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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Boko Haram: Gujba returnees record bumper harvests

    Boko Haram: Gujba returnees record bumper harvests

    The Chairman, Gujba Local Government Council in Yobe, Alhaji Kyari Batarama, said displaced persons who returned to their communities in the area had recorded bumper harvest this cropping season.

    They had earlier fled the area in the wake of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Batarama disclosed this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of  Nigeria (NAN) in Buni Yadi.

    “The communities had after their return re-engaged in agricultural production, and the harvests are very good.

    ”They cultivated sorghum, groundnuts, sesame seeds and millet, among other crops,” he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the North-East Development Commission bill.

    “This will facilitate the resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of people and communities affected by the insurgency,” the chairman said.

  • Gombe executive to back GOE bill passage

    Gombe executive to back GOE bill passage

    The Gombe State Executive Council has vowed commitment to support the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities ( GEO ) Bill by the state House of Assembly with a promise to ensure full implementation after passage.

    This position is contained in a communiqué issued after a two-day sensitisation workshop organised for them by the European Union (EU) Women under its programmed tagged “Promoting Women Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria.”

    The document signed the state Commissioner for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Mal. Yusuf Manu Swa and Ishiaku Mohammed, Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Women Affairs also saw participants committing to active engagement of women and youths i peace-building process.

    Participants condemned in strong terms violence against women, girls, children and all vulnerable persons.

    It therefore resolved to speak against all forms of violence against all persons

    The workshop drew 40 members, which include commissioners, permanent secretaries, UN Peace and Security Project team and representatives of the gender committee.

    It was basically aimed at deepening the knowledge of the members of Gombe state executive on contents of Gombe State GEO Bill and to collate input from them on the content of the Bill.

    The workshop also provided a platform for direct advocacy for the passage of the Bill, while enhancing participants understanding of the United Nations Security Council Resolution ( UNSCR ) 1325.

    The meeting was funded by European Union ( EU )  and implemented by UN women in partnership with UNICEF and the state ministry of women Affairs and Social development.

  • Bells varsity graduates 384 students

    Bells varsity graduates 384 students

    Bells University of Technology, Ota will graduate 384 students  during its 9th Convocation today.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Jeremiah Oludele Ojediran, said at a pre-convocation press conference ‎that 37 of the graduates have First Class; 128 Second Class Upper; 152 Second class Lower and 67 Third Class.

    The graduates are from the four colleges – Natural and Applied Sciences (COLNAS) College of Management Sciences (COLMANS), College of Environmental Sciences (COLENVS) and College of Engineering (COLENG).

    The award of degrees is the climax of a week of activities including a health walk, induction of engineering graduates by the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a convocation lecture.

  • PHOTO: Couples arrested for robbery in Bayelsa

    PHOTO: Couples arrested for robbery in Bayelsa

    PHOTO: Couples arrested for robbery in Bayelsa

  • Secession: Channel your grievances through Ohaneze, Igbo leader advises IPOB

    Secession: Channel your grievances through Ohaneze, Igbo leader advises IPOB

    A leader of the Igbo community in Ibadan, Chief Aloy Obi, has advised members of the Independent People of Biafra ( IPOB ) seeking secession of Southeast Nigeria to channel their grievances through the umbrella body of the Igbo people, the Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Obi, who is the Onyedu Ndigbo of Ibadan land, gave the advice in a statement yesterday.

    The Igbo leader said though it is obvious that Igbo people are not well represented in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, IPOB should channel its grievances through Ohaneze which is made up of elders and experienced people who can manage agitation successfully.

    He, however, criticized the Federal Government for classifying the group as a terrorist organization, saying agitation is acceptable in democracy.

    Obi also joined his voice to the call for restructuring of Nigeria. He said the need to restructure the country is sacrosanct, pointing out that the report of the 2014 national conference could serve as a guide for implementing restructuring.

    He, however, insisted that the unity of the country must not be compromised in attempts to restructure the country.

    He explained that a weak centre will be far better than the current strong centre, adding that the success of regionalism in the First Republic is a confirmation of the need to restructure.

    According to him, regionalism allowed the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to achieve several feats for the development of Western Nigeria.

