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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Ten players have been selected at the Brinin Kebbi camp of the Super Sand Eagles for the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, opening in Lagos on December 8.

    The Head Coach of the team, Audu Adamu, said in Lagos on Thursday that the new team would represent Nigeria at the CAF Beach Soccer tournament, billed for Egypt next year.

    “These selected players will represent us at the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt. I have so much hope in them and I’m confident that they will deliver.

    “Our performance in COPA Lagos will further reveal to us where we need to work on and improve on,’’ Adamu said.

    The players selected are Paul Danjuma of Kastina United, Arome Isah of Sambrin FC Kogi, Victor Tale (Captain) of Kogi United FC, Emmanuel Oweferia and Taiwo Adams both of Owibeseb FC Ojo.

    Others are Ekujumi Eganosi and Emeka Ogbonna both are of Lead UTD FC in Ojo, Lagos, Abu Azizz of Rangers FC Enugu, Suleiman Muhammed of Ifeanyi Uba FC and Bulangi Umar of Kebbi Beach Soccer.

    The four new players, who made the team are Muhammed, Umar, Eganosi and Ogbonna.

    The Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, the organizers of COPA Lagos, said that this year’s event would be huge because of the partnership with the Lagos State Government.

    “We have come a long way and with our partnership with Lagos State, we know things will only get better.

    “Already because of this partnership, one of the most renowned coaches in the world Tehina Rota of Tahiti would help train our home-based coaches,’’ he said.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode was partnering with the tournament organizers as part of his commitment to making Lagos a centre of attraction.

    Read also: Arsenal Beach Soccer Team Arrives Today as Lagos State Supports COPA Lagos

    “Tourism, arts and sports are sectors that our amiable governor understands to be the oil sector, we have seen Kinetic Sports manage COPA Lagos and the tournament has all these traits.

    “We believe in the future of COPA Lagos and we are ready to continuously work harder to ensure that we tap into every area this tournament comprises of.

    “Talking about sports, fashion, music, tourism, all these and more are embedded in COPA Lagos and will keep our youths engaged during the festive period,’’ he said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos State was proud to be a part of the success story of Kinetic Sports.

    “Samson is a Nigerian youth that has single-handedly organised a tournament of this magnitude for almost a decade now; because of his consistency he is a success story.

    “I want our youths to challenge themselves, nothing is too small as long as you have passion for it and you have a vision that sees beyond your challenges.’’

    The COPA Lagos tournament is to hold from December 8 to December 10 at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    NAN

  • Jigawa LG partners CPC to end food adulteration

    Jigawa LG partners CPC to end food adulteration

    The Suletankarkar Local Government Council of Jigawa said it would partner with the Consumer Protection Council ( CPC ) to end adulteration of foodstuff in the area.

    The Information Officer of the council, Alhaji Dudau Sulaiman, disclosed this on Thursday.

    Sulaiman said the Chairman of the council, Malam Jafaru Muhammad, made the announcement when he received the CPC’s Chairman in his office.

    Read also: Jigawa Assembly to investigates death of 50 children, increase in child mortality

    He said Muhammad, who expressed concerned over alleged reports of adulteration of commodities in markets in the area, pledged to measures to tackle the menace.

    The council’s boss also commended the CPC for its efforts at ridding the state’s markets of adulterated products.

    The CPC chairman, Alhaji Faruq Abdallah, said the council’s officials were in the area as part of their routine visit to markets.

    Abdallah called on the local council to revive its Consumer Protection Subcommittee to help check adulteration of goods in the area.

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  • Two policemen, NSCDC staff probed for abduction in Jigawa

    Two policemen, NSCDC staff probed for abduction in Jigawa

    The Police Command in Jigawa says it is interrogating two policemen, a personal of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) and one civilian over alleged abduction of fake money producer.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed this to newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.

    Jinjiri said that the suspects (names withheld) were arrested in Hadejia Local Government Area of the state after they allegedly abducted the victim, Malam Ahmad Muhammad, also known as “Akrami’’.

