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
ASABA—THE contractor handling the building of Asaba International Airport, ULO Consultants, has assured that the airport would be ready for commissioning by March this year.
It will be recalled that the airport was downgraded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in April 2015, barring bigger aircraft from the airport.
Chief Executive Officer ULO Consultants, Mr. Uche Okpuno, who gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen, said the rehabilitation work on the runway and taxi way had reached advance stage.
Okpuno said they had commenced the installation of Instrument Landing System, ILS and Air Field Lighting, AFL system, explaining that the ILS and AFL were visibility guides which aid the aircraft to land without the pilot seeing the runway.
THE Board of Trustees, BoT, of Urhobo Youth Council, UYC, has suspended the group's president, Terry Obieh over alleged misconduct.
In a communiqué issued by the BoT Chairman, Elvis Kporoh, Secretary, Augustine Ogedegbe and Vice Chairman, Samson Agbemre, said the three months suspension took effect from January 3, 2017.
The communiqué said pending when the three months suspension was lifted or otherwise by the BoT, Festus Otesirilgherebuo, had been mandated to act as the interim president of UYC.
The communiqué which was sent to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and copied to the deputy governor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, C.O. 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, AIG Zone 5, Area Commands, Ughelli and Warri, said the embattled president henceforth ceased to be recognized as president of UYC.
By Prince Osuagwu & Emmanuel Elebeke The federal government Wednesday formerly inaugurated the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Chairman of the board is Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye. Other members of the board include Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner (Technical Services), Mr. Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management). The non-executive Commissioners include Mr. Clement Omeiza Baiye and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.
The board members who were appointed in August 2016 were charged with:
"Formulating several policies for the regulation and development of the Communications industry; considering and approving the yearly budget of the Commission as may be presented to the Board by Management; ensuring that the Commission is manifestly seen to be a responsible corporate citizen, having regard not only to financial aspects of the Commission but also to the impact its operations have on its stakeholders, the environment and all parts of the country; provision of the effective leadership on an ethical foundation by ensuring that issues of ethics are managed effectively; among others.
Performing the inauguration rites, on behalf of the government, minister of Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu, charged the new board to employ cutting-edge regulatory practices to curtail the incidences of dropped calls and other related poor quality of service in the telecom sector.
He urged them to ensure that Nigerians get value for their money in all the services rendered by the telecom service providers.
By Benjamin Njoku EX-BEAUTY queen cum actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, has announced her intention to start a yearly scholarship for the less privileged.
The actress made this known on her Facebook page. "Ibinabo Care Foundation and their partners are happy to announce the commencement of their 'Go To School' scheme," she wrote.
Ibinabo said, the aim of the scheme is to assist young children whose parents cannot afford to send them to school or have dropped out of school due to financial challenges.
"An educational fund will be set up for them with our partner bank, Heritage Bank, and their parents will be able to access the funds whenever they need to pay for their educational needs."
This year, according to her, the scheme will be assisting five children 'Go To School."
Stressing, Ibinabo said, to benefit from the scheme, the applicant must not be above 15 years, in addition to having proof that his or her parents cannot afford to send them to school or has dropped. "After screening and investigation by a board, five children will be selected and awarded the scholarships,"she added.
The presentation day will be on January 13. The event will also mark the birthday of the proprietor of Ibinabo Care Foundation, Ibinabo Fiberesima. She will be presenting the scholarships along with other colleagues and celebrities.
NIGERIAN rapper, Ikechukwu is currently under fire. The rapper's ex- girlfriend, Sarah Ofili, alongside her friend, Joy Madaki, are splitting fire over comments he was said to have made about Joy's brother, Terry Tha Rapman, who is also an artiste.
What Ikechukwu must have said to trigger such war of words on himself still remains a mystery as the aggrieved parties made no mention of it in their social media rants. However, in a bid to defend her brother after Ikechukwu aired his opinions about Joy's brother, the latter took to her Instagram page to hurl unprintable words on the rapper.
As if that was not enough, Ikechukwu's ex girlfriend, Sarah Ofili, also joined forces with Joy on her Instagram page to declare war on the rapper, boasting that she and her friends would wage war on him since he has declared it initially.
