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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • I won’t stop taking penalties, says Chelsea’s Abraham after Super Cup miss

    Tammy Abraham is ready to step up and take another penalty after his effort was saved by Liverpool’s Adrian in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul on Wednesday night.

    The 21-year-old was consoled by team-mates after his miss as Liverpool lifted the trophy following the 2-2 draw in Besiktas Stadium.

     “I’m always someone who believes in myself on penalties,” Abraham said in Istanbul.

    “I had a few last season and a few important ones. Unfortunately today, probably one of my most important ones, I missed. It’s about how I react and just get my head up.

    “I need to keep going. I’ve scored a few. Unfortunately, I missed one of the most important ones for Chelsea. Keep going.

    “They say the top players always miss penalties and it’s about how you react. I’ve just got to keep pushing myself.

    “The boys have made it feel like nothing has even happened. Everyone’s had their arms around me. They’ve said the best players miss, it’s something to learn from. It’s better it happened now than later on. You grow into a man and learn from it.

    “It’s a great bunch of boys. Now we’ve just got to focus on the game against Leicester.”

  • El-Zakzaky back after shunning treatment in India

    BARRING the unforeseen, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were expected back in Nigeria last night.

    They left the Madenta Hospital, New Delhi, India, where they were taken to receive treatment after a Kaduna State High Court granted them leave on medical grounds.

    But the Shiite leader rejected the doctors assigned to treat him at the Medanta hospital in New Delhi.

    The leader of the IMN, his wife and his entourage departed New Delhi in a commercial airline at 5pm (Nigerian time) yesterday, the IMN said in a statement last night.

    In a video message sent through his office, the Sheikh said it was decided that they should return to Nigeria.

    A top member of the Islamic Human Right Commission (IHRC) which negotiated the medical treatment in India, said the Federal Government’s interference is the direct cause of the impasse that led to the IMN’s leader and wife’s return to Nigeria.

    The statement by the President of IMN Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said: “Following lack of breakthrough in the impasse that ensued in the treatment in New Delhi of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, it is now confirmed that the Sheikh is on his way back to Abuja, Nigeria.

    “In a video message sent through his office, the Sheikh said it was decided that they will be taken to the airport to be flown back to Nigeria. He has left Delhi by 17:00 Nigerian time.

    “He prayed that may that be the best option in the circumstances. The Nigerian government’s interference and scuttling of the whole process rather than supervision as ordered by the court is the direct cause of the impasse. The government never wanted the medical leave in the first place, and did whatever to stop it by all means possible.”

    A top member of the IMN, Yahaya Muhammad Soje, told our correspondent that El-Zakzaky and his wife had expressed dissatisfaction over the treatment provided by the doctors and also with the alleged threats by security operatives.

    He added that: “The security officials refused to allow the doctors he requested to treat him and his wife. As I am speaking with you now they are preparing to return to Nigeria this night.”

    Read Also: FG urges Nigerians to disregard El-Zakzaky claims

    El-Zakzaky arrived in India on Tuesday with their relatives, security operatives and government officials.

    After medical examination, doctors diagnosed that El-Zakzaky is suffering about eight ailments, including glaucoma, symptoms of Ischemic heart disease, which could lead to Myocardial infraction, severe cervical spondylosis which has resulted to nerve root compression and causing insomnia, among others.

    He also has pellets lodged in his body since the 2015 clash with soldiers in Zaria. These pellets are said to be causing lead poisoning in his blood.

    The Federal Government on Wednesday disagreed with the IMN claim that its leader was being treated like a criminal in India.

    In a statement, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Grace Isu Gekpe, said El-Zakzaky started to act against laid down procedures during a stopover in Dubai, en route New Delhi.

    She said the IMN leader demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds on arrival at the hospital.

    The permanent secretary also alleged that El-Zakzaky requested to be allowed to check into a five-star hotel instead of being admitted in the hospital.

  • Alleged N3b fraud: EFCC seizes Head of Service Oyo-Ita’s passports

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international and diplomatic passports of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who is under investigation for alleged N3billion fraud.

    Mrs. Oyo-Ita’s movement has been restricted to the country pending the conclusion of investigation.

    In continuation of the investigation, the EFCC may invite three Permanent Secretaries and some Directors of Procurement for interaction over some contracts awarded to firms with link to the Head of Service.

