The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • 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

  • India fines Nestle $96,500 over ‘substandard’ Maggi noodles

    India fines Nestle $96,500 over ‘substandard’ Maggi noodles

    Authorities in northern India have fined Swiss food giant Nestle 96,500 dollars, after food inspectors found contamination in samples of its popular Maggi noodles, two years after the controversy first surfaced.

    Uttar Pradesh state’s Shahjahanpur district fined the Swiss firm 4.5 million rupees and its distributors 1.7 million rupees, taking the total penalty to 6.2 million rupees (96,500 dollars).

    “Food quality tests on Maggi samples found the product to be substandard.

    “The ash content, which include heavy metals, found in the samples were above permissible limits for human consumption,” district food quality chief DP Singh told dpa by phone.

    The samples were collected during raids on various distributors in 2015.

    The fine was only imposed two years later after authorities had heard detailed representations from Nestle and its distributors, Singh said.

    A spokesman for Nestle India asserted that Maggi noodles were “100 per cent safe” for consumption.

    Nestle said it appeared to be a case of “application of incorrect standards” and it would appeal against the order.

    Maggi noodles was banned in June 2015 for six months after India’s food regulator said the product was “unsafe and hazardous” levels of lead.

    Production began after the ban was relaxed later that year.

    Singh said while the 2015 ban was because of high levels of lead, the penalty was because of elevated levels of ash content.

    The yellow-and-red packages of Maggi noodles are a popular snack in India and can be found in shops in the furthest reaches of the country.

    NAN

  • NCC seizes 28 containers of pirated works – Official

    NCC seizes 28 containers of pirated works – Official

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission ( NCC ), says 28 shipping containers comprising pirated books and audio-visual works were confiscated from 2011 to the first quarter of 2017.

    Mr. Afam Ezekude, the Director General of the NCC, said this during the signing of signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCC and the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), on collaborative anti-piracy operations at the nation’s ports and borders, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mr Hameed Ali, Comptroller General of NCS signed on behalf of the service.

    Ezekude who lauded the NSC’s role in the seizure, said that the NCS remained its crucial ally in the commission’s anti-piracy drive.

    “This MoU is a step in the right direction as it has formally set in motion synergised efforts between us in our fight against piracy.

    “Movements of pirated works at border points through the air, sea and land, will henceforth be checked effectively.

    “This development has further reiterated our zero-tolerance stand against any means through which pirated works enter the Nigeria market,” he said.

    In his remark, the CG of NCS, Hameed Ali, said that since the organisations were involved in enforcement of government policies, there was need for them to work closely for effective delivery on their mandates.

    He therefore urged NCC to provide relevant expertise training on copyrights to officers of the NCS for them to be more effective in their hunt for pirated creative work at ports and borders.

    “We have realized that we need each other to work more effectively, and this MoU will help in achieving that goal.

    “However, there is need for relevant training for our officers so that they can identify pirated products from the original ones at the ports”, he said.

    The MoU which is for three years is subject to renewal thereafter.

    According to the chief executives, the MoU is to formalise and strengthen the inter-agency collaboration between the two organisations, and to explore further ways to collectively curb importation of pirated works into the country.

    NAN

  • FUNAAB VC supports calls for economic diversification via agriculture

    FUNAAB VC supports calls for economic diversification via agriculture

    Prof. Felix Salako, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ( FUNAAB ), has voiced support for the growing calls for the diversification of the nation’s economy through agriculture.

    Salako expressed the support in a statement signed by Dr Linda Onwuka, Head of Directorate of Public Relations of the university, which was given on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The statement said that Salako spoke at the opening of the facilitation and communication skills training programme for agricultural extension agents on the university campus.

    It said the vice-chancellor described agriculture as a sustainable tool for national development and urged trainees, who were receiving training under the Agricultural Development Programmes ( ADPs ) of states, to be change catalysts.

    “The young people I see here today are the new generation of extension officers; they will be catalysts in efforts to push the nation forward, using agriculture as an alternative to crude oil export.

    “It is dawning on everybody that we are running into trouble with oil. What may even make oil more useless is the fact that people are already thinking of alternative sources of energy, even for running cars.

    “So, this training could not have come at a better time than now,” the statement quoted Salako as saying.

    It said that the vice-chancellor expressed the readiness of the university to collaborate with other bodies to strengthen the skills of agricultural workers, particularly extension services agents.

    “We are ready to strengthen the skills of extension agents, using participatory and adult-learning methodology, to enhance timely and sustained supply of cassava root by small and medium scale farmers.

    “We are confident that the completion of the course will make the participants better and help in building their capacity to facilitate effective facilitation and communication with farmers.

    “As extension officers, you need to step up your roles in contributing to the development of our nation. You need to develop good relationship with farmers and subsequently use these skills to connect yourself.

    “One thing that has come to the fore these days is that farmers do not trust agriculturists anymore. You must be ready to convince the farmer to even listen to you.

    “So, you need a lot of efforts to be able to convince farmers about innovations,’’ Salako was quoted as saying.

    The statement said that Salako stressed that the training was apt, while the approach to engage both extension agents of the state ADPs and procurement executives of cassava-processing factories would definitely achieve the desired results.

    Also, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Country Manager of Cassava: Adding Value for Africa II (CAVA II), said in the statement that the inconsistency in the supply of raw materials was a major and critical factor affecting the survival of large scale industries.

    Sanni, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Designate of FUNAAB, reportedly said that sourcing cassava raw materials required a lot of effort.

    “We are aware that you have different locations where you source for raw materials but at present, there are some issues we have itemised in the last two years.

    “The major problem is that the farmers themselves have informed us that some of the extension officers or procurement officers are delaying their payments.

    “This is attitudinal and that’s why we decided to bring in a consultant that will interact with you on facilitation, communication and sustainable engagements,’’ the statement quoted Sanni as saying.

    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

  • Army rescues 212 captives, capture one Boko Haram commander

    Army rescues 212 captives, capture one Boko Haram commander

    The Army on Tuesday rescued another 212 persons held hostage by the terrorists after they cleared remnants of insurgents from some villages in the northern fringes of the Sambisa forest.

    They also captured one Boko Haram commander, “Ameer” of Chawa, Amman Judee and neutralised four terrorists, according to a statement by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations on Tuesday.

    Usman said the captured terrorists leader was undergoing interrogation, while the rescued persons were being documented and underaged children among them administered oral polio vaccines.

    Earlier in the week, troops rescued 30 persons held hostage by the terrorists during clearance operations in eight villages at Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    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