A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
At least 1.2 million Nigerians will be given soft loans which attract between two and three per cent interest rate as part of efforts to create jobs under government's social investment programme.
Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Sunday said that government was synergizing with its enterprise agencies and the private sector to achieve the goal.
He named the agencies as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture, the National Directorate of Employment(NDE), among others.
"About 1.2 million Nigerians are going to be given soft loans, may be at two or three per cent, loans of N20,000 to N50,000, N100,000, the traders, for people that have small businesses.
"We are going to be using co-operatives, so all these groups mentioned will be working together because we believe small and medium enterprises are very critical to the recovery and rejuvenation of the economy.
"So, we are working to design all kind of intervention financial facilities since we are not getting the kind of affordable loans in the main banking sector.
He said that government was using the intervention funds to release money to small and medium scale enterprises so that they can trade with the money at very little interest rate.
He said that the Federal Government was hoping to do more for Nigerians using the intervention fund as part of its social investment programme.
He said that the SMEDAN, BOI, Bank of Agriculture, NDE, others had been harnessed to provide such support.
Akande said that government would continue to use resources from the agencies to actively boost social investment programmes.
"We are working with these agencies to have that kind of glory of affordable loan to 1.2 million Nigerians to do trading of different kinds,'' he added.
By Chioma Obinna In a bid to make this year’s World AIDS Day highly impactful, the Nigeria Red Ribbon Coalition, a strategic public-private sector alliance, organised a novelty football match yesterday in Lagos to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and also provide free HIV Testing and Counselling services.
The celebrity football match featured ex-international football stars who have carved a niche for themselves in the soccer sporting world as well as notable celebrities in the Nigerian music and film industry.
Leading the Ex-international stars were Emmanuel Babayaro (health Ambassador and Ex-Super Eagles Goalkeeper), Ifeanyi Udeze, Victor Agali, Emmanuel Okocha, Abdul Isah and several others. Representing the movie and music industry were stars like Belinda Effah (actress and presenter), John Njamah (actor/movie producer), ID Cabassa (popular music producer whose real name is Olumide Ogunade), Sound Sultan (a Nigerian rapper, singer-songwriter, actor, comedian and recording artist, born Olanrewaju Fasasi), and a host of other celebrities who took time out of their busy schedules to join hands in pushing back the scourge of our common adversary – HIV.
The coalition convened by Coca-Cola , Nigeria comprises Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), Society for Family Health (SFH).Victor Ikpeba,Emmanuel Babayaro, Victor Agali, Ifeanyi Udeze, Emmanuel Okocha,Henry Nwosu and other 1/2 Ex internationals at #HandsUpForHIV
Declaring the match open, the convener and Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba, reiterated the company's resolve to support grassroots innovative approaches aimed at improving lives nationwide. He noted that the Coalition which started last year, was building on the successes made at the inaugural edition in 2015 by mobilizing and sensitizing people to know their status with the provision of free HIV testing services in a friendly environment, tackling issues of stigmatization, discrimination and fear of getting tested, promoting social inclusion and adequate care for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and stimulating a larger stakeholder involvement.
Mba added that no individual, government, or organisation can single-handedly make meaningful progress in the fight against HIV/AID, hence the need for a coalition.
In her remarks, the Executive Director, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), Anu Ishola underscored the coalition's strategy of leveraging each party's organisational strength and corporate core competences that has brought the pan-Nigeria alliance thus far.
“We decided to have a strategic alliance that boasts of credible NGOs like Society for Family Health, Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), YEDI and other private sector partners like Ford Foundation, Federal Palace Hotel, Owu SportsWear, etc. Coupled with celebrity advocacy – with a star-studded Novelty match on the side, we have been able to reach out to a large spectrum of people who have come out not just to watch football, but also to voluntarily get tested and counselled for HIV.”
She expressed gratitude to global beverage giant Coca-Cola – the chief funder of the initiative and MAC AIDS as well as other partners who are contributing immensely to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
On the impact of a novelty match in combating HIV, the leader of the ex-International who is also a health Ambassador, Emmanuel Hyacinth Babayaro, older brother of former Chelsea and Newcastle United player Celestine Babayaro said:"We are leveraging celebrity advocacy and role modelling to mobilize people because behind every celebrity or role model, there are a thousand and one people who would like to emulate them.
So we have all of them here today for free because they believe in this cause and they want to contribute their quota. Young people came out here today to be tested and get accurate information about HIV/AIDS. Our target this year is to provide free HIV Counselling and Testing to 18,000 persons across 11 states in Nigeria including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Edo, Enugu, FCT Abuja, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, and Oyo with a combination of activities including this novelty match. I'm happy to be a part of this."
In her views, Iwalola Akin-Jimoh the Executive Director of YEF, the novelty match and other activities were important as they serve as ways of reminding the Government, private sector organisations and the general public that HIV has not gone away and that collectively, there is the need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and stigmatization, improve awareness/sensitization channels and develop appropriate funded programmes to maintain the drive towards eradicating the scourge.
