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FC Ifeanyiubah's Ivorian import, Pascal Seka got the highest votes of 338 to emerge the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 23 VAT Wonder Goal award winner.
Seka
Seka ran neck and neck with Lobi Stars' Anthony Okpotu in the votes on the twitter handle picking 73 votes to Okpotu's 71 of the 198 votes cast by fans leaving El-Kanemi Warriors' Aghahowa Otakho with the remaining 54 votes.
However, it was fans voting on the www.npfl.ng website that gave Seka a wide lead as his goal was the favourite of 267 of the 466 voters and Okpotu picked up votes from 229 fans while Otakho had 43.
In the final count, Seka secured 338 votes, Okoptu 229 and Otakho finished with 97 votes.
The goal was the Ivorian's fourth this season and the second of their 2-0 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC in the fixture decided at the Nnewi Stadium. The burly striker had benefitted from a defensive mix-up by defenders of ABS to slam home from inside the box.
It was a goal Fred Edoreh, Chairman of Lagos State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) described glowingly in these words: "it takes not just intuitiveness but also calculation to shrug off a marker to hit the ball well in the situation he got the ball inside the box".
Seka thus becomes the fourth in the line of winners of the VAT Wonder Goal, an initiative of the League Management Company (LMC) and supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to promote club community engagement and raise awareness for tax payment within the football community.
A cash prize of N150, 000 goes to the winner half of which will be donated to a charity to be nominated by player within the state where the club is located.
Past winners have been Ayo Saka of Rivers United, Ubong Friday of Akwa United and Ochowechi Salefu of Remo Stars.
Football’s world governing body FIFA assured Tuesday that “no investigation” had been opened into president Gianni Infantino after sources said his role in the Confederation of African Football’s presidential elections was being looked into.
Fifa President, Gianni Infantino
Maria Claudia Rojas, the new president of the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics committee, “has confirmed that all files have been handed over to her and that there are no open preliminary or investigation proceedings involving the FIFA President”, the organisation said in a statement.
“It is in FIFA’s interest that the work of the ethics committee is not disrupted by conjecture of any kind,” the statement added.
“Therefore, FIFA will refrain from commenting any further on baseless speculation and will instead concentrate on providing concrete information.”
Sources told AFP on Monday that Swiss prosecutor Cornel Borbely, who was chairman of the ethics committee’s investigatory chamber before being removed last month, had opened an investigation into suggestions Infantino might have sought to influence the election of Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad as president of CAF in March.
The investigation stemmed from evidence provided by African representatives, a source close to FIFA said.
Several African witnesses had been set to travel to FIFA headquarters in the Swiss city of Zurich but at least one of them had their summons cancelled after Borbely was removed from his post, the same source said.
British newspaper The Guardian reported on Sunday that Infantino was being investigated for claims he had promised, along with FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura, to accelerate payments of development money to national football associations if the presidents voted for Ahmad.
FIFA announced their decision to remove Borbely and Germany’s Hans-Joachim Eckert from their posts in the ethics team during the organisation’s congress in Bahrain last month.
Borbely said the decision was “a setback in the fight against corruption” as there were “several hundred cases” of corruption pending.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Tuesday in Benin said plans were being made to remodel the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin to meet international standards.
Obaseki made the announcement while receiving executive committee members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Edo Council at Government House in Benin.
The governor said his administration was hopeful of repositioning sports in the state through investment in sports facilities which would then attract global competitions to the state.
He assured that before the end of the year the state would host at least an international event or competition in the stadium.
"Our plan is to rebuild facilities in the stadium to host international events which will cut across sports like football, track and field, swimming, lawn tennis and indoor sports.
"We will improve on what we have as a state and ensure we revive sports to enhance its development in the state and the country at large.''
Obaseki also said plans were being made to ensure that every local government area in the state had a sports arena.
Earlier, the Edo Council Chairman of the union, Julius Erharuyi, had expressed appreciation at the commitment of the Obaseki administration in repositioning sports in the state.
He also commended the state government for its financial commitment to Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.
Erharuyi, however, requested that an institution that will improve the academic knowledge of sportsmen and women be created in the state.
"There is the need for the provision of more medical facilities, personnel, drugs, computers in the stadium, as well as provision of utility vehicles to convey sports men and women to venues of competitions,'' he said.
The union leader added that sports activities should be revived at the Afuze Games Village.
"We also suggest that the state government should acquire the Etete Indoor Sports Hall from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports for a more effective usage,'' he said.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with Northern traditional rulers and charged them to always speak up against hate speeches and divisive voices in their respective domains.
In his opening remarks at the meeting held at the old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo said the meeting had become imperative in view of a spate of divisive statements in recent weeks, pitching the South-East against the North.
He maintained that the divisive rhetoric and agitations were unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal.
"You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical.
