The Nation Newspaper

Tag: new

  • BBA: Organisers find new venue

    BBA: Organisers find new venue

    •Announce new launch date

    Barely two weeks after a fire outbreak was recorded at the venue of the Big Brother Africa reality TV show, the organisers of the show, M-Net and Endemol, have confirmed that this year’s edition tagged Big Brother Hotshots will officially be launched on Sunday, October 5, having found a new house in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The search, according to the M-Net’s management, was concluded after exploring all possible options, both locally and internationally, for a suitable venue to produce the ninth season of the Africa’s biggest reality show.

    It will be recalled that on Tuesday, September 2, the Big Brother house was razed by fire, thereby causing M-Net and Endemol SA to postpone its launch, which had earlier been scheduled for Sunday, September 7.

  • Bez warms up for new album

    Bez warms up for new album

    Nigerian singer, Emmanuel Bezhiwa, aka Bez, has expressed readiness for the release of his sophomore album.

    Speaking on the album, which is billed to be out in October, Bez said: “I’ve been recording my new album in New York and Houston in the United States. Right now, the album is in its mastering and mixing stage. Hopefully, we are going to have a single coming up next month. Then, we will follow it up with an album.”

    An outstanding talent, Bez creates what he calls  alternative soul, an unusual hybrid of Soul, Rock, Jazz and R&B, that sets him apart from the mainstream Afro-Hip pop movement.

    His debut album,Super Sun, made international critical acclaim, as it was listed as one of  the 2012 Hot R&B/Soul albums on iTunes USA, and was also rated among the Top 10 World Music Albums of 2011 by the US paper, Boston Globe.

    The feat has propelled the singer to other first-rate features on platforms such as Vogue Italia, Essence.com, Rolling Stone Magazine SA, BBC 1 XTRA, BBC Focus on Africa and MTV Iggy Hall of Fame.

  • FIFA disowns new NFF board

    FIFA disowns new NFF board

    • Gives Giwa till Sept. 1 to vacate Glasshouse

    World football governing body, FIFA has refused to recognise Tuesday’s election of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ushered in Chris Giwa as president and members of its executive committee.

    In response, it has given the committee a September 1 deadline which expires at midnight to quit the Glasshouse or else appropriate action which could lead to another suspension will be taken.

    FIFA expressed sadness that despite the assurances, the planned general assembly that was billed to hold on Tuesday was disrupted owing to the arrest and detention of NFF President, Aminu Maigari by operatives of the state security service.

    All these, were communicated to NFF’s general secretary, Musa Amadu via mail by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke on August 29.

    A copy of the letter was made available to the press on Friday.

    It states that “As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday, September 1, 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions, which may include the suspension of Nigeria.

    The general assembly was summoned to design a roadmap for the forthcoming elections billed for September 4 that has FIFA’s approval.

    Consequently, it has also frowned at the role being played by the sports ministry.

    Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears that the Ministry of Sports has recognised them.

    On July 18, FIFA lifted its suspension on Nigeria following the latter’s withdrawal of a court order served on the NFF board.  The direct consequence of a ban would see Nigeria forfeit its Africa Cup of Nations qualifiying matches against Congo Brazaville and South Africa next month.

  • New Electoral Committee launches website

    The Aminu Maigari faction of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) congress has thrown open the electoral process for elections into the next board of the NFF, after its electoral committee, led by Samson Ebowei was inaugurated.

    As a result, a website (www.nffelect2014.com), has been set up to aid the procurement of forms into the next board of the NFF ahead of their elections, which has been fixed for September 4 in Abuja.

    An introductory part of the website reads: ‘In line with the new FIFA Electoral Code which seeks to ensure that elections of its member Federations are transparently organised, the General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 elected a seven-man committee to, organise and supervise the election process and take decisions relating to the election of members of the next Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’

    Chairman of the new electoral committee,Samson Ebowei, said: “The essence of the website is to aid prospective candidates to purchase their forms for the elections because it is our desire to conduct a free and fair election.”

  • ‘Come home and see new Imo’

    ‘Come home and see new Imo’

    Imo State citizens in the Diaspora have been urged to come home for the festive periods, not only to visit their loved ones, but also to see the changes that have taken place and the fast rate of infrastructural development in the state courtesy of the ‘Rescue Mission’ of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere, who gave this advice during a facility tour of ongoing projects and inspection of the reconstruction of Oramiriukwa Bridge in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction that the projects, when completed, will enhance the living condition of the people.

