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  • Agip inaugurates power projects in Bayelsa communities

    Agip inaugurates power projects in Bayelsa communities

    The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), yesterday, inaugurated power projects in two communities in Bayelsa Statem,The company reinstated its commitment for improved living standard of its host communities in the Niger Delta region.

    The company, which operates the NNPC/NAOC/ONDO Joint Venture unveiled ultra-modern 200kva generator and generator house in Osifo and Abuetor communities in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The General Manager of the NAOC, Mr. Marco Rotondi, who was represented by the Stakeholders Management and Community Development Division Manager, Mr. Dennis Masi, said the welfare of the the people remained the priority of the company.

    Rotondi noted that the power projects were in fulfillment of the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into between NAOC and its Joint Venture Partner.

    He said they were designed to ensure the implementation of socially beneficial and sustainable projects in the company’s areas of operation.

    Rotondi further called on the people of the two communities to reciprocate the gesture by providing a conducive working environment for the company’s operation.

    Also speaking during the event, the Managing Director of Oando Oil Limited, Durotoye Olupade, said the projects would enhance the economic potential of the communities.

    Read Also: Agip to enforce London Court award

    Olupade, who was represented by Chief Samuel Onyenwe, commended the people of the two communities for their peaceful disposition towards the company’s activities.

    “This is the only way that more development projects can be attracted to the communities and I urge you to continue to exhibit this virtue.

    Speaking earlier, the President General of Osifo Community, Mr. John Oghoro thanked NAOC and its Joint Venture Partners for the projects.

    Oghoro further commended the Joint Venture Partners for providing amenities such as Cottage Hospital, electrification, 1km road, six classroom block which according to him, had greatly impacted the community positively.

    In his speech, the President General of Abuetor Community, Mr. Lovely Agwor also thanked the company for all the developmental projects built in his communities.

     He named them as six classroom primary and secondary school blocks and electrification projects.

    Agwor assured that the community would protect the project against vandalism.

    The commissioning ceremonies in the two communities, witnessed a massive turn out of women, youths, children and people from all walks of life.

  • Commonwealth Games Trials: Adegoke, 100m men champion targets AFN standard

    Commonwealth Games Trials: Adegoke, 100m men champion targets AFN standard

    Enoch Adegoke, 100m men champion at the final of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Commonwealth Trials in Abuja, says he will improve on his 10:34secs record at the competition.

    Adegoke, whose victory was his Personal Best (PB), told our reporter Friday that he was praying that God grants his wish to meet the required AFN standard.

    “The most important thing is the God factor, I hope to meet the standard by the Grace of God, that factor is very important. On my part, I will also train more,’’ he said.

    The trials winner said 10.14secs standard of AFN was getting more visible for him to grab.

    He commended the AFN Chairman, Ibrahim Gusau, for creating opportunities for athletes to compete with each to attain the official standard, saying they should not rest on their oars.

    Read Also: Editor’s wife gets Queen’s Commonwealth Point of Light award

    Adegoke of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, finished second with 10.51secs in the semi-final second to Seye Ogunlewe (Jnr) who finished at 10.44s.

    However, Adegoke came first in the final of the 100m dash by providence as Ogunlewe, a U.K.-based athlete with 10.12secs PB from Lagos did not start the final race on Thursday.

    Sunday Adeleye, AFN Technical Director, had early in the year said that foreign-based athletes should be ready for a fight with their home-based counterparts in line with the board’s new developmental programmes.

    NAN

  • Benue University postpones examination over students’ protest

    Benue University postpones examination over students’ protest

    The management of the Benue State University on Friday postponed its planned session examination over students’ protest.

    The Newsmen report that the leadership of the students’ union, barricaded the entrance gate to the institution as early as 6a.m to protest management’s directive of `no fees, no examination for any student’.

    Some of the students, who carried placards with various inscriptions, told Newsmen that the state-owned institution’s decision was not justifiable, since the state government also owed their parents salary arrears and allowances.

    Some of the placards had inscriptions like: “What will our parents use for payment of school fees, when salaries of over a year are not paid?”

    Some of the students, who spoke with Newsmen, called for the immediate intervention of the state governor on the issue.

    Read Also:  BenueAttacks push pupils out of school

    According to them, the state government’s inaction had left our parents in terrible financial situation.

    Charity Akor told Newsmen that her parents were both civil servants, owed back log of salaries, but have three of their children in higher the institutions.

    Mike Ibiam, also a student told Newsmen that “this is a state institution and the government must show understanding with the students.

    “This is so because the state government that owns this institution, had also not paid its workers, our parents, who need their wages to pay our fees,‘’ he said.

