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I did not disregard you, LBIC MD tells Lagos Assembly

The Managing Director, Lagos State Building Investment Company ( LBIC ) Plc, Mrs Folashade Folivi, on Thursday said she was surprised at being accused of disrespecting the state house of assembly.

She spoke at the assembly when she appeared before the lawmakers who had summoned her for ignoring one of its committees.

Mr Setonji David, the acting chairman of the House Committee on Urban and Physical Planning, had accused her of disregard for the committee.

He made the accusation while presenting a report on a petition written by the residents of Ogba/Ijaiye Low and Medium Housing Estate.

The residents had petitioned the House over a plan by LBIC to demolish the illegal structures in the estate.

David said that Folivi went ahead to demolish the alleged illegal structures within the estate, when the committee had called for a stay of action.

Folivi, who answered a barrage of questions from the lawmakers during her appearance, however, said she did not ignore any committee of the House.

She said that the company stopped demolition of shanties as directed by the committee.

The managing director said that LBIC never demolished any house in any estate, but was only interested in clean up of estates.

“We want to restore the aesthetic and economic values of our estates. We don’t demolish any house.

“Crimes are so many in the estates because there is no visibility anymore.

“We don’t demolish houses, we only demolish shanties and illegal structures.

“We have looked at the Master Plan because it is completely distorted.

“We only clean up environmental infractions, we don’t demolish houses,’’ she said.

Folivi said that the company never carried out anything without collaborating with relevant government agencies like the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as well as the Ministry of Environment.

On an allegation of illegal rates’ collection by the officers of the company, Folivi said that such had stopped since she became the MD in 2015.

She said that anyone with evidence should come up with it and the culprit would be prosecuted.

According to her, the company has 1295 shareholders which include Lagos State and is being regulated by Company and Allied Matters.

Folivi noted that LBIC is a mortgage bank that finances construction of residential houses.

The committee chairman, David, however, insisted that the company continued with the demolition in spite of the committee’s order.

The Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Mr Bayo Osinowo, also insisted that Folivi disregarded several calls to her from the Ministry of Lands.

Mr Mudasiru Obassa, the Speaker of the House, eventually stepped down the matter.

He said that the House would have to reach a conclusion on the report of the committee on the matter.

Some lawmakers urged the House to sanction Folivi for failing to proffer adequate explanation, to serve as a deterrent to others.

NAN

November 24, 2017
NYSC registers 2,071 corps members in Niger

The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) says it registered 2,071 corps members comprising 991 males and 1,080 females for the 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course in Niger.

Mrs Theresa Arokoyo, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, disclosed this on Thursday during the swearing-in-ceremony in Paiko.

She called on corps members to participate actively in camp activities and acquire skills that would be beneficiary to them after the service year.

Arokoyo disclosed that the scheme would partner with the state government in the development of its agricultural value chain programme.

She commended the state government for its support and cooperation in ensuring effective and efficient performance of the scheme in the state.

In his remarks, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, urged corps members to be more patriotic as the nation continue to address its socio-economic and security challenges.

Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said that the fight against epidemic diseases, illiteracy, pastoral crisis, poverty and collective quest for sustainable democratic governance required a collective efforts.

“I challenge you to see yourselves as agents of change to sensitise our people towards the much-clamoured national orientation and nation building.

“It is my belief that your education, exposure and call for national service have given you enough psychological and mental preparedness needed to fight those vices that deprive us of our deserved position in the comity of nations,” he said.

Bello commended the corps members for their campaign against HIV/AIDS and drug abuse among youths in the state.

He gave the assurance that corps members would be given adequate security in their respective places of primary assignment.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Lalong commends NYSC skills acquisition programme

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has commended the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) skills acquisition programme for corps members.

Lalong gave the commendation on Thursday in Mangu at the inauguration of the 2017, Batch “B” stream one.

He was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.

The governor said that the programme would help the beneficiaries to acquire additional practical knowledge and skills that would make them to be more productive and useful to the society in future.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to pay attention to the programme.

“The scheme runs a skills acquisition programme during the three weeks orientation which I believe you will find useful in future, please, take it seriously,” Lalong said‎.

Lalong drew the corps members’ attention to the growing unemployment rate and described the development as a major problem facing Nigerian youths.

“Millions of youths are out there searching for non-existing white-collar jobs. Those of you with alternative skills will not join that search because you would have prepared yourselves for self-employment.

“The initiative of the programme is make you self-reliant at the end of the service of your year.”

He also advised the corps members to visit micro/small ‎enterprises clinic for more knowledge on small business registration and access to soft loans.

‎The governor assured the corps members of their safety in Plateau.

In her remarks, Plateau NYSC Coordinator, Fumilayo Akin-Moses, advised corps members to participate fully in camp activities to prepare them for the service year.

Akin-Moses also urged them to participate in the various skills acquisition programmes to prepare them for life after the service year.