"The reason for these series of meetings is well known to all of us; it became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitching the South-East against the North.
"We are all aware of the so-called 'ultimatum' issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region.
"Before then, there was the clamour, and it's still on-going, by some south-eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria at all costs and by any means.
"In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together, and that these hate-filled and divisive rhetoric and agitations are unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal. And I would like to reiterate that today." he said. The acting president said that the traditional rulers had a great role to play in checking the divisive tendencies in the country.
He stressed that Nigeria had already seen enough violence and bloodshed during its history. According to him, the price of Nigeria's unity has already been paid with the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians lost. Recalling President Muhammadu Buhari's commitment to one Nigeria from his experience in the military, Osinbajo said that Buhari fought side by side with Nigerians of every tribe and faith.
The acting president said: "We must protect each other, put our lives on the line for each other; we were brothers even in the face of death. This is the type of nation we must maintain.
"As royal fathers and leaders, I think you will agree with me that we all have a role to play in countering the voices of divisiveness, and the elements who seek to take us down a bloody path.
"Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion.''
Osinbajo assured the traditional rulers that the "government is not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations in parts of the country. "Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances. But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain.
"I would like to assure you all that we are here to listen and to answer, and, very importantly, to reassure everyone that we are committed to the unity of Nigeria, and that upon the foundation of that unity we can together build a prosperous and great country.''
He urged all Nigerians never take the nation's diversity for granted, saying the fullness of the nation's strength "actually lies in that diversity.
"And we must wield that diversity, not as divisive tool, but instead as a binding agent.
"As we round up these consultations tomorrow with a meeting with governors, it is clear to me that we are all resolved to by words, conduct and action, promote the unity of our dear nation." he said
He, however, assured that the government would ensure that "the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria's territorial integrity and that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the country''.
While thanking the traditional rulers for their unyielding cooperation and support, Osinbajo prayed that almighty God would continue to give them the wisdom and the strength to preside over their Kingdoms and the good health to reign long and reign well.
Among those who attended the meeting included the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi and the Etsu Nupe, AlhajiYahaya Abubakar.
Others were, Alhaji Muhammed Isah Muhammed, theEmir of Jama'a in Kaduna State; Justice Lawal Hassan, the Emir of Gummi; the Coordinator of the Northern traditional rulers council, Sakaruyi of Karo Dr. Emmanuel Kyauta, and the representative of the Emir of Katsina, Prof. Sani Lugga ,the Waziri Katsina.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari; Alhaji Mustapha Agwai II, Emir of Lafia in Nasarawa State; Alhaji Kyari Umar El-Kanemi, Shehu of Bama representing Shehu of Borno and the Gbong Gwon Jos, Jacob Buba Jang, also attended the meeting.
Also at the meeting were Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, Emir of Gombe; Ndakwo Ameh Oboni II,Attah Igala,Kogi State; Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali, the Emir of Fika inYobe;, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed Muhammed Emir of Anka in Zamfara and Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv.
Alhaji Adamu Baba Yinusa, theEmir of Abaji,FCT; the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonaya Onu; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau; National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, and Speaker of the House of Representatives,Yakubu Dogara also attended the meeting.
The Acting president on Sunday met with traditional rulers from the South- East in continuation of his on-going consultative meetings with leaders of thought across the country.
Osinbajo will on Wednesday meet with the 36 governors of the federation as part of the on-going consultative meetings with stakeholders in the "Project Nigeria"
UMUAHIA— The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has berated the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, for saying that actions by its members were a violation of Nigeria's constitution.
A statement issued in Umuahia Tuesday and signed by its publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful said, the acting president is being deceived by the very cabals who deceived President Muhammadu Buhari to issues threat messages against its members, a situation IPOB said also made Buhari to fail as Nigeria's president.
Nnamdi Kanu looking at his Biafra supporters from the balcony of his father’s palace
The statement also said that Nigeria, having ratified the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, cannot, therefore, have its constitution overriding or superseding the international charter.
Maintaining that all it is asking for is self determination through internationally recognised instrument of referendum or plebiscite, IPOB also advised Prof. Osinbajo and those it called "few rented saboteurs and uneducated public commentators to stop the perverse insinuation" that the Biafra agitation is a demand for war.
The statement read thus:
"We the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu condemn unequivocally the distasteful statement credited to the Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, to the effect that Biafra agitators who through the instrumentality of IPOB are exercising their God-given and inalienable right to self determination, is in violation of the provisions of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
"For such a statement to escape the lips of a learned fellow like Prof. Osinbajo confirms the widely held view that African leaders lack the mental capacity and discipline to operate a constitutional democracy in a modern world.
