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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Dr Dolor Ent. unveils new artistes

    Dr Dolor Ent. unveils new artistes

    Following its launch in December 2016, Dr Dolor Entertainment has unveiled a new set of artistes who will soon be releasing their works under the record label.

    Making the announcement recently, CEO of the outfit, Osadolor Nate Asemota revealed that the record label now houses three talented rising stars; Ryan, Teni Entertainer and Vanila.

    In his words, the CEO, who is simply known as Dr Dolor, explained that his passion for good music is fueled by with the dissatisfaction of seeing many talented young music artists struggle to realize their potential in the music industry were his motivation for taking this direction.

    “At Dr Dolor Entertainment, we are bringing something different. These artistes are some of the best of their generation and we are promising nothing but good sound. What stands us out from the others is the fact that we pay attention to detail, using only the best hands in our projects,” he said.

    Dr Dolor was born into the family of Chief Asemota-Ero in Edo State. He spent most of his early life in Edo State, attaining his primary and secondary education in Benin.

    He later attended the University of Benin where he graduated with a second class upper degree in Mathematics and Economics (Double Honours).

    He spent few years working in a Business Consulting firm, and then began his career in several telecommunications organizations. His stay in the telecoms industry spanned for about a decade during which he rose to position of Manager.

    Dr Dolor (Nate) has since left the telecommunications industry to follow his long held passion for music. He currently runs one of the fastest rising and diverse music outfits in Nigeria and Atlanta USA.
  • AD chieftain lauds President Buhari

    AD chieftain lauds President Buhari

    Mr Josiah Ogungbemi, a chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), has commended President Mohammadu Buhari over the sack of Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.

    Ogungbemi gave the commendation in an interview  in Ibadan on Tuesday.

    According to him, the order for immediate disengagement of Maina would strengthen the confidence Nigerians had on Buhari’s ability to fight corruption.

    He, however, urged the president to ensure that all accomplices in the Maina’s reinstatement were sanctioned.

    ”Every patriotic Nigerian will be happy about the directive for the sack of Maina because it further proves that President Buhari means the ongoing anti-corruption crusade.

    ”The reinstatement of the former pension boss who had been declared wanted by the EFCC since 2015, clearly shows that some unpatriotic Nigerians are behind the scene,’’ he said

    Ogungbemi called on EFCC to do the needful on Maina’s case for other corrupt-minded public servants to turn a new leaf.

    Buhari, on Monday, ordered the immediate disengagement of Maina from the federal service.

    The president also demanded a full report of the circumstances of Maina’s reinstatement and posting to the Ministry of Interior.

    Maina, who was  appointed by the former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, was alleged to have connived with others to misappropriate N100 billion in 2012.

    He was subsequently arraigned in 2015 by the EFCC, after declaring him wanted.

    NAN

  • Gunmen kill two policemen, abduct expatriate in Kogi

    Gunmen kill two policemen, abduct expatriate in Kogi

    The police in Kogi on Tuesday confirmed the killing of two police officers and the abduction of an expatriate by unknown gunmen at a construction site in the state.

    Spokesman of the state police command, ASP William Aya, told newsmen in Lokoja that Insp. Ezekiel Negedu and Sgt. Gini John were killed while on guard duty on Obajana – Oshokoshoko – Kabba road.

    Aya said that John died on the spot while Negedu died on arrival in hospital.

    According to the police spokesman, about 15 gunmen emerged from a nearby bush and attacked the construction site of A .G. Dangote Company currently handling the rehabilitation of the 45-kilometre Obajana – Kabba Road.

    He said that the abducted expatriate, Mr Jose Machada, a Portuguese civil engineer, along with other expatriates and Nigerians, were inspecting the project when the gunmen struck.

    According to him, the deceased policemen put up a gallant fight and resisted attempt by the invading gunmen to wreak further havoc.

    The police spokesman, however, expressed regret that Negedu and John died in active service to the nation.