The Federal Government on Wednesday says she will no longer recognise Taiwan as a country but rather pledged support for One China.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this while answering questions from newsmen after a joint news conference with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Onyeama said Nigeria had withdrawn all diplomatic relations with Taiwan as a country, adding that Taiwanese office in Abuja would be shut down and be relocated to Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria has communicated Taiwan and they are moving to Lagos as soon as possible.
"Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a country that is recognised under international law and under the position we have taken internationally we recognise the people of China.
"Taiwan will not have any diplomatic representation in Nigeria and also they will be moving to Lagos to the extent that they function as a trade mission with a skeletal staff.
"Chinese Government does not oppose trading with Taiwan as such as long there is no formal contact with the Government that will suggest recognition of Taiwan as sovereign country," he said.
According to him, China does not oppose relationship with Taiwan in the level of trade but not on government to government level.
The minister, however, said that Nigeria was not pressurised to take the decision, noting that the development was a bit of anormally on the side of Nigeria
He said that Nigeria recognised the People's Republic of China as country because Nigeria was one the leading African nations that fought for China to reclaim its seat at the UN Security Council from Taiwan.
He said the step being taken was to right the wrong that one could not specifically say how it came.
"It was not very clear how it got into Nigeria system – an arrangement for the Taiwan for a trade mission.
"And in grating the right of the trade mission it did not accurately reflect the nature of relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan," he said.
Onyeama stated that the country took the decision to remove any iota of doubt in the mind of the Chinese people.
He said on the issue of building trust, the international community had embraced one China and China is a member of the United Nations and we don't want to leave any doubt on the issue.
The minister stressed that Nigeria would adhere to it completely and there is no ambiguity at all.
He said Nigeria as a nation would do everything to realise the One China Policy as well as any effort that would promote the peace and well being of the People's Republic of China.
According to Onyeama, China is one of the countries that have been in full support of reforms in the UN that would see Africa having two seats at the UN Security Council, as such deserved to be supported in her unification drive of One China.
Video clip shows Sahara Reportes’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore at the police station at Area “F” in Ikeja, Lagos. Sowore was arrested over alleged threat to life on International Magazine's publisher, Lekan Fatodu.
Award winning high-life singer, Flavour 'N' abania will be performing alongside Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz at the opening ceremony of 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
With exactly three days to go before the tournament kicks off on Saturday, January 14, 2016, the pair who performed at the just concluded Glo-CAF Award 2016 in Abuja, will be thrilling the African football teams and fans at the opening ceremony of AFCON 2017.
Diamond Platnumz and Flavour set for AFCON 2017 opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will be transmitted in more than 50 countries and reach an estimated global live audience of 180 million viewers, making it the most-watched sporting event in Africa.
After the opening ceremony, the host nation, Gabon will be taking Guinea–Bissau after which Cameroun will also face Burkina Faso at the 40,000 seater friendship stadium in Libreville.
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has described the trial of former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as mere political persecution, which is part of the plot of the cabal in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to incapacitate opposition figures in the country financially before the 2019 general elections.
Ex-Gov Ibrahim Shema
Governor Fayose, who said President Muhammadu Buhari's second term ambition will not be realised on the basis of intimidation, harassment and persecution of opposition figures as well as annihilation of their financial strength, added that, "Instead of running after those that they perceived as threat to the President's 2019 ambition, they should rather save Nigerians from hunger and sufferings now ravaging the land."
According to his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said "it is also obvious that those holding power in Katsina State presently are finding it difficult to match Shema's unprecedented performance while in office and have opted for his persecution just to cover up their failure.
The governor lamented that all actions of the APC led federal government were geared towards the achievement of President Buhari's second term and not the well-being of Nigerians, many of whom can barely feed owing to bad policies of the government.
He said "it is another sad experience in democratic governance in Nigeria that someone like Alhaji Shema, who performed remarkably well as Katsina State governor and even left over N3 billion in the state's treasury is now being humiliated ostensibly just because some people believed that the only way they can perpetuate themselves in power beyond 2019 is by destroying opposition.
