DSS PRESS STATEMENT: DSSS FOILS ATTACK ON DETENTION FACILITY AT HEADQUARTERS

At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the Headquarters to feed the suspects.

One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff.

His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.

The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat.

The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. The situation has since been brought under control.

Further details will be communicated.

Marilyn Ogar (Mrs)
Deputy Director, Public Affairs, DSSS

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE: PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEVER CONFIRMED WITHHOLDING OF $10 BILLION FROM FEDERATION ACCOUNT

Reports in some domestic media today which quoted President Goodluck Jonathan as "confirming" in Amsterdam that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wrongly withheld $10 Billion from the federation account  are completely false and a total distortion of the President's comments during his meeting with the Nigerian community in the Netherlands.

At no time during the well-attended reception did President Jonathan also confirm any "irregularities" in the NNPC.

Sensational reports in the media to that effect are reckless, mischievous and unprofessional misrepresentations of the President's restatement to the Nigerian community of the Federal Government's position on the allegation that $20 Billion is "missing" from the NNPC or the Federation Account, by reporters who were not at the event or even in Holland at all.

President Jonathan's verifiable words while responding to questions from members of the community on the allegation and other domestic issues were clear and unambiguous.

After asserting that allegation that various sums - $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion - were missing are inconsistent and lacked credence, the President's exact words were as follows:

"As at the time, the Finance Ministry was saying they had not been able to reconcile only 10 billion dollars. There are issues in NNPC but we are on it."

President Jonathan went on to say that to reassure Nigerians of  his administration's continued commitment to openness, transparency and probity in the aftermath of the unsubstantiated allegations, the Federal Government had authorised a professional forensic audit of NNPC accounts to clear the air.

The Presidency deplores the mischievous and unethical distortion of his comments in the media today.

Once again, we urge the media to show greater regard for truth and accuracy when reporting on the President.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 26, 2014

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TRAINS WOMEN IN RICE PROCESSING

Nigeria's Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry is collaborating with the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) to train 100 women from five states on rice processing and packaging, says its Permanent Secretary, Ibukun Abimbola,

In a speech delivered at the inauguration of a five-day training workshop at the NCRI in Minna, capital of Niger State, on Tuesday, she said the training was to ensure self-sufficiency in rice production in the country by 2015.
Abimbola, who was represented by Karim Babangida, a deputy director of the ministry, said the measure would go a long way towards tackling unemployment, and boost wealth creation among the youth and women.

"This training is particularly important because it is in line with the administration's effort at addressing the problem of unemployment in the country. Under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the issues of unemployment, wealth creation and food security are being addressed particularly as they relate to youth and women empowerment," she said.

Abimbola added that the training would enhance quick understanding and retention of key production concepts, and facilitate the establishment of private rice processing enterprises in the trainees' localities.

She said at the end of the training, 20 women cooperatives each from Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Borno and Zamfara states would be supported with grants to establish rice processing and packaging industries.

She said the grants would include rice milling machines, rice pre-cleaners, rapid steam par boilers, destoners, probe moisture metres and bag sewing machines. Other items include collapsible raised wooden platforms and weighing scales, she said, adding that they would promote technology adaptation and economic engagement in rice processing and packaging.

Abimbola said the training would be replicated in other zones of the country to draw participants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Culled from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs

NIGERIA TO ESTABLISH GRAZING RESERVES TO END CLASHES

Disturbed by the ugly clashes between cattle grazers and farmers in various parts of the country, Nigerian government on Monday approved the constitution of a committee to work out modalities for establishing grazing reserves across the country.

Consequently, a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) made up of governors of the 36 states of the federation and some ministers has been set for Thursday, this week to give teeth to the proposed policy aimed at finding a lasting solution to the clashes that had led to the death of over 50 persons since the beginning of 2014.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, who disclosed this at the Presidential Villa, after a meeting chaired byVice President Namadi Sambo, cited recent communal clashes between Fulani cattle grazers and farmers in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau States and other parts of the country, noting that government has resolved to address the issue head-on.

He disclosed that the grazing reserve would also help to check the smuggling of arms and ammunition across the Nigerian borders by foreigners who come into the country disguised as cattle grazers

Dr Adesina announced that the government had put in place short term measure including the creation of new functional grazing reserves, deployment of satellite imagery, remote sensing and GPS maps to track movement of animals across the country.

Culled from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs

YOUTH MINISTRY WORKING TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND - BONI HARUNA

The Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna has disclosed that in a bid to fast-track the realisation of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan for the youth sector, the Ministry is working to establish the National Youth Development Fund through a bill which has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council.

While speaking during a courtesy call to his office in Abuja recently by a delegation from the former members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly led by the former Speaker, Abubakar Abdullahi, the Minister stated that the National Youth Development Fund was conceived to deal with employment deficits, similar to the fund which was established to deal with the current housing deficit.

The Minister, while justifying the importance of the fund, promised that it will not be like other funds as it was purposely conceived to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of the youths in order to create wealth and reduce poverty in the society. He also reasoned that with over sixty percent of the country’s population being youthful, the fund will greatly galvanise the vision of President Jonathan for the youth development sector.

Boni Haruna expressed firm belief that the provision of the fund to the teeming youths will afford them easy access to optimal utilization of their skills tremendously. He further observed that for the Youth Ministry to cater for over sixty percent of the Nigerian population will be a crucial task which is central to the development of the entire nation.

He thanked the delegation for their show of solidarity and support, stating that he was overwhelmed by the unity and oneness of purpose which he declared is needed for the development of Adamawa State and Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Abubakar Abdullahi while thanking President Goodluck Jonathan said that the appointment of Boni Haruna is a right choice. He noted that with his pedigree as a former governor, he is confident of his ability to realise the mandate of the Youth Development Ministry.

Culled from the Federal Ministry of Information