    “Christmas celebration in state last year witnessed what no Imolite had ever seen before. The difference was clear. The traffic jams in Owerri were things of the past. Today, we have created roundabouts and opened up the roads in a bid to decongest traffic.

    “Imo State is now the place to be. The hospitality here is second to none and we have put in place centres of tourists’ attraction.

    “Since 1979, every abandoned project has been completed. Examples are Concorde Avenue beside the Commissioners’ Quarters. The House of Assembly Complex used to be a den for robbers and hideout for kidnappers.

    “Today, those areas are new communities. The Rescue Mission came in and took up the projects that were abandoned since Sam Mbakwe’s time in 1979 because we believe they will be of interest to the well-being of the people.

    At present, we have the Heroes Square, Hero Villa and Avutu Poultry that had been abandoned for more than 30 years. Standard Shoes produce shoes that students in the state are using now.

    “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) buildings have been re-roofed and put to use. Civil Defence Corps occupies one and the other is being used by the officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    “Work on the fly over bridge initiated by former governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is still in progress. We need to complete it and put it to use. The governor has said it over and over that we will complete every project we began.” Madumere said.

    Continuing, he said: “Funds for these projects are made available through planning and sacrifice.

    “We are sacrificing a lot and the leadership is focused. The leadership is visionary and knows where it is driving at.”

    The Deputy Governor spoke about other facilities.

    “Today, we have a new Treasury House, White House, Bongo Square, Freedom Square and the International Convention Centre. We have become the flagship of the East. All other eastern states clamour to hold events in the state. Conferences hold in the state and the mother of all carnivals is coming before the end of the year,” he said.

    Meanwhile, women under the aegis of Achi Progressive Union, Women Wing gathered in their numbers, adorning red blouses and red headgears on green George wrapper to visit the Deputy Governor. It was during the closing ceremony of this year’s August meeting. They presented him with a plaque in recognition of his contributions to the development of the state.

    The women, through their President-General, Mrs. Chioma Akalazu thanked him for living up to expectation in the quest to develop the state.

     

  • Ekiti community celebrates new yam festival

    Ahun community in Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State has marked this year’s Odun Ijesu (New Yam Festival), bringing together sons and daughters of the town.

    The event, which held at the palace of Alahun (Chief) of Ahun in Efon, marked the traditional cleansing of the new yam to sanctify it for consumption.

    The monarch of the town, Oba Jacob Adelowo, said: “Until after celebrations this night, no Ahun indigenes wherever they are can ever eat yam and oil”

    He urged the state government to consider making Oke Ahun community one of the tourist attractions in the state, such as the Ojubo Oodua and Olutokin shrine.

  • ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    Mikko Perälä, the agent of Francis Chibuike, is delighted that Finland’s topflight team KuPS have extended the contract of the striker until the end of the 2014 season.

    The former Midtjylland Academy player arrived for a second stint in Scandinavia last May, penning a short-team agreement which ran out on July 31.

    The five-time Veikkausliiga champions have not ruled out the option of offering the 21-year-old fresh terms at the end of this year, having inserted a clause that permits the club to prolong his stay for at least one more season.

    ”His contract was extended because he has shown good form on the pitch and he is still young.

    “Strikers with good speed and mentally strong character are always hard to find,” says Mikko Perälä to SL10.ng.

    ”He signed until end of the season. Then the club’s option for the next two contracts, one year at a time.”

    The CEO of TopSpot went on to talk about the latest regarding the physical condition of Francis Chibuike, who had to be substituted after 24 minutes in Sunday’s game against RoPS after suffering a knock.

    ”He played a bit in the last match but was forced out in the first half. I don’t know when he’ll be fully fit. Maybe in a couple of weeks.”

    The KuPS number 30 has found the back of the net 3 times in 13 matches.

  • New twists to Ilorin NBA chairmanship tussle

    THE crisis rocking the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Ilorin Branch took a new dimension yesterday, as two factions made claims and counter-claims to the status of its chairman, Mobolaji Ojibara.

    An anti-Ojibara group, which filed a notice of impeachment against him two weeks ago, claimed to have successfully removed him from office at a congress held yesterday.

    But Ojibara and his group addressed reporters in the state capital to denounce the claim, alleging instead that those behind the move have themselves been suspended from the association indefinitely.

    Former chairman of the branch and one of those affected by the alleged suspension, Mr. Rafiu Balogun however said he was disturbed with what was going on in the association.

