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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Ethiopian Airlines lands B787-9 in Abuja on Tuesday

    Ethiopian Airlines lands B787-9 in Abuja on Tuesday

    Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline group, has announced that it would bring its newest Boeing 787-9 plane tagged the “Big Brother“ to Abuja on Tuesday.

    A statement by the Media Consultant, Mr Chukwuemeka Chigozie, on Monday, said the B787-9 was part of its commitment to deliver exceptional service to African market by operating the latest technologically advanced aircraft in the market.

    The airline said that passengers had enjoyed the unique on board features of this latest technology aircraft like the biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling, less noise, distinctive lighting, and higher air humidity.

    According to him, Ethiopian Airlines has always services Abuja with its newest Aircraft.

    “It brought the Dreamliner B787 to Abuja in 2012 and reopened the Abuja Airport this year with the A350 when the Airport was reopened after 6 weeks closure.

    “Ethiopian Airlines has been operating into Nigeria since 1960 and currently flies to 5 cities in Nigeria and it was the only international Airline that flew to Kaduna when Abuja Airport was shut for repairs.

    “Ethiopian becomes the first carrier in Africa to operate the 787-9 and extends a tradition of setting aviation milestones,’’ he said.

    The airline became Africa’s first carrier to fly the 787-8 in 2012, and also introduced the 777-200LR (Longer Range), 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777 Freighter.

    The 787 Dreamliner was the most innovative and efficient airplane family flying today, and more than 600 Dreamliners had entered commercial services since 2011.

    According to him, Dreamliner has been flying almost 200 million people on more than 560 unique routes around the world, saving an estimated 19 billion pounds of fuel.

    “This comes as ET announced that it will add a 6th weekly service to and from Yaoundé & Libreville effective November 3,’’ he was quoted in the statement.

    NAN

  • OAU VC debunks rumour over fee hike

    OAU VC debunks rumour over fee hike

    The Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) Ile-Ife has debunk the rumour on the school fee hike.

    Speaking with the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunboeede, he said” there is nothing like fee increment. The management has said nothing like that. People are just been mysterious and by this they spread false news around

    “I wonder how someone would just sit in his room and come up with a propoganda like that. People are just delighted in carrying fake news around and people get to believe that easily without getting the source or getting to know if it’s right or wrong” he said..

    There is nothing like that, it’s just a lie. I don’t think there would be something like that in the session and the one that follows. It is not even in the plan of the university management” he added.

    Read Also: OAU students’ union President impeached

  • Monkey Pox : No outbreak in Kwara

    Monkey Pox : No outbreak in Kwara

    The Kwara Government on Monday said there was no outbreak of Monkey Pox disease in any of the 16 local government areas of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Atolagbe Alege, disclosed this  in llorin on Monday.

    He said that investigation by state health officials to all nooks and crannies indicated that there was no outbreak of Monkey Pox disease in any part of the state.

    “For now, Kwara has zero record of Monkey Pox and we are working round the clock to maintain the record,’’ he said.

    The commissioner also said that the state government had trained 241 health workers for prevention and treatment of the disease in case of possible outbreak.

    According to him, the trained personnel are already in all the 16 local government areas ensuring the prevention of an outbreak of the disease.

    The commissioner advised residents of the state to maintain clean environment at all times to complement government efforts at ensuring healthy living.

    He also urged residents to embrace hand washing at all times to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases.
    Alege said the state was collaborating with traditional rulers and community leaders in the state to provide quick information on possible outbreak of the disease.

    NAN

  • Three men docked over laptops, phones theft

    Three men docked over laptops, phones theft

    Three men Lawal Musa, Mubarak Isyaku and Ali Mohammed on Monday appeared before a Minna Magistrate’s Court charged with stealing three laptops and three mobile phones.

    The trio are standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and robbery punishable under sections 97 and 298 of the penal code law.

    According to Mr Emmanuel Danladi, the Police Prosecutor, the matter was reported at the Bosso Police Division by one Dako Dickson, a resident of Western Bye-pass, Minna on June 20.

    Danladi quoted the complainant as alleging that the accused invaded their compound on June 19, armed with cutlasses and axes, and robbed them of the items valued at N588,000.

    He said that during police investigation, the three men were tracked down and arrested.

    “They later confessed to have sold the properties to one Audu Mohammed, at the rate of N174,000,” he told the court.

    When the charges were read to the accused, they all pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Fati Auna, however, declined to take their plea on the grounds that her court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    Auna ordered that the trio be remanded in prison custody and directed the police to forward the case file to the State Director of Public Prosecution, for legal advice.

    She thereafter adjourned the case until Dec. 5, for further mention.

    NAN

  • Super Eagles handlers should focus on players’ psyche – Omokaro

    Super Eagles handlers should focus on players’ psyche – Omokaro

    Ex-international Bright Omokaro has advised Super Eagles handlers to ensure that the players are psychologically prepared for their encounter with Argentina on Nov. 14 in Russia.