The fun-filled novelty match which drew a huge crowd within the Lagos Island environs, including Mr. Ibrahim Umoru, Executive Director, Good Health Educators Initiative and former coordinator, Lagos State Chapter of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, ended 5-3, in favour of ex-internationals who played against celebrities and corporate Nigeria. There was also a celebrity placard display with various messages to raise awareness about HIV as well as o one-minute in respect of those who have died as a result of the dreaded virus.
Osun State House of Assembly has on Thursday approved an executive bill for the amendment to the State Local Government Administration Amendment Law No 5, seeking the reduction in number of caretaker management committee.
According to the statement from Chairman House Committe on Information ,the bill, passed by the parliament on Thursday, has sought the reduction in number of management committee in the Local Government, Local Council Development Authority and Area Council from ten to not more than five.
The passage of the amendment followed its first, second and third reading through a motion by the leaders of the house, Honourable Timothy Owoeye at the plenary on Thursday
The original amendment law, being re-amended had empowered the governor to appoint caretaker management committee of five persons to administer the council pending the election of democratically elected management.
Announcing the passage of the amendment which reduces the numbe to five, the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam said, the passage of the bill would guaranteed reduction in the cost of governance in the local councils.
He said, according to the bill, management committee would be headed by Executive Secretary and the management would administer the council for a period of six months.
Noting that it has become impossible to conduct election into the councils now due to the economic recession, Salaam said, the new amendment would enable the governor to appoint caretaker management into the council.
According to him, by the passage of the bill, the governor could go-ahead to appoint the management committee to administer the councils after assenting to the bill.
Describing the appointment of caretaker committees to the councils as abberation and not in tandem with democratic system, he said, it was the economic situation that has forced the state to resolve to the option.
He expressed optimism that by 2017, the state government would have the wherewithal to conduct council polls.
The Mass Communication Alumni of Osun State Polytechnic (MAOS), Iree, says it will hold the 5th series of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Dec. 17.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Adesegun Salako, on Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said that the 2016 AGM would hold in Ibadan at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku.
According to the statement, this year's edition would feature a keynote speech tagged: "Economic Recession and The Challenges of Objective Reportage".
The statement said the Publisher of PM Parrot Newspaper and Parrot Xtra Magazine, Mr Yinka Agboola, would be the Guest Speaker at the occasion.
It said that the event would also be used to raise funds for a development project of "Radio OSPOLY'' planned for the Department of Mass Communication of the school.
According to the statement, this is the first time the AGM will be holding outside Osun and that all previous editions were held in Osogbo.
It said that the occasion would also reunite many members who had lost touch for years since graduation.
"MAOS membership cuts across different graduated sets from the Mass Communication department of the school.
"The objective is to foster unity and help each other grow; the association is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission," the statement added.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed concern over the upsurge in kidnapping in the country, saying the menace would affect the nation's image negatively and also scare potential investors.
The Guild made the remark in a Communiqué issued at the end of its fourth quarterly Standing Committee Meeting on Dec. 2 in Yola.
The communiqué was signed by the guild's President and Secretary, Ms Funke Egbemode, and Victoria Ibanga, respectively.
It also noted that foreign investors were needed now as their contribution was "crucial to revamping the country's ailing economy''.
It said that attracting foreign direct investment was a critical factor in reflating the nation's sagging economy but added that this was being "gravely frustrated by the rising tide of kidnapping''.
The guild said that no investor would stake his or her investment in an insecure environment.
It cited some recent cases of abduction as those of the wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Margaret Emefiele, a former Minister, Bagudu Hirse, and a senior official of the NNPC, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi.
Others, the Guild said, were some students and teachers in Lagos State, a female journalist in Benue, Iyuadoo Tor-Agbidye, among other abductions that had taken place, saying that the incident was becoming "almost a daily occurrence''.
"In the light of these occurrences, the Guild urges the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, rejig its security apparatus and develop a pro-active security strategy that will checkmate the menace.
"It is equally desirable for the government to urgently evolve anti-kidnapping measures and legislation, in order to combat the current wave of crimes and criminality in Nigeria.
"The Guild commends the initiatives of some State governments in setting up special squads with proven records of trailing, tracking and arresting kidnappers and, therefore, urges other States to take a cue from these success stories.
"The Guild also recommends the strengthening of the justice system to engender speedy prosecution of kidnap suspects to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.
"In the same vein, the Guild urges security agencies to be alive to their responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens by weeding out from among them the bad elements who have the propensity to aid and abet criminals,'' it said.
The Guild also urged the government to do the needful by arresting the rising wave of crimes and criminality to ease the current pressure on the citizens and put the nation back on the path of peace.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said the National Identification Number (NIN) has tremendous potential to improve Nigerian's economy and is also vital for planning purposes and development.
The General Manager, Legal and Regulatory Services of the commission, Mrs Hadiza Dagabana, made this known in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
Dagabana said NIN was a legal identity, a promising benefit that would provide greater access to services and opportunities for the young and old, as well as greater protection of human rights and security.