"If the corrupt ruling class in Nigeria cannot distinguish between those rights that are sacrosanct, such as freedom of association and freedom of expression under which IPOB operates, then the entire political edifice in Nigeria is a monumental mess. "It is very shameful that a professor of law cannot situate the Nigeria constitution within the context and meaning of the right to self determination as recognized in international law.
"Somebody should please draw the attention of Professor Yemi Osibanjo to the provisions of the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which Nigeria ratified and went ahead to domesticate into her local laws.
"How can a professor of law threaten jail term for those exercising their right to self determination under laws adopted and ratified by Nigeria? This confirms again the widely held view that legal practice in Nigeria is one almighty joke.
"We are challenging Prof. Osinbajo to show the whole world how, where and when IPOB committed this offence he alluded to since the inception of the current phase of the agitation. "The criminal political cabal that led President Buhari astray on the issue of Biafra agitation are at it again. By assuring Osinbajo that threatening language, mass arrests, illegal detention, killings and brutal crackdown will frighten IPOB into submission, this same group of corrupt criminals are setting up Osinbajo to fail the same way they caused Buhari's failure.
"If Osinbajo continues to heed their evil counsel by using threatening language when addressing IPOB, he will end up a failure like Buhari.
"Nigeria must understand how ready we are to go to prison. They should build more illegal detention facilities because we cannot stop agitating for our right to self determination until the Nigerian Government accepts the need for a date for referendum on the question of Biafra.
"Professor Yemi Osibanjo should have consulted superior legal minds to advice him before coming on air to make such misleading comments. The Nigerian Constitution and its provisions cannot supersede international charters and treaties freely entered into by the Nigerian state where such treaties appear to render null and void the obnoxious provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
"Those that wrongly advised Prof. Osinbajo to embark upon the citation of the ill conceived constitutional reference to the indissolubility of the Nigeria should refer to the landmark Nigerian Supreme Court judgment on the case of Abacha Vs. Fawehinmi.
United Nations charter on the rights of indigenous people and African charter which was ratified and signed by Nigeria is still in place till today and overrides the Nigerian Constitution on the rights for the indigenous people to the self determination.
"We are warning the vocal few rented saboteurs and uneducated public commentators in Nigeria to stop the perverse insinuation that Biafra agitation is all about war. IPOB is not asking for war, rather what we are asking for is self determination and the only way to achieve that is through the internationally recognized instrument of referendum or plebiscite"
El Rufai insists on arrest of Northern youths The governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Ruai has vowed that no matter how long it takes, the Kaduna state government will arrest and prosecute leaders of the Coalition of Northern youths that gave Igbo three months notice to quit the north.
This came on a day that the President General of Igbo in the 19 northern states and Abuja said no Igbo would leave the northern part of the country.
Addressing a gathering of Igbo Northern traditional rulers who paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna, governor El Rufai said Kaduna state has no room for hate speech and would ensure that those who perpetrate such are brought to book .
According to the governor, Kaduna state government has a duty to ensure that those who fan embers of disunity in the State in the State are made accountable for their actions.
“Nobody can come to Kaduna state and say this nonsense. It is hate speech that kills. We are trying people for that. We have a duty to arrest them and put them before a judge. We will tell them that they cannot do that in Kaduna. We will go after them. They have gone underground. There may be reluctance on the part of some people to arrest them but we will arrest them” he said.
Governor El Rufai said though some people in the South east especially members of the Indigenous people of Biafra may have said some provocative things, “Two wrongs do not make a right”.
The governor admitted that though the federation may have some challenges, breaking up was not an option.
“Breaking up into small enclaves is not a solution. It is short sighted and only illiterates behave like that. We all need Nigeria. It is from Nigeria that we can be better. Our federation is not a true federation but the solution is not to break Into small enclaves” he said.
He called on Igbo leaders to rein in their youths, promising that the Kaduna state government was taking steps to ensure that every Nigerian living in 5he state was safe and secure.
“we will do whatever we will do to protect every body in Kaduna State. We are watching every body. Every Nigerian in Kaduna state is safe. We will do whatever we can to protect you. Relax, continue your normal lives. Nothing will happen” he said.
In his remarks, the president General of Igbo In the northern states and Abuja, Chief Chikezie Nwogwu said Igbo have made tremendous contribution to the north and are not going anywhere.
Why expressing appreciation to the governor for his support, the President General said Nigeria was better off as one indivisible country.
He however called on the government to address some of the underlying factors that have led to the agitations in different parts of the country.
“We are not in support of division. We are saying that things should be done right” he said.
In continuation of its committment to a pain free Nigeria, tagged: Dexa Medica has launched its Pain Free Day campaign in Ogun State. The launch of the campaign which is part of Dexa Medica’s effort to improve consumers’ lives attracted consumers from different works of life.