    He explained that the suspects allegedly conspired and abducted the victim at his residence at Mahucin Sarki quarters, after they learnt that he produced fake money.

    The spokesman added that they suspects allegedly took the victim to the bush and demanded that he produced money for them.

    “On December 26, we received a report from Hadejia division that two policemen, one personal of NSCDC and one civilian allegedly conspired and abducted one Malam Ahmad Muhammad from his residence in Mahucin Sarki quarters, Hadejia town.

    “They kept the captive for one day insisting that he must produce money for them.

    “This is very unprofessional, as they were supposed to take him to station for interrogation but they decided to keep him with them,’’ the spokesman said.

    He said investigation into the case had begun, and that the suspects would be charged to court if evidence was established against them.

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  • Police reiterates ban on fireworks

    Police reiterates ban on fireworks

    The police command in Imo on Wednesday reiterated the ban on sale, possession or discharge of any kind of explosive or fireworks.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Andrew Enwerem, noted that the ban was still in force.

    He added that “the use of fireworks not only constitute threat to fire outbreak but a threat to security.”

    The PPRO advised parents and guardians to educate their children and wards on the consequences of such acts, especially during the Christmas and new year celebrations.

    He also warned that any person found selling, possessing or discharging fireworks of any kind in the state would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He advised the public to contact the police command distress control room on
    the following numbers — 08034773600 and 08098880197 — for information on any security threats.

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  • Saraki, Kwankwaso, others should return home – PDP

    Saraki, Kwankwaso, others should return home – PDP

    The Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has called on aggrieved members who left the party to follow the footsteps of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku “and return home.”

    The Chairman of the board, Sen. Walid Jibrin, made the call while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said “as the party joyfully welcomes Atiku back to his home PDP, we are equally waiting to receive more members.

    “We are waiting for the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, other senators, members of House of Representatives and APC governors who left the PDP.

    “Let all of us unite and take back power from APC come 2019.”

    Read also:I represent new face of PDP – Dokpesi

    Ahead of the December 9 PDP Convention, Jibrin urged aspirants to develop the spirit of sportsmanship.

    He urged aspirants to accept the verdict of delegates, cooperate with the winners and remain loyal to the party as power comes from God.

    Jibrin said the BoT had not anointed any contestant, saying the board was ready to work with whoever emerged victorious.

    “I want to assure our party members that whoever emerges as National Chairman, the BoT is ready to cooperate and work with him or her for the progress of the party.

    “I will like to reiterate our position that the BoT has not anointed any candidates for now,” he said.

    He commended the Judiciary for saving Nigeria’s democracy by putting and end to the crisis in the party.

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  • I represent new face of PDP – Dokpesi

    I represent new face of PDP – Dokpesi

    Founder of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said he represented the new face of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) where political aspirations of members would be attained.

    Dokpesi, a national chairmanship aspirant of the party, stated this at a news conference in Owerri, on Wednesday as he rounded off his nationwide campaign ahead of Saturday’s national convention of the party.

    He said that his leadership would mark a departure from the culture of imposition and impunity of the past, and urged Imo delegates to the convention to vote for a new beginning in the party.

    “Vote for a new beginning and a new PDP that will ensure and give each member of PDP a level-playing ground to attain their dreams.

    “Vote for leadership that will be respected by all and sundry, leadership of the party that will recapture power in 2019.

    “That is the kind of leadership Chief Raymond Dokpesi is offering,” he said.

    Read also: Dokpesi calls for unity among PDP members

    Dokpesi said that the party was on the rise again after its defeat in the 2015 general elections, adding that to sustain the achievement, it needed a leader who had what was required to properly project it.

    In his response, Chairman of PDP in Imo, Mr Charles Ezekwem, said that the state was yet to decide on candidates to vote for at the convention.

    According to Ezekwem, a collective decision on that will be made before the convention.

    In his speech, Mr Chuma Nnaji, a running mate in the governorship election in the state in 2015, said that the delegates from Imo would vote for honest aspirants who understood the challenges of the state.

