The Nation Newspaper

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  • Nigerian traders decry Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open locked shops

    Nigerian traders decry Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open locked shops

    Agency Reporter

    The Nigeria Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG), on Monday, decried Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open shops owned by Nigerians, even after several meetings between top officials of both governments.

    The President of NUTAG, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nnaji disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    According to him, it is unfortunate that Nigerian traders’ shops have remained locked even after visits by Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Ghana.

    “The locking of shops belonging to Nigerians by Ghanaian authorities hinders our doing business lawfully.

    “The Ghanaian government should have as a matter of bilateral relations paid attention to us by being open in its decision to tackle our trade difficulties in the host country.

    “I think every plea from the Nigerian government has fallen on deaf ears of the Ghanaian authorities, which is ready to destabilise and destroy our businesses to favour their citizens.

    “Our shops are still shut down; most shops shut down since Dec. 2, 2019, were only opened to give tax assessment for the current year by Ghana revenue authorities.

    “I am aware most of our members complied; all the documents on Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) presented are original, not fake,’’ he said.

    READ ALSO: Gbajabiamila’s Ghana visit changes basis of war between Nigerian, Ghanaian traders – NIDO

    Nnaji said it was not true that Nigerian traders did not have genuine documents for the shops.

    “I think the Ghanaian government is working on an agenda aimed at discouraging the influx of Nigerians to Ghana and the growth of Nigerian businesses in their country.

    “I wish that our government would take this Ghanaian agenda very seriously to stop Nigerians from losing all their life earnings in Ghana,” he added.

    Nnaji said that many Nigerian traders had already returned home with their families following the closure of their shops.

    He also said that those who could not relocate to Nigeria before their shops were shut down “are now stuck in Ghana with little or no money to be able to survive.”

    Nnaji said that the association had begun the compilation of names of people severely affected by the action of the Ghanaian authorities for evacuation by the Federal Government.

     

    (NAN)

  • I am passionate about creating content- Social Media sensation, Ashmusy

    I am passionate about creating content- Social Media sensation, Ashmusy

    Our Reporter 

    Amarachi Amusi, popularly known as Ashmusy on her social media platforms is a young lady of different and many talents. The Instagram sensation was born and raised in the hustling and bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria.

    Amarachi completed all three levels of her education in Nigeria. Having completed her primary and secondary education in Good

    Learning Kiddies School, Gbagada and Federal Government College respectively, she went ahead to further her studies at Madonna University, Lagos.

    ‘Ashmusy’ has achieved a lot of things from starting her businesses ‘Ashmusy empire and Ashmusy hairs’ and being one of the most popular content creators on all social media platforms. Irrespective of these milestones, Amarachi says her greatest achievement is maintaining a happy and healthy life.

    READ ALSO: Up and personal with Instagram sensation, Ashmushy

    In an up-and-personal with Ashmusy, she says her goal in life is to not only be a young billionaire but also a business tycoon. She went ahead to state that her future plan is to become one of the highest-paid influencers in the global media.

    “Business stress, too many bills, Instagram shadowban are the challenges I usually in this business” Amarachi said when asked the problems one tends to see in the business.

    Amarachi may face a lot of challenges but she says a girl has to have fun and she does this by dancing, eating, and much more. On her social media platform, Ashmusy made it clear to all what she’s passionate about.

    “I’m passionate about uplifting others, taking care of my family, improving my business. But what I’m most passionate about is creating content for my thousands of fans out there,” she said.

    Ashmusy may have different rivals in the industry but she is taking the social media world by storm and her goals are closer than ever.

  • Solid Foundation Estates introduces easy steps to Home ownership.

    Solid Foundation Estates introduces easy steps to Home ownership.

    Our Reporter

    A firm, Solid Foundation Estates Limited has introduced the home ownership made easy product to enable Nigerians to achieve the dream of owning their own homes via a secured and convenient process.

    They are partnering with financial institutions and developers of repute to actualize the dream of home ownership without stress or negative stories.

