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  • Catholics to mark Feast of Christ the King, Sunday

    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

  • Constitution amendment will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Akeredolu

    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

  • Imo Assembly confirms 28 Commissioner nominees

    Imo Assembly confirms 28 Commissioner nominees

    The Imo House of Assembly on Thursday confirmed the 28 Commissioner nominees sent to it by Gov. Rochas Okorocha.

    The nominees who were selected from across the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, had earlier been screened by a committee headed by Mr Ikechukwu Amuka (APC Ideato South).

    The Speaker, Mr Acho Ihim (APC Okigwe) while announcing the confirmation of the nominees on the floor of the house, said they had been screened and found eligible.

    The nominees included Dr Jones Uzoka, Mr Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro, Mr Obinna Mbata, Prof. Chizoba Emebalo, Mr Maduabuchi Ibediro and Dr Cyril Okafor.

    Others were Mr Gerald Okolie, Mrs Josephine Udoji, Lady Joy Mbawuike, Mr Ihuaku Njoku and Gertrude Olukku, among others.

    NAN

  • Gov. Dankwambo calls on stakeholders to support NYSC scheme

    Gov. Dankwambo calls on stakeholders to support NYSC scheme

    Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has called on all stakeholders to support the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to ensure the realisation of its objectives for national development.

    Dankwambo made the call at the swearing-in ceremony of 2017 batch ‘B’ stream one orientation course at temporary orientation camp, Amada in Akko Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

    He said the scheme has assisted greatly in moulding the nation into a united entity for rapid socio-economic development.

    According to him, the scheme has done so much toward eliminating ethnic bigotry, sectionalism and tribalism.

    He commended the effort of the Federal Government and the management of NYSC for sustaining the programme.

    Dankwambo assured the corps members posted to the state of their safety, welfare and wellbeing during their stay in the state.

    He urged them to participate fully in all the activities as a way of contributing to the development of state and the country at large.

    Mr David Markson, NYSC State Coordinator said they were able to register a total of 1, 514 corps members comprising 767 males and 747 females.

    He urged them to be of good behaviour and shun all forms of evil acts for a successful service year stressing any person caught would be punished in accordance to the provision of NYSC byelaw.

    He called on the corps members to uphold the core values of the NYSC by putting the nation first in all what they do.

    Alhaji Adamu Abubkar, Head of Service, Gombe State and the NYSC governing board chairman advised the crops members to take Skill Acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes serious irrespective of their academic discipline.

    He said that these would help them to be self-reliant during and after the service year.

    Abubakar appealed to camp officials to see the corps members as their brothers and sisters by giving them listening ears and accord them the necessary assistance when the need arises.

    NAN

  • Court jails labourer 30 days for mischief

    Court jails labourer 30 days for mischief

    A Masaka Chief Magistrates’ Court in Nasarawa State, on Thursday, sentenced a 28-year-old labourer, Abdullahi Ibrahim, to 30 days imprisonment for mischief.

    Ibrahim, a resident of Kauchikau in the state, faced a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, assault and mischief.

    However, the accused pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Ibrahim Salisu, had told the court that one Harrison Adejo of Masaka in Nasarawa State, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Station, Masaka on Nov. 16.

    Salisu said that on the same day, the complainant received a call from an unknown person, asking him to meet him at the Road Safety Junction, Kauchikau.

    He said that the caller told Adejo that he was calling him in respect of his friend’s phone that was in his possession.

    Salisu stated that when Adejo arrived at the place, he met the accused and three others now at large, who beat him up and made away with the items in his possession.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections 97, 266 and 327 of the Penal Code.

    The Magistrate, Mr Victor Manga, sentenced Ibrahim to 30 days imprisonment with an option of N2,000 fine.

    Manga warned the accused to desist from committing crime and urged him to be of good behaviour.

    NAN

  • Ondo sacks illegal structure owners from market vicinity

    Ondo sacks illegal structure owners from market vicinity

    The Ondo State Government has warned and directed owners of illegal structures in market vicinity to vacate the areas, to pave the way for modern and unhindered trading activities in the state.

    Chief Timehin Adelegbe, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperative Societies, gave the directive on Wednesday while inspecting Igbokoda International market in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

    Adelegbe said that the state government would soon clamp down on illegal structures impeding sanity of economic transactions.

    “What prompted our visit is the complaints we received from market women, the traditional rulers that the market is not properly managed; dirty and people are not properly occupying the stalls.

    “We have discovered that illegal shops are causing gridlock and other problems and we have agreed that they must be demolished after proper approval from the state governor.

    “The market is our pride and I tell you that we will destroy all attachments causing gridlock and all debris will be evacuated.

    “Anyone’s shop demolished will not receive any palliatives because there are many stalls in the market meant to be occupied with anyone who has paid his dues,’’ he said.

    The commissioner added that collection of rate would only be done by officials of the ministry and that marketers would be encouraged to move in.

    According to him, the tripartite agreement by the ministry, the Local Government and the traditional rulers will definitely prompt the market to achieve its targeted goals.

    “I urge traders to hearken to this agreement reached because it is for their benefits as the state is considering it a big market that could make a lot of investment for the government.

    Also, Mr Fayowole Aworetan, the Caretaker Chairman of the council, said that the market was surrounded with a lot of issues, saying the commissioner’s visit had been able to resolve them.