    He gave the advice in an interview in Lagos on Monday.

    Omokaro said that playing a friendly against great teams like the Argentines would boost the morale and improve the confidence of Super Eagles players.

    While commending the team’s current form, Omokaro, who won silver for Nigeria at the 1988 Morocco African Cup of Nations competition, said the team needed lots of motivational advice for the World Cup matches in Russia in 2018.

    “This is not just a friendly match; it will test our players’ tenacity. The match will give our players all the confidence they need before the World Cup kicks off.

    ‘’It will boost the morale of the players, if they perform well because of the status of the country involved. Psychologically it will prepare them towards what to expect in Russia.

    “And it is also important for the handlers of the team to constantly charge these players mentally so that they will be prepared and understand that they are no second fiddle to the Argentines.

    “This match will improve our profile if we ensure that we give our team all the needed support to hold their ground in Russia,’’ Omokaro said.

    As part of the preparation for the 2018 World Cup, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had organised a friendly with Argentina in Russia.

    Omokaro, a former 3SC of Ibadan defender, said that the choice of Russia as location for the friendly was appropriate.

    “At least they get to stay a few days in Russia which will help them acclimatise at the World Cup proper; the NFF has really out-done itself, kudos to them.’’

    NAN

  • SON impounds 560bags of sugar in Kebbi

    SON impounds 560bags of sugar in Kebbi

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria ( SON ) has impounded a truck loaded with 560 bags of contraband sugar in Kebbi.

    The SON Coordinator in Kebbi, Alhaji Jibril Muhammad disclosed this in an interview in Birinin Kebbi on Monday.

    “We impounded a truck loaded with 560 bags of contraband sugar smuggled from Brazil through Kebbi State borders with Benin and Niger Republic”.

    “The seized products, 50kg each, had branded names of White Crystal Sugar Nardini Agro industrial and LTDA Industrial Brazillaira, with N15,000 Birnin-Kebbi market price each per bag, all worth N9.15 million,” he said.

    Muhammed said  half bag of the products were also seized by the SON during shops to shops searching at the Birnin-Kebbi central market, making total 610 and half bags of smuggled sugar seized within three days of its operations in the state.

    It was learnt that the illegal importation of the products violated SON Act 2015, Part VII, number 26(1-2), which recommended not less than three years imprisonment and fine of N2 million or both.

    He said that the products lack vitamin A, which flouted the prescription of the Federal Government that all food items must contain.

    “We have been directed by the Director-General of SON to impound any products imported to the country without permission of the agency,” he said.

    These items were smuggled into the country. We mounted our intelligence, markets surveillance among other techniques to track down the truck.

    “So far, the owner of the truck has been arrested; he is already with the police. Investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

    Muhammed explained that owners of shops where bags of imported sugar were found have signed documents with the agency, saying “whenever we need them, they would make themselves available.”

    He added that the mechanism would enable consumers to easily identify standard products in the market through the SON labels, saying that people should be conscious of commodities without SON approval, expire date And labels.

    “If you want to import, please come to SON for guideline and procedure”, he said.

    NAN

  • PDP sweeps Enugu council polls

    PDP sweeps Enugu council polls

    Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has swept all chairmanship positions in the 17 council areas of Enugu State the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) has announced.

    The party also swept  259 of the 261 councillorship positions.

    Election did not hold in Obioma and Eke communities within Udi council area.

    The Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogwu, announced the results at ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu on Sunday.

    Ajogwu, who is also the Chief Returning Officer for the poll, said: “So far, so good, the election had been credible, free and fair from ENSIEC assessment.

    “I want to thank both the media, security agencies and Enugu State residents for making it a huge success.

    “I thank God no life was lost during and after the election.”

    The major two contending parties at the council election, which was conducted throughout Enugu State on Saturday, Nov. 4, were the PDP and All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    A glance at the chairmanship result and winners:

    OJI RIVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    NNPC ———1,052 votes for Hillary Ede
    GDM——107 votes for Ebuka Ugodi
    DPP ———61 votes for Obiona Ogbata
    ACP——— 1, 048 votes for Jonas Chukwu
    APC ———2,801 votes for Benson Uzogbana
    PDP———- 38, 96 Harrison Okeke (Winner)

    ENUGU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC ——-2,325 votes for George Nnamani
    PDP ——-83,119 votes for Alex Ugwu (Winner)

    IGBO ETITI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APGA ——-1264 votes for Samuel Nnmadi
    APC ——-1,410 votes for Matthew Asogwa
    PDP ——53, 231 votes for Malachy Agbo (Winner)

    ANINRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC ——-995 votes for Uzokwe Oleh
    PDP ——–4, 326 votes for Ezekiel Chukwu (Winner)

    ISI UZO LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC ——–606 votes for Chjioke Ani
    PDP ——–38,690 votes for Benjamin Edeoga (Winner)

    UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC ——–996 votes for Obinna Obeta
    PDP ——–67, 526 votes for Francis Ugwu (Winner)

    UZO UWANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    SDP ——-68 votes for Boniface Nwankwo
    APC ——-129 votes for Felix Ogbogu
    PDP ——-39,834 votes for Ani Fidelis (Winner)

    IGBOEZE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC ——-1,566 votes for Jonas Okenyi
    PDP—— 64, 834 votes for Fidelis Odo (Winner)

    ENUGU SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC —–1288 votes for Hillary Okeke
    PDP —–26,151 votes for Sunday Ugwu (Winner)

    NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    NNPP —-37 votes for Sunday Onyishi
    APC —-815 votes for Augustine Aliomwa
    PDP —-118, 310 votes for Patrick Omeje (Winner)

    NKANU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC —-1005 votes for Fabian Ani
    PDP —-22,595 votes for Godwin Ubagu (Winner)

    IGBOEZE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC—- 1,398 votes for Ogbonna Idoko
    PDP —-54,513 votes for Ezeja Uwakwe (Winner)

    NKANU WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    NNPC —-2 votes for Charles Nnamchi
    APC —-2,409 votes for Uchenna Ugwu
    PDP —-35,266 votes for Henry Okenwa (Winner)

    EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC —– 1,450 votes for Longinus Ejike
    PDP —— 48, 708 votes for Chukwudi Ezinwa (Winner)

    UDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APC —— 4,731 votes for Dr Ike Monso
    PDP ——- 54,331 votes for Nestor Ochin (Winner)

    AWGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    APGA —– 492 votes for Charles Arukwe
    APC ——- 4,145 votes for Nelson Nwafor
    PDP ——- 34,666 votes for Stanley Okeke (Winner)

    ENUGU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
    KP —— 10 votes for Jide Orji
    APC ——- 1,345 votes for Okechukwu Nnamdi
    PDP ——- 28,466 votes for Emmanuel Onoh (Winner)

    NAN

  • Katsina inaugurates Local Peace Committees

    Katsina inaugurates Local Peace Committees

    The Katsina State Dialogue and Amnesty Committee has inaugurated Peace Committees across the 34 local government areas of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Hamza Borodo, disclosed this when the dialogue committee visited Daura Local Government Area on Monday.

    Borodo said the Dialogue and Amnesty Committee was under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa.

    He  said the local government peace committees were expected to maintain peace and cordial relationship between herdsmen and farmers.

    “The the local committees are also expected to mediate and conciliate  on minor disagreements between farmers and herdsmen as well as offer useful advice on sustainable peace,” the commissioner said.

    The acting Chairman of Daura Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Kado,  commended the state government for setting up the Amnesty and Dialogue Committee.

    Kado also lauded the government for setting up the local peace committees, saying the initiative would help in promoting peace and stability especially between farmers and herdsmen.

    He further commended the state government for “drastically minimising” cattle rustling, armed robbery and clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

    Read Also:  Katsina is safe for all Nigerians – Masari

  • IMF sees Uganda 2017/18 growth at 5 per cent

    IMF sees Uganda 2017/18 growth at 5 per cent

    Uganda’s economy is seen expanding by five per cent in the 2017/18 fiscal year, up from four per cent in the previous period, lifted by favourable weather, the International Monetary Fund said.

    The East African economy is Africa’s biggest coffee exporter followed by Ethiopia and also cultivates a range of other agricultural commodities including tea, cocoa and tobacco.

    “Growth is projected to reach five per cent in 2017/18 (July-June) from four per cent in 2016/17, supported by
    better weather conditions,” the IMF said in a statement released late on Friday.

    Private sector credit growth remained slow, and the IMF praised the central bank for extending its ongoing policy easing cycle.

    Last month Bank of Ugandan, the central bank, cut its benchmark policy rate by 50 basis points to 9.5 per cent.

    It was the first time the bank had lowered the rate to below the psychologically important level of 10 per cent since the country introduced an inflation targeting monetary policy in 2011.

    The IMF said core inflation was projected to remain around the medium term target of 5 per cent.

    NAN

  • Kebbi to spend N1.1bn on road construction

    Kebbi to spend N1.1bn on road construction

    The Kebbi Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Atiku Bunu, has said that the State Government has earmarked N1.1billion for township road construction in Kalgo Local Government Area of the state.

    Bunu said this while inspecting the ongoing road project in Kalgo on Friday.

    The commissioner said the provision of township roads would be accorded priority, considering their relevance to the social and economic activities in state.

    He told journalist that the 13 kilometre road in the area was expected to be completed in 24 months time.

    Bunu tasked ZBCC, the firm constructing the roads, to ensure the timely completion of the project in line with specifications.

    He gave the assurance that funds would be released as the projects progresses and urged the supervising state engineers to monitor the project and ensure compliance with the laid down rules.

    A resident of the area, Musa Amadu, said the project would reduce the hardship faced by people and boost social and economic activities.

    NAN