    Nnaji described Dokpesi as one of such aspirants.

    NAN

  • Restructuring: Northern senators, governors to meet in Katsina

    Restructuring: Northern senators, governors to meet in Katsina

    The Northern Senators’ Forum and the 19 Northern governors would on Monday converge in Katsina for a three-day retreat to deliberate on the agitations for restructuring of the country.

    Chairman of the forum, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, said in Abuja that the retreat would also focus on how to improve the security situation in the country.

    Adamu said that the Forum had written letters of invitation to the 19 governors, leading traditional rulers, top politicians and ex-senators from the region to make presentations at the retreat.

    He said that the gathering would enable the senators, as the peoples’ representatives, to take a common position on restructuring.

    “Northern governors will be attending in solidarity and very eminent traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, will attend.

    Read also: Masari presents N211.4bn appropriation for Katsina

    “Essentially, we will be discussing the impact of budget in the north, the issue of restructuring which is now the main issue in politics.

    “The issue of restructuring that the Senate can develop a position on. It is part of preparing ourselves to face that challenge.

    “The issue of security will also be discussed,” Adamu said.

    He pointed out that as representatives of the people, it would be expected that with the retreat, they would be better educated, better placed to consider issues related to the subject-matter.

    “We will be better prepared to face the matter and legislate and make laws over them for the good governance of Nigeria.

    “We believe we are there to educate ourselves to be better informed, to exchange ideas on the subject matter, because we make laws, we don’t make laws out of ignorance.

    “We have to be better informed on anything we are talking about,” Adamu said.

    He explained that meeting in Katsina was not necessarily because of the economic impact it would have on the city and state or how it would energise Nigeria’s politics, “but for some sort of our presence will make’’.

    “There hasn’t been this retreat over time. We are trying to bring back the culture.

    “It makes us have touch with our bases; people who elected us and feel our pulse, we will relate with them in a better way,” he said.

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  • Customs impound contraband valued N1.59bn

    Customs impound contraband valued N1.59bn

    The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) intercepted various contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.59 billion between the 1st to 30th of November.

    The Customs Area Controller ( CAC ) of the unit, Comptroller Garba Mohammed, said this when he conducted newsmen round Customs’ warehouses in Lagos on Wednesday.

    According to Mohammed, a total of 185 items were intercepted within the period under review.

    “The command intercepted 64 units of various types of vehicles under detention; 13,333 bags of 50kg parboiled rice; 15 parcels of Indian hemp; 205 bales of second-hand clothing and 1,390 cartons of frozen poultry products.

    “We intercepted 1,101 pieces of used tyres; 835 jerry cans of vegetable oil; 17 no. of 20ft containers suspected to be carrying wood under detention and 385 cartons of Tiffany cream biscuits.

    “Also intercepted were: 2,300 cartons of Tiffany chocolate cream fudge and toffee sweet as well as 137 cartons of block engine cylinder,’’ he said.

    The controller said five suspects were apprehended along with the seizures, while one of the suspects had been released on administrative bail.

    Mohammed said some 50kg bags of rice were intercepted and discovered to have been locally-produced.

    He said the bags of rice were intercepted while being re-bagged to deceive Nigerians that the commodity was imported.

    According to him, three bullet-proof jeeps were among the vehicles seized through Customs Intelligence.

    Read also: Customs destroys 700 cartons of seized poultry products – Official

    Report said one of the suspects, Mr Adams Oghenegare, a driver with GPC Truck Transport Company, said he was apprehended by Customs at Otta, along Agbara area of Lagos.

    Oghenegare said he loaded some 50kg bags of rice and used some cartons of Maggi to cover the consignment in order to deceive security agents.

    The controller said that some owners of the 57 vehicles intercepted in Omole Estate, Lagos by officers of the unit had not come forward for identification in order to pay the duty and to release their vehicles.

    Mohammed said smuggled vehicles and rice through the land borders would attract outright seizure following the Federal Government’s directives.

    He said importation of groundnut oil was prohibited through land or sea.