    In view of the global pandemic and economic realities, Solid foundation seeks to point discerning real estate investors in the right direction.

    The foundation however shared three products to aid easy home ownership.

    INVESTMENT IN THE CANADIAN ECONOMY: Canada is one of the most stable economies in the world with policies that are investors friendly. The rate of migration in Canada is extremely high and the real estate market is booming. There is no better time to invest in that economy than now.

    MORTGAGE FINANCE IN NIGERIA: Federal mortgage bank of Nigeria and the primary mortgage institutions are still in the business of lending to Nigerians. To the general populace, this is not for all but they are wrong! We seek to educate Nigerians in all tiers of the economy (formal and informal sectors) what their rights and privileges are in accessing mortgage for home ownership and convert their rent to mortgage loan repayment. Nigerians in Diaspora are not left out.

    SALES AND MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIZED COMMUNITIES: There is a deficit in the provision of good quality housing in Nigeria and private developers are seeking to bridge this gap. The government is also not left out. We seek to connect the dots between the developers and prospective home owners in achieving their goal of home ownership.

    In the words of the Host, Adetoun Otepola (Mrs) The Home ownership made easy project would be holding a webinar on Saturday 26th September, where interested persons can learn how to invest in Nigeria even while residing anywhere in the world and enjoy easy access to mortgage facilities. Mortgage facilities aid this quest faster as qualified applicants would be able to conveniently purchase their dream house and spread payments over a convenient payment period.

    READ ALSO: PWAN Group unveils build and sale estate in Lekki

    The founding partner, Solid Foundation Estate Ltd, Mrs. Adetoun holds a B.Sc in Estate Management from the University of Lagos and a certificate in the Owner management program(OMP) from the prestigious business school.

    She is a facility manager professional (FMP) in the USA. She also has a certification in sales & marketing from the international school of Greatness, Toronto Canada. Due to her passion for excellence, Adetoun has attended several professional courses in the real estate and construction industry to enhance her professional skills. She is a member of the Nigerian institutes of Estate surveyor and valuer, real estate developers association, and international facilities managers association. She is an astute administrator and possesses great marketing skills.

    Guest speakers are seasoned authorities in the real estate and mortgage corridor, bringing immense value and wealth of experience to the empowering topic of this seminar, which is consistent with their commitment to showing people wealth creation opportunities through mortgage finance.

    Speakers include Olajumoke Fashanu, a member of the Institute of Directors, a Council member, The Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria, Council member of The Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry and currently the Deputy Treasurer of The Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Kayode Omotoso Executive secretary Mortgage bankers association of Nigeria.

    Interested candidates are advised to pre-register on the foundation’s website.

  • Inside the world of humour merchant, ‘Mama Chinedu’

    Inside the world of humour merchant, ‘Mama Chinedu’

    Our Reporter

    The emergence of comedy skits and short films arises from the insatiable urge to be engaged in premium contents for laughs.

    Nigeria is a place of habitual comical acts and stillbirth comedians who emerge from the spheres of the nation.

    A fascinating key in the nation’s entertainment industry is the elevation of comedians into a digitalized standard. They make the most of this feature and puts their contents out to the public. They brainstorm social media with premium contents for YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

    These skit makers and comedians are growing in leaps and bounds. One of such is Chukwudike Damian Chijioke Akuwudike popularly known as “Mama Chinedu.”

    He is an in-house member of the world of comic skit making, brand influencer, comedian, skit maker, footballer and actor.

    Chukwudike Damian Chijioke Akuwudike reveals his multifaceted features in an inspiring way. One would look at him and applaud his journey so far. Asides from alluding him with credits, he makes people have a great laugh and forget one’s sorrows.

    READ ALSO: ‘Humour, sadness, inspire my muse’

    His comedy is affixed to the theme of sarcasm and humour. And has tons of titles and episodes. Many of which are; “The adventure of mama Chinedu”, “Bad gang” and lots more.

