The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Eid-El-Maulud: FG declares Friday public holiday

    Eid-El-Maulud: FG declares Friday public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Friday as public holiday in commemoration of the Muslims Eid-El-Maulud celebration.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, according to a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji.

    Dambazau urged all Muslim faithfuls and Nigerians in general to use the occasion to pray for peace, progress and unity of the nation.

    He further urged all Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in its efforts at building a virile nation, and wished Nigerians a happy Eid-El-Maulud celebration.

    Read also: Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

    Eid-El-Maulud is celebrated every year by Muslims on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

    NAN

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The FEC meeting which commenced at exactly 10:55 a.m. had in attendance Ministers of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Science and Technology, Mr Ogonnaya Onu.

    Others were Ministers of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Inelema; Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim;

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; and the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among other ministers were also in attendance.

    Also in attendance were other cabinet members, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President Mallam Abba Kyari, among others.

    NAN

  • Smuggling: NCS intercepts 506 bags of foreign rice

    Smuggling: NCS intercepts 506 bags of foreign rice

    Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) said its command in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara zone had intercepted 506 bags of foreign rice concealed in bags of beans smuggled into the country.

    The command’s Controller, Mr Nasir Ahmad, made this known to newsmen on Wednesday in Sokoto, and said that the seized consignment had payable duty value of N12.5 million.

    Ahmad said that the items were intercepted on Friday officers of the command on patrol along Sokoto-Illela road.

    He said that the command had competent intelligent officers, investigating specialised activities.

    The controller explained that smugglers deployed different tactics in perpetrating their illegal businesses and reassured the public of the command’s readiness to confront smuggling and enforce government regulations.

    He called on people residing in border communities to assist Customs authorities with useful information to combat smuggling of goods into the country.

    “The present case is different as smugglers packaged two bags of rice in bigger beans bag disguising that they were conveying beans in the truck,” Ahmad said.

    According to him, smugglers are using various structures, including residential buildings, to store smuggled items in peace-meal before uploading to a truck.

    Ahmad said smuggling was crippling the nation’s economy as it deprived it of revenue, crippled industrial growth, endangered population and employment.

    He commended Comptroller-General and officers of the Service for supporting anti-smuggling and revenue generation drive of the present administration.

    NAN

  • Ambode,others to grace grand finale of Queen Moremi Ajasoro beauty pageant

    Ambode,others to grace grand finale of Queen Moremi Ajasoro beauty pageant

    Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State and Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi will lead dignitaries of state, traditional rulers and distinguished  Nigerians to the  crowning of the winner of the second Queen Moremi Ajasoro beauty pageant.

    The event slated for Dec.3 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos State would also be graced by Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikateland.

    The Heritage Ambassador to Queen Moremi Ajasoro project, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, disclosed this at Grand Resort in Ile- Ife, Osun, where the contestants were currently undergoing training.

    According to her, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi who is also our grand patron, has promised to fill the venue of the pageant with both cultural and state executive.

    “Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikateland will be the royal father of the day while Gov. Akinwumi Ambode will be the chief host.

    “We are also expecting Princess Toyin Kokade, Erelu Dosunmu and Hajia Abba Folawiyo,’’ she said.

    Ademiluyi  also a promoter of African culture said that the foundation was partnering other fashion designers to promote the beauty pageant.

    Ademiluyi said that her team had put adequate measures in place to ensure adequate security for guests during the event.

    ” We have made security preparation for the girls and other guests, in fact, high level security due to the calibre of guests who will be in attendance,” she said.

    Queen Moremi Ajasoro cultural beauty pageant was established in 2016 by the Ooni of Ife to promote Yoruba culture and tradition.

    The incumbent queen, Miss Blessing Animasahun, would hand over to the new queen at the event.

    NAN

  • Wizkid, Mary Njoku, 3 others for Future Awards

    Wizkid, Mary Njoku, 3 others for Future Awards

    Ayo “ Wizkid ’’ Balogun, Mary Njoku, Amaka Osakwe and Iyin Aboyeji are nominees for “The Future Awards Africa, the continent’s highly-coveted “Young Person of the Year’’ Award, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

    The award, at which Silas Adekunle, Chief Executive Officer of Reach Robotics will be recognised, has the theme, “Nigeria’s New Tribe’’, and will hold on Dec. 9 at the Federal Place Hotel, Lagos.

    Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, Chairman, Central Working Committee, The Future Awards Africa ( TFAA ), said it was to celebrate and accelerate innovation among Nigerians aged 18 to 31.

    She said that the TFAA acknowledges inspiring young people making a difference through social enterprise, social good and creativity.

    Olateru-Olagbegi noted that the award was presented in conjunction with The Future Project which has a mandate to build and empower citizens across Africa, through inclusive enterprise and active citizenship.

    TFAA is regarded as the “Nobel Prize for Young Africans’’, and the “most important youth awards’’ by Forbes.

    It has produced over 150 winners and over 1,550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.

    Olateru-Olagbegi, anlaysing how the nominees emerged, said that arguably, Nigeria’s most influential artiste this year, Wizkid released one of the biggest albums of the year, “Sounds from the other Side’’.

    “He recorded ‘One Dance’ with Canadian superstar, Drake and also signed a major publishing deal with international music giant, Sony RCA records, while grabbing three awards at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy nomination.

    On Mary Remmy Njoku, an actress and movie producer, she said that she was also the Chief Executive Officer of ROK Studios.

    “Launching her production company in 2013 with 25,000 dollars seed money, it has consistently grown — producing television series and films on a platform that has successfully launched two cable channels in Europe and Africa.’’

    Amaka Osakwe, the creator of Africa-focused fashion label, Maki Oh, has established a reputation as one of the leading designers on the continent.

    Her outfits are worn by international superstars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kerry Washington and the former U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama.

    With the launch of Andela, Iyin Aboyeji committed himself to the task of nation building through personal innovation.

    He left the highly successful tech incubator to start Flutterwave, the tech startup has become a global sensation and winning the Fintech Award at the 2017 Apps Africa digital innovation awards.

    Another nominee, Silas Adekunle, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reach Robotics, a company developing the world’s first gaming robots.

    Silas, in partnership with the University of West England, Bristol, managed the Prince’s Trust “Robotics in schools’’ programme in Bristol.

    He led a team of engineering students into schools to develop the interest of young students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through robotics.

    Expatiating on the award, Bukola Adebakin, Team Lead of TFAA, said the focus on Human Capital Development was informed by its value proposition: Africa’s growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.

    She said that TFAA’s projects include “Aiki.ng’’, an employability portal presented with Microsoft; “Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders’’, “StartupsAfrica’’, “Intern4Jobs’’, “YMonitor.org presented with National Endowment for Democracy (NED)’’ and “The Future Enterprise Support Scheme’’.

    Adebakin disclosed that The Future Project was founded by the Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, and supervised by a Global Board of Advisors drawn from Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

    NAN

  • Police to deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor A ‘Ibom council poll

    Police to deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor A ‘Ibom council poll

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said on Wednesday that it would deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor the Saturday local government council election in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, disclosed this in Uyo while briefing newsmen on the command’s preparedness for the Dec. 1 poll.

    Elkana said that the command had mapped out strategies to ensure a free, fair and violence-free exercise.

    He explained that at least two policemen would be in charge of each polling unit to ensure a hitch-free election process.

    He said that conventional policemen without arms would be at the inner circle of the polling units while the armed ones would be at the outer circle to respond to distress calls.

    “We are deploying 15, 000 policemen for the Saturday election; every polling unit will have a minimum of two police personnel.

    “Depending on the total number of registered voters, some polling units will have larger numbers of police personnel,” Elkana said.

    The command’s spokesman said special attention would be given to conflict-prone areas such Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas which had experienced serial killings in recent times.

    According to him, there will be heavy presence of security personnel in the two local government areas and other security flash points so as to nib violence in the bud.

    He said police helicopters would be deployed for aerial surveillance, adding that marine police, in collaboration with the Nigeria Navy, would take care of the coastal areas.

    Elkana warned politicians, especially political officeholders, not to go to the polling units with their armed details during the exercise.

    He stressed that all politicians must drop their armed details at a very far distance to the polling units before entering the voting arena.

    He also warned policemen attached to this group of people to behave professionally, during and after the election, stressing that any officer found wanting would be trialed and dismissed accordingly.

    He said, “The police will not tolerate any armed detail violating this order. They are policemen and they should know that professionally, they cannot follow their principals to the polling units with arms.”

    The police public relations officer also advised parents to monitor their children and wards, especially those ones that may likely be used by politicians as thugs.

