More than half of the world’s suitable arable land and underutilized water resources are in Africa according to statistics unveiled by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Ethiopia this week.
“Africa is home to abundant natural resources accounting for at least 30% of the world’s natural resource wealth. Currently 12% of oil reserves in the world, 40% of global gold reserves and 60% of uncultivated lands are in Africa.” Abdallah Hamdok, who is UNECA’s deputy executive secretary says. “The continent has 70% of coltan deposits, from which electronic microchips are made. If these resources are put to good use they can secure livelihoods, reduce land related conflicts and transform lives.”
Former vice president of Sierra Leone Alhaji Samuel Sidique Sam Sumana will know his fate when the ECOWAS Court reconvenes in Abuja, Nigeria for a hearing on his $210 million lawsuit challenging the Government of Sierra Leone for what he calls his “unconstitutional” removal from office.
“The case is set for judgment on 22 November, 2017 for Violation of the plaintiff [Mr. Sumana’s] human rights,” said Mr. Felicien Hounkanrin, ECOWAS Court Information Officer confirming the hearing from his office in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr. Sumana’s case ECW/CCJ/APP/38/16 will be heard by a three-man panel led by Justice Hameye Foune Mahal-madane, Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke and Alioune Sall.
Nigeria's government’s effort at diversifying the economy away from oil took a giant leap after the National Committee on Export Promotion Council (NCEP), set up by the federal government at its inaugural meeting, identified mainly six potential commodity products as alternative to oil.
The thirteen-man NCEP was instituted last week by the National Economic Council (NEC) Chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on export promotion. The committee has a Zero Oil Plan (ZOP) initiative to replace oil as the major source of foreign exchange earner by growing non-oil exports from the present five billion dollars approximately to thirty billion dollars ($5 billion approximately to $30 billion) by 2025. The committee is expected to submit an interim report to the Federal Government by the 16th of November this year.
The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Customs and Excise to investigate the Federal Ministry of Agriculture regarding exportation of yam tubers.
The House alleged that the ministry disregarded the law prohibiting exportation of yam tubers. Others expected to be probed alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were Comptroller-General of Customs and the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Director-General, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Head, Nigerian Quarantine Service and heads of all other relevant agencies.
Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front (PF) read a riot act to the country’s political opposition community cautioning them to avert from a culture of lies, and plea of sympathy from international community charging that the country needs constructive criticism and politics of issues.
PF has been, focusing its energies towards infrastructural development in various sectors comprising of health, transport, and communication, energy generation, education and promotion of small to medium enterprises to enhance domestic and regional trade for the country among other critical openings amid efforts of substantial local currency again.
