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Tag: Canadian

  • Canadian mayor honours Nigerian philanthropist

    Canadian mayor honours Nigerian philanthropist

    The founder and President of Julicare Foundation, Prince Julius Adewale Ojo, has received a commendation certificate for his philanthropy from Canada’s Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Dimitrios Beis.

    This was made known in a statement by the Chairman, Planning Committee of his 60th Birthday, Prince Segun Akanni.

     He said Mayor Beis personally presented the certificate on Monday, September 9, praising Prince Ojo for standing up on behalf of the vulnerable people in Canada and other countries.

     On the certificate, Mayor Beis wrote that Prince Ojo is recognised “for his efforts to advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations in order to assert their rights, both on national and international levels.”

    Mayor Beis presented the commendation certificate as a prelude to Prince Ojo’s 60th birthday celebration coming up on November 16.

    Reacting, Ojo said: “I was very happy. Imagine the standing ovation given to me. Immediately mayor called my name, everybody stood up and started clapping for me.”

    Read Also: Edo election: Don’t wear campaign attire to polling units, INEC warns parties, supporters

     However, during the 60th birthday celebration, Ojo will also make the public presentation of his book, “Hearing the Silent Wailings”, in which he explains the style of his humanitarian service and how he began.

     The book launch will hold in Canada at Panemonte Banquet & Convention Centre, 220 Humberline Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9W 5Y4, on November 16.

     Through Julicare Foundation, a registered charity in Quebec, Canada, Ojo has committed himself and his resources in the past 23 years to supporting the less-privileged, especially the homeless and the needy in Canada and other countries like Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria. Ojo is a Nigerian-Canadian and a native of Osogbo, Osun State.

  • BREAKING: Nigerian-Canadian arrested over call for mass killing of Nigerians

    BREAKING: Nigerian-Canadian arrested over call for mass killing of Nigerians

    The Toronto Police have arrested a Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, for calling for the mass killing of Nigerians in Canada.

    In a statement titled: “Suspected hate-motivated threatening investigation, woman arrested,” the Toronto Police Service confirmed the arrest and provided details of the ongoing case.

    In a virtual meeting on TikTok, Sunnberger threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people.

    She is being charged with uttering threats and will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.

    The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation.

    Read Also: Atiku, Obi condemn Canadian-Nigerian for threatening mass killing of Nigerians

    The statement reads: “Toronto Police have arrested a woman in connection with a suspected hate-motivated threat investigation. The arrest follows a report received on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident. Authorities allege that on or around August 25, 2024, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.

    “Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and has been charged with uttering threats. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.

    “The investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.”

    Details shortly…

  • FIDA, Canadian agency train  community leaders on violent-free polls

    FIDA, Canadian agency train  community leaders on violent-free polls

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) have canvassed for a violence-free, fair and credible elections in the state.

    FIDA and CFLI  yesterday  organised a capacity building workshop for community leaders on prevention and response to violence against women in elections in the state.

    At the workshop  in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, many first-class monarchs, community leaders, female lawyers, media practitioners, academics and other participants called on the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political actors to ensure the forthcoming poll is free from violence, particularly against women and the People Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

    The Country Vice President/National President, FIDA, Mrs. Amina Agbaje, said the workshop was being implemented in Bayelsa State.

    Represented by the Bayelsa Chairperson, FIDA, Mrs. Deme Debra Pamosoo, Agbaje said that women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria, but wondered why only few Nigeria women emerged as candidates of political parties at the last 2023 general elections.

    Agbaje stated: “For instance out of 18 candidates contesting for the coveted seat, only one was a female amounting to about 5.5 percent representation.

    “Furthermore, from the 1,101 candidates contesting for 109 seats in the Nigeria Senate, only 92 from this number were females representing about 8.35 percent.

    “Similarly only 286 persons out of 3,111 candidates contesting for 360 seats in the Federal House of Representatives were females amounting to about 9.2 percent representation.  Cumulatively, only 1,557 females constituting about 10.17 percent contested as candidates for all positions in the 2023 general election.

    Read Also: Govt entices workers with wage award to stop strike

    “However, in spots of this progress recorded, women’s participation in the elective positions has been minimal and has multi-dimensional implications for the democratic project in Nigeria and for the continuing quest for gender equality in Africa’s biggest economy.