"Despite that Alhaji Shema made himself available to the EFCC on September 16, 2016, he was kept in detention for more than two weeks just to humiliate him as directed by those who presently hold power in Katsina and Abuja. Even when Alhaji Shema was arraigned in court on Tuesday, EFCC even went to the extent of asking the court to remand him in prison. This is ridiculous!"
Calling on the international community, especially the United States of America (USA) President-Elect, Donald Trump and other world leaders to help in saving democracy in Nigeria, Governor Fayose said, "this continuous use of EFCC and other agencies of the federal government to humiliate and oppress those perceived as threat to the APC hold on power beyond 2019 is a threat to democracy in the country and must not be allowed to continue.
"The international community should ask President Buhari why only opposition figures are the ones being arrested and tried by the EFCC. What has happened to all those petitions submitted to the EFCC against close aides of the president and serving members of his cabinet?
"Obviously, EFCC now exists as the APC Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and those foreign organisations donating funds to the commission should be mindful of their funds being used to persecute opposition."
By Evelyn Usman The Police have confirmed the arrest of Publisher of Sahara Reporters, an online news agency based in New York city, United States of America, Mr Omoyele Sowore, today, Wednesday.
Police said that he was arrested over alleged threat to life and blackmail on a London based journalist, Lekan Fatodu.Sowore arrested by the Police over alleged threat to life
As at 7pm, he was still been interrogated by policemen at the Area ‘F’ command Ikeja. Report said he was picked up by policemen from his Lagos home following a petition by Fatodun.
Fatodun in the petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr Fatai Owoseni, accused Sowore of publishing a story on alleged money laundry on him.
In the publication, Fatodu was alleged to be assisting Nigerian politicians to move money out of the country.
Police sources hinted that they were alerted yesterday evening of Sowore's presence , consequent upon which they went for his arrest.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest . She could however not state if Sowore would be released later .
She said "I confirm his arrest. He was arrested this evening over threat to life on Lekan Fatodu and blackmail. He is still under investigation"
But Omoyele Sowore on his facebook page said he was attacked by Lekan Fatodu and his friends in Lagos and were taken to the CP’s office in Lagos.
”After the police “intervened” soon as I was attacked by Lekan Fatodu and his friends in Lagos and were taken to the CP’s office in Lagos.
‘Turns out he was in on this, he pulled out a supposed petition written by Lekan from his hat after that he became very hostile towards me and ordered that we be driven to State CID, at Panti in Lagos.
”It is very obvious that this was planned between Lekan Fatodu and the police. They offered him unbridled support as he continued attacking me in the presence of the police. I could have been I am familiar with this style of the Nigerian police. We are now being driven to Panti in Yaba res of Lagos”
Also Lekan Fatodu on his twitter handle @LekanFatodu wrote ‘BREAKING! I just got Sowore Omoyele of Saharareporters arrested for criminal defamation and blackmail and threat to my life and career.’
Chairman of Triangular Pensioners Association of Osun, Prince Rotimi Adelugba has said that, even as the Osun state government led by Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is still paying pensioners till date, it has equally paid them their entitlements up to December of 2016 according to the agreement the association had with the government.
Aregbosola
He said details show that senior citizens in the state have received their monthly entitlements up till December 2016.
This is contrary to the claims of a curious protesting pensioners who had alleged otherwise, a development the state government said is aimed at tarnishing the image of governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Prince Adelugba further explained that "Osun State is still paying according to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between Labour and the Government. Imo State is owing 72 months".
About the protesting pensioners, Prince Adelugba said he believes they were being sponsored. "Osun State is a peaceful state, so I don't understand why some people will go on rampage. At least by December last year, we collected three months. Then in late December, we collected the December pension as agreed upon", he said.
Wilfried Zaha scored his first goal for African champions the Ivory Coast as they trounced Uganda 3-0 Wednesday in a warm-up match for the 2017 Cup of Nations.
The Crystal Palace and former England winger struck with a low shot after a superb solo run during the second half in Abu Dhabi.
