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
The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, on Wednesday, said the party's national secretariat in Wadata Plaza would re-open before Friday. Sheriff said this when he received some PDP leaders from South-West geopolitical zone who paid him a visit in his office in Abuja. The party national secretariat had been under lock since after its national convention held on May 20, 2016. The police said the action was to avoid breakdown of law and order as a result of the leadership tussle between Sheriff-led and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.
Ali Modu Sheriff
Sheriff said he had commenced legal process that would allow the party leaders and workers to access the secretariat, currently under lock. He added that "between now and Friday, we will move into our national secretariat. "We have transmitted the necessary document to the security agencies; including the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to reopen it." Sheriff, who was confirmed as authentic national chairman of PDP by Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt on Feb. 17, said he was not in PDP to remain its national chairman. He said "my mission is to rebuild the party and bring it back to its 1999 position. "I am not here to remain as chairman forever. I will leave after the convention. We will conduct a credible convention and whoever wants to be PDP leader can contest in the convention." He urged PDP leaders to go back to their respective wards and work for the party. He also pleaded with governors to join him in rebuilding the party, saying they were leaders in their own right. The PDP South West Zonal Chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, who led the team on the visit, said they were at Sheriff's office to express the zone's support for him. Ogundipe said the visit was also to advise Sheriff to use his victory at the court to reunite everybody in the party, irrespective of what happened earlier. He added that "you must see yourself as father to all. "Now that you have been saddled with the leadership responsibility, we want to urge you to make sure that the party is revived within 40 days."
There's a very high possibility that if you are earning a small income, you will borrow money to sustain yourself. It does not have to be this way because being in debt can be very stressful and frustrating especially if you earn a small income.
As a result, instead of planning how to improve your life with your hard earned money, you are making arrangements to settle your debts. This is why it is mandatory for you get out of debt and halt this monthly trend. Jumia Travel, the online travel agency shares five ways to get out of debt on a small budget or slim income.
Commit to stop borrowing
If you are serious about getting out of debt, you should commit to stop borrowing no matter the amount you earn. This will no doubt end your indebtedness. The truth is if you continue your lifestyle that leads to your indebtedness, you will continue to borrow money and service debts monthly.
Make a payment plan
Making a payment plan to settle your debts is like making a resolution. You have to write it down and ensure that you stick to it. The plan should be all-encompassing to include what you spending your money on and the percentage you intend paying to service your debt monthly.
Change your spending habit
Your spending habit is a key reason why you are always in debt or may be unable to settle your debts. If you spend more even after settling your debt, you will keep borrowing money and you before you know, you are a chronic debtor.
Work hard to earn more money
If you are not ready to squeeze yourself to settle your debt with your small income, you should be willing to get a side hustle to cushion the effect of your indebtedness.
Set up automatic deductions
As far as you are humans, you are susceptible to procrastination. It follows that it is possible that you may not stick to your budget or change your lifestyle. Then the best option for you is to request your boss or bank to make the deductions and pay your creditor at the end of the month. The balance will be paid to you.
Over the years, the human lifespan has significantly declined. For example, the life expectancy in Nigeria according to the World Health Organization (WHO) for 54.5 years for both men and women as at 2016.
However, there is a possibility that you can live longer than the recommended age of the WHO. The only thing you can do is to make lifestyle changes. Jumia Travel, the hotel+flight booking portal discuss some of the changes you can make if you want to live until 100.
Stop eating junk
Many of us eat junk food. This is probably because you don't have time to prepare a proper meal. The fact is eating these junk food have a negative effect on your health. Some of the health effects of junk or processed foods include diabetes and heart diseases. You should eat more fruits.
Run away from alcohol
Alcohol has always being fingered as a major source of health problems. This is why you are encouraged to do away with alcohol. You may not feel the immediate impact of your incessant alcohol intake but it gradually cuts your lifespan. If you have an alcohol problem, you should seek help. So when you eat at one of the best hotels in Lagos, alcohol should not feature in your menu.
Quit smoking
There is no gainsaying that inhaling smoke can damage your lungs. Despite this, the number of smokers is rising daily and even the recession has stopped many from buying packs of cigarette. They ignore the instruction that smokers are liable to die young. A combination of alcohol and cigarettes can adversely affect your health.