Speaking at the launch in Ibafo, Ogun state, Boska Brand Executive, Mr. Tunde Ojedokun, noted that approximately 90 percent of work locations visited by the team across the nation revealed that Nigerians are involved in various types of strenuous tasks. "It has also been proven that consumers often engage in strenuous activities directly or indirectly but rarely prioritize their health because of the huge cost associated with health checks. We have a strong track record of developing superior quality drugs that have helped consumers measurably improve their health.
Participants benefitted from different medical screening including ear and nose defects, distribution of drugs and focal glasses for eye correction.
The beneficiaries were also educated on how to live stress-free.
To develop a cohort of healthcare leaders in the public and private health sector, Healthcare Leadership Academy, HLA, is holding its third cohort of Healthcare Executives Leadership Programme (HELP) as part of its determination to positively transform organisations for better medical outcomes among others. HELP is a one-year fellowship programme designed to respond to the learning and career development needs of senior healthcare executives such as Chief Medical Directors, Heads of Clinical Services, Heads of large hospital departments, and Chairmen of Medical Advisory Committees.
In a press statement made available to Good Health Weekly, Executive Team Lead, Healthcare Leadership Academy, Dr. Hala Daggash said the Institution brings together an excellent faculty of highly skilled academics and thought leaders with years of experience working successfully with, and building the capacity of, senior healthcare practitioners, managers and policymakers.
"Our faculty members include experts from institutions that are recognized for their excellence both locally and internationally such as the Lagos Business School, Duke University and Judge Business School University of Cambridge.
"The curriculum focuses on building capabilities in four core areas: Financial Management, Leadership and Organisational Development, Population Health and Health Systems as well as Quality Improvement in Leadership."
He further explained that the curriculum is delivered using the best of teaching approaches in executive education. "Participants are taught through a combination of lectures, facilitated discussions, and case based learning using cases that illustrate current realities healthcare executives are faced with as they manage institutions in Africa.
Interested participants are to apply before 14th July, 2017, through our website www.hlaafrica.org or email admissions@hlaafrica.org. Successful applicants will be offered full scholarships for tuition only.
Noting that the programme was to tackle the developmental gap in the health sector, he said the gaps are evident by the low productivity, skill set of their healthcare workers and the poor financial health of the institutions they manage. "It is however, unsurprising as not only is leadership instruction underrepresented in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, clinical expertise is often the main determinant for occupation of healthcare leadership roles. The HLA recognises these challenges and was established to respond to them.
—–Embarks on further restructuring of electricity sector By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJ – ACTING President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday stated that government will soon release a second tranche of the N701 billion for Power Assurance Guarantee approved by the Federal Executive Council in March this year for the Bulk Electricity Trading NBET, Plc.
This is as government has said that it was set to embark on a broader restructuring of the electricity sector to achieve a more systematic development in renewable energy.
The Federal Government had through NBET earlier this month released the first tranche of about N12billion to 10 GenCos from the N701billion intervention fund.
Prof. Osinbajo who disclosed this at the inaugural event of the Nigerian Renewable Energy Roundtable organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, said it was expected that the release of the funds would free up the value chain that had created several problems of its own.
He said government was exploring investment opportunities for revolving funds for solar and other renewable sources of energy to break the deadlock of electricity market structures through competitions and ensure that renewable energy becomes an engine of growth for Nigeria's economy.
According to him, government will partner with the private sector, to create the framework for real-world business cases by developing standardized (and certified) technology packages, standardised contracts and a toolkit for energy cooperatives (with technical, institutional, financing and legal elements).
Prof Osinbajo said, "We hope that this injection will help. We are also looking at several other reforms in the sector hoping that the market can become self sustaining, independent and run on its own and free up all of the private sector energy that is waiting to come into the market.”
"We want to embark on a broader restructuring of the electricity sector and strive to achievement a more systematic development power market design especially for the renewable energy.”
He further stressed the need for the relevant authorities to come up with a framework that brings together all stakeholders towards ensuring that renewable energy becomes a real engine of growth for the Nigerian economy.
He said, "We have mentioned several of the plans, the power sector plans and so many of those initiatives. The latest is to break the gridlock in the liquidity of the entire electricity value chain and so our payment assurance system of over N701 billion has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and in fact the first payment has been made we are on to make up the second payment.
"We hope that we free up that value chain which has created several problems of its own and we hope that this injection will help. We are also looking at several other reforms in the sector hoping that the market can become self sustaining, independent and run on its own and free up all of the private sector energy that is waiting to come into the market.
"We also need to explore the opportunities for revolving funds for solar PV/wind projects as well as opportunities for other investment remuneration mechanisms.
“It is also very important that we break the deadlock of electricity market structures by exploring the options to transform the "competition for markets" approach, continue to embark on a broader restructuring of the electricity sector and strive to achieve a more systematic development of the power market design, especially for renewable energy."
