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Abuja – Major stakeholders in banking and finance, on Monday disagreed with the Senate over its proposed amendment of laws on the regulation and supervision of Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) in the country. *Dr.(Mrs.) Kate Okpareke on behalf of the Word of Life Bible Church/Eagle Flight Microfinance Bank Limited presents the key of a brand new car to Oghi Peter.
They said that what the bank needed was re-modelling of its operations to function effectively and not amendment of laws regulating its operations.
The stakeholders included the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
They made the position known at a Public Hearing organised by Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions in Abuja.
The hearing was on three Bills one of which is "Bill for an Act to make provisions for the licensing, regulation and supervision of microfinance business in Nigeria and for related purposes, 2017.''
It includes "Bill was a bill for an Act to amend motor vehicle third party insurance Act, 2004 to facilitate the accomplishment of the objectives of compulsory third party insurance and for related matters, 2017.''
In his submission, CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, argued that the Bills were unnecessary.
He said that if licensing, regulatory and supervisory roles which were traditional obligations of CBN was now given to the ministry or NDIC through planned amendment, it may cause serious conflict in the nation's financial system operations.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Mr Johnson Akinkunmi, Emefiele said that the power to license banks lay with the CBN.
He added that no other government agency or ministry was empowered under the law to assume power to supervise banks, determine their licences and appoint self as liquidator.
"The Bills attempted to demarcate Micro Finance Banks into two – those that take deposit and those that do not, and hope to be regulated by the Ministry of Finance.
"This will cause conflict because the CBN has power of regulating banks.
"Another major problem that the Bill will cause is that some categories of Micro Finance Banks will be regulated by the Ministry of Finance and some by the CBN.
"This is unhealthy and very unnecessary. There is no reason to carve out deposit insurance for micro-finance outside the NDIC," he said.
Emefiele charged the Senate to look at the challenges to assist in addressing them rather than amendment of the Act.
According to him, the policy and strategic direction is the legal framework that will make Micro-Finance Banks function effectively.
Similarly, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, agreed with the CBN Governor and said that the ministry was not asking for powers to supervise banks.
Adeosun was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Dutse.
In his submission, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr Ismaila Zakari, appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly toward strengthening Nigeria's financial system.
"We also appreciate the National assembly for empowering Nigerians for economic freedom and boosting the gross domestic product of Nigeria, among other numerous laudable initiatives," he said.
He said that the body had identified a number of gaps in the proposed Act and made recommendations.
"For instance, ICAN suggested amendment to Section 30 (a) of the proposed Act, which states that `no one shall be appointed as external auditor of an institution if such person is not qualified under the Companies and Allied Matters Act'".
Making reference to Section 41 of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011, ICAN stated that in that section, external auditors must also be appointed in line with the Act.
"Our observation is that a professional is functioning as an auditor to a micro finance institution does not imply that he or she uses fiduciary information obtained in the course of his/her audit for any other purposes," he said. (NAN)
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is billed to declare open the 16th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (Africa Region) event Tuesday in Abuja, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun said Monday night.
The conference which holds at the ECOWAS parliament is organized by the Nigerian National Assembly
Briefing Journalists, Lasun who chairs the organizing committee said that the conference was a biannual event that brings together speakers and presiding officers of various parliaments in Africa to cross-fertilize ideas on issues of common interest.
He however said that the conference would not disrupt the normal sessions and proceedings of the House.
According to him, the House would commence voting on the constitutional amendment reports as well as the consideration of a virement request made by the Acting President on the 2017 budget.
He said: “The conference is exclusively for Speakers and Presiding Officers. As I speak now, there is a 3 member committee and the meeting is going on in the office of the Speaker – finalizing for the programme and planning for the future country that would host the conference.
“The Speaker is the chairperson of the conference, at the same time, he is the one representing West Africa on the executive body which is supposed to be made up of 4 members including himself.
“Tomorrow (today) our normal plenary session will go on and I’m likely going to come back here and preside.
“But before we adjourned last week, we made everybody aware that we are going to vote on the report of the Constitution Review Committee, so on Wednesday and Thursday, almost all the programmes of this conference will be shifted to afternoon, that indulgence has been granted to us. So, we will be here to do the normal voting on the constitution and, of course, as the chairman of the Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, I have to be on ground to present the report and answer questions on the floor, and since both of us cannot be absent from duty, the Speaker too has to be there to preside over the consideration of the report.
“Don’t forget too that besides voting on the constitution amendment, we are also going to deliberate on the virement proposal for the 2017 budget. So we have taken care of all these arrangements from our end just as our colleagues at the conference have also granted us that indulgence”.
Themed ” the presiding officers in a changing society”, the conference is expected to attract delegates who are expected to discuss various topics such as “Presiding Officers and the Principle of Non-Partisanship”; “the Presiding Officers and the Challenge of Managing an E-parliament”; to What Extent can Parliament Coexist with Non-State Actors in Policy Formulation and Legislation, and “Parliamentary Budget Offices, Towards Enhancing Legislative Capacity for Oversight and Scrutiny”, amongst others.
Lagos – The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Monday issued Certificates of Return to candidates elected in Saturday's poll.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won the chairmanship seats in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State.
The APC also won 369 councillorship seats while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won four seats, and Accord Party, three.
The LASIEC Chairman, retired Justice Ayotunde Phillips, who presented the certificates to the victorious candidates at the commission's head office, congratulated them on their success.
"I congratulate you and I urge you to see the victory as a call to service to make impact in your areas," she said.
Phillips expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the election and thanked all the parties for their cooperation.
The state chairman of the APC, Mr Henry Ajomale, who was at the presentation, commended the commission for the successful conduct of the election.
He said the performance of the APC in the polls clearly showed that the party was popular among Lagosians.
Ajomale said the party would continue to justify the confidence reposed in it by providing quality leadership to Lagos residents.
"The victory is a measure of our popularity; we will continue to provide quality leadership to justify the confidence reposed in us," he said.
Mr Toba Oke, chairman-elect for Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, said he was so happy at his election.
He said he would use the opportunity to improve the lives of the people in his area.
NAN reports that the atmosphere at the commission was carnival-like as the candidates came along with jubilant supporters to the event.
Lagos residents had on Saturday come out on the rainy day to elect the chairmen and councillors.
LASIEC had announced the results at the ward collation and local government collation centres.(NAN)
Adebayo Faleti has been described as a custodian of Yoruba culture whom every Yoruba son and daughter should emulate.
Mr. Dele Odunle, the National President, Theatre and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), stated this on Monday while reacting to the demise of Faleti, a renowned actor and broadcast journalist.
Pa Faleti, also a poet and author, died on Sunday morning in his home at Olororo area, Ojoo, Ibadan at the age of 86.
In an interview with newsmen, Odule said Pa Faleti was a custodian of culture who guarded Yoruba culture jealously, despite the fact that he studied French and English in the University.
"He believed so much in the development of Yoruba language and anything that have to do with Yoruba culture and done his best to promote the language and the culture.
Adebayo Faleti
"He was a disciplinarian, straightforward and gentleman who never condoned any act of hypocrisy; that was the reason for his uncommon high level of integrity and was being respected by all.
"Nigerians, especially Yoruba people, will miss Pa Faleti, who stood for the race and worked so much to ensure that we never lost the rich Yoruba culture.
"We urged those behind to imbibe the legacy of Pa Faleti to make Yoruba culture and language remain relevant,'' he said.
In his condolence message, Pastor Muyideen Kasali, of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry International, Ibadan, urged the family of the deceased to take solace in God.
Kasali called on parents to inspire rich Yoruba culture in their children and discourage them from immoral practices which have now become prevalent among youths.
He said promotion of Yoruba culture and language should be a priority to Yoruba elders "just as Pa Faleti did before his demise''.
Dozens of sympathisers were still seen at the premises of the 2-storey building of the late poet on monday.
Some women were seen weeping while men were in groups discussing about the sudden demise of Pa Faleti.
A family source said that a meeting would soon be held to plan a befitting burial for late Pa Faleti.
Abuja – The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted morning thunderstorms over the Central states of Yola, Abuja, Bida, Mambilla Plateau, Minna, Southern Kaduna and South of Jos on Tuesday.
NiMet's Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday in Abuja also predicted localised thunderstorms over the entire region later in the day.