Don't skip sleep
Sleep is very important to reinvigorate your life. So, if you are one of those who rarely sleeps, it is advisable you stop this now and have a good nap. The lack of sleep can lead to depression and deterioration in overall performance. So, try to get few hours of good sleep every day.
Stop worrying
With the recession in Nigeria, many people are very worried about a lot of things. The fact is your worry won't change anything. Worrying can lead to high blood pressure. Even if you have to worry, it should not affect your wellbeing.
Avoiding the Doctor
This is peculiar to the majority of us. If there is nothing wrong with us, we won't visit the doctor. Ironically, when some persons are ill, they prefer to check in with their pastor instead of a doctor. A pastor is not a doctor. So, you should make it a point of duty to always visit your doctor intermittently. This will help in early detection of any ailment or disease.
By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO Lokoja – The Nigerian Army Wednesday in Lokoja paraded 17 criminals, including two kingpins of the Boko Haram sect.
This came as the Governor Yahaya Bello who was at the parading said that houses where the Boko Haram suspects and others were arrested would be demolished so as serve as a deterrent to others.SUSPECTS
Apart from the members of the Boko Haram, those arrested and parade also included the hoodlums that attacked a police station in Eika, Okehi local government area of Kogi state which killed two police officers about three weeks ago.
The Commander, Army Record Command, Lokoja, Kogi state, Brig-Gen Henry Ayamasowe while parading the suspects before the state governor, Yahaya Bello, at the Chari Megumeri barracks, said the people were picked up following a special operation of the army.
He said the operations led by Lt. Col A Ayoola, combed the entire central senatorial district of the state for about three days before the breakthrough could be recorded.
He said the operation also led to the arrest of armed robbers and kidnappers that had been terrorising the state in the past few months.
Ayamasowe stressed that insurgents had been trooping down to the state massively in the last three years, giving rise to the presence of Boko Haram members in the state.
He said the Boko Haram kingpin was arrested in one of the sect’s cell in Okene after a manhunt by men of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, dangerous weapons including AK 47 riffles, EIDs, 19 face masks with Boko Haram arabic inscription, locally made guns, phones, sim cards among others were recovered from the criminals.
Speaking at the parade, Bello stated that all the houses where the people were arrested would be demolished as a deterrent for those going into crime in the state.
The governor noted that the state was a wrong place for criminals as his administration had resolved to smoke them out.
He said, “We are going after them, we will get them and we are getting them, security agents and the entire people must be vigilant, my administration will not condone any form of criminality, where ever they are, we will smoke them out”.
Bello however said he would continue to invest in the security of the people, urging the people of the state to always volunteer information that would further make the state safer for them to work and live.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called on South African Government to address the issue of killings and maiming of innocent Nigerians in that country in the next 48 hours or face reprisal.
The council made the call in a letter signed by the President and Secretary of the council, Murtala Gamji and Gbenga Adedamola, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The letter was addressed to the South African President, Jacob Zuma, through the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr LL Mnguni.
Gamji, who made the call during a peaceful protest by members of the youth council at the South African Embassy in Abuja, described the act as barbaric and inhuman.
He said "the attention of NYCN has been drawn to the killing and maiming of Nigerians in your country.
"We want to say categorically that this is ugly, barbaric and inhuman and unacceptable to us and we will do everything within our power to resist it in totality.
"We have been good brothers to you for long and Nigerians do not deserve this ugly treatment in return."
The Spokesman of the council, Gambo Jagindi, also said any failure to address the issue by the South African Government within the stipulated time would attract repercussion.
He said "at the expiration of the 48 hours, we would shut down all businesses belonging to South Africans in Nigeria.
"We, therefore, urge the South African Government to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency to avoid reprisal."
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Wednesday demanded compensation for Nigerians whose properties were destroyed in the xenophobic violence that took place at the weekend in South Africa.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who stated this in Abuja at a news conference on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, said Nigerian lives should be protected.
Nigerian buildings, businesses and places of worship worth millions of dollars were reportedly destroyed during the attacks in Pretoria West, South Africa on Feb. 18.
Onyeama, who said that the Federal Government had taken some measures to put a stop to the incessant attacks on Nigerians in that country, expressed worry on the alleged involvement of security agencies in the violence.
