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  • Foundation awards scholarship to 121 students at ATBU

    The Nura Manu foundation established by philanthropist Alh. Nura Manu Soro  has paid the  tuition  of 121 students at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU),  Bauchi.
    Alh.  Nura Manu Soro who is the Chairman of the foundation disclosed this on Monday,  while interacting with the beneficiaries who paid him a  visit at his residence.
    He explained that 116 out of the beneficiaries are degree students while the remaining five were supported to enroll into masters degree programs.

    Read Also:Minimum wage: FG can’t cheat workers – Labour

    He said the foundation has also received 70 applications from students of the federal Polytechnic Bauchi.
    He promised the gesture would not be restricted to only tertiary institutions in the state but will be extended to all needy indigents of the state studying in various schools across the country.
    Soro stated that the scholarship being awarded by the foundation is purely for tuition fees.
    He noted it is meant for students that secured admissions into tertiary institutions but cannot pay tuition fees.
    ” Both applications, selections and verification will be carried out through a local committee. At the tertiary level, it includes students, religious leaders and a representative from students affairs office. Applicants should write the names of their three referees who must be known people in their localities”.
    ” Further verification is to be carried out at the foundation Secretariat. The foundation is purely cashless and makes payments directly to schools accounts and not individuals”. He said.
    He said forms have been distributed to emirs, district heads, local government Secretariats and students affairs offices of schools across the state for the less privileged students.
    One of the beneficiaries, Jabir adamu Abdulhamid of the ATBU university, who spoke on behalf of the others, expressed gratitude to the foundation.
    He said having struggled to get to university most of them engage in menial jobs to pay for their tuition.

  • …as Secondus urges more prayers

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has urged Nigerians to use the Easter period to intensify their prayers and be assured that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is for justice.

    Secondus, in an Easter message released yesterday by his media adviser, Ike Abonyi, said that Nigerians should not allow the prevailing hardship in the country and the “unjust” outcome of the 2019 election affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence.

    The PDP chairman noted that the country is clearly under siege from all corners, saying however that the period of Easter provides good opportunity for Nigerians to pray more to God to send succour to alleviate their sufferings.

    He urged Nigerians to use this year’s Easter festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for the desired national development.

    “We must allow the spirit of this season embedded in love, charity and forgiveness to control our thoughts and actions as we seek God’s face for our country

    “Nigeria’s Christians must allow the solemnness of the last 40 days of fasting and prayers to influence their thoughts and actions in relating with one another,” the statement added.

    According to him, the Lenten period that just ended offered incalculable lessons in love, humility and forgiveness which should guide our way of living irrespective of religion, ethnic and political differences and help in ushering in a new and adorable era without bitterness and hatred.

    The party chairman admonished Nigerians to use this period to think deeply on the state of the nation with a view to finding a lasting solution to the country’s challenges.

  • Anambra to establish farm markets

    The Anambra State Government has announced plans to establish agro-farm markets in major cities across the state to encourage farmers to sell their produce and boost agriculture in the state.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export Afam Mbanefo, made this known while opening a Commodity Agricultural Forum (CAF) in Awka yesterday.

    The forum consists of agricultural stakeholders under the International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in the state.

    Mbanefo said the ministry was also working closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure that only certified and wholesome products were sold to consumers.

    “We have designed the structure and how it will work; we are creating platforms for farmers to key into businesses from their produce,” he said.

    Read also: Regulating Anambra’s obituary economy 

    Mbanefo also said the government planned to increase inputs disbursement to farmers in the state for the 2019 farming season, particularly farmers affected by the 2018 flood.

    “This year, we brought in lots of tractors and we are targeting rice, maize and cassava.

    “We have already profiled over 3,000 farmers, who will benefit more agro inputs in the coming weeks,” he said.

    The State Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Mr Nnamdi Agwuncha, said the forum was organised to enable stakeholders, including farmers, agro dealers, processors and marketers to share knowledge, showcase achievements and solve challenges.

    “Farmers in the state are not only making money but are also solving problems of food, unemployment, increased income and reducing poverty,” Agwuncha said.

    Also, Mrs Ngozi Ebue of Divine Destiny Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Anaku Community and Mrs Philomen Ekemezie of Amarachukwu Special Purpose Cooperative Society, Umueri community, lauded VCDP for their support.

    The beneficiaries, who shared testimonies of how their lives have been transformed through VCDP’s support, displayed produce, including rice flour, rice seeds, milled rice and cassava chin chin among others.

  • APC to Wike: leave Amaechi alone

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Chukwuemeka, has told Governor Nyesom Wike to leave Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi alone.

