The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • LASU VC gets national productivity award

    LASU VC gets national productivity award

    The gale of reforms sweeping Lagos State University (LASU) has received official recognition, with the conferment of national productivity award on the Vice Chancellor, Prof.  Yemi Olatunji-Bello.

    She was listed among the 35 recipients (individual category) for 2021 approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement signed by the Director General/CEO of the National Productivity Centre, Dr. Nasir Raji-Mustapha.

    Thirty-six awardees were approved for year 2022.

    The National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award is statutorily empowered to recognise individuals, corporate institutions and MDAs identified as having made significant contributions to the nation yearly.

    Read Also : PHOTOS: LASU VC Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello bags Fellowship of National Labour Institute

    Seven companies were shortlisted for the award in 2021 and the same number was approved for 2022.

    Since Olatunji-Bello’s assumption of office in 2021, LASU has recorded significant milestone. Within three months in office, the university was able to secure accreditation for 31 programmes (both academic and professional) from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies. A feat unprecedented for any sitting vice chancellor in history.

    Within the first year, LASU under Olatunji-Bello also secured approval from the university’s Governing Council and Senate to establish and run the three faculties and a school. They include Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and School of Library, Archival and Information Science, which is the first in West Africa and second in Africa.

    Currently, the faculties and school are at various stages of take-off, with pioneer Acting Deans appointed to midwife the commencement of studies.

    Prof. Olatunji-Bello’s Midas touch has also rubbed off on the university’s satellite campus in Epe, with the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences to incorporate Civil Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering.

    In 2022, LASU attracted seven new international students from Ghana to the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative STEM Education (ACEITSE).

  • DJs deserve respect from artistes, says DJ Brightstar

    DJs deserve respect from artistes, says DJ Brightstar

    Fast rising Disc Jockey, Markson Uwanobong mostly known as DJ Brightstar has said that DJs deserve every respect they get from artistes and music executives.

    He noted that DJs play a vital role in turning an ‘ordinary’ music act into a superstar.

    “I think the power of a DJ is underrated, we are like the key to the doors that many artists need to accomplish their dreams. No artist will become famous or ‘blow’ without the help of DJs because we are the ones who make sure their music is known in clubs, streets and radio stations,” said DJ Brightstar.

    Continuing, he said, “When artists see aDJ no matter how small you may think he is, respect him, he deserves it.”

    A consummate professional, DJ Brightstar has worked alongside 2Baba, Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Kiss Daniel, Seyi Vibez, Peruzzi, Iyanya, Kcee, JMartins, Tekno, Harrysongs, Idahams, Dandizzy, and Skales.

    In 2019, he was signed by MC Galaxy as his official DJ. In 2021, he released a hype track, featuring the Energy gAD, Do2dtun.

  • Consultant to empower youths

    Consultant to empower youths

    Sports consultant, King Mubaraq is set to collaborate with KMA to empower thousands of youth by providing them with a stable source of income

     Poverty is a familiar scourge to most Nigerian youth: Annually, millions of Nigerian youth perish in the Sahara desert and drown in the Atlantic ocean in a bid to cross to Europe.

     Many of those who remain in the country imagine that crime is their only option. In order to prevent our society from self-destructing, we need more noble options for the Nigerian youth to make a honest living.

     There is one man with one vision who is tirelessly working behind the scenes to meet a real need in the Nigerian society. His name is Mubaraq Popoola of KM analysis, also known as King Mubaraq.  KM Analysis is a well acclaimed sports consultancy organisation which provides insightful and accurate analysis of sporting events for its audience.

     The brand has an impressive online following and thousands of satisfied clients who attest to their brilliant services. KM analysis also has a SCUML verification from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

     In addition to the sport analysis which they render, they also provide timely sport news and recreational activities for their audience.

     Resilience and doggedness are two essential tools for facing the slippery business terrain in Nigeria and fortunately, King Mubaraq, a sport analyst, public figure and serial entrepreneur, has these qualities in abundance.

    With a proven track record, he has built KM analysis from an infant brand to a multi million naira brand and the growth is skyrocketing.

     A Significant part of this growth is the upcoming project to empower thousands of Nigerian youth to find their way out of choking poverty and provide a steady source of income for them.