    Aworetan noted that the Local Government was ready to partner with the state government and the market women, hoping that the market would soon be in its good glory.

    The commissioner reported that Oba Afolabi Oladimeji, the traditional ruler of Igbokoda, decried the unwholesome activities taking place in the market but promised that the community would cooperate with the government to restore sanity.

    Oba Oladimeji said that he wanted functional market and called for proper allocation of the stalls in the market.

    He commended the government, saying that the visit would give the government proper information for good ideas to be implemented.

    “It will help the government to come up with good policy making mechanisms because of cross fertilisation of ideas.’’

    NAN

  • NIPC to partner Niger on development of Tourism, Agriculture

    NIPC to partner Niger on development of Tourism, Agriculture

    The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission ( NIPC ) on Thursday said it would partner the Niger State Government to attract investors into tourism and agricultural sectors of the state

    Ms Yewande Sadiku, the Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, said this when Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger visited the commission in Abuja.

    Sadiku said that the commission would support the state government in profiling investment opportunities that would attract foreign investors to the state.

    According to her, the commission was building a platform for capacity building and profiling investment opportunities; starting with a tool that would help in profiling small and medium scale enterprises (SMES).

    “We are profiling investment opportunities in a way that will be easy to market.

    “By doing this, such profiling will help investors identify specific opportunities. We are happy to work with whatever team you designated first to profile.

    “We have adequate information on different types of profiling that can be used as teasers for our engagement with investors,” she said.

    She noted that the platform would help states with investment projects to market their products.

    Sadiku said that Niger had the potential to feed Nigeria and West Africa if attention were given to key sectors such as infrastructure development in agriculture and tourism.

    She said that the development of infrastructure would help the state close some of the challenges it might face in terms of competitiveness of manufactured goods.

    “Nigeria has three hydro-electric dams located in Niger and power is the foundation for industrial development.

    “Niger is one of the 36 states that is unique due to its proximity to Abuja, this means that the state is already close to the market.
    .
    “We are delighted to work with you in terms of marketing projects and profiling,” she said.

    Earlier, Gov. Bello had solicited the support of the commission in profiling and carrying out feasibility studies on agriculture and tourism sectors in the state to attract global investors.

    He said that the state had structures such as the Baro Port, tourist sites and agriculture potential that had not been adequately harnessed due to lack of proper profiling and feasibility studies.

    “We have tourist sites and agriculture potentials which many investors have shown interest to develop; but we need profiling on these key sectors for foreign investors to know what Niger State can offer them,” he said.

    Bello, however, noted that such potential if properly harnessed would have more impact and generate more revenue and jobs for the people of the state and the country at large.

    NAN

  • Four ships arrive Lagos ports with petrol

    Four ships arrive Lagos ports with petrol

    No fewer than four ships laden with various products, including petrol, are at the Lagos ports waiting to berth, the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) said on Thursday.

    The NPA disclosed in its daily “Shipping Position” made available  in Lagos, that four vessels were waiting to berth with petrol.

    It added that 33 other ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods were expected at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports between Nov. 23 and Dec. 23.

    “The expected ships are carrying buck wheat, containers, general cargoes, empty container, diesel and aviation fuel,’’ it said.

    NAN

    Read Also: Navy uncovers hotel where fuel is siphoned in Lagos

  • Rivers commences construction of hostels, quarters at NYSC camp

    Rivers commences construction of hostels, quarters at NYSC camp

    The Rivers Government has commenced the construction of new facilities for the welfare of corps members and officials at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area.

    Mr Sunday Aroni, Rivers Coordinator of NYSC, disclosed this on Thursday during the swearing-in-ceremony of the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream corps members at the orientation camp.

    Aroni said the facilities included four blocks of hostel for corps members and three units of four-bedroom apartments for camp officials, a new kitchen and a multipurpose hall being expanded.

    ‘‘All these are meant to improve on the welfare of corps members and camp officials on camp, and interestingly, these projects which started two weeks ago, are already at advanced stages,’’ he said.

    The coordinator commended Gov. Nyesom Wike and the state government for the kindness and generosity to the scheme.

    He also congratulated the governor on his award of ‘‘Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution’’ in New York, U.S.

    Aroni said that a total of 2,502 corps members had been registered and ready to be sworn-in for national service in the state.

    NAN

    Read Also: NYSC sanctions 15 corps members in Nasarawa

  • FRSC returns recovered items to family of accident victim

    FRSC returns recovered items to family of accident victim

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Ogun command, said it had returned some recovered items to family of accident victim.

    The command’s Public Education Officer, Mrs Florence Okpe, said in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.

    Okpe said that the items include: cash, digital camera, laptop and other personal belongings, recovered from an accident scene along Abeokuta -Sagamu Expressway.

    She said that the crash, which happened on Tuesday, involved a private vehicle but recorded no death.

    “The crash occurred on Tuesday and it involved a private vehicle with an occupant, a male adult, who sustained serious injuries.

    “FRSC personnel carried out the rescue operation and took the injured victim to the nearby hospital with a male occupant, who sustained serious injuries.

    “After due documentation, the Command Public Education Officer, Route Commander Florence Okpe presented the recovered items to the victim’s son in the presence of other family members , ” she said.

    NAN

    Read Also: FRSC threatens to arrest, prosecute drunk drivers in Bayelsa