The Nation Newspaper

Tag: signs

  • Lalong signs 146b budget

    Lalong signs 146b budget

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has signed the 2018 budget of N146 billion.

    He called on citizens to cooperate with the government in internal revenue generation to finance the budget.

    Lalong said: “Having listened carefully to the synopsis of this bill, especially as it pertains to its financing, may I, therefore, state categorically that there is need for all agencies of government to rise to the challenge of remitting revenues appropriately, failure of which our aim of rescuing our people and consolidating on the gains already achieved becomes a mirage.

    “It is my belief that with commitment, financial prudence and resilience, we will together, achieve what has been earmarked for this fiscal year.

    “While the government fulfils its own side of the bargain, the people need to reciprocate by paying their taxes and other levies as and when due. More so, the government alone cannot do it, as no man is capable of clapping with one hand.”

    The budget shows an increase of N918 million, representing 0.63 per cent from the initial N145.5 billion presented to the Assembly.

    The governor said the increase followed the inclusion of money for constituency projects and other critical areas.

    Capital expenditure will cost N70.5 billion, representing 48.16 per cent while N75.9 billion, representing 51.84 per cent, would go for recurrent expenditure.

  • Signs of 2019?

    Events in the polity last week were probably the toughest for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo since he became Vice President. The happenings, which occurred in quick sequences, must have presented Osinbajo a test case to prove to those in doubt, or with ulterior motives, that he was fully in charge in his capacity as Acting President of the federal republic.

    What appeared to be the problem started last Tuesday when the Senate resolved to ask the Acting President to immediately implement its resolutions, which included the removal of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

    Failing to comply, the Senate resolved to suspend confirmation of nominees until issues relating to the power of the Senate to confirm executive nominees as contained in the constitution are resolved. The Senate also resolved to ask Osinbajo to withdraw a statement credited to him that the Senate lacked the powers to confirm nominees.

    But Osinbajo through Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, last Thursday insisted that the status quo must remain in the appointment of Magu as EFCC Chairman. Like President Buhari, Osinbajo believed that Magu holds the key to eradicating corruption in Nigeria.

    Osinbajo, at the commissioning of the EFCC zonal office in Kaduna, said: “We have every confidence in Magu to fight corruption to a standstill. He would remain the EFCC chairman as long as I remain the acting President and as well as Muhammadu Buhari remains the President.

    “It is our belief that Magu would continue to remain a nightmare for corrupt people for years to come.

    “Mr Chairman, two weeks ago, I discussed the EFCC and your appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and he told me he has every confidence in you and every confidence in the commission and the work that you have been doing, and as long as he is president you remain the chairman of the EFCC,” he said.

    But before Osinbajo’s declaration, some Nigerians appeared to be confused with the tunes that came out from the Presidency last week Wednesday.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said “Our understanding is that some remarks made by the Acting President some months ago when he was the Vice-President, because the President was around at that time, an opinion he gave is being misconstrued.

    “A senior lawyer in the country offered an opinion, in which he said some categories of public officers, traditionally cleared by the National Assembly, need not go through that process, that those ones can be appointed through presidential fiat; they don’t have to go through screening.

    “But several months ago, in his position as Vice-President, Prof. Osinbajo gave a personal opinion, saying what this lawyer said makes sense.

    “There is no official position by the government of Nigeria, and the Federal Executive Council never sat down to take a decision to say that some categories of officials will not be sent to the National Assembly any longer.

    “The authority of the Senate, under the Constitution to screen and pass nominees, has never been questioned by the government or the Federal Executive Council.

    “From the time the Vice-President gave that opinion till now, more than 20 nominations have been forwarded to the Senate and quite a number of them have been screened, sworn in and are now occupying positions.

    “Therefore, this is not a big issue as some people want to make it. The party, government and the National Assembly will sit at a round table and this matter will be discussed and resolved.” he stated

    Fielding questions from journalists on the rift between the executive and the legislature after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed simply said that the matter, which came up during FEC, was being addressed.

