The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • SystemSpecs celebrates essay competition winners 

    SystemSpecs celebrates essay competition winners 

    Youngsters who shone brightest in the 2023 SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC) were honoured at a National Winners’ Award Ceremony held recently in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The ceremony also recognised the winning schools and the State, showcasing their remarkable achievements and promoting the significance of intellectual brilliance and academic excellence among children.

    Uwakwe Johncollins Chikanyima of Sacred Heart Seminary, Rivers State, and Afolabi Adeola Joanne of Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar School, Lagos State, emerged winners of the 2023 SystemSpecs CDEC in the junior category and senior category respectively.

    About 3,000 entries were received from children between the ages 9 and 16 from all the regions of the federation and the FCT, while they shared mind-blowing technology innovations on the topic “Making Nigerian Children Better Citizens Through the Use of Technology”.

    In the junior category, Ifelaja Elliot of Masterhills School, Ogun State, and Onile Jomiloju Ayoade of Eternal Excellency College, Oyo State, won the second and third prizes. At the same time, Madu-Nwaigwe Henry of White of Pearl International School, FCT-Abuja, and Dioha Adaeze Margaret of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Anambra State, came second and third in the senior category, respectively. 

    In addition, Lagos State emerged as the Winning State among other States across Nigeria that participated in the Competition. This award is reserved only for the State with the highest number of public schools in the top 100. The State produced eight out of the 21 public schools that came tops in the Competition.

    The other public schools within the top 100 were spread across various States in Nigeria, including Ekiti State (1), Enugu State (1), Anambra State (2), Cross River State (1), FCT-Abuja (4), Ogun State (3) and Oyo State (1).  

    Among the public schools from Lagos that featured in the top 100 are Local Government Primary School, Ladaba, Epe; State Junior High School, Alimosho; State Senior High School, Oyewole Agege; Command Day Secondary School, Oshodi; Lagos City Senior College, Sabo Yaba; Sito Gbethrome Junior Secondary School, Badagry; Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege; and Surulere Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere.

    In a remarkable display of commitment, SystemSpecs, Nigeria’s largest software technology group with over 30 years of experience, successfully organised the fourth National Children’s Day Essay Competition. This stands as a testament to the organisation’s unwavering dedication to nurturing indigenous technology capacity through structured Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

    “It’s a dream in the making, helping young Nigerians to recognise early that they have got a role to play in nation-building. Today, we are celebrating another set of Nigerians who have demonstrated excellence, discipline and rigour, allowing their mind to be expanded in what is possible in terms of citizenship, capacity-building and more importantly having a vision that they can do a lot more,” said Deremi Atanda, Managing Director, Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL).

    The first position winner in each category got a high-capacity laptop, laptop table, topnotch headphones, smart wristwatch, 120 gigabytes of internet data for one year, a unique keepsake hoodie, a school bag, and more. The second and third-place winners in each category also received a high-capacity laptop, 60 gigabytes of internet data for one year, a branded hoodie, a thermal flask, a school bag, and more. Some select public libraries within Lagos State shall be equipped with ten (10) laptops representing the winning prize for this category.

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    Group Head, Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, Oluwasegun Adesanya, said the Company’s annual Children’s Day Essay Competition is one of its CSR initiatives aimed at developing indigenous technology capacity.

    Adesanya said, “We are amazed by the quality of essays we received from this year’s participants. The entries proffered proven technology solutions that can groom Nigerian children to be better citizens. We have identified the outstanding submissions and will ensure that the relevant stakeholders required to bring these ideas into fruition are carried along.”

    Winners of the 2023 SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition were announced on Monday, 29 May, 2023, while the awards ceremony held on Friday, June 9, 2023. Total number of essays received were 2,895. The junior category garnered 1,407 entries and senior category 1,488. Participating schools were 1,086 across the 6 geopolitical zones and FCT-Abuja. This represents 43 per cent increase from last year.

    After the plagiarism and AI checks, eligible entries came down to 2,095 from 861 schools. The number of participations from public schools in the 2023 competition grew to 864 representing 30 per cent (compared to the 26 per cent in 2022) of the number of schools that participated.  21 public schools also featured in the top 100 schools.