Abidjan-born Zaha changed his international allegiance after making two friendly appearances for adopted homeland England.
Footballers who have not played a competitive match for a country are entitled to switch loyalties.
Ivory Coast’s starting eleven (top L to R) forward Salomon Kalou, forward Jonathan Kodjia, midfielder Franck Kessie, defender Wilfried Kanon, defender Eric Bailly, forward Wilfried Zaha, defender Serge Aurier, (bottom L to R) defender Adama Traore, goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, midfielder Geoffrey Serey Die, and midfielder Jean-Michaël Seri pose for a group picture ahead of the friendly football match between Ivory Coast and Uganda at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The 24-year-old flier has impressed in two outings for the Cup of Nations title-holders, creating the winner against Sweden during his debut three days ago.
Striker Jonathan Kodjia from English second-tier outfit Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier were the other Ivorian scorers after a goalless first half.
Ivory Coast hope to become only the fourth country after Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon to successfully defend the African title when the 2017 tournament kicks off this Saturday in Gabon.
They are in Group C — arguably the toughest of the four mini-leagues — with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Togo.
After qualifying for a first appearance at the finals since finishing 1978 runners-up, Uganda tackle record seven-time champions Egypt, Ghana and Mali in Group D.
Togo, who have not scheduled any friendly internationals, came from two goals behind to defeat top-flight club Diambars 3-2 in Senegal with Alaixys Romao snatching the winner.
Ghana, beaten on penalties by the Ivory Coast in the 2015 Africa Cup final, have also opted for club opponents and overcame Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan 2-0 in the UAE.
CHARLOTTE, NC—The United States first family has turned more than a few heads at this week's Democratic National Convention, where the president, as he greets delegates and waves to crowds of supporters, is often accompanied not only by his wife and two daughters, but also his rarely seen 19-year-old son, Luther.
Obama and Luther
The theonion.com reports that the shy, slightly overweight teenager, who has lived his entire life with his mother in central Illinois, seldom appears in public with the president, with whom he has reportedly shared a somewhat distant and occasionally strained relationship.
"When I saw that kid with President Obama, I had no clue who he was," said Georgia delegate, Kathy Tyson, stating that the teen appeared to have difficulty sustaining eye contact with others and stood uncomfortably alongside his father when he shook hands with voters Thursday.
Tyson said: "I guess he does kind of look like the president, though a bit shorter and stockier."
Luther was born in 1993 to Andrea Pletcher, then a 24-year-old diner cashier whom Obama, a young law professor at the time, met during a brief trip to the state capital of Springfield.
While the president's son is said to have faced numerous obstacles during his childhood, including academic troubles, repeated emotional outbursts, and his mother's bouts with alcoholism, family friends have stated that overall he was a "good kid" who "genuinely meant well."
White House aides said the president sends money to Pletcher each month for Luther's care.
After he became a U.S. senator and moved to Washington, Obama reportedly visited his 11-year-old son every other Saturday afternoon, playing wiffle ball with him or taking him out to a movie matinee and then dinner at the local Applebee's.
When he became president, however, Obama's contact with the boy reduced markedly, though sources confirmed he would still send Luther a birthday card and speak with him on the phone every month or so, often talking him through his schoolwork or asking about his son's interests in music and online gaming.
According to reports, the two have often struggled to find common ground, owing largely to their sharply differing levels of motivation and expectations for academic and personal success.
"There was a rough patch during Luther's early and mid-teens when he and his dad didn't get along at all," said Pletcher, speaking from the $600-a-month ground-level condominium she shares with her son and live-in boyfriend.
Pletcher said: "But Barry came to Luther's high school graduation last year, and that was a big step forward for them. And now that Luther's rebellious phase seems to be winding down, there's definitely a greater respect between them.
"I'll tell you, though, Luther was a real handful for a while there, with his ADD and all."
She continued, "But he's doing okay now. And I've been with [boyfriend] Ian [Williams] for the past three years, so Luther's had a male figure he can look up to a little bit."