    According to him, the law enforcement agents were fully prepared to handle all political thugs during and after the elections.

    “Anyone, who thinks he has firearms and wants to come out as political thugs should get the warning clear.

    “The police had ordered that anyone coming to the poling units with arms should be shot at sight. If you are armed, you are no longer a civilian,” he warned.

    He assured the residents that the police had also prepared for post-election activities, adding that adequate strategies had been put in place, to forestall any post-elections violence as was experienced in 2011.

    Akwa Ibom residents will go to poll to elect 31 local government chairmen and 329 councilors.

    NAN

  • NGO donates health equipment to 216 facilities in Bauchi State

    NGO donates health equipment to 216 facilities in Bauchi State

    Plan International, an International Non Governmental organisation ( NGO ), has donated maternal, neonatal and child health equipment and consumables worth N124 million to 261 health facilities across Bauchi State.

    The Country Director of the NGO, Dr Hussaini Audu, stated this on Wednesday at a news conference in Bauchi after handing over the equipment to the Bauchi State Government representative in Dass Local Government Area.

    He said the gesture was aimed at improving maternal and child health, adding that the NGO would continue to partner with government at various levels in that direction.

    He added that “Plan International is working on a four-and-half year project in 216 health facilities in Bauchi State.

    “These equipment are worth N124 million, to be distributed to 216 healthcare facilities.

    “The equipment include delivery kits, family planning kits, examination lights, infants and adults weighing scale, hand gloves and mattresses.”

    Earlier, the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley, had expressed satisfaction over operations of healthcare facilities in the state.

    He said the Canadian Government had been working in the state in the past 15 years due to cordial relationship and enabling working environment provided by the state government.

    He commended the state government “for improving healthcare for women and children.”

    The wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar, who received
    the equipment on behalf of the state government, thanked the organisation for the gesture.

    She noted that the present administration in the state has five points agenda on health which has direct bearing to women and children.

    Abubakar, who also handed over the equipment to Dr Mohammed Dayyabu, the Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, Bauchi State Ministry of Health,called for judicious use.

    Plan International has been working in Bauchi State to assist health facilities with the needed equipment to work with, especially in women and children health centres.

    NAN

  • NBTE wants FG to establish more technical colleges to boost technical skills

    NBTE wants FG to establish more technical colleges to boost technical skills

    Dr Mas’udu Kazaure, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ) has called on the Federal Government to establish more technical colleges across the country.

    Kazaure told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, that the country was supposed to have at least one technical college in each of the 774 Local Government Areas.

    He said the measure was necessary in order to check Nigeria’s skilled labour deficit.

    “Based on the nation policy on education, we are supposed to have 774 technical colleges across the country, but we only have 110; 17 federal colleges, 90 state colleges and three owned by private.

    “This means that we still have deficit of 664 technical colleges that needs to be established.

    “We need to establish more technical and technological institutions to improve access to technical education and boost our technical, innovative and inventive skills that will meet our industrial needs, “he said.

    According to him, there was also the need to focus on building skills for key economic sectors that will support the country’s socio-economic transformation for sustainable development.

    Kazaure said that the board has 523 technical institutions under its purview comprising 112 polytechnics, 35 colleges of agriculture, 29 colleges of health sciences, and 26 specialised institutions.

    Others are 138 innovation enterprises institutions, 110 technical colleges, and 73 vocational enterprise institutions.

    He identified some challenges affecting the technical education system to include delay in the review of Federal Polytechnic Act, in release of funds and nonpayment of salaries in many state’s polytechnics.

    “There is also security challenges resulting from non release of enough funds to settle the out-source services, shortfall of personnel allocation to polytechnics and responsibility allowances.” he added.

    NAN

  • Chinese, African parties meet to promote unity

    Chinese, African parties meet to promote unity

    The Communist Party of China ( CPC ) on Wednesday held a seminar with African political parties to explore the mission and role of parties in building a China-Africa community with a shared future.

    Song Tao, director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening ceremony of the seminar, which was held ahead of an upcoming dialogue between the CPC and other political parties from across the globe.

    Song briefed the attendees on the new thoughts and development strategies decided at the 19th CPC National Congress, including the concept of building a community with a shared future of mankind.

    Song said in the process of exploring paths towards modernisation, China and Africa shall further deepen communication of ideas, draw on each other’s strengths, and continuously promote the development of their respective undertakings.