    This year, Al Iman Secondary School, Taraba, produced five (5) entries (the highest) number of entries in the top 100, followed by Grundtvig International Secondary School, Anambra State, which produced four (4) entries in the top 100.

    During the announcement event, one of the judges, Prof. Babatunde Lawal, a senior lecturer at McPherson University, speaking on the evaluation process, stated that the process was bias-free as all entries were judged without the identities of the participants and in multiple assessments stages, which led to shortlisting the winners as solely determined by the panel of judges.

    “The quality of essays received is a testament that Nigerian children are exceptional, innovative, and forward-thinking in proffering solutions to national issues. It further reveals that many Nigerian children are technologically aware and should be encouraged to explore new inventions to be at par with their counterparts around the globe. I commend SystemSpecs for this amazing initiative and believe its outcome will be adopted in policies and national decision-making,” said Prof. Lawal.

    For over 30 years, SystemSpecs has provided innovative technology solutions and services through its companies to customers in Nigeria and beyond Africa. Some of the companies under the Group include RPSL, HumanManager Limited (HML), SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited (STSL), and SystemSpecs Deelaa Limited.

  • Equities sustain rally on renewed bargain-hunting

    Equities sustain rally on renewed bargain-hunting

    Nigerian equities reopened yesterday on a positive note as investors increased orders for several stocks.

     All Share Index (ASI) gained by 13.89 points, representing a growth of 0.02 per cent to close at 59,014.85 points. Also, market capitalisation gained N8 billion to close at N32.134 trillion.

    The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Dangote Cement, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Skyway Aviation Handling Company.

    This week, United Capital Plc said “we expect the bullish sentiments in the market to linger in the short-term, driven by positive sentiments by investors on account of interesting pronouncement and policies implementation by the new administration.

    “However, we foresee pockets of profit-taking activities as some investors would book their gains from the bourse’s recent rally.”

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    There were 44 gainers to  22 losers. Tantalizers and Universal Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent each to close at 22 kobo each, while Unity Bank followed with a gain of 9.80 per cent to close at N1.12, per share.

    Mutual Benefits Assurance went up by 9.76 per cent to close at 45 kobo, while FTN Cocoa processors appreciated by 9.63 per cent to close at N1.48, per share. On the other hand, Ellah Lakes led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, to close at N3.24, while John Holt followed with a decline of 9.57 per cent to close at N1.04, per share.

    Academy Press depreciated by 9.55 per cent to close at N1.80, while Omatek Ventures and Regency Alliance Insurance declined by 7.14 per cent each to close at 26 kobo and 39 kobo respectively, per share.

    The total volume traded increased by 43.47 per cent to 892.956 million shares valued at N11.147 billion, and exchanged in 9,274 deals. Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 139.891 million shares valued at N244.317 million. Sterling Financial Holdings Company followed with 105.543 million shares worth N311.106 million, while Universal Insurance traded 95.116 million shares valued at N19.253 million.

    Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) traded 83.801 million shares valued at N2.650 billion, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) sold 60.091 million shares worth N693.272 million.

  • ‘Africa needs strong financial institutions to drive development’

    ‘Africa needs strong financial institutions to drive development’

    The African continent would be unable to achieve its growth objectives unless it had strong development financial institutions, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has said.

    He spoke yesterday in Accra as he performed the formal opening of the 30th Annual General Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

    The Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023) is also being held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the bank, which was founded in 1993.

    Akufo-Addo told participants that Africa’s financial development institutions had remained highly undercapitalised, saying those institutions needed to be properly capitalised and to have effective coordination with the African Union (AU) in order to be able to deliver effectively for the continent.

    Noting that a bank like the China Exim Bank had a capital of $54 billion while Afreximbank had only $6 billion, he urged African countries and Africans to contribute to Afreximbank’s general capital initiative by subscribing to their allotted shares.

    Akufo-Addo commended Afreximbank for its catalytic role in Africa and urged it to strive to further improve its rating with the credit rating agencies in order to enhance its operations and be able to work consistently for Africa and the African Diaspora.