    However, as at the time of filing this report, management of the institution had announced the immediate suspension of examinations, scheduled to have commenced Friday, but no official of the school was willing to comment on the situation.

    NAN

     

  • NGO Charges Buhari to See to Ending Gas Flaring Immediately

    NGO Charges Buhari to See to Ending Gas Flaring Immediately

     

    The federal government has been charged to effectively end the practice of gas flaring in the Niger Delta, in the interest of the people of the region.

    Giving the charge in a statement issued in Warri on Friday, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, noted that the new amendment recently suggested by the federal government would not be deterrent enough to the international oil companies.

    He made this statement following government’s plan to charge those who flout gas flaring law   that cost  the nation billions of dollars as, stated by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

    According to Comrade Mulade, oil companies prefer flaring gas instead of harnessing it for economic benefit to the people.

    He stated that the new intention by government to approach lawmakers to amend the law and have the word “charge” replaced with “penalty” will not stop the flare, since companies find it easier to flare, pay the penalty and move on, without considering the hazardous effect on the people.

    Read Also: Gas explosions

    “It is believed that the gas flare law is weak; hence the oil companies flout it at will. Most communities are suffering terrible hardship as a result of gas flaring and oil spill. While some are under the threat of relocation by oil companies to make way for more gas flare”, he said.

    He, however, urged the federal government to demonstrate effective political will to enact environment friendly policies, build a dynamic and competitive energy sector, enhance governance and show commitment to regulate enforce, and expand external financing solutions.

    He added that, government should provide a legal, regulatory, investment and operating environment that is conducive to upstream investments.

    He also advised oil companies to develop new oil fields and operate according to plans that incorporate sustainable utilization of the fields associated with gas without routine flaring.

  • Osun Assembly passes vote of confidence on Speaker

    Osun Assembly passes vote of confidence on Speaker

    The 26-member Osun House of Assembly on Friday passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Dr Najeem Salaam, describing his leadership style as “exemplary. ”

    The lawmakers gave the commendation when the leadership of the house appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to defend its 2018 budget proposal in Osogbo.

    Timothy Owoeye, the Chairman, House Committee on Government Business, had made a presentation of N2.8 billion as budget proposal before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

    In his remarks, Mr Kamil Oyedele, the Chairman, House Committee, Finance and Appropriation, said the existing peaceful coexistence between the executive and the legislature in the state was attributable to the Speaker’s exemplary leadership style.

    “ No doubt, the leadership style of Mr Speaker has always propelled members to toe  the line of peaceful co-existence with the executive  and this has been translating to the development of the state.

    “All these name calling like “rubber stamp”, “Yesso” and the likes are enough to trigger violence in the house, but we are not bothered.

    “We can see that the collaboration with the governor is translating into the development of this state.

    “If they call us different names, we are happy that we rubber stamp  for development and stand for the development of this state.

    Read Also: Osun governor’s office to spend N22bn in 2018

    “So, we are passing  a vote of confidence on Mr Speaker and are determined to toe  the line of peaceful co-existence for the development of our state,” Oyedele  said.

    In his remarks, Owoeye said that members of the assembly would continue to work with the Speaker for the development of the state.

    He said that the maturity of the Speaker in handling the affairs of the parliament was responsible for the confidence reposed in him by all 25 members.

    In his response, the Speaker expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, with a promise that he would continue to ensure he did the needful for the development of the state.

    He appealed to the people of the state to embrace the newly introduced parliamentary local government system in the state, describing it as best for the people.

    Meanwhile, the Osun Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has presented a budget estimate of N1.6 billion for the year.

    OSIEC Chairman, Mr Segun Oladitan, in his presentation, however, said the commission hoped to realise N50 million as internally generated revenue.

    NAN

     

  • “Oyegun has no hand in Ondo APC Chair’s suspension”

    “Oyegun has no hand in Ondo APC Chair’s suspension”

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has criticized the report credited to its former state chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, blaming his suspension on the national leadership of the ruling party.

    The party in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity Steve Otaloro, said Kekemeke in an effort to ‘distort’ allegations leveled against him by the party leading to his suspension, descended on the APC national leadership.

    It noted that the former chairman faulted the letter from the national Secretariat that appointed Ade Adetimehin as the acting state chairman.

    The statement also quoted Kekemeke of accusing the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun of unilaterally suspended him from office.

    Read Also: Ondo House of Reps aspirants worried over deplorable roads

    The party said “It is unfortunate that Kekemeke deliberately maligned our party national chairman and denigrated the highest authority of our party with a view to portraying himself as being innocent of all the allegations levelled against him.

