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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Mrs Akeredolu urges women to be involved in active politics

    Mrs Akeredolu urges women to be involved in active politics

    The wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, has advised women and youths to be actively involved in partisan politics to enable them play leadership roles in the country.

    Akeredolu gave this advice on Friday in Akure at the inauguration of the Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials ( FOWOSO ).

    According to her, the aim of creating FOWOSO is to develop and execute programmes that will build the capacity of women and youths.

    She advised women to change their mindsets of limiting themselves to the homes but aspire to become breadwinners of the families as well.

    According to her, this is where FOWOSO will become relevant; we cannot sit back and expect government to champion these causes.

    “We owe it to ourselves and children to ensure that we are effectively developed to take up the challenge and make a useful impact on the economy.

    “We have to play our part in preparing our women to be effective leaders in the economic sector of the country,’’ she said.

    In a remark, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, lauded members of FOWOSO for supporting his wife since the inception of his administration.

    According to the governor, women’s role in economic growth has grown to the point, where it becomes a loss to the society to segregate them from economic activities and decision making process.

    FOWOSO is an initiative of the governor’s wife, established for children and women in the state.

    The forum is also established to give free medical check-up for women as well as give economic empowerment to selected women in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The empowerment includes the distribution of sewing machines, hair dryers, grinding machines, gas cylinders and cash gifts.

    NAN

  • U.S. tasks Saudi on regional policy

    U.S. tasks Saudi on regional policy

    Saudi Arabia should be “more measured and a bit more thoughtful’’ in its handling of conflicts in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday in an unusually blunt criticism of the historic U.S. ally.

    Tillerson criticised Riyadh’s handling of conflicts in Yemen and relations with Lebanon and Qatar, and repeated U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Riyadh to end its blockade of Yemen.

    “I think in respect to Saudi Arabia’s engagement with Qatar, how they’re handling the Yemen war that they’re engaged in, the Lebanon situation.

    “We would encourage them to be a bit more measured and a bit more thoughtful in those action, to, I think, fully consider the consequences,’’ Tillerson said.

    Saudi Arabia has taken an increasingly active stance in the region, trying to face down allies of rival power Iran, since Crown Prince Mohammed Salman became the power behind the throne.

    It is leading a military coalition in Yemen against Houthi rebels and has cut relations and trade links with neighbouring Qatar, which supports Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood that Riyadh views with suspicion.

    But Tillerson, speaking in Paris after a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, had warmer words for the King’s programme of domestic reforms.

    “The U.S. strongly supports the reforms that are being undertaken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    “We think they’re important for the future of Saudi Arabia, in terms of not just its stability but also its prosperity for the future,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Army, NGO train 104 on skills acquisition, distributes N3.5m starter packs

    Army, NGO train 104 on skills acquisition, distributes N3.5m starter packs

    The Headquarters, Training And Doctrine Command ( TRADOC ), Nigerian Army, Minna, says it is collaborating with an NGO, Malam Garba Foundation, to train 104 family members of serving army personnel in Minna Military Cantonment on various skills.

    The TRADOC Commander, Maj.-Gen. Rasheed Yusuf, disclosed this in Minna while distributing certificates and starter packs to the trainees.

    “The Skills Acquisition Programme in Minna military cantonment is one major welfare programme initiated by the Chief of Army Staff to empower the family members of the Army personnel,’’ Yusuf said.

    He said the programme was aimed at enhancing the living standard of the wives and children of the serving military personnel.

    “There is no doubt that the programme will reduce poverty and increase economic buoyancy in the barracks and the society,’’ the commander said.

    He said the beneficiaries were trained for one month on leather works, barbing, hairdressing, bead and wire work, multipurpose cosmetics, satellite installation, fashion designing and tailoring, among others.

    He said each participant would be provided with a starter pack in his or her chosen vocation, which they should utilise to improve the lots of their families.

    Malam Garba Abdulmajid, chairman of the foundation, said the army funded the training of 60 participants while the NGO was responsible for the training of 44 trainees.

    Abdulmajid said that the starter packs distributed to the trainees were worth N3.5 million.

    Mrs Grace Osho, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association ( NAOWA ), Minna, promised that the beneficiaries would utilise the starter packs to achieve the objective of the programme.

    NAN

  • Court docks man over alleged manslaughter

    Court docks man over alleged manslaughter

    A 68-year-old man, Adebayo Olaegbe, was on Friday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged dangerous driving and causing the death of a 27-year-old girl.

    Olaegbe, whose address was not stated, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Abbas Abayomi, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offences on Dec. 4, at 7:45 a.m. on the Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos.

