti

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has strongly warned all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Lagos State to strictly ensure that their men do not carry out police duties in mufti.

This warning is in compliance with the earlier directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman that officers on patrol and stop-and-search duties must appear in approved uniforms.

CP Alabi in a statement on Saturday consequently vowed to vicariously hold liable any supervisor or head of department under whose jurisdiction this directive is flouted.

He enjoined the general public to report sightings of any officer found on duty in mufti to enable the command to take appropriate disciplinary actions.

As part of strategies to sanitize the Nigeria Police Force, authorities of the NPF have recently been taking measures and giving guidelines that will see officers carry out their duties professionally without infringing on the rights of the citizens.

One of such directives in recent times is that police personnel who demand permits for tinted glasses at checkpoints in any part of the country should be reported.

The Force through its spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the only action the officers at the checkpoint can carry out on cars with tinted glasses is a stop only for the purpose of a search.

While informing the public on the documents to be presented when demanded by police personnel at checkpoints or on routine patrols, Adejobi said that it would be out of bounds for any policeman to demand customs papers or other documents not relevant to their duties.

“No policeman should demand your customs papers,” the force spokesman said in one of the tweets. “No. Except they are on (a) joint operation, but not just on mere routine checks.

“And for now, we have suspended (the) issuance of tinted glass permit. So, we don’t expect our men to disturb Nigerians on this.

“We are to stop any vehicle with tints, search the vehicle, and its occupants, but not to delay him for not having tinted glass permits. Report them if you are so delayed so that we ask them (the personnel) questions.”

According to him, police personnel at checkpoints and on routine patrols are only allowed to demand vehicle licences, driver’s licences, and certificates of insurance, especially for private car owners.

He stressed that requesting the allocation of number papers from car owners was unnecessary, especially when such vehicles have been registered.

Adejobi asked car owners who fall victim to erring police personnel to contact the force through its phone lines 08057000001 and 08057000002 – for calls, 08057000003 – for text message and WhatsApp, or via Twitter – @PoliceNG_CRU of email – policepcrru@gmail.com.

White House To Propose New Minimum Tax On Billionaires

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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US President Joe Biden’s administration will include more taxes on the wealthiest Americans in its 2023 budget proposal, due to be released on Monday, US media reported Saturday.

The “Billionaire Minimum Income Tax” would require the 700 or so American households worth more than $100 million to pay at least 20 percent on their full income, according to US media, citing a White House document.

“This minimum tax would make sure that the wealthiest Americans no longer pay a tax rate lower than teachers and firefighters,” said the document, cited by the Post.

A study by the Biden administration this autumn found that 400 billionaire households paid an average of only 8.2 percent in taxes on their income between 2010 and 2018, a rate often well below that of many American households.

The tax would also target unrealized gains in the value of liquid assets, such as stocks, which are not taxed until they are sold.

The new measure, which requires congressional approval to be enacted, could raise up to $360 billion in new revenue over ten years, the document cited by the Post said.

A longstanding goal of the political left, the plan could dramatically change the tax paid by US billionaires.

Tech titan Elon Musk would, for example, have to pay an additional $50 billion in taxes, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos some $35 billion more, according to calculations by University of California Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman, cited by the Post.

APC Convention: Adamu Emerges National Chairman, Omisore As Secretary

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Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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The All Progressives Congress on Sunday selected new executives to oversee the affairs of the party nearly two years after the Adams Oshiomole-led National Working Committee (NWC) was dissolved.

At a boisterous convention held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Senator Abdullahi Adamu emerged as the National Chairman, while Senator Iyiola Omisore was confirmed as National Secretary.

The selection of executives was mostly done by consensus as many candidates opted to step down after backroom negotiations.

Muhazu Bawa Rijau (Niger) emerged as National Vice-Chairman (North-Central), while Salihu Lukman (Kaduna) was confirmed as National Vice-Chairman (North-West). Emma Eneukwu (Enugu) was confirmed as Deputy National Chairman (South)

Senator Abubakar Kyari was also confirmed as Deputy National Chairman (North), while Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim (Taraba) was confirmed as Deputy National Women Leader.