    “All the allegations he levelled against the national chairman, according to him, are based on hearsay”

    The party pointed out that the former chairman as a lawyer should know that it was faulty to rely on hearsay to blame the national chairman in other to exonerate himself from exonerating from allegations against him.

    It noted that the choice of Oyegun as APC national chairman was not only based on his political prowess but his dignity to speak the truth at all times.

    The party however advised Kekemeke to wait till the issue will be sorted out by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s reconciliatory committee, stressing that his ‘concocted’ claims would not help his case.

    It said” the timing of this falsehood is wrong most especially when President Muhammadu Buhari has saddled the national leader,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu with the role to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party”.

     

  • APC chieftain begs Tinubu to urgently address C/Rivers crisis

    APC chieftain begs Tinubu to urgently address C/Rivers crisis

     

    A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Mr Utum Eteng, has appealed to National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to urgently address the crisis tearing the party apart in the state.

    Eteng, a senior legal practitioner, said Tinubu’s appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, to reconcile all aggrieved members of the APC lends credence to the overwhelming confidence in his person.

    He regretted that the crisis in the party in the state threatened its good chances in next year’s elections.

    His words, “I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagbaban Borgu) on the recent appointment by the president to reconcile all aggrieved members of the APC family towards repositioning the party to deliver on the change agenda of the APC led federal government. It is an appointment well deserved taking into consideration the fact that the history of the emergence of the APC cannot be completely written without giving you a pride of place.

    “This appointment is not only timely, but also lends credence to the overwhelming confidence reposted on your personage. I trust in your ability and capacity to succeed in the arduous task as always.

    “Sir, as you set to embark on this assignment I want to draw your attention specifically to on the avoidable crisis eating deep into the Cross River State chapter of the APC. The crisis is gradually eroding the wonderful opportunity placed on the APC on a platter of gold to win the state governorship election in Cross River State for the APC come 2019 with less stress.

    “The APC debacle in Cross River State is largely caused by the mischief of some overzealous party members, extreme suspicion, pettiness and ingratitude between old and new members to the magnanimity of Mr President. Every elder wants to make a state chairman out of his stooge at the detriment of collectivism. It is either Mr A would be state chairman or nobody else even where the Supreme constitution of the party is breached.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s peace moves will succeed, says cleric

    “I am therefore appealing to you to enlist the problems and challenges of Cross River State in your topmost agenda. President Muhammadu Buhari has rewarded Cross River State people with unprecedented patronage and favours and anything short of victory for this party in all elections will not be acceptable.

    “Once again congratulations on the well-deserved appointment and recognition. To the President, I say unequivocally that he made no mistake in your appointment.”

     

  • “We won’t pull down Zuma’s statue”, Okorocha replies critics

    “We won’t pull down Zuma’s statue”, Okorocha replies critics

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha on Friday, said the state will not pull down the statue of former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who resigned in the heat of corruption allegation.

    The Imo governor had erected Zuma’s statue in Owerri last year, amid widespread criticism.

    Okorocha in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said, “on the Jacob Zuma’s Statue in Owerri and the resignation of the man few days ago as President of South Africa, the statue will not be pulled down. The statue was erected when the man was a sitting president. We should also be keen in his life story”.

    The statement continued that “for instance, a man who didn’t receive any formal education but rose to play a major role in the freedom of his people and also became president of one of the leading African nations calls for sober reflection.

    Read Also:  South Africa: Zuma out, Ramaphosa in

    He also resigned honorably. And after his coming to Imo where he spoke against the killings of Nigerians in South Africa, the situation came under control to a large extent. Zuma came to Imo to partner Rochas Foundation College for Africa. He didn’t come for politics. And even after his departure as President, he would still go ahead to make his contributions to the education of the less privileged children in Africa”.

    It added further that, “and whatever Okorocha has done in Imo, he has done so for the good of the people. Okorocha’s achievements in Imo are unequalled, and have exceeded the achievements of all those before him put together. This has continued to be our usual claim and nobody has challenged us on this claim including ex-governors of the State still alive. Our achievements will speak for us in 2019. Our achievements will be our electoral talisman in 2019.

    “Imo people have seen our monumental achievements and have also read criticisms against us. But seeing they say, is believing and not reading”.

  • Ekiti Monarch in Court, pleads not Guilty

    Ekiti Monarch in Court, pleads not Guilty

    The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder slammed on him by the state government.

    Obasoyin was arraigned at an Ekiti State High Court on Friday alongside five other defendants on three counts charge of conspiracy, attempted murder and murder.