2,886, corps members, comprising 1,407 males and 1,479 females were registered as at the close of the exercise on Wednesday.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has described discussions on the 2019 elections as a `distraction and unhelpful’ to elective office holders.

Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto on Thursday and said what should be paramount now were discussions about governance and how the mandates given in 2015 should be executed.

“I do not know why you are asking to comment about 2019 elections when we only just crossed the half way mark of the mandate entrusted to us in 2015.

“Elective office holders need us to discuss more about governance. By the time you raise issues about 2019 in 2017, you are distracting the entire polity.

“We can discuss 2019 election when the time comes but for now, let us discuss governance issues,” he maintained.

The governor said his administration would continue to promote agricultural and other economic ventures to boost revenue and employment opportunities.

He said through close collaboration with the private sector, agricultural activities in Sokoto State had increased.

“With the Anchor Borrowers’ scheme and other interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria, we have made positive impact on the lives of our farmers.

“Our partnership with Dangote to develop rice through the out-grower scheme at the Goronyo and Middle Rima Valley has been a huge success so far.

“From 500 hectares in the first year, we have now set aside 2,000 hectares of land for cultivation.

“In addition to that, Dangote Rice Ltd will establish a rice processing mill here in the state.

“All these are geared towards harnessing our potential in the sector for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

Tambuwal said Sokoto State had positively felt the impact of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and urged all Nigerians to support the president for continued success of the administration.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Chinese league will be tough for foreign players next season – Ideye

The Chinese Super League has been the new pasture for many world and Nigerian football stars but Tianjin Teda of China and Super Eagles’ striker, Brown Ideye revealed that foreign players will find the league very difficult as the local players were now upping their play.

The former junior international, who had been reported to have been in disagreement with management of Tianjin Teda said this on Tuesday in an interview on Sports Café.

He also confirmed that he would be plying his trade away from the Chinese League next season.

“I don’t think I will be playing football in China next season maybe Europe,” Ideye said.

“The Chinese owners are doing their best, they are bringing more big names to the league.

“Month by month it is really tight because most of the Chinese players are picking very fast. From next season, it’ll be a big task on the foreign players.”

Ideye also discarded talks that he alongside Super Eagles captain – John Mikel Obi and other big stars joined the Chinese Super League because of the money.

According to him, football was the reason he moved to China and he alongside the big names in the league were being rewarded based on their input to the league.

On what took him to China, Ideye, said: “It is football. I’m not the only one playing there, Mikel too is playing and some other big names like Pato and Tevez.

“They too have the same aim which is going to China and play football and enjoy every moment on the pitch.

“People think it is that good but you have to work for it (money); nothing good comes easy. You work for it and get your reward.”

The 29-year-old former Olympiakos player, who has been out of the Super eagles squad for over a year also added that he was looking forward to be part of the players that would represent Nigeria at the World Cup.

He added, “I’m looking forward to Russia just like every other player looking forward to the World Cup and hoping to do their best.”

November 23, 2017
Nigeria to take exciting crop of young talents to Russia

Nigeria are the only one of Africa’s five representatives from the last World Cup, who return for the 2018 edition in Russia and will be looking to better their place in the last 16 in Brazil.

A crop of exciting youngsters headline a team representing Africa’s most populous nation and who will play at the World Cup for the fifth time, having mostly underachieved in the past.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Henry Onyekuru and Moses Simon represent a new generation that has emerged since the 2014 finals.

Nigeria surprisingly qualified easily from a tough group that included Algeria, who also reached the second round of the last World Cup, and African champions Cameroon.

Nigeria were the first African country to book a berth in Russia and finished unbeaten in Africa’s Group B, winning all their home games with two draws and a victory away under German coach Gernot Rohr.

The German was a surprise appointment just weeks before the start of the group phase of the preliminaries.

The 64-year-old Rohr is a former Girondins Bordeaux midfielder who returned to coach the French club to the 1996 UEFA Cup final, and in more recent years was national coach of Burkina Faso, Gabon and Niger.

He will have high hopes that Nigeria can make an impact at the finals, particularly after they beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in Russia earlier this month.

Africa’s best return at the World Cup was a quarter-final place for Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).

But there will be concern about Nigeria’s dependency on Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, with the level of performances over the last year falling dramatically when they were absent.

Obi Mikel now plays his club football in China while his old Chelsea team mate Moses is the biggest name in Nigeria’s team.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Amun, Adepoju salute Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Fanny Amun, a former Super Eagles Assistant Coach at the France `98 World Cup, has described Yakubu Aiyegbeni as a player who had paid his dues in domestic and international football.

Amun spoke against the backdrop of Aiyegbeni’s retirement on Wednesday in Lagos after he turned 35.

Shortly after he announced his retirement, the former Super Eagles striker thanked all who had played one role or the other in his career.

“I would like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today,’’ Yakubu told Sky Sports on Wednesday in London.

“Thank you for the memories,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Aiyegbeni played for Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Everton FC all of England and made 250 Premier League appearances as well as scored 96 goals in a career spanning 20 years.

