Headlines December 31 Headlines from Nigeria’s Major Newspapers

NATION

*Fuel scarcity: Something is rotten in Nigeria – Soyinka

*NNPC in frantic bid to clear queues before New Year

*APC, PDP clash over dead board appointees

*American, 67, posing as Nigerian prince held for email scam

*10 MODULAR REFINERIES CLOSE TO TAKE-OFF – PRESIDENCY

*2018:Those who will shape politics

*NIMASA to acquire more vessels to boost maritime security

*Fleeing Boko Haram attack military base in Yobe

*Presidency admits mistake in appointment of dead persons as board chairmen

*Ogun Speaker wins media award

*I bear no grudges against Catholic Church – Ortom

*Lagos fiesta: Ambode, sponsors promise spectacular grand finale

*Economic challenge threat to internal security – Aregbesola

*Investigate alleged defection, group urges Kwara APC

*Navy arrests five notorious kidnappers

*Air Peace pledges expansion in 2018

*PDP congratulates Weah, tasks INEC on 2019 pol

*Insurgency, herdsmen attacks: Church urges FG to equip security agencies

*Bwari residents bemoan their condition after communal clash

*Allege N12.6b fraud: Prisons, Immigration deny report

*Medview Airlines appointed for evacuation of 5,037 Nigerians from Libya

*Ekiti NUJ elects new chairman, others

*It's time to reap democracy dividends, says Ashafa

*Medical experts seek subsidised healthcare services

*Iranians take to streets in biggest protest since crushed 2009 demonstrations

DAILY TRUST

*Uproaras dead menmaKe FG's boardS list

*Scores killed in Boko Haram attacks inBorno, Yobe

*What Iwould do if I were to start life afresh– Alhaji Inuwa Dutse

*My Role in Nigeria's First Coup – BrigGen Atom Kpera (rtd)

*After Xmas day violence: Uneasy calm pervades Bwari

*38 investors to establish refineries in N/Delta – Osinbajo

*Chibok girls still in my mind – Buhari

*Audit report: Our records are in order – NIS

LEADERSHIP

*Speaker Dogara Was Well Prepared For Leadership – Reuben Abati 

*NTCA Urges Finance Minister To Enforce Tobacco Control Act In 2018 Fiscal Policy

*Nigerians Kick Against PMB's Board Appointments

*CAPP Congratulates George Weah AFRICA / 10mins ago

*PDP Will Provide Robust, Vibrant Opposition In 2018 – Secondus 

*Fuel Scarcity A National Embarrassment – UPP 

*Abductors Of Asaba Pastors Demand N100m Ransom 

*FRSC Promotes 1,925 Personnel 

*A Law To Save Lives 

*Presidency Hails Agro Sector Performance In 2017 Scorecard 

*10 Niger Delta Modular Refineries Reach Advanced Stage – Presidency NSC Targets *300,000 Jobs As PMB Commissions Kaduna Dry Port Thursday 

*CAPP Congratulates George Weah 

*PDP Will Provide Robust, Vibrant Opposition In 2018 – Secondus

*Fuel Scarcity A National Embarrassment – UPP 

*Abductors Of Asaba Pastors Demand N100m Ransom 

*FRSC Promotes 1,925 Personnel

VANGUARD

*I Was Undeterred Despite Being Abandoned By My Father, Kidnapped By Ritualists — Awe, AAU Best Graduating Student

*Boko Haram: State Of Counter-insurgency Operations

*Ex-police Boss Led Invasion On Land Grabbers In Ogun Community – Atan Ota Residents

*Obaseki's Result-oriented Leadership Style In A Political Milieu

*Winning By Losing

*Yuletide: NDDC Embarks On Cleaning Exercise In Edo

*Delta LG: Imarah Promises To Touch Lives

*In The Throes Of Scarcity And Poverty

*How The Late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, Helped Me To Start Oduduwa University – Adedoyin, Founder

