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Presidency urges Nigerians to buy into $300m Diaspora Bond

Presidential aide urges Nigerians to buy into $300m Diaspora Bond

NAN-H-3

Bond

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, June 12, 2017 (NAN) Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the first ever 300 million dollars Diaspora bond.

Dabiri-Erewa, who made the call on Monday in Abuja in a statement by her Media Assistant, Mr Abdurrahman Balogun, asked Nigerians to buy into the offer.

She noted that the Debt Management Office (DMO) had announced the commencement of a global offering of Nigeria’s first Diaspora Bond.

She said the DMO also filed a registration statement for the bonds with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The presidential aide said that that the Diaspora bond would be used to raise funds from Nigerians in the Diaspora to finance capital projects.

According to her, the bond will provide an opportunity for them to participate in the development of the country.

She said her office as well as the Nigerians in the  Diaspora was excited as the first ever diaspora bond was being rolled out to the benefits of Nigerians.

The SSA said it was a unique way of lubricating the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in the developmental projects being carried out by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

She recalled that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in February promised that the Diaspora bond will soon be rolled out by the DMO.

She said that the DMO had also said that application would be made for the bonds to be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange Plc.

The office, according to her, said this is to ensure that the bonds were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market.

“The bonds will be direct general obligations of Nigeria and will be denominated in U.S. dollars.

“The international Joint Lead Managers are Bank of America Merrill Lynch and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

“The Nigerian Joint Lead Managers are First Bank of Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa Plc,’’ she quoted DMO as saying.

She said that the DMO added that there would be a series of investor meetings in the UK, the U.S. and Switzerland from June 13.

She said that the office explained that pricing was expected to occur following the investor meetings and subject to market conditions.

Dabiri-Erewa said that as part of measures to fund capital expenditures, the Federal Government had in February announced its offering of one billion dollars euro bond.

The bond, she said, was under its newly-established one billion dollars Global Medium Term Note programme.

“We are very excited that the National Assembly has approved the Diaspora Bond.

“We believe Nigerians abroad want to support development in Nigeria and such would be glad to invest in it,” she said. (NAN)
IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Food Security: Sen. Adamu urges Nigerians to embrace agriculture

Food Security: Sen. Adamu urges Nigerians to embrace agriculture

NAN-H-11 

Agriculture

By Awayi Kuje 

Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 8, 2017 (NAN) Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa West) has urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture in order to achieve national food security.

Adamu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, made the call on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He noted that agriculture would also help fight poverty, unemployment, and boost the revenue base and socio-economic development of the country.

Adamu, who cited developed countries like China and Japan using their population to enhance agriculture for exports, urged Nigerians to emulate them through taking advantage of the abundant fertile land to boost agriculture.

“No society can live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family and nation, and its importance cannot be overemphasised to the development of any society,’’ he said.

He added that agriculture would not only reduce overdependence on oil, but also fight youth restiveness and other social vices.

“There is the need for all of us to help ourselves through embracing agriculture instead of depending on oil so as to become self-reliant and to contribute our quota to national development,” the lawmaker said.

Besides, Adamu advised Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

The senator also urged Nigerians to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the country as well President Muhammadu Buhari’s health to enable him deliver more democracy dividends. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

7m Nigerians living with depression – Physicians

7m Nigerians living with depression – Physicians

NAN-HG-3

Depression

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, May 18, 2017 (NAN) The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) says not less than seven million Nigerians are living with depression.

The National President of the Society, Dr Akin Moses, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference to mark the 2017 World Family Doctors Day in Abuja.

Moses explained that based on research work conducted by some physicians between 2015 and 2016, 29 million people in Africa were depressed while 322 million were affected with the condition globally.

He said that the study showed that an estimated 788,000 suicide deaths worldwide occurred in 2015, while 10 suicide deaths per 100,000 population were recorded in Nigeria within the period.

According to him, there are a few unfortunate suicide deaths in Nigeria which were attributed to severe stressful life events.

He noted that depression played a role in more than half of all suicide attempts and up to 15 per cent of those that were depressed died by suicide.

The physician said if not checked and treated, a depressed person has a 20 per cent chance of committing suicide.

The president of the society described depression as a common mental health problem that affects moods, resulting in a change in the way person feels, thinks and acts.

He said that apart from stressful conditions, negative life events like bereavement, job loss, financial difficulty, divorce, loneliness, childhood abuse and neglect could also trigger depression.