It added that the central region would also have day and night temperatures in the range of 22 to 30 and 15 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that Southern states would experience morning thunderstorms over Obudu, Ogoja and Ikom with cloudy conditions over the inland of the southwest.
It also predicted intermittent rains and thunderstorms over the coastal states with day and night temperatures of 25 to 31 and 19 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience morning thunderstorm over Maiduguri, Bauchi, Yelwa and Gombe with localised thunderstorms over the entire region in the afternoon and even hours.
"The northern states will also have day and night temperatures in the ranges of 30 to 35 C and 22 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
"Moisture availability is expected to further spur formation of weather activities across the whole country in the next 24 hours,'' NiMet predicted. (NAN)
A statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, said the newly constituted council would be headed by a retired Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi.
According to the statement, Prof. Lai Olurode, Prof. Olaide Adedokun, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, Mr Isiaka Olagoke, Mr Tise Adenipekun and Bade Adesina would serve as members of the Governing council.
" Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his counterpart form Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, acted on the powers conferred on them by the laws establishing the institution as Visitors met and approved the immediate constitution of the Governing Council of LAUTECH
"The tenure of the Governing Council as mandated by the University Law shall be for four years from the date of its inauguration unless determined by the Visitors.
"Visitors have also directed the immediate inauguration of the Governing Council whose mandate shall also be guided by the provisions of the relevant laws establishing the university," the statement said.
According to the statement, the Visitors are confident that with this development, the ongoing crisis in the institution will be resolved soon.
"They consequently enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the newly constituted council in its determination to realise its mandate," it added.
Kano – Engr Rabi'u Haruna, the Chairman, Kano State Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has described telecommunication as a catalyst for Economic development in the country.
Haruna stated this on Monday in Kano during a one day sensitisation workshop organised by the Kano branch of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, (NIEEE).
According to him, the workshop was aimed at impacting knowledge to members of the engineering profession in the state to ensure the development of the country.
He added that the role of Telecommunications in boosting the country's economy can not be overemphasised.
The NSE boss therefore reaffirmed the association's commitment toward uplifting the engineering profession in the state in particular and the country at large.
Haruna called on the general public to always monitor the activities of vandals in their areas and immediately report them to the nearest security agents for prompt action.
The Chairman also called on the public to always consider telecommunication companies as partners in progress.
In a remark, the chairman of the NIEEE, Mr. Emmanuel Akinwole urged the participants to utilise the knowledge they acquired during the workshop to improve the country's telecommunications system. (NAN)
South West Governors on Monday met in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State where they expressed their resolve to forge ahead with the regional integration plan, especially in key sectors such as agriculture, security, economy, among others, in the overall benefit of the Yoruba nation.
All the Governors of the States in the region – Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Mr Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) were present at the meeting conveyed at the instance of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting with the theme: "Economic Self-Determination For Western Nigeria: The Export Alternative," and read by the host Governor, the Governors approved the setting up of a Joint Task Force and action to contain all forms of security threat in the region to guarantee safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people.
The Governors also declared zero tolerance for crime and criminality in the region henceforth.
While declaring that the artificial boundaries, religion and political affiliation would no longer constitute barrier to the region's development, the Governors also directed DAWN Commission to develop a 25-year Western Nigeria Development Master Plan, while all the States in the regions were encouraged to significantly improve bi-lateral and multi-lateral cooperation to foster regional development.
The Governors also resolved to harness the "competitive advantage of all the States in the region for sustainable regional development," while DAWN is to develop a revenue optimization strategy for States in the region.
In order to improve the food security of the region, the Governors directed DAWN to convene a regional Agric Summit to be held in Ibadan, while approval as given for the establishment of Western Nigeria Export Development Initiative to drive the export potentials of the region.
The Governors also directed that there should be synergy between DAWN Commission, Oodua Group and other critical stakeholders for a framework to drive the commercial and industrialization competitiveness of the region, while a Committee is to be set up to advance values and ethos as instrument of Yoruba uniqueness to strengthen the region's identity and unity of purpose.
Speaking earlier, Governor Ambode said the attendance of all the Governors of the region in the meeting was a clear manifestation of commitment to the economic and political integration of the region.
He particularly noted that the success of the integration initiative would not only be of immense benefit to the region, but would go a long way to actualize the growth and development of the country.
"On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I bring you good felicitation in Ogun State, my closest neighbor among the south-western States. I also believe strongly that what we are doing today is a manifestation of the desire of the six Governors to actualize the integration we have been talking about.
"I believe strongly that it is also imperative that the economic integration and political integration of our region is significant to the growth and development of Nigeria and we are happy to be in Ogun State," Governor Ambode said.
Besides, Governor Ambode commended his counterpart in Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his laudable works in the State.
Governor Ambode had last week visited Oyo and Osun States as part of the plan to actualize the economic integration of the South West.
Details of final results of Saturday's local government election in Lagos released by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Monday indicated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won four councillorship seats in the polls.
A statement issued by the commission 's Director of Publicity, Mr Oladapo Olatunde, indicated that Accord Party also won three councillorship seats in the election.
According to the statement, the PDP won the four councillorship seats in Agege Local Government Area (LGA) Ward C, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA)Ward A, Ikorodu LGA Ward G, and Oriade LCDA Ward A.
Accord Party won in Agege LGA Ward E, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Ward D and Shomolu/Kosofe Ward E.
Aside the seven councillorship seats, the All Progressives Congress swept all the chairmanship seats and the remaining 369 councillorship seats in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.
The analysis of the results showed that nine out of the 12 parties that participated in the election did not record any win.
The LASIEC chairman, retired Justice Ayotunde Phillips, according to the statement, congratulated all winners and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
She urged them to do so by making impact with their leadership in their respective areas.
Phillips thanked the political parties and their agents for the peaceful way they conducted themselves during the election.
The commission's Chairman also commended security agents for helping to maintain law and order during the election.
She thanked the media and civil society organisations that partnered the commission to conduct the polls.
Ayotunde said the election was largely successfully conducted, but admitted initial delays in the deployment of materials to polling units.
She attributed the delays to the downpour on the day of the polls, which affected easy movement of materials to polling units.
The chairman thanked all Lagosians for the support given to the commission to ensure successful conduct.
Mr. Jude Ndukwe, the aide to the former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has returned a verbal salvo thrown at his principal by President Muhammadu Buhari's aide, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, saying the Presidential aide deserves pity and is suffering from senility and from a government of “rulership of the living by the dead.”
Mr. Ndukwe also alleged that Mrs. Onochie, having married for the fifth time, perhaps deserves pity just like her principal, President Buhari whom he said is running a government he describes as "ancestocracy," "corpsocracy", and "pictocracy", which means government by aged, "walking dead" and a government of falsehood through the peddling of fake pictures by the presidential aides.
Mr. Ndukwe also said that only a thief thinks others as thieves, hence, Mrs. Onochie's attribution to Chief Fani-Kayode.
Mr. Ndukwe however said both Onochie and her principal are afraid of Chief Fani-Kayode's truths about the failed state of the All Progressives Congress, APC, party.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie & Mr. Jude Ndukwe
The statement read thus:
"We have seen a story making the rounds in the media quoting the aged Personal Assistant to Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, as saying some uncomplimentary things about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and the PDP, using her twitter handle.
"While we do not intend to respond to her so as not to drag ourselves to her level as we have detailed the personal assistant to the special assistant to the special adviser to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to respond to her, we however find it curious that Lauretta is yet to heed our advice from the last time urging her to go for a facelift and control her insatiable desire to always get hopelessly inebriated which leads to her usual garrulousness.
"At nearly 70 years of age, working as a PA to a 74-year old Buhari whose real age is believed to be in the mid-eighties, and reportedly married for the 5thtime, Onochie, no doubt deserves our pity.
"We are now convinced why Buhari's government is described as "ancestocracy" which is a government of the senile, "corpsocracy", rulership of the living by the dead, and "pictocracy", which is a system of government where government officials are buried in the perpetual peddling of falsehood through the use of fake and recycled pictures just to immorally and corruptly perpetuate themselves in power at the expense of the common good.
"It is only a thief that thinks every other person is a thief. If not that Onochie's paymasters are engaged in the unholy act of buying up media houses to promote their falsehood and cover up their corruption as is the case in Buhari's sickness, Onochie would not think that media houses are giving FFK space in their outfits for pecuniary gains.