    He pledged to work for Afreximbank to be admitted to a special status at the AU in recognition of its role and contributions to the continent and described AAM2023 as a truly intercontinental event with the participation of several Caribbean countries that had become full members of the Bank following the signing of partnerships agreements with the institution.

    He further welcomed the bank’s support for Ghana, noting that its first transaction was with the Ghana Cocoa Board and that, beyond that, Afreximbank had provided timely support to Ghana through its Counter-Cyclical Liquidity Facility (COTRAFL) which it had put together at a time when global financial institutions were exiting Africa.

    “When dealing with powerful global financial financial institutions, it is important to have your own powerful financial institutions,” said the President.

    Earlier, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the board of Afreximbank, said that the bank was delivering on the blueprint laid out by the pioneers of the OAU for Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

    The pioneers had set priority key goals to establish a free trade area among the various African countries; to establish a pan-African payments and clearing union; to establish a common external tariff to protect the emergent industries and set up a raw material price stabilisation fund; to develop trade among African countries by the organisation and participation in African trade fairs and exhibitions and by granting transport and transit facilities; and to progressively free national currencies from all non-technical external attachments and the establishment of a pan-African monetary zone,” he said.

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    “For sixty years, this well-articulated road map remained a map and gathered dust,” said President Oramah. “But thanks to the vision of African leaders who founded Afreximbank 30 years ago, one by one, they are being delivered within the framework of ‘Team Africa’, comprising the African Union and its Agencies, the AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank as the underpinning banker”.

    “Today, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is up and running, which will save the continent 5 billion US dollars in intra-African transfer changes. It will also expedite and enable payments for intra-African trade in African currencies,” he said. “Very soon, we will domesticate all intra-African payments and extend the same to the CARICOM, where just a few days ago, the Association of CARICOM Central Banks adopted PAPSS as their preferred payment infrastructure for a pilot project. By this singular move, we are one step closer to a full integration of African and CARICOM economies”.

    He added that, in response to the founding fathers’ aspiration to develop trade among African States by organising and participating in African trade fairs, Afreximbank, in 2018, worked in partnership with the African Union to introduce biennial Intra-African Trade Fairs (IATF). Afreximbank pre-funded the organisation of the trade fairs, of which two had been held in Cairo and Durban, South Africa, attracting an aggregate of about 40,000 visitors and about 75 billion US dollars in deals.

    With the AfCFTA Secretariat joining the partnership following its establishment, the IATF, branded the AfCFTA Marketplace, had become the largest gathering of African businesses and traders, he continued. The third edition would hold in Cairo from 9 to 15 November 2023.

    It was also because Africa had Afreximbank that an integrated regional transit guarantee scheme for the continent had been birthed to ease the movement of goods across the 110 borders that divide Africa, said Prof. Oramah. Under the Scheme, goods could move across multiple African borders under one transit bond, significantly reducing border delays and transit costs.

    Prof. Oramah also noted that the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in 2018, and its entry into force a year later, fulfilled another key aspiration of the continent’s founding leaders, saying that to make that Agreement work for Africa, a financial backbone was necessary. “Afreximbank’s existence will give the AfCFTA the best chance of success”.

    He announced that, to deal with the considerable intra-African trade finance gap, Afreximbank disbursed over 20 billion US dollars in the five years to 2021 and projected to double those disbursements to 40 billion US dollars in the five years to 2026.

    Prof. Oramah added that it was Afreximbank: that arranged the 2.9 billion US dollar bundle of credit and guarantees that made it possible for Egyptian contractors to begin executing the largest intra-African construction contract for a dam in Tanzania; that supported, phosphate fertiliser imports from Morocco to Nigeria and Ethiopia with hundreds of millions of US dollars; and that enabled Vista Bank, Burkina Faso, to complete the acquisition of some BNP subsidiaries in West Africa.

    Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat had also established the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to, among others, compensate eligible countries for tariff revenue losses arising from the new trade regime while also supporting the private sector to adjust in an orderly manner to the new arrangement under the AfCFTA, he continued.

