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  • Coronation: Soun inaugurates operation zero potholes on Ogbomoso township roads

    Coronation: Soun inaugurates operation zero potholes on Ogbomoso township roads

    The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, has inaugurated operation zero potholes on Ogbomoso township roads as part of activities for his coronation scheduled for Dec. 19.

    Spokesman for the paramount ruler,  Rev. Peter Olaleye, said this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Ogbomoso.

    Olaleye said that the ongoing repair of road network within the city was at the instance of the paramount ruler.

    He said that Oba Olaoye had approached relevant authorities to get the road fixed to make driving through the metropolis less burdensome, especially during the coronation activities.

    “Oba Olaoye is committed to improving the outlook of Ogbomoso in all facets. He is willing to meet with relevant stakeholders to effect the desired changes.

    “It is part of the reasons he decided to launch operation zero tolerance against potholes.

    “The Royal father is not happy with the condition of Ogbomoso roads and that is why he decided to partner with Reynolds Construction Company (RCC)  to rehabilitate some major roads in the city,” he said.

    According to him, this is even more germane because of the coronation ceremony and solicited the support and cooperation of residents for the Royal father.

    The Chairman of the coronation Central Planning Committee, Prof. Adesola Adepoju, had on Tuesday, last week at a news conference rolled out the programme of events at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club in Ogbomoso.

    Read Also: Jubilation as Soun’s coronation kicks off with empowerment programme

    Adepoju disclosed that Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would present the staff of office to Oba Olaoye on Tuesday, at the Ogbomoso Township stadium to climax the one-week activities.

    He said the town would play host to dignitaries from all walks of life, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, representatives of governments at all levels, serving and former governors, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic corps.

    Adepoju said that his committee was already working with the different arms of security agencies to provide adequate security for lives and properties during the events as well as travel routes.

    The chairman told NAN correspondent that visited Ogbomoso, to observe the level of preparedness, that the traditional ruler had given directives that bad portions on township roads be fixed immediately.

    “The rehabilitation of the bad portions on major roads that passed through Caretaker area to Seminary and Bowen Hospital area had commenced.

    “There were deep gullies in these areas which make driving through difficult, especially with the hundreds of articulated vehicles plying the roads, often resulting in slow movement of traffic.

    “Reynolds Construction Company has been contracted to fix the bad portions,” he said.

    NAN reports that the contractor was seen on site when visited patching up some of the damaged portions with stone base.

    RCC is the contracting firm currently handling the construction of the Ogbomoso – Oyo section of the new Ibadan – Ilorin dual carriage way.

    (NAN) 

  • We will end accidental discharge in Rivers – CP Disu

    We will end accidental discharge in Rivers – CP Disu

    The Rivers state police commissioner, Olatunji Disu, has promised residents of the state that there will be no more incidents of accidental discharge.

    Disu spoke at the Arms Handling and Musketry competition held at the Counter Terrorism Unit(CTU) Training School in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the training was in line with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s vision to train and retrain  officers for efficient service delivery. 

    He said the programme scheduled for three weeks, would have operatives trained in arms handling and Musketry.

    He said: “We are here to witness the training that has been going on for the past three weeks. The officers have been here to do what they have been doing annually to brush our professionalism, which is arms training and arms handling. Today we have concluded the training exercise.

    Read Also: CP Disu denies alleged assassination attempt on Rivers factional Assembly speaker

    “Arms handling is one of the most important aspects of policing because it has to do with life and death. During this this training, we taught them safety and control; and how they should handle their firearms. Our firearms are important tools of our trade, so we will ensure that we train our officers again and again.” 

    Disu said the operatives were taught the most important law of firearms handling contained in the Fourth Order 237.

    He said: “Most importantly, we need to build trust between us and the community, those we are protecting know that we are proficient with the firearms that we are carrying. We do not want people running away from us because we are carrying firearms. We want them to know that we have been trained to handle their firearms. 

    “We also want to reduce that recurring language of accidental discharges. I can assure you that with the level of training the officers have undergone for the past three weeks, that will be a thing of the past,” he assured.”

    Disu, while reacting to the condition of the training school, expressed optimism that the IGP would revamp all police training schools across the country.

    He said: “The IGP has said again and again, that he has intention repairing all police training institutes, and I have had a visitation from the IGP who had been here to see what we have here and has assured us that in the nearest future, this place will be put to better use.”

    ReplyForward
  • 2m IDPs in northeast face scarcity of services – Research

    2m IDPs in northeast face scarcity of services – Research

    A research report has shown that 2,367,554 internally displaced persons (IDPs) around states in the northeast face acute scarcity of essential services.

    The analysis, presented by resource persons at a workshop in the Adamawa state capital, Yola, said that over two million IDPs were forced into long-term displacement mostly by Boko Haram attackers as well as natural disasters like flooding and communal crisis in parts of the region.

