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Tag: Nigeria News

  • FG to host 2018 African Tourism Ministers conference

    FG to host 2018 African Tourism Ministers conference

    The Federal Government said it would partner with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria ( FTAN ) and other stakeholders in hosting of the African Tourism Ministers in June 2018.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja, when a delegation of FTAN led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Kareem Rabo paid him a courtesy call.

    Nigeria, at the 22nd United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO ) General Assembly held in September in Chengdu, China, won the right to host the Conference of UNWTO Commission for Africa in Abuja.

    Mohammed said FTAN, a statutory umbrella body of every association involved with tourism was crucial to successful hosting of the conference.

    He said from its membership ranging from tour operators, airlines owners, car hire operators, and hotel owners as well as other professional bodies in the sector, FTAN remained a major stakeholder in tourism industry.

    Read also: Argungu Fishing Festival: FG,  tourism stakeholders to partner Kebbi State

    “There is no way we can organise the conference without FTAN being co-opted in either the general purpose committee or the sub-committee.

    “You will be very much involved because it is FTAN that will provide services at the airports, the hotels and as guides of the visitors.

    “The impression that our visitors will have about Nigeria will depend on the effectiveness and competence of the various associations under FTAN.

    “Therefore, you should be rest assured that we are going to carry you along,’’ he said.

    Also responding to the request by FTAN for its members to be appointed on the board of Tourism Parastatal Agencies, the minister said the enabling Acts of some of the government establishments already catered for it.

    The minister said the government efforts at resuscitating the Presidential Council on Tourism was on-going and it would be made a priority of the ministry in 2018.

    Mohammed reiterated his commitment to the culture and tourism portfolio of his ministry.

    Earlier, Rabo had underscored the importance of the private sector to the development of the industry and the need for government to partner with the association in its activities.

    He said FTAN was ready to synergise with the ministry in realising the 2017 Declaration as Year of Sustainable Tourism Development spanning till 2030.

    Rabo also congratulated the minister on his recent election as the UNWTO Vice President for Africa and urged him to use the position to grow the industry.

    NAN

  • Superbikers embark on seven-hour praise

    Superbikers embark on seven-hour praise

    For seven hours, members of the Superbikers Association in Lagos praised their creator for the gift of life, journey mercies and the supernatural blessings they had received throughout the year.

    The event which was done in conjunction with the Life Center Ministries in Ajao Estate and Land of Praise Ministries featured prominent gospel artistes like Shola King, Brother Phillip, a blind gospel artiste, and the choir of the Life Center.

    Mr. Michael Oladeinde, the coordinator of the Superbiker’s Praise, said God has been faithful to them and they have every reason to praise God.

    “God has been faithful in our lives. We all have every reason to praise God every day of our lives.

    Read also: Breaking invisible barriers through Praise!

    “The best way to appreciate the lord’s favour , mercy and grace is to praise him all the time.

    “He is the one who has kept and preserved us all and we must appreciate the lord’s goodness in our lives,” he said.

    He also said that aside the attention Superbike riders get anywhere they go, they should always endeavour to seek attention for christ.

    “Anytime a Super biker gets to a place, his arrival is noticed immediately.

    “Everyone around him marvels and they are excited as he moves away. It is also important that as individuals we should be attention seekers for Christ.

    “We must make sure we carry the word along with us in everything we do. When we do this, we would definitely see the hand of God in the things we do,” he said.

    Food items were also distributed to communities in the area as part of the activities lined up for the celebration.

  • Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Ahead of Christmas celebration, prices of tomatoes, pepper and onions have reduced by about 45 per cent in Lagos.

    Price checks at Mile 12, Whitesand, Iddo and Oko Oba markets in Lagos on Monday, revealed that the drop in prices was due to bumper harvest of agricultural produce.

    Report said a basket of tomatoes, which previously sold for N15, 000 now goes for N8, 000 while red pepper (tatashe) now cost N8000 compared to its previous price of N14, 000 a basket.

