ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: SATURDAY

14 Jan ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: SATURDAY

🌎President Buhari has urged leaders of the Global South to agree on a common agenda on ways to reduce the increasing burden of debt and inflation on that region of the world. Addressing the Global South Virtual Summit, the President expressed optimism that the meeting, hosted by India, in its capacity as the voice of the South, will address issues of climate change, food security and access to energy.

🌎Nigeria’s non-oil exports grew by 39.91 per cent in 2022 to $4.820 billion, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council reported Friday. Semi-processed/manufactured products made up 36.61 per cent of the exports beating Agriculture’s 30.12 per cent volume of non-oil exports, while precious stones made up 17.06 per cent, and others 13.21 per cent.

🌎Oil prices settled more than a dollar a barrel higher on Friday, notching their biggest weekly gains since October, as the U.S. dollar dropped to a seven-month low and more indicators pointed toward growing demand from top oil importer China. Brent crude futures settled at $85.28 a barrel, up by $1.25, or 1.5%. It gained 8.6% this week.
* The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Friday announced the discovery of oil in Nasarawa State and said it was set to drill the first foot of an oil well in the Northern state.

🌎The CBN has directed banks and other financial institutions to unveil beneficial owners of accounts belonging to their customers.

🌎President Buhari has approved N24.4 billion for the phase one of the nation’s smart irrigation scheme.

🌎FG Spain will play a critical role in providing foreign direct investment (FDI) for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Timipre Sylva spoke on the partnership when he received Jose Albarese, Spanish foreign minister, and other top officials and investors from the Europian nation.

🌎The supreme court has dismissed an appeal by the family of Sani Abacha seeking to stop the federal government from reopening criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former head of state.

🌎Security Stories: Troops of 177 Guards Battalion, in conjunction with troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, have raided and neutralised two bandits in their enclaves in Idu, Chikara, along the boundaries of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Abaji FCT and Koton Karfe in Kogi. They rescued 30 civilians who had been held captive by the bandits.
* Two more persons kidnapped during the attack on a train station in the state have been rescued, Christopher Nehikhare, Edo state commissioner for communication and orientation, said on Friday.
* The abducted Edo Area Customary Court President, Mrs. Prescious Aigbonoga, has regained her freedom. A police officer was killed during the operation.

🌎Russia-Ukraine War: Powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv on Saturday, but the exact locations could not be immediately determined due to thick fog blanketing the capital city.
* Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed Friday that their forces took control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine. Officials in Ukraine deny these claims, saying “fighting is ongoing in the city.