*Vox Populi, And The Auguries Of 2018

*Moses Reveals Chelsea's Greatest Moments

*Corruption Fight And The Survival Of 'Common' Nigerians

* Onyekuru's Injury: NFF Wades In

*We Are Re-negotiating Agreements With Our Partners — Bala Usman

*Fuel Scarcity: Buhari Summons Kachikwu, Baru, Marketers, Others To Aso Rock

*Midwestern Oil And Gas Awards Scholarship, Donates Classrooms In Delta

*Yuletide: Guwor Fetes Constituents, Distributes Food Items

THE SUN

*2018 will be tough for terrorists, militants, says Buratai

*Only child of his parents murdered on Christmas day

*2019: Only Atiku/ Ekweremadu ticket can unseat Buhari, APC

*Harsher times ahead

*2018: What Nigerians want from Buhari

*2019 MAY BE BLOODY – LADI THOMPSON

*2019: What Buhari needs to do now – Senator Rufai Hanga

*Buhari under fire over appointment of 8 dead persons into boards

*Army begins online recruitment of applicants

*2018: Expect vibrant opposition, Secondus tells Nigerians

*Rivers APC leaders gain recognition by insulting me – Wike

GUARDIAN

*Mali president names new PM after surprise government resignation

*George Weah: From football star to Liberia president

*Four die in Edo road crash

*Rivers government confirms 2017 budget in public domain

*Former altar boys regroup to serve mass

*Boko Haram kills four loggers in NE Nigeria

*Nigeria's trade balance increases from deficit in 2016 – Presidency

*Saint Petersburg supermarket bomber arrested

*158 persons died in road accidents in Katsina State in 2017 - FRSC

*The most important charts to watch in 2018

*Jay-Z confesses to Beyonce in music video, "Family Feud"

*Eagles to observe New Year's break, as Salisu releases CHAN's list

*Super Eagles have capable young stars, says Dosu

*Lukaku adds to Mourinho's woes as United lose ground

*Salah inspires Liverpool, Chelsea crush Stoke

*Federer ends memorable 2017 with win at Hopman Cup

*Serena Williams loses on comeback

*Olayemi Olusoga: From banking hall to bookshelf

*Women discuss balancing roles at MBFC

*Being a woman does not limit you in anyway- Ifeyinwa Jacintha, farmer & agricultural advocate

*Do we spend so much during festivities?

THISDAY

*Seychelles: Experience another World

*As Deadline for e-Dividend Registration Expires Today…

*Oddities of Abuja Petrol Scarcity

*Liberia: The Player As President

*The Year Nigeria Almost Disappeared

*Definienda and Challenges of Nigeria's Foreign Policy in 2018

*Mark: In the Eye of the Storm

*DECEMBER 31st PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

*I Have Not Forgotten Remaining Chibok Girls, Buhari Reassures Victims' Families

*Yusuf Buhari: NCWS Urges Women to Pray for Speedy Recovery

*NEITI: Nigeria Earned $268bn from Oil in Five Years

*Dogara: Democracy Cannot Thrive Amidst Poverty

*Wike: Rivers APC Leaders Gain Recognition by Insulting Me

*Lagos Promises Spectacular One Lagos Fiesta Finale

*Marwa Organisation Urges Nigerians to Sheath Political Swords

*Army Commences 77 Regular Recruitment

*N12.6bn Fraud: NIS Boss Refutes Allegations

*PPPRA Moves against Fuel Pump Price Hike, Hoarding

*FIDA Advocates Capital Punishment for Babies' Hawkers

*Don't Tarnish Image of the Military, Air Force Chief Urges Junior...

*Police Arrest Suspected Assailants of The Sun Correspondent, Ghana Gang Member

*Monarch Berates Lawmakers for Abandoning Constituencies

*Osun to Hold First Edition of Int'l Marathon in Ile-Ife

*Adeyeye Accuses Fayose of Plotting to Expel His Loyalists from PDP

*Auto Crash Claims Four Lives in Edo

*Marketing Edge Excites orphans at Yuletide season

*Tenaui Africa Moves to Build Partnerships in Nigeria

*Bluechip Technologies Adds BluePrime to its Portfolio

*Mactay Consulting Named as Official SAP Education Partner for W'Africa

*Full Time! The Return of Maryam Abacha

*Julius Rone Serenades Wife, Utibe, at 40

*Bolu and Ladun Akin-Olugbade Celebrate 37th Wedding Anniversary

*MOHAMMED BABANGIDA'S GODSON, ABE IBRAHEEM, CELEBRATES 50

*THIRD TIME'S A TREAT…FOLA OGUNLESI SET TO MARRY THIRD WIFE

*BIMBO ASHIRU THROWS HIGH-OCTANE SOIREE TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

*AS CAPTAIN IDAHOSA OKUNBO CLOCKS 60 NEXT WEEK

*CLASS ACT! GOV. AMBODE TURNS ONE LAGOS FIESTA INTO A SPECTACULAR...