    A basket of chilli pepper (rodo) also reduced from N18, 000 to N10, 000 and a jute bag of onions, which previously cost N30, 000, now goes for N20, 000.

    A 25-litre of vegetable oil, which previously sold for N11, 500, now cost N10, 700, palm oil decreased from N11, 000 to N10, 300, while a measure of garri now cost N400.

    However, the price of a 50 kilogramme bag of rice ranged between N13, 500 to N17, 000, depending on the brand while a measure of beans cost N1,500.

    Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesman for Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the price drop to the ongoing harvest season for most of the produce.

    Read also: FG has no intention to increase fuel pump price

    “Over 20 per cent of the annual four million metric tonnes of tomatoes produced in the country is supplied to Mile 12 Market annually and redistributed to over 400 markets in Lagos and Ogun State and six ECOWAS countries.

    “About 200, 000 metric tonnes of the 800,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes annually supplied to Mile 12 Market get wasted due to postharvest losses.

    “Presently, the supply of the produce is more than the demand because farmers commenced harvest in December and there would be surplus in the market till April when the harvest season would end.

    “That is why we have been advocating for increased investment in tomato processing plant to mop up the excess and reduce waste, create jobs and increase contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Odusanya said.

    He urged the three tiers of government to create an enabling environment toward attracting more investors to tomato processing in the country.

    NAN

  • Acquire vocational, get start-up capital – Ambode

    Acquire vocational, get start-up capital – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos on Monday advised corps members to acquire vocational skills to qualify for a start-up capital from the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund ( LSETF ).

    Ambode gave the advice at the closing of the orientation course for the 2017 Batch B corps members deployed in the state.

    The governor was represented by the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Oluseye Oladejo.

    According to the governor, the objective of the LSETF is to support young people to become job and wealth creators.

    “I am aware that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) programme  was one of the activities in which you were engaged during the orientation.

    “I urge you to take your post-camp training serious and acquire vocational skills of your choice.

    “This will qualify you for a start-up capital from the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund that was established to provide financial support for Lagos residents and NYSC members serving in the state,’’ he said.

    Read also: Nigeria must create four million jobs annually, says Ambode

    The governor noted that the objective of the National Youth Service Scheme ( NYSC ) was to foster unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    “I have no doubt that the orientation course has adequately prepared you for the next phase of your service.

    “You are expected to exhibit good qualities such as tolerance, patriotism, diligence and perseverance in your various places of primary assignment.

    “As you prepare to step out of this camp, I implore you to participate actively in anything that will positively affect the lives of others,’’ he said.

    Ambode called on the corps members to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their host communities.

    The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Mohammed Momoh, said that 2,549 corps members participated in the orientation course in the state.

    Momoh said that the corps members were taken through well-structured programmes such as citizenship and leadership training, para-military drills and lectures on self-actualisation.

    He urged the corps members to accept in good faith, their postings to their places of primary assignment.

    The coordinator also advised them not to go on unauthorised journeys outside Lagos.

    “If you must travel, permission must be obtained through the proper channel.

    “I encourage you to be agents of change and good ambassadors in your places of primary assignment.

    “I enjoin you to key into the federal and state governments’ grassroots-oriented programmes aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of your host communities,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Ogun targets N4bn revenue in 2018

    Ogun targets N4bn revenue in 2018

    Ogun state ‘s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, on Monday said the ministry had put in place machinery to generate  N4billion in  revenue next year.

    Ashiru said  this while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal at the Ogun House of Assembly  in Abeokuta.

    The commissioner explained the amount proposed by the ministry was achievable, saying the ministry had mapped out strategies  to block all leakages in revenue collection.

    He said the ministry had proposed to generate N200million from registration of trade and artisans in the state while N3billion would be generated from haulage.

    “The ministry intends to intensify efforts on monitoring and enforcement for effective collections of haulage fee across the state.