The Acting President also noted that as a multi-stakeholder platform, the Nigerian Renewable Energy Roundtable, has its work cut out for it, which is to champion this new vision for renewable energy and ensure that we can translate theory to practice for the greater good of the people of Nigeria.
He said, "To do that, we need a framework that brings and keeps all stakeholders together towards ensuring that renewable energy becomes an engine of growth for Nigeria's economy.”
Osinbajo said it was the plan of the administration to expand the Solar Home System program to 1 million households, creating a few more million jobs and that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was interested in lighting up more rural communities like Wuna, an agrarian village in the Gwagalada Local Government Council of Abuja, which until two years ago was not on national grid and had no other source of light.
He disclosed that the indigenes relied on an entrepreneur with a small generator to charge their phones for a fee.
He said in collaboration with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the government was able to provide a sustainable renewal energy solution solar through end to end solution, including a pay-as-you-go system.
“I was in Wuna to see it for myself. For the first time in their existence, the village now has running water, solar powered. The school has power and the school hall is now used as a community hall in the evenings. Each home has 4 points of light.
“Children can now stay up and do some studying at night. Many of Wuna’s women can now process their millet and yams at night. New jobs have been created, solar installers, maintenance, payment systems and so on.
"One guy has lost his business in Wuna. The phone charger. Every household can now charge their phones. But he now charges phones of residents of other villages. We are doing 20,000 more homes in this first phase of this exercise and a Pay-as-you-go system to 20,000 households to provide access to lighting and electric power for small devices.
“The plan is to expand the Solar Home System program to 1 million households, creating a few more million jobs.”
Earlier in his goodwill message, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Ajayi Boroface expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to partner with the Executive arm and come up with the necessary legislation that will create the enabling environment to exploit these resources effectively for the development of the country.
Senator Boroface attributed the difficulty in implementing government programmes in the energy sector to lack of the necessary policy and institutional framework as well as the political will of the leadership of the country.
The lawmaker however expressed optimism, stating that the presence of the Acting President at the energy roundtable would go a long way to drive the sector for the benefit of the country.
“I have no doubt that we have at the helm of affairs in this country the able leadership that can drive this sector. I am happy that the acting president is here personally.
“I have been around in the system for a very long time. And I know that the difficulty in implementing some of the laudable programmes of government is the lack of political will of the leadership. The presence here of the acting president of the federal republic of Nigeria is a clear demonstration of the political will to support this policy,” he said.
Also in her goodwill, Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Science and technology, Beni Lar noted electricity is a basic tool that drives industrialization, technological advancement, engineering transformation and economic growth all over the world.
The lawmaker said without power the country will achieve nothing, even as she acknowledged the situation in the Nigerian power sector which, according to her, is one that seems to have defied every effort to resuscitate it from the state of dilapidation.
“The country in a bid to solve the problems in this sector has applied several methods and exploited many avenues possible. But nothing seems to have yielded the desired result,”
Lar however assured that the House of Representatives was on the verge of legislating on a bill to amend the energy commission act of Nigeria as well as regulate the renewable energy sector among others in the country .
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Kyari Bukar, said that the cost comparison of the electricity generation in Nigeria reveals that renewables are one of the strongest options for Nigeria…i.e. Biomass, hydropower are currently competitive with oil and gas despite there being higher investment risks.
He said renewable energy are at present fully competitive with conventional generation, adding that the debate on the need to diversify the economy cannot be over emphasized.
He noted that the principal challenge amongst a myriad of other constraints is the demand for energy required to positively impact productivity in Nigeria.
According to him, while the energy commission of Nigeria predicts that the energy demand will increase exponentially by 2030. current generating capacity of about 4,000 MW for a population of 170million clearly demonstrates that Nigeria is facing an energy crisis.
He listed six expectations from the Nigeria energy renewal round table to include:
“First is the establishment of regular renewable business dialogue platform with renewal energy experts and rural electrification agencies to fine turn action plans assign tasks, monitor progress against targets.
“Secondly, design and adopt finance instruments to attract high quality solar companies to invest in off grid projects with hopes that in doing so, we can have at least five solar companies for commencement of installations of at least 500 SMEs solutions, in January or February, 2018.
“Three, encourage innovations, research, development for made in Nigeria renewable energy products and applications.
“Four, Scale up donor support for large scale training programs for renewable energy technicians bases on the already existing plans developed by the Nigerian energy support program with the goal to include all vocational training of the 11 existing training facilities by December, 2017.
“Five, agree with the federal ministry of finance for tax rates, Customs facilitations given the roles that renewable energy plays in reviving local economies and thus increasing taxes revenues for the economy. This can be done by reviewing the VAT and tariffs as the Kenyan experience and elsewhere shows that the elimination of that import duties and tariffs significantly boost the growth of renewable energy markets as well as zero percent corporate income tax For say, a period of five years for off grid operations of renewable companies. In this regards, there needs to be further clarifications of the practical implications of the zero duty regulation contained in Nigeria’s renewable.