*FAAC: FG, States Share N5.64 Trillion in 2017

PUNCH

*Outrage over six dead appointees on Buhari's board list

*Nigeria's economy will be better in 2018 —Fitch, economists

*Hospital visits to Buhari's son boosting sales — Abuja traders

*Fuel scarcity: Stop buying time and passing blame, Soyinka tells

*The good, bad and ugly of 2017 

*Outrage over six dead appointees on Buhari's board list 

*Nigeria's economy will be better in 2018 — Fitch, economists 

*Make calls at filling stations, go to jail — Police 

*Events that shaped 2017 

*Abducted Edo reverend sisters yet to gain freedom after 47 days 

*Hospital visits to Buhari's son boosting sales — Abuja traders 

*Four killed, two injured in Edo auto crash 

*Nigeria is too divided along ethnic, religious lines — Dickson 

*Bishop, MASSOB disagree over Buhari's performance

*Navy rescues rating, daughter during shootout with kidnappers 

*Rivers APC leaders insult me to gain relevance — Wike 

*Fuel scarcity: Stop buying time and passing blame, Soyinka tells FG 

*Oil marketers responsible for fuel scarcity, NNPC insists 

*Immigration, Prisons bosses deny N12.6bn fraud

*New Year resolutions

*Liberia and challenges of a Weah presidency

*Watching my wife birth our children brought me closer to God — Makinde

*Much ado about tithing

*Green bonds as a lifeline for Nigeria's degraded environment

*Underwriters get innovative to overcome patronage challenge

*Cabal sabotaged Buhari's graft war this year – Arewa leader

*2017: Year of deadly domestic violence cases

*When your spouse is a workaholic

*I surmount challenges by seeking mentorship –Amina Mohammed-Jaji

*FG, states, LGs got N5.7tn allocation in 11 months

*10 biggest scandals of 2017

*School knowledge is not enough —Ogunmokun

*Herdsmen caused havoc in Yorubaland this year — Afenifere

*Dad didn't believe formal education was for everyone —Children of Eze Goes to School author

*Money supply will increase in 2018 due to political campaigns — Rewane

*Kaduna refinery idle for four months, loses N14.4bn

*Mergers, acquisitions becoming more attractive in insurance industry — Apampa

*Deregulation will jerk up pump price to N190 – IPMAN

TELEGRAPH

*FG appoints Medview to evacuate 5, 037 stranded Nigerians in Libya

,*Liberian poll: PDP tasks INEC on credible polls in 2019

*FRSC promotes 1, 925 personnel, urges for re- dedication to duty

*Dickson harps on need for united Nigeria

*Jumia-Coscharis partnership: Luxury car buyers to save millions of naira

*VW to expand Atlas, Tiguan offerings by adding 2-row versions

*Ogbe-Ahiara Microfinance Bank marks 25th anniversary

*Abuja-Kaduna rail service receives 10 new coaches, two locomotives

*Agbo says Belgian League's racist chant, assault unacceptable

*Chelsea's EPL title hopes still intact - Drinkwater

Gas Flaring In Nigeria: Challenges & Investment Opportunities

Although, in Nigeria, it is common knowledge that the economy is substantially dependent and more dedicated to exploration of oil than it is to gas, several deposits of gas have been discovered around oil wells in Nigeria but because of the past failure of the government to focus and explore the many other natural resources which the country possesses, the gas industry has been practically frustrated and nearly abandoned over the years. Thus, leading to a loss of revenue in a sector where there is a likelihood of otherwise generating more revenue. It is however worthy to note that whilst statistics may not be accurate, the quantity of gas flared in Nigeria exceeds over 40% of the gas flared annually across Africa, which amounts to about $7billion in waste. Apart from economic waste being a consequence of gas flaring, flared gas is also known to contain toxic substances which cause respiratory diseases and air pollution, leading to depletion of the ozone layer, ultimately having an adverse effect on weather and climate.

Whilst many countries across the world have taken advantage of the economic benefits which flared gas may present, through its re-injection into the fields or conversion into liquefied natural gas, domestic cooking gas, plastic production and other uses, the problem of gas flaring has remained unresolved in Nigeria for many decades.

The first regulatory framework aimed at promoting antigas flaring policies in Nigeria was the Associated Gas Reinjection Act, 1979. The Act required every oil and gas producing company in Nigeria to submit to the minister for petroleum, detailed programmes in relation to the re-injection of produced associated gas or programmes for the use of produced associated gas. The Act further provided for the deadline for gas flaring in Nigeria as stipulated by the Federal Government to be 31 December 1974. This deadline has however been extended a number of times between 1974 through a succession of bills and amendments of laws and the final deadline remains uncertain as of date. Through the applicable laws over the years, the law has always provided for application for permits to be granted by the Minister provided the applicant pays the amount prescribed by the Minister, without providing for strict measures to ensure its effectiveness.