  • Fed Govt releases convicted Supertanker, crew

    Fed Govt releases convicted Supertanker, crew

    The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Navy yesterday confirmed the release of the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), MT HEROIC IDUN and its 26 foreign crew after nine months of incarceration.

    The supertanker from Equatorial Guinea, which has the capacity to load up to three million barrels of crude oil per time, was arrested around the restricted Nigerian maritime areas around August last year.

    She was charged for allegedly being involved in crude oil theft, violation of maritime laws and was convicted by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The crew members were 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans, a Polish and a Filipino.

    Sixteen of the members were arraigned before the court last November and they pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

    Upon conviction, the crew and vessel entered a plea bargain with the government accepting to withdraw further prosecution and investigation of the vessel, her owners, charterers and the crew in line with Section 270 (5) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Briefing journalists onboard the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, weekend, the Commanding Officer, Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Captain Mohammed Adamu, explained that the federal government  had accepted to free the ship and its crew members after it pleaded guilty and voluntarily accepted to enter into a plea bargain agreement as well as made restitution to the government.

    “It may be recalled that the public and indeed the maritime world was notified of the grave infractions of Motor Tanker HEROIC IDUN and her prosecution by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on January 10.

    “It was equally disclosed that the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), MT HEROIC IDUN and her 26 foreign crew pleaded guilty and elected voluntarily to enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as make restitution to the Federal Government.

    “Accordingly, after the conviction of MT HEROIC IDUN and sentencing by the Court, in line with the agreed terms, the MT HEROIC IDUN and its owners were to pay conviction fines and restitution to the FGN and make an apology to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in print and electronic media as well as Llyod’s List.

    “Accordingly, the owners of the vessel apologised to the FGN on the LLOYDS List on 12th May 2023 and the same apology was published in the Punch Newspaper(Page 27) of 18 May 2023.

    “The vessel regretted the false pirate attack alarm she raised on August 7, 2023, which was in clear defiance of the state being that she disobeyed the orders of Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA after an attempt to load crude oil without appropriate approvals from NNPCL and the necessary security clearance,” he explained.

    Returning the crew’s travel documents through the ship’s Captain, Tanuj Mehta, Adamu charged them to be of good conduct and respect maritime laws at all times.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo towards continued partnership with other Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies, Navies of the Gulf of Guinea states and strategic partners to ensure Nigeria gets maximum benefit from its natural resources in her vast maritime area.

    He threatened to ensure prosecution of anyone whose operation infringed on the provisions of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act and all maritime laws and conventions acceded to by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     Reacting to the development, HEROIC IDUN’s captain acknowledged that they were treated humanely by the Nigerian government and the Navy during their time in custody.

     His words: “We were treated extremely professionally by the Nigerian Navy and we are thankful to the Nigerian government handling us well.

     “Yes, we are aware of the arrangement between the Navy and the owners and plea bargain agreement and we are more than happy to go back home to our families,” he said.

  • AMVCA honours Patience Ozokwo with Lifetime Merit Award

    AMVCA honours Patience Ozokwo with Lifetime Merit Award

    Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo aka Mama G has been conferred with Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) Lifetime Merit Award during the ninth edition which was held recently in Lagos.

    Mama G was honored with the award for her contribution to the movie industry.

    Accepting her award, Mama G revealed that she was tricked to attend the event without a prior knowledge of the award.

    She, however, expressed joy for being recognized and loved for her contribution to the industry while vowing not to stop doing her best.

    “When we started in the industry there was no social media and so many other luxuries we enjoy now. Progress was completely dependent on your talent, humility, word of mouth and trust. I appreciate my colleagues who work tirelessly and oftentimes without recognition. I appreciate my family, who have always surrounded me with love and acceptance. My children sacrificed a lot and stayed long periods without a mother. At one point, my daughter became my PA and is still my Associate Manager till date,” said Mama G.

    Continuing, she said, “All marketers that believed in me from the very beginning. I did not want to mention names so as not to omit anyone, especially producers, executive producers and independent producers far too numerous to count. I appreciate you all. Thank you #MamaGLovers’ for your unwavering Love and support. I will never take you for granted. I will keep working hard so help me God.