Moses added that people with chronic pains and medical disorders; as well as patients on certain drugs and those abusing drugs like cocaine, amphetamine, narcotics and alcohol were all at risk.

He disclosed that a combination of medication and psychotherapy; as well as support and care from family members were appropriate treatment for depression.

According him, primary care physicians in the country will continue to create awareness to reduce negative perception and stigma.

He also pledged their readiness to recognise and support those at risk of developing depression. (NAN)

MS/DOR/MST

Edited by Nyisom Dore/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FG tasks Nigerian doctors in Diaspora on health sector

FG tasks Nigerian doctors in Diaspora on health sector, hospital

NAN-HG-11

Health

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, April 25, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Tuesday challenged the Nigerian medical doctors in the Diaspora to use their knowledge and expertise to develop the nation’s health sector.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the task when the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) visited her in Abuja.

The association was led by its President, Dr Johnson Adeyanju.

The presidential aide also challenged the Diaspora working in the health sector to build a world class hospital in the country as it was done by their counterparts in Ethiopia.

“Nigeria is blessed with human and natural resources and we commend you for what you have been doing.

“However, it is quiet frustrating that we have your kind of calibre of Nigerian medical doctors in the Diaspora and we are having challenges in our health sector.

“We believe that by working with you through the ministry of health we can make a lot of difference, we believe that we can make more impact,” she said.

She said that the present administration had developed an initiative whereby Nigerian doctors in the Diaspora could render assistance in the nation’s health sector at their spare time.

The aide also enjoined them to develop a concrete medical mission that could have permanent structures whereby they could attend to patients.

“It is our thinking that medical missions that visit the country can translate into something concrete, just like Ethiopia that built a world class hospital by 250 of its doctors in Diaspora.

“With Nigerian doctors in the Diaspora constituting 70 per cent of the black doctors in America, we want to throw the challenge back to you that you can do the same thing.

“This medical mission can be properly coordinated that hospital can be built in every zone to enable you see patients and then you go back, but the challenge now is how can we get structure.

“So I think we can work with you to have this medical mission structure in Nigeria, we cannot have you and not feel your impact, we are glad you are here,” she said.

Adeyanju had earlier said that ANPA was the largest association of the Nigeria medical practitioners in the Diaspora and had been in existence for more than 20 years.

He said that the mission of the association was to enhance the nation’s health sector through partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and office of the presidential aide on Diaspora.

He said the group was concerned about the health of Nigerians which explained the decision of the group to embark on medical mission to the country.

Adeyanju, who noted that the group was able to see over 400 Nigerian patients, said they were willing to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure better life for Nigerians.

He also said that the group was on a surgical mission to Nigeria, with three mission teams working on various health issues.

In a related development, the SSA also received a delegation of the Centre for Integrated Health Programme (Cihp) led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bolanle Oyeledun.

Dabiri-Erewa assured the leading implementation partner that the government was willing to ensure the success of the non-governmental agency.

Oyeledun said Cihp had over 120,000 patients on free HIV/AIDS treatment in the last six years.

Besides, she said the group has been able to prevent about 100,000 `mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Cihp, she said, was also working in the area of skill transfer; stressing that the group want to see how to evolve a training programme to equip the capacity of health workers in the country. (NAN)

IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Osinbajo says Nigeria blessed with great talents

Osinbajo says Nigeria blessed with great talents

NAN-H-4

Nigerians

By Donald Ugwu

Abuja, April 19, 2017 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday hailed the talent and resilience of Nigerians wherever they are.

The Vice President said this when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa Capt. Lola Odujinrin, the first African to fly round the world as a solo traveller.

He said: “The country (Nigeria) is blessed with great talents and Nigerians are among some of the most creative and smartest persons around the world.

“Your story is really fascinating and I am extremely proud of what you have done and more that you are a Nigerian.

“And I am very sure that just as we took over the entertainment industry, we will certainly break new grounds.’’

The vice president, who was full of praises for the young pilot and his team’s achievements, said “this is the sort of thing that people should hear especially young people.

“It is really inspiring and younger people must begin to learn from your experience and story, and am glad that you achieved this feat.

“Also, the team is entirely Nigerian and that by itself is certainly a good thing and am sure this portends even greater things for us in the future’’.

On the pilot’s humanitarian project, Osinbajo said that he looked forward to supporting the project, but advised that it should be on a scale.