He said "we are doing a lot; we are engaging the South African Government and have summoned the South African High Commissioner, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni to the ministry over the issue.
"One of the things that were being said was that South African Police were accomplice in some of the attacks, not just on Nigerians but other nationals.
The Kaduna State Police Command, on Wednesday confirmed the abduction of two Germans Archeologists working at the NOK Archeological Centre in Kagarko.
The Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman told newsmen in Kaduna that the two Germans had been working at the centre for over 10 years.
"They have been working in the center for the past ten years. They were kidnapped at one of the excavation centres in Jenjela site in Kagarko Local Government Area."
He said that the abduction, which occurred Wednesday morning was reported to the police by villagers.
"Presently the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command have been deployed to the area and is being assisted by patrol teams.
"In addition, the Police Special Forces deployed to southern Kaduna by the Inspector General of Police have also joined the search for the two Germans."
Earlier reports had given the names of those abducted as Prof. Peter Breunig and Johannes Buringer.
The professor is the leader of a four-man team from the University of Frankfurt, Germany working in collaboration with the National Commission for Museum and Monuments on the relics of Nok culture in Nigeria.
The Federal Government on Wednesday demanded compensation for Nigerians whose properties were destroyed in the xenophobic violence that took place at the weekend in South Africa.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, who stated this in Abuja at a news conference on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, said Nigerian lives should be protected.
Nigerian buildings, businesses and places of worship worth millions of dollars were reportedly destroyed during the attacks in Pretoria West, South Africa on Feb. 18.
Onyeama who said that the Federal Government had taken some measures to put a stop to the incessant attacks on Nigerians in that country, expressed worry on the alleged involvement of security agency in the violence.
"We are doing a lot, we are engaging with the South African Government; we have summoned the South African High Commissioner Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni to the ministry over the issue.
"One of the things that were being said was that South Africa Police are accomplice in some of the attacks, not just on Nigerians but other nationals.
" We have communicated our deep concern to the South African Government if that is the case on this allegation, steps should be taken to ensure that the situation does not happen again.''
According to him, Nigeria is also concerned about some inflammatory statements by South African politicians which can incite violence.
"This was brought to the attention of the South African Authority, and this has to stop.
"Security should be provided for Nigerians and that there has to be compensation for the victims.
"There are no lives lost, but there were injuries and damages, and we certainly expect that justice would be done; the perpetrators should also be brought to book," he said.
Onyeama said the South African Government itself did not condone the attacks and had been doing everything to ensure that its citizen understand the role Nigeria played during their apartheid struggles
"The government of South Africa does not condone those actions, they have assured us that they are taking a number of measures to state again the friendship and brotherliness toward Nigeria.
"They have organised events to show what Nigeria did during their apartheid struggles.
"South Africa has been very keen to show determination to remind their people as a way of dousing the sensing of xenophobia," he said.
GENEVA—I have lived in and worked in, loved, written and cared about Sub-Saharan Africa virtually my entire adult life.
And so, it is with great sadness that I say there are few phrases that today bring me closer to tears—or nearly have me choking, just trying to say them—than the three words: Lake Chad Basin.
To have worked so long and so hard to address the needs of the millions of men, women and children who live there—first as a diplomat and now with the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations migration agency—and help them forge a better future, and yet witness the tragedy unfolding there today is simply heart-breaking.
Yet continue to work, we must. Today, more than ever. The Lake Chad Region is one of the fastest growing displacement crises in the region. Violence and conflict, insecurity and necessity to cover basic needs are sadly promoting the impoverishment and growing vulnerability of displaced and host and home communities alike.
And so, we will – starting Thursday (2/23) at the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region—try once more to stem a humanitarian emergency that holds hostage the lives of millions and threatens generations to come.
The world largely overlooked the crisis coursing through north-eastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region in 2016. Violent conflict and human suffering have marked Nigeria and parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon for the better part of a decade. Boko Haram raids and suicide bombings targeting civilian populations have destroyed vital infrastructure, threatening entire economies and preventing people from earning their livelihoods. Widespread trauma, suffering and displacement count their victims in the millions.
