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  • El-Rufai warns IPMAN members against unruly behaviour

    El-Rufai warns IPMAN members against unruly behaviour

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has urged members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) in the state to end the bickering among them and live in peace.

    The governor said in Kaduna when he received newly elected officials of the association who paid him a courtesy visit that the government would not condone any breach of the peace.

    According to him, it is mandatory for members of the association to be given the opportunity to elect their leaders, saying those not satisfied with the election should seek redress in court.

    “Those who are not satisfied with the election should to go to court instead of causing chaos in the state,’’ the governor said.

    El-Rufai stressed that peace was vital for the progress of the association and assured of the government support to the new leadership.

    Earlier, the new state IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Bala Usman acknowledged that the association was unable to hold election for a long time due to internal crisis.

    He however said with the elections held on Oct. 21, the association was now poised to contribute more meaningfully to the state economy.

    Usman expressed gratitude to the governor for ensuring that the election was peaceful, and pledged that the association would henceforth pay its annual ground rent to government without delay.

    The chairman pleaded with the governor to intervene on their behalf, for the reopening of their secretariat sealed by the management of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, due to the prolonged crisis in the association.

    Other officials elected include Alhaji Garba Jega as Vice Chairman and Mr Solomon Ehizogie as Secretary.

    NAN

  • Forex trading mastery class set to hold in OAU Ile-Ife

    Forex trading mastery class set to hold in OAU Ile-Ife

    The organisers of the Nigeria Internet Business Conference ( NIBC ) are set to teach the students of Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) Ile-Ife on Forex Trading in conjuction with MacForex Ukraine.

    The Mastery class is set to begin with an awareness class on the 18th of November, 2017 and would be succeed by a 2-week professional class on Forex market.

    Foreign Exchange (FX) or Forex market is the largest and most liquid, market in the world. A market larger than both stocks and futures markets combined, records above $5.3 trillion transactions daily.

    Foreign Exchange market opens 24/7 and just as other Internet businesses, it can be accessed anywhere, you can work anywhere, anytime making money on and off market.

    According to the Chief Operating officer of MacForex; Mr. Leke Ayodele, he said, “Nigerian youths needs to be empowered, not just by buying sewing machine and motorcycles for them, but with the real knowledge of Internet business”.

    “Our company have decided to unveil the project by starting it from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, where we would organise free awareness class and a two week professional Mastery class on Forex Trading ” He added

    Registrations for the classes has begun and students are enjoined to register so as to reserve their seats through picatic.com/ftmoau as limited seats are provided for.

  • Fire destroys 10m property at Abuja fun spot

    Fire destroys 10m property at Abuja fun spot

    Fire on Thursday razed a fun spot known as Quality Link Park in Wuse Zone VII, Abuja at about 11:00 a.m., destroying property worth more than N10 million.

    The fire gutted two huts at the park.

    The Managing Director of the park, Mr Chinemelu Onwughalu, described the incident as “unfortunate”, noting that more than N10 million worth of property was destroyed.

    He recalled that a similar incident happened four years ago, saying that the cause of the fire had been traced to the same person.

    He, however, commended the FCT Fire Service Department for coming to put off the fire in time.

    A gardener, Mr Abijah Britus, who caused the fire, said it happened while he was clearing refuse at a church sharing fence with the park.

    “I was asked to burn the grass by my elder in the church, known as Community of Hashem Worldwide, and I told him the fire can extend but he insisted that I should go ahead and burn the grass.”

    The leader of the fire service team, Mr Ijomah Azubuike, attributed the incident to “carelessness on the part of the young man burning grass close to the fence of the fun spot.

    “He did not stay there and monitor the fire.

    “This is what we call conventional fire, where smoke rise high above the fire level and breeze carries it sideways and then anywhere it touches it burns, especially this grass roof system.’’

    He said that two huts out of six huts in the park were partially razed with some items recovered from the scene of the incident.

    “For now, we cannot ascertain the cost of the materials damaged by the fire incident because we were not here before it broke out.

    “We have to liaise with the owner of the building before we can ascertain the worth of what was destroyed.’’