“Six, work with the Standards organization of Nigeria and other organizations to stop substandard renewable energy products from proliferating in Nigeria by enforcing quality control along practical gains. It is imperative though to state here that this will not be an easy task. As all countries have their own dynamics to consider in term of implementing renewable energy policy and transition.”
I was fresh out of the university when I found myself pregnant at age 22. I didn't want to get married, but my boyfriend then was 30 years old and persuaded me we should get married for the child's sake. The marriage turned out to be a nightmare as he became controlling and violent. I endured his abuse for 15 years and with three children, I finally found the courage to leave him – thanks to my best friend's encouragement.
I was to finally go to the house to collect the rest of my things and my friend agreed to go with me for moral support. Unfortunately, she arrived before I got there. My husband was in, in spite of his telling me he wouldn't be around. He invited my friend in to wait for me and attacked her almost immediately, raping her in the process. When I eventually turned up, we both went to the police and got him arrested. Later, relatives and friends convinced us to drop the charges because of the children.
My friend never spoke to me again and as soon as she could, she got transferred to another state. If I'd left my ex sooner, my friend might never have gone through the nasty experience of being violated. I blame myself for the trauma she went through.
Rukayat, by e-mail.
Dear Rukayat,
I'm sorry for what happened to your best friend and it is sad you were unable
to be reconciled before she relocated. Please know that what happened to her was
not your doing. You are a victim just as she was and you need support in realising this. You did the best you could by reporting the incident.
You've lost your best friend as well as your marriage. You need counselling
to get over your losses and make the most of your life as the single parent you now are.
Many know actress Maryam Charles to be a quiet and unassuming woman who usually doesn't speak much about her personal life but judging by a recent photo she shared recently, it appears she is ready to start making '
Maryam Charles and her man
As recently, the light skinned actress was spotted posing cozily with a mystery man who is allegedly based out of the country.
This is a tad surprising because Maryam had said severally that she was not involved in any relationship with anyone. Perhaps this new man is worth the trouble hence her desire to show him off.
Also, recall that Maryam earlier this year had insisted that in a few years, Nollywood will surpass Hollywood.
She said: "Nollywood can only get better at this point because everyone is stepping up their game. I'm a practitioner in this industry so I know what I am saying. No one wants to entertain mediocrity anymore and that is the only thing that can stop the industry from moving forward. And now that everyone is adopting a higher standard in their works, Nollywood will soon surpass Hollywood."
I've discovered that when I'm in a relationship with a guy, I always lose myself. Once I fall in love, everyone and everything else ceases to be important.
Invariably, the guy dumps me because I suffocate him and then I have to grovel to get my friends to forgive me for ignoring them.
I'm well aware of doing it and try to stop myself but it doesn't work. I'm currently single and want to solve this before getting a new boyfriend and start the whole process again.
Dear Precious,
We all tend to disappear off the face of the earth when we first find someone we think is delicious. That's normal. What's not normal is letting any man kidnap us from our career, friends and family, over and over again.
I think your problem is two-fold. First, it sounds like you're not just looking for a loving relationship but an escape from the life you're in.
If you loved your job, your friends and everything about your life, you wouldn't be so quick to drop them the minute some guy came along. Look at changes you can make to your life that will make you happy.
The second issue is that age old problem psychologist call "abandonment".
Looks like someone you love abandoned you (a partner or a past lover?) or you saw it happen to someone. This may explain why you feel you need to cling so tight.
Now that you have recognised this flaw in your relationship, you need to talk openly
about this with trusted friends and ask them to give you a wake-up call whenever
I am a divorced mother of two children. Three years ago, I met a man through work and he later told me he was unhappy in his marriage. We started an affair and he became happier and fun to be with. He also contributed a lot towards the upkeep of the house.
Towards the end of last year, he had an almighty row with his wife and came to stay with me. It was supposed to be until he sorted things out with his wife. But now he doesn't want to go back to his wife and wants to get a divorce so he could be with me. I never asked him to leave his wife and I'm not sure I want a permanent relationship for now. As things are now, I'm being accused of being a marriage wrecker, as if it's all my fault. Is it too late to tell him to go back to his wife?
Bella, by e-mail.
Dear Bella,
The longer your lover stays with you the more difficult it would be for him to
go back to his wife. After being away for so long from his matrimonial home, his
wife could have moved on and might be enjoying her freedom. Things might be
different if he'd only been gone a month or two. They might be able to patch things up.
And don't kid yourself that you're blameless – you've played your part in the
break-up of a family. You can't turn back time, but if you end things now, your lover might be able to savage something of his marriage.
I’ve been with the father of my three children for 13 years, but we only got married three years ago.