"It will ensure a more legitimate and equitable distribution of public resources, friendliness, data update procedure, protection and security of Nigerians and residents," she said
The NIMC official said the NIN was not just a form of identification, but also a means to provide basic population counts for the purposes of policy formulation, planning and monitoring.
Hadiza Dagabana
Dagabana, who is also the Commission's Secretary, also said that the NIN system also provided privacy and identity protection of individuals and citizens in the country.
"The system can tell the population of Nigerians and residents and this will contribute to decision making and how we can plan forward. It tells us exactly how many people are in various locations for development purposes.
"This system has interesting components that will be able to give us very good information to plan and to integrate government policies,'' she said.
Dagabana said the government was desirous of implementing the new system of identity management due to its firm belief in the benefits that accrued from it.
She also said the public must understand that the National Identity Database (NIDB) which housed the NIN had been established and was currently being operated for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The NIMC official said another component of the NIMC, which was the issuance of the National identity card was ongoing.
The Director-General of the agency, Mr Aliyu Aziz, had reaffirmed the commission's commitment to carry out its statutory responsibility to all Nigerians.
Aziz said this was in line with the NIMC Act 2007 which established the Commission and clearly defineed its role and responsibility to Nigerians.
"So far, we have enrolled over 11 million unique data into the National Identity Database (NIDB)," he said.
A cleric, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Abdulraheem, has urged religious leaders to inculcate moral values in children to curb terrorism and other social vices in the country.
Abdlraheem, the Amiru and Leader of Abuja Chapter of Dairat Jafariyat Fitorikat Tijaniyat Islamic Organisation of Nigeria, gave the advice on Sunday at the Monthly Quran Prayer/Lecture in Abuja.
According to him, it is a known fact that education is the bedrock of a nation's development process and Islam attaches great importance to knowledge and education.
"One of the purposes of acquiring knowledge is to gain the good of this world, not to destroy it through wastage, arrogance and in the reckless pursuit of higher standards of material comfort.
"Broad steps should be taken by our religious leaders to inculcate moral values in our children in the early childhood since their hearts will be pure at that tender age.
"Once we have that assistance in guidance, there will be no more violence or terrorism,'' Abdulraheem said.
He said acquisition of Islamic knowledge was connected with ethics and morality which promoted virtue.
The cleric also urged Muslims to engage in right things and desist from wrong doing.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of the organisation, Alhaji Mufutaudeen Ajijola-Anabi, enjoined Muslims to adhere strictly to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Ajijola-Anabi, who urged Muslims to always seek knowledge, added that it would enable them to build a reservoir of knowledge and practice the religion in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Quran.
He urged Muslims to reflect on the birth and practices of Prophet Muhammad (PBUM) as they prepared to celebrate the Maolud Nabiyyi, the birth of the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in December.
"Muslim brothers and sisters should use the occasion of the celebration of the Eid-El-Maolud to imbibe the lessons of the life of humility, sacrifice and sharing of the holy Prophet Muhammad(PBUH),'' he said.
The cleric urged wealthy individuals to use their money for the course of Allah and to contribute their quota to the propagation of Islam
Abuja – Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, said on Sunday that the Federal Government had no intension to impose new taxes on Nigerians.
Akande said this at a forum in Abuja.
He said that rather than new taxes the government was expanding the coverage area in its Value Added Tax (VAT) drive to generate more income.
"Essentially, we are not increasing VAT at this time, but what we are trying to do is to increase the coverage of VAT.
"So, for instance now, if VAT is only coverable for the 10 per cent that it should cover and you know the current rate is five per cent.
"We want to increase the coverage to 20 per cent because we believed that by just increasing the coverage, we are going to get in more revenue.
"So, I don't think government is contemplating, at least not at the Federal government leave, presidency level, I do not think anybody is contemplating new taxes.
"But of course, we are looking at how our people don't have to pay double taxes.
"I know that is one of the considerations before the Presidential Enabling Business Council which Mr President had asked the Vice President to chair."
Akande, however, said that the council was looking at a whole lot of things happening in the business environment in order to encourage people to invest and to promote their businesses.
He said that government also was to ensure that those who wants to get all kinds of approval for business purposes could visit only a one stop shop.
According to him, we have installed one-stop-shop government policy approach.
"That is if you are a businessman and you have dealings with government.
"You do not have to go to Ministry of Finance today, Federal Inland Revenue Service or CAC tomorrow, among others you just have to go to one agent.
"Whatever you need from those agencies of government, the one stop shop will be the one that will do the running around.
"So, things like that are going on and we are actually trying to see that people do not suffer double taxation,'' he said.
He assured Nigerians that government was doing its best to ensure that there was conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
By Henry Umoru NEW BUSSA- SENATE President Bukola Saraki has urged all the Senators and other elected lawmakers across the country to make it a point of duty to travel to their constituencies and intimate the people on the progress made so far at the chambers and the senatorial district.
He also called on lawmakers in the country to promote national development as well as advance the course of economic diversification.