Although the full list of executives was yet to be released as of the time of this reporting, most of the open positions were confirmed early Sunday morning.

Temidayo Israel Abdullahi confirmed as National Youth Leader

Christopher Akpan confirmed as Deputy National Welfare Secretary

Agunwa Anekwe confirmed as National Ex-Officio (South-East)

Ayo Afolabi as Zonal Publicity Secretary (South-West)

Musa Mailafia as Zonal Publicity Secretary (North-West)

Lamido Mohammed as Zonal Secretary (North-East)

Blessing Agbome (Edo) as Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South)

Isma’il Kolawole Majoro (Oyo) as Zonal Legal Adviser (South-West),

Barrister Chukwuemeka Zonal Legal Adviser (South-South)

Mayor Ogbona Earnest (Ebonyi) as Zonal Legal Adviser (South-East).

Bashir Usaini Dutse (Jigawa) as Zonal Legal Adviser (North-West)

Dauda Chakpo (Taraba) as Zonal Legal Adviser (North-East)

Hadiza Aliyu (Kogi) as Zonal Legal Adviser (North-Central)

Bello Goronyo (Sokoto) as Zonal Secretary (North-West)

Yakubu Mohammed Adamu (FCT) as Zonal Secretary (North-Central)

Bunmi Oriniowo (Ekiti) as National Ex-Officio (South-West)

Diriwari Akedewei (Bayelsa) as National Ex-Officio (South-South)

Allyu Ahmed Yako (Kano) as National Ex-Officio (North-west)

Oluwatoyin Opawuye (Kwara) as National Ex-Officio (North-Central).

Jamaluddeen Kabir (Zamfara) as Deputy National Youth Leader

Yakubu Murtala Ajaka (Kogi) as Deputy National Publicity Secretary

Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe) as Deputy National Financial Secretary

Omorede Osifo (Edo) as Deputy National Treasurer

Bashir Usman Gumel (Jigawa) as National Financial Secretary

Ahmed El-Marzuk (Katsina) as National Legal Adviser

Fetus Fuanter (Plateau) as Deputy National Secretary Consensus candidate

Adamu, a serving member of the Senate representing Nasarawa West and former governor of the state, is President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job.

Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, who is also Chairman of the Electoral Committee, announced Adamu as the winner of the contest after he was endorsed by party members and leaders at the convention via a voice vote.

He had gone into the election as the consensus candidate following the withdrawal of his co-contenders from the contest.

Adamu replaces Oshiomhole as the substantive APC national chairman after the NWC chaired by the former was sacked in June 2020.

He, however, takes over from Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State who was appointed to administer the affairs of the party pending when a convention would be conducted.

Barely a day to the convention, the coast got cleared for Adamu after six aspirants from the north-central region eyeing the ruling party’s top job stepped down for him.

They include the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume; former governors Tanko Al-Makura and Abdul’Aziz Yari, as well as Senator Sani Musa, Saliu Mustapha, and Muhammed Etsu.

Police Upgrade Crime Reporting Mobile Application

By

Koko Lawrence

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March 27, 2022

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The Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Usman Alkali, has confirmed an upgrade of the Nigeria Police Force crime reporting mobile application, “NPF Rescue Me’’.

The acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olunuyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the application was designed for effective report of emergencies, criminal activities and professional misconducts of police officers to ensure rapid and immediate response by operatives of the force.

Adejobi said the “NPF Rescue Me App” was improved to redefine security and personalise policing by enabling android and ios users to download the app from the various app stores.

According to him, the step is for the public to register with their details and have access to a variety of features including emergency services, crime reporting, navigation and ambulance services.

“The application also has an emergency button that alerts operatives at the Nigeria Police National Command and Control Centre in cases of depression.

“Once this alert is received, the operatives, immediately, send out the required assistance to victims irrespective of their locations within the country,” he said.

He advised the public to download the application into their mobile gadgets, and input some required information for improved services and their personal safety.

Adejobi reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police to exploring the use of cutting-edge technology for combatting crime and responding to emergency situations.