"We know where the latest fear of the presidency against FFK is coming from. We know why they want to embark on a puerile campaign to shut him out of the media. They have made several attempts to shut out his columns in many media houses, and that is because Onochie's bosses fear the truth. They cannot stand FFK's razor sharp truth against their ineffectual snail they call president with their ineffective lies.
"The news making the rounds that FFK is under immense and intense pressure to contest the chairmanship of the PDP gives the Onochies of this world sleepless nights. They are wondering what would be their fate if a man that has no platform other than being a member of the leading opposition party could get them scampering for cover when he sneezes, what would be their fate if he eventually becomes the chairman of PDP?
"While we sympathise with Onochie for driving herself too hard to satisfy her corpsocrat-bosses, we also urge her to take it easy when she is taken by any of the ancestocrats to "the other room" to provide service as usual since age is no longer on her side.
"We believe very strongly that the negative effects of regular services provided by Lauretta to the corpsocrats in the other room, at her age, is wearing out her brain thereby leading to early signs of senility. Nobody services corpses at her age and remains the same.
"Let us also remind Lauretta that Nigerians are waiting eagerly to have her and her bosses in prison as soon as 2019 comes. They must account for the monies they allegedly stole from the IDPs, the poorest of the poor, through Babachir Lawal, and still went ahead to bomb them to death in Rann in their state of hopelessness and helplessness.
"They must account for the over 280 vessels laden with crude oil that have reportedly disappeared into thin air from our ports under this rudderless, brutish and satanic government. In the end, it is obvious that it is Onochie and her bosses that would end up in prison for their numerous sleazes. It is only a matter of time."
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu storms Ebonyi state after attending a brief award event in Enugu. He was spotted blocked by the Nigerian Army and police but finally penetrated the area along with his multitude supporters chanting ‘Nzugbu nzugbu enyiba enyi ‘Ohamadike’ enyiba enyi’. Watch the two video clips.
Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of modern times, has finally met his match in a swim-off against the greatest predator in the oceans, the great white shark.
But many viewers of the Discovery Channel’s much-publicized race between man and beast found the result to be a little fishy.
Touted as “Phelps vs. Shark: Great Gold vs. Great White,” the face-off in the chilly, shark-rich waters off South Africa was the launchpad for the channel’s annual Shark Week series of shows.
Phelps, who has won 28 Olympic medals including 23 golds, noted before the event that his safety was the number one priority going into the race, and said before the broadcast that he did not actually enter the water with the shark he was racing.
Instead, the film crew shot footage of a shark speeding along the same stretch of water as Phelps, who swam the course at a different time under the supervision of marine experts and divers.
The filmmakers used special effects to splice the two together, so it looked as though the American swimmer was racing alongside the huge predator.
Despite being fitted with a special monofin to help propel him through the water, Phelps lost by two seconds to the shark, which put on a final spurt as it closed in on a seal.
After his narrow defeat, Phelps demanded a rematch. “Next time… warmer water,” the 32-year-old champion wrote on Twitter.
Many viewers of the show also took to social media to express their disappointment, having apparently believed Phelps would actually be racing a shark in real time.
“Call me crazy but I thought they were gonna put Phelps up against a real shark not a simulation. I feel robbed,” said a Twitter user who goes by Meg Conley.
Another scornful Twitter user posted footage of a cartoon shark dancing with the caption “Live footage of Shark getting ready to wipe the floor with Michael Phelps.”
Others, however, expressed surprise that anyone would have believed a real one-on-one between man and shark would have been possible.
By Ben Agande Kaduna – The Nigerian Airforce Institute of Technology, Kaduna has graduated about 243 students in various fields of aircraft maintenance ranging from Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Air Frame and Power Plant as well as Explosive Ordinance Technology.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna to mark activities lined up for the forthcoming 46th convocation ceremony of the institute, the Commandant of the school, Air Vice Marshal Isyaka Bukar said the institute was the only aviation institute in the country that license its students on Turbo jet engines and has the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to conduct Aircraft Engineering courses.
According to him, the institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cranfield University in the United Kingdom which means that its certificate and diploma programmes are recognized worldwide.
The commandant stated that despite the strides the institute has made in the last couple of years, it is still constrained by the issue of financing since the National Assembly is yet to pass the Bill formally establishing the university that would make it access funds outside of the funding provided by the Nigerians Air Force.
“Our Major challenge is finance. The aero space is a very expensive venture. We are not able to get what we require to conduct what we want to do. That is why we have been unable to employ some technical staff” he said.
He stated that despite the financial challenge faced by the institute, it has been able to attract students from the air forces of countries like Ghana, Niger, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone.
TWELVE states are being targeted for reduction of stunting under a Federal Government and World Bank partnership to address malnutrition in Nigeria.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole stated in Abuja at a high level Consultative Meeting with State Governments on Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, that the project would be financed by the World Bank while benefitting states would provide counterpart funding.
"Since we cannot cover all the 36 states at this initial stage, we have developed a number of criteria for state selection to ensure transparency. The first criterion is based on the burden of stunting. Today we have invited states with the highest burden of stunting in each of the six geo-political zones. The 12 states will be selected from among these 18 states based on the criteria that we have all agreed on today".
Adewole said implementing the project would improve infant and young child feeding behaviors, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, increase the quantity and quality of nutrition services and ultimately reduce stunting in Nigeria.
On the economic benefit on investing in nutrition, the Minister noted that every $1 invested in interventions targeting stunting would bring about $10 in economic benefit; $1 invested in anemia prevention can yield up to $12 and $1 invested in improving exclusive breastfeeding can yield as much as $35," Adewole said.
In his presentation, the World Bank Representative,Luc Laviolette said the project would last five years and each benefitting state is expected to contribute N250, 000,000 at N50, 000,000 per year.
At the end of the meeting the participating states agreed that official letter should be sent to the Governors Forum to enable them get firsthand information from the World Bank/Federal Ministry of Health on the project while the process of selection is going on.
Scientists at the University of Southern California have found that people who drink coffee appear to live longer.
Drinking coffee was associated with lower risk of death due to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.
People who consumed a cup of coffee a day were 12 percent less likely to die compared to those who didn’t drink coffee.
This association was even stronger for those who drank two to three cups a day — 18 percent reduced the chance of death.
Lower mortality was present regardless of whether people drink regular or decaffeinated coffee, suggesting the association is not tied to caffeine, said Veronica W. Setiawan, lead author of the study and an Associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
“We cannot say drinking coffee will prolong your life, but we see an association,” Setiawan said. “If you like to drink coffee, drink up! If you’re not a coffee drinker, then you need to consider if you should start.”
The study, which will be published in the July 11 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, used data from the Multiethnic Cohort Study, a collaborative effort between the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and the Keck School of Medicine.
People who consumed a cup of coffee a day were 12 percent less likely to die compared to those who didn’t drink coffee. This association was even stronger for those who drank two to three cups a day — 18 percent reduced chance of death.
Lower mortality was present regardless of whether people drank regular or decaffeinated coffee, suggesting the association is not tied to caffeine, said Veronica W. Setiawan, lead author of the study and an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
“We cannot say drinking coffee will prolong your life, but we see an association,” Setiawan said. “If you like to drink coffee, drink up! If you’re not a coffee drinker, then you need to consider if you should start.”
The study, which will be published in the July 11 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, used data from the Multiethnic Cohort Study, a collaborative effort between the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and the Keck School of Medicine.
The ongoing Multiethnic Cohort Study has more than 215,000 participants and bills itself as the most ethnically diverse study examining lifestyle risk factors that may lead to cancer.
“Until now, few data have been available on the association between coffee consumption and mortality in nonwhites in the United States and elsewhere,” the study stated. “Such investigations are important because lifestyle patterns and disease risks can vary substantially across racial and ethnic backgrounds, and findings in one group may not necessarily apply to others.”
Since the association was seen in four different ethnicities, Setiawan said it is safe to say the results apply to other groups.
GONORRHOEA is becoming untreatable, but there is hope on the horizon according to findings by a team of scientists in New Zealand, who say there may be a chance for a preventative vaccine.
According to the scientists, an outer membrane vesicle vaccine designed to protect against meningitis appears to also be capable of protecting against gonorrhoea.
If this finding is confirmed, it could completely change the game when it comes to battling gonorrhoea, as it will mark the first instance of a vaccine reducing oinfections.