    At the same press briefing, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami also responded to the question, saying: “The fundamental consideration about the alleged statement is the fact that at no point ever did the Federal Executive Council sit down to arrive at the decision in one way or the other as far as the issue of nomination or otherwise is concerned.

    “So I do not think it constitutes an issue for the Federal Executive Council to make any clarification about because it has never been considered by the FEC. So the Minister of Information will throw more light on the matter.” he said.

    By the time Malami’s remark was interpreted to mean that he disagreed with the Acting President on the matter, he had no option but to issue a press statement to clarify his earlier remarks.

    In the new statement, Malami said “It has come to my notice that a number of media organisations have been distorting and misreporting the proceedings of yesterday’s (July 5, 2017) Federal Executive Council (FEC) press briefing, and suggesting that the Presidency ‘disowned’ the Acting President on a matter relating to a presidential nomination.

    “As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, I would like to make it categorically clear that: The President – and in this case the Acting President – is the Presidency, and therefore cannot be disowned by the Presidency.

    “All matters relating to Presidential Appointments and Nominations are strictly a matter for the Presidency to handle. They are not for the Federal Executive Council, and are therefore not discussed at FEC level. This was the point I made yesterday at the press briefing, and which was unfortunately distorted by the media.

    “I would like to appeal to the media to take seriously its responsibility to inform the public honestly and accurately, to refrain from distorting or sensationalizing the news, and to seek clarification when in doubt,” he added

    While Osinbajo has given the final Presidency’s position on Magu’s appointment, some Nigerians have wondered why the issue resurfaced last Tuesday.

    Everything became normal in March following President Buhari’s insistence on Magu after he was rejected twice by the Senate.

    The Senate, which then was threatening to stop screening and confirmation of all nominees, soft-pedaled and continued with its assignment. With that, it was thought that the hatchet had been buried, only for the threat to resurface last Tuesday.

    Political watchers are now, however, divided whether the new threat was purely for the good course of the functions of the Senate or corruption fighting back. Others also wondered whether it was part of a grand manoeuvering towards 2019 general election.

    But only time will really tell what the true motives of the latest resolutions are.

  • Chinese agency signs MOU with Nigerian businessmen

    Chinese agency signs MOU with Nigerian businessmen

    The Shanghai Plutuo Federation of Industry and Commerce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria-China Friendship Association (NICAF).

    A NICAF trustee and former Director, Asia and Pacific in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adegboyega Ariwo, said the MoU was in furtherance of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Nigeria and China in January 2006.

    “It is to translate the Strategic Partnership Agreement into more meaningful, people-to-people interaction.

    “So, the business people and the industrialists are using this forum to put into effect the ideas of the Federal Government that there should be deeper economic engagement between Nigeria and China.

    “This MoU is part of the people-to-people engagement,” he said.

    Leader of the Chinese delegation Huang Haiping said through the MoU, Nigerian and Chinese businessmen can collaborate on areas of investment, such as agriculture and small-scale industries.

    “We’ll get more Chinese investors, who have funds to invest, to come to Nigeria. The MoU will further strengthen the economic ties between Nigeria and China,” he said.

    NICAF Chairman Jacob Wood said Nigeria needs more investment in food production, adding that more investment in agriculture will create employment.

  • PDP: Gulak and the signs of things to come

    PDP: Gulak and the signs of things to come

    The worst is not over yet for the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) as its chieftains continue the seemingly endless battle for the control of the troubled party. And if what happened at the national secretariat last Wednesday is anything to go by, the party is indeed bedeviled.

    Former Political Adviser to former President Goodkuck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, had stormed the secretariat with his supporters and installed himself the national chairman of the party.

    Ably supported by the likes of former Senior Special Adviser, Public Affairs, to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Gulak moved to the National Working Committee (NWC) Conference Hall, to address journalists, using the chair of the National Chairman.

    He said a high court had thrown out an application by the PDP and the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, which sought to stop a previous ruling demanding that Secondus vacates office within 14 days.

    What is left to be seen is how the Secondus-led leadership of the party will unseat Gulak after the palace coup.