He started his professional career in the Nigerian league in 1997/1998 season when he plied his trade with Julius Berger FC of Lagos (now defunct).

He also played in Israel with Macabi Haifa FC before moving to Europe in 2003.

The “Yak’’ as he was fondly called is the 3rd best all-time scorer of the senior national team 21 goals.

He featured three times for fourth-tier side Coventry City this year before being released by the club.

The former assistant coach of the Super Eagles added that Aiyegbeni would be remembered for his selfless performance for the national teams.

“Aiyegbeni is still young but the fact remains that he has paid his dues as a club player and a national team player who has represented Nigeria at the highest level of football.

“He was most times noted for his response to national duties and did so well.

“I think he must have prepared well for life after retirement because he is still young and not be in the ranks of those claiming that Nigeria has not done anything for them.

“Nigeria has done everything for them at least they have the opportunity of wearing the national jersey which others did not have, they need to prepare well for the future and not wait on Nigeria,’’ he said.

Similarly, a former international Mutiu Adepoju, said that Aiyegbeni would be remembered for his contributions to the national teams during his playing days, adding that he was dedicated.

“Most of us will remember him for his contributions to the national team as a striker who scored many goals.

“He is one of the few dedicated players around ready for call-up and wearing the national colours.

“He has done well, he is a good player and very well respected; I wish him well,’’ he said.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Catholics to mark Feast of Christ the King, Sunday

Catholics in the country are to join their counterparts worldwide on Sunday to mark the feast of Christ the King.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos made the announcement in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

According to church history, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, commonly referred to as the Feast of Christ the King is a relatively recent addition to western liturgical calendar.

It was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

During the celebration Catholics go on procession, singing praises, while a priest carries the Eucharistic in a monstrance to pray for peace.

The Director of Social Communications of the Archdiocese, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, said the event would mark the official closure of the Catholic liturgical year A and the beginning of another year B.

“It is the end of the Catholic liturgical year and the beginning of a new year which is the Advent in preparation for Christmas, the feast commemorates the reign of Christ as King of the universe.

“The day will also be used to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist, which is also called the Blessed Sacrament.

“It is a day set aside to celebrate and remember Christ’s kingship over all creation as well as remind us that all humankind must submit to Christ’s rule.

“Here in the archdiocese, Archbishop Adewale Martins will be leading representatives of the faithful and the clergy on a procession from the Holy Cross Cathedral to St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, where the event will be rounded up,’’ Osu said.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Constitution amendment will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Akeredolu

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Thursday said the proposed constitutional amendment process, on completion, would help in strengthening the nation’s democracy.

Akeredolu said this when receiving members of a group — Friends of Democracy on the Proposed Constitutional Amendment– in his office, in Akure.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, said that the proposed amendment, if passed into law, would enhance good governance and strengthen the system.

He called for amendments that would strengthen the judiciary, particularly on pre-election matters, to fast track justice delivery system.

The governor stressed the need for the public to be involved in the amendment through the engagement of the State Houses of Assembly, for true federalism to be achieved.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, said that 23 proposed constitutional amendments had been passed by the National Assembly for consideration.

Mamora said that the group was to ensure state governments were carried along in the constitution amendment process.

Some of the proposed constitutional amendments border on the issue of local government financial autonomy, strengthening of governance institutions, financial autonomy for the Houses of Assembly and presidential assent to bills.

Others are issue of immunity for lawmakers, authorisation of expenditure, and time for submission of ministerial and commissioners nominees and their portfolios, to enhance efficiency of Houses.

Also proposed for amendment are constitutional provisions relating to determination of pre-election cases and strengthening of the judicial system to fast track justice delivery, among others.

He said the team’s visit to the South-West geo-political zone of the country was to engage the governors and the State Houses of Assembly on the process.

Mamora said the members of the team had visited Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.

He said that other members of the team were assigned to visit other geo-political zones of the country.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Chad rejects U.S. bribery allegations against President Deby

Chad on Thursday rejected allegations made in the U.S. that President Idriss Deby was paid a two million dollars bribe in exchange for providing a Chinese energy company with oil rights without international competition.

The U.S. announced charges on Monday against former Hong Kong Home Secretary Chi Ping Patrick Ho and former Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Gadio for allegedly funnelling bribes to high-level officials in Chad and Uganda.

“The government is indignant and questions this fierce attack against our head of state,” Chad’s government said in a statement late on Wednesday, adding that Deby had always sought transparency in the country’s natural resources sectors.

The U.S. Justice Department alleged that Gadio received 400,000 dollars from Ho via wire transfers through New York to act as a go-between for bribes to Deby on behalf of an unnamed energy firm headquartered in Shanghai.

Neither Ho nor Gadio, who were both arrested on Nov. 16, have commented publicly on the allegations against them.

Landlocked Chad pumps about 130,000 barrels of oil per day.

It ranks third-from-bottom on the UN Human Development Index and 159th out of 176 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

NAN

November 23, 2017