    He claimed that contrary to claims by the Ojibara’s group, Article 25 of the NBA Constitution clearly states that congresses cannot be held in August and December.

    Ojibara added that contrary to the claims by his opponents, the congress of the association passed a vote of confidence on him and recommended members of the immediate past executive council of the association led by Balogun, who are believed to be behind the impeachment moves, for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    The “sins” of the allegedly suspended members,  the resolution said, include “suspected false and fraudulent accounting and for their respective roles in causing the branch unprecedented financial embarrassment and loss in the guise of reconstruction of the Bar Centre of the branch and or for any other wrongs or offences that may be discovered that have been perpetrated by them.

    The resolution also agreed to forward their names to the association’s disciplinary committee over their alleged conduct in the impeachment saga.

    According to the resolution of the congress which was read to reporters, members of the association also agreed to forward the names of the suspended members to the association’s national secretariat and security agencies for “notification, record and surveillance”.

    But earlier, the anti-Ojibara group had issued a statement after the meeting to announce that it had succeeded in ousting the chairman.

    The four-paragraph statement signed by Assistant General Secretary, Yahaya Alajo, reads:  “The impeachment proceeding against Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara as the NBA Ilorin chairman was considered and resolved today in a General Meeting held at the Bar Centre. The meeting was attended by over 50 members of the association.

    “Dr. Ibrahim Abikan, while at the meeting, addressed the congress, adding that the motion for impeachment earlier moved by 16 members and seconded by 18 members was not opposed by Mr. Ojibara or any other member of the association. It was accordingly resolved that since there was no response to the allegations of financial recklessness, abuse of office and subversion of the bye-law of the association, Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara thereby stand impeached. The session, though rowdy, Mr. Ojibara was successfully impeached.

    “It should be recalled that the grounds of impeachment borders on abuse of office and professional misconduct concerning the misappropriation of the association’s funds among others. It is hoped that with the impeachment of Mr. Ojibara, peace and sanity would be restored in the NBA, Ilorin branch.”

  • Group urges new police chief

    Group urges new police chief

    The new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has been urged to be a team player by carrying along all stakeholders to tackle security challenges in the country.

    The Police Assistance Committee (PAC), which gave the advice while hailing the emergence of the police chief, also assured him of its total support.

    The committee’s Director General, Dr. Martins Oni, said the Abba is a tested officer who has distinguished himself in various capacities in the force, adding: “We are confident that Abba will bring to the fore, the wealth of experience he has garnered over the years, to build on the achievements of his predecessor and thus improve the fortunes of the force by injecting new ideas at confronting the plethora of security challenges threatening the corporate existence of the nation”

    The group expressed the hope that his tenure would ensure robust relationship with the members of other security agencies, the public and the corporate bodies to fight the festering insurgency in the country.

  • Female entrepreneurs charting a new future

    Female entrepreneurs charting a new future

    A group of female entrepreneurs under the umbrella of the Association of Women in Business network have been looking at ways to make access to credit easy for women all over the country.

    At a recent forum which took place at NECA house, Lagos the Coordinator of the project Titilola Adisa talked about the activities of the organization and how it had reached out to stakeholders in the past few months in order to chart a new future for female entrepreneurs.

    Also speaking at the forum was Toki Mabogunje who took time to give graphic details of the hurdles women face trying to get loans and other credit facilities. She also talked about how the women can convert these challenges to opportunities and make life easy for female entrepreneurs.

    Others speakers include Mrs. Omowunmi Omotosho,Country director of CIPE,  Mrs. Fayo Williams of NNEW and Chief Mrs. Bisi Ogunleye of the Country Women Association  of Nigeria (COWAN).

    Apart from the speakers participants also took time to identify some of the challenges they face while trying to access credit from banks and other financial institutions across the country.

    The women therefore called on the Federal government to, “put in place gender friendly policies and low interest rates for SME’s that are owned by women. This should be enacted in the constitution as well as a special policy to encourage female farmers”, Adisa says.

    She adds that: “Government policies should be reviewed periodically and regular update of SME policies should be communicated to stakeholders. This can be done with proper information dissemination. We also believe that there is a need to introduce long term loans because most of the projects are long term. It would also be good for our government to look at multiple taxation”.

    The participants at the events took a look at what financial institutions could do to make a difference. “There must be gender friendly criteria for women to access the loans. In addition the banks need to make all the terms and conditions known from the onset. It is also important for them to make use of the existing association as guarantors”.