    Azubuike advised people to exercise caution during the dry season, especially when using fire to clear refuse.

    NAN

  • ‘Cross River to employ foreign teachers for Obudu Model School’

    ‘Cross River to employ foreign teachers for Obudu Model School’

    Cross River Government says it will recruit foreign qualified teachers to teach in the British Canadian International Model School, Obudu in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Dr Stephen Odey, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education ( SUEBEB ), made this known on Thursday in Obudu, while inspecting the ongoing construction work at the school.

    Odey said that the school modelled along those in Great Britain and Canada, would rank among the best in the country, in the areas of infrastructure and education curriculum.

    “Here, they are not going to be ordinary teachers within the locality; we are bringing teachers from abroad.

    “The concept is that the school will not only be for formal education; as part of extracurricular activities, students will learn music and engage in other activities,” he said.

    Odey said that between now and next September, education in the state would take a new dimension.

    The SUEBEB chairman said that the school would be equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, competent staff and conducive learning environment in line with the global best practices.

    He described the school as one of the signature projects of the present administration in the state.

    Odey said that it would take basic education to the next level, not only in the state, but in Nigeria at large.

    He said that the state government chose to locate the school in Obudu, close to the Obudu Ranch Resort, so that the foreign students coming to the school would take advantage of the ranch.

    “Remember that this school is not only for people of Cross River; it is an international school; even those outside Cross River and Nigeria can bring their wards here,” Odey said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level of works done by the contractor, urging him to speed up the process so as to complete the job on time.

    Also, Mr Kanayo Okoye, the Managing Director, Jukok International Ltd., the construction company handling the project, commended the state government for living up to expectations.

    Okoye assured the board chairman that the project would be completed within the stipulated time.

    “The job is being well funded and the governor is living up to expectations. The work is going on well.

    “We are hoping to deliver the project within the time frame the government has given us.

    “This is a massive project, we will not compromise on standards,’’ Okoye said.

    NAN

  • Forbes names Merkel as world’s most powerful woman for 7th time

    Forbes names Merkel as world’s most powerful woman for 7th time

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been named the world’s most powerful woman for the seventh time in a row by Forbes magazine, the publication announced on Thursday.

    “Merkel this year won a hard-fought election that saw the far-right Alternative for Germany party creep into the Bundestag.

    “She’ll have to continue to hold tight to the EU rudder as she faces oncoming storms from Brexit and the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe,” Forbes said in a statement.

    British Prime Minister, Theresa May, took second place in the ranking, while Hillary Clinton, who was ranked the world’s second-most powerful woman in 2016, fell to 63rd place after her election defeat to U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, who has been serving as a White House advisor in his administration, ranked 19th on the list, while the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, came in 43rd.

    Melinda Gates of the Gates Foundation, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook and Mary Barra, the head of General Motors, took third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

    NAN

  • FRSC survey indicates 72% commercial drivers operate under alcohol influence

    FRSC survey indicates 72% commercial drivers operate under alcohol influence

    Seventy-two per cent drivers tested for alcohol on the highways in Lagos State are under the influence of alcohol, a survey by the Federal Roads Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has revealed.

    Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos Sector Commander of FRSC, who made the revelation on Thursday that the survey was carried out by the command.

    Omeije spoke at the flag off of the Guinness/FRSC Ember Month campaign against road crashes tagged “Responsible Drinking’’.

    The programme is aimed sensitising private and commercial drivers against dangers inherent in drink-driving.

    Highlights of the programme started about 13 years ago during ember month includes road shows, public talk and awareness at various motor parks and garages among others.

    Omeije said the test which was carried out at random shows that drink-driving is more prevalent among the commercial drivers.

    “In a survey conducted by the men of Lagos Command on alcohol testing using our Breathliser, it shows that 72 per cent of those tested did not pass the required level of alcohol.

    “The survey was carried out randomly and no particular class of vehicle was a target but the result shows that between the 42 and 72 per cent of commercial drivers tested positive.

    “To put the record straight, private cars owners, articulated vehicle drivers and government fleet drivers were also tested during the operation, but what comes to mind is the result from the test, the purpose of the survey.