“Whatever you plan to do in this area must be on scale because the most important thing you have to focus on is scale so that it can be expanded.’’

Earlier, Odujinrin said his goal was to put Nigeria on the world map by being the first African to “go round the world as a solo pilot and achieve that humanitarian aspect of the dream’’.

In his brief narration about his world flying project, Odujinrin said it was first inspired by his dream to fly aircraft at the age of 10.

According to him, “it is important to share my story in order to inspire kids, adults and everyone about the struggles I went through in life’’.

Odujinrin flew several hours to 25 countries and made 35 stops in nine months, making him the first African to attain the feat.  (NAN)

DCU/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Buhari: NGO urges Nigerians to sustain prayers

Buhari: NGO urges Nigerians to sustain prayers

NAN-H-44

Buhari

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), March 9, 2017 (NAN) The Modibbo Haruna Buhari Charity Organisation (BCO), an NGO, has appealed to Nigerians to continue to offer special prayers for the recovery and safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Modibbo Suleiman-Masaka, the Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT) of the organisation, made the call on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Suleiman-Masaka urged Nigerians to sustain their prayers for God’s intercession for Buhari to enable him recuperate, stabilise fast and deliver dividends of democracy.

He noted that prayers are keys to the successes of individuals and governments to enable them to achieve their set goals.

He also opined that whatever happened to leaders always has multiplier effects on their followers.

Besides, the chairman enjoined Nigerians to constantly pray for the peaceful co-existence of the country irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

“As I always say, this organisation was formed with the aimed of promoting peace, unity and progress of our dear country.

“The organisation also aims at assisting the needy in the society as the name implies and the organisation has been fulfilling its mandates.

“As National Chairman of BOT of this organisation and a Nigerian, what we always preach to the people is peace.

“Nigerians should avoid inciting comments; this is because peace is panacea, non-negotiable and is the necessary requirement for the development of any society.

“It is in view of this, we want to use this medium to advise Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health and safe return of our President, Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

Suleiman-Masaka also appealed to Nigerians to always pray for the present and future generations, adding that this “will bring more good things and will also bring peace, unity and national development”.

He advised Nigerians, especially youths, to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, shun negative behaviours and support government programmes. (NAN) AKW/MOL/MST

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Nigerians with valid visa free to travel to U.S. – Embassy

Nigerians with valid visa free to travel to U.S. – Embassy

NAN-H-58

Visa

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, March 8, 2017 (NAN) The U.S. Embassy in Abuja said on Wednesday that there was no reason for Nigerians with valid visas to postpone or cancel their travel to the United States.

The Embassy said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

It explained that: “Nigeria is not named in the Executive Order on Immigration issued on March 6.

“And there is no prohibition against Nigerian lawful permanent residents or persons with a valid visa or other U.S. Government authorisation from entering the U.S”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had on Monday advised Nigerians to reconsider their travelling plan to the U.S.

Dabiri-Erewa said that Nigerians who have no compelling or urgent reason to travel to the U.S. to postpone their travel plans until the new administration’s policy on immigration becomes clearer.

She said that her office had in the last few weeks received a few cases of Nigerians with valid multiple-entry U.S. visas being denied entry and sent back home.

She said that no reasons were given for the decision by the U.S. immigration authorities.

However, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Foreign Affairs Minister’s reaction on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja, corroborated the embassy’s claim.

Onyeama said that no Nigerian with full valid entry visa had been denied entry to the U.S., adding that Nigerians are free to travel to U.S. as the country was not on the ban list.

The minister said he was constantly in touch with the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S. and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, adding that there is no report on Nigerians being denied entry into the U.S.

“I can tell you to ignore any call or advice to reconsider travelling to the U.S. because there is no basis for that.

“We have absolutely no report whatsoever from the U.S. that people are being turned back from the U.S. or any of our consulate or any Nigerian that any of our people are being turned back,” he said.

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria had also earlier in February assured Nigerians that the executive order on immigration would not affect Nigerians, noting that visa applicants will continue to get two-year multiple entry visas as before.

The mission also clarified that the order would not affect the validity of visas held by Nigerians because its visa policy to Nigeria had not changed.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, and the U.S. Consular Chief, Meghan Moore, had explained to newsmen in Abuja on Feb. 3 that the U.S. visa policy was based on reciprocity.

They assured that Nigerians would not be discriminated against.