In their study, published in the Lancet, the scientists note that individuals who received the meningococcal vaccine were less likely to contract gonorrhoea.
"The emergence of completely drug-resistant gonorrhoea is a major concern," Dr. Helen Petousis-Harris, Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland and lead author of the study, stressed.
Using data from the New Zealand national vaccine registry, they compared vaccination rates in 2 groups of patients at sexual health clinics in New Zealand who had sexually transmitted diseases: those with gonorrhoea, and those with chlamydia.
"We found that people with gonorrhoea were less likely to be vaccinated than people with chlamydia, and that indicates that the "vaccine protects against gonorrhea but not chlamydia," Petousis-Harris said. Furthermore, the scientists found that those who did receive vaccination were "significantly less likely" to become infected with gonorrhea than those who did not receive the vaccine.
These findings are leaving researchers hopeful and provide a very important breakthrough in the development of gonorrhoea vaccines. Adding a vaccine to the arsenal might help researchers get a leg up in the fight against gonorrhea.
THERE was excitement in Awka, the Anambra State capital recently when indigenes of the town resident in the United States of America and Canada carried out a five-day free health care programme for sick persons in all villages in the town as part of their think home projects for their people.
The exercise, under the Awka Union USA and Canada International Medical Mission, took place in five strategic locations in the town, with an estimated 3000 indigents benefitting.
Difficult cases were referred to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital at cost borne by the health mission. President General, Awka Union in Diaspora, Mr. Henry Okwuchukwu Onwumbiko, said the Union received assistance from the USA for some of the drugs while members also contributed. The Union brought five medical doctors, a nurse, lawyer and physical-therapist and engaged the services of 10 medical doctors, 20 nurses, 10 pharmacists and other support staff.
A member of the team, Dr. Anthony Nwobum noted: "Our main target is to reach people who have limited access to healthcare because they do not have the resources due to their low income. "Most of us had come home in the past to discover that their relations were dying at home because they lacked the resources to go to hospital for treatment. We therefore met and took the decision that we should be visiting home on regular basis to assist our people."
"From what we have seen, our people are in dire need of regular medical check- up and this is one of the messages we would take back to the USA and Canada so that colleagues who did not come back with us would appreciate the problems our people are facing at home.
Another member of the union, Dr. Titi Uyawune expressed happiness at the opportunity provided by the exercise for her to be part of the team offering free health care services to her people, adding that she would always look forward for the annual event despite the cost implications.
"If not for anything, this exciting programme is enough incentive to make someone to come back to Nigeria on a regular basis. In fact I consider it a big privilege to visit all the villages in Awka and come face to face with their problems. From what we discovered, most of the ailments can be treated routinely, but because of lack of resources, they live with the sicknesses at home, thereby worsening their health conditions," Dr Uyanwune said.
Some of the patients who spoke during the exercise commended the team for remembering their root, and pleaded with them to come home regularly. Mrs. Evelyn Okeke, who said he was suffering from diabetes expressed satisfaction with the caring nature of the doctors and other health professionals and urged them to keep it up.
Mr. Damian Nwafor from Umuzocha village said the decision of the team to carry out the exercise in all the villages in Awka made it easy for the sick people to benefit as they did not have to walk a long distance to the venue of the treatment.
All things being equal, the expectation is that the medical team with carry out another exercise by the end of the year.
As part of efforts to increase egg consumption of Nigerians to 300 per person annually, Funtuna Food and Bottling Company, a subsidiary of Funtuna Ventures has introduced "coloured hard boiled eggs", poised to strengthen nutritional value of eggs.
The eggs could serve as quick and healthy snacks for children going to school and save families valuable time spent in boiling eggs.
The Company Executive Director, Mrs. Tolulola Olumide, said eggs contain good cholesterol and do not contribute to nutrition related diseases.
Olumide expressed concern over the fact that the per-capita egg consumption in Nigeria was lower than the global average, stating that Nigerians on average consume less than 80 eggs per person annually while China, Mexico and the United States of America consume over 300 eggs per person every year; and in South Africa, each person consumes 180 eggs every year.
This highlights the opportunities for growth and expansion for the egg industry in Nigeria as there are many eligible candidates for eggs that are not eating enough or that are simply not eating.
According to her eggs should not be restricted to festive seasons or World Egg Day, which is celebrated yearly, every first week of October.
On the coloured eggs, Olumide explained that the eggs were selected from a healthy flock, cleaned and loaded into a cooking machine to boil. The colours on the eggs performed the dual role of beautifying them and preserving their shelf life.
Her words: "Once eggs are boiled, the natural protective layer on the egg is lost, exposing the micro pores to bacteria infiltration and moisture penetration which aid the spoiling process. The colouring or varnishing process serves to replace that protective coating initially lost through boiling. This extends the shelf life of the eggs to over four weeks at steady room temperature after boiling."
On the safety of the colourant, she disclosed that the substance used for the colouring was the same as the one used in colouring of foods like cake icing, chocolate brighteners, sugar and candy coating and pharmaceutical colouring.
She said the substance is recognised as a safe inactive ingredient, which is called shellac, a European Union approved food additive. It is 100 per cent safe.
The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is currently in a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs at the Vice President’s wing of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.
Present at the meeting are: Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonishakin, the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Burata and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Also present at the meeting are the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali and the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima.
An artificial heart which closely imitates the real thing "in form and function" has been developed by Swiss researchers.
Made from silicone and weighing just 390g (80g more than a normal, real heart), it contains a "complex inner structure," according to developer Nicholas Cohrs, a PhD student at ETH Zurich, the institution behind the innovation.
Heart Re
Around 26 million people worldwide suffer from heart failure, and the new technology could potentially bridge the gap between demand and donor supply.
Mirroring a real human heart, the mock muscle contains a right and left ventricle, and came to life through a 3D printer.
The two chambers are separated not by a septum, but by an additional chamber which is deflated through pressurised air. Used to pump fluid, the chamber mimics muscle contraction.
"Our goal is to develop an artificial heart that is roughly the same size as the patient's own and which imitates the human heart as closely as possible in form and functions." said Cohrs.
Although it functions similarly to the real thing, researchers found it is limited to 3,000 beats, or a maximum beating time of 45 minutes. This is due to constraints of the soft material.
Developers did not intend for this model to become a temporary implant straight away, it has paved a new way in thinking about artificial organs.
"This was simply a feasibility test. Our goal was not to present a heart ready for implantation, but to think about a new direction for the development of artificial hearts," Cohrs said.
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
By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as taken a swipe at the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for fingering opposition parties as the mastermind of hate speeches currently threatening the unity of the Nigerian State.
In a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party expressed shock at the Minister’s outburst even as it described the statement as another lie from Alhaji Mohammed.
“The Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is taken aback over the recent vituperation by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in which he accused opposition in the Country as being responsible for hate speeches, disinformation and fake news. How convenient! This is another lie from Lai Mohamned!!
“Mr. Minister is invited to review his past speeches/statements as Spokesman of opposition ACN/APC and then he will agree with us that the APC leaders/members are the architects and sustainers of hate speeches in our dear Country, Nigeria,” the PDP scribe wrote in a statement.
Adeyeye further said the Minister ought not to forget easily that in the past, he similarly took on the ruling party while he was in the camp of the opposition.
“In case Lai Mohammed has forgotten, let us remind him and his Parties, the ACN & APC that in their desperate quest to grab power by all means, organized and carried out series of campaigns of calumny as opposition designed to mislead the public, discredit the person and Office of past PDP led administrations especially, that of the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan, GCFR in order to cause disaffection amongst Nigerians against his government.
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed as the Spokesman of ACN at a press conference in April 2013 raised a false alarm alleging that the Federal government of Nigeria under President Jonathan had awarded an oil pipeline protection contract to serve as a smokescreen in funding activities that would create chaos in the South-West region. Of course, it turned out that no such contract was ever awarded by the Jonathan Administration.
“Still in April 2013, the ACN Spokesman now Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed mischievously alleged that President Jonathan had issued a Presidential Directive targeted at witch-hunting the Former Governor of Lagos State and Leader of the ACN , Bola Tinubu in order to stop the Merger of the Party with other political parties. This also turned out to be a hoax,” the statement continued.
The PDP also added that apart from the Minister, other prominent members of the APC also made speeches capable of causing disharmony in the land prior to the 2015 polls.