With no end in sight to this crisis, humanitarian actors must call for concerted engagement of political, developmental and security actors to help stabilize the region and create conditions for people to survive and prosper.
Last summer, IOM conducted an opportunity mapping study of the region to identify suitable durable solutions. Based on the results of this exercise, IOM is implementing a program which allows selected Internally Displaced People, or IDPs, to choose new places to settle and conduct agricultural work in cooperation with the Chadian government. It is examples of programs like this that can help affected populations rebuild their lives, giving them a sense of hope and dignity.
But that is only a beginning. In Nigeria alone, 26 million people live in some affected areas. Humanitarian aid agencies like IOM today identify nearly 11 million people in dire need in the most affected areas of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. Over seven million people struggle with food security—with children representing a majority of those in need. IOM estimates there are 2.3 million displaced, a number that has tripled in just two years.
By meeting this week in Oslo, the co-hosts—Germany, Nigeria, Norway and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs— and partners working in and supporting the region will draw further attention to the needs outlined by the Humanitarian Response Plans of aid groups, as well as donor appeals for the respective countries.
The Conference will focus on three thematic areas: food security; protection and access; and education in emergencies.
Food security is paramount. Hunger and malnutrition rates in the region are alarming due to years of conflict, which has prevented people from raising staples like sorghum and maize. Food assistance and support for subsistence farming are crucial for food security.
Then there is the need for protection, especially for vulnerable women and children. Attacks on education infrastructure have been at the heart of the conflict, as reflected in the name Boko Haram, translated as "Western education is forbidden." Hundreds, possibly thousands of schools have been eliminated, leaving an estimated three million schoolchildren adrift. That has contributed to even more violence—and the widening scourge of displaced women, many still children, being forced into arranged, "early" marriages, a form of gender based sexual violence that too many treat as a solution to starvation, instead of what it is: a true crime against humanity.
Today, at age 82, I can look back past more than a half a century, to 1963, when I first flew over Lake Chad—then the largest lake on the continent—to my first posting in Africa, and the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria. Ten years later, I was assigned to a posting much closer to Chad, at the Embassy in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, and after that to Nigeria.
In that bygone era, our concerns for Lake Chad had more to do with ways to make such a lush oasis an ever greater resource for its neighbors. Diplomats and their governments floated exciting schemes to divert water from the Ubangi River into the lake. The dazzling prospects of richer fishing, greater harvests and more prosperity across several countries are recalled now almost as if they were mirages in the desert, rumours of what might have been.
Instead of bringing wealth and stability to millions, Lake Chad's surface has shrunk dramatically over six decades—feeding only the poverty that today feeds so much violence. We meet in Oslo this week to save this once beautiful place. Let's not miss our chance.
William Lacy Swing is Director General of the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations migration agency
Jumia Travel has today announced the unveiling of its Flights Services for travelers, a major move to boost its service offerings. This service is part of the broader programme to create a one stop travel shop providing accommodation, packages, and flights all on the same platform, in a bid to streamline travel in Africa.
The N°1 online hotel booking company is now offering both domestic and international flights by major airlines in the continent including Arik Air, Dana Air, Medview Airline, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Rwandair Express, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Fly Dubai, Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, and Air Seychelles among others.
"It's a new step for us as we aim to be the leading African Online Travel Agency, providing best customer experience for the travelers. It is also part of our broader program to create a one stop travel shop providing accommodation, packages, and flights all on the same platform, in a bid to streamline travel in Africa," said Paul Midy – CEO of Jumia Travel.
Paul Midy CEO Jumia Travel
As an Online Travel Agency, Jumia Travel will be working in partnership with different partners including Amadeus. The service (now available on travel.jumia.com/flights) enables the customers to find, compare, and book flights, as well as buy air tickets online with ease directly from various Airline companies across the world.
“We want to offer to our customers, all payment options, credit card but also payment in cash or through mobile phone as well as the support of a local customer service available 24/24” adds Paul Midy.
Accounting for only 3% of the world's air traffic, Africa portrays massive potential for growth in the coming years, especially due to the increasing demand from the rising middle class and the growing African economies.