    Putting the number of IDPs in Adamawa state alone at 223,910; the resource persons said a significant number of these IDPs are living with host community families.

    The resource persons, Dr Robert Onyeneke and Dr Ahmadu Tafida, in their paper presentation at an inception workshop on ‘Vulnerabilities to Changes In Water Systems of Conflict-Affected Communities in Adamawa State’, said only 18 per cent of IDPs have access to safe nutrition, among other similarly scarce essential supplies and services.

    Read Also: Minister inspects IDPs’ housing project in Abuja

    This happens, they said, becaues displacement causes disruptions in agriculture, leading to limited food supply. 

    Identifying challenges to displaced persons as safety, shelter, food, water, loss of livelihoods and social disintegration, the researchers recommended implementation of anticipatory actions by government and other authorities to prevent displacement or mitigate its effect.

    The research result presentation and solution finding workshop in Yola was organized by International Water Management Institute (IWMI), with support from some other organisatiins.

    The Regional Researcher (Climate Adaptation & Governance) of IWMI, Dr Okem Emmanuel, said the Inception Workshop in Yola assembled humanitarian sector stakeholders to sharpen understanding of vulnerabilities in the water sector in the context of internally displaced persons. 

    “We want to map out strategies and provide sustainable solutions to the problems people are facing. Participants will come up with a clear roadmap that is inclusive and responds to the needs of everybody,” Dr Okem said.

  • 2025: I’m ready to join others to deliver Anambra to APC – Moghalu

    2025: I’m ready to join others to deliver Anambra to APC – Moghalu

    A foundation member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), George Moghalu, has reiterated his resolve to join hands with other progressives in Anambra state to deliver the state to the party in 2025.

    He also welcomed the new decampees into the party ahead of the 2025 off-season governorship election in the state.

    Moghalu said this in a statement by his media office on Saturday in Abuja while reacting to an online story captioned “Moghalu: Ifeanyi Uba cannot win Anambra for APC.”

    Describing the caption as fake news, the immediate past Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) noted that at no time in the course of an interview with some journalists did he say what was attributed to him in the headline.

    He noted that the headline was at variance with the content of the interview, insisting that the caption was the imagination of those spreading the fake news.

    The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the fake news being circulated by a faceless group with the above-referenced caption and credited for our Principal, Chief Dr George N. Moghalu. 

    “It is clear it is a sponsored article with the sole intention of creating enmity between our Principal, his friend and his brother, both Leaders of our great Party in Anambra State. 

    Read Also: Tinubu’s intervention rescued political crisis in Ondo – APC Canada

    “It is very unfortunate that these faceless elements are trying everything possible to twist facts that are before the public. The interview granted by Our Principal was widely reported in the Sun, Nation, Thisday and Daily Trust Newspapers. 

    “From the content of the interview, it is clear that the headline under reference only exists in the imagination of those spreading the fake news. For the avoidance of doubt, let us set the record straight. 

    “At no point in the interview did our Principal say that Senator Ifeanyi Uba cannot win Anambra for APC.

    “We wish to state that our principal is ever ready to join other progressive-minded stakeholders to move the party forward. 

    “We welcome Senator Ifeanyi Uba and other progressives who joined our party, The APC. 

    Urging party members and the public to disregard the “baseless and sensational headline”, the APC Chieftain also advised the media practitioners to endeavour to practice responsible journalism.

  • Tinubu celebrates ‘peerless’ Buhari at 81

    Tinubu celebrates ‘peerless’ Buhari at 81

    President Bola Tinubu has celebrated his friend and ally, former President Muhammadu Buhari, as he clocks 81 years of age,  describing him as an icon of truth, justice, and patriotism.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu extols the peerless leadership credentials and feats of the former president, recalling his meritorious service to the nation at various times as Head of State and as President.

    Reeling out former President Buhari’s unparalleled record of infrastructural provision, comprising several new international airports, multiple standard-gauge railway lines, new seaport development, dozens of new dams, power stations, oil and gas infrastructure, expressways and mega-bridges, in addition to establishing Nigeria’s first-ever national social investment and protection programme, amongst many other feats, President Tinubu fondly recalled the former President’s aggressive push to modernize Nigeria’s defence architecture while working towards import substitution with the empowerment of millions of Nigerian farmers in his progressive initiative to enhance food security in the country.

    The president described former President Buhari as the finest paradigm of sacrifice, devotion, patriotism, and fidelity to the national cause.

    Read Also: Tinubu, govs, Ohanaeze, others mourn Ezeife

    “President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our Fatherland. The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration. He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay,” the President says.

    He expressed appreciation to his predecessor for his friendship and vote of confidence shown through his stalwart support for the administration. 