    “The survey was made possible through the digital beathliser machine used to test the alcohol level in the blood donated by Guinness Nig. Plc, there is no bias in the exercise,’’ he said.

    Omeje said the insinuation that a particular set of road users were targeted by its men were unfounded, claiming that the result of the survey had vindicated the corps.

    “We are not out to witch-hunt anyone, the test were done randomly. The result also has it that only negligible number of private cars owners are guilty of drink-driving.

    “The result also shows the mindset of the commercial drivers when it comes to this issue. Anyone caught and found guilty will be made to pay a fine or face the mobile court.

    “We have zero-tolerance to drink-driving and we have various punitive measures to drivers who are found guilty.

    “Sometimes, we take the campaign to the motor parks and the driver that failed the test was made to lose his turn as the passengers were trans-loaded to another vehicle,’’ he said.

    The commercial drivers as against punitive measures.

    “We will continue to educate those drivers on the dangers of drink-driving. Ours is to give more support to educating more people on responsible drinking.

    “We will continue to give our support because of our policy on safety and also making our roads safe.

    “We are producing responsible drinks and we want our consumers to be responsible too, we are encouraging responsible drinking,’’ he said.

    Federal Road Safety Corps is the Government Agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria.

    Founded in 1988, the Federal Road Safety Corps operates in all Nigerian states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

    NAN

  • Saraki to IG: Appear before Senate panel if you have nothing to hide

    Saraki to IG: Appear before Senate panel if you have nothing to hide

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday asked the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to honour invitation of the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of abuse of office levied against him if he has nothing to hide.

    The Senator Francis Alimikhena led ad-hoc committee had on Wednesday threatened to invoke necessary constitutional provisions to compel the police boss to appear before his committee.

    Idris wrote the committee to inform members that he could not appear before it because the matter under investigation was already before the court.

    Saraki who was reacting to a point of order raised by Alimikhena that the IGP failed to honour the invitation of his committee, re-echoed the panel’s position that no court can stop the Senate from performing its constitutional duties.

    The Senate President noted that several judicial pronouncements had made it clear that no court can stop the Senate from carrying out its duties.

    Saraki said: “As the chief law enforcement officer, he should know what the law is and he should know that he cannot stop the Senate from doing its job. There are several judicial pronouncements on this issue and I expect him to know these things.

    “He should be advised to do the right thing and appear before the Senate. If you have nothing to hide, you should appear before the committee like any other Nigerian.”

    Alimikhena briefed the Senate on the position taken by his committee.

    The Edo North lawmaker told the Senate that his committee was asked to jettison the investigation of the police boss.

    He said that the Idris, through his lawyer, Mr. Alex Izinyon told the committee that the matter the IGP was invited for was already in court.

    He said that the committee was going ahead with the investigation.

    “I want to inform the Senate that IGP failed to appear before the committee. The committee received a letter from his lawyer. We were told to suspend it or keep it in abeyance. The letter from the lawyer cannot stop us from performing our roles,” he said.

    He added, “Most of the allegations leveled against him (IGP) and virement was not part of what they went to court. This committee was constituted before the IGP went to court. The court case will not deter our committee because following the principle of separation of powers no court can stop our committee.

    “We will invite him again next Tuesday. There are issues about virement in the 2017 budget which Misau also raised. We need him to respond to these allegations. We will invite him again and he will appear before us. If he fails to appear, we will invoke Section 89 of the 1999 constitution, as amended to compel him to appear,”Alimikhena said on Wednesday.

  • NYSC extends service of 12 corps members in Ekiti for misconduct

    NYSC extends service of 12 corps members in Ekiti for misconduct

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), has extended the services of 12 corps members in the 2016 Batch B, Stream 1, posted to Ekiti, by three months for offences bordering on misconduct and truancy.

    Mrs Eze Ukagha, the NYSC Coordinator in Ekiti, announced this on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, during the passing out ceremony of 1,739 corps members.

    Ukagha also announced that two corps members received state honours award for hard work and commitment to the values of the scheme.

    She said that during the service year, the corps members acquired entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to be independent.

