Why Nigeria Banned Toxic Fuel From Europe

When reports filtered in last September, that Swiss trading firms – Trafigura and Vitol – were exploiting weak regulations in Africa to import “dirty fuels” into Africa, including Nigeria, many dismissed it as impossible considering the many government agencies that are present at the ports.
But today, the story seems different as five countries in West Africa have decided to stop importing “dirty fuels” from Europe, the UN Environment Programme has said. Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have all agreed on the import ban.
Daily Sun had in September reported the findings by Swiss watchdog group, Public Eye, with the title, “Dirty Diesel’’ which had alleged that the Swiss trading firms are blending and dumping dirty fuel in Nigeria and other West African countries with more than 100 per cent toxic (sulphur) levels allowed in Europe, thereby causing health and environmental hazards.
Why the ban?
The UN says the move will help more than 250 million people breathe safer and cleaner air because the sulphur particles emitted by a diesel engine are considered to be a major contributor to air pollution and are ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top global health risks associated with heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems.
Head of UNEP, Erik Solheim, hailed the import ban
In a statement, the UN Environment Programme said the five West African countries, in addition to banning the import of dirty fuels, have also agreed to upgrade the operations of their national refineries.
The upgrade, which will concern both public and privately owned refineries, is meant to boost standards in the oil produced in the five countries.
The report into Europe oil exports released in September particularly criticised the Swiss for their links to the African trade in diesel that has toxin levels illegal in Europe.
“West Africa is sending a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe. Their decision to set strict new standards for cleaner, safer fuels and advanced vehicle emission standards shows they are placing the health of their people first,” he added.
FG speaks
Despite the denial by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in September, that it was impossible to have toxic fuel in circulation in Nigeria, the commitment of the Federal Government to ban the toxic fuel from entering the country has proved critics, including DPR, wrong.
Deputy Director, Public Affairs in DPR, Dorothy Bassey, had told Daily Sun in a telephone interview that there was no cause for alarm as all petroleum products are tested before entering the shores of the country. According to her, any product or products that fail the specification test are sent back to the country of origin.
“But if by error of omission or commission any product(s) that fall short of the required specification find their way into the country, the importer of such products will be severely sanctioned,’’ she said. But Nigerians are yet to see such sanctions on the Swiss importers.
But Environment Minister, Amina Mohamed, said: “For 20 years, Nigeria has not been able to address the vehicle pollution crisis due to the poor fuels we have been importing. Today, we are taking a huge leap forward – limiting sulphur in fuels from 3,000 parts per million to 50 parts per million.”
She said the move would result in major air quality benefits in Nigerian cities and would allow the country to set modern vehicle standards.
The WHO says that pollution is particularly bad in low and middle-income countries.

Read More:

http://sunnewsonline.com/why-nigeria-banned-toxic-fuel-from-europe/

Watch Banned Kannywood Actress, Rahama Sadau, Address Hollywood Students In Los Angeles

Banned Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau’s visit to Hollywood seems to be glowing with her recent visit to Hollywood Relativity Workshop Studio in Los Angeles.

She posted a video on her instagram page of herself talking with the students at the campus studio earlier today.

The Hollywood studio posted a picture of Rahama on their instagram page with this caption:

“Today, Rahama Sadau visited out campus today. She is often referred to as “Queen of Kannywood”, the Hausa language cinema of Nigeria. She won Best African Actress at the 19th African Film Awards in 2015.A few months ago Rahama shot a music video in Kannywood – Northern Nigeria’s entertainment industry. In this video she hugged a man who was not her husband for 3 secs. Uproar ensued and subsequently Rahama is no longer permitted to perform in Kannywood. After this event singer/rapper Akon invited her over to Los Angeles – she’s been on-set with him for the last week. It was an honor to have her here!”

It could be recalled that the Kannywood Queen was invited by music icon, Akon, weeks after her expulsion from Kannywood.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMlNDByl_uL/?taken-by=rahamasadau

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMkAXOUgHTe/

Credit: DailyTrust

Kannywood Actress Banned For Hugging, Cuddling In Music Video

A famous Nigerian actress, Rahama Sadau, has been expelled by the Hausa indigenous film industry known as Kannywood, after she featured in a music video which they say was “immoral”.

The Kannywood star appeared in the video with popular singer, Classiq, in a song titled I Love You.

In the film you can see her being hugged by Classiq.