If indeed, it is correct that the country losses so much in revenue as a result of gas flaring, the question that comes to mind is why gas flaring has not been eradicated? Some argue it is as a result of lack of political will on the part of the government. Others believe it is as a result of the unavailability of the infrastructure required to control gas flaring. There are some who may also suggest there is no available market for domestic gas products and the low price of gas is discouraging. Whatever the case may be, the focal point is that an end to gas flaring is achievable as evidenced in countries like Netherlands and Norway which have gas-flaring policies that are worthy of emulation. In Norway for example, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate which is a department within the petroleum ministry, is dedicated to supervising petroleum activities, gas flaring and air emissions. Furthermore, every company applying for a gas flaring permit in Norway is required to identify the measures it has put in place to ensure that the effect of gas flaring on environmental pollution is minimal.

Legal Framework

The current Petroleum Industry Bill (2012), which has been in the pipeline for a number of years, just like several other attempts in the past, seeks to address the issue of gas flaring. In particular, a development in the Bill are provisions for gas flaring measurement, a specified number of days for which a permit would be issued to an applicant and the requirement for a gas flaring plan to be submitted by all oil and gas operating companies. Whether the Petroleum Industry Bill will be passed into law in the nearest future is however the subject of discussion for another day. In particular, putting in place effective measures to ensure that the laws on gas flaring are properly implemented is essential.

Investment Prospects

Energy experts project that the economic strength in gas will exceed that of oil by 2015. Therefore, the Federal Government in a bid to boost the gas sector has set up the Gas Master Plan. The Gas Master Plan is a strategic framework towards achieving a wholly competitive market driven domestic gas sector and for the implementation of gas grid infrastructures amongst others. Based on the recent level of commitment expressed by the Federal Government in the sale of power generation and distribution companies to private investors, the implementation of the Gas Master- Plan therefore, becomes critical to the Federal Government's short and medium term strategies for power generation. If this same attitude is shown in respect of the Gas Master Plan, the ripple effect will create enormous potential opportunities for investors in the gas sector.

Nigeria, no doubt, is in the spotlight as an emerging market and it is expected that the sale of the generation companies and distribution firms by the Federal Government to private investors would create room for more investors to participate in the power sector. The continuous divestment of oil and gas assets in the upstream sector by International Oil Companies also contributes to the surge in the investment in the oil and gas industry with both indigenous and foreign participants having a fair share of these opportunities. If for over 40 years, Nigerians were taking energy for granted, that situation no longer exists! The importance of energy and power in Nigeria can no longer be over-emphasised. The quantity of natural gas lost to gas flaring could have been utilised as a potent source of energy in light of the increasing demand for electricity and pressing need for more power generation capacity in Nigeria. To this end, gas fired power plant is a veritable alternative. Investment opportunities also present themselves with respect to transportation of gas from the well or construction of gas pipelines for delivery of gas to power plants. One major investment opportunity created by the Gas Master Plan is the Federal Government's domestic gas obligations placed on oil and gas operators to attain a minimum threshold of gas reserves and production for the domestic market before same is made available for exportation. Investors can leverage on the huge consumer market (driven by an increasing middle class population) opportunities and gas consumption potentials in Nigeria and also the West Africa sub-region.

Concluding Remarks

This is the set time for the government and oil and gas operators to show greater commitment to ensuring that gas flaring is brought to a minimal level. The World Bank proposal urging producers of oil and gas to stop gas flaring by 2030 is achievable and to achieve this, there should be a well-co-ordinated alliance between the government and various energy sub-sectors to ensure compliance with protocols on gas flaring to achieve maximum utilisation of natural gas. Firm commitment from the government is required to encourage gas utilisation and flaring reduction with petroleum companies through introduction of fiscal incentives. Whilst gas flaring reduction requires substantial investments, flared natural gas can be converted into lucrative investments which will ultimately lead to a safer, conducive and healthier environment compared to the current situation which obtains in Nigeria especially in the Niger- Delta region of the country.

Edited version of paper presented by CCDI at Oil Summit in 2015.

 

 

Climate Terror-Picture of The Day!

Gas flaring of this nature is worst than  activities of Boko haram or Isis.It  leads to migration of all kind of animals and human beings within and outside Nigeria.

Safe migration: Not leaky boats

 

 

If we stop to think about the strict and mandatory rules which enable over 8 million flights per year that enable the equivalent of 44% of the world's population to take off and land safely, it should be possible to find some common rules in order to allow many more to travel

"I'm a migrant, but didn't have to risk my life on a leaky boat or pay traffickers. Safe migration cannot be limited to the global elite." Thus spoke United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in September 2017.

 

With a memorable turn of phrase, he captured what is perhaps one of the overriding challenges facing the world today. While we live at a time when a privileged elite considers global mobility virtually its birth-right, it is denied to the majority trapped in hopelessly bad economic or conflict circumstances.

