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Tag: Abuja

  • NFF committed to training referees, match officials, says General Secretary

    In its bid to ensure greater Nigerian leagues, the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) says the it will remain committed to enhancing the capacity of referees and other match officials.

    The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, told the News men on Tuesday in Abuja that it was imperative for referees and match officials to be at par with their European counterparts.

    He said that the federation would continue to drive football management in line with international standards.

    “We will build the capacity of our referees and match officials in order to meet up with current rules of the game.

    “Referees and match officials need to know how best matches are officiated in line with FIFA rules,’’ Sanusi said.

    Read Also: Ikeme’s challenge a passing phase -NFF

    The general secretary who expressed optimism in the capability of Nigerian leagues to compete with standard leagues, called for total support.

    According to him, the federation will not leave any stone unturned in making our league one of the best in the world.

    He noted that the federation’s biggest challenge was sponsorship, adding that the greatness of Nigerian leagues was a collective duty of all Nigerians.

    The newsmen reports that Nigeria’s Professional Football League ( NPFL ) is ongoing alongside the Nationwide League One ( NLO ), while the Nigeria National League ( NNL ) is postponed indefinitely.

    NAN

  • 2019: Adesina urges religious leaders to pray for unity, peace in Nigeria

    Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina has called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria as the nation approaches 2019 general election.

    Adesina, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the call when pastors of the Gospel Faith Mission International led by the Deputy General Overseer of the Mission, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi paid him a courtesy call in his office at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Friday.

    The presidential aide stated that Nigeria at this time was in need of spiritual support of respectable clergy.

    “As we approach the election year, please continue to pray that all will be well with our country. People are getting desperate to ensure that their desires, often ill-motivated, are actualized.

    “But by the prayers of spiritual fathers like you, it will be well with the country,’’ he said.

    According to him, God is the ultimate solution to all challenges and that no man has the solution to happenings around him.

    Adesina expressed delight that the Gospel Faith Mission International, which was a highly respected organisation, known for its open and broad mindedness, had chosen to offer spiritual support to the government.

    He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that “he is not a religious bigot and can never be one.’’

    Pastor Oluwayemi had earlier told the Special Adviser that the church and the nation had a lot to do together “especially at this time when there is tension in the land.’’

    He added that the role of the church was to advise and pray for leaders of the country as commanded by God in the scriptures.

    He acknowledged their role as co-builders in Nigeria to ensure that there was fairness and justice in the nation.

    The Deputy General Overseer assured that the Gospel Faith Mission International would continue to provide “back-up support’’ for the government rather than heat up the polity.

    He prayed that God’s hands would continue to be on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other elected people in the country.

     

  • Don’t contest second term as President – Christian group to Buhari

    The leadership of the United Christian Leaders Eagle Eyes Forum, a Christian body that endorsed presented President Muhammadu Buhari for the presidency in 2015 and presented him with a copy of the Holy Bible has asked the president to forget about his second term bid as him as his party has taken the nation several steps back.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, National Chairman of the group, Pastor Habu Aminchi said the President has failed to deliver on all the promises it made to them that led to their endorsing him in 2015 for the Presidency.

    Pastor Aminchi who was accused of collecting money from the APC in 2015 to endorse the President Buhari said it was unfortunate that three years after assuming office, President Buhari has failed to fulfill the promises he made to Nigerians.

    While accusing the President of exhibiting act of despotism, tribalism and nepotism, he said the President has refused to adhere to the principles of federal character that allow equal opportunities for all irrespective of religion and tribe, pointing out that minority Christians in the north has suffer d so many loses with President Buhari abetting and pampering perpetrators of genocide that is going on in the north central part of the country.

    While asking Nigerians to reject the Buhari led APC government as well as the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, Pastor Habu said Nigerians must come together to put in place a government that will be acceptable to the Nigerian people.

    He said: “APC as a party have also failed Nigeria as they have failed to fulfill the promises they make to Nigerians. Instead of a positive change, all we see is a negative change. All we see within the party is disunity, confusion, contention and everyone is after his or her selfish interest.

    “The only thing they are good at is blaming the past administration which everyone already know failed and we were voted out. They should stop hiding behind the mask of blaming PDP for their incompetence to bring solution to Nigerian problem.

    “It is also a shame that there is no state in Nigeria that the party is not fighting among themselves. If they cannot coordinate themselves, how can they coordinate Nigeria. I am saying that PDP and APC have failed Nigeria and we can’t allow them to rule us again.