    “The son of a praying mother” as he is fondly tagged engages his younger brother who plays the role of Chinedu in his skits. Chinedu acts the clumsy role of a child who wishes to explore a different part of life yet, withheld by the fear of his mother (Mama Chinedu) his mother depicts the typical characteristics of a Nigerian mother who is loving, extra and intimidating in such a scary way.

    Most times in his skits, he makes covers of songs many of which are; Abule by Patoranking, Betty butter by Mayorkun, Duduke by Simi, and lots more. These covers of songs advance into a comic storyline with the instrumental of actual songs playing in the background.

    Having gone through a detailed information about him, he looks up to Eddie Murphy and Kevin De Bruyne.

  • Edo: PSC flays deployment of unarmed policemen

    Edo: PSC flays deployment of unarmed policemen

    From Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) says the deployment of unarmed security personnel at voting units exposed the governorship election to serious threats in some locations.

    The Commission said this in a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Saturday. According to the statement, there was however enough presence of police and other security agencies at the governorship election in Edo state held Saturday, September 19th 2020.

    “The Commission covered the three Senatorial Zones and visited 132 polling units in nine local government Areas. The Commission received 53 calls and 32 text messages to its three dedicated telephone numbers for the election. There was an average of three Police men in several polling units while in many of the Units in Edo North, there were an average of seven to 10. The policemen in the polling units visited were professional, courteous and arrived at their places of assignment in good time. They were however, in some places, overwhelmed by voters who turned out in large numbers.

    READ ALSO: Police Act, first step towards effective policing, says Gbajabiamila

    “Most of the complaints received from callers were mainly on cases of vote buying, snatching of ballot boxes in the face of the inability of the Police to offer any resistance and skeletal shooting incidences. There were also complaints from some of the participating police Officers who said they were yet to receive allowances for the election. Meanwhile there were massive security details along major roads and junctions in the state with strict enforcement of no vehicular movement. The Commission commends DIG Olayele Oyabede, who coordinated the security architecture of the election in Edo State for responding and intervening in several complaints refered to him by the Commission’s team.

    “DIG Oyebade led a strong team made up of two AIGs, Hosea Karma, and Shola Davis, Edo State Command CP, Johnson Kokumo with other visiting CPs Manning the Senatorial Zones. The Commission also participated in the Election Day Situation Room and the CLEEN Foundation Election Security Call Centre,” it read.

  • Polytechnic proprietor urges FG to reopen schools

    Polytechnic proprietor urges FG to reopen schools

    By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    The founder of Southern Atlantic Polytechnic Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Bassey James has appealed to the Federal Government to reopen higher institutions.

    James, who is the secretary Association of Private Polytechnics in Akwa Ibom State, also urged the FG to assist approved private polytechnics with loan facilities to enable them contribute maximally to the development of education and provision of employment in the country.

    He told the Nation on Friday during an interview that private polytechnics are indispensable stakeholders in the educational system and deserving of support.

    ”I have raised the issue of financial support from bank of industry and central bank of Nigeria. Nothing is given to private polytechnics in Nigeria. This is sad considering our contributions to national development,” he said.

    Association of Private Polytechnics in Akwa Ibom has pledged to assist the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in safeguarding the sanctity and quality of polytechnic education in the state.

    In a statement signed by the association’s president and founder of Heritage Polytechnic Eket, Dr. Emmanuel Ekott and secretary, Pastor Bassey James, the body said it will ensure that all illegal polytechnics and fake study centres in the state become a thing of the past.

    ”We have fought against the menace of illegal polytechnics in the state over the years and wonder why people will go to the extent of misleading innocent students through fake  and affiliated centres.

    ”We have cautioned prospective students against obtaining certificates from illegal polytechnics which are not recognised by government and organisations.

    READ ALSO: 300 projects for Akwa Ibom schools

    “We there urge relevant agencies of government to stop the menace of illegal polytechnics, affiliation and study centers in the state.