"Jumia Travel aims at capitalizing on a market that is progressively driving hospitality demand in the continent. With the International Air Transport Association, 'IATA' predicting a strong growth of 4.8% in passenger numbers in Africa in the next 5 years, this confirms our strategic commitment to provide infinite travel solutions to travellers," added Paul Midy.
The company recently launched its holiday packages to foster domestic tourism in Africa. By including flights in its packages, Jumia Travel will continue supporting easier access to both African and universal destinations, while at the same time remaining keen to maintain "off-the-beaten path" travel solutions.
#FlyWithJumia
About Jumia Travel
Jumia Travel (travel.jumia.com) is Africa’s No.1 hotel booking website, allowing you to get the best prices for more than 25,000 hotels in Africa and more than 200,000 hotels around the world. Our ambition is to bring every bit of available accommodation online, and to create the easiest and cheapest way for customers to book it. Before June 2016, Jumia Travel was known as Jovago. Jumia Travel was founded in 2013 by Jumia and is backed by MTN, Rocket Internet, Millicom, Orange, Axa and financial partners.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revised National Policy on Environment.
The Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, announced this while briefing State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja on the outcome of the FEC meeting.
She said the policy framework would provide better opportunity to engage with states and local governments as well as communities in executing the priorities of the change agenda.
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"We took a memo to council today for the Revised National Policy on Environment.
"It was first formulated in 1991, and last revised in 1999 the second revision will be in 2017.
"It has really become imperative that we have this new policy framework.
"Because what we really wanted to do was to capture some of the emerging issues that have come since then as regards the environment.
"These concerns such as climate change, coastal erosion, desertification, erosion, pollution and insecurity that has been exacerbated by struggles for environment resources.
"And we see this in our country at all levels.
"What the policy does is to look at all the different inter-sectorial issues that we have, whether it relates with water, health, power and agriculture and bring them in to have a multi sector response to the environment.''
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Mohammed said that the greater part of the policy sought partnership with the private sector and communities for sustainability of the environment.
The minister also said that the stakeholders looked at funding and issues associated with it.
She said the policy brings innovative ways of looking at financial frameworks to attract more resources to different aspects.
She mentioned renewable energy as a very big opportunity for the country to exit fossil fuels in power generation.
"However, it is the sector where the cost is often not reachable for majority of people and we are finding new ways of bringing that to fruition and making sure that the policy takes care of it.
"There are many issues within the policy environment and many Nigerians are asking what we are doing about it.
"The regulatory agencies coming together to look at the situation and making sure that the policy takes care of it.
"The regulatory agencies coming together to look at deforestation which is now at an alarming rate and has brought us below five per cent for its cover.
"There are issues on waste and how we can look at the producers' responsibility,'' she added.
The minister said government was also looking at the country's diversity to see that many of its wetlands are opened up from some past constraints to strengthen livelihoods.
On the recent crisis in Delta over dump of toxic wastes and water pollution, Mohammed said the ministry had sent a team of regulatory agencies to the area to secure the site and find out who dumped the waste.
On her new job at the UN, she said that Nigeria signed many UN resolutions that could give the country partnerships to bring expertise and resources on development and climate change agenda.
According to her, being at UN brings Nigeria closer to decision making on a lot of global issues, including afforestation, deforestation programmes and renewable energy.
"We do have some major challenges that are considered a concern to the global village.
"So bringing from Nigeria real issues and some solutions that we know better than others can give us an edge to bring those solutions closer to fruition.
"I believe that in the next two weeks or so the UN Security Council should be visiting Nigeria.
"When it does we will be showing them exactly what the President has been highlighting, that nexus between poverty, conflict and climate change.
"They will visit the North East and they will see some of the root causes of our young people being dragged into the life of terrorism,'' she said.
Mohammed noted that the programmes the ministry envisaged for NESREA on the reduction of carbon emissions in the FCT would continue up to 2019.
She added that the ministry achieved a major breakthrough in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to reduce the Sulphur content in fuel.
According to her, Nigeria was getting 3,000 Parts Per Million (PPM) of sulphur to fuel, adding that this has been reduced to 50 PPM being the acceptable standard.
The minister said that the green bond project was on course and would be available by the end of April.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze conditions over the central states of the country on Thursday with horizontal visibility of two to five kilometres.
NiMet gave the prediction in its Weather Outlook by the Central Forecast Office on Wednesday in Abuja.