    He said that acknowledging that political parties exert great influence in the development of countries and their engagement with other countries.

    Song said that the CPC is willing to maintain close relations with African political parties and join efforts to build a China-Africa community with a shared future.

    Over 60 representatives of political parties from some 20 African countries are attending the seminar.

    NAN

  • Football enthusiasts express confidence in Super Eagles ahead of World Cup draw

    Football enthusiasts express confidence in Super Eagles ahead of World Cup draw

    Some football enthusiasts, on Wednesday expressed confidence ahead of the World Cup draw, that the Super Eagles would be capable to face any team drawn with it in the same group on Friday.

    The fans and pundits expressed optimism while speaking  in Abuja, that Nigeria would also get a favourable draw.

    Tunde Popoola, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee ( NOC ),  said that the present crop of players in the Super Eagles were good enough to take on any team in the world.

    “I’m not one to really think about trying to avoid teams. I believe if you want to win a big tournament such as the World Cup, you’re going to have to play the best teams sooner or later.

    “Having said that, I am confident that the Super Eagles will be prepared to take on any country or group they are drawn into when the World Cup proper begins.

    “I have no doubt in my mind in the ability of the crop of young talents we have in the squad right now to cause an upset and go ahead to shock the world in Russia,” he said.

    Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter, advised the team to focus more on their abilities, rather than on the strength of the teams they would be drawn against.

    “The draw is essential and a key moment for any country, the team and the coaching crew as it will lay out our path to the World Cup finals.

    “It is one of those moments in which the whole world of football holds its breath.

    “However, my advice to the team and the coaching crew is not to focus on the strength or weakness of their opponents but rather on their own strength and abilities.

    “We can only hope for the best draw possible, but even if we are drawn against the ‘almighty Brazil’, so be it.

    “The truth is, names don’t play football these days, but people do. It’s all about the team spirit and in a World Cup as little things can decide matches.

    “What we need in a tournament such as this is to be mentally strong and physically robust.

    “I believe we are more than capable to beat any team in the world with a very good preparation and hard work,” he said.

    Jonathan Akpoborie, an ex-international said: “Let’s forget about the permutations. We’re positive, but we must also not get too ahead of ourselves.

    “We know we’ve still got a lot of work to do and we’ve got to play more quality friendly games between now and the finals to fine tune the team.

    “Having said that, it will be a great feeling to know who the Super Eagles will be facing at the group stage of the World Cup and I really can’t wait to know our opponents.

    “For now, it’s just about focusing on the games ahead and looking forward to the finals,” he said.

    Excitement will be high when coaches of the 32 qualified nations gather at the State Kremlin Palace in Russia for the Dec. 1 draw.

    The gala event will be televised live around the world.

    Teams have been seeded in four pots based on the October edition of the world rankings issued by ruling body FIFA.

    Russia, being the tournament host, was exempted from the seeding, but was placed in pot 1 and atop group A.

    No more than two European teams can be in one group, and teams from other regions cannot be pitted against sides from the same confederations.

    The teams’ fates are now down to the luck or ill fortune of the draw, with the seeding throwing up some intriguing permutations.

    World champions Germany will avoid South American giants Brazil and Argentina, and highly-fancied France.

    Germany could come up against 2010 champions Spain (pot 2) or strong African and Asian teams such as Senegal (3) or South Korea (4) .

    Another difficult constellation for Joachim Loew’s squad could be a South American opponent such as Uruguay or Colombia from pot 2, along with on-form neighbours Denmark (3) and much-improved African qualifiers Nigeria (4).

    An easier draw on paper would be a group with Peru, Iran and Panama.

    Russia will be hoping to avoid the fate of 2010 hosts South Africa, who failed to reach the knock-out stage, as they bank on home support to help them outperform their 65th ranking.

    From the top pot, Poland may be the most favoured opponents for the lower-seeded sides despite a strong qualifying phase, with Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski, scoring 16 goals to lead the scoring charts.

    Also, Germany bidding to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, will be a team most outside pot 1 will be looking to avoid.

    Of some of the other big names, England, under Gareth Southgate, will be hoping to get out of the group stage, after exiting early in 2014.

    Brazil will also be a team to avoid and so will third-seeded Iceland, who dumped the Three Lions out of Euro 2016.

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 14 and lat till July 15

    NAN