    Prof. Oramah added that Afreximbank was working with the African Regional Standards Organization to harmonise trade standards across Africa and had used Afreximbank mobilised grant funding to harmonise over 155 standards covering priority areas of automobile, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

    The Bank was working with Bureau Veritas of France to build testing, inspection, and certification centres across Africa under the branded Africa Quality Assurance Centres, he said. The first project had been completed in West Africa and others were underway in North and East Africa.

    In his speech, Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Chairman of CARICOM, noted that the countries of Africa and the Caribbean shared similar challenges but had not been maximising the hands dealt them by geography.

    Prime Minister Davis expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to the Caribbean delegation to AAM2023, noting that many people in the Caribbean traced their ancestral ties to Ghana and Africa.

    He added that the new linkages between Afreximbank and the Caribbean represented a strong testament to the shared goal of pan-African prosperity.

    He highlighted the risks posed to Caribbean states by climate change and said that those countries were on the frontlines of the of the threat of climate change.

    Speaking on behalf of Azali Assoumni, President of Comoros and Chairman of the African Union, Assoumany Aboudou Salam, Special Adviser to the President and former Minister of Finance of Comoros, said that it was time to think about relaunching of Africa’s economies.

    He said that Africa needed strong visionary leaders that were committed to working for the welfare of all Africans, adding that there should be an emphasis in investing in technology in order to stimulate economic development and job creation for the continent’s youth.

    Albert Muchanga, the AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining, speaking on behalf of Musa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission, congratulated Afreximbank on its 30th anniversary and said that the AU was a great friend and supporter of all African financial institutions.

    He commended Afreximbank for its role in pioneering a relationship with the Caribbean countries and said that Africa would still have to go deeper in its integration with the Caribbean.

    Earlier, Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance of Ghana, had welcomed participants to AAM2023 and noted that in its 30 years, Afreximbank had made significant contributions in building prosperity for all Africans.

    He commended the Bank and its President for the decisive role it had played in supporting African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, including making available $7 billion to help address COVID-19 related challenges and setting up the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.

    The opening ceremony also featured a poem delivery by South African artiste Lebo Mashile, an enactment of the life of famed Mali Empire ruler Mansa Musa, and a hologram featuring the words of Kwame Nkrumah.

    The meeting, which ends on 21 June, is being attended by political and business leaders, bankers and other trade and trade finance practitioners from across Africa and beyond, including leaders of several member countries of the Caribbean Community.

  • FITC prepares youths to tackle cyber-attacks 

    FITC prepares youths to tackle cyber-attacks 

    FITC Future of Work Academy (FITC FOWA) has announced  the official induction of talented youths from around the world into its esteemed School of Cybersecurity that would enable them to fight against cyber-attacks. 

    The induction ceremony, which took place recently, marks a significant milestone in addressing the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and safeguarding digital ecosystems.

    In an era defined by cyber threats, the FITC FOWA School of Cybersecurity stands at the forefront, moulding the future workforce. Through hands-on training and cutting-edge curriculum, aspiring professionals are equipped with the necessary tools to combat cyber attacks head-on. What sets the FITC FOWA School of Cybersecurity apart is not only its comprehensive approach but also its accessibility, as attendance is free. The trailblazing knowledge initiative through an unparalleled experience is dedicated to empowering individuals with the essential skills to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity.

    The induction event brought together a vibrant and diverse group of eager learners, all seeking to gain invaluable insights from renowned cybersecurity experts. This gathering provided attendees with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of cybersecurity, gaining practical industry knowledge, exploring the comprehensive curriculum offered by the FITC FOWA School of Cybersecurity, and discovering the vast array of exciting career opportunities available in this rapidly expanding field.

    During her welcome address,  the MD/CEO of FITC, Chizor Malize, highlighted the exceptional dedication and expertise invested in crafting the curriculum for the FITC Future of Work Academy’s School of Cybersecurity, in collaboration with CISCO Networking Academy. 