    “In 2015, Nigerians were looking for a savior to bring them out of hardship and APC promised us a bright future under the change mantra if elected. But after Nigerians trusted them enough to give them the mantle of leadership, they have turned things for the worse.

    “It is clear that they have nothing good and tangible to offer this country. They have turned the glory of our dear nation to shame. Instead of us to shine as the heart of this great continent, we have been relegated to the lowest rank.

    “Buhari has failed this country. APC has failed this country. The evidence of their failure can be seen on our economy, security system, roads, Labour market etc. all around us, there is evidence of their selfishness, greediness and oppression as they have become tyrants instead of leaders.

    “They have changed the true meaning of democracy and have injured our dear nation badly and if we don’t collect this country from their hands come 2019, they will kill it completely.

    “We admonish each and everyone to actively participate in the political process so as to wrest power from  the old brigade politicians who have ran out of ideas. They should not mortgage their future for peanuts they get from the old politicians who have taken this country several steps backwards.

    “So we advise every Nigerian to empower him or herself with the right weapon which is their pvc so that we can send these selfish, greedy failed and unproductive government packing.

    “We equally implore President Buhari to abandon his second term bid to continue as Nigerian President because he has failed Nigerians. He should not listen to those sycophants around him who will not tell him the truth that Nigerians, especially the masses are grossly disenchanted with his government that has exhibited high sense of incompetence.”

     

  • We have no hidden religious agenda, says Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja called on religious leaders to work towards the broader goal of building a strong and unified nation, and avoid insinuations that could divide the populace, especially along religious lines.

    He made the call while receiving a delegation of the Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria led by Bishop John Abu Richard, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said religious leaders have the responsibility of creating an enabling environment for peace and development to thrive.

    He said “Some voices, for political or ethnic reasons are making unguarded statements accusing the government and myself in particular of religious bias.

    “Let me assure you, honourable clergymen that this is far from the truth.  In my career as a soldier, administrator, and politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.

    “When I had the honour to lead a Military Government there were more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and the Supreme Military Council.

    “This was not by design but I appointed people on their merit without the slightest bias.  The present Federal Executive Council is also evenly balanced; again not by design but by respecting and rewarding individual qualities,’’ the President said.

    President Buhari noted that he was delighted at the proposition to hold a one day prayer and fasting meeting for the nation, April 26, 2018, assuring that he would direct the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for the gathering.

    In his remarks, the leader of the delegation said more than 45,000 pastors in the Northern part of Nigeria had registered with the initiative to use their pulpits for the propagation of the gospel of peace, and shun political distractions.

    He urged other pastors to support the administration as it works towards ending the violence in various parts of the country and avoid politically coloured sermons.

    Read Also:Proper accountability will secure youths’ future – Buhari

  • Court remands woman for theft of eight months baby

    A Karmo Grade I Area Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of one Theresa Obonna, in Prison for alleged theft of eight months baby.

    The judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, gave the order after Obonna of Jabi, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to a count charge of theft.

    Sadiq adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

    The Prosecutor, Zannah Dalhatu, told the court that one Godstime David, who resides in Akwa-Ibom, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on March 2.

    Read Also: Bayelsa Magistrate walks reporters out of court

    Dalhatu said the complainant alleged that in January 2017, her lover impregnated and asked her to abort it but she refused and relocated to Abuja.

    She said that she stayed with the defendant and after giving birth, the defendant seizied the baby and moved to an unknown destination.

    Dalhau said that during police investigation the baby was recovered from the defendant. The prosecutor also said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • MPC predicts fragile but promising economic growth

    …urges Govt to freeze growth in FAAC distribution to create savings

     

    The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has predicted a fragile economic growth for the nation in 2018.

    To achieve this fragile but promising growth, the Committee urged “the Government to initiate strong stabilization programmes and to freeze the growth in its aggregate expenditure and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributions in order to create savings; needed to stabilize the economy against future oil price related shocks.”

    The Monetary Policy Committee lamented that it has “observed increasing monetization of oil proceeds as evident in the growing FAAC distribution, relative to the 2017 level of disbursements.

    Addressing journalists at the end of the first MPC meeting for the year which also saw in attendance the new Deputy Governors and members of the MPC recently cleared by the Senate in Abuja, CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele noted that “forecasts of key macroeconomic indicators give a positive outlook for the Nigerian economy in 2018.”