    Ukagha said that most of the corps members in the batch demonstrated unalloyed patriotism during the service year, and were worthy ambassadors of their fatherland.

    The coordinator called on them to build on the existing foundation of the scheme by contributing their quota to the development of the country.

    One of the corps members, Miss Ibitoye Abiola, with registration No. EK/16B/0580 advised her fellow corps members to utilise the skills acquired during the service year to become self-reliant.

    NAN

  • Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said his administration would commission the State’s General Hospital in Otuo before December 25, 2017.

    He stated this in Afuze during his state-wide thank-you-tour of Owan East and West local government areas of the state.

    Earlier in Owan West local council, the governor expressed his readiness to reconstruct the Sobe – Sabongida Road and disclosed that the state government has received approval from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to reconstruct the road.

    He assured that the contractor handling the Okpoji Road project will be mobilised to commence work on the Sobe-Sabongida Road after completing work on the former.

    “Owan West is the only local government council that is disconnected from the state capital. We will ensure the people are re-connected,” he said.

    He promised that work will commence early next year on the Federal Institute of Vocational Training, Uzzeba, to equip youths from the area with skills that will make them employable, while 500 hectares of land will be added to Sobe Farm to provide jobs for the youths.

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the local council, West Tunde Omoruwa, commended the governor for translating his victory at the polls and the tribunal to better life for Edo people.

    He commended the governor for the agricultural revolution in the state and thanked him for setting up Sobe Farm. “We appeal that the Sobe Primary Health Care Center be upgraded to a hospital with a resident doctor,” he said.

    Obaseki further said that Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma road has been awarded for re-construction and noted that the priority of his administration is to create jobs for Edo people and make life better for them.

    He maintained that Afuze Technical College is top priority for his administration and said that work will commence in January 2018.

    “Owan East has a lot of potential in mining and we have a consultant recommended by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, that will work with us. We will also explore the potential of Owan East for the production of cashew nuts.”

    Chairman of the APC in Owan East LGA, Chief Edeki Roland, appealed to the governor to re-construct Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma Road; Uokha-Ohanmi-Arokho; Ihievbe-Ihievbe Ogbe and Ivbiaro-Warrake-Egeunu roads.

  • NDE trains 100 youths in vocational skills to reduce unemployment

    NDE trains 100 youths in vocational skills to reduce unemployment

    The National Directorate of Employment ( NDE ) says that 100 youths are currently benefiting from the Federal Government’s Empowerment programme on Vocational skills in 36 states and the FCT to reduce unemployment in the country.

    Mr Nasiru Mohammed, the Director-General of said this on Thursday at the sensitisation programme of trainees on the B-NOAS, under the vocational skills development department in Abuja.

    The director-general was represented by, Mrs Edna Ngozi, the FCT Coordinator.

    Mohammed said the NDE organised the training to enable the trainees acquire pre knowledge of the intensive training that would last for three months.

    He added that the training began in October and it would end in December 2017.

    He said the participants would be trained in catering, interior decoration, fashion designing and computer training.

    He that NDE saw a great self employment opportunities for all unemployed and underemployed youths in skills market demand that was waiting to be tapped.

    “God has blessed you with untapped skills that you need to look inwards too and give your time to get gold out in other to make a difference.

    “I, therefore, urge you all to embrace this great opportunity to acquire the skills that will create profitable employment for you and offer employment to others in the long run.”

    Mohammed said the training was another milestone in the continuous efforts of the NDE to explore all avenues at combating the problem of unemployment and underemployment in the country.

    He said the NDE as an apex of employment generating agency of government had over the years employed policies that cuts across various spheres of job creation.

    “The practical attachment and skills acquisition will ensure that our young men and women after graduation have added advantage to be competitive and innovative in the market place of wealth creation.’’

    He, however, urged all participants to make sure they attend the classes and take the training seriously and not just see it as ordinary training but as life changing opportunity.

    Miss Chidima Osuagwu, one of the trainees, who responded on behalf of others, commended NDE for the privileged given to them and assured that the training would be put to effective use.

    She also appealed to other trainees to use the opportunity towards moving the country forward.

    NAN