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Tag: Nigerian news

  • Lalong commends NYSC skills acquisition programme

    Lalong commends NYSC skills acquisition programme

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has commended the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) skills acquisition programme for corps members.

    Lalong gave the commendation on Thursday in Mangu at the inauguration of the 2017, Batch “B” stream one.

    He was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.

    The governor said that the programme would help the beneficiaries to acquire additional practical knowledge and skills that would make them to be more productive and useful to the society in future.

    The governor urged the beneficiaries to pay attention to the programme.

    “The scheme runs a skills acquisition programme during the three weeks orientation which I believe you will find useful in future, please, take it seriously,” Lalong said‎.

    Lalong drew the corps members’ attention to the growing unemployment rate and described the development as a major problem facing Nigerian youths.

    “Millions of youths are out there searching for non-existing white-collar jobs. Those of you with alternative skills will not join that search because you would have prepared yourselves for self-employment.

    “The initiative of the programme is make you self-reliant at the end of the service of your year.”

    He also advised the corps members to visit micro/small ‎enterprises clinic for more knowledge on small business registration and access to soft loans.

    ‎The governor assured the corps members of their safety in Plateau.

    In her remarks, Plateau NYSC Coordinator, Fumilayo Akin-Moses, advised corps members to participate fully in camp activities to prepare them for the service year.

    Akin-Moses also urged them to participate in the various skills acquisition programmes to prepare them for life after the service year.

    2,886, corps members, comprising 1,407 males and 1,479 females were registered as at the close of the exercise on Wednesday.

    NAN

  • Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

    Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has described discussions on the 2019 elections as a `distraction and unhelpful’ to elective office holders.

    Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto on Thursday and said  what should be paramount now were discussions about governance and how the mandates given in 2015 should be executed.

    “I do not know why you are asking to comment about 2019 elections when we only just crossed the half way mark of the mandate entrusted to us in 2015.

    “Elective office holders need us to discuss more about governance. By the time you raise issues about 2019 in 2017, you are distracting the entire polity.

    “We can discuss 2019 election when the time comes but for now, let us discuss governance issues,” he maintained.

    The governor said his administration would continue to promote agricultural and other economic ventures to boost revenue and employment opportunities.

    He said through close collaboration with the private sector, agricultural activities in Sokoto State had increased.

    “With the Anchor Borrowers’ scheme and other interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria, we have made positive impact on the lives of our farmers.

    “Our partnership with Dangote to develop rice through the out-grower scheme at the Goronyo and Middle Rima Valley has been a huge success so far.

    “From 500 hectares in the first year, we have now set aside 2,000 hectares of land for cultivation.

    “In addition to that, Dangote Rice Ltd will establish a rice processing mill here in the state.

    “All these are geared towards harnessing our potential in the sector for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

    Tambuwal said Sokoto State had positively felt the impact of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and urged all Nigerians to support the president for continued success of the administration.

    NAN

  • Chinese league will be tough for foreign players next season – Ideye

    Chinese league will be tough for foreign players next season – Ideye

    The Chinese Super League has been the new pasture for many world and Nigerian football stars but Tianjin Teda of China and Super Eagles’ striker, Brown Ideye revealed that foreign players will find the league very difficult as the local players were now upping their play.

    The former junior international, who had been reported to have been in disagreement with management of Tianjin Teda said this on Tuesday in an interview on Sports Café.

    He also confirmed that he would be plying his trade away from the Chinese League next season.

    “I don’t think I will be playing football in China next season maybe Europe,” Ideye said.

    “The Chinese owners are doing their best, they are bringing more big names to the league.

    “Month by month it is really tight because most of the Chinese players are picking very fast. From next season, it’ll be a big task on the foreign players.”

    Ideye also discarded talks that he alongside Super Eagles captain – John Mikel Obi and other big stars joined the Chinese Super League because of the money.

    According to him, football was the reason he moved to China and he alongside the big names in the league were being rewarded based on their input to the league.

    On what took him to China, Ideye, said: “It is football. I’m not the only one playing there, Mikel too is playing and some other big names like Pato and Tevez.

    “They too have the same aim which is going to China and play football and enjoy every moment on the pitch.

    “People think it is that good but you have to work for it (money); nothing good comes easy. You work for it and get your reward.”

    The 29-year-old former Olympiakos player, who has been out of the Super eagles squad for over a year also added that he was looking forward to be part of the players that would represent Nigeria at the World Cup.

    He added, “I’m looking forward to Russia just like every other player looking forward to the World Cup and hoping to do their best.”