I love my husband and I thought that after so long together, he would be happy to settle down for good. He has cheated on me several times in the past and I thought he would have sown all his wild oats by getting married.
I was therefore shocked to discover recently that he has been receiving and sending text messages, and making calls on his mobile to my best friend who was also my chief bridesmaid.
When I confronted my husband, he admitted that there was an attraction between him and her, but that they never took things further. I'm so angry and upset that I feel physically sick. I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Jemimah, by e-mail.
Dear Jemimah,
You're right to be outraged. An affair between your husband and supposed
best friend is a double betrayal by two of the people you need to trust the most. You must put a stop to this painful uncertainty.
Philandering men have always betrayed their partners almost as a matter of habit. This has nothing to do with the fact that another woman is specially attractive to them, but simply because she is a flirt, and they believe that such affairs are right.
Now that you've married this man, you must fight to protect the bond you have formed.
Confront your husband and best friend so as to know how far they've gone
and if love-making was involved. Then let them know you cannot tolerate or accept their betrayal.
Let your so called friend know she's no longer welcome in your matrimonial home and let your spouse know how much of this mindless philandering you can take. There are the children to consider apart from his selfish needs.
Video shows thousands of Biafra supporters gather in front of their leader Nnamdi Kanu’s father’s palace shouting “give us Biafra.” What do you think? Type your comments below.
German outfit RB Leipzig and Austrian champions Salzburg, both owned by energy drinks giant Red Bull, will be allowed to play in next season’s Champions League, UEFA confirmed on Tuesday.
RB Leipzig
The possibility of one of the teams being forbidden from competing in Europe’s elite club competition had been raised because they have the same owner.
But UEFA said in a statement that their Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) had ruled that there was no breach of regulations on the integrity of the competition in allowing them to play.
“Following a thorough investigation, and further to several important governance and structural changes made by the clubs (regarding corporate matters, financing, personnel, sponsorship arrangements, etc.), the CFCB deemed that no individual or legal entity had anymore a decisive influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition,” said the statement.
RB Leipzig qualified automatically for the group stage after finishing second behind champions Bayern Munich in their first ever season in the top flight of the German Bundesliga.
Salzburg have just won a fourth consecutive Austrian league and cup double. They will be aiming to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time.
Elder Statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu on Tuesday expressed sadness over the current status of the Federal Secretariat in Lagos and other abandoned and surplus assets of the Federal Government in the State, urging that the assets be returned to the State Government for effective and proper usage.
Okunnu, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja while presenting the report of a Special Committee which he chaired set up by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Federal Government Assets in the State.
He said the whole of Ikoyi, Banana Island, Osborne Foreshore, Festac Town, Satellite Town, Trade Fair, among others belonged to Lagos State Government, and title of the lands were vested in the Governor of the State, urging the Federal Government to handover the assets to the State Government.
Okunnu said the issue of Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi was particularly saddening to him for the fact that it was during his tenure as Federal Commissioner for Works that the structure was constructed.
"Federal Secretariat gives me sadness because I built it when I was the Federal Commissioner for Works. The land upon which the secretariat is situated is part of the Crown land now State land. The title is vested in Lagos State but when he was Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier General Omobola Johnson (Rtd) agreed to release that land to Federal Government when they wanted to build Federal Secretariat.
"Today, I don't like to pass through that side because it gives me sadness anytime I see it in the current state.
"It is not only the quarters but the land on which many of these buildings in the areas are situate. In our Committee, We have tried to argue that the whole of Ikoyi with the boundary at Lagos Canal standing between Ikoyi Island and Lagos Island, title to the whole of the Island is vested in the government of Lagos State when Lagos became Crown Colony. The whole of Ikoyi including Osborn Foreshore, Banana Island, and others belong to the State Government," Okunnu said.
Going down memory lane, Okunnu said the title to the whole of Festac Town was vested in the Government of Lagos State and that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) remained the tenant of the State Government, same as Trade Fair.
"Lagos State Government acquired the Land of the Trade Fair site but Federal Government took over the land and gave a promise to pay the state compensation which was to be paid to the original owners of the land but that compensation was not paid. Today, the Trade Fair has been turned into market far from the original purpose intended.
"Satellite Town too is vested in Lagos State. It is the Federal Government which should prove title to any land which it claims to own in Lagos State, but I will like to urge the Federal Government to return the lands to the State Government," Okunnu said.
He said during the course of the Committee findings, several government agencies were contacted including Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, as well as Ministry of Defence, among others, expressing optimism that the State Government and the Federal Government would find a lasting solution to the issue.
"We hope that discussions between Lagos State Government and Federal Government over Federal Government lands and state lands within Lagos, as well as over disuse or surplus lands which Federal Government especially Defence and Prisons are still occupying in Lagos, and are now surplus to requirement, will be held to settle this palaver once and for all," Okunnu said.