But something else has changed to bring this self-evident reality into the grinding gears of global politics with often tragic consequences.

Not long ago a sort of insider/outsider code of conduct meant that what the elite got barely mattered to the global poor, who were only dimly aware of the opportunities to reach a better life beyond the confines of their country`s borders. That was then.

Today the world's greatest leveller, the smartphone—which now is in the hands of more than 2 billion across the world—continues to change all that. In less than a decade smartphones have provided many outsiders with intimate knowledge of heretofore "elite" goings on.

What`s happening is that two coexisting, if starkly diverging realities are clashing on the same planet, turning the hitherto somnolent politics of many countries unpredictable and indeed volatile.

On the one hand, freedom of movement is virtually guaranteed for a privileged and surprisingly broad global citizenry, for whom it has become natural to move safely, freely and relatively inexpensively around the world. This includes tourists, students, visiting family members, migrant workers from the global south (over 2 million Filipinos and 1 million Sri Lankans etc.) as well as the businesspersons who keep our globalized world humming.

What we so easily forget in the discourse about migration is that millions are travelling in ever greater numbers. They move safely and orderly, passing through security on the way to the gate, checking Facebook feeds and instant messages as they go. And above all they move in a regular way, their passports (and visas) in hand.

So why, one might ask, has migration become such a toxic issue, leading the news headlines and providing fuel for political populism? Part of it may well lie in our brushing over the challenges of integration and being too quick to judge popular hostility towards migration as irrational or worse. Politicians ignore the values people adhere to at their peril.

Equally, if uninterrupted, global mass movements of people are seen to be so orderly, normal and beneficial for all that they do not draw comment, we will need to figure out how to cope with the majority denied mobility because of circumstances.

Hundreds of millions who are not part of the growing, truly global labor talent market find themselves outside looking in, onto a world they can only dream of. They face enormous income disparities and hardships and no chance of getting a visa or a work permit.

It comes as no surprise then that vast armies of hopeful young migrants want to climb aboard the "leaky boats" referred to by the Secretary General. Pushed by lack of economic opportunity and exacerbated by climate change, they too are vulnerable to the siren song of social media. That's where smuggling networks, human traffickers and modern day enslavers ply their trade these days with complete impunity. These cruel deceptions go unchecked, as the social media giants chase new markets in the global 

Liberia's ruling party seeks injunction

Liberia's ruling Unity Party has gone to court seeking an injunction on a presidential run-off vote slated for December 26, 2017.

A Reuters journalists says the petition lodged at the Supreme Court was issued by current vice president Joseph Boakai, who came second in the main polls.

The petition is challenging the credibility of the elections body, the Liberia National Electoral Commission, NEC, to conduct the December 26 process. It is not known when the petition will be due for hearing by the court.

Boakai is expected to enter the run-off with former football star, George Weah, who came tops in the first round but failed to secure the 50% plus of popular votes.

The Supreme Court in a majority decision recently threw out a petition lodged by the opposition Liberty party, the judges said evidence presented was not sufficient to warrant a cancellation of the entire first round.

They, however, tasked the NEC to undertake key reforms ahead of the run-off. The body announced the new date its said after taking into account directives of the judges.

Winner of the elections will replace Africa's first democratically elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who has been president of the West African country since 2006.

Dariye is still wanted in United kingdom

Dear Mr Aduwo 

Freedom of Information Request Reference No:  2012060002368

I respond in connection with your request for information which was received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 19/06/2012.  I note you seek access to the following information: 

We will like to know if Dariye still has case to answer in United Kingdom?  

EXTENT OF SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION 

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within Specialist Crime and Operations - Specialist and Economic Crime. 

RESULT OF SEARCHES 

The searches located information relevant to your request. 

Joshua Chibi Dariye was arrested and charged in connection with money laundering offences. £93,000 cash was recovered from his hotel room. This money was forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and is waiting repatriation to Nigeria. Dariye was bailed pending further enquiries and failed to answer his bail. He has never returned to the United Kingdom and is still wanted in the UK

World Bank Group Announcements at One Planet Summit

EmailTweetShareShareParis, 12 December, 2017 - At the One Planet Summit convened by President Emmanuel Macron of France, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank Group made a number of new announcements in line with its ongoing support to developing countries for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement's goals.

1. WBG and upstream oil and gas

As a global multilateral development institution, the World Bank Group is continuing to transform its own operations in recognition of a rapidly changing world.  To align its support to countries to meet their Paris goals:

The World Bank Group will no longer finance upstream oil and gas, after 2019. 

(In exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to financing upstream gas in the poorest countries where there is a clear benefit in terms of energy access for the poor and the project fits within the countries' Paris Agreement commitments.)