    “With gender issues and women’s political and economic empowerment taking center stage on the global arena, Nigeria appears intent on maintaining its position at the bottom of the ladder of women’s political empowerment. “Recent data indicate that women’s rates of participation in formal decision-making remains one of the lowest on the continent and across the world with women occupying an abysmal 5.6 percent of all elective positions at both the national and subnational levels.

    “It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organized towards enhancing women and women with disabilities’ participation and representation in politics and governance in Bayelsa State through the 2023 Bayelsa off-cycle gubernatorial elections.

    “Therefore, this workshop will equip community leaders with the required knowledge in identifying issues that trigger violence against women in elections towards forestalling their participation at the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election.”

    She also said the workshop aimed at  establishing  referral pathways between the communities and leading security agencies in providing effective response to violence perpetrated against women while building a community protection system for indigenous women and the vulnerable population of Bayelsa State.

    She appreciated the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for providing the much needed support towards the conveyance of the workshop as well as the participants for their contributions towards advancing free, fair and credible polls in the state.

  • Ambode hails Canadian govt for donating $3.2m medical lab to Lagos

    Ambode hails Canadian govt for donating $3.2m medical lab to Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday hailed the Canadian government for donating a bio-safety laboratory estimated at $3.25 million (about N951.3million) to the state government.

    The governor said the gesture deserved commendation.

    Ambode spoke at Epe when he hosted the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley.

    The governor also praised the Canadian government for partnering the state government in capacity building, especially after the historic victory against Ebola outbreak in the state in 2014.

    He said: “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, we like to say a big thank you to the Canadian government for being a very good partner to the cause of the state. People might not know, but we need to say this clearly. Even though we came out of the Ebola crisis, ever since that success story, the Canadian government has partnered Lagos State to donate to us a new laboratory that deals with bio-safety and issues that relate to bio-healthcare.

    “…In another few weeks, the Canadian government will be shipping in some equipment for the laboratory at the cost of over 3.25 million Canadian dollars.

    “That laboratory will be situated at the General Hospital on the Mainland. It is part of the capacity-building that the Canadian government is implementing to partner with us. We are very appreciative of this.”

    Thornley, who was accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner in charge of Canadian Embassy in Lagos, Mr James Chrisoff, said the visit was to strengthen the relationship between the Canadian government and Lagos State, especially to dialogue on a working relationship in key areas.

    He hailed Ambode for the infrastructure his administration had put in place at Epe and other parts of the state.

     

  • Oil mogul to Canadian envoy: Niger Delta is investors haven

    The President of   Belema Oil Producing Limited,  Mr.  Tein Jackrich,  has described Niger Delta  as investors’ haven.

    Jackrich also said the region is peaceful, conducive and very good for both foreign and local investments.

    He spoke when the Canadian  Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria,  Mr.  James Christolf, visited  him in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  at the weekend.

    He said: “There are all manner of news about this state,  they are not true.  All over the world, there are challenges. You have been in this state now,  you have seen how calm everywhere is. This is a great state I must tell you.

    “One of the things your visit to the state has done is also to demonstrate that investing in the state is safe. The state is friendly,  the youths are friendly,  Niger Delta youths are exceptionally good and friendly.

    “The issue in this whole thing is that,  until we understand that the manner we do business 40years ago needs to change in this jet age, when technology has evolved; the manner we look at the youths needs to change.”

    Jackrich went on: ” The vision behind Belemaoil Producing Limited is not just to much more for shareholders,  the business managers,  but to ensure that there are strategic visible footprint in the communities we operate.

    “We consider the communities as strategic partners in creating wealth for all stakeholders. That is the reason why immediately we took over the operation,  we took on the transformational agenda with great vigour.

    “We have provided jobs for more than 500 of the indigenes. Training and scholarship awards to as much as 400 has been given out this year2017/2018 alone and still counting.

    “Belemaoil also collaborated the Rivers State government in giving out scholarships to deserving indugenesbof the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state this year.

    “To us,  the main thing is to educate these youths in such a manner that will equip them adquately to be able to take on the responsibilities that will enable them add the same values to others, and I chose Canada for a good place to train them.”

    Christolf praised Belemaoil.