The U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27, barring people from seven mainly Muslim-majority countries from travelling to the U.S. for 90 days.

It also stopped all refugees for 120 days and Syrian refugees permanently. (NAN)

IAA/DO/MST

Edited by David Onilede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Clergy urges Nigerians to support fight against corruption

NAN-H-46

Corruption

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Bida(Niger) Rev. Canon Samuel Kaburuk of Cathedral Church of St. John, Bida in Niger, on Friday advised Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s efforts to rid the nation of corrupt tendencies.

Kaburuk gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bida.

He regretted the destruction by the menace over the years, and described the current efforts to eliminate it as “very commendable”.

“Corruption and its negative tendency to `get-rich-quick’ has practically brought Nigeria to its knees. We must all come together to kill it before it kills us a nation,” he said.

Kaburuk regretted that Nigeria had remained stagnant over the years, and challenged its nationals to work toward a nation they would be happy and proud to bequeath to future generations.

He called on Nigerians to join the prayers for the recovery of President Mohammadu Buhari, and advised that political and religious differences should not be barriers to the quest for divine intervention.

“Our Diocese has continued to offer special prayers for God to intervene on the two fronts – the president’s health and the economic recession; we should all be doing that,” he said. (NAN)
AAG/ETS

=======

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Foreign

Xenophobia: FG demands protection of Nigerians in S/Africa

Xenophobia: FG demands protection of Nigerians in S/Africa

NAN-H-52

Attacks

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Thursday urged the South African government to put in place measures to end the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country.

 

The Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, gave the task in Abuja during a second summon to the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, on the issue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ministry had on Monday, Feb. 20, summoned the South Africa High Commissioner over the matter.

 

NAN also reports that Nigerian buildings, properties and places of worship worth millions of dollars were destroyed by South Africans on Feb. 5 and 18.

“The Federal Government strongly urges the South African government to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and foreigners living and working in South Africa.

“Furthermore, the federal government urges the South African Government to bring perpetrators of these deplorable acts of violence to justice.

“The ministry continues to urge Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm and law abiding, and be vigilant at the same time.’’

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will strenuously work towards the protection of Nigerians everywhere, including in South Africa,” she added.

However, the minister said that no Nigerian lost their lives in the attacks contrary to reports in some media.

According to her, the reports that mentioned the killing of Nigerians in the xenophobic attacks are unsubstantiated.

 

“The ministry has not received the report of any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents of attacks against foreigners.

 

“The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria is in constant touch with the Nigerian Union in South Africa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa, as well as the South African police.

 

“All these agencies have confirmed that no Nigerian life was lost in the recent incident,” she said.

 

The minister said the government was in touch with South African authorities to ensure the safety of Nigerians there.

The minister therefore appealed to the media not to fuel the crisis further with unconfirmed reports.

 

Responding, the South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria said his government was on top of the situation.

Aaron-Mnguni said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South African will hold a briefing with the diplomatic community in his country on Friday to fashion out more ways to solve the problem. (NAN)

IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Desist from speaking evil against nation’s leaders – Cleric admonishes Nigerians

Desist from speaking evil against nation’s leaders – Cleric admonishes Nigerians

NAN-H-15

Leaders

By David Adeoye

Ibadan, Jan. 29, 2017 (NAN) Rev. Emmanuel Adeniyi of the Banner of Christ Church (BCC), Adegbayi-Ibadan, Oyo State, has admonished Nigerians to desist from speaking evil against leaders of the country.

Adeniyi gave the admonition on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the state of the nation.

He said a negative utterance against the country and her leaders was worrisome, saying Nigerians should cultivate the culture of positive thinking instead of speaking evil about the country.

“Wishing the collapse of one’s nation and spreading death rumour about the nation’s president is satanic and those behind such rumour are agents of Satan.

“We should pray for the unity of our nation and wellbeing of the president so that his administration would work towards rapid development of the country.

“Those behind the rumour should seek for God’s forgiveness, turn a new leaf and contribute their quarters to the development of the country,’’ Adeniyi counseled.

The cleric also enjoined religious leaders in the country to let their preaching hang on the nation’s unity and coexistence of all Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnic or tribal affiliations.

He expressed optimism that the country would soon overcome all the challenges confronting her, saying God loves Nigeria.

Besides, he cautioned patriotic Nigerians against falling to the tricks of unscrupulous politicians that were nursing hidden agenda through their utterances. (NAN)

DAK/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola