Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Forest Sanity in conjunction with the Defence Headquarters Special Forces, have neutralised six terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in Kaduna State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Danmadami said the troops had on Friday conducted covert operation to terrorists’ enclaves at Maidaro village in Giwa Local Government Area and made contact with terrorists.
He said the six terrorists were eliminated in the fire fight that ensued.
According to him, five AK 47 rifles, 192 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm Special ammunitions, 74 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm Special and Nine AK 47 rifle magazines were recovered.
“Three IEDs, three Baofeng radios, one PKM, three motorcycles amongst other sundry items were recovered.
“The military high command commends troops and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on terrorist and all criminal activities within their area,” he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have unveiled the official identity for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023, marking a significant milestone that will see a new identity for Africa’s biggest sporting event.
It would be the first time in over a decade that CAF has given the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations identity a new look which demonstrates CAF’s commitment in making the event in Cote d’Ivoire next year the best in living memory of the competition.
The emblematic symbol pays homage to the richness of the Ivorian culture and the continent of Africa as a whole, while beautifully representing the essence of African football and the splendor of the host nation.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will kick off on 13 January 2024 with the first match scheduled to be played at Stade Olympic Alassane Ouattara.
On the significance of the identity, General Secretary of CAF, Veron Mosengo-Omba said:“The unveiling of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 identity marks an exciting milestone in our journey towards the tournament in 2024. We are aware that we are getting nearer and nearer to the big moment in January next year.”
The new identity is inspired by the vibrant tapestry of African heritage, the official identity captures the spirit and energy of African football.
At its core lies the majestic elephant tusk, which holds dual meaning; the symbol conveys the strong representation of Cote d’Ivoire, symbolizing the nation’s rich footballing history and its vital role in hosting this prestigious tournament The six tusks represent the six groups that will compete in the competition, embodying the diversity and unity that Africa exudes.
The fluid shape of the tusks come alive, gracefully capturing the dynamic energy and movement that defines African football. The identity also features five balls, elegantly showcased to symbolise the African Cup of Nations trophy. These spheres signify the pinnacle of achievement, the ultimate prize that awaits the victorious team at the culmination of their relentless pursuit of glory.
A colour palette carefully chosen from the flexible hues of Côte d’Ivoire adds a visual spectacle to the logo. The vibrant shades encapsulates the vivacity and diversity of the host nation, captures the captivating allure of the host nation and the cultural richness that permeates every aspect of Côte d’Ivoire.
Amidst cheers and chants of excitement, Africans and sport observers across the world, celebrated the highly symbolic logo, as all continue to countdown to Africa’s biggest football tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno is yet to constitute his cabinet almost two weeks after he was sworn into office.
However, Gov Eno has made few key appointments with Mr. Enobong Uwah as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He retained Mr. Ekerete Udoh as the Chief Press Secretary.
He also named Mr. Anietie Usen his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
Mr Otobong Edem Idiong was also appointed Chief of Protocol while Dr (Mrs) Uduakobong Inam is Economic Adviser.
With the inauguration of the 9th Assembly, it is expected that the Governor will send in the list of nominees for the positions of commissioners and Special Advisers to the State House of Assembly for screening and subsequent clearance.
A reliable Government House source told The Nation that Governor Eno is most likely to have a mixture of old and new aides in his cabinet.
He dispelled the rumour that Eno is being pressured by his predecessor Udom Emmanuel to adopt his list of nominees into his cabinet.
The source, however, said the Governor will reappoint Emmanuel’s aides who manned key ministries.
“I can speak on good authority that Governor Umo Eno will reappoint some aides of the immediate past administration. It is going to be a mixture of the old and new.
“Don’t forget that there are ministries supervising key projects in the state and Commissioner who served in the last administration knows the nitty-gritty of the projects. His wealth of experience is needed to drive the project or projects in the new administration,” he said.
Damilola Adeparusi aka Chef Dammy announced yesterday that she would attempt a 120-hour cook-a-thon to break Tata London’s record and challenge Chef Hilda Baci‘s recently completed 100-hour cook-a-thon.
Here are six things to know about the cook-a-thon attempt:
The Lagos State Civil Service Commission has continued activities for the promotion of about 4,000 of the State Government employees with Revised Structured Training Programme for officers between Grade Level 06 and Grade Level 10.
Speaking at day two of the event last Wednesday at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, the Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, listed the conditions and requirements for promotion eligibility to include maturity (attainment of stipulated number of years), clean records (no pending disciplinary issues) , satisfactory performance, and attendance at the training, among others.
According to her, the training which is one of the requirements for promotion of the eligible officers, is expected to expose and prepare the civil servants for responsibilities ahead in the next grade level.
“We want to look at cross-cutting issues across all cadres and discipline. We want our Officers to have global knowledge about issues that will affect their performance on their jobs in addition to being very knowledgeable about their various professions, “the Chairman added.
She said the responsibility of the Commission is to promote a disciplined workforce guided by the core values of transparency, fairness and integrity, among others, assuring that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is interested in the workers’ welfare and that is why those due for promotion every year, are not denied by the Commission.
While congratulating the workers, the Chairman tasked them on the actualisation of the administration’s six strategic development agenda, namely traffic management and transportation, health and environment, education and technology making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism (THEMES) as well as Security and Governance (THEMES) and better services to the people.
Fabamwo stated that different innovations are being introduced to the annual promotion exercise to ensure that officers to be promoted have the required knowledge, expertise and competence to effectively perform their duties inline with their job descriptions.
The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission expressed confidence in the abilities of the State’s workforce, saying that the State Public Service now boast of a reliable and efficient workforce as evident in the progress and transformation of the State due to the ability of the Commission to key into the THEMES agenda policy of the State Government.
She admonished those promoted to be steadfast and dedicated in their duties so as to reciprocate the good gesture of the State Government and also justify their emoluments that comes with the new anticipated Grade Levels.
Fabamwo restated the commitment of the Commission to its vision of providing and motivating a highly qualified and competent workforce that is disciplined and productive, based on Equity, Justice and Fairness, stressing that the Commission is always thinking of ways to ensure that the productivity of staff is improved upon.
One of the facilitators, Mr. Tajudeen Ekunsunmi, who enlightened the participants about the smart city status of Lagos, stated that building a smart city that works requires that all hands be on deck in the implementation of the Lagos State Development plan and THEMES agenda.
Ekunsumi charged the workers to be alive to their responsibility, noting that the state government relies on them for the actualization of its agenda.
He said: “over the years, the State Government has been focusing on infrastructural development, as a result of this, its budget is being tuned more towards capital expenditure instead of recurrent expenditure which had been taking a large chunk of its expenses.”
A Public Affairs Officer with Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA), Yinka Oguntade affirmed that the programme has broadened her knowledge on delivering government policies to residents of the State.
The two-day revised structured training programme has participants from different professions across ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he has had nothing to do with the takeover of Manchester United.
BBC Sport understands Al-Khelaifi was contacted by the Glazer family a month ago as United’s owners tried to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer.
The All Progressives Congress(APC) has tasked the Inspector-General of Police (IG) to investigate the vandalisation of former Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara’s residence by individuals masquerading as security operatives.
Alhaji Musa Mada, the Northwest APC Publicity Secretary, said this at a news conference in Kaduna on Saturday.
Mada said that the vandalisation was in violation of section 34, 35, 37, 41 and 42 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“Our enquiry at both the Gusau and Maradu residences of Bello Matawalle confirmed that there was no warrant or anything for that matter presented to the people when the act was carried out by the invaders.
“Furthermore, residences of other government officials that worked with Matawalle during his four year administration were also invaded and some of their personal vehicles carted away by the same group.
“If investigation is not taken, hoodlums may wear uniforms and attack perceived enemies in the name of such operations.
“As a party, we will not tolerate that and we will watch closely how the authorities concerned will handle the situation so that we will know whether the police and the DSS are working for the PDP or Nigeria,” he said.
Muda urged party supporters and Matawalle’s loyalists to remain calm and not take laws into their hands, pending investigation by police authorities.
One of the front-line aspirants for Speakership race, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has said that he will soon make an official statement on his aspiration ahead of the inauguration of the 10th House.
Gagdi said he was in discussion and consultation with other aspirants in the race as well as national leaders of the party in this regard.
The lawmakers, who represents Pankshin/Kanye/Kanam federal constituency of Plateau State, said he has visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the race three times in three days.
In a tweet on his official Twitter handle, Gagdi said he was in discussion with fellow aspirants on the way forward and will make an announcement as soon as consultations are concluded.
He said: “Within the last 72 hours, | have visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu three (3) times at the Presidential villa on one on one meetings that all together lasted for more than one hour.
“The discussions have to do with my ambition of becoming the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and the Leadership issue of the 10th Assembly.
” I thank Mr. President for this honour and unique show of love to me and to the good people of Pankshin/Kanake/Kanam Federal Constituency.
“I appeal to my supporters, Honorable Colleagues in particular to remain calm as I am in deep discussions and consultations with my fellow aspirants and some national leaders.
“After all deliberations, an official statement will be issued in this regard. Thank you my father and Mr. President”.
The Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu support on advocacy for a female inclusion in the National Assembly leadership elections.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Mabel Ade, made the appeal in a letter titled “ urgent call for support in promoting female inclusion in Nigerian leadership roles’’ made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
Ade in the letter copied to all governors and elected-members of National Assembly called for an unopposed female candidacy of at least the position of deputy speaker of the House Representatives.
She said that AAF, a non-profit organisation devoted to advancing gender equality in Nigeria, was deeply concerned about the persistent under-representation of women in key leadership roles in the country.
Ade described the situation as not only a setback for gender equality but also a significant loss for the nation’s development and dignity.
“Nigeria has a female population of about 49 per cent, yet only 3.6 per cent of seats in parliament are held by women.
“This is far below the 35 per cent affirmative action recommended by the National Gender Policy in 2006 and the global average of 25.5 per cent.
“Nigeria also ranks 139 out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, indicating a wide disparity between men and women in various aspects of life.’’
Ade said that the effects were evident in the myriad of challenges that women face in the society, such as maternal and child mortality, poverty, gender-based violence, and food insecurity.
She said that the issues were often neglected or poorly addressed by policies and programmes that were largely designed and implemented by men, without adequate participation of women.
This, according to Ade, undermines the rights and well-being of women and girls, as well as the overall progress and prosperity in the country.
“In light of the upcoming elections for the Speaker/Deputy Speaker positions in the National Assembly, we at AAF are championing the cause for female inclusion.
“We believe that having more women in leadership positions will enhance the quality and diversity of decision-making, promote gender-responsive governance, and inspire more women and girls to aspire for leadership roles.
“We are therefore calling for an unopposed candidacy of a woman as Deputy Speaker, if not Speaker, as a minimum step towards achieving gender parity in politics,’’ she said.
Ade said that the foundation understood that its efforts alone were not enough to bring about the desired change.
“We need your advocacy and support as a respected leader and a champion of women’s rights.
“We kindly urge you to use your influence to lobby other influential individuals to support a female candidacy in the upcoming election. ‘’
Ade also called on the president’s support in advocating for competent women and young people to be appointed into positions by federal and state governments.
“This is necessary to make up for the gross underrepresentation of women in elective positions and to ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are adequately reflected in policy-making and implementation.‘’
She said that the foundation was confident that with the president’s support, significant strides would be made towards achieving gender equality in Nigeria.
This according to her will help in restoring the nation’s dignity on the global stage, and improving the lives of Nigerian women and children.(NAN)