” Also before the 2015 General Elections, the Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun in November 2014, vowed to form a parallel government if the elections were rigged. His statement was later re-echoed by the Presidential Campaign Director-General of the APC, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and now Minister for Transport,” the statement noted, adding that “talk about distractions, intimidation, harassments and hate speeches defines the APC leaders and members.
“Let us not forget the Infamous inflammatory statements by General Muhammadu Buhari that caused wide spread violence and killings of Nigerians in the 2011 General Elections. The General repeated almost the same statement on the 14th of May 2012 in Kaduna State when some CPC members from Niger State paid him a visit.
He was quoted to have incited his supporters saying "…if what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.'' Till date, President Muhammadu Buhari has neither refuted the statement nor offer any explanation for it. What could be more hateful than such a call for pogrom or mass murder of innocent Nigerians?
The list of such hateful and inciting speeches by the APC leaders and especially their erstwhile spokesman is endless. It was a period of one lie, one day. All in the desperate bid to grab power at all cost. Now that they have the power,they don’t know what to do with it,” wrote Adeyeye lamentably.
“Lai Mohammed and indeed any of the APC leaders for that matter are not in the position to teach any lessons on appropriate public speeches. They should first apologize to Nigerians for their serial lies, inciting and hate speeches with which our people were deceived into believing that they had something to offer. They should then undergo the serious ritual of self purgation without which there will be a constant relapse into their goebbellian tactics as we continue to witness. It is so ironic that those who haul mud at people do not ever want sand thrown at them. If you are not ready to take the heat you better leave the kitchen,” it stated.
The PDP further said the Minister was merely trying to compensate for the failure of government to deliver on promises made, urging Nigerians not to be deceived.
“Lai Mohammed’s statement must be seen for what it is: a desperate attempt to divert attention from his government’s woeful failures. When this government first assumed office we were inundated with daily sermons of how terribly the PDP had destroyed the Economy. Now that it appears that cliche is well worn out they must find so called hate speeches by the Opposition to blame for their woes.
“Our advice to the APC Government is that it should concentrate on doing the business of the people and to endeavour to speak the truth always. Lies can take you thus far but in the end it cannot be an alternative to the truth,” wrote Adeyeye.
Adebayo Faleti, the renowned Yoruba novelist, actor, broadcast Journalist, is dead.
Faleti passed on today at the ripe age of 86.
He died at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, a city in which he had spent most of his life.
He is survived by three wives including Mrs. Moteniola and Olubunmi, his current wife and has about 15 children.
Pa Faleti was a Yoruba translator, TV exponent and a pioneer staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television, WNTV.
Adebayo Faleti: passes on at 86
He was responsible for translating Nigeria's anthem from English to Yoruba.
He also translated speeches made by the Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of National Interim Government of Nigeria, from English to Yoruba.
Faleti published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names. He received many awards, both locally and internationally, including the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, the Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L'aropin and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts.
Faleti, the first son of his father, late Joseph Faleti and the only child of his mother, Ayinke, was born in Agbo-Oye.
He was from a humble background. His primary education was put on hold because his father was so poor to send him to school.
In 1949, he founded a theatre group called Oyo Youth Operatic Society. After working for some time, he went back to school and completed his primary school education and in 1966, he gained admission to the University of Dakar in Senegal where he later obtained a Certificate of proficiency in French Language and Civilization.
Two years later, he graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, with an honours degree in English. In 1971, he attended the Radio Netherlands Training Centre in Hilversum, the Netherlands, and received a certificate in Television Production.
The deceased is survived by three wives including Mrs. Moteniola and Olubunmi, his current wife and has about 15 children.
Pa Faleti was a pioneer staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television, WNTV.
The British Government has said that it is ready to invest in pipeline infrastructure, renewable energy, gas and power in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, said this while receiving the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja on Sunday.
Arkwright said that the government of Britain had genuine investment interest in the downstream, midstream and upstream sectors of the nation's oil and gas sector.
He said that the British Department for International Trade was ready to liaise with the Federal Government to invest in the country.
The High Commissioner also urged the Federal Government and the NNPC to organise a road show in London to create awareness on the possible investment opportunities available in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
According to him, so many British investors have funds which they are willing to invest in the country.
He, however, said that the process of obtaining Nigerian visa in the United Kingdom was cumbersome with three different levels of visa procurement fees and Nigeria's postal order system.
Ughamadu, on behalf of the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, condoled with the British government over the recent terror attacks in the United Kingdom.
He commended the High Commissioner for the Commission's promptness in issuing visas to officials of the NNPC.
He said that the corporation would sustain the cordial relations with the UK.
A Lagos based economist and politician Prof. Pat Utomi has said that the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan's legacy is a sad reflection of the awful chapter of the state history, while reacting to the comment of former governor, urging him (Utomi) to consider actualizing his political ambition by contesting for councillorship position so as to get basic facts on issues affecting governance in the state.
Utomi made this known in a statement yesterday in Asaba.
Pat Utomi
According to Utomi , I agree with the former Governor that our conversations of today should focus more on the future than the past, we must recognize that the damage done to Delta State by the mismanagement of its finances and resources still plagues the state as we speak.
'' My comments on optimal debt-to-revenue ratios is verifiable and those who have the ability to do the math are all over the place. It was a comment made to draw attention to and prevent the worsening of a problem that is still on-going; because in spite of the bailout funds from the Federal Government, and the huge windfall from the Paris loan refunds which now stands at over N24billion, the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) has approved over N18 billion as loans for the Okowa administration this year alone.
'' Deltans need to be aware and decry this type of heavy debt burden, especially as there are no commensurate development projects or programmes on ground to justify it and to aid repayment in future. Gov. Okowa was right to raise an alarm about the over N600 billion debt that he claimed to have inherited. He has however proceeded to increase this debt burden by over N60 billion of his own. This is only further mortgaging Delta state and the future of our children.
He said that Deltans will prefer that Uduaghan gives account for the IPP project he abandoned in Oghara that gulped over N20 billion under his administration with nothing to show seven years after, while noting that a good Councillor would have done much better for the people than Uduaghan did as Governor.
"There is extreme misuse of the opportunities available to Delta State" he added
…Security agencies already working to fish out those sponsoring Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra agitation – Al-Mustapha
The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Uche, on Sunday, prayed that the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra will crumble in 2019.
Uche also said that selfish politicians are the ones sponsoring the Biafra agitation so that they will use such to gain political power and position especially in 2019.
The Prelate said this during a Thanksgiving service in Ibekwe, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Prelate of Methodist church, Samuel Uche
He however warned that any politician who sponsors others to kill people in order to occupy certain positions will not enjoy that office.
According to him, "All these campaigns that the Igbo must leave a section of the country or that Biafra must be, they are all sponsored by politicians who are looking for political power.
"Any politician who sponsor people to kill others so that they can enter political office, they will never enjoy that office.
"I pray that Biafra and all those agitations will crumble in 2019.
"I am not PDP, APC or APGA. I am for every Nigerian.
"Nigerians will reject bad leaders in 2019."
This is even as Former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has said that those spending heavily on Nnamdi Kanu will be exposed soon.
According to him, "Any call to divide Nigeria is unacceptable. I have been playing a role to ensure a united Nigeria. I have been criss-crossing the North and the South-East, and to all parties concerned, soliciting for peace."
"I was recently in Owerri to sign a peace accord with some associations and the North. My understanding is that certain people are investing in these problems to promote themselves, but very soon the government would realize it."
"If Arewa youths had addressed IPOB as a group or their leader Nnamdi Kanu as an individual, it would have been a fair- deal, but asking millions of Igbo that reside in the North to quit is not acceptable by law and the provisions of our Constitution."
"We have spoken to the Northern Leaders Forum as well as Ralph Uwazuruike because Nnamdi Kanu was his boy, he brought him up to be in the Radio House in London."
"The people creating tension in Nigeria are behind Kanu. What he is doing may not necessarily be to create tension but those behind him are investing in the tension to divide us as a nation. But our security agencies are doing a lot to identity them. All I am after is the creation of a platform that is sincere and that caters for indigent Nigerians."
No fewer than 10 people died in an accident on the Ife-Ibadan express way on Sunday, newsmen report.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, DSP Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident in a statement in Osogbo.
