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  • Osinbajo pledges ‘uncompromised loyalty’ to Buhari

    Despite recent reports of cracks in the Presidency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has pledged his uncompromised loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria.

    This was contained in a magazine entitled, ‘This is Nigeria’ and circulated at the 1st October 2019 Independence Day Dinner on Tuesday night at the old Banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Osinbajo’s message with the title ‘Uncompromised Loyalty’ was contained in page 15 of the Brands International Special Edition of the magazine, which is the official magazine for Mr. President’s Next Level Agenda, 9th Assembly and One Nigeria, locally and internationally.

    The message reads “Vice President Yemi Osibanjo Commemorates With Nigerians On The 59th Anniversary Celebration, While Pledging His Loyalty To President Muhammadu Buhari

    “This day means everything to us as a people, because it is our day of freedom. Let me first congratulate my Boss,
    President, Muhammadu Buhari, His Excellency, Ahmed Bola Tinubu our National Leader, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, First Lady and mother of the nation.

    “Also, I celebrate every Nigerian out there on the street trying to make ends meet, not forgetting those who stand out in different areas of human endeavours, home and abroad.”

    He went on “Fellow Nigerians, be rest assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is totally committed to his promises and the Next Level Agenda. He is he best Boss and I find it thrilling to serve Nigeria under him. It is only responsible of me to give my unwavering loyalty to President Buhari and Nigeria as I promise to stand by him, while contributing my quota at all times to the growth of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Osinbajo, Ortom meet over Benue, Ebonyi land crisis

    “I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to queue behind President Buhari as he leads us to build a stronger bigger and greater Nigeria.” he stated

    But speculations about the division in the Presidency was fueled by the recent replacement of the Economic Management Team headed by Osinbanjo with the Economic Advisory Council mandated to report directly to Buhari.

    The reported removal of government agencies from under Osinbajo, which he had been the board chairman, had also supported the reports of hostilities in the Presidency.

    The agencies included National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Boundary Commission (NBC), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

    Also, the announcement on 1st October national broadcast of movement of the Social Investments Programmes (SIP) from under the Vice President to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development also fueled the rumour of crack in the Villa.

  • Obaseki calls for dialogue in resolving ethnic, communal conflicts

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has harped on the need for dialogue and tolerance in resolving religious, ethnic, communal and political conflicts, noting that such approach would engender peace and sustainable development.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the International Day of Non-Violence, marked on October 2, every year by the United Nations and its sister organs.

    Obaseki noted that dialogue and tolerance are necessary in resolving and preventing conflicts, urging governments at all levels to be fair to all citizens irrespective of religious, economic or political differences so as to suppress feelings of marginalisation, which may lead to conflict.

    According to him, “When everything else fails, non-violent approach has proven to be reliable in resolving myriad of conflicts. It allows for continuous dialogue, realignment of interests, open and frank conversations, endurance and forgiveness of human mistakes and the conviction that our perceived enemies could become dependable allies and partners after compromise is reached.

    “It is important for leaders of thought in the society to look at past attempts in conflict resolution in order to consider ideas for the future. To maintain peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development, governments must adopt strategies for inclusion, and harmonious living in dealing with conflicts.

    Obaseki stressed that “the non-violence approach remains a viable and potent conflict resolution model even today, and should be explored by mediators and opinion moulders instead of the rush to unconventional tactics that leave in their wake sorrow, regrets, debts or deaths.”

    The United Nations General Assembly commenced commemoration of the International Day of Non-violence by the resolution in 2007, promoting it as a platform to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.

    According to the UN, “the resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.”

  • ‘Southwest governors, proactive to new security challenges’

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday said his colleagues in the Southwest geo-political zone were responding comprehensively to various security challenges facing the zone.

    Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman, Southwest Governors Forum, disclosed this in Akure during at a church service for the state’s covenant renewal day 2019.

    The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi said the state was working in collaboration with sister states to re-jig the security architecture of the zone to respond adequately to new challenges.

    He said “It is no longer news that our country is going through security challenges. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to salvage it together.

    “We are doing our best to respond comprehensively to the new challenges. Ondo State is working in collaboration with sister states in Southwestern zone to re-jig the security architecture of the zone to make it respond adequately to the new challenges.

    ” Government has never relented on its efforts yo curb crime and criminalities within our boundaries. We will continue this until our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “Nigeria must survive its challenges and it is possible if we all agree and pray together in unison,” he said.

    The Governor described the church service as an opportunity to renew strength and pray to God for future life the state, said no government or organisation could achieve craved height.

    He recommended that other states of the Federation and the Federal Government should renew their covenant with God on yearly basis.