    “This moment right here is written in stone, firm, immutable and permanent. To all those who dream, to all those who work hard, to all those who hope, to those who start from the very bottom, to the obscured. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Never stop moving, never stop learning, never stop believing, never stop praying, never look down on yourself, never try to be anyone else but yourself. Your change will come in the due course.I am a living testimony.”

  • Ajebo gears up for Ajebo Unleashed 10.0

    Ajebo gears up for Ajebo Unleashed 10.0

    Award-winning comedian, Emeka Erem aka Ajebo is set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his show, Ajebo Unleashed 10.0.

    Tagged the ‘Grateful’ edition, the entertainer disclosed that he will be delivering a scintillating performance for his audience on June 25 at Eko Hotel and Suite alongside some of the funniest men and rave musicians in Africa.

    Speaking about the upcoming event, Ajebo said, “Basically, Ajebo Unleashed 10.0 is my way of expressing my gratitude to God who has brought me this far. I owe everything to him. Without God, I won’t be here. It is also a Thanksgiving concert as I had a major accident last year and came out unscathed.

    “I am grateful to God for life as well. I will be talking about my fatherhood experience. I’ve had three daughters over the last five years. I’m giving God back the glory.

    “The event is my way of saying thank you to my fans who have stayed loyal to the Ajebo brand over the past decade. ‘Ajebo Unleashed’ started as a child of passion but grew to become a household name, all thanks to the loyalty of my teeming fans,” he said.

    The humour merchant revealed that he has curated a list of the funniest comedians and the finest musicians in Africa and the Diaspora to provide quality entertainment on the 25th of June.

    As a comedian, Ajebo has had a colourful career in the humour industry. In addition to ‘Ajebo Unleashed’, he is also the brain behind the ‘House of Ajebo’ cartoon brand which has been running for the past 13 years.

  • FirstBank The Voice Nigeria: Pere’s road to fame and fortune

    FirstBank The Voice Nigeria: Pere’s road to fame and fortune

    A 25-year-old Pere Jason’ road to victory and fortune in the FirstBank’s sponsored The Voice Nigeria season four is as interesting and captivating as his first performance on the show during the blind auditions.

     For his first performance in the blind audition, Pere left the coaches’ mouths ajar with his rendition of Beyonce’s ‘XO’

     Pere’s captivating voice got the four coaches Niyola, Praiz, Waje, and Naeto C turning for him after which decided to pitch his tent with Team Niyola.

    From his first performance till the sensational finale, where he emerged the winner, Pere displayed an uncanny dexterity and alluring singing abilities that kept drawing him to the coaches and ultimately the viewers and fans.

    The  Bayelsa State indigene showcased his vocal prowess and musical artistry, captivating both judges and audiences alike.

    The Voice Nigeria Season IV pitched 12 contestants against each other, with the winner receiving a cash prize of 15 million Naira, a brand new car, and a lucrative recording contract with Universal Music.

    As Pere Jason’s victory shows, Nigeria is awash with musical talent, and with the support of sponsors and fans alike, these artistes can go on to achieve great things.

    For his part, Pere expressed his gratitude to the sponsors and organisers, The Voice Nigeria for the opportunity given to him to showcase his talent. He also thanked his fans and supporters, who had voted him to victory, promising to continue making beautiful music for them.

    FirstBank led a long list of sponsors as a major sponsor of the reality show which drew viewers from all across the country. The support of sponsors like First Bank of Nigeria Limited has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of Nigeria’s music industry, contributing to a diversified economy, in line with the Federal Government’s diversification policy. The Bank also supported the preceding season, The Voice Nigeria Season III.

    The Voice Nigeria Season IV was a resounding success, drawing tens of thousands of viewers from across the country. With the support of FirstBank and other sponsors, the show was able to provide a platform for young, aspiring musicians to showcase their talents and achieve their dreams.

  • Health board inductees 555 officers

    Health board inductees 555 officers

    The Community Health Registration Board Council of Nigeria (CHPRBN) has inducted 555 health officers in Abuja.

    They were from 15 accredited universities teaching hospitals across the country.

    The graduates, who were administered with Hippocratic oath, have been trained in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention and primary healthcare services.

    Executive Officer/Registrar of the Board, Idris Bashir said the officers have been equipped professionally to deliver the needed first-call service to rural communities.