Odoro said six females and four males lost their lives in the accident which occurred at 12 pm.
She also said that two males sustained serious injuries, adding that they were receiving treatment at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife,
Odoro said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus marked MUS 702 XZ and a Iveco Tanker with number plate YNF 327 XA.
The spokesperson said the bus was coming from Ore in Ondo State and heading to Ibadan before it rammed into a tanker attempting to make a U-turn on the expressway.
The tanker was said to be conveying petrol and the collision resulted in an explosion.
Odoro said that the corpses had been deposited at the morgue of OAUTHC for autopsy while efforts were ongoing to remove the vehicles from the scene of the accident.
The police spokesperson, who identified the bus driver as Najimu Akanni, added that the name of the tanker driver had yet to be ascertained.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Sunday called on Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari instead of wishing him dead.
NANS President, Mr. Chinonso Obasi, in a statement in Abuja, said his conversation with the presidency on July 22 showed that Buhari was recuperating fast and would be back soon.
He said it was unfair to politicise the president's health.
"My telephone conversation with the presidency yesterday from London has given more hope that President Buhari will soon be back, alive and able to return to his presidential seat.
"In the course of conversation, I realised that Nigerians need more love to survive the machinations of the ungodly and ill-wishers.
"This is the time Nigerians have to be more patriotic than political as issues of national interest should be more paramount.
Buhari
"PMB is our father and deserves our goodwill and solidarity, if by any reason we're not comfortable with his absence due to medical vacation, let every Nigerian observe due process in their agitation.''
He said the president's health should be considered as a national frailty that would be overcome.
The NANS president appealed to all Nigerians and particularly those in positions of trust to be objective in carrying out any obligation assigned to them in national interest.
NANS President, Chinonso Obasi
According to him, individual players and stakeholders in the polity should thread with caution as the progress, unity and peace of our dear nation is non-negotiable.
Obasi said the demands of Nigerian Students were unveiled on July 19 at the commemoration his one year in office as the National President of NANS.
"We do hope the Government of PMB will find the mini compendium, our 'irreducible minimum' demand in the education sector most useful in addressing the ills in the sector for a functional education system in Nigeria.
"With our overwhelming membership strength of over 40.1million Nigerian students, ordinarily, we should be the highest agitators but we have chosen to be diplomatic, civil and patriotic.
"As our nation struggles through these trying times, we wish to send this as a signal to those disrupting the peace of Nigeria to remember that there is no other nation we have other than Nigeria -our fatherland,'' Obasi said in the statement.
The Federal Government says it will establish a Presidential Council for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide high-level policy guidance, leadership and direction for the realisation of SDG targets.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, made this known at the ongoing United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, US.
A statement by her Media Assistant, Mr Desmond Utomwen, in Abuja on Sunday, said that the presidential aide presented Nigeria's Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals at the forum.
Orelope-Adefulire said that the process for the establishment of the president council had been put in place.
She added that two standing committees on SDGs had been established in the Senate and the House of Representatives to enhance the legislative and oversight roles of the parliament in the scheme.
Orelope-Adefulire told the forum that Nigeria remained undeterred in making the required progress in achieving the laudable goals of SDGs.
She that the country would attain the height in spite of the challenges of an already ebbing recession, largely degraded crisis in the North-East, and resolution of militancy in the Niger Delta.
She revealed that some of Federal Government's ongoing pro-poor and pro-development interventions had made impacts in the fight against poverty, citing Social Investment Scheme targeted at the extremely poor and vulnerable among the interventions.
Others, according to the president's aide, are Home Grown School Feeding Programme for public school children, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme for unemployed youths and Women Economic Empowerment programme.
She also listed the N-Power programme for job creation for the youths and the Conditional Grant Transfer Scheme as part of the Federal Government's efforts to ameliorate the condition of its citizenry.
"I wish to reaffirm that Nigeria has clearly defined her path to the 2030 Agenda.
"We count on the strong patriotism and goodwill of the citizenry, the commitment of the stakeholders as well as the support from the global fraternity of nations to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind,'' she said.
Orelope-Adefulire said Nigeria had increased awareness on global goals and put in place mechanisms for identifying and targeting the poor through a "National Social Register'' to ensure that "no one is left behind."
She called on Global North to fulfill its commitment on Official Development Assistance in line with Addis-Ababa Action Agenda to complement Nigeria's effort at expanding its revenue base.
The UN High-Level Political Forum offers an opportunity for knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices in the implementation of the new global development agenda among countries.
Photos allegedly shows many members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, at a police station in Rivers where they claimed they secured the release of three of their members who were arrested on Saturday by the police while they were returning from a venue where their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had visited earlier.
IPOB members storm Rivers police station, demand release of 3 arrested membersIPOB members storm Rivers police station, demand release of 3 arrested members
Lagos State, the former capital of Nigeria and commercial nerve centre of the country proudly displays multifaceted qualities and realities that distinguish her from other states in Nigeria. As a distinct political entity, Lagos boasts of unique landmarks from mainland to Island. What are the socio-cultural and political monuments that distinguish her; which areas of Lagos are they located and many other features? These are what the duo of Akeem Lasisi and Kabir Alabi Garba, both seasoned arts and culture journalists, captured in their new book titled Phenomenal Lagos: 50 Iconic Places in the Centre of Excellence.
The colourful and well packaged 120-page book documents landmarks of cultural, tourist and economic values in beautiful essays, photographs and poems on the selected iconic places. Though culture and tourism were the main focus, the selections cut across the political, historical and business landscapes in Lagos.
The book is segmented into nine chapters with the epilogue for easy understanding. In Chapter one, the authors examine the water bodies in Lagos, the Lagos lagoon and Atlantic ocean, its features and the things that made her the city of Aquatic Splendour.
Chapter two, tagged monuments provides an overview of 11 historical monuments that make Lagos unique, starting with the Idejo Statue, The three wise men that represent the white cap chiefs of Lagos, the National theatre, National Museum, first storey building in Lagos, Lord Lugard House, Awolowo museum, Rungbo forest and other iconic places in Lagos.
A list of ten recreation outposts that adorn the length and breadth of Lagos like the Eko Hotels, Akodo tourist centre, Whispering Palms, Freedom Park, Bar Beach, Museum centre, Tinubu square, Afrika shrine and other were captured in chapter three. Chapter four focuses on the infrastructure, where about eight striking structures that speak loud of the city were highlighted. They include, the Eko Atlantic city, Ayinke house, TBS, BRT deport, Third Mainland bridge, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, City hall etc.
Chapter five takes a look at some of the heritage sites like Eyo (Adannu Orisa Play), Iga Idunganram and Point of no Return and its importance to Lagos.
The great institutions and trade, commerce and others were discussed in chapters six and seven. Some of the institutions include UNILAG, Lagos house, Lagos high court, Idumota, Oshodi, Stock Exchange and others, while Epe fish market, Lagos ports, Computer village and many others make up the trade and commerce.
In chapter eight, the authors offered readers a glimpse of the history of a section of some popular areas in Lagos apart from the 50 iconic places: Mushin, Agege and Ogba amongst others. How some of the towns got their names and their meaning.
The places cover the five administrative divisions: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE).
Finally, chapter nine tagged back of the book, shows four iconic places that every visitor in Lagos will like to visit. They include, Opebi/Allen area in Lagos, the location and its features. The Brazilian quarters, a legacy of the thousands of freed slaves that returned to Nigeria in the 19th century. The Ijede Warm Spring, one of the tourist attractions in Lagos, located in Ijede community in Ikorodu area of Lagos and finally, readers were introduced to wonders of the Omooba Yemisi Shyllon Arts Foundation, OYASAF beautiful garden in Maryland, home of over 6000 paintings, sculptors, drawings and installations owned by the founder, art collector and patron, Prince Yemisi Shyllon.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy conditions over the Central States on Monday morning with prospects of scatter rain shower over Abuja, Ilorin, Minna and Bida.
NiMet's Weather Outlook issued by its Central Forecast Office (CFO), on Sunday in Abuja, also predicted thunderstorms over Makurdi, Lafia, Mambilla Plateau, Jalingo, Jos, Kaduna, Zaria and Abuja later in the day.
It added that the region would also experience day and night temperatures in the range of 22 to 30 and 15 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.