    Aya said that the state police Commissioner, Mr Ali Janga, had a raised a team headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police and comprising men of Special anti-robbery squad, mobile police force, Counter Terrorism Unit and others to comb the bush and rescue the victim.

    He said that Janga had also visited the scene where he met with top officials and workers of the construction company on the incident.

    Aya said that the police commissioner assured the workers of adequate security and promised to rescue the abducted expatriate.

    NAN

  • Six division, Nigerian Army holds sanitation in Port Harcourt

    Six division, Nigerian Army holds sanitation in Port Harcourt

    The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday conducted a sanitation exercise at Mile 3 Park, as part of Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta.

    The  Army is conducting educational, medical and sanitation outreaches in areas where ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile II’ operation is going on.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said that the clean-up  was a humanitarian exercise of the Army within its Areas of Responsibility ( AOR ).

    Iliyasu said the Army had always been involved in humanitarian activities as its contribution to the society as well as to build confidence among the populace.

    Mr Glory Nnokam, Deputy Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ), Npkolu-Oroworukwo Motor Park, Mile 3, Port Harcourt, commended the Army’s gesture.

    “We are very surprised that they are here to clean the park for us, this is quite commendable.

    “You can see that people are not running because sanitation is good, and we are happy,” he said.

    Nnokam said that it was wrong for people to perceive the Nigerian Army as a wicked institution, adding that if the Army personnel were inhuman, they would not clean up the park.

    Chief Godwin Emenike, First Trustee, NURTW, Mile 3 Park, said that he was happy with what officers and men of the 6 Division had done.

    “You can see me, I’m sweating because when they came and said they were for sanitation, I started mobilising wheel barrows, shovels and brooms for them to work with.

    “They are really cleaning the place very well, I am very happy and wish they will do this again in the future,” Emenike said.

    He said that only criminals would run away when they saw the Army.

    “When they came, I went to them and asked why were they in the park and they said they wanted to clean our environment.

    “You can see the women helping them too, the Army is here for good,” he said.

    NAN

  • AEDC loses N500m to vandalism

    AEDC loses N500m to vandalism

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) lost over N500 million to activities of vandals in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger from January to date.

    Idris made this known while inaugurating the Anti-Electricity Vandalism Response Squad (AEVRS) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that 233 cases of vandalism were recorded in the area during the period.

    He, however, said that over the years, the police did a lot to prevent vandals from destroying electricity installations across the country.

    “With the worsening state of the situation, it has become expedient to urgently develop an improved strategy to better protect the nation`s critical electricity infrastructure,” the police boss said.

    He added that the creation of AEVRS became necessary because the traditional methods deployed were not enough to adequately guarantee their safety.

    He explained that the unit was specifically dedicated to the protection of electrical installations among others.

    Idris said that to ensure that no part of the country was left out of the strategy, commissioners of police in all the states had been directed to liaise with electricity distribution companies in their states.

    He said that policemen deployed to the unit would undergo specialised training to update their skills.

    “In addition, the unit is subject to routine monitoring and evaluation to ensure they remain focused,“ he said.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of AEDC, Mr Ernest Mupwaya, had said that the company recorded 89 cases of vandalism in 2016, adding that the figure doubled in 2017.

    “Between January and September, 233 cases of vandalism have been reported within our franchise area,” he added.

    He also said that the company spent N195 million to replace vandalised items during the period.

    Mupwaya said that the implication of the “unfortunate situation is that money which ought to be used for acquiring new assets will be channelled to replacing vandalised equipment’’.

    He restated the company`s preparedness to ensure that all bottlenecks impeding supply of electricity to customers were removed.

    The Chairman, Board of Directors, AEDC, Mr Shehu Malami, said that the rising cases of vandalism of power equipment was a major threat to efficient electricity generation and distribution in the country.

    He said that the company was committed to work with all stakeholders to improve power supply to customers within its franchise areas.