    Wike, after last week’s Supreme Court judgments, pleaded with Amaechi and other APC chieftains to join him to develop the state. He promised that court cases against APC members would be discontinued.

    But Eze, in a statement yesterday, said: “Wike’s broadcast, among other deficiencies, failed to address the critical issues bedevilling the state, especially insecurity and loss of value for human lives. The starting point for the governor ought to have been an unreserved apology to the people because he engineered the insecurity which has destroyed many communities.

    “Contrary to the erroneous impression contained in Wike’s broadcast, Amaechi has no case that Wike’s Attorney-General has to withdraw or recommend to be discontinued, as it is hypocritical to sit on a seat of the governor unjustly and look for who to hold peace parley with.

    Read also: Adelabu, APC get tribunal’s nod to inspect election materials

    “Neither the Transportation Minister nor the APC is the cause of the current bad governance in Rivers State. Wike, through his lack of vision and ineptitude, has turned the once economically bubbling, secure and peaceful state into a hotbed of cultism, killings, kidnapping and an unsafe haven. Persons who are responsible for the criminal activities are those who the governor and PDP are backing and protecting.”

    Chukwuemeka added that rather than waste time on empty broadcast, Wike should be preparing his defence at the tribunal “because the manipulated and massively-rigged elections would not stand”.

    He added: “It is sad that instead of Wike to address challenging issues confronting the people, he is dwelling so much on the crisis he ignited in Rivers APC, to his benefit.

    “While Wike was holding his state broadcast, medical doctors were protesting their unpaid seven-month salaries. Pensioners and civil servants are at a loss on who to present their plight of unpaid pensions and salaries months to.”

    The chieftain restated that pursuance of peace without social justice, mapping of strategies on job creation and elimination of hunger, amelioration of the plights of the civil servants, pensioners and most importantly strategies on restoration of security in Rivers State, would not bring about the desired results.

  • ‘NEPZA crying wolf over N14.3bn NSEZCO fund’

    A policy group in Nigeria has described the N14.3 billion diversions claims by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) as an attempt to mislead and misinform the public.

    The Global Economic Policy Initiative (GEPIn) said NEPZA is the clearest form of corruption in Nigeria and should be immediately investigated by Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC.

    Speaking to journalists in Asaba, Delta state, GEPIn President, Bernard Okri explained the N14.3 billion budgeted for Nigerian SEZ Investment Company Limited (NSEZCO) by the Federal Government is only a fraction of what is required for it to take off.

    “NEPZA is deliberately trying to mislead Nigerians with the false stories they are putting in the public space and as a seasoned economist, I can tell you that they have managed to get the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment to do their bidding at the detriment of Nigeria’s progress.

    Okri explained that NEPZA is a regulatory agency and cannot perform the duties of a facilitator. “NEPZA was established by Act No. 63 of 1992 as an agency of government with responsibility for licensing Free Zones and regulating the Free Zone Scheme in Nigeria. Does their power translate to poking their nose in NSEZCO beyond licensing? That is the questions Nigeria should be asking.”

    He noted that not many know that NSEZCO the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) is the shareholder, holding the Federal Government’s interest of 25% in NSEZCO while the balance of 75% is currently held in trust on behalf of other prospective shareholders.

    “AfDB and other big institutions hold the 75 percent stake in NSEZCO and they are instrumental to achieving the goals of industrialization in Nigeria.

    “NEPZA is crying wolf over the N14 billion put down by the federal government who owns only 25%, the owners of 75% are going to invest ten times that amount.”

    Okri explained that because it is a PPP the federal government and the private entities involved must commit financially to the cause.

    “What we have here is an agency of government trying to sabotage one of the laudable projects of this administration and I think those behind this should be punished immediately.

    “This government cannot say it is fighting corruption and an agency like NEPZA will be allowed to run a corrupt agenda. The agency must be put in its place.”

    He warned the agency is frustrating pilot projects in their first phase like Enyimba Economic City in Abia State; Lekki Model Industrial Park in Lagos State and Funtua Cotton Cluster in Katsina State.

    Read also: Reps insist on Trade Minister’s appearance over N14b transfer to NEPZA

    “One of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP) identified the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as a major strategic tool to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) but what do we have, an agency of government frustrating the ERGP.

    “Even worse is the fact the agency is trying to override the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment.

    “The leadership of NEPZA should be suspended in the interest and growth of Nigeria.”

    Okri argued the action of NEPZA has sent many investors packing from Nigeria.

    “How can we grow our FDI when agencies with little or no knowledge of their scope of work frustrating investors? This bottleneck should be removed immediately,” he said.