    While wishing the elder statesman longevity and strength, President Tinubu assured the former President that the hope of a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, which he has always worked for, will not be dashed.

  • Goods worth N60 million destroyed in Jalingo fire

    Goods worth N60 million destroyed in Jalingo fire

    Twelve stores housing assorted goods estimated at N60 million were destroyed on Saturday, December 16, by an early morning fire in the densely populated Road Block area of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

    One of the affected persons, Mohammed Musa a.k.a Baba Gas, told our correspondent that the fire was sparked by a process of refuelling irrigation engines by dry season farmers who were preparing to go to work that early morning.

    Musa who identified himself as chairman, Black Marketers of Jalingo, said goods that were lost include: second hand clothes, phone accessories, plastic and leather materials, farm produce and fuel belonging to black marketers.

    He said: “I witnessed the inferno and how people were trying to control it but the damage had already been done. The fire consumed at least 12 stores belonging to small traders who use them to keep their wares.

    “Those who lost their goods are too numerous to mention. We have those that deal on second d hand clothes, phone accessories, plastic and leather bags and black marketers.

    “Some of our neighbours who keep their farm produce for business were also affected. The value of goods in each store can’t be less than N5 million.

    Read Also: Lagos set for 3-day countdown fiesta

    It was however learnt the fire service agents came but retreated when they felt their safety was not guaranteed during the pandemonium at the scene.

    According to Musa, no casualties were recorded apart from a few injuries and those who suffered from tear gas spread by security agents who later intervened.

    Musa who was looking forlorn among his sympathizers, called on friends and government to assist them in order to start all over again having lost everything to the unfortunate incident.

    He added: “I am calling on government to assist us to be on our feet again. We have at least 300 persons who are looking for their daily bread here including civil servants. Like me, I have been depending on this business for up to 30 years.

    “I have sustained my family and siblings through this business. I have never worked with government. This is where i get my daily bread. I have 21 dependants. With what just happened, apart from the little I have left, there is nothing else.

    “We need contribution from friends, especially the government. They should hasten and help us to get back to business in order to survive,” he pleaded.

  • Nigerian students donate pens to Tinubu to assent anti s3xual harassment bill

    Nigerian students donate pens to Tinubu to assent anti s3xual harassment bill

    Students across Nigerian tertiary institutions in partnership with Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) have donated their pens to President Bola Tinubu in order for him to speedily assent to the Anti-sexual Harassment Bill before him.

    The pens, which were collected across different campuses, were presented to President Tinubu through his Senior Special Assistant on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon.

    The students said they assumed that shortage of pens was a likely factor for the delay in assenting to the bill.

    A student of the University of Abuja, Abdul Fatima Zara said: “The most symbolic tool for students is pens and that is why we have donated these pens to the president.

    “We decided to donate these pens because students are in school to learn to be better versions of themselves and if sexual harassment is in place to restrict every form of students’ zeal to learn, that should not be so and that is why we solicit that the president assent to the bill so that students will now have a voice to speak out.”

    Read Also: Tinubu, govs, Ohanaeze, others mourn Ezeife

    The Lead Director of GMI, a non-governmental organisation that works in addressing sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in educational settings, Omowumi Ogunrotimi said they partnered Nigerian students to launch the “#DonateAPenToMrPresident Campaign,” across campuses nationwide with the aim of contributing pens, urging the President to sign the bill promptly, thereby safeguarding students in educational institutions.

    She said the sexual harassment prevention, prohibition, and redressal bill in tertiary institutions has been transmitted to the President’s desk for assent as constitutionally required.

    She said: “Sadly, this Bill has lingered on the President’s desk for some time, a delay reportedly attributed to a shortage of pens. In response to this, we present pens to the President as a symbol of our collective power to end sexual harassment in environments of learning.”

    The presidential aide, Asefon, admitted that the case of sexual harassment had been persistent in the citadel of learning and that the bill would address such and ensures that the right punishment was meted to the perpetrators. 

    He said: “My office is not unmindful of the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence against female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the widespread allegations of sex-for-mark in some educational institutions in the country and the fact that most students who are targeted hardly come forward with complaints.

    “I want to assure Nigerian Students today that, Mr. President will assent to the bill that seeks to criminalise the act of neglect or failure of administrative heads of tertiary educational institutions to address complaints of sexual harassment.”

  • Yuletide: FRSC deploys 950 personnel in Kwara

    Yuletide: FRSC deploys 950 personnel in Kwara

     The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed 950 personnel for Christmas and New Year special patrol operations in Kwara.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Kwara FRSC Public Education Officer, Basambo Busari, on Friday in Ilorin.

    According to Busari, 350 special marshals, 120 first respondents, 40 patrol vehicles, two power bikes, four ambulances, four private tow trucks and a 70 ton tow-truck are deployed for the operations during the period.