Responding after receiving the report, Governor Ambode commended members of the Committee which included Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; Partner of SimmonsCooper, Mrs Victoria Alonge, among others, for the painstaking efforts put into the report, saying that their passion in ensuring that the State Government recovers its lands, buildings as well as disputed quarters were very much appreciated.
He said the report came at a time when the State Government was in dire need of space for developmental projects that would improve the socio-economic wellbeing of its residents in line with the realities of present times, adding that such projects, when embarked upon, would help to reflate the economy and improve the GDP of the State.
He said: "It is our hope that this initiative will put an end to the long-standing dispute between Federal and Lagos State Governments over the Federal Government disused lands and buildings and disputed quarters in various parts of the State which are no longer in use for the purposes for which they were originally released to the Federal Government
"We are hopeful that this report will get favorable response from the Federal Government especially given the fact that the Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) was a passionate advocate of this issue during his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State and is also now a representative of Lagos State in the Federal Cabinet."
Besides, Governor Ambode directed members of the Committee to move further by mediating between the State and the Federal Government on how the assets would be released to Lagos State.
A Financial Expert, Mr Akintunde Sowunmi has expressed concern over the strategy the Federal Government has mapped out to finance the N2.36 billion deficit in the 2017 budget.
Sowunmi, who is the Lead Financial Consultant for the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
Newsmen recall that the 2017 budget has an expenditure outlay of N7.44 trillion.
A breakdown showed that N434.41 billion would be spent on statutory transfers, N1.66 trillion on debt servicing, N177.46 to retire certain maturing bonds, N2.99 trillion on non-debts recurrent, and N2.36 trillion on capital expenditure.
To finance this, the Federal Government said it expected to generate N2.12 trillion from oil revenue and N2.96 trillion from non-oil avenues.
About 11 per cent of the expected revenues, which is N558.8 billion is to come from recovered loots and misappropriated funds.
This brings the total projected revenue to N5.08 trillion, leaving a deficit of N2.36 trillion.
The budget deficit is to be financed mainly through borrowings and N2.32 trillion is expected to be sourced externally, while N1.25 trillion will be sourced locally.
Sowunmi said borrowing N1.25 trillion from local sources, especially the banking sector, would make it difficult for private businesses to also get credit.
In view of this, he advised government to lean more toward foreign borrowings, adding that it was easier for them to get foreign loans than private businesses.
"I am concerned that the bulk of the deficit will be financed by internal sources and that will significantly crowd out the private sector.
"Government is a big borrower and banks stand to benefit more by doing business with them, so it affects the private sector.
"Entrepreneurs and industrialists who are looking for funds from the market are likely to face challenges because a chunk of the funds will be in government hands to finance the budget deficit.
"The government needs to look elsewhere, particularly the capital market, to raise long term funds to finance infrastructure and they should borrow much more from external sources and leave local borrowing to the private sector,'' he said.
Sowunmi commended the Federal Government's decision to use N10 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of more than 65 roads and bridges to enhance transportation system in the country.
"We are curious to see the implementation of the 2017 budget, since it is the first budget since the Federal Government inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
"It will show us how serious indeed the government is in revamping and growing the economy,'' he said.
The Kingdom of Norway on Tuesday assured that it would deploy necessary resources to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver on its mandate.
The Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Mr Jens-Petter Kjemprud, gave the assurance when he visited the INEC's headquarters in Abuja.
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement quoted Kjemprud as commending INEC and Nigerians for the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.
The ambassador also commended the commission for the steps taken so far to improve the electoral process.
INEC
He invited the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and his team to observe the Norwegian Parliamentary Elections and undertake a Study Tour of the country between Sept. 6 and Sept.13.
Accepting the invitation, Yakubu said that the INEC had always been interested in observing elections in older democracies like Norway, to learn useful lessons.
He stated that the commission was working towards making the 2019 general elections better than that of 2015.
Yakubu said there were 70 million registered voters currently on the Voter Register, while no fewer than 1,040,000 Nigerians had so far registered in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
"We now have 45 political parties. We used to have 40 political parties, but five have just been registered, while there are 103 pending applications.
"We don't know how many more we are going to register, but we are a multi-party democracy and all associations that meet the criteria for registration will be registered," Yakubu added.
Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo bidding farewell to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu (l) while the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (r) and others looked on after the meeting.From the left, Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar Ilyasu; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido and the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Ayatse in a group photograph after the meeting.Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo bidding farewell to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III (l) while the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido (2l) and the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (r) looked on after the meeting.Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo (m) flanked by Traditional Rulers from the North in a group photograph after the meeting.The etsu Nupe, Yahya Abubakar briefing journalists after the meeting.Cross section of Palace Guards waiting to escort their bosses aftre the meeting.
