10 NE'VS
DAILY TRUST
Friday, February 18, 201'~
NIMET predicts bumper harves~ for Nigerian farmers i By Shehu Abubakar NIGERIAN farmers have been told to get set for bumper harvest in 20 II as a favourable weather is predicted for the country, Aviation minister, Mrs. Fidelia Akuabata Njeze said while presenting the 2011 national weather and rainfall prediction for the year. Presenting the report from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Mrs Njeze said the seasonal rainfall prediction provides early warning
information on the impending rainy geason and will no doubt assist stakeholders in aviation,
agriculture, environment, disaster risk management, health, water resources and dam operations to plan their activities for the forthcoming season in a way that will maximize the benefits of the rain. She said the predictions are targeted at among other benefits, providing the farmer with the opportunity of improving his performance in agricultural pro-
duction and food security, adding, "Government is taking seriously, the challenges of extreme weather and cUrnate events, and the associated negative impacts
on economic development; she said. Speaking earlier, the Director General ofNIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom said there will adequate rainfall in Nigeria in 2011 even though the rain may stop about two weeks earlier than normal in some parts of the country. He said there will also be thick
harmattan that may lead to flight cancellations and delays. He assured that the agency through its 54 weather monitors and over 500 rainfall recording stations has the capability to observe and report possible changes. "The Sahara desert is encroaching deep into Nigeria at a fast rate, our own Lake Chad has been shrinking, gully erosions are widening, floods destroylives and properties in several parts of the country, our coastal areas are under threat due to sea level rise,
the frequency and intensity of the extreme weather events are on the increase. These meteorblogical hazards constitute major threats to socio-economic development of our country," he said. The weather and rainfall prediction report indicate that there may not be any form of drought in Nigeria this. It stresses the possibility of double cropping but warned that there may be serious invasion of farmlands in the north by grasshoppers and quela birds.
Kana police academy graduates 417 cadets By Misbahu Bashir A total of 417 cadets from the Police Academy Wudil, Kano have today completed their mandatory training. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer Olusola Amore said the 417 cadets graduating from the College today, included assistant superintendents and inspectors. The cadets have undergone all the nitty-gritty and requisite training of police officers and met the standard. He said the Inspector General of Police HafIz Abubakar Ringiro has asked the grandaunts to be resolute and determined to face the challenges and task ahead particularly during the up-coming 20 Ilgeneral elections. The IG said the enlistment ofyoung officers into the police force will enhance crime management and improve police service to the people. The parade ceremony for the graduating cadets will be reviewed by the IGP.
Serbia celebrates 207yrs of nationhood By Romoke W. Ahmad
MPs urged to hasten passage of PIB By Hamlsu Muhammad A non-governmental group, known as Leadership and Environmental Network Initiative (LENI) has urged the National Assembly and the federal government to ensure the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) because of its benefits to the country. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by its Director of Publicity Yusuf Joda, LENI tasked President Goodluck Jonathan who informed his audience during a visit to Turkey
that the PIB will soon be passed into law to make good his words. The group said the pronouncement by Jonathan raised the hope of Nigerians and other stakeholders in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry and gave Nigerians hope that "finally government has decided to act to bring to light a law which if enacted, will reposition and re路invigorate the Oil and Gas sector of the Nigerian economy which is critical to the sustainable economic development of the country." "But unfurtunately, for over a
month now no tangible progress has been made in that respect. This delay has made it expedient on us as concerned stakeholders, to call on the attention of our law makers to the urgency of the moment and the need to act expeditiously on the PIB," the group added. The group therefore urged the National Assembly to, as a matter of national importance, re-open debate on the PIB in its next sitting and expeditiously pass the bill into law as presented without tinkering with it.
FERMA boss commended for road maintenance By Abbas Jimoh
agency. He therefore urged the federal THE South/South, South/EastDevelgovernment to increase the budgetopment Group (SSSEDG) has comary allocations to the agency to enamended the Managing Director of the ble it make more meaningful progress Federal Road Maintenance Agency and perform at optimal level since no (FERMA), Engr. Kabiru Abdulahi, maintenance construction work could for the ebuDient and effective maintebe carried out effectively during the nance of the nation's highways. raining season. _ National leader ofSSSEDG, Prince "Maintenance culture路 helps in Elias Odoemena, told newsmen yesmaintaining not only the roads but terday in Abuja that FERMA under private and government owned infraAbudulahi has achieved a lot despite structure. We are commending the the financial constraints facing the . _ FREMA boss. for his contribution in
making sure that Nigerians imbibe maintenance culture instead of allowing roads to deteriorate before a new contract is awarded," Odoemena said. He added, "FERMA could have performed better with adequate funding, the process of releasing money to the agency through the federation account is too cumbersome. The President should look into FERMA funding pattern and increase its allocationi while at the same time ensure the release of all votes as at when due for greater .efficiency:' .
THE Republic of Serbia, former Yugoslavia, has marked 207 years of the country's nationhood and 176 years of prodamation of her first constitution. Ambassador of Serbia in Nigeria Amb Rifat Rondic said the country will continue to maintain her basic priorities which include, working fur attaimnent of European Union (EU) membership, continuation of peaceful defense of her constitutional order, regional stability and cooperation as well as deepening of her political and economic relations globally. Speaking at the reception to mark the celebration of the nationhood, Rondic said the country is seeking EU membership is for nation building by adopting European standards sayingtheyareworking hard to avoid repeating past mistakes. While reiterated his country's stand on Kosovo, he said ' their decision to grant independence to Kosovo still remain the same On the allegation of inhuman trafficking of people and illicit trafficking in human organ in Kosovo by Council of European Parliament Assembly, Rondic said Serbia government as requested fur immediate, full and criminal investigation of the charges which will be investigated separately from other issues over Kosovo declaring their readiness to remove it from world problems list He applauded African countries and other foreign partners fur their support over the issue especially Nigeria for its principal and consistence position on it
Nigeria, Switzerland sign agreement on migration NIGERIA and Switzerland have signed an agreement on migration, the first between the two countries. The Minister of Fbreign Affairs Mr Odein Ajumogobia signed on behalfofNigeria while the Swiss Head ofthe Federal Department of Justice and Police, Mr Simonetta Sommaru, Signed fur his country. A statement by the Nigerian Embassy in Berne said the agreement include building of capacity on immigration, migration, development services, promotion and protection ofhuman rights. (NAN)
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