Agenda 'Oil Price Stability' - Muhammadu Buhari Off To Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Makes Brife Stop At Mecca, Medina!

Shortly after returning from the Africa2016 : Business for Africa, Egypt and the World" conference, held recently in Egypt, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari,  accompanied by the Minister of State (Petroleum) and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu,  on Monday, 22nd February, embarked on a week-long official visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to discuss 'Oil Price Stability'.

According to a statement release by the Special Adviser to the President

on Media and Publicity,  Femi Adesina on Sunday, February 21st, the President  is expected to visit Riyadyh,  Saudi Arabia’s capital and main financial hub, on Tuesday to have talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and senior officials of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom, heads of international financial organisations and multilateral associations.

To further solicit for support in his administration’s efforts to revamp "the Nigerian economy by taking advantage of the great investment opportunities currently available in Nigeria’s mining, agriculture, power supply, infrastructure, transportation, communications and other sectors", Muhammadu Buhari  is also scheduled to meet with leading Saudi and Qatari businessmen in Riyadh and Doha, Qatar capital. 

After visiting Saudi Arabia, President Buhari will make brief stops at Medina and Mecca to pray for greater peace, prosperity and progress in Nigeria.

Cambodia Investigates Fresh HIV Out Break!

With just 0.2 doctors for every 100,000 people, on a par with Afghanistan, according to World Bank figures, one of Asia's poorest nations, Cambodia, could be on the verge of a fresh HIV outbreak after tests left more than 200 people infected in Peam a small Cambodian village, north of Phnom Penh.

In a telephone interview with AFP, a 33 year-old resident identified as Phy Sobin,  on Monday, 22nd February, after Cambodia health officials screened hundreds of villagers for HIV, Sobin said "The villagers are nervous now. They suspect the doctor might have spread HIV," ...confirming that her 67-year old aunt had been confirmed HIV-positive, Sobin said "I used to get many injections from the doctor. I and my two kids tested negative for HIV, but my husband has not tested yet,". 

It would be recalled that a recent outbreak was traced to an unlicensed doctor in the western province of Battambang, who was reusing dirty needles. 

The doctor was jailed for 25 years, partly because some of his patients died after being infected. 

However, Ly Peng Sun, the director of the National Centre for HIV, said it was too early to say what caused the latest outbreak.

Ambode's Administration Promises Lagosians 24hours Power Supply Come 2017!

As Lagosians try to come to terms with the incessant lack of power supply in most parts of the state and the hot weather  associated with weather transition, especially at this time of the year, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has reassured Lagosians that between now and 2017, he had an agenda to create clusters of Independent Power Projects (IPPs) across the state to improve on power generation and ensure 24hours power supply in Lagos.

Responding to questions from captains of industries and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), at the 5th Lagos Corporate Assembly, a forum for public-private sector engagement held at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, 18th February, governor Ambode gave a re-assurance of his administration’s commitment to ensure that the Blue Line of the Light Rail Project is up and running by December 2016, he also debunked claims that work had stopped on the first phase of the project connecting Mile 2 to CMS. According to him, “The truth is, you might not see the contractors but they are actually working on the waters for now and by December this year, the project will start running. So, work is seriously ongoing,” he said. 

To encourage investors and reduce the pressure on the road networks in the state, governor Ambode said his administration is at the verge of concluding on the channelization of the Lagos water ways to improve on water transportation. 

Governor Ambode assured members of the OPS as well as would-be investors that the state is more than willing and ready to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive with the overall aim of improving on the socio-economic well-being of the citizens. To this end, the governor said his administration created the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund to give soft loans to entrepreneurs just at three percent, while the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investments otherwise known as Lagos Global, the Office of Civic Engagement, as well as the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment Generation were equally established, all in a bid to promote investment opportunities.

As part of measures to boost an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, Ambode further stated that his administration is in the process of establishing Lagos Micro Finance Bank, which would go a long way to provide succor for business owners. “As we speak, we are in talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on this and very soon we shall come up with the Lagos Micro Finance Bank and this is another effort geared towards the economic wellbeing of our people.” He said.

Earlier, in a meeting  with visiting Austrian Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Policy and European Integration, Mrs. Bernadette Gierlinger at the State Secretariat, Alausa - Lagos, on Wednesday 17 February, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade disclosed that the Lagos State Government is ready to partner Austria in areas of mutual interest in order to create investment opportunities, jobs and reduce unemployment.

Virgin Galactic Passenger Spaceship Unveiled!

16 months after a fatal accident destroyed its sister ship during a test flight, Virgin's  new Virgin Galactic passenger spaceship was on Friday, 19th February, unveiled by Richard Branson.

President Muhammadu Buhari Joins Other African Leaders At The 'Africa2016' Conference In Egypt!

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari arrives Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for the on-going Africa 2016 Business for Africa, Egypt and the World, Forum.

Amidst tight security which prevented some journalists from gaining entrance into the premises, the conference is well attended by African leaders and stake holders in key sectors of African economy.

Governor Ambode Orders Security Agencies To Apply Force On The Clampdown On Criminals/ Cultists!

The ride is not going to be jolly as usual for villains, as Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode ordered security agencies to apply appropriate force to clampdown on criminals and cultists disturbing peace in the state.

Aisha Buhari Turns A Year Younger Today!

Wife of Nigeria's president,  Hajia Aisha Buhari turned a year younger today.

Here's wishing  Hajia Aisha lots of love on her special day.