It also predicted that the region would have day and night temperature of 30 to 38 and 15 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
NiMet predicted that the Southern states would experience partly cloudy conditions and mist patches over the inland and coastal cities in the morning hours with cloudiness over the southwest coast later in the day.
It also predicted hazy conditions over the inland cities with chances of isolated rain showers over Yenegoa, Port Harcourt, Eket and Calabar axis and day and night temperatures of 34 to 37 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
According to NiMet, Northern states will experience moderate dust haze conditions with visibility range of two to five kilometers with day and night temperature of 31 to 37 and 14 to 19 degrees Celsius respectively.
"However, reduced horizontal visibility of less than or equal to 1000m is expected over the northeastern states like Maiduguri, Potiskum, Yola, Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Gombe and Damaturu," NiMet predicted.
IN their bid to equip information technology experts with leadership skills, Citygate Institute of Innovation and Technology, Ibadan, and Campbellsville University, USA, are offering young Nigerians the opportunity to participate in a coding dojo bootcamp in Campbellsville varsity, USA.
Revealing this at a media briefing in Lagos, the Rector, Citygate Institute, Oluwafolajimi Fadenipo, whose institution has been appointed country representative to manage affairs of Campbellsville varsity in Nigeria, said the bootcamp is a structured programme aimed at grooming professionals that would change the lot of Nigeria.
He said "The coding dojo is an intensive ten weeks professional training programme aimed at upgrading the skills of IT people who are technically qualified but lack leadership skills. After the bootcamp, they can decide to either get a Masters degree from the varsity or come back home to start their businesses.
"This rare opportunity will enable them manage their business and employees because it would get to a point where those who are only skilled at coding would retire like footballers while those who upped their coding and leadership skill remain relevant."
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Alhaji Bashir Ataka, has cautioned Nigerians against spreading rumours on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is part of the responsibilities of Nigerians to pray and support the President.
He told newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday that those spreading such rumours have bad wishes for the country and the president.
Ataka described as "very unfortunate the way some people are spreading speculations, rumours about the President's health condition.
"It is unfair for us to be spreading bad wishes for our leaders, instead of us to support them with prayers''.
He said it was imperative for all Nigerians to pray to almighty Allah to grant Buhari good health and wellbeing for him to come back and continue with his good leadership style.
"We have to pray for Buhari as the leader we never had in this country, we should keep all our differences aside whether religious, political or regional; we should unite and support our leader to implement good projects for us.
"We have to support President Buhari not only with prayers but all what we can to succeed in the task of moving the country forward.
"It is part of our responsibility as good Nigerians to bury all our differences and unite to support our leaders," he urged.
"We all know the economic and security challenges we face in this country before and we have seen the changes particularly the way the federal government is making efforts to improve the nations' economic sector.
"We should avoid bad wishes to our leaders; it is against what is revealed in our Holy Scriptures,'' he added.
Islamic scholars in the state had on Tuesday conducted special prayers at the Gusau Id praying ground for the quick recovery and return of the president.
The Kano State Government on Wednesday organised a special prayer for quick recovery and safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.
Among those that attended the prayer session were Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and his Deputy, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, as well as members of the State Executive Council.
Others were, members of the State House of Assembly, Chairmen of the 44 local governments in the state and members of the Kano Emirate Council.
Also in attendance were Islamic Scholars, including the Commander-General of the state Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa, Sheik Ahmed Sulaiman, Sheik Muhammad Nasir Adam and the Kano-based business mogul, Sheik Isiyaku Rabi'u.
Various verses from the Holy Qur'an were recited during the prayer session which was conducted at the Africa House, Government House.
In his remarks, Sheik Aminu Daurawa said the President needed prayers not only for his speedy recovery, but also divine guidance to lead Nigeria to greatness.
"He needs our encouragement, support and prayers for him to succeed and build a better Nigeria," Daurawa said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Alhaji Ali Baba, said the prayer was organised to invoke Allah's protection and good health for the President.
He said the prayer was also offered for the sustenance of peace and unity as well economic growth and prosperity of the country.
The Kano State Government on Wednesday organised a special prayer for quick recovery and safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.