The statement from the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (Moppan) says that Ms Sadau was “hugging and cuddling the music artist” in clear violation of code of the conduct “known to all practitioners”.

It goes on to say that the body would not tolerate behaviour that goes against the conduct and ethics governing the industry.

The statement also says that they hope the expulsion would serve as a “deterrent for other actors and actresses” and urged them to be ambassadors of the society they represent.

Credit: BBC

CBN Re-instates Banks Banned From Foreign Exchange Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has re-instated all the banks that were banned from the foreign exchange market, the Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins, has said.

She said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a media briefing, stating that the decision was reached after a series of meetings with the body of bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

“Well, we have had engagements with the body of CEOs and they have been interacting amongst themselves and I am happy to tell you today that the banks that were hitherto banned have been released from the ban.

“And the reason is because all of the banks after discussions and engagements under the auspices of the body of CEOs and the CIBN have all submitted credible repayment plans which we the CBN found acceptable.

“So as a result of that, all those banks have been re-instated in the foreign exchange market.’’

The CIBN President, Prof. Segun Ajibola, said that the institute was very much interested in what was happening among all the industry players.

He added that under the aegis of the institute, the body of bank CEOs was now a formidable platform to look at issues that were pertinent to the industry and the economy, to ensure that stakeholders’ interest was protected.

“We will protect the interests of all our stakeholders and especially the bigger picture, which is Nigeria and its economy as a whole.

“So it is a happy development and I believe this will further help to strengthen our system and our economy.’’

The Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe, said that the body of bank CEOs under the under the auspices of the CIBN, aims to get banks to work together.

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/cbn-re-instates-banks-banned-from-foreign-exchange-market/

Tennis star, Maria Sharapova Fails Dope Test

Maria Sharapova announced she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in a press conference Monday in Los Angeles.

 

Sharapova was informed by the International Tennis Federation that she tested positive for Meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances on Jan. 1, 2016.

 

Sharapova said she has legally been taking the drug for 10 years. Maria Sharapova Sharapova did not disclose what penalty she will face for the positive test. “I made a huge mistake,” Sharapova said. “I don’t want to end my career this way.”

 

The drug was added to WADA’s banned list as it showed “evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.”

 

Melodonium is a drug used clinically to treat angina, myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure.

 

Her parents were also in attendance.

 

 

Why Borno Gov. Ban Sale Of Dried Meat In Maiduguri

he Borno Government on Friday banned the sale of dried meat in order to curtail the activities of Boko Haram terrorists currently engaged in cattle rusting to fund their operations.

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno announced the ban at the inauguration of a committee for the management of the Maiduguri Cattle Market in Maiduguri.

Mr. Shettima, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Jidda Shuwa, said the government had also suspended importation of cattle to the state capital for the next two weeks.

Mr. Shettima said only the Butchers Association and Cattle Traders Association were permitted to slaughter and sell cattle in the market.

“Importation of cattle to the state capital through all routes and all sources other than the cattle traders association is hereby suspended for two weeks.

“In the same vein, the sale of dried meat is hereby banned, as it had been observed that criminal elements resort to this measure to legitimize their dubious activities ultimately aimed at funding activities of Boko Haram”, he said.

Mr. Shettima said the government had also suspended trading in four livestock markets – Gamboru, Dusuman, Shuwarin and Ngom to further ensure that only legitimate cattle were sold at the market.

“All trading activities in Gamboru Cattle Market, Dusuman, Shuwari and Ngom have been suspended till further notice in line with government’s commitment to ensure that no public place is turned to avenue for funding activities of the terrorists”, he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Buhari Speaks On Banning Hijab

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government may ban the use of hijabs by Muslim women if the suicide bombings continue without end, adding that it has no cogent intelligence on the fate of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram almost two years.
Buhari admitted as much yesterday during his maiden presidential media chat broadcast live from the State House in Abuja.
Despite the absence of intelligence, he said government was still making efforts to rescue the Chibok girls and would be willing to negotiate their release, but would want to make sure they are negotiating with credible leaders of the Boko Haram terror group.
According to him, “We are keeping our options open with Boko Haram on the Chibok girls on the condition that they can guarantee that the girls are safe and alive.”

The president said the military had combed the Sambisa Forest without any hint about the girls, whom he said might have been dispersed by the terror group.
He said: “I think this is about the third time I am going to talk about the Chibok girls. There was a time the leadership of Boko Haram made contact with us but we insisted that we want to ensure we are speaking with credible leaders of the group.
“Number two is that we want to make sure that the Chibok girls, I think about 219 of them are safe, secure and alive.