    This he said “is predicated on the quick passage and effective implementation of the 2018 budget, improved security, foreign exchange market stability as well as favourable crude oil prices.”

    However on the downside, the Committee Emefiele said “noted the potential impact of the 2019 election- related spending, against the weak backdrop of tax revenue efforts, herdsmen related violence and rising yields in the advanced economies. Indications in the US and the UK point to higher interest rates in the short to medium term.”

    The Committee he said noted with satisfaction “the gradual return to macroeconomic stability as reflected in the third consecutive quarterly growth in real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2017. It also noted the continued moderation in all measures of inflation as well as sustained stability in the naira exchange rate and urged the CBN to sustain the stability to avoid a mission drift.”

    Overall, the MPC noted that the recovery of the economy was strengthening, in view of the return to growth of the Services Sector.

    With regards to the fiscal side, Emefiele praised the fiscal sector for continuing to settle its outstanding liabilities, reducing its domestic debt profile, thus increasing the liquidity of the banking system.

    The Committee noted that at 14 per cent, the policy rate was tight enough to rein-in current inflationary pressures. The Committee, therefore, reaffirmed its commitment to price stability conducive to sustainable and inclusive growth.

    Members of the MPC were happy TA what they described as the “relatively strong balance sheets of the deposit money banks’ and the stable outlook. This is in spite of the concentration of non-performing loans in a few sectors, which the Committee observed was satisfactorily being addressed by adequate mechanisms established by the CBN to address the phenomenon.”

    The MPC also noted that as Government pays off its huge contractor debts, a sizeable portion of these non-performing loans will be addressed. The Committee “urged the CBN to strengthen its supervisory oversight and early warning systems to promptly identify, monitor compliance with extant prudential regulations, sustain macro-prudential policy and manage emerging vulnerabilities in the banking system.”

    The MPC then reiterated the CBN’s “commitment to delivery of low interest credit as evidenced in its bold steps to adopt unconventional monetary policy to aid credit flow to vulnerable and growth enhancing sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

    The MPC then enjoined the CBN “to continue to support and encourage credit delivery at single digit interest rate through other mechanisms in the interim, while encouraging the banking system to establish frameworks to increase credit delivery to the employment generating sectors of the economy.”

    At the end of the meeting, the Committee decided unanimously by a vote of all members present to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14.0 per cent alongside all other policy parameters.

    Consequently, the MPC voted unanimously to retain the MPR at 14.0 per cent; Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 22.5 per cent; Liquidity Ratio at 30.0 per cent; and Asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR.

    Before answering questions from journalists the CBN governor thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for appointing and clearing two Deputy Governors and other MPC members.

    Emefiele said the new MPC members were subjected to rigorous induction processes stressing that “they are very qualified individuals with no preconceived notion as to what expect or demand of the committee but individuals who are given data to analyze and make objective decisions in the nation’s interest.”

  • Court jails three men 6 months each for stealing battery

    A Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced three men, Umar Aliyu,25, Bello Ishaq,23, and Buhari Lawal,21,to six months imprisonment each for joint act and theft.

    The Magistrate, Mr Ahmed Ubangari, however, gave each of the convict, that admitted committing the offences, N3,000 option of fine each.

    The convicts of no fixed addresses committed the offences on March 22 at 3:00a.m.

    The prosecutor, Mr Adeyemi Oyeyemi, said that the convicts jointly gained unlawful entry into Agabis Hotel, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

    Read Also: Lagos courts get uniform sentencing guidelines

    According to the prosecutor, the convicts made away with two generator batteries all valued at N120,000.

    The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the batteries were recovered from the convicts.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Security in Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara collaborate to tackle crime

    Security agencies in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states say they are collaborating to tackle criminality in their areas of operation.

    The formations that include; Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) and NDLEA, told the News men that they were conducting joint security operations and sharing intelligence information on criminals to enable them to effectively combat crime.

    The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr Murtala Mani, said his command had effective collaboration with all security agencies in the state.

    Mani said through the command’s Spokesman, Cordelia Nwawe, that although the state was largely peaceful, it was working with other agencies on crime mapping and surveillance.

    “We have working synergy with Army, NSCDC, NDLEA, DSS and vigilance groups on tackling incidences of cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.’’

    He said armed robbery, cattle rustling and kidnappings occurred mostly in Raba, Goronyo, Isa and Illela local government areas of the state.

    He, however, said that the cases were being effectively curtailed with combined efforts of other security agencies and communities.