Speaking Weekend at Jahi Ground, Gbemusu, New Bussa, Niger State at the Commissioning of empowerment Items donated to Constituents of Niger North by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Saraki said, “Politics they say is local and politicians must update his constituents regularly on the progress they are making especially representative politics.”Saraki
Meanwhile, as part of his first Barade Empowerment of Constituents fir poverty Alleviation, Employment and Reporting Progress, Senator Sabi Abdullahi distributed items worth millions of Naira to the eight local areas making up the Niger North Senatorial district.
The items include Motorcycles; Tricycles( Keke NAPEP) ; Wheel Chairs; Grinding Machines; Generators; a 25 persons capacity Boat for River Transport with 25 life jackets as well as complete Jerseys for 100 Football Teams across the Zone and an accompanying Football.
Senator Saraki said that today in the history of Nigeria, Nigerians were witnessing a more focused National Assembly that was spending 70% of its legislative time to reform the business environment as well as to promote economic diversification and development.
The Senate President stressed the need for situation and progress report because when they started, a commitment was made to bring lawmaking back to the people through their activities and programmes as lawmakers, adding, “We pledged to use lawmaking the better the lives of our people.”
Saraki who was already airborne for the programmes and the plane roving in the sky at New Bussa, could not land at the Air force base because of bad weather, even as he was later represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim.
He said, “Today in the history of Nigeria, we are seeing a more focused National Assembly that is spending 70 per cent of its legislative time to reform the business environment".
Saraki who noted that the National Assembly was promoting government patronage of made -in- Nigeria good through the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, said, “We are also moving against revenue leakages that are affecting government's ability to deliver on its promises.
“We are doing all of these through a well fashioned out legislative agenda that has at the centre empowerment opportunity and better life for our people.”
He however assured the people of Niger North that once the Ministry of Works commences the rehabilitation of roads nationwide, it would give attention to the long standing Wawa – Rafia road which was started by the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF and the Wawa – Kaiama road which connects communities in Niger State, Kaima in Kwara State and Shaki in Oyo State.
Speaking further, Saraki said, “I am very pleased and rejoice with you my people that you have such a committed resilient young leader. Sen. Sabi has lobbied strongly for the completion of some roads that will boost the social economic life of the people. Some of these includes the long standing Wawa – Rafia road which was started by the defunct PTF and also the Wawa – Kaiama road which is connects communities in Niger State, Kaima in Kwara State and Shaki in Oyo State. This road rehabilitation has been captured in the Senate committee of Works and I assure you all that when the Ministry of Works begin nationwide rehabilitation of roads, these roads will receive urgent attention.
“This is just some among the many projects he has used his influence to bring close to the north Niger Senatorial district. He has not stopped at these projects but have today taking another giant step with all these implements he has presented here and I am hopeful that all the beneficiaries are going to find them very useful and will make their lives better and promote entrepreneurship in the Senatorial zone.
Hailing Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Senate President Saraki said, “Indeed, Sen. Sabi is one of those Senators who have very cordial working relationship with every senator. He is a worthy representative of his people, as he understands what the average Nigerian goes through on a daily basis. Any time he stands up to speak he carries the average Nigerian along and draws the attention of the Senate to what his people are passing through.”
In his remarks, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi said that the three arms of government have been constitutionally charged to focus governance on the welfare and security of the citizens.
According to him, the gesture was aimed at providing dividends of democracy to his electorate, adding that Niger North was the largest Senatorial District in terms of land mass, but was confronted with developmental challenges including youth unemployment and very poor road network.
He, however, called for more support from both the Federal and State governments as well as development partners.
Also speaking, Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, who was represented by the Commissioner Planning Commission, Mohammed Nda described Sabi as “a man of the people.”
He said that as the empowerment programme was the first phase, it should spur him to do more in terms of women and youth empowerment.
The event was attended by APC party members including the zonal chairman, North Central, Alhaji Zakari Idde, APC Chairman, Borgu Local Government Area, Alhaji Muhammed Ladan and party supporters across the Senatorial district.
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Bayelsa on Sunday assured that it would give facelift to all the federal roads in the state.
The state Controller of the agency, Mr Ayoola Bolaji, gave the assurance in an interview in Yenagoa.
Bolaji said that the government was determined to fix the roads in Bayelsa, adding that good roads were crucial to the growth of the country's economy.
He said that with good roads linking communities in the state, agricultural businesses would thrive more and difficulties in transportation reduced.
He listed the roads for repairs to include, Mbiama-Yenagoa, Yenagwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass, Tombia-Amassoma, among others.
"I am assuring the citizens that FERMA is committed to road maintenance in Bayelsa; we will continue to partner the state government in the intervention.
"At the moment, work is in progress at various spots on the roads, including Kilometre 14.900 on Yenagoa-Mbiama road and kilometre 13.700 on Tomia-Amassoma road," he said.
The controller said the agency was faced with the challenge of difficult terrain and funding.
"Getting asphalt for road construction is also difficult now because most time we have to travel as far as Port Harcourt in Rivers and Ebonyi before we can get the materials," Bolaji said.