    Obi also called on the Federal Government to pay more attention to the economy. He said indices of recession are still with Nigerians. He p, therefore, urged the government to embark on projects and policies that will erase the indices of recession.

  • NYSC sanctions 15 corps members in Nasarawa

    NYSC sanctions 15 corps members in Nasarawa

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) in Nasarawa State says 15 corps members in the Batch B Stream 1 had been sanctioned for various misconducts.

    The state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Zainab Isah, confirmed the action in an interview in Lafia on Friday.

    Isah said that the affected corps members had their service year extended by various periods.

    According to her, 2,224 Batch B Corp members successfully completed their service year.

    She added that the successful NYSC corps members were issued certificates of national service at a low key passing out ceremony held in Lafia, on Thursday.

    Isah explained that the decision to extend the service year of the erring corps members was the recommendation of the state NYSC Disciplinary Committee.
    She said the sanction was to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “We have four corps members who absconded from service. Then 11 of them have various disciplinary cases.

    “I am really disappointed that even with the noble effort of government through this scheme, some people are not taking advantage of what NYSC is offering,” she said.

    The coordinator, however, disclosed that three corps members would be given awards for outstanding performances in their host communities.

    Isah advised the just passed out corps members to be self-reliant rather than wait to seek for white collar jobs.

    “They should go ahead with what we taught them in camp. They should just continue with those trainings and I am sure those trainings will see them through and in no distance time, they too will be employers of labour,” she said.

    She thanked the state government for its support to the scheme and urged for its sustenance especially in the area of engagement of corps members who might have made significant positive impact in the area of their primary assignments.

    NAN

  • Trucks used in Nigeria are over 30 years old – FRSC Corp Marshal

    Trucks used in Nigeria are over 30 years old – FRSC Corp Marshal

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) yesterday decried the poor state of the trucks on the highways across the country.

    The FRSC disclosed that some of the trucks that travel on the highways are over 30 years.

    This, the Corp said has contributed to their frequent breakdowns and obstruction on the highway.

    To however address the poor state of the fleet, the FRSC and Nigeria Shippers Council signed a MoU; ‘Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme.

    The MoU which is expected to set standard for the operation of fleet across the country would also assist in data collection of truck drivers and owners.

    This was disclosed in Abuja when the MoU was signed by both agencies.

    Speaking on the importance of the scheme, the FRSC Corp Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi said: “We would partner with them to ensure that the parks they want to construct are appropriately located.

    “The Scheme provides for all the truck owners to register with the corps and it will make us have a joint database and with that, we should be able to tell the country how many trucks we have for planning and economic purposes.”

    On the poor state of the trucks, Oyeyemi said: “We should also be able to tell the state of these vehicles in order to encourage government to work on re-fleeting because most of these trucks on the highways are over 30 years and that is why we experience frequent breakdowns, especially in areas where the roads are bad.

    “We need to tell government the actual number of trucks available and their lifespan in order for government to assist in the re-fleeting, maybe through the Bank of Industry ( BOI ) or through any other means.

    “The truck owners are really in dare need of a life-saving intervention in terms of re-fleeting. We are battling with old trucks and there is an urgent need to really address this”.

    The Corp Marshal also noted that the implementation of the scheme which is immediate would carry stakeholders in the transport sector along.

    “The implication is that all truck owners must now comply with the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme. We need to get it right to stop all these indiscriminate parking, accidents, on the highway and once the drivers know that they are fully registered and can be punished, they will sit up.”

    Also seapking, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello said the scheme when implemented would boost the economy of the  country and help in the decongestion of roads.

    He also said the initiative would ensure quick delivery and distribution of goods adding that the first set of parks would be located in Enugu and Kogi States.

    He said: “We are concerned just like the FRSC about free movement of goods, the delivery of goods, good transport infrastructure.

    “As you know, 90 percent of the goods that come into Nigeria are distributed by road, so it is important we have not only the good road as an infrastructure but we should have supporting facilities like the Truck Transit Parks to ensure smooth delivery.

    On the essence of the MoU signed, Bello said: “it would help to standardize the vehicles because if you look at the fleet,  they are rickety and old and we need to start refleeting of these trucks.