    According to him “There is, therefore, a compelling need for collaboration of all stakeholders in the task of building a virile and egalitarian society.

    “It is indeed heartening to be in the presence of several eminent spiritual leaders of Christian body for 2019 edition of this special programme.

    “It will be recalled that I gladly participated in the last edition, because we know that our dear state and indeed Nigeria needs continuous prayers.

    “Our administration since inception has partnered the Ondo State chapters of PFN,CAN and other groups, in almost all their programmes and events.”

  • Khashoggi memorial to be held outside Saudi consulate

    Jamal Khashoggi’s friends, rights activists and press freedom groups will hold a memorial in Istanbul on Wednesday outside Riyadh’s consulate, where the Saudi journalist was murdered.

    The event on the first anniversary of his death will begin at 1:14 pm (1014 GMT), the exact time Khashoggi walked into his country’s diplomatic mission to get documents to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

    Cengiz, 37, will return to the building where she waited outside for him for several hours a year ago, before raising the alarm of his disappearance.

    Turkey says Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad after he entered the consulate.

    The scheduled attendees at the service include UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard, who investigated the murder, and Yemeni Nobel peace laureate Tawakkol Karman.

    Read Also: ‘Military derailed Nigeria’s journey to greatness’

    No one has been held accountable for Khashoggi’s death; although Turkish and Western intelligence agencies say the order to kill him could only have come “from the highest levels of the Saudi government.”

    The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told U.S broadcaster CBS that he did not order the murder, but took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia.”

    Callamard responded on Twitter: “There is in this statement an implicit recognition that the killing of [Khashoggi] was a State killing.

    ”It happened under his watch as quasi head of state. The State is therefore implicated as he is.”
    Cengiz said that although Khashoggi disagreed with the crown prince and the kingdom, by killing him “they are now faced with much greater problems.

    ”They’re going to pay the price for this.” Khashoggi’s remains were never found.

  • Navy begins recruitment for graduates, HND holders

    The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it has commenced the enlistment of graduates and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders through the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC).

    According to a statement signed by Director of Information Nigerian Navy, Commodore Suleman Dahun, interested applicants, who must be Nigerians by birth, should possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for first Degree Holders and Upper Credit for HND holders.

    Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres in height. Applicants must possess NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate and should be between 22 and 28 years by 20 February 2020, except for Imams/ Chaplains and medical consultants who should not exceed 30 years and 40 years respectively by 20 February 2020.

    Read Also; Navy nabs six rice ‘smugglers’ in A’Ibom

    The guidelines for the enlistment according to the statement can be accessed on the Nigerian Navy Enlistment Portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com which is currently opened till 14 November 2019 for interested candidates to apply online.

    “Candidates are to note that all the processes ranging from online registration, aptitude test and the selection interview are free of charge. Candidates are advised to be wary of scammers and refrain from giving money to any individual under any guise”, the statement added.

  • 10 must-have android apps in 2019

    There are a ton of amazing Android apps out there. However, their usefulness is usually limited to the habits of the people using them. So we have checked through and found these ten (10) amazing applications. These apps can be used by everybody. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps currently available!

    1. Curator

    Curator is for anyone who wants to better organize their photo library. The app allows you to tag photos and search through photos based on those tags — making it much easier to search through the thousands of photos that you probably have on your device. The app can also intelligently tag photos itself based on the composition of the image, which is a handy feature.

    2. Canva

    Canva is a quick, user-friendly photo editing app that’s designed with social media use in mind. The app comes with a variety of ready to use templates, filters, fonts, and other tools that you can apply to images in your device’s gallery or in Canva’s selection of free and premium images, which you can then easily share to your favorite social network or media platform. You can use Canva to quickly set up a cover photo or account avatar for Facebook or create crisp and clean Instagram stories, Twitter banners or the perfect Youtube thumbnails.

    3. Otter Voice Notes

    Otter Voice Notes is a transcription app that makes taking voice notes a breeze. Otter can record from your phone’s internal mic or through a Bluetooth device; it then automatically transcribes your work nearly in real-time, complete with punctuation, speaker ID, and searchable playback of your recordings. Users can edit transcripts to fix any errors, and transcripts can be exported to text or to other apps, or shared with a group or through public, view-only links.

    4. Microsoft To-Do

    Microsoft To-Do is a smart, no-nonsense to-do list app that presents a sleek and distraction-free interface, while intelligently suggesting tasks based on long-term patterns, upcoming deadlines, or stuff that you weren’t able to see to in the past days. Users can keep task descriptions simple, or add detailed descriptions, color codes, categories, and more.