2. Ramping up WBG climate ambition through its Climate Change Action Plan

The WBG is on track to meet its target of 28% of its lending going to climate action by 2020 and to meeting the goals of its Climate Change Action Plan - developed following the Paris Agreement. 

In line with countries submitting updated and potentially more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the World Bank Group will present a stock-take of its Climate Change Action Plan and announce new commitments and targets beyond 2020 at COP24 in Poland in 2018.

3. Transparency and disclosure to drive our own decarbonization

The World Bank Group is working hard to ensure that climate accountability is mainstreamed throughout its operations. In addition to measures already in place:

I) Starting next year, the World Bank Group will report greenhouse gas emissions from the investment projects it finances in key emissions-producing sectors, such as energy. The results will be published in late 2018, and annually thereafter.

II) The World Bank will be applying a shadow price on carbon in the economic analysis of all IBRD/IDA projects in key high-emitting sectors where design has begun since July 2017.  IFC started using carbon pricing in key sectors in January 2017 and will mainstream the same starting January 2018"

4. Mobilizing Finance for transformation in mitigation and climate resilience

To accelerate the mobilization of finance:

I) IFC will invest up to $325 million in the Green Cornerstone Bond Fund, a partnership with Amundi, to create the largest ever green-bond fund dedicated to emerging markets. This is a $2 billion initiative aiming to deepen local capital markets, and expand and unlock private funding for climate-related projects.  The fund is already subscribed at over $1 billion.

II) Last week, the World Bank and the Government of Egypt signed a $1.15 billion development policy loan aimed at reducing fossil fuel subsidies and creating the environment for low-carbon energy development.

III) The World Bank Group will continue to support investments highlighted at the One Planet Summit which demonstrate opportunities to crowd in different kinds of finance in transformational areas. This includes accelerating energy efficiency in India; scaling up solar energy in Ethiopia, Pakistan and Senegal among other countries; establishing a West Africa Coastal Areas investment platform to build resilience for coastlines of West African countries (partnering with WAEMU, NDF, GEF, GFDRR, AFD, AfDB); and introducing the City Resilience Platform (partnering with the Global Covenant of Mayors) so that up to 500 cities will have access to finance for resilience to climate change.

IV) The World Bank Group will continue to work with the United Nations and other partners on the implementation of the Invest4Climate platform, which will systematically crowd in multiple sources of finance, with a major event showcasing investment opportunities planned for May 2018 at the Innovate4Climate conference in Frankfurt.

V) IFC will work to set a single unifying global standard on green bonds, similar to the Equator Principles, as a means to facilitate the development of the green bond market to crowd in private finance into climate business. And to stimulate the greening of the financial sector, the World Bank Group will partner with the Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) to provide technical support to develop and implement national Roadmaps for Sustainable Finance in six countries. These roadmaps are based on a framework developed jointly with UN Environment.

VI)   AXA Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP) will allocate a substantial portion of projects to climate-smart infrastructure investments.  IFC and Finland launched the Finland-IFC Climate Change Program, a €114 million returnable capital contribution to spur private sector financing for climate-change solutions,targeting low-income countries focused on investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, climate-smart agriculture, and forestry.

5. Working in partnership

To further accelerate climate action, the World Bank Group will be working with various partners to deepen climate action:

I) For the first time, all the Multilateral Development Banks and all International Development Finance Club Members issued a joint statement aligning their finance with the Paris Agreement and identifying areas where they will work together to advance climate-smart development.

II) Canada and the World Bank will work together to accelerate the energy transition in developing countries and, together with the International Trade Union Confederation, will provide analysis to support efforts towards a just transition away from coal.

III) Working with France's AFD and the Kingdom of Morocco, the World Bank will work to accelerate adaptation in agriculture for Africa.

IV) The World Bank will support a unique partnership between Caribbean leaders and people, multilateral organizations, and local and international private sector to define a vision for the world's first climate-smart zone. The key priority areas for action include renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, and capacity building.

V) The World Bank Group will support, through the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, the proposed Carbon Markets of the Americas initiative.

VI) Together with Ethiopia, Fiji, Germany, the United Kingdom and other government, NGO and private sector partners so far, the World Bank will support the new InsuResilience Global Partnershipwith the goal  of significantly scaling up climate risk finance and insurance solutions in developing countries, with a focus on poor and vulnerable people. It will stimulate the creation of effective climate risk insurance markets and the smart use of insurance-related schemes to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of disasters. More than $125million has been committed to the initiative so far. It is built on strong G20 and V20 support and has 40 members so far.