    He said: “I am very new in the country,  having arrived barely one month ago. When the opportunity was presented to me to come here (Port Harcourt),  I quickly accepted it.

    “This is because firstly,  there are potential strategic alliances to be formed with Canadian companies and part of our job is to come here and make sure that we meet people, and understand companies,  like Belemaoil and all others you mentioned to provide services.“

  • Suspected fake Canadian visa racketeer arrested

    Suspected fake Canadian visa racketeer arrested

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fraudstar, who specialised in issuing fake Canadian visa to his victims.

    Mr Ago Oyewole, EFCC Zonal spokesman in Ibadan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the visa-racketeering suspect (names withheld), had defrauded his victims of more than N3 million.

    He said that some of the victims were allegedly charged between N200,000 and N1 million per visa.

    Oyewole said his arrest was sequel to a petition filed to the commission on the alleged involvement of the suspect in the issuance of fake Canadian visa.

    “Eight of the victims have come forward to volunteer useful information to the operatives of the Commission.

    “Copies of fake Canadian visas were recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest. The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the EFCC official said. (NAN)

  • Canadian kick-boxer loses belt in Bayelsa

    Amidst the hardship and anxieties in Bayelsa State, residents recently smiled broadly and laughed hysterically, temporarily forgetting their economic challenges. A live sporting show organised by the Renew Entertainment in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State restored happiness to their faces.

    The owner of Renew, an engineer, Mr. Gospel Oboro, for the second time in a year brought a live kick-boxing competition to Yenagoa to thrill his audience and promote sports tourism in the state.

    Oboro brought a world kick-boxing champion from Canada, Mr. Anthony Ford, to compete with an African champion, Mr. Menia Nimi Jack. All roads led to Renew, a firm that combines bar, club and sports entertainment. The arena located at Azikoro Road became a destination of choice for residents.

    Dignitaries also attended the event. The Director-General, Tourism Development Agency (TDA), Mrs. Ebiere Irene, represented the government. The Deputy Governor’s Protocol Officer, Mr. Solomon Diepreye, was also in attendance.

    Among them are traditional rulers such as the Paramount Ruler of Opokuma Kingdom, HRH, Okpoitari Diangoli and Paramount Ruler, Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM, Bubaraye Dakolo. The rubber dub master, Raskimono and another entertainer Stone Cold thrilled the audience.

    When the fight started, Prince Leo of the Nigerian Police defeated another fighter identified simply as Isidore from Cameroon. But the main fight between Ford and Jack was the motivation that lured the mammoth crowd to Renew.

    After a long period of contest, Ford conceded defeat following many bruises inflicting on him by Jack, who was declared the winner. Ford’s belt was subsequently handed over to Jack.

    Oboro said Renew had an intention to bring back live show business of sports to the Niger Delta region. He said the firm made history by going international to bring a world-title champion to Nigeria.

    “I want our people to enjoy what other people are enjoying. We decided to bring back live show business of sport to the Niger Delta. We bring new innovation and now we have gone international, which is first in history in Nigeria to bring the world title champion to Nigeria.

    “It is not easy. For more than three months, I have been doing alot of planning, talking to international communities. I would say that l am among the people that have entered the Guinness Book of Records as the only first person to bring the world title fight to Nigeria and mostly the Niger Delta”.

    Ebiere thanked Oboro for raising the stakes of kickboxing in the country. Addressing Oboro, he said: “Many people dreamed but never achieved it. Some persons came across obstacles and they turned back, but you persisted.

    “We went to the governor and he promised that this time next year, we will have much bigger kickboxing so that Bayelsa will become known for kickboxing in Nigeria and African as a whole.

    “We promise you that by this time next year, we are going to have it bigger and better and government is ready to back us up and we promise we are going to create an auditorium for both kickboxing and boxing.”

    Also speaking, Dakolo said the event was brought to the attention of the traditional rulers’ council at short notice. But he described the event as groundbreaking and asked the firm to engage in more publicity.

    He said such events would bring the youths to productive existence and rebrand the Niger Delta region. He expressed gratitude to the governor for his promise to elevate kickboxing and other combat sports in the state.