    5. CamScanner

    CamScanner turns your phone camera into a portable document scanner and OCR tool, allowing you to quickly turn photos of your paper documents into JPG or PDF electronic formats, which you can then save into your cloud storage or share through social media or email. Scan quality optimization and smart cropping let you handle everything from receipts to contracts and even office whiteboards with ease.

    6. LastPass

    LastPass is one of those must-have Android apps. It’s a password manager that lets you save your login credentials in a safe, secure way. On top of that, it can help generate nearly impossible passwords for you to use on your accounts. It’s all controlled with a master password. It has cross-platform support so you can use it on computers, mobile devices, tablets, or whatever. There are others, but LastPass always feels like it’s one step ahead.

    7. Alarmy

    If you have a hard time getting up, even if you have set an alarm or use an extra loud alarm clock, then you are probably in need of Alarmy. At its core, it asks you to take a photo using the camera of the phone. That photo cannot be just any snapshot however as you have to take a snapshot of a location in your house (garden or front, or even somewhere else) that you have selected previously.

    This means that the alarm continues until you get up, move to the location you need to take a photo of and take that photo. Since you need to get up, there is a high chance of you staying up.

    8. Contacts+

    Contacts+ is an address book replacement that helps organize your contacts and integrates with your social media accounts and communications. The app automatically imports information from linked social networks such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts, allowing you to access them all in one place. Contacts+ allows you keep conversation histories from your friends, family and colleagues.

    9. Evernote

    Evernote is one of the premier cross-platform note-taking services, allowing users take and upload notes, pictures, audio and video snippets and organize them into cloud notebooks that can be synced across different devices. The free version lets users upload 60MB worth of content monthly.

    10. Trello

    Trello is an easy to use, flexible and fun project management tool. It includes a handy drag and drop feature when working on your boards. You can manage your team and their tasks through each board you create. Everything is displayed neatly and coherently, and you will have no problem following your project’s progress through this platform.

  • Labour gives FG two weeks to resolve minimum wage logjam

    The leadership of organised labour has given the Federal Government one week for its team to resume discussion on the negotiation of the consequential adjustment for workers in order to conclude the process.

    Labour said that the nonchalant attitude of the federal government negotiating team had dragged negotiations for consequential wages adjustment for workers unduly.

    It also urged the government to commence immediate implementation of the signed agreement on consequential adjustment of public workers’ salaries with effect from 18th of April 2019 when the new national minimum wage of N30,000 per month was signed into law.

    It threatened to embark on strike if its demands were not met before the close of work on Wednesday 16th this month.

    Read Also: ‘Minimum wage non-payment is forced labour’

    Labour’s positions were made known in a statement jointly signed by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, President, Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, Ag. Chairman, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC-Trade Union Side), Simon Anchaver and JNPSNC Secretary, Alade Bashir Lawal after a meeting at Labour House, Abuja.

    It noted that the offer by government for salary adjustment of 11 percent for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5 percent consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17 was not acceptable to Nigerian workers.

    It urged the government to enter into an agreement with labour to the effect that salary of officers on grade 07-14 should be reviewed upward by 29 percent while that of officers on grade level 15-17 should be reviewed upwards by 24 percent.

    “We view the position of government as a show of insensitivity to the plight of workers and an attempt to collect with the left hand what government had offered with the right hand,” it said in the statement.

    It said that organised labour had out of its patriotic disposition demonstrated a great deal of restraint, consideration and patience with government on the implementation of the minimum wage.

    The statement reads: “At the end of our deliberation, the leadership of organized labour in Nigeria resolved as follows; The offer by government for salary adjustment of 11% for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5% consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17 is not acceptable to Nigerian workers. We view the position of government as a show of insensitivity to the plight of workers and an attempt to collect with the left hand what government had offered with the right hand;

    “We demand the reconvening of the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment with a view to concluding the process that started on the 28th of May, 2019 within one week;

    “Entering into an agreement with labour to the effect that salary of officers on grade 07-14 should be reviewed upward by 29% while that of officers on grade level 15-17 should be reviewed upwards by 24%; and

    “Commence immediate implementation of the signed agreement on consequential adjustment of public workers’ salaries with effect from 18th of April 2019 when the new national minimum wage of N30,000 per month was signed into law.

    “In conclusion, the leadership of organized labour in Nigeria wishes to categorically state that the leadership of labour cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if our demands are not met at the close of work on Wednesday, 16th October, 2019.”

  • Christ Embassy to launch pidgin version of Holy Bible

    The Christ Embassy church says it will soon launch its pidgin version of the Holy Bible to further propagate the words of God.

    Pastor Eddie Owase, Head of the Warri Ministry Centre of the Christ Embassy, disclosed this on Tuesday night in Warri as part of activities by the church to mark Nigeria’s 59th independence.