Ado-Ekiti- Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has faulted the Federal Government decision to effect increment in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, pension and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, which were applied on gross salary, making some of the workers to have as much 30 per cent reduction in salary and that as a ‘military head of state, Buhari used gun to deal with Nigerians, bu now as a civilian president, he is using economic recession to punish Nigerians and adding salt to injury by using inhuman taxes to reduce workers salary.’
He described the policy as obnoxious and capable of impoverishing the already pauperised workers, especially now that the country is being pummelled by economic recession.
The governor said it was wicked and inhuman for any government to increase taxes on workers salary at this period of economic recession when "workers take home can no longer take them home," adding that; "The federal government should stop believing that the only way it can take Nigeria out of recession is to impose obnoxious taxes that will further impoverish the people."
In a statement issued on Sunday by the governor's Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, he said; "If government does not have capacity to increase workers salary at this trying period, it should not also increase taxes that will cause decrement in what workers earn."Fayose
Salary of federal government workers was reportedly reduced through increment in PAYE tax, pension, National Housing Fund (NHF), formerly based on consolidated, which were applied on gross salary. Some of the workers had as much as 30 per cent pay cut.
Reacting, Governor Fayose said it appeared that the President Mohammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government's desire was to kill Nigerians with obnoxious taxes.
He said; "As military head of state, Buhari used gun to deal with Nigerians, now as a civilian president, he is using economic recession to punish Nigerians and adding salt to injury by using inhuman taxes to reduce workers salary.
"Buhari's government increased petrol price from N87 to N145 per litre, kerosene; diesel and gas price was increased, electricity tariff was increased, N50 stamp duty was imposed on bank customers, N65 levy was imposed on every withdrawal on ATM, various bank charges introduced, custom duties increased and now workers' PAYE tax has been increased.
"I sympathise with the federal government workers who only got to know about reduction of their salaries when they got credit alert last month, but they should remember that I warned them.
"Workers are already facing hardships owing to the economic recession, which has caused exchange rate to rise to as much as N480 to $1. The implication of this is that the purchasing power of a worker that is earning say N100,000 per month has reduced to less than N50,000 per month, meaning what such a worker bought at N10,000 this time last year is now should at N25,000.
"I therefore call on the federal government to reverse this decision so as to reduce the level at which the workers are suffering."
Abuja – The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has congratulated the Super Falcons for emerging continental champions at the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the eighth time.
Saraki said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Sunday in Abuja said that the Falcons maintained their champions' status in Africa.Champions: Nigeria's Super Falcons on Saturday in Yaounde won the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the eighth time after beating Cameroon 1 – 0 to retain AWCON title.
Falcons won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon after beating the host team 1-0 to retain the AWCON title in Yaounde on Saturday.
Saraki said that the victory could not have come at a better moment.
"The record win of the AWCON Cup by the Super Falcons has again demonstrated clearly that with determination we can surmount any obstacle confronting us as a nation.
"I have no doubt that through team work and single-mindedness, we can overcome our present economic challenges,'' the statement said.
It commended the patriotism and sense of purpose of the team and their technical crew, while calling for more government and private sector support to enable Nigerian sportsmen and women excel in their career.
Lagos – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has urged the public to disregard the speculations that it had commenced the sales of its application documents for 2017 UTME by some group of persons.
The board's Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, debunked the speculations in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
According to the statement, the Registrar of the examination body, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has expressed disappointment with the development and calls on innocent Nigerians not to fall prey.
"The public is hereby notified that JAMB has not commenced the sales of its application documents as advertised by some unknown and desperate persons.FILE: CANDIDATES WRITING UTME IN ABUJA
"They are to disregard any website or individuals claiming to be in possession of these documents and offering same for sales.
"We are putting finishing touches to innovation and changes to ease the challenges associated with the procedure of application for the 2017 all Computer-Based Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
"We are looking forward to announcing the commencement of the sales of these documents very soon,'' the statement quoted the registrar as saying.
The statement advised the public to feel free to contact the board for clarification on its activities through its website or contact numbers whenever they were in doubt.
It noted that Oleyede had announced his willingness to open the board's door to the public to make valuable contributions and also report any act against the board's pedigree by either the staff or the board's development partners.
"We must all be interested in what happens in JAMB, as it is too important to be ignored.
"Help us to watch over where our eyes cannot get to, hear where our ears fail and be our police where our presence is insufficient,'' the statement said.
It added that the Registrar had restated the board's determination to ensure that nobody was spared in sustaining and advancing the credibility of the board.
Meanwhile, the board has hailed the judgment of the National Industrial Court sustaining the sack of one of its former staff, one Cletus Uloko in 2015.
According to the statement, Uloko's services were terminated following acts of misconduct contrary to civil service rule.
It said Uloko was sacked because he was wrongfully in procession of over 120 e-slip of candidates without authorisation and justification.
The statement explained that upon the development, Uloko was queried and on responding, his explanation was not satisfactory to the board.
It further said that the board then constituted a disciplinary committee which recommended that Uloko ran foul and breached all the extant civil service laws and therefore sacked him.
According to the statement, based on the termination of the appointment Uloko approached the National Industrialist Court to seek for redress, compensation and reinstatement.