  • Canadian firm Manitoba to be paid in Naira

    After months of insistence that its outstanding invoices be paid in U.S. Dollars, Manitoba Hydro International Nigeria Limited (MHINL) has agreed to collect payments in Naira.

    MHINL is the Canadian firm contracted by the Federal Government to manage the electricity Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    The firm’s acceptance of the naira payment is contained in a letter signed by MHINL’s Director, Cassandra Siemens, and addressed to the Managing Director of System Operations/Market Operations (MO) of TCN.

    MO is a division of TCN that issues market settlements and invoices due to the market participants and service providers in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    In the letter dated Sept. 29, MHINL recalled that it had given a notice of suspension under the management contract of TCN for reason of non-payment in U.S. dollars as per the contract terms.

    The firm said, however, that “on a case by case basis, MHINL will write their acceptance for payment of the U.S. Dollars in Nigeria.’’

    The Canadian firm asked the MO to “immediately transfer 93,764.09 U.S. dollars in naira “at the prevailing exchange rate,’’ into its Zenith account whose number was stated in the letter.

    The firm, however, hinted that the request was a “onetime exception,” indicating that it would still pursue its bid to be paid in dollars.

    NAN sources said that the development signified a twist to months of disagreement that stalled the payments as the MO refused to pay the invoices in dollars as requested by MHINL.

    In refusing to pay in dollars, the Managing Director of MO, Mrs Vera Osuhor, had argued that doing that would breach a CBN directive that stated that all payments must be made in local currency.

    Miffed by that insistence, MHINL had written CBN but got a response that only affirmed the MO’s position that every payment must be in naira.

    NÀN, however, reports that MHINL’s position that naira payment was only a “onetime exception,’’ only confirms that the disagreement was not over as the firm was still sticking to its desire for dollar payment in future.

    Contacted on the new development, Osuhor declined to give details of the payments, but said that it only vindicated her.

    “In declining to pay in dollars, the MO was only being obedient to the CBN directive; we did not just refuse to pay deliberately. There are laws and those laws must be obeyed,” she said.

    Osuhor agreed to shed more light on allegations that the MO had opened a separate account into which electricity trade funds were being paid.

    The said unilateral account had sparked reaction from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which in a letter signed by Dr Usman Abba-Arabi, Head, Public Affairs, and dated Sept. 23, threatened to sanction the MO if it did not close the account.

    “The misinformation on the account issue is worrisome because it was just a salary account.

    “It was not an account into which electricity market funds were being paid; salary account and market account are two different things.

    “Before we opened that account, we wrote to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power and got the permission to do so,’’ she said.

    Osuhor explained that the account was opened under pressure because workers had threatened to go on strike over the non-payment of salaries.

    “The workers were on our neck and we had to open the account because we had access money to pay.

    “ Immediately we paid the salaries, we closed the account and that was all,” she said.

    She traced the development to an infraction in payment of salaries of MO workers after the TCN removed their names from the payroll.

  • Canadian envoy kicks against child marriage

    HIGH Commissioner of Canada, H.E. Mr. Perry J. Calderwood, is worried about the spate of early child marriage in some parts of the country, stressing that the practise should not be encouraged.

    The envoy gave this charge at a photo and video exhibition advocacy forum in Abuja tagged: “Too Young to Wed” with thematic preoccupation addressing the subject of child, early and forced marriage.

    Describing the practice as appalling, Calderwood said: “The implications of child, early and forced marriage are broad and profound. Simply put, child, early and forced marriage places the lives and futures of girls at risk. It holds back the development of girls, their communities and their countries.”

    He, however, said it was heartening to note that over the last two years, international momentum has been building to address child, early and forced marriage.

  • Canadian Education Fair for Abuja, Lagos

    Sixty Canadian institutions, including universities, colleges as well as secondary schools, are expected to participate in the 11th edition of the Canadian Education Fair in Nigeria will open in Abuja between January 21 and 22.

    In a statement, the Deputy High Commission of Canada in Lagos added that the fair will move to Lagos on January 24 and 25.

    The institutions will present their expertise, capabilities and programmes to Nigerian students during the fair and help parents make decisions on schools and courses for their wards.

    Representatives of participating schools and institutions from across Canada will highlight the advantages of studying in Canada. Canadian Government officials will be present to provide information on study permits in both Abuja and Lagos.