“We are still keeping our options open with Boko Haram on the condition that they have credible leaders who can tell that they have the Chibok girls. We have combed the Sambisa Forest but there was no Chibok girl there.
“For now, there is no current information and I am working with Niger, Chad and Cameroun, especially on a humanitarian basis. To be honest with you, there is no credible intelligence that the Chibok girls are alive and in one place.”

Credit: ThisDay

Five Oil Marketers Banned From Supplying Aviation Fuel

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed five oil marketing companies to stop supplying aviation fuel to local and foreign airlines operating in the country.

In a notice to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the NCAA explained that the suspension became necessary due to lack of depot facilities by the oil firms and the inability to verify their integrity and competencies.

The five firms listed in the NCAA circular are; Ascon Oil, Acorn Petroleum, Jushad Oil and Gas, Lubcon and Star Orient Aviation.

The regulatory body has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to deny the companies access to airports in the country until further notice, demanding strict compliance with the directive.

Credit: ChannelsTV

“Stay Away…”, Kendall Jenner Bans Kardashian Sisters From Attending Her Debut Victoria Secret Catwalk

Kendall Jenner was keen to not turn her debut Victoria Secret catwalk show into a media circus, and admitted that she banned her famous Kardashian sisters from attending the event to show their support.

Speaking to New York Daily News, the model explained: “I told them all to stay away. It was too much pressure and I was like, ‘Mom and Dad are good enough’.

“I just need the pressure off. There’s enough pressure as it is.”

Credit: Yahoo

Lamar Odom Undergoes Two Emergency Surgeries, All Visitors Banned Except Khloe

News breaking says that former NBA star, Lamar Odom, have had two emergency surgeries on Thursday, Oct. 22.

According to TMZ, the procedures involved chest issues and a source told the site that it’s put Odom in “a fragile mental state.” Both E! News and TMZ report that since the surgeries, doctors have banned visitors, allowing only Odom’s estranged wife, Khloe Kardashian, to see him.

“Lamar is not out of the woods,” a source shared exclusively earlier in the day. “I think it’s still really touch-and-go. Khloe is not really responding to friends who’ve reached out; I think she’s just in a bubble with her family right now.”

Credit: USweekly

Nigerian Goalkeeper Banned 1 Year For Spitting At Official

A Nigerian goalkeeper was banned for a year for spitting at an assistant referee and clubs were handed fines totaling $85 000 in disciplinary decisions announced by the Confederation of African Football on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Tejiri Rhiogbere was given the 12-month ban from all African competitions following CAF’s disciplinary committee meeting on Sunday. CAF said it would also forward Rhiogbere’s case to FIFA to possibly make his ban worldwide.

The spitting incident happened in Nigerian club Warri Wolves’ 1-0 win at FC MK of Congo in their African Confederation Cup tie on May 1, when Rhiogbere was also sent off.

In other decisions, Mali’s Onze Createurs was fined the largest amount, $20 000, for its fans throwing missiles onto the field in a Confederation Cup game against Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas. The game had to be stopped and police intervened to disperse the crowd, CAF said.

Angola’s Petro Atletico was fined $10 000 after its fans threw missiles at its own team at a 1-0 home loss to Swaziland’s Royal Leopards, which eliminated Petro from the Confederation Cup. Police also had to escort the match officials to the dressing rooms.

Clubs in Africa’s top Champions League competition were also punished for crowd trouble and not controlling officials.

Defending African champion ES Setif of Algeria and Raja Casablanca of Morocco were both banned from holding CAF games in their stadiums for four matches and fined $5,000 after their bad-tempered two-leg tie in the Champions League, which Setif ultimately won on penalties after both games ended 2-2.

Setif’s club president was guilty of insulting members of the Raja delegation, and Raja’s president guilty of contesting refereeing decisions.

Dozens of flares were also thrown onto the field in Raja’s home tie on April 19, CAF said, leading to a warning that another incident would mean Raja would have to play two games without any fans.

In the most bizarre case, goalkeeper Brou Bernard of Ivory Coast’s beach soccer team was banned for four games and fined $5,000 for throwing sand at the officials after losing to Madagascar on penalties in the semifinals of the African championship last month.

Credit: AP