    According to investigation by our correspondent, the EFCC decided to restrict Oyo-Ita’s movement so that she can be available for another round of interrogation.

    Although she is hospitalized having complained of being ill, sources said security operatives had been deployed to monitor her movement in the Abuja hospital

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “The latest about the ongoing investigation is that the EFCC has seized the international and diplomatic passports of the Head of Service.

    “In line with normal investigative procedure, we need to restrict her movement to the country to enable her attend more interrogation sessions which have been lined up for her.

    “We are monitoring her progress in the hospital until she is stable enough to come for another round of grilling.”

    The source added: “We may invite some Permanent Secretaries and others because our investigation shows fresh clues during analysis of letters of award of contracts in some ministries, departments and agencies.

    “All the accounts of the affected companies have been placed under watch till they are clear of any infraction.”

    It was learnt that prior to her arrest, there had been complaints about Civil Servants’ Group Life Insurance Scheme (GLIS), which the Federal Government voted N16billion for.

    Some civil servants faulted the management of the insurance scheme which they have not benefitted from.

    Read Also: N3b ‘fraud’: EFCC quizzes Head of Service Oyo-Ita

    It was confirmed that the GLIS was enmeshed in controversy over alleged under-hand deals by some underwriters.

    It was gathered that some of those aggrieved have asked the EFCC to look into challenges on GLIS.

    Another source added: “The EFCC is aware of issues on GLIS but we have not reached this bend. Our focus is on alleged abuse of office and contract scam involving some proxy companies.

    “We will ensure a comprehensive investigation and we will be fair to all. We accorded the Head of Service much respect befitting her status. We will soon release the details of our findings.”

    But Mrs. Oyo-Ita explained that she had no hand in the management of the N16billion.

    About two and half weeks ago, she said: “The GLIS was set up to be able to ensure that government meets up with benefits of any civil or public servant who, in the process of doing his work as a civil servant, loses his or her life.

    “This GLIS is the policy that is carried out with underwriters; these underwriters are being regulated by the National Insurance Commission (NIC). The NIC regulates premiums that are paid to these underwriters and the last group life programme was actually handled by the sub-committee of cabinet chaired by the then Minister of Finance.

    “The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and approval was given for that programme to be implemented.

    “The fund for that programme is always domiciled with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “The only thing that the Head of Service does is to compile the names of all the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that are to be under the group life policy.

    “For someone to say that N16 billion has gone missing in my office is strange to me and to many others who understand how the GLIS works.”

  • Govt to set up marriage registries nationwide

    THE Federal Government has stated its intention to set up marriage registries in the 36 state capitals in the country. This, it said, would ensure uniformity in the conduct of statutory marriages across the country.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, broke the news on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the River State capital, while opening a sensitisation conference on the conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria, with the theme: Achieving Harmonious Compliance in the Conduct of Statutory Marriage in Nigeria.

    She said arrangements were also underway to establish new Federal marriage registries in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, and Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to address the challenges faced by couples in the Southsouth and Southeast.

    Ehuriah said: “The ministry is presently considering some of the recommendations made by stakeholders in the course of the conference, like extending the validity period for licences issued to places of worship for the celebration of marriages as well as downward review of the fees payable by couples for the conduct of statutory marriages in Federal marriage registries.”

    Read Also: Fed Govt moves to harmonise marriage certificates

    She added that “a machinery has also been put in place for the amendment of the Marriage Act to adequately meet the needs of the 21st century”.

    The Registrar General of Marriages in Nigeria said arrangements were being made to give couples, whose certificate were not issued in line with the Act, the opportunity to bring them to conformity.

    According to her, the ministry is exploring the possibility of integrating the marriage registries operated by local government areas into its online platform to make them conform with the Marriage Act.

    A statement by the Director (Press and Public Relations) in the ministry, Mohammed Manga, quoted the Director of Citizenship and Business Department, Mr. Stephen Okon, as saying the conference was necessitated by the challenges faced by citizens because of wrong documentation of their marriages.

    The director said this had led to series of litigations.

    According to him, the conference is aimed at creating more awareness on issues surrounding the conduct of valid statutory marriage as well as bringing about conformity with the law and uniformity in the activities of the marriage registries across the nation.

