Tag Archives: Minna

FG grants mining licence to Federal University of Technology, Minna.

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The federal government has granted the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the licence to engage in mining activities.

Lydian Legbu made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

According to the statement, the institution’s vice-chancellor, Musbau Akanji, received the reconnaissance permit and exploration licence issued by the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office.

Akanji said at the event that, the institution applied for the licence a year ago, to checkmate illegal mining on its land.

He said that the university would partner with investors in the sector, and commended the department of geology for its efforts in actualising the issuance of the licence.

The vice chancellor explained that the university would undertake environmental impact assessment before venturing into exploration.

He said that by diversifying into mining activities, the university would widen its revenue base and open up new vistas for academic development.

Shehu Ma’aji, the director, university ventures, described the development as a landmark achievement for the institution.

Head of geology department, Idris Abdullahi, said that with the issuance of the licence, the university has the option of going into direct mining or bringing in other experts.

He explained that after feasibility studies, more areas owned by the university would be placed on mining lease, valid for 25 years.

NAN reports that the reconnaissance permit is valid for one year, while the exploration licence has three-year validity, renewable for two further periods of two years each.

The area covers 130 cadastral units and 26km2 in Bosso local government area of Niger state.

 

Source: The Cable

Accept Defeat, Embrace Nasko, PDP Tells Other Aspirants

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The publicity secretary of Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hassan Saba, has asked defeated aspirants in the just concluded PDP governorship primaries to accept their fate, saying they are wrong for saying the conduct of the elections were flawed.

nasko

In a statement issued yesterday in Minna, Saba maintained that the conduct of the governorship primaries was flawless and a reflection of the wish of the people.

He said those complaining were crying wolf where none is and therefore urged those who lost the primaries to accept their fate,

adding that they must eschew unnecessary speculation over the conduct of the election.

He said the joint press conference addressed by the contestants has the imprint of a script written in anticipation of failure borne strictly out of their inability to impress the people.

“I am indeed pleased with the outcome of the PDP primaries. I hail the leadership of the party for the smooth process, which characterised the primaries. Let me also thank most of the aspirants for conducting themselves in the best possible way during the exercise, it shows that the next general election in Niger State will be free of violence.

“For those who lost out in the last primaries, I call on you to join hands with the party candidates to ensure PDP win all elective positions in Niger State in 2015. We must not allow selfish interest erode our sense of deductive reasoning as team players and true democrats. For emphasis sake, the process was indeed flawless.”

It would be recalled that Alhaji Umar Nasko recorded victory over other candidates vying for the governorship candidacy of the PDP in the just concluded primaries, a feat which other aspirants told journalists was attained because exercise was not free and fair.

Why President Jonathan Visited Babangida

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Nigeria’s former military president Ibrahim Babangida has declared that well meaning Nigerians will vote for President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015.

Speaking at his home in Minna after he received Jonathan, IBB said: “What I will say is simple: the president means well for this country and he is working well for this country. Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country,” he said.

Jonathan, who described his meeting with Babangida as “fruitful”, said he visited the former military leader because he just returned from a medical trip abroad.

“Of course, you know that this is the end of the year. Within this period, people pay visits. So I have come to visit him. You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago. Since he came back, we have not seen. I need to see my father to know how he is feeling. I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.

“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we are facing challenges: security challenges all over, not just in the north. Yes, Boko Haram in the north. The south is not safe from commercial kidnapping and robbery.

“He is one of our experienced leaders. As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions. That is one of the areas how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace.  “That is the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had fruitful discussion,” he said.

Credit:  www.nigerianbulletin.com

“Jonathan is Experienced”, IBB Urges Nigerians to Support GEJ

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President Goodluck Jonathan visited former President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna  in what the President said was to appreciate the former military President and consult with him after his recent medical trip abroad.

Gen. Babangida who emerged from the closed door meeting with Jonathan urged all Nigerians, who mean well for the country, to support the President.

In an interview with journalists after the closed door meeting, President Jonathan said  the meeting was to seek his input as a former leader on how to solve the myriads of problems confronting the country.

He said: “First and foremost, I have to use this opportunity to appreciate our leader, President Babangida for his leadership. His commitment to ensuring that this country is united and we live in peace.

“Of course, you know that this is the end of the year. Within this period, people pay visits. So I have come to visit him. You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago. Since he came back, we have not seen. I need to see my father to know how he is feeling. I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.

“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we are facing challenges: security challenges all over, not just in the North. Yes, Boko Haram in the North. The South is not safe: commercial kidnapping and robbery.

“He is one of our experienced leaders. As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions. That is one of the areas how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace.

“That is the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had a fruitful discussion” the president said.

Also speaking, the former head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida said the president means well for this country and every Nigerian who means well for the country should support him.

According to General Babangida, “what I will say is simple: The President means well for this country and he is working well for this country. Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country”.

Credit: vanguardngr.com

 

Prison Break Frees 200 Inmates in Minna

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Gunmen broke into a prison in the central Nigerian city of Minna, freeing around 200 inmates. A police spokesman and security sources said the gunmen stormed the facility late on Saturday in Niger state, near to the capital Abuja.

Islamist sect Boko Haram and al Qaeda-linked group Ansaru have been behind several prison raids in recent years, although it was unclear whether they had anything to do with this one. One of the security sources said it’s unclear if this is Boko Haram or some criminal gangs.