In a sign of their improving relationship, Obama is said to have congratulated his son heartily upon learning Luther was giving school another shot this fall, enrolling part-time at Lincoln Land Community College. Additionally, Obama expressed optimism that his son could have a "real bright future" in the field of sales or, if he applied himself, computers.
With Luther now slated to join the first family on the campaign trail, staffers confirmed the president has encouraged them to entrust the frequently expressionless teen, who often dresses in all-black clothing, with some minor tasks to help him learn about responsibility.
"We've got Luther stuffing envelopes and handing out pins to the delegates, and he's doing a great job," senior campaign aide Stephanie Cutter said.
Cutter said: "It takes a while for him to come out of his shell, but once he opens up he's a real nice kid. Plus he's just so great with Sasha and Malia. They really love their half-brother.
"Luther may not have his father's smarts or gift for rhetoric," Cutter added, "but he tries. And he's got a good heart—a real good heart."
Despite comments that interactions between the president and his son have remained noticeably stiff and awkward, Obama said he was excited that he and Luther were spending quality time together and "finally starting to get to know each other."
"I can't say I was the perfect father by any means," said Obama, admitting candidly that he "wasn't always there for Luther."
"While my son has battled his share of problems, his mother really did the best she could raising him, and I think she did a fine job. Now Luther and I are ready to move forward and make up for lost time." "I'm real proud of my boy," he added.
Donald Trump said Wednesday he had formally handed “complete and total” control of his business empire to his adult sons, Don Jr and Eric, in a bid to avoid conflicts of interest once he enters the White House.
The 70-year-old Trump, who is the wealthiest man to become US president, has been beset by accusations of conflict of interest ever since his electoral defeat of Democratic former secretary of state Hillary Clinton in November.
The Trump Organization, whose network of hotels, golf clubs and luxury residential towers stretches across 20 countries, is not listed on the stock market, and thus releases no public statistics.
Trump, who takes over the White House on January 20, has thus far not released his tax returns, meaning relatively little is known about the extent of its interests.
“My two sons, who are right here, Don and Eric, are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. They’re not going to discuss it with me,” the president-elect told a news conference.
Trump said he had signed documents “turning over complete and total control to my sons,” before handing the stage to his lawyer, who outlined the future structure of the Trump Organization.
Donald Trump
– ‘No new foreign deals’ – The attorney, Sheri Dillon, said a plan had been devised to “completely isolate” Trump from the management of his business during his presidency, adding that “no new foreign deals will be made whatsoever” while he is in the White House.
All pending deals — more than 30 — were canceled, causing “an immediate financial loss of millions of dollars” to Trump and his children, said Dillon, a partner in Washington law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
The plan also requires an ethics advisor to review and give written approval to any “new deals, actions, and transactions that can potentially raise ethics or conflicts of interest concerns,” she said.
Trump is “committed to ensuring that activities of the Trump Organization are beyond reproach and cannot be perceived to be exploitative of the office of the presidency.”
Trump will resign from all officer and other positions he holds in his businesses, and daughter Ivanka, whose husband Jared Kushner will be a special adviser to the president, will have no further involvement in the business.
Dillon said a blind trust would not have resolved all the potential conflicts of interest, adding that divestiture or sale, which she argued is not required of a president as of other government officials, “isn’t even feasible.”
“In sum, all of these actions — complete relinquishment of management, no foreign deals, ethics adviser approval of deals, sharply limited information rights — will sever President-elect Trump’s presidency from the Trump Organization,” she said.
In addition, Trump will donate all the proceeds from any foreign government officials to his hotels to the US Treasury.
According to PrivCo, which seeks to provide financial and business information on private companies, The Trump Organization employs about 22,000 people and had revenues of $9.5 billion in 2014.
– #nopressure – Trump closed his press conference with a warning to his sons.
“I hope at the end of eight years I’ll come back and say, oh, you did a good job. Otherwise, if they do a bad job, I’ll say, ‘You’re fired!'” he said, using his signature line from his reality television show “The Apprentice.”
Don Jr tweeted a reply shortly afterwards.
“Well this could be interesting in 4 to 8 years. #nopressure,” he wrote.