The statement explained that in a notification of termination of suit made available by the JAMB legal team to the board said: "We, by this letter, hereby notify the board that final judgment had been delivered on the matter on Sept. 27''.
It said the letter further said that the court dismissed the claimant's suit. (NAN)
Lagos – The Management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Sunday said there would be a three-hour power outage in Lekki, Ajah and part of Alagbon in Lagos on Thursday, Dec.8.
The company's Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Godwin Idemudia, said in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
Idemudia said that the outage was to enable the maintenance crew replace the weak aluminium conductor down dropper between the line and capacitor voltage transformer at Ajah T.S.
He said that the company had been briefed by Mr Mustapha Raji, an Engineer from Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ajah Sub-Region.
"Kindly note that on Thursday Dec.8, between 10.00 – 13.00hrs, there will be an outage on 330kV Egbin – Aja Line 3.
"This is to enable maintenance crew to replace the weak aluminium conductor down dropper between the line and the capacitor voltage transformer at Aja T.S.
"With this outage, Aja, Lekki and part of Alagbon T.S. will be affected.
"EKEDC highly regrets any inconvenience caused by this three-hour outage, '' Idemudia said.
Awka – The Nigerian Army "Operation Python Dance'' in the South-East says some of its road blocks will be dismantled to facilitate free flow of traffic during the Yuletide.
Col. Musa Sagir, Deputy Director, Public Relations of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, disclosed this while on patrol with newsmen at the River Niger Bridge head, Onitsha and Awka, on Sunday.
Sagir said that it had become imperative to remove totally or shorten some of the check points, particularly within the bridge head, Onitsha, as the Yuletide drew closer.
He called on other security agencies operating within the bridge head to support the Army to ensure free flow of traffic in the area.
He said that the operation was not to witch-hunt any group or individuals but it was purely for military training and crime prevention.
"Our men stay on the side of road watching in case of any criminality and obstruction on the road.
"You have seen that we are not looking for any group or individual to arrest since our operation started on Nov. 27 and will end on Dec. 27 in the five eastern states.
"The Nigerian Army has to ensure safety, peace and security, and to ensure that Nigeria's security challenges are reduced to the barest minimum.
"No holidays for all the military personnel in the South-East throughout the period of the exercise,'' Sagir said.
Italians are set to cast their vote in a historic referendum.
The exact details of the question they are voting on are quite technical – whether or not to accept constitutional reforms promoted by the centre-left prime minister, Matteo Renzi.
But the outcome could have significant political and economic consequences – not just for Italy, but for financial markets and the future of the euro.
Renzi has staked his legitimacy on the vote and declared he will resign if the people vote against his reforms.
In the context of Italy's weak economy and the rise of Eurosceptic parties, the political uncertainty sparked by Renzi's resignation could destabilise the financial and political stability of Italy and the EU.
A key element of the proposal intends to alter Italy's decision-making processes. Currently, both houses of the Italian parliament have the same legislative functions and powers.
Should the constitutional reforms be approved, only the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) would be fully involved in passing laws.
The Senate (the upper house) would became a body representing local authorities, while retaining some legislative power in key areas such as constitutional reform and the ratification of EU treaties.
A second important change would give the state more power and remove that of local authorities. Supporters and critics debate issues of governability, potential for excessive authority in the executive, and the reduced democratic accountability of the new Senate.
Polls suggest a strong lead in favour of "No".
Investors are worried that potential uncertainty following Renzi's defeat could damage the integrity of the euro area, bringing back not-so-distant dark memories of the 2011 sovereign debt crisis.
Crucially, investors have become increasingly worried about Italy's weak banking sector, which is swamped by non-performing loans.
These are loans that have not made scheduled payments for at least 90 days and are difficult, if not impossible, to collect.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Sunday that it was working on plans for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Gwoza camp back to their respective homes.
NEMA North East Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar told newsmen in Maiduguri that arrangements for the displaced persons to return home became necessary following the gradual return of peace to Borno.
Kanar pointed out that officials of the agency were in Gwoza last week on an assessment visit towards actualising the plan.
"We accompanied the Senate Leader Alhaji Muhammad Ndume on an assessment visit to Gwoza to find out the situation of things, especially the living conditions of the IDPs in the area.
"We also visited different camps housing the Displaced Persons from Gwoza in Yola and other places in Adamawa State.
"The essence was to assess the situation on ground and to prepare for their early return home.
"We were surprised that most of them were eager to return home, some even expressed willingness to return immediately.''
He said that following the outcome of the visit, NEMA had resolved to collaborate with the Borno State Government toward the evacuation of IDPs back home.
"I cannot say exactly when they will return, but I believe that going by the outcome of our visit, they should be evacuated home in a few weeks' time,'' Kanar said.
The team also presented 1,700 bags of assorted food items comprising rice, beans, and maize to the IDPs in Gwoza as relief materials before departing.
Ndume had on Aug. 8, announced plans to close down IDPs camps hosting Gwoza indigenes in Abuja, Lagos, Maiduguri and other places by relocating them back home.
Gov. Kashim Shettima had also issued a deadline of May 29, 2017 for the closure of all IDPs camps in the state.