    Also arraigned alongside the monarch were Sunday Ajewole, Bode Adetowoju, Michael Kayode, Tola Olowolafe and Taiwo Aluko.

    The case had earlier been heard at the Magistrate’s Court before being transferred to the High Court.

    Violence erupted in Ikere when Obasoyin inaugurated his hotel, Arede Royal Suites, in Gbemisola area of the town when some suspected hoodlums attacked and vandalized the property.

    Olukere’s statement that the town was yet to have a governorship candidate was believed to have triggered the attack.

    There was heavy security at the vicinity of the court to prevent breakdown of law and order. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and other vehicles belonging to security agencies loaded with officers stood guard.

    Supporters thronged in court in large numbers in solidarity with the monarch and the other five defendants.

    When their plea was taken at the court’s proceeding on Friday, the Olukere and other accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.

    Under Count One, the six defendants were accused of conspiring on December 25, 2017 to kill one Oluwafemi Adekola in Ikere-Ekiti contrary to Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Vol 1 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.\

    In Count Two, they were accused of making an attempt to murder one Adewale Osanyinbola in front of Prince Adegoke’s house in Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti on December 25, 2017 contrary to Section 320 Criminal Code Cap C16 Vol 1 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The defendants were also charged with the murder of one Oluwafemi Adekola contrary to Section 316 of Criminal Code Cap C16 Vol 1 Laws of Ekiti State and punishable under Section 301 of the same law.

    The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, said consequent upon the plea of the defendants, eight witnesses have been lined up to give evidence in the case.

    The eight witnesses, Adaramola added, would testify in court within three days.

    Counsel to the accused, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, said all his clients would testify in their defence while the evidence of some of the prosecution witnesses would be useful to the defence.

    The trial judge, Justice Abiodun Adesodun, adjourned the case till March 7 and 8 for the prosecution witnesses to give evidence.

    He ruled that the defendants would remain in prison custody and be produced on the next days of adjournment.

  • UNESCO urges FG to adequately fund S&T for national development

    UNESCO urges FG to adequately fund S&T for national development

    The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Friday urged the Federal Government to provide appropriate funding for Science and Technology (S&T) for speedy development of the country.

    Dr Osuji Otu, the National Programme Officer of Sciences UNESCO told the News men in Abuja that adequate funding of science and technology would act as the catalyst to achieving sustainable development in the country.

    Otu noted that although some donor agencies such as UNESCO were involved in funding of some S&T programmes, the government needed to play its part to support its development.

    “We are still very far off in developing S&T because they are the drivers for sustainable development.

    “Any country that wants to move forward should adequately fund projects in S&T.

    “Presently, we are working with Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to push for the funding of scientific programmes in schools.

    According to him, S&T programmes should also be encouraged from the basics, which will transcend to higher levels of education.

    “The challenge is that Nigeria is so big compared to other countries, but we are doing our best.

    “The government on its part is meant to support Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to thrive, if they can fund it, the scope will be widened.

    “The funding of S&T programmes should start from schools, because we need to get the younger generation involved in studying science and technology.

    Read also: Nigeria, UNESCO to hold Lake Chad conference in February

    “Federal Governmnt should also make sure that the Science and Technology Policy is implemented, this will definitely speedy up development,” he said.

    The officer said there were global programmes which were dependent on S&T and failure to pursue them would make Nigeria perpetually a consumer nation.

    “We have this global agenda on Sustainable Development Goals, we have the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) and they all depend on S&T to be fulfilled.

    “If the government remains quiet about it, we will continue to depend on other countries for everything we need and we will remain a consumer nation.

    “That will also affect the economy because we will end up not producing anything, rather we will continue to import.”

    According to him, Nigeria is still laid back about S&T as   some schools still lack laboratory equipment for hands-on experimentations for science subjects.

    Otu added that culture, the teaching methodology and insufficiently trained science teachers were deterring students, especially the females from taking up science related subjects.

    “Here, we are still talking about providing laboratory equipment to schools, upgrading our curriculum to international standard, training qualified teachers and these are things government should take seriously,’’ he said.

    He said cultures and poor methodology were some of the factors discouraging female students from taking STEM subjects.

    “People think that most science courses are reserved for men. Go to engineering faculties in tertiary schools, you don’t even see up to 20 per cent women,’’ he said.

    According to him, another factor is not enough female personnel in S&T to serve as role models to encourage girls to study STEM courses.

    He, however, disclosed that the organisation was working with some women groups to arouse the interest of female students in STEM using them as role models.

    NAN