  • Ex-Sharks’ Abutu signs for Moldovan club

    Ex-Sharks’ Abutu signs for Moldovan club

    Former Sharks midfielder Jonah Abutu has signed a two-year deal with Moldovan side CSF Speranta Nisporeni, subject to a work permit.

    The 26-year-old, who has also played for Enyimba FC, Dolphins, Lobi Stars and Bayelsa United, has been in Moldova with the team after leaving NPFL side FC Taraba, a few weeks before the Glo Premier League ended.

    He has already played in a test game for the side – a 2-2 draw in a recent friendly – and said he is excited with the new adventure.

    “I’m happy to have signed for Speranta and we are still hoping the work permit comes through so I can get into the action when the league resumes next year,” Abutu told supersport.com.

    “I played for FC Taraba before I came to Moldova to train with the team and I earned a contract. I’m happy God has made it possible.

    “They are a decent and ambitious side and I believe I can help the team do well and win. It’s a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it. Right now my major challenge is to understand the language and how the team sets up tactically. Once I do that I’ll be ready to go.”

    CSF Speranta Nisporeni are placed fourth on the Divizia Nationala table with 25 points from 15 matches.

  • Kalu Uche signs for Indian club

    Kalu Uche signs for Indian club

    Through official channels, FC Pune City have announced that they have strengthened their offensive options with the signing of  Kalu Uche for the 2015 season.

    Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported three weeks ago that an Indian Super League football franchise were exploring ways to sign the Super Eagles forward without revealing the identity of the club in order not to derail negotiations.

    Speaking after the transfer was completed, Kalu Uche said : “Seeing some of the top footballers signed up with FC Pune City, I felt this would be a great opportunity as well a new challenge for me.

    “I hope to share my experience with the Indian boys and help the team become champions. ”

    Kalu Uche last played for Spanish side Levante but has had spells with teams in Turkey, France, Poland, Switzerland and Qatar.

  • Western Union signs payment pact with Skype

    Western Union signs payment pact with Skype

    Western Union, a global money transfer company, has announced an agreement that allows for Skype customers to replenish their accounts at more than 50,000 Western Union Agent locations throughout the United States.

    A report by payments.com said Skype Credit, the payment service that enables calls to mobile and landlines worldwide — as well as text messages to mobile — on the Microsoft-owned video, voice chat and messaging service, is now able to be topped up through the Western Union Quick Collect service.

    The service facilitates consumer-to-business payments. While Skype-to-Skype calls are free, Skype Credit is required to call landline or mobile numbers.

    Western Union President for the Americas and European Union, Odilon Almeida, said, “The relationship is a logical one, as both Western Union and Skype have a mission to connect people when they are apart. Western Union is optimising its money transfer system to link cash and digital for money movement and payments across the globe. We are driving our innovation on the back of what our customers want. Skype is a classic example; where customers can enjoy full digital access with a walk-in payment option.”

    Director of Business Development at Microsoft, Enrico Noseda, said: “Through Skype, Western Union customers can stay in touch with loved ones to let them know about money transfers and share everyday experiences,” said.

    Western Union’s Skype partnership comes just a few weeks after it announced a new partnership with Hyperwallet, and a few months after Western Union announced it would accept Apple Pay at several flagship locations.

  • Signs your body needs to detox urgently

    Signs your body needs to detox urgently

    Detoxification is the process of eliminating harmful or toxic substances in the body. When you’re frequently fatigued, experiencing indigestion, and getting constipated a lot of times, these could signal that your body is screaming at you for a full body cleansing. Your body will tell you whether or not it is in dire need of detox; you just have to look for the following signs:

     

    • Insomnia: If you can’t sleep at night, this may mean the time for you to get a full body cleansing.

     

    • Lethargy: Since you can’t get enough sleep, you may be lethargic throughout the day. It may have been days since you last went jogging because it has been difficult for you to get up every morning. You can regain the lost energy by detoxification.

     

    • Stress: Sometimes stress hinders your ability to sleep soundly. It can also be a sign that you need a full body cleansing. Remove toxins, such as alcohol, caffeine and sugar to start reducing stress from your system.

     

    • Mental Fog: If you can’t seem to concentrate and you can’t seem to keep up with a conversation, you’re probably experiencing brain fogginess.