Mexico’s peso fell on Wednesday after US President-elect Donald Trump vowed to make the country pay for a huge border wall and to tax companies that ship jobs abroad.
The Mexican currency shed 0.9 percent, trading at 22.20 pesos per dollar after hitting a historic low 22 pesos per greenback on Tuesday, according to private bank Citibanamex.
But it later regained some of its losses, exchanging hands at 22.10 pesos per dollar.
Trump pledged to forge ahead with plans for a wall on the southern US border with Mexico soon after taking office by having the US Congress pay for it first and forcing Mexico to reimburse it later.
Donald Trump
“Mexico in some form — and there are many different forms — will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall,” said Trump, in his first news conference since winning the November 8 presidential election.
“That will happen. Whether it’s a tax or whether it’s a payment.”
Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray insisted on Tuesday that there is “no way” that his country will pay for any wall, but he signaled that his government was ready to negotiate with the incoming Trump administration.
The peso has fallen since Trump’s election victory as investors fret over his threats to impose tariffs on companies that ship jobs to Mexico and his pledge to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Last week, US automaker Ford scrapped plans for a new $1.6 billion factory in Mexico that Trump had criticized, though the company said the decision was business-related.
The Republican property tycoon, who succeeds Democrat Barack Obama as president on January 20, threatened to impose tariffs on General Motors and Japanese rival Toyota last week.
Trump repeated on Wednesday that he will imposed a “major border tax” on companies that shift jobs abroad.
The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had recovered more suspected Boko Haram terrorists' items during a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest.
Maj. – Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.
Irabor said that the items included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design often used by security guards of Abubakar Shekau in his videos.
"On Jan. 5, at about 1000hrs, our troops conducted a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo general area and recovered additional Boko Haram terrorists' items.
"They included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design on the edges, a précis on motar operation written in Arabic, one big size of the Qur'an, and 4 notebooks containing names of terrorists, "he said.
" The items also include a list of the terrorists locs, a list of IED materials and method of preparation and breakdown of quantities of arms and ammunition issued to their members.
"There were also some instructions written in Arabic and a small Boko Haram flag with Arabic inscription," he said.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Sahara Reporters' publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged threat to life on Checkout International Magazine's publisher, Lekan Fatodu.
Sowore arrested by the Police over alleged threat to life
Sowore was arrested at his house in Lagos and moved to area F at Ikeja on Wednesday after Fatodu, lodged complaint to police.
The Police got a tip off that Sowore was in the state and stormed his house for his immediate arrest.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, (AGF), Alh. Ahmed Idris, has said that all federal government employees would be brought into the Integrated Personnel And Payment Information System (IPPIS).
He spoke while exchanging views with members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and Representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) who were at the Treasury House in Abuja, yesterday.
Alh. Idris explained that although it is government's plan to ensure that all Agencies of government and categories of staff are enrolled in the scheme, but the process is being done in phases to ensure that transparency ,accuracy and due process are followed.
The AGF assured them of the support of his office and directed the director of IPPIS, Mr. Murtala Musa Oluwatoyin to come up with a road map that will articulate how all doctors ; General Consultants, Resident Doctors and House officers; in the all Government Hospitals will be integrated into the IPPIS platform.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Onyebueze John, commended government on the implemntation of the IPPIS saying that the scheme has proved to be an effective tool for checking leakages and reducing waste.
He urged the Government to fast track the process of enrolling all medical doctors in the Government employment , saying that the process will help to streamline the imbalances in the payment of medical doctors, block leakages and save cost for the government to do other things.
Dr. Onyebueze told the AGF that the Association has already sensitized its members of the need for the enrollment, saying that they are fully ready to support government on the implementation.
In his own remarks, the chairman of the Remuneration Committee, Dr. Nosa Lancy Orhue, said that the Nigeria Medical Association is fully in support of the policy and will do all it can to ensure that doctors are enrolled in the IPPIS platform .
