The report of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and Daewoo Group of South Korea for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery is one of the trending stories in Nigerian newspapers on Friday.
The Punch reports that Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and Daewoo Group of South Korea for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery.
This is according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘Kaduna refinery rehabilitation gets boost as President Buhari witnesses signing of MoU between NNPC Ltd and Daewoo Group in Seoul.’
“The President was particularly excited as the signing came against the back of ongoing rehabilitation works at Warri refinery by the same Daewoo Group which will at the first instance, deliver fuels production before the first half of 2023,” the statement read in part.
At the signing, Buhari said, “Daewoo Group has massive investments in the automobile, maritime and other sectors of our economy.
“I am also aware that Daewoo is currently engaged in the execution of the NLNG train seven project and also constructing sea-going LPG vessels for NNPC and her partners.”
He said he looked “forward to the delivery of ongoing projects, especially at the Warri and Kaduna refineries, and the NLNG Train Seven,” stressing that “This no doubt will open many more windows of opportunities for Daewoo and other Korean companies in Nigeria.”
“I thank you for your faith in Nigeria,” Buhari told the Korean conglomerate at the end of the significant ceremony on the last day of his visit to the Asian country to attend the First World Bio Summit.
The newspaper says that rice production has been predicted to fall by seven per cent within the marketing year, starting from October to September 2023 following insecurity and recent flooding that has eroded rice-growing areas.
This is according to the United States Agriculture Department in its latest ‘Nigeria grain and feed update’.
According to USDA, households have started to see a substantial increase in the average price of bags of rice, rising to about 50 per cent, in some cases to N45,000 from N31,000.
It said production was expected to decline to 7.8 million metric tons from 8.4 million tons in 2021-2022.
Area harvested was expected to shrink by seven per cent to 3.4 million hectares (a hectare equals 2.47 acres) in the current marketing year, it said.
While citing officers and farmers, USDA said floods in September washed away thousands of hectares of rice farms at the maturing stage.
It added that yield increased marginally due to good weather, improved management practices, and improved varieties, it said. Rice imports are estimated to fall to 1.5 million tons, down from 2.2 million tons the prior marketing year due to a partial ban in 2021-2022.
t stated that between 2022 and 2023, rice consumption was estimated at 6.9 million tons, a decline of 5 per cent due to higher prices amid dwindling consumer purchasing power.
The Guardian reports that despite repeated assurances by government, insecurity fears heightened, yesterday, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, as the United Kingdom (UK) updated its earlier travel advice of October 26 to British nationals in the country, warning against travelling to the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British High Commission advised against all, but essential travel, to FCT. The updated advice outlines that there is an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.
“British nationals are advised to stay alert, avoid non-essential travel within the city and follow the local news and advice of security authorities. The British High Commission remains open for essential services and the travel advice will constantly be reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria.”
The statement noted that the travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad.
Other states in Nigeria where FCDO advised against all, but essential travel include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
At least, five foreign missions have issued warning notices to their citizens to avoid non-essential trips to Abuja, including United States of America, Canada and Australia.
Also yesterday, a mall located in the Jabi district of Abuja shut down operations over security concerns. In a post on its Instagram page, the management of the Jabi Lake Mall said it was reviewing the security situation and would inform customers when it reopens.
“This decision has been taken in the overall interest of the safety of all staff and customers of the mall. Centre Management is committed to minimising any disruptions; however, the safety of our staff and shoppers remains our highest priority. Management is constantly reviewing the security situation in consultation with relevant security authorities and will inform you when the mall will be reopened.”
Despite the closure of Jabi Lake, it was observed that several malls were still open for business in the FCT, while garden operators experienced low patronage following the terror scare.
The scare was further heightened after the reported arrest of two terror suspects at Trademore Estate, along Airport Road, in Lugbe area of the capital city.
A source disclosed that terrorists and their collaborators, who have been mapping and strategising on how to launch multiple attacks to attract global attention, were arrested in Abuja and neighbouring communities lately.
The newspaper says that Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has urged Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and others that prevailed on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its eight months strike, to also put pressure on the Federal Government to fulfill its agreement with the union.
Falana, who made the appeal, while delivering the convocation lecture titled, “Remaking Nigeria: The youths as change agents,” at Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, said youths displayed unparalleled understanding and support concerning lecturers’ demands aimed at uplifting the sector.
He said: “It is our collective duty as Nigerians to ensure that agreements between the government and ASUU are implemented. It is imperative for all those who appealed or prevailed one way or the other on lecturers to return to class, should also do the same to ensure that government keeps to its side of the agreements.”
He urged youths to take up the gauntlet and save the nation from the grip of bad leadership.
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, in his remarks, said as the cost of education goes up, Nigerians should not be discouraged as the cost of ignorance is much higher.
Also, visitor to the university, Dr. Adewale Martins, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Lagos, lauded the management for the high standard of discipline and education given to students.
He charged the graduating students to follow the path of honour and seek excellence in their career.
The best graduating student, Tolefe Emmanuel Chukwufunmanya, gave the assurance that all the good virtues inculcated in them would guide their steps in the outside world.
GIK/APA