  • World number 1, Osaka signs deal with Nike

    World number one Naomi Osaka has agreed a deal with Nike, the sports apparel giant has announced.

    The Japanese, who had previously been tied to rival Adidas, will first wear Nike gear at the Stuttgart Grand Prix later this month, the U.S. sportswear maker said on its website.

    “I’m proud to become a member of the Nike family and excited about getting involved in all of the opportunities Nike has to offer,” said Osaka in the statement.

    “Nike has a legendary track record of writing history and I look forward to being a part of those moments for many years to come.”

    READ ALSO: Serena’s conqueror, Naomi Osaka is the coolest thing in tennis

    The Japanese has won the last two Grand Slams, having become the first ever Japanese player to win one of the four majors when she overcame Serena Williams at the U.S. Open in September.

    “Naomi is an incredible talent to add to our roster and help drive our commitment to inspiring a new generation of female athletes,” Nike VP Amy Montagne added in the statement.

    “We are thrilled to have her join our team.”

    Osaka’s ascent to the top of the women’s game has made her a hot marketable commodity for the world’s top brands.

    She already has deals with Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, car manufacturer Nissan and watch company Citizen, among others.

  • US revokes visa for ICC chief prosecutor

    The U.S. has revoked an entry visa for Fatou Bensouda, the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor.

    The office of the prosecutor confirmed the information to dpa on Friday.

    The U.S. wants to prevent the court from opening an investigation into alleged crimes by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

    Bensouda can still travel to New York when she has to report to the United Nations Security Council, the spokesperson said, adding that the prosecutor’s work will continue despite the visa issue.

    Bensouda had requested judicial approval for an official investigation, saying there is sufficient evidence of war crimes and proof that U.S. soldiers and CIA employees tortured or brutally handled prisoners in 2003 and 2004.

    U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had already threatened to revoke entry visas for employees of the court.

    The U.S. is not a signatory to the statute governing the International Criminal Court and has rejected the judicial body’s legitimacy for years.

    The International Criminal Court prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    It is based on the Rome Statute, which entered into force in 2002.

    A total of 122 countries signed the statue, including all EU member states.

  • LASPOTECH vows to punish molesters of JAMB officials

    The Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu on Wednesday said it would punish any of its non-teaching staff involved in the molestation of two officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on the school campus, as claimed by the examination body.

    The Polytechnic spokesman said in Lagos that the institution and the Lagos State Government were already addressing the issue, while the police had begun investigation into the matter.

    Recall that JAMB had alleged that two of its officials were nearly set ablaze at LASPOTECH on March 29.

    Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, made the disclosure when the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, visited some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Abuja during the mock examination.

    Oloyede said that the officials were attacked at the centre of the mock examination in the institution, and would have been set ablaze, but for a quick intervention that saved them from the attempted jungle justice.

    He said the reason for the dastardly attack had yet to be ascertained, even as the two officials had been taken to the hospital.

    Kuye, while confirming that the institution’s authorities was aware of the incident, apologised to the board and assured the JAMB Registrar that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

    “We are aware of the ugly incident of molestation of two JAMB officials and the polytechnic’s Director of ICT who were on official assignment at the institution’s Ikorodu campus, by some of our non-teaching staff.

    “While the polytechnic condemns this act of barbarism, we are using this medium to assure the JAMB registrar, and indeed the entire Nigerians, that the police is on top of the matter.

    “We therefore deeply apologise to Prof. Oloyede and the attacked officials for this unwarranted assault on innocent staff by the members of the non-teaching staff of the polytechnic,” Kuye said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, the workers have denied the allegation by JAMB, saying it was untrue.

    Mr Abiodun Awoyemi, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), LASPOTECH chapter said the protesting unions only walked the Polytechnic’s Director of ICT and the two JAMB officials out of the campus.

    Awoyemi said the officials were escorted out of the campus in full glare of many, including the police, because non-academic activities had been paralysed since Jan. 20, due to an ongoing strike by the union.

    “It was one of our union members at ICT that escorted the Director and the JAMB officials out and even our communication with the JAMB coordinator in Lagos reveals that there was nothing like that.

    “The same JAMB official alleged to be molested and hospitalised are the same people that conducted the mock examination at another centre in Ikorodu on Monday,” he said.

    NAN also reports that members of Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP) and SSANIP, LASPOTECH Chapter had since Jan. 20 embarked on an indefinite strike and continuous protest to demand reversal of an alleged de-migration of their salary structure by the institution management.