    “With a keen understanding of the global demand for cybersecurity professionals, the curriculum was thoughtfully designed to cater to individuals with varying levels of expertise, accommodating both seasoned practitioners well-versed in the intricacies of cybersecurity, risk management, and incident response, as well as newcomers to the field,” she revealed.

    Malize further emphasized that the comprehensive curriculum, which encompasses major cybersecurity disciplines, provides a holistic approach that equips participants with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the digital age.

    Addressing the inductees, Malize noted the profound impact they would have beyond their time at the academy, as the skills and knowledge gained would contribute to organizations, industries, and the global cybersecurity landscape. She encouraged the students to embrace the limitless potential of the cybersecurity domain and become catalysts for a safer and more secure digital world.

    Mr. John Anyanwu, Partner & Head, Cyber and Privacy, KPMG Nigeria, also spoke at the induction ceremony, emphasizing the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s business landscape. He highlighted the continuous investment in technology by micro, small, and medium enterprises, which has resulted in both opportunities and vulnerabilities. “As we build more smart assets, we expose ourselves to potential cyber harm and threats, thereby creating an increasing demand for cyber security professionals across various levels: technology and technical, policy formulation, governance, and risk management” he said.

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    Anyanwu went on to explain that the field of cyber security extends far beyond traditional boundaries and presents a multitude of opportunities, especially with the integration of artificial intelligence. The exponential increase in these opportunities further reinforces the demand for cyber security professionals. Addressing the participants, he expressed his confidence in their career choice and encouraged them to remain focused and actively participate in the Academy.

    Delivering the induction charge, Dr. David Isiavwe, President and Chairman Board of Trustees of the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), emphasized the critical nature of the cybersecurity profession and the protection of valuable digital assets. He addressed the aspiring cybersecurity professionals of the first cohort of the FITC School of Cyber Security, recognizing their commitment to safeguarding the digital landscape in the face of escalating cyber-attacks. Dr. Isiavwe stated, ‘Your presence here today symbolizes your steadfast commitment towards safeguarding our digital landscape.’

    Highlighting the magnitude of cyber threats, Dr. Isiavwe shared a revelation by the Nigerian government regarding the staggering volume of approximately 12 million cyber-attacks during the presidential elections, originating from both domestic and international sources. He called upon the inductees to step forward and shield organizations, communities, and the African continent from the dangers that exist in the cyberspace.

    Dr. Isiavwe underscored the inductees’ privilege of being mentored by battle-tested and experienced experts at the FITC Cybersecurity Academy. He encouraged the participants to delve into captivating case studies, engage in mind-expanding simulations, and undertake hands-on exercises that would sharpen their skills and broaden their cyber horizons. He emphasized the importance of developing a mindset of relentless curiosity, resilience, and ethical responsibility as they navigate the complexities of the cyber landscape.

    In his concluding remarks, Dr. Isiavwe inspired the participants to embark on this journey with a dedication to excellence, stating, ‘Together, we will practically maneuver through both the surface web and the dark web, acquiring the necessary skills to protect our digital assets and ensure a secure future for our organizations and communities.’

    Malize congratulated the students on embarking on their cybersecurity career journey at this crucial moment and wished them growth, knowledge, and transformative experiences throughout their time at the academy.

    The FITC FOWA School of Cybersecurity’s inauguration and induction of global youths’ event was a resounding success, representing a significant milestone in the pursuit of digital security excellence. FITC Future of Work Academy (FITC FOWA) remains dedicated to shaping the future workforce and will continue to provide innovative educational programs that empower individuals to thrive in the digital age.

    The FITC Future of Work Academy (FOWA) is a pioneering global academy committed to equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the digital age. Through innovative education and professional development programs, FITC Future of Work empowers learners to embrace emerging technologies, adapt to changing work dynamics, and excel in the future of work.

  • Sterling Bank okays savings accounts for market women

    Sterling Bank okays savings accounts for market women

    Sterling Bank, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, launched a new product focused on market women and traders in Ogun State.

    The One-Woman Saver Account is a product that aims to give easy access to banking services at a six percent rate of return on savings.