    “Refleeting would help us look at the economic indices. We have been working with Automobile Council to see how it could be done and the truckers themselves”.

  • UniAbuja SUG gets new excos

    UniAbuja SUG gets new excos

    The Students Union Government ( SUG ), University of Abuja ( UniAbuja ) chapter, on Friday inaugurated its newly elected executives.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Adikwu, while inaugurating the executives, congratulated them, saying that the management would look forward to a better working relationship with them.

    Represented by Dr Ishaya Dagwa, Director Academic Planning, Adikwu called on the executives to be mindful of the image of the institution and focus on things that would promote it.

    He also urged them to ensure peaceful atmosphere in and around the institution, wishing them a smooth transition.

    Earlier, the Dean of Student Affairs, Peter Adakayi, who was represented by his deputy, Jude Nduka, called on the executives to collaborate with them and help identify non students in the institution.

    Adakayi implored the executives to study the students hand book and follow the rulers and avoid issues that would be detrimental to the students and institution.

    According to him, it is always not good to use confrontation when demanding for something.

    Meanwhile, the newly elected SUG president of the institution, Mr Bashir Obasanjo, called for supports and collaboration from all students to enable them move the union forward.

    NAN

  • Nigeria to host ICAO World Aviation Forum

    Nigeria to host ICAO World Aviation Forum

    Nigeria is set to become the first country to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ), World Aviation Forum ( IWAF ), scheduled to hold from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja.

    Mr Ariyo Akinfewa, media consultant to the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Friday in Lagos, said that although this was the third edition, it was, however, the first time it was being hosted outside the ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

    Akinfewa in a statement said this year’s edition was a special forum because the global aviation communities would converge in Nigeria to deliberate on the theme: “Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure.”

    “The country is more than delighted to play host to this all-important forum as the first country in the world to do so.

    “This is a rare opportunity for Nigeria being the first time the forum is being held outside Montreal and we are more than delighted to host it,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

    Similarly, ICAO in a publication on its website said the forum would explore how development of aviation infrastructure plays a key role in the achievement of the visionary United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063 prosperity objectives.

    According to ICAO, there will also be a special focus on funding and financing of airport, air navigation, and other aviation infrastructure projects.

    It said the forum would also stress the importance of aligning policies and planning for air transport with the national development planning.

    “This high-level event directly supports the ICAO ‘No Country Left Behind initiative’ and will be of key interest to Ministers and other senior government officials responsible for civil aviation, transport, infrastructure, finance, and tourism, as well as key industry and financial partners.

    “During the event, a day will be dedicated fully to Africa aviation development financing.

    “The second day of the forum will focus specifically on financing challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity development in Africa,” it said. NAN

  • Umahi approves payment of two years leave allowance for Ebonyi workers – NLC

    Umahi approves payment of two years leave allowance for Ebonyi workers – NLC

    The Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC ) in Ebonyi, says the approval given by Gov. Dave Umahi for the payment of workers’ 2016/2017 leave allowances will enhance productivity.

    The state NLC Chairman, Mr Leonard Nkah, on Friday in Abakaliki, said that the approval was a welcome development.

    “We have been negotiating with the government on the issue of the payment of arrears of workers’ leave allowances and other statutory workers’ entitlements; and we are happy that the governor has graciously approved the payment.

    “The action will not only motivate the workers to greater productivity, it will also enhance more service delivery.

    “Workers have been subjected to more hardship with their families and other dependents, suffering excruciating pains under the present economic recession.

    “The payment of the leave allowances will no doubt alleviate the sufferings and ensure that they put in their best.

    “We commend and congratulate the governor for keeping to his promises to better the welfare and wellbeing of the Ebonyi workers, ” Nkah said.

    Nkah, who is also the President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ), Ebonyi chapter, said NLC would continue to engage the state government in constructive dialogue on matters concerning workers’ welfare.

    He said that payment of workers’ promotion arrears and lifting of embargo on promotion were being discussed and would soon be addressed by government.

    The chairman urged workers to be more dedicated to their duties, promote work efficiency and avoid acts that could impact negatively on service delivery.

    Workers in Ebonyi were yet to receive entitlements accruing from their annual leave since the inception of the present administration on May 29, 2015.

    NAN