    “We have been able to translate the Holy Bible into pidgin, that is one of the biggest things we will give to the world soon,” he said.

    Owase said that the annual Reach out Nigeria through the Rhapsody of Realities, a daily devotional of the ministry, had been translated into different languages in the country.

    The cleric said that 2 million copies of the Rhapsody translated into Urhobo, pidgin, Ijaw and Itsekiri languages were launched in Delta in 2019.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill Adamawa Tabital Pulaaku chairman, guest

    “The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the God’s power to save humanity,“ he said.

    He also said that the ministry would continue to sustain the programme which it started 11 years ago, to win souls for Christ.

    “Reach out Nigeria which started 11 years ago is a programme, designed to reach out to people, professionals, prisoners and those in the hospitals among others with the words of God.

    “We know that God’s word is the power to change the life of the people and if there is going to be progress and prosperity, it is going to be through the power of God.

    “We carried out various projects in orphanages, police, prisons among others in Delta and we are glad reaching out to souls in the country, we will continue to do that.

    “There is hope for Nigeria, at 59; Nigeria is great, not diminishing nor disintegrating.

    “It is our prayer that God will continue to sustain our leaders to do the inevitable and lead the country on the part of peace, progress and prosperity,” he said.

    Owase appealed to the leaders to embrace the words of God and believe in the unity and greatness of the country.

    “God loves Nigeria, irrespective of our differences, challenges, this country can only rise to be greater and stronger.”

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Great Football Club of Warri won the 2019 Reach out Nigeria Football tournament organised by the ministry.

  • JUST IN: Many feared killed as bus plunges into Ogun river

    Many persons have been feared killed after a passenger bus plunged into River Ososa in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Wednesday evening.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred around 4:30pm while the bus with yet to be specified number of passengers was travelling on the Sagamu- Ijebu Ode-Benin Expressway.

    The Nation reports the unfortunate accident occurred barely a week after a non-academic staff bus of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Ijebu Ode plunged into the same river.

    At the time of the report, divers and rescuers were still battling to save occupants of the vehicle which was said to have lost control before flipping into the river.

    It was gathered that the bus driver had attempted to overtake another vehicle on the road but suddenly had a bad tyre causing it to fall into the river.

    Confirming the incident, Ogun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it was as a result of over speeding.

    Sector Commander Clement Oladele told The Nation that high water levels occasioned by the heavy downpour on Tuesday was making the rescue operation more difficult.

    He said: “The FRSC rescue team moved in immediately to the scene for rescue operations. The team include FRSC professional divers who have dived into the river to conduct rescue operations underneath

    “The divers are still working hard to recover the passengers in the ill-fated  vehicle, which is made more difficult due to the risen level of the river caused by yesterday’s heavy rains, around Ijebu-Ode area.

    “The bus was travelling from the  Sagamu end of the expressway towards Ijebu Ode section.”

    Expressing worry over the incidents, Oladele appealed to motorists to drive cautiously especially around bridges, considering that the expressway was undergoing rehabilitation.

    “Motorists are therefore strongly advised to reduce speed when approaching bridges to prevent unpleasant situation such as this.

    “The rescue operations would not be called off till the vehicle and the occupants are brought out of the river.

    “I also appeal to RCC to ensure that the safety railings around the bridge and other bridges in that axis are

    quickly replaced. Illuminated warning signs should be provided around the bridge and the depression at the foot of the bridge quickly repaired to prevent re-occurrence,” he said.

  • ‘Moghalu’s appointment best Independence gift to Southeast’

    The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Dr. George Moghalu as managing Director/CEO of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    Chairman of Anambra State chapter Vincent Ezekwueme, in a statement yesterday, described the appointment as the best independence gift to the Southeast.

    He said the people would remain grateful to the President for ‘his patriotic reintegration processes’.

    The statement reads: “This is a welcome development and cheering news to the people of the Southeast and Nigerians. This is the best Independence gift to the Southeast. The President has provided the opportunity towards resuscitation of the moribund Onitsha seaport.”

    Read Also: How wrecks on waterways fuel piracy, accidents

    Ezekwueme urged Moghalu to live up to the expectation of the President and Nigerians by being selfless in the discharge of his assignments.

    “Moghalu as a moralist, selfless, patriotic, humble, honest and servant leader must bear the interest and social wellbeing of the citizens at heart by rehabilitating the decrepit and deplorable Onitsha seaport to boost economic activities in the Southeast, as well as give them a sense of belonging,” he added.

    He appealed to the President to extend similar appointments to the family of former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, who was his political ally and running mate in 2003.