    Mohammed commended the Comptroller-General of customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali and the entire management team for providing the necessary logistics that brought about this feat.

    He also commended the media for their continued support and for using their medium in sensitising the public on the effects of smuggling on the nation’s economy.

    NAN

  • OPS decries effects of bad Apapa roads on businesses

    OPS decries effects of bad Apapa roads on businesses

    The Organised Private Sector ( OPS )  has urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem of bad access roads to Apapa ports in Lagos which is affecting the cost of businesses.

    The OPS spoke on Wednesday at a conference in Lagos on the Petroleum Industry Bill and the impact of bad roads in Apapa on businesses.

    The OPS comprises Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association ( NECA ), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN ) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( NACCIMA ).

    The others are the National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises ( NASME ) and the National Association of Small Scale Industries ( NASSI ).

    Mr Segun Oshinowo, Director-General of NECA, said many companies would close shop if Apapa roads remained bad.

    “The OPS is concerned about access roads to the Apapa ports. It is affecting overhead costs of businesses of  our members.

    “Preventable accidents as a result of the bad roads lead to huge loss of revenues; loss of jobs and closure of businesses. This will further worsen trade facilitation,’’ Oshinowo said.

    He advised the government to create alternative roads, put measures in place to free traffic and proffer lasting solutions to gridlocks in Apapa.

    On the Petroleum Industry Bill, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, Director-General of MAN, advocated creation of two regulatory bodies for the petroleum industry as against one body recommended in the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill ( PIGB ) before the National Assembly.

    Ajayi-Kadiri said that there was the need to avoid “costly mistakes’’ that could work against reforming the sector.

    Read also: Fed Govt to shut depots over Apapa gridlock

    According to him, one of such mistakes is a provision in the PIGB for a single regulator for the industry.

    He said that two regulatory bodies – one for the upstream and another for the downstream – would serve the sector better.

    “A cursory look at some of the provisions of the PIGB revealed the likely emergence of the Petroleum Regulatory Commission (PRC) – an omnibus commission that will be empowered to regulate the entire petroleum sector.

    “We do not share the view of the Assembly on creation of a regulator for a sector that is not homogenous in its activities and deliverables.

    “The idea of a single regulator for the whole sector runs contrary to industry standards which by default already provides for an upstream and downstream regulator, ‘’ Ajayi-Kadiri said.

    The director-general of MAN said that the responsibilities of the proposed commission was too wide as it cut across various value chains in a key sector of the economy.

    He commended the National Assembly for taking steps to reform the petroleum industry through the PIGB, and called for accelerated actions.

    NAN

  • Coca-Cola advises Nigerians to reduce sugar intake

    Coca-Cola advises Nigerians to reduce sugar intake

    The Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd. has advised Nigerians to choose a healthy lifestyle by reducing their sugar intake and eat more fruits.

    Mr Gbolahan Sanni, the company Marketing Manager, Stills and Flavours, gave the advice at the launching of three new variants of Five Alive juice in Lagos on Tuesday.

    The new variants are Tropical, Apple and Family size of pulpy orange in Lagos.

    Sanni said that taking more of fruits daily, either by eating or drinking, makes one healthy.

    According to him, this made our company to introduce more natural content drinks into the market.

    “The new variants contain natural and local fruits such as pineapple, apple, mango, passion fruit and orange.

    “There is no limit to the number of bottles that can be consumed by an individual because it contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to health.

    Read also: Coca-Cola to launch ‘safe birth initiative’

    “It is made from natural fruits, vitamin and minerals unlike carbonated drinks which were made from chemical compounds and sugar.

    “It does not contain artificial flavours, colours and preservatives,” Sanni said.

    He said the company had realised that consumers’ taste were changing which made them to introduce new products.

    “I can assure you that we will continue to innovate, introduce and produce new variants of natural fruits drink tirelessly.

    “Five Alive drinks is a product of Coca-Cola Company and the most sought after drinks because of its uniqueness and quality.

    “People should always take breakfast with five alive because it is fresh and contains natural products,” Sanni said.

    NAN