    The Founder of Trinity Polytechnic,  Rev. Dr. Umoren Akpan, who is the treasurer of the association, also lent his support to ensuring that the polytechnic system in the state is sanitized”, the statement said.

    The founder of Sure Foundation Polytechnic Elder Dr. Demas Udom, who joined the meeting by telephone, thanked the founders for coming together to form the association for promotion of technical education in the state.

    It was unanimously agreed that a delegation of association of approved polytechnics in Akwa Ibom State should liaise with the federal and state ministry of education, National Board for Technical Education NBTE, The Akwa Ibom State Government and other relevant agencies of government to stop the menace of illegal polytechnics, affiliation and study centers in the state.

    The association also agreed to carry out a tour of all the approved private polytechnics in the state.

    The President said that the visit was necessary to enable the members unite on the development of technical education in the state.

    The association appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to intervene in the closing of fake and illegal polytechnics and study centres in the state.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Insecurity: FRSC postpones promotion exam

    Insecurity: FRSC postpones promotion exam

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has postponed indefinitely its promotion examinations scheduled to begin on Monday following prevailing security challenges.

    It was gathered at the weekend that the corps took the decision following the abduction of some officers from the north travelling to the FRSC Academy in Udi, Enugu State, for the promotion assessment, by gunmen.

    The development caused panic among other officers of the corps, who were expected to travel to Jos from the South for their examinations.

    Some of the officers from the southern zone raised concerns over their continual movement to Jos for promotion courses and called on the management of the corps to decentralize the venue for such courses.

    “It is no longer safe for us to be going to Jos to write promotion examination. We are asking the management to allow us write our examinations in our zones. We have zonal headquarters so it will be better for us to stay in our zone and write our exams.

    READ ALSO: Six abducted FRSC officers still held in Nasarawa

    “Apart from security concerns, we have had situations that people die on road accidents because of the long distance of travelling from the south to the north. We also incur a lot of expenses. We bear all the transport cost and feeding and sometimes only a fraction of the money is paid to us as allowances”.

    The source further said that officers in his set had remained on one rank for over four years adding that they travelled to Jos last year for a similar examination only to be told by the management that they were not due for the assessment.

    “Last year, we received a circular that we should go to Jos for our promotion exam. We went there only to be told that we were not due. We have remained on the rank of sergeant for over four years,” he said.

    A circular dated September 17 and signed by Deputy Corps Marshal, DCM Ojeme Ewrudjakpor, had been postponed indefinitely citing the prevailing insecurity.

    The circular said: “In view of the prevailing security challenges facing the Corps, I  respect of some officers abducted on their way to the FRSC Academy in Udi, the management has postponed all promotional exams till further notice.

    “Management is making frantic efforts along with other security agencies towards securing their release unharmed. All members of staff are enjoined to pray for their safe return. The current promotion courses will be reviewed as soon as the situation returns to normalcy.

    “Arising from the above, staff earlier scheduled for arrival at the FRSC Academy Udi and FRSC Training School on Sunday 20th September are to remain in their commands.”

     

     

  • LASUBEB mobilises community leaders for schools resumption

    LASUBEB mobilises community leaders for schools resumption

    ... eLearning to continue

    Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

    The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) has called on community leaders to help identify vulnerable children who may not resume next week because of one challenge or the other.

    The Board is also seeking their support to raise awareness about its blended learning programmes on radio and television as well as on various social media channels to ensure learning continues both in school and online after the resumption.

    Speaking at a meeting, chairman of LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King told the leaders who are also chairmen of School-Based Management Committees (SBMC) in the 20 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) that it was necessary to bridge learning gaps as children resume.

    He said COVID-19 safety protocols meant that schools cannot run fully for now thereby requiring staggered or shift classes to help pupils maintain physical distancing.

    For the days pupils will not be home he said it was necessary they follow lessons broadcast on radio, television as well as online.

