Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has appealed to South African authorities to intervene and halt the constant harassment and molestation of Nigerians in South Africa.

The Governor made the appeal while hosting the Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby J Moroe, and his Vice Consul, Ms Busisiwe Dlamini at the Government House, Osogbo.

He described the hostile attitude to Nigerians as “quite disturbing” and “a threat to the historical bond and brotherhood between the two countries.”

In the words of Gov Adeleke, “I urge you to convey our apprehension to your home government. It is wrong to profile a whole nation as criminals. Every country has its share of good and bad eggs.

“In South Africa, there are thousands of Nigerians legitimately operating their businesses and services. They suffer a lot due to the negative profiling. We need to put an end to this increasing molestation of our nationals in your great country.”

Responding, the Consul-General noted that the concerns raised by his host are genuine but added that his government is doing a lot to ensure a harmonious relationship between South Africans and foreign nationals.

According to him, the Government of South Africa values its relationship with Nigeria given its historical brotherhood and the very close economic and Diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

He cited the fact that many South Africans are married to Nigerians and vice versa, promising to also convey the concerns of the Governor to her home country.

Both the Governor and the Consul General reviewed the economic opportunities between the two countries and proposed a Memorandum of Understanding between Osun State and the South African province of Gauteng, the most developed of South African provinces.

The two teams specifically agreed that the target of the partnership would be agro-processing technologies and mining, the two areas in which both states have comparative advantages. Gauteng province in South Africa is mostly referred to as the face of Gold alongside its developed agro-industrial sector.

The details of the agreement which will see a joint meeting between Governors of the two states are being worked upon.

Biztellers reports that Gauteng contributes 33.9 percent to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is also one of the biggest contributors to the economy of the continent.

The population of 13 million people has the highest per-capita income level in the country.

As part of its commitment to encourage learning and academic excellence, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partners in OML 18 – the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Total Energies EP Nigeria Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd – have donated a 2,300-seater state-of-the-art digital library to the Niger Delta University (DNU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

Biztellers reports that the digital library, a two-storey complex equipped with cutting-edge Information Technology amenities including 100 computer systems, e-learning and research facilities, interactive smart boards, projectors, camcorders, e-books, e-journals, e-learning portal, and reading halls, was handed over to the school authority on Thursday in Bayelsa State.

Other facilities in the library include Wi-Fi Lounge, print and document hall, video and audio recordings, photography and online education centre, e-distant learning hall, Chief Librarian and departmental offices, IT rack room, newspaper archive, stack room for new arrivals, and conveniences.

The library complex is also equipped with a 500KVA power generator, a 500KVA transformer, a dedicated water borehole fitted with water purification facilities.

The e-library is designed to promote ICT education and provide a conducive learning environment for students and researchers in the school to keep them abreast of global IT practices and advancement.

Present at the commissioning and handover ceremony of the project were: Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Evwrudjakpor; Pro-Chancellor of the NDU, Matthew Seiyefa; Vice-Chancellor of NDU, Prof. Allen Agih; representative of Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru; Deputy Manager, External Relations, NNPC Ltd, Edith Lawson; Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; and Managing Director of SNEPCo, Elohor Aiboni.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a high-alert notice, declaring former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged financial crime totaling N80.2 billion.

The EFCC is urging anyone with crucial information about the former Kogi governor’s location to contact either the commission or the police.

The EFCC made the announcement via its official Facebook page on Thursday evening.

The post reads “Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station.”

Details later……