    The Regional Business Executive of Sterling Bank, Southwest, Evans Akinlolu, explained that the product was designed to drive financial inclusion, enable women to create a savings culture as well as improve their overall economic status over time, while speaking at the launch of the One-Woman Saver Account at Lafenwa, in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital city.

    He said women are a significant component of an economy, and it is crucial to incorporate them in any initiatives designed to strengthen the state’s economy.

    “At Sterling Bank, we believe so much in women. We know that women can transform society, and if you support a woman, you are supporting the nation.”

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    “This product encourages you to save gradually, and the interest rate that comes with it is one of the highest today. Also, Sterling Bank is one of the leading banks in the country; you have nothing to fear. What we have done again is that we will come to you every day, not that you will be coming to the bank.”

    “Whatever the Ajo people are doing that you are not too sure of, we assure you that every kobo of your money is guaranteed. You are not losing anything. Above all, you get access to a soft loan after you have saved for six months. So, I want to tell you that you are in the right place. You are in the right hands, and we pray that your business will continue to grow”.

    To inform potential consumers about the advantages of the account, bank officials went to the town’s Itoku and Kuto marketplaces.

    In his remarks, the representative of Women’s World Banking, Mr Emezino Afiegbe, disclosed that Women’s World Banking partnered with Sterling Bank because of its ability to solve women’s financial needs. He added that the bank always prioritizes the needs of women and is always ready to support them.

    “We are proud to partner with Sterling Bank because Sterling Bank has what it takes to make women prosper. At Women’s World Banking, we always go into the market to let customers tell us what they need so we can develop the right product”.

    Present at the launch were the Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Women Project, Mrs Fadairo; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Ogunremi; Olori Aje of Egba, Alhaji Mutiu; and Iyaloja Lafenwa, Mrs Sidi Owe, among others.

  • Adeleke, ex-Senate spokesperson disagree over illegal policemen

    Adeleke, ex-Senate spokesperson disagree over illegal policemen

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and ex-Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru, have disagreed over the alleged importation of unauthorised policemen to cause mayhem and destabilise the state.

    Adeleke, in a statement yesterday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, alleged that Senator Basiru brought unauthorised policemen into the state. He urged the Inspector General of Police (IG), to withdraw them.

    The statement reads: “We bring to the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police and the public that Senator Ajibola Bashiru has imported some policemen into the state, after submitting a list of top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and government officials, for arrest on trumped up charges. We reliably gathered that Basiru is personally coordinating the team in gross violation of extant laws and practice of law enforcement.

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    “We call on the IG to order the withdrawal of the policemen as their invitation threatens the peace and stability of Osun. We urge the commissioner of police to look into the matter before a breach of peace across the state.”

    However, Basiru berated the government for the allegation, saying: “I do not believe any serious government or its spokesman will spew such rubbish. I sympathise with Osun people for allowing comedians get close to the Government House. They are obviously jittery already that our party, the APC, will kick out their incompetent government in 2026. Obviously, illiteracy is a disease! The accusations are ridiculous, baseless, and could only come from such unserious quarter. 

    “If indeed Governor Adeleke is concerned with the peace of the state, he should immediately hand over to the police, the certified criminals that he is harbouring at his country home in Ede. If his intention is to harass or intimidate me, they are embarking of a failed venture.

    “I have, however, instructed my lawyers to consider possible legal action against the said Mallam Rasheed Olawale for defamation of character.”

  • Tribunal orders PDP to allow WAEC witness testify

    Tribunal orders PDP to allow WAEC witness testify

    The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday adjourned till Wednesday after respondents’ lawyers countered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawyer for not bringing a witness from WAEC seeking to tender the certificate of the second respondent.

    Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Arum Igyen-Ashom, ordered the PDP to bring in the supposed witness from the office of the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC), who was supposed to tender the governor’s certificate.

    According to Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), PDP lawyer, they had applied for some subpoenas. He added that the witness was not in court and they want to apply for a date.

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    “The witness is not presently in court. We will be applying for the tribunal to give us till Thursday to bring our remaining witness. We should have finished with our documentations by then. The witness we were supposed to bring has not been able to produce the certificate. He approached us that he is from WAEC, but he did not bring the certificate, I need to be guided because the stakes are high.”