    He said that the accused drove a Toyota Camry car marked AAA 481 EJ in a dangerous manner and caused the death of one Amaka Onyema.

    Abayomi said the accused used the vehicle to injure two other persons who were standing at a bus stop with the deceased.
    He said that the two persons, one Desmond Denis, 21, and one Tunde Quadri, 22, sustained injuries.

    According to the prosecutor, the accused drove the vehicle with an expired driver’s licence.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 7 (1), 19, and 20 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government, and have their addresses verified.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until Jan. 23, for mention.

    NAN

  • Expert tasks FG on renewable energy

    Expert tasks FG on renewable energy

    A Renewable Energy Expert, Mr Yomi  Kolawole, has urged the Federal Government( FG ) to create more business atmosphere that would enable the spread of renewable energy, to tackle communities without electricity.

    Kolawole, who is also Chief Executive Officer, Topain Energy Solution Ltd., Lagos, gave the advice in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

    He said that it was important to have a suitable atmosphere to accelerate the spread of renewable energy, adding that the hydro power plants had not been able to bridge the energy needs sufficiently.

    “To expedite the spread of renewable energy, government should grant five years or more tax rebates for importers and assemblers of Nigerians in the sector.

    “However, government should pass a law to compel Nigerians to patronise local producers in order to boost the sector adequately,’’ Kolawole said.

    He noted that the importance of renewable energy could not be over emphasized because of its environmental friendly nature.

    The expert added that it was disturbing that in spite the potential of renewable energy in the country, the nation’s economy could not distribute beyond 10,000 Megawatts of energy.

    “We must begin to take the immense advantage of sunlight, especially in the Northern part of the country to boost our solar energy needs.

    “Even the possibilities of wind energy are not yet harnessed enough to reduce the electricity lag in spite the potential of the sector and the presumed prospect.’’

    Despite efforts by the Federal Government to provide electricity in the country, the World Bank had said that over 80 million Nigerians had no access to electricity.

    The World Bank Country Director, Nigeria, Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, stated this at the 4th Action Learning event on Upscaling Mini Grids for low-cost and timely access to electricity.

    The occasion was organised by the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, in Abuja.

    Benmessaoud, however, said the Bank had provided $350m loan for the development of rural electrification projects in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • P Diddy world’s highest paid musician in 2017 – Forbes

    P Diddy world’s highest paid musician in 2017 – Forbes

    American hip-hop superstar, Sean Combs, a.k.a P Diddy has emerged Forbes highest earning musician for the year, without releasing any album for the period.

    “Diddy is the top-earning musician on the planet, pulling in a career-best 130 million dollars pretax this year.

    “His total got a boost from his Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, his Ciroc vodka deal and the sale of one-third of his Sean John clothing line for an estimated 70 million dollars.”

    According to Forbes, Diddy has used a combination of charisma, smarts and showmanship to elevate himself from modest means to the top of an empire that encompasses music, spirits, clothing, television and more.

    “I’m the average person,” Diddy told Forbes earlier this year.

    “I started looking at business at the age of 12, from delivering newspapers to working in gas station bathrooms, or even doing things like being a background dancer or a stylist.

    “Whatever I could do to get close to the industry,” he said.

    Also, Beyoncé ranked second with 105 million dollars, making her the only other act top to pull in nine figures.

    Her Formation World Tour, which wrapped up in late 2016 and fell partly in the scoring period, was a major income contributor to her.

    The Formation World Tour was the seventh concert tour by the American singer in support of her sixth studio album, ‘Lemonade’.

    Drake, the world’s acclaimed most-streamed artist in recent years, rounds out the top three with 94 million dollars, much of it from his Boy Meets World Tour.

    The highest earning artistes list is generated considering pretax income from June 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017, fees charged by agents, managers and lawyers inclusive.

    “We gathered data from Nielsen SoundScan, Pollstar, the RIAA and interviews with industry insiders,” Forbes said.

    NAN

  • I prefer Ronaldo to Messi – Disu

    I prefer Ronaldo to Messi – Disu

    Tunde Disu, a former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says he prefers Cristiano Ronaldo to his Ballon d’Or rival, Lionel Messi.

    Disu made the disclosure in an interview on Friday in Lagos after Ronaldo emerged winner of the 2017 Ballon d’Or award.

    Ronaldo emerged winner of the prestigious award for the fifth time to draw level with Messi. The Portuguese was honoured at a gala night at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

    It was a back-to-back win for the 32-year-old, who helped his country to win the UEFA European Championship in 2016.

    The fast-paced striker also scored 12 UEFA Champions league goals and 25 goals in the Spanish La Liga.

    He had previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018 to make it the fifth time.

    “Watching both players on the field is something you will ever enjoy, especially their dedication and efforts at bringing success to their various clubs.