    “The special operations are necessitated by the attendant increase in movement of vehicles across road corridors in the state during the festivities, and the need to address road traffic encumbrances associated with such increase,” he said.

    He said that the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, has also deployed personnel for traffic control at strategic locations within Ilorin township and major cities in the state.

    The sector commander admonished motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations by avoiding speeding, overloading, obstruction, use of phone while driving and passenger manifest violation while driving.

    Dawulung also warned motorists to desist from operating vehicles of mechanical deficiency, rickety vehicles and driving with worn-out tyres, among others.

    He emphasised the need for drivers to avoid night journeys and take adequate rest of 30 minutes after every 4-hour drive as safety of life should be prioritised over pecuniary gains.

    The FRSC Kwara Command will further organise public enlightenment campaigns, mega rally in all interstate motor parks, early morning cry, advocacy at places of worship and markets to sensitise the motoring public, the official said.

    Read Also: SEMA seek partnership with FRSC on disaster management ahead of Yuletide

    According to him, the command will also carry out special traffic control operations to ease the road congestion in Ilorin metropolis with three other traffic control camps established at Bode Saadu, Jebba and Olooru to ease traffic within the respective axis.

    ”The heavy tow truck, ambulances and standby rescue teams will be stationed along major highways within the state for immediate clearance of obstructions and rescue operations when the need arises.

    ”The operation is in line with the Goal 1 of FRSC 2023 Corporate Strategic Goals, which stipulates five per cent reduction in road crash fatalities and injuries.”

    Besides, Dawulung advised motorists to drive with caution and wished  Kwara residents Happy Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    (NAN)

  • 10 countries with the most languages 2023

    10 countries with the most languages 2023

    Languages of the World by Ethnologue, is an annual reference publication that provides statistics and other information on the living languages of the world.

    In 2023, there were around 1.5 billion people worldwide who spoke English either natively or as a second language, slightly more than the 1.1 billion Mandarin Chinese speakers at the time of survey.

    Hindi and Spanish accounted for the third and fourth most widespread languages that year.

    Read Also: Five African countries with weakest passports

    In this article we will be looking at the countries with the most languages across the world.

    Here are 10 countries with the most languages

    1. Papua New Guinea: 841

    2.  Indonesia: 720

    3.  Nigeria: 537

    4.  India: 458

    5.  United States: 355

    6.  Australia: 318

    7.  China: 307

    8.  Mexico: 304

    9.  Cameroon: 279

    10. Brazil: 240

  • Lagos set for 3-day countdown fiesta

    Lagos set for 3-day countdown fiesta

    The Lagos State Government on Friday said that the ‘2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta’ would feature a three-day entertainment show across the five divisions of the state.

    Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture,  who disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos, said the event would hold from Dec. 29. to Jan. 1, 2024.

    Benson-Awoyinka noted that the state government would be taking the fiesta to a whole new level, with a three-day non-stop excitement of comedy, cultural performances, children corner , fireworks and live music concert in Ikorodu, Badagry, lkeja, Lagos Island and Epe.

    “Greater Lagos Fiesta entails the celebration of music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos.

    “This event has become an annual tradition, we are intentional in our focus of deliberately positioning Lagos state to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events.

    “The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is going to be a fantastic way to bid farewell to year 2023 and welcome the new one, year 2024, with a bang.

    “We have lined up an incredible array of music stars who will grace the stage and thrill all fun lovers from Badagry to Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Ikeja featuring homegrown talents to international sensations, the best of Afrobeats, Highlife, Juju and Fuji,” she said.

    Read Also: Residents trapped as family seals Lagos estate over court order

    Benson-Awoyinka said that the event would also showcase the best of Nigerian local cuisine, arts, crafts and traditional performances.

    She said  that tourists would have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavours that make Lagos a unique and vibrant city.

    According to her, the state will leave no stone unturned as regards security at the venues of the event.

    She said that that the state had engaged the services of the Police, Civil Defence, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other security agencies.

    “I want to use this medium to call on members of the public, especially owners of businesses and service providers who are interested in using the platform of the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta to market themselves to the world, to approach the ministry for registration.

    “The window of sponsorship for the event is also open to interested corporate sponsors willing to collaborate with the state government to make the event a success.

    “I call on Lagosians to mark their calendars for this very unique event, It is going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter and joy.

    “Let us come together as one big Lagos family and make memories that will last a lifetime.

    “The venues for the event remains: Sol Beach; Ikorodu townhall; Agege Stadium; Epe Recreation Centre and more.

    “A viewing centre has been created at Eko Atlantic City for all who are unable to make it to these venues and there is a dedicated channel on DSTV that would stream the event activities throughout the three days,” she said.

    (NAN)