Journalists report that among those that attended the prayer session were Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and his Deputy, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, as well as members of the State Executive Council.
Others were members of the State House of Assembly, Chairmen of the 44 local governments in the state and members of the Kano Emirate Council.
Also in attendance were Islamic Scholars, including the Commander-General of the state Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa, Sheik Ahmed Sulaiman, Sheik Muhammad Nasir Adam and the Kano-based business mogul, Sheik Isiyaku Rabi'u.
President Buhari
Newsmen reports that various verses from the Holy Qur'an were recited during the prayer session which was conducted at the Africa House, Government House.
In his remarks, Sheik Aminu Daurawa said the President needed prayers not only for his speedy recovery, but also divine guidance to lead Nigeria to greatness.
"He needs our encouragement, support and prayers for him to succeed and build a better Nigeria," Daurawa said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Alhaji Ali Baba, said the prayer was organised to invoke Allah's protection and good health for the President.
He said the prayer was also offered for the sustenance of peace and unity as well economic growth and prosperity of the country.
Consumersng, an online consumer rights advocacy platform has named Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Philanthropist, Tony Elumelu and seven others among its 10 outstanding personalities who impacted Nigeria positively in year 2016.
Each year, Consumersng recognizes individuals, organizations and governmental bodies who have demonstrated strong commitment to serving Nigeria while maintaining a global mindset.
The advocacy group, in a media release on Monday, said Saraki is being conferred with a leadership award for the several pro-people roles played by the 8th assembly under his leadership.
Meanwhile, Lagos governor, Ambode and his counterpart in Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, were both chosen for the agricultural business relationship between the two states which apart from feeding several homes kept thousands of Nigerian farmers in Kebbi employed at a time the country is in dire need of a boost in local production/consumption.
Saraki, Ambode & Elumelu
The group also recognized Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for the infrastructural development in the state and his relentless commitment to improving the lives of his people despite seeming political challenges plaguing Rivers.
Other awardees include philanthropist, Tony Elumelu who has touched many lives through his Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), one of the largest private philanthropic organizations in Africa;
Also, Chairman Ifeanyi Ubah FC, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah adds the innovative touch to the list as he is being recognized for "his exemplary leadership and roles in the improvement of Nigeria's league games."
Others winners are; Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution, Oladele Amoda , who is being recognized for "his timeless efforts and roles in corporate leadership ." Also on list of the Consumersng's top 10 outstanding personalities award is the Mr. Roomans Jacques, President, Seatruck Group, who is being rewarded for his gallantry efforts in developing local content (oil and gas).
Young entrepreneurs, Sijibomi Ogundele of Sijimoto Construction Company; Dr. Nasko Ibrahim, CEO HMG Group and Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, CEO, Blue Camel Energy Ltd; were all rewarded for their unwavering support towards employment creation and contributing immensely towards achieving a stable economy.
Announcing this year's awards the Chairman, Consumersng Awards, Anefiok Akpan said: "The award is to encourage leaders and organizations to continue to be forces for positive change and to inspire solutions to some of the prevalent issues faced by the country. The award goes to someone who has built bridges.
The awardees will be virtually celebrated on15th, March 2017, a day which marks World Consumers Day."
NATIONAL Examination Council, NECO, has urged corporate organisations to emulate Promasidor's initiative of organising mathematical competitions, adding that the initiative has elevated the quality of mathematics education in Nigeria.
Dr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu, Director, Quality Assurance, National Examination Council, NECO, who represented the Registrar in Lagos, also lauded Promasidor for upgrading the Cowbellpedia Mathematics competition registration portal.
He said, “Corporate organisations should emulate Promasidor's initiative and elevate the quality of mathematics education in Nigeria,” stressing that NECO would continue to support to make the competition achieve its aims and objectives.
Meanwhile, Mr Oliver Thiry, Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, explained that investment in education has assumed an entirely new frontier globally and that governments and corporate organizations have come to realize that building capacity in STEM courses which mathematics is a key component, represents the driving force for development in the 21st century.
He added that like in the previous editions, the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show that is sponsored by Cowbell, the company\s flagship milk brand was open to students in JSS 3 and SSS2 from 10 – 18 years of age attending full time secondary education in both public and private schools in Nigeria and entry into the competition is free.