    “There are over 24,000 business premises payers in the state. The sum of N300million is budgeted to be generated from registration and renewal of business premises.

    “N500million will be generated from inspection of quarries, monitoring of activities of quarry operators, regulation of illegal mining in the state and collection of surface rent,’’ he said.

    Read also: Shopping malls: Ogun to revoke unused allocations

    Ashiru also said that the ministry had proposed to spend the sum N740million on capital expenditure while N420million had been earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

    Defending the budget of his ministry, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said that the ministry had earmarked N2.6billion as its total expenditure for 2018.

    Oladipo explained that the ministry had also proposed to put in place a museum in each of the three senatorial districts in  the state.

    “There is no museum in Ogun East. We intend having one to be called `Museum of Cultural Heritage and Data’.

    “The likes of Ogunde museum will complement that of the state,’’ he said.

    Declaring the budget defence open, Deputy Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, said  the exercise was not meant to witchhunt  any Ministry, Department  or Agency, but part of the constitutional duties of the house.

    NAN

  • Man docked over attempt to bathe someone with acid

    Man docked over attempt to bathe someone with acid

    An accused, Oluwaseyi Ogunjinmi, was on Monday docked at an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun for attempting to bathe someone with a substance suspected to be acid and causing a breach of public peace.

    Ogunjinmi, 30, is facing a two-count charge of threat to life and breach of public peace, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The magistrate, Mrs Risikat Olayemi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    Olayemi ordered that the surety, who must swear to an affidavit of means, should be a civil servant on Grade Level 05, and whose place of work should be within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Read also: Man docked for stealing Cocoyam in Ekiti

    She added that the surety must attach his letter of appointment, his last promotion letter as well as present his or her valid official identity card to the affidavit as part of the bail conditions.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until December 18, for hearing.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Matthew Imepreve, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 5, 2017 at about 2:00 p.m., at No. 7, Ijio St., off Moore, Ile-Ife.

    Imepreve said that the accused threatened to bathe one Mrs Sola Awoyeye with acid and in the process, conducted himself in a manner that breached public peace.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 86 and 249 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002

    NAN

  • Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Monday called on the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to ensure positive impact in  their host communities.

    The governor made the call on Monday in Sagamu at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members.

    Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also urged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    “It is your responsibility as an individual or as a group to collectively contribute your quota to the development of Ogun State through selfless service to your host communities.

    “Let me remind you that you are treading a path which thousands of youths before you have passed through, yet there is always that room to make a difference.

    “I urge you to move out today to your various places of primary assignment with a determination to make an impact.

    “My advice to you is to leave an enduring imprints through meaningful community development projects in the host communities in the next one year,” Amosun said.

    Read also: Amosun: Homeowners’ Charter has achieved its objectives

    The governor said his administration had provided the necessary security and ambience for the corps members to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

    He said government would continue to evolve strategic methods in mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well being of the state.

    In a similar vein, Mr John Okpo, the NYSC Coordinator in Ogun, appealed to employers and community leaders to warmly accept the corps members  to enable them discharge their duties.

    Okpo explained that postings to places of primary assignments for the corps members were done in line with the peculiar needs of the various local government areas and their communities.

    A total of 2,442 corps members registered for the orientation exercise which started on Nov. 21.

    NAN

  • I was deceived by the devil – Army impersonator

    I was deceived by the devil – Army impersonator

    A Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 21-year-old man, Mohammed Ahmed, who said he was deceived by the devil after he impersonated an army man.

    Chief Magistrate Jovita Binjin sentenced Ahmed to six months imprisonment following his guilty plea.

    Binjin, however, gave the convict a fine of N5,000, and hoped that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

    Ahmed had pleaded for leniency, saying that he was deceived by the devil.

    Read also: Man impersonates Okiro to defraud army applicants

    According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Doghva Kasuwa, Ahmed impersonated an army man on Oct. 27 at the Nassara Police Station.