The agency predicted that Southern states would experience morning rains over Ibadan, Abeokuta, Lagos, Akure, Enugu, Owerri, Onitsha, Calabar, Uyo, Portharcourt and Eket.
It also predicted localised thunderstorms over the inland areas of Osogbo, Akure, Ado Ekiti, Obudu, Awka, Onitsha, Benin, Enugu and Abakaliki in the afternoon and evening.
NiMet added that the coastal states were expected to have extended isolated rain during the period with day and night temperatures of 25 to 31 and 19 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience cloudy morning with thunderstorms over Kano, Gusau, Katsina, Yelwa and Sokoto in the Afternoon and evening.
"The region will have day and night temperatures of 30 to 35 and 22 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
"The presence of moisture at lower levels is expected to enhance formation of weather activities across the whole country in the next 24 hours," NiMet also predicted.
Hundreds of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, members, Saturday, allegedly stormed a police station in Rivers state to demand the release of three of their members who were allegedly arrested by the police on Saturday while they were returning home after going to welcome their overall leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who visited the state earlier, said one of the members.
Some of the members who took to their Facebook pages to announce the development claimed their members were arrested along Oil pipeline road and taken to the Obigbo police station in Rivers.
IPOB members storm Rivers police station, demand release of 3 arrested members
"Yesterday IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu stormed Obigbo Rivers state. After he left, police arrested 3 IPOB members as they were going home along Oil pipeline road. This called for a massive protest that yesterday as IPOB members stormed police station and demanded for their release or they will sleep in front of the police station." "After long wait in front of the gate by IPOB members, The DPO came out and said that they were arrested because they put road blocks along the road. He released them afterwards. WE ARE 1 BIG & HAPPY FAMILY IPOB!," he wrote.
The Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila on Sunday shed more light on why the house was opposed to the merging of Christian Religious Knowledge and Islamic Religious Studies in school curriculum.
Gbajabiamila (APC-Surulere I) told principals of public schools and parents in his constituency in Lagos that such a merger lacked basis in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said at a Town Hall meeting with the principals and parents that merging the two subjects infringed on the students' right to choice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gbajabiamila also on the occasion distributed 500 free West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) forms to indigent students across the 23 schools in the area.
He said the Constitution guaranteed the right of all citizens to freedom of religion and choice, adding that merging the two religious subjects and making it compulsory for students was unfair.
According to him, religion is a very sensitive issue in the country which needs to be handled carefully at all times.
"The House of Representatives has taken a position against the merging of CRK/IRS because it is not supported by the constitution.
"The Constitution, as a matter of fact, guarantees the freedom of everyone to choose and practise the religion of one's choice.
"So, we think students should be given the freedom to choose to take either IRK/CRK based on his or her religious conviction or interest.So it should be optional.
"Also, students should be allowed to take either of the two subjects irrespective of their religion if they are interested," he said.
Gbajabiamila said the distribution of 500 WASSCE forms to students was part of his electoral promise to impact on his constituents.
The lawmaker said education was strategic to the human capital development as well as the development of the nation, hence the distribution of the forms.
According to him, the distribution of the forms to indigent students is to solve the problem of affordability and encourage them to focus on their education.
The lawmaker said the distribution of 501 e-tablets to students in the first quarter of the year was one of the education interventions in the area.
He said that he had also facilitated the renovation of schools as well as building of new blocks of classrooms.
The House Leader said he had also given scholarships to students and provided ICT tools in schools to promote educational development.
He said he was passionate about education and had concluded arrangements to give more support in the area.
"I am passionate about education and I will continue to support education in my constituency.
"Apart from what we have done so far, we have earmarked N8 million for the purchase of JAMB forms for about 500 students.
"Very soon, that will be done and much more will follow, "he said.
Gbajabiamila said he would make out time to visit schools in the area and interact and teach students.
The lawmaker said the objective was to have a feel of the learning environment in order to know how he could intervene.
He commended the principals and teachers for the job they were doing to improve the lives of children put in their care.
Gbajabiamila appealed to parents to continue to support their children and wards in their educational careers so that they could excel.
He, however, decried rampant street fights involving some students of some schools in the area, describing the attitude as worrisome.
The lawmaker urged parents to warn their wards against the act, as the government could not afford any threat to peace in the area.
In his contribution, a member of the Lagos State of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot, commended Gbajabiamila for his passion for education.
He said it took a politician who could look into the future to give a quantum of education support.
"I have never seen a politician who has given so much back to the people since my over 40 years on earth.
"He has a view of the future with his support for education. Surulere is proud to have him as a representative, "he said.
Responding, a parent, Alhaja Wosilat Abiola, described the house leader's gesture as "impactful".
She said the forms would touch the lives of the beneficiaries as it would help them to build their personal careers.
The date was July 17 to 18, 2017, and venue was the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria. The event was Creative Nigeria Summit and the theme was Financing the Film, Television and Music Industries.
•Cross section of participants at the summit
Although film and television dominated the Creative Nigeria Summit, music, which has always been the king of the Creative Arts, proved to be the shining bride of the two-day conference. There was testimony galore about the success of Nigerian music, nationally, continentally, and internationally.
Nigerian-born, US-educated Alex Okosi, Executive VP & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, who was responsible for developing and launching MTV Africa (MTV Base) in 2005, which showcases the best of African music and entertainment, testified that "Our (Nigerian) music is all over the world. There is no nook and cranny of Africa you go now that you won't hear Nigerian music. The world is looking at Nigerians as corrupt people, but our musicians are making us superstars," okosi said.
Another testimony for the success of Nigerian music came from Dr. Armstrong Idachaba of the office of the D-G, National Broadcasting Corporation, who said that "Over 80 percent of music content on Nigeria media now is Nigerian."
Although Idachaba claimed that the success of Nigerian pop-music was due to the enforcement of the 60-40 percent local content quota code of NBC for broadcasting media, a 2006 research on "African versus Western Music on Lagos radio" at Lagos State University by Osa Amadi and another by Professor Anthony Olorunnisola of Pennsylvania State University and Osa Amadi in 2007, found that presenters and producers of music programs in Lagos did not obey the NBC's 60-40 percent local content quota code in music programming.
So the revolution that occurred in the Nigerian pop-music after the 2006 and 2007 study by the two media scholars certainly had nothing to do with the grossly flouted NBC local content quota code. There have to be other explanations for the explosion of the Nigerian pop-music.
Also lending his voice to the testimony, Tony Okoroji, Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), agreed that "Nigerian music is allover Africa." He said 80 percent of music in Accra, for instance, is Nigerian music, but unfortunately, they are pirated copies.
Fighting piracy, Okoroji said, is government's responsibility. He argued that stronger legislation and technology can help deal with piracy. "If it is Nigeria's stolen oil that is being sold allover Africa, would Nigerian government fold its hands and watch?" Okoroji questioned.
Stakeholders agreed that works of Nigerian musicians are all over the world now, but the musicians are not making commensurate money. They commended telecommunication companies for providing lacking distribution channels for Nigerian music, but at the same time rebuked them for taking an exorbitant 90 percent of the proceeds, leaving a paltry 10 percent for the artist and the industry.
At that point, filled with emotion, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, keynote speaker and organizer of the summit, stood up and said: in the olden days when we go to farm and stepped on thorns, we limped and hopped to our father who always helped us to remove the thorn from our feet. Now, you are my children. Whenever you step on thorns in the process of doing this work, come to me, the minister said and received a resounding applause.
Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said that he wished he learnt carpentry while he was growing up.
Osinbajo said this while advising school children on how to conduct themselves during holidays, especially long ones. He advised them to endeavour to, at least, learn a skill because it will help them much later in life.
The Acting President who made the statement during a chat with newsmen on the sideline of the birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Salami Ololade in Lagos on Sunday also assured parents and guardians of kidnapped Lagos School students not to lose hope on the return of their wards.
Recall that on May 25, six secondary school boys were abducted by unknown gunmen, this is even as four students and six staff of the same school were also kidnapped in October 2016.
Osinbajo
According to him, "because it is a long holiday, it is a great time to do something new. Those who like to learn a skill, whatever skill that may be, I wish that when I was growing up, I learned even carpentry.''
He said school children on holiday can learn something new that would impact their lives and those of their communities in new fields of technology.
Stating the Federal Government's resolve to seeing that the kidnapped school children are freed, the Acting President said, "it is a very traumatic experience for the parents, there should be no doubt at all about the commitment of government.''