    “I am also using this opportunity to call on members of the public to join hands with us in this partnership with the police to tackle this menace,“ he said.

    NAN

  • Kwara Assembly passes 2017 revised Appropriation Bill of N166bn

    Kwara Assembly passes 2017 revised Appropriation Bill of N166bn

    The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a revised 2017 Appropriation Bill of N166.1 billion.

    The passage of the bill was in response to the request of Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed in his message to the House early in October.

    The revised state Appropriation Bill was passed after the House had approved all the classes on the bill during the committee of whole, which lasted less than one hour.

    According to the bill, the revised capital expenditure expenditure is now N80.9 billion, while the recurrent expenditure is N77.6 billion.

    After the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina had read the bill for the third time, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Mathew Okedare, who presided over the plenary, directed him to produce a clean copy of the bill for the governor’s assent.

     The House had earlier approved over N160 billion as 2017 Kwara budget.

    In another development, the house called on the state’s Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado, to critically look into complains about his officers and men over allegations of harassment.

    The house made the call after considering a matter of urgent public importance raised by Masud Bakare (APC, Omupo constituency).

    Bakare had alleged sexual harassment of a female along pipeline road in Ilorin by some Special Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS ) Officers under the command.

    NAN

  • Buhari felicitates with `Baba Ijebu’ at 82

    Buhari felicitates with `Baba Ijebu’ at 82

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Ogun businessman Chief Kesington Adebutu as the philanthropist clocks 82 on Oct. 24.

    The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday, lauded Adebutu’s contributions to the growth of the economy.

    Buhari also lauded Adebutu for providing jobs to thousands of Nigerians, especially the youth.

    He praised the business acumen, hard work and determination that enabled Adebutu to rise from a humble beginning to sit atop a business empire currently.

    Buhari affirmed that Adebutu’s philanthropic programmes under the auspices of the Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation had made life more meaningful for less-privileged Nigerians.

    He described as “worthy of emulation” the donations made by Adebutu, especially to educational and religious organisations by the octogenarian, popularly called “Baba Ijebu”.

    According to Buhari, such contributions have endeared Adebutu to Nigerians from all parts of the country.

    The president prayed that God would grant Adebutu good health and longer life, to continue rendering selfless services to his fatherland and humanity.

    Adebutu is a recipient of several chieftaincy titles and honorary doctorate degrees from various institutions across the country.

    NAN

  • JEDC sacks 150 workers

    JEDC sacks 150 workers

    The Jos Electricity Distribution Company ( JEDC ), has sacked 150 workers, in what its management said was part of a re-organisation aimed at optimum performance.

    Among those sacked across its four states of Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi and Benue were marketers, linesmen, network engineers, cable joiners and electrical fitters.

    Their sack letters, signed by Abubakar Mohammed, Head, Human Resources and Support Services, simply told the workers that their services were no loner required.

    The letters said that they would be paid one month’s salary in lieu of notice, and warned them against impersonating as workers of the company.

    Some of the workers, however, accused the JEDC management refusing to settle their entitlements before sacking them, and also alleged that they were paid half salary in September.

    They also rejected management’s claims that those sacked were old and unproductive, arguing that most of them were young persons engaged “few years ago”.

    Alhaji Gidado Modibbo, JEDC Managing Director, who reacted to the allegations, made this known on Tuesday in Jos that the “weeding exercise” was aimed at ridding the company of “dead woods”.

    “We assess workers based on performance. Those sacked fell short of minimum expectations. Some were too old for the jobs they were handling.

    “We even had Faults Men that were more than 60 years and blind. We had to ask them to go because they could not climb electric poles and were not adding any value to us,” he said.

    He also rejected claims that the workers of the JEDC were paid half salaries in September, and explained that they received 70 per cent of their wages because management had set a target and resolved to base salaries on it.

    Dr. Friday Elijah, JEDC Director of Communications, who also reacted, said that the main parametre used for the sack was performance.