    “For me, I see Ronaldo as a more complete player and I will go for him anytime because he is dangerous on air and can use both legs effectively.

    “Ronaldo on the field will always show signs of eagerness; he wants victory and is ready to play. He has that exceptional drive needed in every player.

    “Dedicated players in the mould of Ronaldo and Messi are not common at all. Although we have someone like Neymar of Brazil but his time has not come.’’

    Read also: Lagos J-League proud of Ndidi’s success at Leicester – Disu

    Disu advised other players to take up the challenge from Ronaldo and Messi to help their clubs attain the height which both players had achieved.

    “I am not surprised at their dominance in football for 10 years now. They merit all the awards and they are undisputable. Who has come closer to what they have achieved individually?

    “For both players, they helped their clubs achieve a great deal. See their commitment on the field of play and their goals which have helped their clubs win laurels.

    “Both players are world-class which we may not be able to replace now, it is a challenge other players must rise up to. They need to be on their level.

    “I expect other players to be game changers just like Ronaldo and Messi, let them help their clubs win their local league and champions’ league.  Players like Hazard should also step up,’’ said Disu.

    NAN

  • Zamfara to establish own university next year.

    Zamfara to establish own university next year.

    The Zamfara Government said on Friday that it had plan to establish in 2018, its own university at Talata-Mafara town in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Science and Technical Education, Malam Ahmad Maradun, disclosed this after defending the 2018 budget proposal of the ministry in Gusau.

    Maradun said that the Abdu-Gusau Polythecnic, Talata-Mafara, would be upgraded to the status of a university while the polytechnic would be relocated to another local government area in the state.

    “Though the state government has not yet decided where the polytechnic will be relocated to, it has earmarked over N2 billion for the project in its 2018 budget proposal.

    “You know the relocation of a tertiary institution, especially a polytechnic, is not an easy task. It involves building of structures. It also requires procurement of laboratory and workshop equipment, among others.

    “In our 2018 budget proposal we are going to spend over N2 billion on the relocation of the polytechnic,” the commissioner said.

    A committee had been set up to handle the establishment of the university.

    “We will also spend about N1billion on the renovation of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science ( ZACAS ), Gusau,” Maradun added.

    He noted that the state government this year spent over N1billion on renovating two science and technical education secondary schools in Talata-Mafara and Kaura-Namoda.

    The commissioner said that two other schools had been identified for renovation in the 2018 budget proposal.

    Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari on Monday presented a N130.7 billion budget proposal to the State House of Assembly.

    NAN

  • Merkel to launch coalition talks on Wednesday

    Merkel to launch coalition talks on Wednesday

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to launch talks on Wednesday aimed at forging a new coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), an SPD leader confirmed on Friday.

    The exploratory talks between the SPD, Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the CDU’s Bavarian-based ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), bring Europe’s biggest economy closer to ending months of political deadlock following September’s inconclusive national election.

    “No matter what comes now or how it turns out, I believe that we need both more political argument but also more alignment between the CDU-CSU and SPD,” SPD parliamentary leader Andreas Nahles told German radio.

    She confirmed that Wednesday had been set aside for the launch of coalition talks after SPD members attending a party congress on Thursday reluctantly voted to meet with Merkel.

    SPD chief Martin Schulz told the 600 or so delegates attending the conference in Berlin that the party would ensure that key elements of its programme form part of any new coalition pact with Merkel.

    Those elements include a new immigration law and a reimagining of the EU as well as education and health reform.

    In addition to Schulz and Merkel, Wednesday’s talks are to be attended by CSU chief Horst Seehofer, SPD leader Nahles, leading CDU parliamentarian Volker Kauder and the CSU’s Alexander Dobrindt, party officials said.

    NAN

  • Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

    Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

    A 43-year-old man, Anthony Ibodhe, who allegedly detained and defiled a 12-year-old girl, was on Friday brought before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Ibodhe, who resides at No. 22, Olayinka St., Itire, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of unlawful confinement and defilement.
    ‎‎The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, insisted ‎that the accused committed the offence at No. 22, Olayinka St., Itire Lagos at about 02.00.p.m. between Oct. 5 and Nov. 7.

    ‎‎She said the accused, who resides at the above address with the parents of the girl, was in the habit of detaining the girl and having sexual intercourse with her whenever her parents were not around.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 135 and 144 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    ‎However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.‎

    ‎The Senior Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.‎
    Nwachukwu ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant, not less than level 14, while the other must be resident in his own building,

    She said that sureties should provide evidence of tax payments and have their addresses verified.‎

    ‎‎She adjourned the case until Jan. 25, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ).

    NAN