    “The accused person was impersonating a military man; when interrogated, he could not explain when and how he became a military man,’’ Kasuwa said.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Ajimobi commends army as Buratai visits Oyo

    Ajimobi commends army as Buratai visits Oyo

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday commended the army for its support in ensuring security of lives and properties in the state.

    The governor gave the commendation in Ibadan while receiving the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, who visited him in his office.

    Report said Buratai had led other senior army officers to Ibadan for the week-long Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    Ajimobi said the Nigeria Army had released some of its men to lead a special task force set up by his administration to restore peace and order  in the state.

    “The state before our assumption of office in 2011 was popularly known as a garrison where brigandage, thuggery and other criminal activities were the order of the day.

    “When we assumed office, we set up a special task force known as ‘Operation Burst’ which involved the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and  Nigeria Air Force which was  led by the Nigerian Army.

    “Today, Oyo State is one of the safest states in the country. We want you to help us commend your personnel for their support,” he said.

    The governor also described Buratai as a worthy leader who epitomises professionalism in status and character.

    Read also: Army restates commitment to protection of human rights

    Earlier, Buratai had said he was in Ibadan for the COAS Annual Conference where  senior officers meet to brainstorm.

    “The conference is an annual ritual where top brass of the Nigeria Army gather to brainstorm on what transpired during the year, analyse and focus on activities of the following year,” he said.

    He said the army had chosen the state after considering its strategic importance.

    “We are also here to rub minds and interact with stakeholders in the academia, civil society and government functionaries to have a very good background for subsequent years.

    “This would help us a lot in terms of training, operations and general administration,” he said.

    Buratai acknowledged the support received by the army, hinging this on the cordial working relationship with the state government.

    The programme featured exchange of gifts by the governor and the army chief.

    NAN

  • Trader seeks dissolution of marriage to lazy husband

    Trader seeks dissolution of marriage to lazy husband

    After 10 years of marriage to a completely lazy husband, a trader, Mrs Awawu Oseni, wants an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve the marriage because of the man’s refusal to work.

    Awawu pleaded with the court on Monday to dissolve the marriage because her husband, Ibrahim Oseni, has refused to work, to make himself useful to the family.

    She said that Ibrahim, with whom she had a child in the marriage, was completely lazy and not useful to the family.

    “My husband has refused to work. He sleeps at home from morning till night, snoring.

    “When he wanted to marry me, he claimed that he had accommodation problem and he pleaded to move in with me for him to get another apartment.

    “I accepted but he has refused to search for an accommodation ever since.

    “My mother has been the one paying our house rent and feeding us since the inception of our marriage.

    “And, I dare not fail to give him food to eat. He would beat the hell out of me.”

    Awawu said that Ibrahim had also been accusing her of infidelity repeatedly.

    “Whenever I go out, my husband always accuses me of going to see another man. He would beat me and asked me to tell him the name of the man I went to see.

    “He embarrasses me in public by beating and calling me a dog, bastard and prostitute.

    “All the scars on my body were due to his constant beatings.”

    The 30-year-old mother pleaded with court to divorce the union forthwith, saying that she was no longer interested.

    “Please, save me from the cruel hands of Ibrahim. He may beat me to death one day if I continue with the marriage,” Awawu said.

    Read also: Woman seeks divorce over husband’s constant battery

    However, Ibrahim said that Awawu was having extra- marital affairs.

    “I always have the feeling that my wife is seeing another man and whenever she returns and I ask her to tell me the man she visited and she refuses, I beat her.”

    Ibrahim said that he was paying their house rent and was also caring for their only child.

    The 42-year-old man also denied the allegation of being lazy.

    “Although, I stay in the house from morning but I leave with my motorcycle to work in the evening,” he explained.

    He begged the court not to grant his wife’s wish for the dissolution of marriage, saying that he was still in love with her.

    The President of the court, Mr Moses Akinniyi, adjourned the case until Dec.18 for further hearing.

    NAN