    Bashir said: “The COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging public health diseases have highlighted the importance of having a strong and resilient healthcare system that can effectively respond to the needs of our communities.

    Read Also : Association urges govt to end strike in healthcare sector

    “Our Community Health Officers have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability in responding to the challenges posed by such a pandemic which should be commendable.”

    He said the Board has introduced and launched the community Health integrated automated cloud (CHIMACS) which will enhance easier information sharing and retrieval as technology will go a long way to enhance the performance of the health officers.

    Chairman of the Governing Board, Sule Toma urged the inductees to take advantage of the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (M.C.P.D) program offered by the board in addition to other past qualification training courses that will soon commence with the aim to specialise in PHC services.

    He said the bachelor of Community Health sciences and Post graduate Diploma in Community Health Education have also been introduced in universities for community health officers to upgrade themselves.

    National President of Communities Health Officers (NACHPN), Kabir Yahaya commend the effort of the Chairman and the Governing Board, the Chief Registrar, Principals of Communities Health Schools and the entire members of Staff for always making the occasion a memorable one for the inducting students.

  • Stakeholders laud Zulum’s planned recruitment of 5,000 teachers

    Stakeholders laud Zulum’s planned recruitment of 5,000 teachers

    Some stakeholders have lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his planned recruitment of 5,000 teachers.

    Zulum has announced plans to engage more teachers during his second term in office as part of measures to improve the standard of education in the state.

    The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri yesterday, said the recruitment would go a long way in addressing the current teachers’ employment deficit in the state.

    Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno, Mr Bulama Abiso, told NAN that it was a welcome development intended to address challenges brought by the increased number of students in public schools.

    Read Also : Zulum wants more investments in science-tech

    Abiso said: “It has been a long time since we have been asking for this. No matter the structure you have on the ground, teachers play a vital role and for a very long time, teachers at the lower level have not been adequately recruited. So, this new development will go a long way to positively impact the teachers. Not only the employment, we are also agitating for the welfare of the teachers.

    “I hope the teachers who will be recruited will be placed appropriately on their grade levels and those at the Teaching Service Board will also have their promotion and placed on their appropriate grades. Because in most cases you will find out that old teachers are having their promotion stagnated while new newly recruited teachers on Grade Levels 7, 8 and 9 will have their steady promotion.”

    The immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in the state, Muhammed Jubril, noted that the planned recruitment would fill the huge gap created by the action of insurgents.

    Jubril reminisced that hundreds of teachers were killed by insurgents, noting that the shortage of qualified teachers is further compounded by the poor distribution of the teaching workforce, resulting in some schools having  inadequate numbers of teachers.

    He however, urged the state government to consider recruiting additional 5,000 primary teachers, noting that the planned employment will only cover secondary schools.

  • National Assembly okays refund of N16b to Borno

    National Assembly okays refund of N16b to Borno

    The Senate and House of Representatives yesterday approved the Federal Government’s request to refund N16,772,486,002.19 to the Borno State Government for federal road projects executed by the state.

    Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the National Assembly to approve the amount through promissory note and bond issuance.

    The approval of the refund by the Senate followed the consistency of the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP – Edo Central), presented the report.

    On the other hand, the House approved the refund after it considered a report by its Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management.

    Read Also : National Assembly sets up radio station

    Chairman of the Committee, Hon Ahmed Safana Dayyabu presented the report.

    Both Ordia and Dayyabu in their separate reports said their committees discovered that all the projects listed by the State Government were actually executed.

    Senator Ordia observed that most of the Federal roads mentioned were in a deplorable state before the intervention of the Borno State Government.

    He added that the Federal Bureau of Public Procurement has ascertained and certified that due process was followed accordingly.

    On his part, Dayyabu told the House that the Borno State Government began construction of the federal roads in 2014

    He added that out of the roads, only the Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala (30Km) Road Phase I was eligible for reimbursement as it was awarded before the President’s directive of 29th July 2016 which suspended assessment of requests for refund on projects carried out without the Federal Government’s approval.

    He said the other three projects (Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala Road Phase II, Flyover Bridge at Custom Roundabout, Maiduguri, and Dualisation of the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru/Ngala Road from Custom Area to Muwa Welcome Gate) awarded by the Borno State Government after the President’s directive, were approved upon a compassionate appeal by the Borno State Government.