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ECOWAS Parliament deploying diplomatic mechanisms to mitigate Mali, B/Faso, Niger exit — Kalu

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ECOWAS Parliament deploying diplomatic mechanisms to mitigate Mali, B/Faso, Niger exit — Kalu

By: Michael Mike

The Deputy Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said the ECOWAS Parliament has not given up on getting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger realign with other countries in the regional bloc, stating that already put in place by the West African legislative arm is a parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms to bring back the departing sister countries.

Kalu made the disclosure in an interview with journalists in Abidjan, Cote D’Voire. He said there was no cause for alarm over the bloc’s perceived existential threat posed by violent extremism, and the exit threats from ECOWAS by the three Sahelian countries of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The lawmaker said there are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them.

He disclosed that: “Letters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government.

“We’ll open up the doors for them to come back to the family; We need them.

“We’ll tell them for instance that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss,” the deputy speaker stressed.

He added: “You can’t just forget them and say it doesn’t matter; that they can go on their own.

“No! We have to reach out to them and say we are better off as one family.

“I’m sure it’s going to work.”

Kalu, however, said that in the event of a worse case scenario, where the three countries go ahead and exit, ECOWAS would not be threatened financially.

According to him, there is a clear definition of the sources of ECOWAS revenue.

He noted that the Community Levy happens to be just one of them.

“There are many other sources. So, we want to make sure that we streamline it and know where monies are coming from.

“If these are not enough, we will increase because there are so many development agencies, there are so many people, who are interested in the sub-region.

“There are multiple ways of raising funds for the parliament, as well as the community,” he said.

ECOWAS Parliament deploying diplomatic mechanisms to mitigate Mali, B/Faso, Niger exit — Kalu

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

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Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has affirmed that investments in the circular economy value chain have the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Barikor made this statement recently during a meeting with the management of a plastic packaging recycling (rPET) company, Sonnex in Lagos.

He assured the team that the Nigerian government prioritizes circular economy, noting that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations soon to be gazetted is one of the efforts to strengthen the legal framework for circular economy implementation in Nigeria.

He said: “Circular Economy falls under the Presidential priorities for the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Minister is very keen on the success. Apart from tackling the problem of waste, green jobs have been created .

“The pellets and flakes you produce and export also generate foreign exchange. The Plastic Waste Control Regulations are awaiting official gazette and once gazetted, we would have connected the dots of the framework to implement circular economy in the plastic sector. We are deeply committed to ensuring the success of Circular Economy.”

Earlier, the Managing Director, Anil Mohinani intimated the NESREA boss on the process for the production of recycled PET bottles (rPET), whilst also highlighting the challenges faced by investors in the sector .

He listed some of the setbacks to include lack of a legal instrument to compel manufacturers in the food and beverage sector to embrace food-grade rPET, unfriendly policies by some foreign companies, and insufficient awareness .

“Europe and America create barriers to protect their international recycling business. There is unfair competition. In some countries such as Kenya, there is encouragement to invest in rPET recycling because there is a regulation in place,” he added.

Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

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