  • Nigeria to take exciting crop of young talents to Russia

    Nigeria to take exciting crop of young talents to Russia

    Nigeria are the only one of Africa’s five representatives from the last World Cup, who return for the 2018 edition in Russia and will be looking to better their place in the last 16 in Brazil.

    A crop of exciting youngsters headline a team representing Africa’s most populous nation and who will play at the World Cup for the fifth time, having mostly underachieved in the past.

    Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Henry Onyekuru and Moses Simon represent a new generation that has emerged since the 2014 finals.

    Nigeria surprisingly qualified easily from a tough group that included Algeria, who also reached the second round of the last World Cup, and African champions Cameroon.

    Nigeria were the first African country to book a berth in Russia and finished unbeaten in Africa’s Group B, winning all their home games with two draws and a victory away under German coach Gernot Rohr.

    The German was a surprise appointment just weeks before the start of the group phase of the preliminaries.

    The 64-year-old Rohr is a former Girondins Bordeaux midfielder who returned to coach the French club to the 1996 UEFA Cup final, and in more recent years was national coach of Burkina Faso, Gabon and Niger.

    He will have high hopes that Nigeria can make an impact at the finals, particularly after they beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in Russia earlier this month.

    Africa’s best return at the World Cup was a quarter-final place for Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).

    But there will be concern about Nigeria’s dependency on Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, with the level of performances over the last year falling dramatically when they were absent.

    Obi Mikel now plays his club football in China while his old Chelsea team mate Moses is the biggest name in Nigeria’s team.

    NAN

  • Amun, Adepoju salute Yakubu Aiyegbeni

    Amun, Adepoju salute Yakubu Aiyegbeni

    Fanny Amun, a former Super Eagles Assistant Coach at the France `98 World Cup, has described Yakubu Aiyegbeni as a player who had paid his dues in domestic and international football.

    Amun spoke against the backdrop of Aiyegbeni’s retirement on Wednesday in Lagos after he turned 35.

    Shortly after he announced his retirement, the former Super Eagles striker thanked all who had played one role or the other in his career.

    “I would like to officially announce my retirement from professional football today,’’ Yakubu told Sky Sports on Wednesday in London.

    “Thank you for the memories,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Aiyegbeni played for Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Everton FC all of England and made 250 Premier League appearances as well as scored 96 goals in a career spanning 20 years.

    He started his professional career in the Nigerian league in 1997/1998 season when he plied his trade with Julius Berger FC of Lagos (now defunct).

    He also played in Israel with Macabi Haifa FC before moving to Europe in 2003.

    The “Yak’’ as he was fondly called is the 3rd best all-time scorer of the senior national team 21 goals.

    He featured three times for fourth-tier side Coventry City this year before being released by the club.

    The former assistant coach of the Super Eagles added that Aiyegbeni would be remembered for his selfless performance for the national teams.

    “Aiyegbeni is still young but the fact remains that he has paid his dues as a club player and a national team player who has represented Nigeria at the highest level of football.

    “He was most times noted for his response to national duties and did so well.

    “I think he must have prepared well for life after retirement because he is still young and not be in the ranks of those claiming that Nigeria has not done anything for them.

    “Nigeria has done everything for them at least they have the opportunity of wearing the national jersey which others did not have, they need to prepare well for the future and not wait on Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Similarly, a former international Mutiu Adepoju, said that Aiyegbeni would be remembered for his contributions to the national teams during his playing days, adding that he was dedicated.

    “Most of us will remember him for his contributions to the national team as a striker who scored many goals.

    “He is one of the few dedicated players around ready for call-up and wearing the national colours.

    “He has done well, he is a good player and very well respected; I wish him well,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • 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

  • Chad rejects U.S. bribery allegations against President Deby

    Chad rejects U.S. bribery allegations against President Deby

    Chad on Thursday rejected allegations made in the U.S. that President Idriss Deby was paid a two million dollars bribe in exchange for providing a Chinese energy company with oil rights without international competition.

    The U.S. announced charges on Monday against former Hong Kong Home Secretary Chi Ping Patrick Ho and former Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Gadio for allegedly funnelling bribes to high-level officials in Chad and Uganda.

    “The government is indignant and questions this fierce attack against our head of state,” Chad’s government said in a statement late on Wednesday, adding that Deby had always sought transparency in the country’s natural resources sectors.

    The U.S. Justice Department alleged that Gadio received 400,000 dollars from Ho via wire transfers through New York to act as a go-between for bribes to Deby on behalf of an unnamed energy firm headquartered in Shanghai.

    Neither Ho nor Gadio, who were both arrested on Nov. 16, have commented publicly on the allegations against them.

    Landlocked Chad pumps about 130,000 barrels of oil per day.

    It ranks third-from-bottom on the UN Human Development Index and 159th out of 176 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

    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