Recall that Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the sponsor of Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show had upgraded the registration portal for the 2017 edition of the competition. While entry into this competition is FREE, Abiodun Ayodeji, Promasidor's Category Manager (Dairy) said that contestants should register online at www.cowbellpedia.ng.
Ayodeji explained that the new improvement on the registration portal will flash the required fields on the computer screen to alert prospective candidate on the need to complete all the processes.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Alhaji Bashir Ataka, has cautioned Nigerians against spreading rumours on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He told newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday that those spreading such rumours have bad wishes for the country and the president.
Ataka described as "very unfortunate the way some people are spreading speculations, rumours about the President's health condition.
"It is unfair for us to be spreading bad wishes for our leaders, instead of us to support them with prayers''.
He said it was imperative for all Nigerians to pray to almighty Allah to grant Buhari good health and wellbeing for him to come back and continue with his good leadership style.
"We have to pray for Buhari as the leader we never had in this country, we should keep all our differences aside whether religious, political or regional; we should unite and support our leader to implement good projects for us.
President Buhari
"We have to support President Buhari not only with prayers but all what we can to succeed in the task of moving the country forward.
"It is part of our responsibility as good Nigerians to bury all our differences and unite to support our leaders," he urged.
"We all know the economic and security challenges we face in this country before and we have seen the changes particularly the way the federal government is making efforts to improve the nations' economic sector.
"We should avoid bad wishes to our leaders; it is against what is revealed in our Holy Scriptures,'' he added.
Journalists recall that Islamic scholars in the state had on Tuesday conducted special prayers at the Gusau Id praying ground for the quick recovery and return of the president.
By AbdulSalam Muhammad KANO – President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his appreciation to Nigerians for their goodwill and prayers, saying his condition has improved.
Buhari, who spoke for about three minutes in vernacular, on phone, with Governor Ganduje, while a prayer session was going on at Africa House, Government House, Kano, said he is feeling better.
Buhari said "Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah)", he said when Ganduje inquired "how are you feeling now Your Excellency?
During the prayer session, which was broadcast live by local radio stations in Kano, Ganduje told the President that Islamic scholars and Imams in Kano were praying for his speedy recovery.
To this, the President remarked "Maa shaa Allah", meaning, “God willed it”, an Arabic phrase used to show appreciation for a person or happening and is evoked upon hearing good news.
He expressed the hope that Allah will accept the prayers and asked the governor to extend his best wishes to the Islamic scholars.
Governor Ganduje, who was highly elated, remarked that from the voice of the President, his health has greatly improved expressing the hope that the Nigerian leader would get well soon.
The governor enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the well-being of the President and the success of his administration.
"We prayed for Buhari to win and he won. It is now mandatory on us to rally round his government and pray for his wellbeing", Ganduje remarked.
The prayers session, which brought together about 300 Imams and Islamic leaders from all Islamic denominations across the state was attended by the state Deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor M.S. Zahraddeen the state Commissioner of Police, Rabi'u Yusuf legislators and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'abba.
The FRSC in Oyo State says no fewer than 70 commercial vehicles have been impounded in the state since the enforcement of the speed limit device on Feb. 1.
Mr Yusuf Salami, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, stated this on Wednesday in an interview in Ibadan.
Salami said the level of compliance in Oyo State had increased because of the intensified efforts in enforcement and awareness.
He said speed-related road traffic crashes had reduced drastically in the state since the commencement of the exercise.
"Awareness is very high and all the stakeholders, like the fleet operators, National Union of Road Transport Workers, traditional rulers and religious institution contributed to the successes recorded so far.
"The penalty for not installing the speed limiting device is N3, 000 and commercial drivers are very careful not to be arrested.
" They pay the fine and rush to install the device.
"Whenever we arrest them for not installing the device, we fine them and encourage them to install it.
" We also let them know the benefit of installing the device as it reduces the rate of fatality whenever accident occurs as well as extend the life span of vehicles, '' Salami said.
Salami advised commercial drivers yet to install the device to do so as the commission had carried out enough sensitisatiion.
He urged motorists to abide by road traffic rules and regulations for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Salami also warned cab drivers carrying two passengers on the front seat to desist, saying the commission would continue to arrest violators and prosecute them.