    Also, Mr Babangida Dutsinma, State Commandant of NSDC in the state, said four security agencies were jointly conducting a special operation code-named ‘Operation Harmony’, in areas with high crime records in the state.

    Dutsinma said the NSCDC enjoyed massive support from the Army, Police, the Prisons Service and Immigration Service, using their facilities and officers for the training of its personnel.

    On its part, the police said a joint operation between security agencies in the state had resulted in dismantling many criminal gangs.

    The Spokesman of  the Police Command in the state, DSP Mohammed Shehu, said all the security agencies in the area were partnering to curtail crime.

    Mr David Abi, Commandant of NSCDC in the state, told the News men that the inter agency cooperation shared in the state was “marvellous,’’ adding that they ran “joint patrols with strong sense of patriotism, understanding, discipline and respect for one another.”

    Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kaduna State,Mr Orndiir Terzengwe, said collaboration between the various security agencies had helped to tackle incidences of kidnapping and armed robbery along Kaduna – Abuja Express way, Kaduna- Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna-Zaria and Kaduna – Jos Road, and within some urban centres across the state.

    “Continuous joint raids of suspected black spots by NDLEA, NSCDC, Police and others, are gradually reducing consumption of hard drugs among youths, which is believed to be largely responsible for youth indulging in different crimes.

    Read Also: USAID partners Sokoto, Bauchi on primary health care

    “In situations where conventional security operatives are not available, vigilance groups’ effect arrest or assist security agencies with information on the whereabouts of suspected criminals, they render intelligence assistance.

    “The Espirit de Corps is commendable but there is need to improve on what is obtainable,’’ Terzengwe.

    Muhktar Aliyu, spokesman of the state Police Command, identified some security breaches in the state to include kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery, activities of thugs and bandits.

    Aliyu said such crimes were being handled through effective joint patrols and operations.

    In Katsina State, the security agencies said they were holding regular meetings under the chairmanship of the Police Commissioner where they were appraising security issues and adopting strategies to confront them.

    Isah Gambo, spokesman of the state police command in the state, said they were conducting joint security patrols and operations, and sharing intelligence information to safeguard lives and property.

    Gambo disclosed that the command had set up a community policing unit to coordinate and set guidelines for communities engaged in providing security for their localities.

    According to him, a community policing committee has been going round the 34 local governments areas and discussing with community leaders on their security challenges with a view to addressing them.

    Sanusi Muazu, the Comptroller, Nigeria Prisons Service in the state, also said that the service had developed a strong synergy with all the security agencies operating in the state.

    Muazu said that they were working with the military, police and other security agencies, sharing intelligence information to ensure full protection of lives and property.

    NAN

  • Easter celebration means triumph — Cleric

    Mr Joshua Odekunle, the General Superintendent of Northern “B’’ Province of the Church Celestial Church of Christ, says the celebration of Easter represents triumph over tribulations for all Christians.

    Speaking on Monday in a service to commemorate Easter Monday in Dutse near Kubwa, Abuja, he observed that more than six million members of the church joined the world in the celebration.

    “It is a victory for all Christians that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from death after three days.

    “We are celebrating, therefore, we need to show love to one another,’’ he said.

    Odekunle said that with the prayer of the faithful and serious dedication in service to God, Nigeria would overcome its problems.

    “I will confidently tell the world that by the end of this year, Nigeria will start witnessing positive changes and things will start getting better,’’ he said.

    Odekunle, therefore, prayed that the 40 days prayers and fasting which Christian faithful had observed during the lent period would not be in vain.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari returns to Abuja, attends in-law’s wedding

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to Abuja after a 2-day working visit to Lagos state where he inaugurated some projects and also attended the 10th Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquium.

    On his return, Buhari went straight to the National Mosque Abuja where he performed the 2-Raka’at Juma’at prayer.

    The President also witnessed the wedding fatiha of Hamza Ahmed and Hadiza Jika which was performed immediately after the prayer session at the mosque.

    Read also: Buhari, Abdulsalami, govs, others grace Dangote’s daughter’s wedding

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governors of Nasarawa and Bauchi States, Alhaji Tanko Almakura and Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar respectively were among the dignitaries that witnessed the event.

    Other personalities at the wedding were the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu, cabinet ministers and former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmodu Ali.

    The groom, Hamza Ahmed, is a junior brother to Aisha Buhari, the president wife.

    NAN