    “The performance of the workers have been generally very poor and management had always told them to sit up.

    “Last month, for instance, we distributed N4 billion worth of energy, but realised only N950 million. It means that many workers are not productive, hence our resolve to ask them to go.”

    He said that some workers were sacked for extorting monies from consumers, while others collected money from customers but did not remit same to the company.

    Elijah said that some workers were told old and could no longer add any value to the company, while others, who were inherited from the former owners, had served for close to 40 years.

    The official, however said that the company had engaged more workers than it had sacked since it took over JEDC in November 2013, “in spite of new technology that has minimised the need for manual activities”.

    NAN

  • Niger warns against security threat

    Niger warns against security threat

    Niger Government on Tuesday, warned that it would take “swift and decisive enforcement’’ action against any form of security threat in the state.

    Mr Al-Amin Bmitosahi, Chief of Staff, Niger Government House, gave the warning in an interview in Minna on Tuesday.

    He said that the state government had taken proactive security measures to guarantee peaceful co-existence among the residents.

    “We have provided all that is required by our security personnel to deal decisively with any form of security threat,” he said

    Bmitosahi said traditional rulers and other stakeholders had been mobilised to report any suspected movement or bad elements in their locations to the nearest security agency for prompt action.

    ‘’We are not taking things for granted; government will continue to support and motivate security personnel deployed to flush out all the miscreants among us.’’

    He said that the state government would do everything possible to enable residents carry out their legitimate business.

    “We will pursue vigorously all bad elements in our midst for peace, progress and political stability in our state.”

    Bmitosahi said the state government had also directed the 25 local government chairmen to continue to support security agencies in their respective areas for optimal performance.

    He appealed to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) to compliment effort of the state government by furnishing it with intelligence information about movement of dubious characters.

    “Members of the union should always alert security agencies on any person or group of passengers with questionable character.”

    Bmitosahi also called on residents to continue to support the policies and programmes of the present administration in the state, in its efforts to implement people-oriented policies and programmes.

    NAN

  • Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency ( NBMA ), says the training of regulators of modern biotechnology is necessary to enable Nigeria to benefit maximally from biotechnology applications.

    Ebegba said this in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open the four-day training, organised for the workforce of the agency in collaboration with M and A Global Projects, a biotechnology consulting firm.

    He stressed that the evolving nature of the technology had made it imperative to train and retrain workers who oversaw the regulation of biotechnology products in the country.

    “The training is part of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to build the capacity of staff to ensure effective regulation of modern biotechnology in the country,’’ he said.

    Ebegba said that the agency was not established by the Federal Government to stop Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMOs ) or promote it, adding that its mandate was to ensure that GMOs were safe for human health and the environment.

    “Biosafety is very crucial to our national economic efforts, as it will bring about more agricultural yields for food sufficiency and profits for Nigerian farmers.

    “The issue of biosafety has been on the front burner, to the point that some people are opposed to it, to the extent that even the permits granted by the agency last year have been criticised by many environmentalists.’’

    Ebegba said that although some environmentalists had taken NBMA to court, the agency would not be deterred in its efforts to fulfil its mandate.

    He, however, underscored the need to expose the agency’s staff to the extant regulations on biotechnology so that Nigeria would not be a dumping ground for unsafe GMO products.

    “Our key responsibility is to serve as an unbiased umpire to ensure that the practice of modern biotechnology is safe for the people, while boosting the economy,’’ he added.

    Also speaking, Chinyere Nzeduru, the Director of Environmental Biosafety and General Release, NBMA, said that the workshop was meant to equip the staff with the relevant skills that would facilitate their efforts to discharge their duties effectively.

    “This agency is a very sensitive one, as issues of modern biotechnology are very technical and require people who are up-to-date and knowledgeable to carry out biotechnology regulations in the country; hence the constant training of staff,’’ she said.

    The theme of the workshop is: “Capacity Building for Effective Biosafety Management in Nigeria’’.

    NAN