    The unions alleged that the Polytechnic Rector had de-migrated its workers’ salary structure from the CONTISS 15 migration against the Deputy Governor’s pronouncement and Court’s directive. (NAN)

  • I plan for Davido, Tiwa Savage, others to seek me – Singer Yega

    Since the release of his last work, fast rising Urban Afro musician, Adegboyega, aka Yega, has been working quietly on his craft, creating and perfecting the best of sound.

    “I’ve been working on my craft since my last release. I have been going for advanced saxophone lessons, voice training and working with different producers to create music. Now, I have two albums ready,” said the Physics Engineering graduate.

    Meanwhile, Yega recently dropped a track off one of the albums entitled ‘For Say’ which he described as his best song so far.

    “The song is about a love story that doesn’t have a happy ending. It was inspired by a true-life event, something that happened to me. I really adored a lady but she didn’t reciprocate the love just because I’m a musician. I tried to convince her that all musicians are not the same… but then, you have to listen to the song to get the full gist of the story. It’s my best music yet; it’s an instant hit, a classic.”

    Produced by Omyde, the song, which is already making waves across the country, will have its state-of-the-art video released soon.

    On why he changed his stage name from Adegboyega to Yega, he said: “I just want to create a stellar brand that people will remember. The name, Yega is unique to the brand I intend to portray and it makes acquiring more listeners easier. I’m the only Yega in town. But there are plenty Adegboyegas.”

    Read also: Davido, Mark Zuckerberg, Nike Okundaye share space at Lagos art expo

    Yega is however confronted with the challenge of getting his song to the people as much as he would want.

    “It is a capital-intensive venture. There is also a challenge of getting the right team to work with. There are a lot of charlatans out there; people that promise heaven and earth but end up not delivering. That translates to loss of investments.”

    He however plans to work to the level that established artistes like Wizkid, Davido or Tiwa Savage will seek to feature him in their songs.

    “My other plans are to put out more music and more visuals. I had a few modeling gigs last year. This year, I’m trying to get more modeling gigs. And to cap it all, I’m going on tour of Canada with Teni the Entertainer in April. It’s indeed going to be a busy year for me.”

  • Today and now

    Some people are obsessed with the past; they can’t take their eyes off their failures or even their successes. Some others only care about now; their philosophy is “live, eat and enjoy all you can today because no one knows tomorrow”. Yet, some live in the dread or hope of the future and they waste their present. There’s got to be a balance somewhere. Interestingly, yesterday, today and tomorrow have something in common- they are made up of time. For yesterday, time had passed, today, time is passing right now and tomorrow, time is going to pass. One way or the other, we can’t keep time from passing.

    What you do with your time is what determines whether you are wise or not. Your time is your asset; you will become rich in whatever you invest it into. When you administer your time wisely, you will build your wealth gradually. As time passes without much formality, so will your wealth grow without much publicity. You should have a proper disposition towards time. Let yesterday teach you, let tomorrow motivate you, but don’t let today pass you by.

    How much of your day do you invest in profitable activities? I’m not trying to judge you; I’ve gone through the evaluation myself. Try out these suggestions:

    • Mind your own business: if you know what other people are doing, the time they are doing it, why they do it and probably why they shouldn’t be doing it (unless it is your job to know), watch out! You are probably doing nothing yourself! Protect your time as much as you can. Avoid whatever does not help you to achieve your goals.
    • Avoid time wasters: there are some people who are gifted in consuming other people’s time. If they visit you while you are preparing to attend an event, you may end up going late or not going at all. After making your plans for the day, all you need is to meet them and your plans go out of the window. I’m not being unkind, it is just the fact. Once you identify such people, find a strategy to manage your relationship with them.
    • Plan with time: any plan that is not set to time is no plan at all. At the beginning of everyday, make a list of what you want to achieve and assign time to each of them. This will give you a sense of mission. Even if you cannot follow through completely, you will have a sense of accomplishment when you evaluate your activities at the end of the day.
    • Trade busyness for productivity: have you ever been so busy that you hardly had a breathing space, yet by the end of the day, you hadn’t achieved much? Find out the things you invest most of your time on that bring little or no dividend. Try to reduce the time you allot to them. On the other hand, when you discover the activities you spend little time on that end up being productive, increase the time allotted to them.
    • Delegate responsibilities: I know you think no one can measure up to your standards or do things exactly the way you want them done. Nevertheless, unless you desire to wear yourself out quickly, you need help. If a leader feels that subordinates can’t perform tasks to his/her taste, it is a clear sign of leadership failure. If you train them well, they will take a lot of burden off you and you will do more productive things with your time.

    Thanks for reading my article today. I would really love to hear from you. So, do share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu. Remember, you are currently nothing compared to what you can become. This can be your year if you want it to be!