VII) The Principles on Blended Concessional Finance, first published in 2013, have been recently enhanced with more detailed guidelines developed by a working group (chaired by IFC) representing Development Finance Initiatives (DFIs) that annually invest more than $35 billion a year in private sector solutions. These principles include promoting commercially sustainable solutions so that the use of scarce public concessional finance is minimized; and state the need for high social, environmental, and governance standards.

Home Exclusive  Nigerian Politicians Are Too Corrupt And Insane – Richard Branson

EXCLUSIVE

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS ARE TOO CORRUPT AND INSANE – RICHARD BRANSON

written by Our ReporterAugust 7, 2012

International businessman with billions of dollars to his name, Richard Branson, has lambasted the crop of leaders we have in Nigeria for their high level greed which, according to him, is killing big brands wishing to do business with the government of the country, for the growth of Nigeria's economy.

Below is the revelations by Mr. Branson on his experience in Nigeria…

The chairman of Virgin Atlantic said: "…we have virgin's ill-fated footsteps by setting up a new airline in Africa in conjunction with Nigerian government…the details of the doomed attempts to crack the Nigerian market in the 2000s is better imagined…we put …together a very good airline-the first airline in West Africa that was ever IOSA/IATA operational safety audit accredited but unfortunately it got tied down to the politics of the country…we led the airlines for 11 years…

"We fought daily battle against government agents who wanted to daily make fortune from us, politicians who saw the government 49% as a meal to seek for all kinds of favour…watchdogs (regulatory body) that didn't know what to do and persistently asking for bribes at any point…Nigeria people are generally nice but the politicians are very insane…that may be irony because the people make up the politicians…

"But those politicians are selfish…we did make N3billion for the federal government of Nigeria during the joint venture…realising that the government didn't bring nothing to the table/partnership except dubious debts by the previous carrier, Nigeria Airways…The joint venture should have been the biggest African carrier by now if the partnership was allowed to grow, but the politicians KILLED it…Nigeria is a country we SHALL NEVER consider to doing business again.

Ilaje Professionals Forum Applauds Egba Led NDDC Board

Ilaje Professionals Forum Applauds Egba Led NDDC Board

A group in Ondo State, Ilaje Professionals Forum (IPF), has canvassed reforms aimed at re-positioning the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for fair and effective discharge of its statutory responsibilities.

  In a statement issued on Monday in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government, by the Secretary General of IPF, Comrade Olufemi Aduwo, the group admonished all stakeholders to support the reforms initiated by the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba-led board of the NDDC towards achieving the goal of establishing the commission. 

  The professionals noted the great strides the NDDC has made towards encouraging education and empowering the youth not only to be self-reliant but to become employers of labour, and thereby stemming the tide of restiveness and hostilities in the volatile Niger Delta that impede development of the oil-rich region.  

"The reform will make NDDC the vehicle to bring development and peace to the troubled Niger Delta and restore the confidence of the entire nation in the commission especially at this challenging time.

"This will also entrench transparency and enable the commission get necessary and important support from the stakeholders," IPF stated.

  The group further stated that NDDC's partnership with the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Open Government Partnership would better establish transparency in the commission. 

  The statement reads: "NDDC should take a step further to create awareness on the SDGs in the Niger Delta communities and encourage civil society organizations who are working with the World Bank and United Nations on SDGs to carry out assessment of the delivery of the goals in the region," Aduwo said.

"The Udoma-Egba-led board is not a continuation of the previous board. Section 5 (2) of the Act refers to a situation where a vacancy occurs as a result of any of the provisions of section 5(1) as opposed to when the entire board is dissolved. In this case, the previous board was dissolved and its tenure extinguished.

"Dissolution of the board cannot be categorised as a vacancy under the Act. Dissolution signifies total extinguishing of the board; it simply ceases to exist and there cannot be any remainder of a period in the life or tenure of the board that a successor is expected to complete.

"There has to be a fresh composition of the board for a fresh term of four years.

"We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on the appointment of a commissioner and a director to represent Ondo State in the commission. The delay has caused the oil-producing llaje area and the state a huge loss since 2016. 

"We appeal to the youths in Niger Delta to pursue their case through dialogue and not allow politicians to use them to advance their selfish interests .The ugly situations in the past where people used blackmail and force to get what they wanted in the NDDC should stop as it was a major factor that caused the woeful performance of the commission in the past.

  "The Senator Victor Ndoma Egba-led management board should be supported by all and sundry to reform the commission and achieve concrete results for the good of all.

"The present board is made up of credible people from the Niger Delta, who have served the public in the past at various capacities.

"Let us all support this new management of the NDDC to chart a new course for the commission to deliver on its mandate and not to blackmail them."