It was a night of honours, fun and glamour at the Beatz Awards which recently held at The Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos. The event which was hosted by top comedian, Seyi Law and Angel Ufuoma, was attended by top industry personalities such as Mofe Duncan, Helen Paul, Bryan Okwara, Paul Adams, Felix Duke, Sam Uche Ayanmele, Yomi Casual, Harry Songs and a host of others.
MasterKraft
Bagging the most awards for the night was super producer MasterKraft, Sess the problem kid and Rotimi Keys.
Other winners at the awards include: UBA Pacific Music for Best Record Company (Marketer), Star Boy Entertainment for Best Record Label, Sunday Are for Best Artist Manager, STV for Best Television Station, The Beat Fm for Best Radio Station, Shuga Band for Best Live-Band, Kiss Daniel for Best Song Writer, etc.
A special Recognition Award was given to MTN Nigeria for its outstanding contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. Top entertainment personality, Obi Asika was also honored with the Industry Professional of the Year award.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday unveiled plans by his administration to integrate the six States in the South West region to the food security drive of the State Government especially in addressing the demand and supply deficit for the overall benefit of the people.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received the Ooni of Ife, HIM Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi on courtesy visit, also vowed his commitment to the economic growth and promotion of the traditional values and culture of the Yoruba nation.
The Governor recalled that in the last one year, the State Government joined the Oodua Investment Group in addition to the acquisition of land in Ogun and Oyo States for agricultural purposes, saying that government would scale up the economic integration of the South West States as well as the cultural heritage of the region. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), being presented with a Art frame by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II during a courtesy visit by the Ooni of Ife at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
While commending the Ooni for his acheivements in office so far, Governor Ambode said the visit to Lagos was historic in the annals of his administration coming barely few weeks after the first year anniversay of the coronation of Ooni.
He said: “One year after, it has become very evident that everything and every step that Ooni has taken has been for the positive good of the Yoruba nation. The Ooni represents the cohesion that we are looking for in Yoruba land and for that reason, we will do everything to continue to ensure that this government support the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
“We are glad to note that within the last one year also, Lagos State has been able to join the Oodua Investment Group as part shareholders of that economic vehicle that we will use to power the economic integration of the Southwestern states. We want to assure your majesty that what you stand for is what this government also stand for.
“We believe that we cannot afford to waste away the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and we are to start from a platform where it moves away from economic integration to socio, political and also cultural evolution of what we think the Yoruba people stand for and that is also what I stand for.
“I believe strongly that the test case of what we are trying to do about food security in Lagos State is just more or less like an elixir for what it should be across the western region and on that note, we want to say that we have already acquired land in Ogun and Oyo States but what is imperative for us to move forward now is that we would integrate all other Southwestern States into the food security mechanism of demand and supply for us to move forward,” he said.
The Governor said Lagos, as a cosmopolitan State and the economic hub of the Yoruba people in terms of commerce, must be at the vanguard of promoting commerce in the region, assuring that his administration would vigorously pursue such to the benefit of the people.
He added: “Everything Ooni has said on food security is in consonance with our believe and we believe that if we move forward, Nigeria will also move foward. The future is brighter as we see it and we will not relent to ensure that our traditional values and culture are enhanced further than what it is presently.”
Besides, Governor Ambode thanked the monarch for promoting continuous communication among traditional rulers and government for the purpose of enhacing the future of the Yoruba people, while also ackonoledging his immense contribution to the development of tourism, trade and commerce in Lagos State.
Earlier, Oba Ogunwusi said he was at Lagos House to identify with the developmental achievements of Governor Ambode and to seek ways of partnership especially in the area of food security.
He said since assuming office, Governor Ambode has kept all his promises to the people and the result has been the transformation of the State, adding that the Governor has indeed taken Lagos to the next level.
Speaking on partnership on food security, the monarch said it was important for the South West States to explore partnership for the benefit of the people.
He said: “We can partner in respect of food security. In Osun State, we have land for agriculture and same in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States.
“You will not believe that 80 per cent of all the products from those farmlands are wasted; it is only about 20 per cent that get to the metropolis of Lagos for consumption.
“Now imagine, if we can just synchronise and work together on how to take food security to another level,” the Ooni said.
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