    He said: “Following the recommendations of expert educators and stakeholders that blended and remote learning strategies should be adopted to ensure that learning resumes and continues as smoothly as possible after interruption of the Coronavirus pandemic. This means that our existing multi-pronged remote learning platforms will be sustained post-pandemic – to complement and reinforce classroom lessons.

    “Currently, the board runs remote learning classes on TV, radio and the web. Our television programme is designed to cater for pupils in lower and upper primary classes and special needs pupils are called the classroom in your home. The TV programme has generated commendations from stakeholders and with full sponsorship by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),” he said.

    READ ALSO: Lagos SUBEB registers new pupils

    Permanent Board Member in charge of social mobilisation, Mrs. Sijuade Idowu-Tiamiyu said feedback from learners who tuned in for the lessons while schools were closed was encouraging.

    “When we started the structured distance learning programme, the feedback was fantastic. We had parents and pupils calling in. We had various feedback mechanism – through text messages, WhatsApp, or telephone calls during the programmes. We also used the gift system to encourage participation. Dufil Prima Foods provided gifts for children who were consistent in completing assessments,” she said.

    Speaking on ensuring all pupils resume from Monday, Alawiye-King said the board would launch a programme called ‘Project Zero’ aimed at identifying vulnerable children and getting them to return to school.

    To this end, he told the SBMC chairman to be on the lookout for children who fail to resume so the board could help address whatever needs they may have.

    “Please help identify children who may not want to return to school because they have no shoes or uniforms so we can reach out to them,” he said.

    As schools resume Monday, September 21, registration would begin for children six years and above into primary one classes of public schools.

    The registration would last until October 23.

    However, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja said on radio on Friday that the registered pupils would resume classes in November.

  • PHOTOS: Voters, INEC officials at Eguare Primary School, Ekpoma

    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.

     

    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.

     

    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
    Voters queuing without observing social distancing.
  • Ogunsan extols Hamzat at 56

    Ogunsan extols Hamzat at 56

    Agency Reporter

    The Chairman of Executive Group, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, has written a heartfelt birthday message to the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Kazeem Obafemi Hamzat, who clocks 56 today.

    In the statement issued Saturday, Ogunsan, who is also a Board Member, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), described Hamzat as a technocrat par excellence, with a lot of achievements tied up his sleeves.

    The ace entrepreneur added that Hamzat’s track record of achievements in public service has largely rubbed off on the wellbeing of the state.

    The statement reads: “On this great day, the world can only recall the day one of the great sons of Lagos was born. That person is the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Kazeem Obafemi Hamzat.

    “Sir, it is no gainsaying that your wealth of erudition and experience in public service has to a large extent rub off on the wellbeing of the state, in your capacity as the Deputy Governor. Without mincing words, you are one of Lagos’ lifesavers, a technocrat par excellence.

    “Your immense contributions to achieving a better and smarter Lagos cannot be best quantified in words. It is only safe to say that you are walking in the steps of your great dad, the late Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, who served as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and as a Commissioner for Transportation in the state (1979 – 1983) before becoming the Vice-Chairman SW of then Alliance for Democracy(AD and later became the Lagos West Senatorial District leader of the Action Congress before moving ahead to be crowned king.

    READ ALSO: “You are an exceptional police boss”, Ogunsan lauds IGP Adamu at 59

    “It remains imprinted on the lanes of history that when you served as Commissioner for Science and Technology, you enforced the application of modern technology in the state’s ministries, thus changing the face of data and record keeping in Lagos and at the same time eliminating the trend of state ghost workers. The execution of some other laudable projects is also credited to your name.

    “Thank you for being a very supportive deputy to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Thank you for striving with the governor towards the actualisation of the THEMES agenda.

    “As a student of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu school of discipleship, you have remained diligent and dauntless with the ideals of modern-day democracy. For this, I wish you well in life and I say may God grant you the longevity you need to the forge ahead in life. Happy birthday, sir!”