Ilaje Professionals Forum Endorse Ongoing Reforms At NDDC

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Ilaje Professionals Forum Endorse Ongoing Reforms At NDDC

The Ilaje Professionals Forum has expressed support for ongoing reforms aimed at re-positioning the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the present management.

The IPF  in a statement issued on Monday in Igbokoda by its Secretary General, Comrade Olufemi Aduwo applauded the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba-led board of NDDC for initiating a 21-point focus of direction at NDDC.

The group noted that the recent redeployment of 11 directors and ongoing internal investigations of corruption allegations in NDDC were signs of a committed leadership.

"We believe that these are moves that will eventually refocus the commission to its original mandate.

"The reform will make NDDC the vehicle to bring development and peace to the troubled Niger Delta and restore the confidence of the entire nation in the commission especially at this challenging time.

"This will also entrench transparency and enable the commission get necessary and important support from stakeholders," IPF stated.

The group further stated that NDDC's partnership with the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and Open Government Partnership, would better establish transparency in the commission.

IPFon the other hand, condemned the recent reports that the NDDC was purchasing cars at the expense of developing the Niger Delta oil communities when investigations showed that NDDC was yet to even get approval to acquire operational vehicles.

The group dismissed the report as attempts to blackmail and arm-twists the management of the commission.

"The ugly situations in the past where people used blackmail and force of coercion to get what they want in the NDDC should stop as it was a major contributory factor to the woeful performances of the commission in the past.

"The Senator Victor Ndoma Egba-led management board should be supported by all and sundry to reform the commission and achieve concrete results for the good of all.

"The present management board is made up of credible people from the Niger Delta, who have served the public in the past with proven integrity and in various capacities with unquestionable reputations.

"Resorting to forces of blackmailing and coercion will never help us – Information should be thoroughly investigated before allegations are made.

"Let us all support this new management of the NDDC to chart a new course for the commission and not to blackmail them," IPF said

Russia Banned

(VOXBog)Russia has been banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea over allegations of systematic, state-sponsored doping.

However, Russian athletes who can prove that they are clean will be "invited" to compete in Pyeongchang, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.

Those athletes must meet strict guidelines and will compete under the name "Olympic Athlete from Russia" (OAR). They will wear a uniform with that name on it and the Olympic anthem will be played at any ceremonies.

Donald Trump pulls US out of UN global compact on migration

On eve of international conference, US envoy says plan for more humane strategy is incompatible with US sovereignty

The Trump administration has pulled out of the United Nations' ambitious plans to create a more humane global strategy on migration, saying involvement in the process interferes with American sovereignty, and runs counter to US immigration policies.

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, informed the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, at the weekend that Donald Trump was not willing to continue with an American commitment to the UN global compact on migration.

Trump's Flynn tweets point to obstruction of justice, say opponents

 

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The announcement of the US withdrawal from the pact came hours before the opening of a UN global conference on migration scheduled to begin on Monday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

In 2016, the 193 members of the UN general assembly unanimously adopted a non-binding political declaration, the New York declaration for refugees and migrants, pledging to uphold the rights of refugees, help them resettle and ensure they had access to education and jobs. The initiative had the enthusiastic backing of Barack Obama, and was embraced by Guterres as one of his major challenges for 2018.

The aim is to publish a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration next year in time for adoption by the UN general assembly in September.

Louise Arbour, appointed as the UN's special representative to oversee the process, regards the global compact as a chance to shift world opinion on the need to address future migration, in the same way that the UN had managed to persuade the world it needed to address climate change. There are currently 60 million people who have been displaced worldwide.

The US decision to withdraw will delight Trump's "America first" political base, but will do little to improve his standing in developing countries.

The US mission to the UN said in a statement on Saturday that the declaration "contains numerous provisions that are inconsistent with US immigration and refugee policies and the Trump administration's immigration principles".

The UN had always insisted that the compact was never intended to be legally binding on any country, but instead was an attempt to create a shared understanding that migration flows are likely to increase, and need to be regularised by recognising the reality of state interdependence, as much as national sovereignty.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Haley said: "America is proud of our immigrant heritage and our longstanding moral leadership in providing support to migrant and refugee populations across the globe … But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone."

She said: "We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York declaration is simply not compatible with US sovereignty."

The move, which is likely to put US-UN relations back in the deep freeze, came following pressure largely from the White House, as opposed to Haley herself.

The US has already pulled out of the UN climate change treaty and Unesco, the cultural heritage body, accusing the latter's leadership of an anti-Israeli bias.

The impact of Since you're here …

… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading the Guardian than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help. The Guardian's independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too the migration pullout is more symbolic than practical, since the UN never had any illusion that it could control a member state's policies.