    Okon called for synergy among stakeholders to build a harmonious collaboration that would help in resolving issues militating against the sanctity in the conduct and documentation of statutory marriages in the country.

    The event marked the end of the first round of the workshop on the conduct of statutory marriages in the country.

    It had earlier been held in Abuja and Lagos for the North and Western zones.

     

  • Fajemirokun emerges AIICO’s boss

    AIICO Insurance Plc has  announced Mr Babatunde Fajemirokun as its new Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from Aug. 14.

    A statement said the new development came on the heels of Fajemirokun’s approval by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

    The underwriting firm said prior to Fajemrokun’s appointment, Mr Edwin Igbiti was the Managing Director and CEO of the company until July 11 adding that he led the company meritoriously for 27 years.

    According to AIICO, Fajemirokun holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Chicago with a concentration in Finance, a Master Degree in Business Information Technology System from the University of Strathclyde.

    He has BA (Hons) degree in Business Economics from the Glasgow Caledonian University.

    “He is also a qualified associate (ACII) of the Charted Institute of Insurance (UK and Nigeria) with a Chartered Status (Chartered Insurer), he is also a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD),” the company said.

     

  • Teacher emerges millionaire on Betway’s AFCON Jackpot

    A 26-year-old classroom teacher, Temitope A, has become N2 million richer after winning Betways’ African Cup of Nations prediction jackpot.

    Betway, an internationally recognised and reliable online betting provider, had offered bettors on its platform a chance to win big by predicting multiple games during the recently concluded football competition hosted in Egypt.

    Temitope, a dedicated football fan, was one of many bettors who grabbed the unique opportunity offered by Betway to predict games for free. The Osun State native couldn’t believe his luck when he was notified of his win from the betting platform he says he has been using since 2018.

    Read Also: AFCON 2019: A competition of numbers

    “I was very very happy… I wanted to scream but I was invigilating in an exam hall,” the Arsenal fan says after receiving his money.

    Temitope says he intends to continue using Betway as the betting platform is one of the bookies with the highest odds for bettors and a reliable payment structure.

    “I deposited in my account yesterday. I am now waiting to select some good games for the new football season,” he added.

     

     

     

  • ‘325 Corpers benefit from BoI’s N540m loan’

    THE Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Friday said the Bank of Industry (BoI) has given loan of N540 million to 325 corps members who are entrepreneurs under the scheme’s Graduate Empowerment Fund.

    He also said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with Heritage Bank has disbursed another N15million to seven corps members under the NYSC/ CBN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP).

    The DG said 1,132,409 corps members have so far been equipped with Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) package of the scheme.

    He spoke at a media parley with editors and reporters in Abuja.

    Read Also: NYSC boss wants corpers to be security conscious

    He said: “The SAED was established in 2012 with the mandate to drive the scheme’s collaboration with various stakeholders toward addressing the problem of graduate youth unemployment.

    “The scheme is collaborating with national and international organisations toward providing material, technical and financial support for the programme.

    “So far, 1,132,409 corps members have been sensitised and over 70,000 have undergone various forms of skills training.

    “The BoI-NYSC Graduate Empowerment Fund, which is a product of our partnership with the Bank of Industry, is yielding encouraging results with the sum of over N540 million so far disbursed as loans to 325 corps entrepreneurs.

     

     

  • Kyari urges professionals on pipeline security

    THE Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has tasked members of the Pipelines Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN) to come up with appropriate technology to stem the current challenges associated with oil and gas pipelines vandalism.

    A statement from the oil firm on Thursday stated that Kyari threw the challenge while playing host to the executive members of PLAN who paid him a courtesy visit at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

    He noted that security and integrity of pipelines were a big challenge in the industry, and called on all stakeholders to collaborate to arrest the situation.

    “For us, what is of concern is the safety and security of our existing infrastructure, beyond just laying and maintaining the pipelines, their security is an issue for us today, the Association needs to focus on that, and we can ensure greater efficiency. We count on you in that regard because about 70 per cent of pipelines in the country belongs to NNPC,” the GMD stated.

    Read Also: Fuel import to end in 2023, says Kyari

    He said the corporation was working in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to optimise the participation of Nigerians in pipeline construction and to get more value from them.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of PLAN, Mr. Geoff Onuoha, assured the GMD of their support while expressing their readiness to work with him to actualise his vision for the industry.