He urged parents and guardians of the kidnapped Lagos School boys not to lose hope on the return of their wards.
This is even as he assured that the Federal Government in collaboration with state authorities are working tirelessly to ensure their safe return.
According to Osinbajo, " I don't know how many times the governor has spoken to me about this and the police Inspector General, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS and even the Armed Forces.''
"I am sure these children will return as quickly as possible, so we look forward to their return.''
Acting President Osinbajo had earlier attended the anniversary service of the Trinity House, Lagos before joining Pastor Salami Ololade for his 60th birthday thanksgiving service.
*****As DELSU Graduates 8,491 Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged tertiary institutions in the country to utilise alternative sources of funding to bridge the funding gaps confronting them.
Speaking yesterday at the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Delta State University, Abraka held at the institution's indoor sports complex, Governor Okowa said that tertiary institutions should seek and mobilize substantial additional resources aside from the subsidies they receive from government to meet their funding needs.
From Left: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Commissioner for Higher Education, Engr. Jude Sinebe and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, of the State University, Prof Sam Oyovbaire during, the 11th Convocation ceremony of the University, Abraka, Delta State.
"This administration is mindful of the funding gaps in our tertiary institutions. Despite the challenging economic environment, we have ensured prompt payment of staff salaries and worked hard to provide basic infrastructure. But as in anywhere else in the world, adequate funding is possible when the university is able to mobilize substantial additional resources aside from the subsidies they receive from government.", he said, stressing "It is what enables universities to build first class facilities and attract and retain the best talent in academics. This is the challenge before our tertiary institutions."
"There is need to have well-structured and professionally run fund raising offices with the capacity to diversify the funding sources, especially through robust endowment funds and alumni funding stream.", he added.
While commending the Governing Council, Management and Staff of the University for their commitment to build a reputable institution, the governor assured them of government's support to transform the university into an elite institution that places a premium on excellence in teaching and learning.
He congratulated the graduands for successfully completing their programmes and urged all stakeholders including the students to maintain an atmosphere of peace, honest dialogue, mutual cooperation and respect for constituted authorities in our tertiary institutions.
Dr. Okowa directed that the overall best graduating student, Joshua Erubami be given immediate employment as a graduate assistant in the institution and be encouraged to pursue his doctorate degree in the school.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Delta State University, Professor Sam Oyovbaire said Council has recorded remarkable achievements in the area of staff and student discipline, prudence in handling revenue and expenditure as well as protection of properties.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor Delta State University Professor Victor Peretomode disclosed that a total of eight thousand, four hundred and ninety-one [8,491] students graduated in the 2015/2016 academic session with thirty-one students having first class.
The ceremony featured the award of honorary doctorate degrees to the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Ovie Richard Ogbon, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien and the universally acclaimed master artist, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpaye.
*****Advises Utomi To Contest For Councillorship Position
IMMEDIATE past Governor of Delta State, Dr Emnanuel Uduaghan has advised those who are aspiring for political offices not to be blinded by their political ambitions as to resort to peddling falsehood against government but rather should concentrate on facts and issues.
Dr. Uduaghan who spoke yesterday in Asaba, at a stakeholders meeting of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State said that "every man has a right to aspire to any political office in the country but such person must not tell lies about government to achieve his aspiration. Tell the people what you can do for them, do not spread lies"
He debunked the wide allegations of financial mismanagement aginst the state government by Prof. Pat Utomi, and urged him not sacrifice the truth on the altar of political expediencies.
Dr. Uduaghan urged the Lagos based Economist to consider actualizing his political ambition by contesting for Councillorship position so as to get basic facts on issues affecting governance in the state.
According to the former Governor, his experience with Prof. Utomi has distinguished him as someone with bogus ideas but, does not have the frame of mind for execution.
He disclosed that as the Governor of Delta State, his administration made Prof. Utomi chairman and member of several committees as opportunities for the Lagos-based lecturer to contribute to the development of the state but, “if Prof. Utomi attends any of the meetings, he will not spend more than five minutes.”
‘He bragged about his reach internationally, how he was going to bring international investors and we had to partner with him to organize a business forum outside the country with Nigerians in Diaspora for us to get the investors but, he did not spend 5 minutes before he left us, no investor came to the state through him.”
“You people should ask Prof, where is the Silicon Valley? He took us to his home town, Ibusa for the foundation laying ceremony of Silicon Valley, till date, there is nothing to show that the project has commenced; he has contested for the Presidency, he now wants to be the Governor but, I think he should start from his Ward, he should contest for Councillor,” Dr Uduaghan advised, amidst applause from the excited members of the PDP.
“It is not good to condemn what the incumbent Governor is doing because of your ambition, rather, you should bring out your programmes and sell to the people,” Dr Uduaghan said, stating, “Governor Okowa has done excellently well and we should join hands with him to develop the state”
The former Governor advised members of the PDP to remain united and urged those in elective or appointive positions to empower Deltans through the spread of democratic dividends.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the occasion, urged members of the PDP to open their doors to any Nigerian wishing to join the party including members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), while the Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso said the meeting was necessary for members to be abreast with happenings in the party.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has says that Nigeria and six other ECOWAS countries will use the $5.8 million Safety Laboratory Equipment belonging to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in Abuja.
Mr Caj Frostel from ICAO who is also the Commissioner for Banjul Accord Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
According to him, the BAGAIA member states that would make use of the facility are: the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.
Frostel said the revitalised equipment would help boost safety not only in the sub-region, but Africa in general.
He said that apart from those countries, other countries on the continent could also make use of the facility, which he described as" a world class equipment".
Frostel said: "Much of what we did during the week was that we needed to establish that the equipment works. We have a BAGAIA interest that the AIB facility in Abuja becomes the centre of excellence in reading out flight recorders for all the seven countries.
"With BAGAIA, we have the ambition to cover the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as countries in Central and Southern Africa.
"There is no other flight-recorder-read-out facility elsewhere in the sub-region as you have in Abuja.
"Central and Southern African countries are potentially international customers that we hope to bring in. In the future, we will arrange familiarisation training on how this equipment can be used in other countries.
"The Commissioner of AIB, Mr Akin Olateru, has foresight and initiative. He recently took over AIB and he quickly thought that the Abuja facility should get going. He has the energy and capacity to make it happen."
Also contributing , Mr Michael Toft, a director in the accident investigation agency in Singapore, stated that the equipment was now in the right shape to download and analyse information from black boxes in case of an accident.
He explained that the same equipment is used in Singapore for data analysis, stressing that AIB's engineers had been trained on how to handle the equipment for optimal usage.
"When I got here, I discovered that there were lots of commonality in equipment hardware and software. So, the first task in hand was to make an assessment of the laboratory, it was running fine with a nice accommodation.
"It has a good number of equipment and can read a large number of common flight recorder types that are installed on aircraft.
"The laboratory capability is equal if not better than that of Singapore. In terms of training, everything was nicely arranged and I completed my work quickly.
"I trained their investigators on how to manage the equipment, how to read out the data and how to decide the data. I am happy that I was given the opportunity to participate," Toft said.
Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has urged parents and guardians of the kidnapped Lagos School boys not to lose hope on the return of their wards.
This is even as he assured that the Federal Government in collaboration with state authorities are working tirelessly to ensure their safe return.
On May 25, six secondary school boys of the school were abducted by unknown gunmen, this is even as four students and six staff of the same school were also kidnapped in October 2016.
In a chat with newsmen on the sideline of the birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Salami Ololade in Lagos on Sunday, the Acting President said though "it is a very traumatic experience for the parents, there should be no doubt at all about the commitment of government.''
According to Osinbajo, " I don't know how many times the governor has spoken to me about this and the police Inspector General, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS and even the Armed Forces.''
"I am sure these children will return as quickly as possible, so we look forward to their return.''
On the conduct of school children on holiday, Prof. Osinbajo "advised children who are on holidays to learn something new''.
He said: "because it is a long holiday, it is a great time to do something new. Those who like to learn a skill, whatever skill that may be, I wish that when I was growing up, I learned even carpentry.''
He said school children on holiday can learn something new that would impact their lives and those of their communities in new fields of technology.
Acting President Osinbajo had earlier attended the anniversary service of the Trinity House, Lagos before joining Pastor Salami Ololade for his 60th birthday thanksgiving service.