The US president-elect, Mr Donald Trump threw the luvvies of the world a curveball with his comments to President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines that his controversial fight against drugs was being carried out “the right way”.
For the records, in the four months that Duterte has been president, as many as 2500 people have been executed on the streets for allegedly being drug dealers or users. Trump and Duterte represent the growing departure from the culture of spineless political correctness, which however carries its own risk of opening the door to abuse. For the Philippines president, it is a matter of placing the nation’s 103 million citizens above the interest of a dozen thousands drug dealers that are on their way to sink that country. The outgoing US government has been critical of the crackdown on drug dealers, citing right abuses and extra-judicial killings of course, without offering something concrete in the way of how to deal with the destructive drug problem.
Trump, who had repeatedly expressed his disgust for political correctness, apparently understands that the larger population’s right must be considered even as the rights of criminals and terrorists are recognised. As is usually the case, a growing spiral of silence driven by a robotic imbibing of political correctness has removed the capacity of those in the position to act to protect the larger population from the destructive mission of a few fanatics that hide under human rights to threaten the wellbeing of the other citizens. The full scale of this problem is better appreciated against the recent trend of judges that free persons that would have been summarily executed in other countries. The most brazen of this development is Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court in Abuja who freed the leader of extremists group, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky in spite of the known antecedents of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), which he leads. The group, reportedly under the direction of El-Zakyzaky, had killed security personnel in the past. It does not believe in the right of other Nigerians in the course of holding its various treks and processions and to cap it all it does not recognise the secular nature of Nigeria even as it pursues ideologies that are not different from those held by Boko Haram terrorists. It is worrisome that Justice Kolawole admitted IMN’s tendency and capacity to become ferocious like Boko Haram and still went ahead to unleash El-Zakyzaky on the nation. If that was not bad enough, the judge added salt to the injury by awarding N25 million to the IMN leader and another N25 million to his wife in damages, which is nothing short of forcing the government to finance a terror organisation under a judicial cover. The judge has also created a new problem by moving El-Zakyzaky out of the place where he has been kept both as part of investigation into his crimes and for his own protection. Now that he is leaving protective custody, has Justice Kolawole considered the implications if IMN members go ahead to eliminate their leader to precipitate crisis as they were earlier reported to have planned? One would be safe to assume that the judge manifested a helpless enslavement to political correctness in arriving at such sickening verdict. The mull other possibilities is frightening since what comes to mind is that the IMN leader either bought the judgement or that Kolawole implemented the first phase of a gang up against the Department of State Services (DSS) since it first led an offensive against corrupt judges.
It would be a disaster if the latter possibility turns out to be true because it would imply a few men that are willing to mortgage the country for their own interests. How to walk back the damage done should be the concern of Nigerians at this point. One may want to revel in the fact that the judiciary, in the wake of the anti-corruption clamp down on its members, has given the presidency and the security agencies a black eye, we could in the usual fashion of being copycats claim that the excesses of military and security agencies have been curbed, or we could just flow with the dark joy at having another sensational news make the round; but ultimately we are all at risk. We are at risk because of something called judicial precedence. There are Boko Haram fighters that would eventually be arrested, pipeline-bombing militants that would one day be apprehended, rampaging herdsmen that have killed hundreds of citizens would likely be caught one day and even the criminals that kidnap for ransom are being taken into custody. But Justice Kolawole has ensured that all those in this category would not get to stand trial because they would instead make the government pay them for being terrorists and criminals and even add buildings into the bargain for them. Nigerian Dutertes must thus emerge in the judiciary to reverse this damage, not to order extra-judicial executions but to place the safety of 180 million Nigerians above the ‘rights’ of a few hundred terrorists. We need those that will not compromise the safety of the rest of us because they want to appear politically correct and to be seen as aligning with international nuances that have not helped us in the least. Bodies and officials with the responsibility must also take steps to prevent a repeat of this kind of disaster where the judiciary is seen as empowering terrorists against the state.
The National Judicial Council for instance would do well to interrogate how Kolawole arrived at this his magical ruling. In the interim, the DSS must seek detailed analysis of the ruling since it only ordered El-Zakyzaky’s release within 45 days and did not acquit him of the crimes that brought him into protective custody.
The department should therefore proceed to arraign El-Zakyzaky for the terrorist crimes he committed. The Philippines is getting real with its drug problems and we should get serious with our terrorism problems too.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has delivered 1,460 bags of assorted foodstuff for the feeding of about 80,709 Nigerian refugees residing in the Republic of Cameroon.
A statement signed by the Head, Media and Public relations Officer of the agency, Mr Sani Datti, and made available in Abuja on Sunday, said that most of the refugees were from Borno.
Datti said that the refugees were displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency and were taking Shelter in Minawao and other locations in the far north region of Cameroon.
He said that the Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, represented by Director of Search and Rescue of the agency, Air Commodore SBB Muhammad, handed over the items to Cameroon officials.
According to him, the handing over of the foodstuff to officials of Cameroon is for an onward presentation to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which has been managing the camp.