     

    • Weight gain: If you are overweight, this could signal that you have a toxic body. This is because you may have loaded it with preservatives, junk food, and alcohol. Start detoxifying to eliminate these harmful toxins and get back into shape.

     

    • Body Odour: You pass gas more frequently than normal; you have bad breath and you stink. These are signs that you need to detoxify, especially if you take care of yourself, but it does not seem to help.

     

    • Indigestion: If your stomach is bloated and you feel like you are pregnant, this could be a sign of indigestion. Frequent indigestion problems call for detox help.

     

    • Depression: if you’re not happy and you can’t explain why, your body may be telling you it is full of toxins. Note that your mood can change when you eat the wrong kinds of food.

    You can start detoxification by means of juice cleanses where you use fruit juices and vegetables. You can also use nut milks, seasonal soups, and warm teas for your juice cleanse. There are many of these juice cleanses that you can buy at your favorite stores today and you can choose the number of days for cleansing.

    Another way is through DIY full body cleanse where you give up meat, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, soy, and processed foods for three days at the very least. If you think your body has too much toxins, go for a two-week detoxification process.

     

    •Source: www.organicmedic.com

  • Babcock signs e-learning pact with EDUTECH

    Babcock signs e-learning pact with EDUTECH

    Babcock University and Edutech Advanced Business Solutions, a private education technology company championing e-learning in Nigeria, have signed an agreement to deploy e-learning solutions for some of the university’s programmes.

    • Prof Makinde (left) with Mr Bunmi Akinyemiju, Group Managing Director, Venture Garden Group at the event.
    • Prof Makinde (left) with Mr Bunmi Akinyemiju, Group Managing Director, Venture Garden Group at the event.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock, Prof. James Kayode Makinde, said the platform would make education more accessible.

    “E-learning is the way of the future and we are delighted to be a part of it. It is a significant day for Babcock, and not just Babcock, but for Nigeria as well because this development makes education accessible, available and affordable.

    “The e-learning programme would also allow Babcock quadruple its student population whilst still maintaining existing infrastructure because students will be able to have access to education without necessarily being in the classroom,” he said.

    General Manager of Edutech, Prof. Abiola Awosika, said the company is supporting institutions to roll-out their distance learning programmes through its e-learning solutions.

    “We are working with schools across Nigeria to provide the vital logistical components of their online programmes, including comprehensive student support services from orientation to enrolment and through to graduation; as well as practical learning experiences within distant communities around the country,” he said.

    The MoU kicks off a series of activities to prepare the university for the eLearning programme. These include setting up of the hosting and networking infrastructure, course content digitizing and video lecture capture.

    All of these deployments will create a suitable environment for the constant functioning of eLearning channels and materials to ensure 24-hours accessibility.

    Upon the National University Commission’s (NUC) approval, Prof Makinde said courses for the university’s distance learning programme will be announced.

  • Jonathan signs HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination law

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has signed the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014 into law.

    The assent is a reflection of the country’s commitment to stopping all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV.

    National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Director-General,  Prof John Idoko was  excited  by the development saying: “A landmark legislation that makes provisions for the prevention of HIV-related discrimination and provides for access to healthcare and other services. It also provides for protection of the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV and those affected by AIDS in Nigeria.  The new law is a source of renewed hope that all acts of discrimination against people living with HIV such as recruitment and termination of employment, denial of access to services including healthcare, education, association and other social services will be quickly reduced and ultimately ended.”

    Prof Idoko said: “The law is the latest addition to Nigeria’s commitment to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. During the past four years alone, close to four million pregnant women were tested for HIV and now know their status, while 8.2 million adults in the general population were tested. By 2013, the number of HIV infections had declined by 35 per cent and Nigeria is pursuing efforts to stop new infections altogether. The number of sites providing services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV increased from 675 in 2010 to 5,622 in 2013.”

    The Chief Communications Officer, NACA, Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe said: “The government of Nigeria remains fully committed to improving the health of Nigerians and getting to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination. Ultimately, Nigeria will be able to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”