    According to lawyer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Norrison Quakers (SAN), the said witness had approached the court and said he is ready to give his testimony, while they are also ready to take him, but he does not know why Onwuenwunor has refused to let the witness be subpoenaed.

    The tribunal ruled on the matter after taking submissions from counsels representing parties in the petition.

    It held  the witness is a witness of court, and has the right to testify. It then ordered that the PDP should get their documents ready to enable the witness testify. They further ruled out the three-day application made by Onwuenwunor and adjourned till Wednesday instead of Thursday.

  • German, Korean players relish WTT Contender Lagos

    German, Korean players relish WTT Contender Lagos

    The maiden WTT Contender Lagos has come and gone but the memory would remain with some of the top players that graced the $75,000 prize money tournament held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    From the singles champions to the doubles’ winners, the exciting Lagos atmosphere has been an inspiration for their triumphant in Nigeria.

    From the women’s singles champion, Korea’s Shin Yubin, coming to Nigeria was not an option but necessity having heard about the passion about the sport.

    The 18-year-old Korean national champion described Lagos as unique.

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    “I am very happy with my performance in Lagos especially the atmosphere in the hall. Being my second visit to Africa after the world championships in Durban, South African last month. I enjoyed every moment spent in Lagos with the passionate fans who were very supportive throughout all the matches. Apart from the hot weather which did not really affect us, Lagos is a place to be for table tennis because the fans understand the sport and they are inspiring for every player. This is my first title in Africa, and I am so happy that I won two gold medals in singles and doubles,” she said.

    Unlike Yubin who claimed the women’s singles, men’s singles runner up, Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov was happy with his performance despite losing 4-1 to China’s Zhou Qihao in the final.

    “I am happy to make it to the finals here. It was an incredible experience, and I can’t remember, but when the players got so much support from the audience, we could really see that the fans, the table tennis fans in Lagos are really table tennis and sports fans. I received incredible support, and it means a lot and we really enjoyed playing here in this venue. It was great,” the former world number one said.

  • Reps Speaker condemns killing

    Reps Speaker condemns killing

    SPEAKER of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has condemned the killing of a Fulani leader, Alhaji Shuaibu Mohammed, and his four children by suspected bandits in Dorayi in Zaria Local Government of Kaduna State.

     Mohammed, Ardon Birni da Kewaye of Zazzau Emirate, was reportedly killed with his children by suspected bandits, who also rustled his 100 cows, on Saturday night.

     The Speaker described the killing as most unfortunate, calling on security agents to bring the killers to book.

     He sent condolences to the Zazzau Emirate, family, people and government over the unfortunate incident.

     Abbas prayed for repose of the souls of victims and prayed God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

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     The Speaker also expressed sadness at the death of a  member of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Garba Madami.

     Madami, representing Chikun Constituency died on Saturday.

     Abbas said he received the news with shock, noting the late lawmaker died at a time his services were needed.

     The Speaker condoled the family, people and government, especially the Chikun.

    Praying to God to give the family fortitude to bear the loss, Abbas prayed for a peaceful resting place for Madami.

    Madami was a former Commissioner in the state and also served as an adviser to the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

  • ‘Dualise Funtua-Gusau road’

    ‘Dualise Funtua-Gusau road’

    Zamfara State Governor Duada Lawal  has called on the Federal Government to dualise the Gusau-Funtua Road  to fast-track the development of the state.

    In a statement,  Director-General, Media and Communication to the governor, Nuhu Salihu, quoted Lawal as saying he made the call when he visited the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Alhaji Mamuda Mamman, in his office.

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    He said it was part of his campaign promises that would touch  residents’ lives.

    Lawal added that the dualisation of the road was a critical project that would boost socio-economic activities in the state.

    He, however, expressed the state’s readiness to partner the Federal Government to bring meaningful projects to the residents.

    Mamman assured of the ministry’s readiness to partner the Zamfara Government in road construction to bolster the development of the state.