Datti said that the items were meant to provide succour to the Nigerian refugees.
He quoted the director-general as saying that the agency would continue to liaise with the Government of the Republic of Cameroon to ensure that all Nigerian refugees lived in good condition.
Sani-Sidi appealed to youths in the camps to desist from drug abuse, be of good behaviour and good ambassadors of Nigeria, adding that some youths in the camp were arrested recently for drug abuse.
He assured the refugees that the Nigerian Government had not forgotten them and was doing everything possible to evacuate them back to their respective states.
He also thanked Cameroon and UNHCR on behalf of the Federal Government for hosting and providing the refugees with protection.
Datti said Mrs Menguene Marie, an official of the Government of Cameroon, received the items and thanked the Nigerian Government for providing succour to its citizens.
The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Refugees Association, Mr Asshigar Mohammed, from Bama Local Government Area of Borno, also commended the efforts of the Nigerian Government.
The NEMA spokesman said the items delivered to the refugees include: 650 bags of rice; 300 bags of guineacorn; 200 bags of millet; 150 bags of beans; 10 bags of groundnut; 50 bags of flour and 50 bags of sugar.
Others are: 50 bags of salt; 100 cartons of canned tomato; 50 cartons of Maggi cubes; 150 cartons of spaghetti; 150 cartons of bath soap and 50 cartons of vegetable oil.
A Civil Society Organization, Stand Up Nigeria, SUN, has accused Amnesty International, AI, of doctoring its report that alleged the killing of 150 IPOB members with a plot to destabilize Nigeria, just like it did in Libya, Iran and Syria.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, SUN Director of Public Affairs, Rev. Christie Amor described Amnesty International as “agent of destabilization” and “merchant of war”
“in early 2011, Amnesty International gave the world a bogus report on whose strength a no-fly zone was imposed on Libya. The sequence of event after this led to the ouster and eventual murder of Muammar Qaddafi. By June of the same year, the same Amnesty International’s investigation admitted that the international NGO cannot prove that Qaddaffi’s troops committed the rights violations as it previously claimed.”
“Instead, AI found that the so called rebels “made false claims and manufactured evidence.”
“In 1990, Amnesty International was pivotal to the decision by members of a western coalition to invade Iraq and consequently spark off the chain of events that produced today’s basket case called Iraq.”
According to her, the lesson from these two major catastrophic outings did nothing to dissuade Amnesty International from meddling in the affairs of nations, saying the organization has persisted in disregarding the sovereignty of countries in which it interferes so long as there is a war to be started.
The group accused the organisation of also having a hand in the ongoing Syrian war, saying “the foreign interventions provoked on the strength of its fantasy reports has eroded the ability of the Syrian military forces to decisively clear out the foreign terrorists that overran their country since attacks on ISIS are inevitably researched as massacre of civilians.”
Amor said it appears AI has now shifted its attention to Nigeria as it has repeatedly tried to carry out such tactics which led to outbreak of war in other countries.
She said, “If we look closely, the three countries – Iraq, Syria and Libya – have direct bearing on the growth of Boko Haram in Nigeria. The growth of ISIS in Iraq and Syria was a morale booster for insurgents in Nigeria while the arms supplied to moderate rebels in those places found their way across the Mediterranean to African shores from where a now porous and borderless Libya ensure those advanced weapons end up with Boko Haram. One string runs through all the country: Amnesty International.”
She said it is suspicious that in the United States where police departments were reported to have extra judicially executed 997 people between 2015 and now, Amnesty International has not made any public report in the “tragic systematic execution of ethnic minorities.”
She said, “if Amnesty International has been able to issue any report about this tragic systematic execution of ethnic minorities, then the report must have been specifically kept secret.”
Speaking further, Amor said what is crystal clear is that Amnesty International has concluded and is resolute on giving Nigeria the Libya treatment whereby this country would not be able to defend itself against the so called “unarmed activists who we know as Biafra separatists.”
According to her, “this is why it issued its recent report that lied about 150 Biafran separatist terrorists being killed by the army. Amnesty International’s research methodology and even the wording in this case is frighteningly similar to the one it issued in Libya and Iraq before then, with heavy reliance on the testimonies of the “activists”.
“From experience we now know that the NGO usually plant such witnesses to present accounts that suit its agenda.”
“In the past we have simply dismissed such ploys as mischief but in this instance we have to warn that the scheme has done too far and must no longer be ignored by citizens and government alike.” “We therefore ask pertinent questions as citizens: Who protects the common masses should the military decide to go to bed?”
“In whose interest would it be for our army to become incapacitated as being pursued by Amnesty International: the masses or the terrorists and hoodlums who carry out these criminal infractions? ”
“What is our government waiting for before expelling Amnesty International or taking other decisive steps?”
She therefore demanded that the Federal Government takes decisive actions against Amnesty International knowing that the citizens of Nigeria who bear the pains of activities of this group have rights to life.
She said, “this would be consistent with Articles 3 and 30 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights that envisaged that citizens’ rights take priority far and above miscreants that torment, terrorize and humiliate others in the society using crude force.”