    “You want this industry to work well, you have made it clear that you want the refineries to work. Pipelines are the critical arteries to the refineries, we want to let you know that we are willing to work with you,” Mr. Onuoha said.

    On his part, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, Engr. Chidi Izuwa, said there was need to infuse private capital in pipeline infrastructure, adding that his commission was ready to collaborate with NNPC to drive investment in the pipeline sub-sector using the public private partnership (PPP) and concessions models.

    “We are going to work closely as PLAN, as ICRC, with NNPC to achieve this very objective which is in tandem with the objective of this administration”, Izuwa stated.

  • Minimum wage: no worker should be cheated, says Wabba

    THE President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has assured workers, especially those in the states and local government, the group will do everything to ensure that they are not short-changed in any way in the payment of the new national minimum wage.

    Wabba who spoke in an interview in Abuja  on Thursday also lashed out at the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbulue for deliberately stirring controversy that labour leaders were delaying the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Wabba who was reacting to media reports quoting on the implementation of the minimum wage wondered how workers and their leaders who have been agitating for the implementation of the wages would be the ones delaying its implementation.

    He said: “Despite the fact that the NLC and TUC are not directly driving the process of consequential adjustment, the process is ongoing. This morning, the report I read from the joint Public Service Negotiating Council is that they are meeting and if there is any stalemate, we will be informed and we will step in to assist them.

    “I think they have also made the details of their discussions public. So, for anybody on that table to come out and say Labour is delaying the process is not saying the obvious.

    “Workers are becoming more concerned and we are becoming concerned because a process must have an end for workers to benefit from the system. How can a worker or union who is at the receiving end be said to be delaying the process? For us, we wanted this money to be in the pocket of workers long before now.”

    He said he got across to the unions and they have told him what the process is on and that they have not delayed the process in any way. According to him, what they want is to ensure that it is a win-win situation and that what is added is not just peanuts, but should take into consideration some of the challenges the workers are  passing through in the last eight years, especially the cost of goods and services.

    “Let the increase be commensurate with the challenges. That is what the Joint Councils is trying to do and if they have challenges, they will revert to us,”he said.

    Read Also: Minimum wage battle is not over, says Wabba

    On arrears of the minimum wage will be paid to workers when the implementation finally commences, he said the effective date remained the one signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. “I am not aware of any change in that. What I am aware of is that it become effective the day it becomes a law and that is what we rely on,” Wabba said.

    Reminded of the concerns from workers in the state as a result of the attitude of some of the stage governors, Wabba said: “From the perspective of labour, we will work assiduously with all our state councils and all our structures to make sure no worker is surcharged in any way.

    “That is the commitment that we will all try to make. People would want to conserve resources, but I think that we must realise the centrality of the challenge the workers have passed through especially with the high cost of goods and services and the lack of purchasing power.”

    He however described the youths of any nation as its assets, stressing that more opportunities should be created for them by the government to excel

    He said: “Most times, we complain that we are not doing well because our youth population is on the high side. But we have seen many countries around the world that have population more than our own and are doing well. So, what I think is lacking is for us to plan the more.

    “We know that our population growth is around three per cent. That means that we have to plan to accommodate the population increase. We should not lament and use that as an excuse.

    “In fact, the population should be seen as an asset. I just came back from Japan where they are complaining of an aging population and are praying to have a youthful population. That is to tell you that it is the youthful population that will be able to make the difference.”

  • Masters Energy Group repositions for excellence

    THE  board of  Masters Energy Group has constituted a new management following the  resignation of Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah from the board.

    This follows the appointment of Dr Ogah as Minister Designate  to represent Abia State by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The ministerial appointment follows Ogah’s several grand achievements in business and his myriad contributions to the nation and Abia State in particular.

    The board had appointed Barr. (Mrs) Patience Dappa as Acting Group Managing Director/CEO, following the resignation of Dr Ogah who accepted the invitation to contest as the Governor of Abia State under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ogah had announced his decision to step down as the president of his business enterprise, Masters Energy, while proceeding to contest in accordance with the laws of the country that require any person aspiring to public office to step down from whatever enterprise he/she was engaged in the public sector/private sector before  assumption of public office.