Osun govt vows to rid schools of gangsterism

The government of Osun State yesterday said it will not relent in its various reforms until violence is completely rooted out of its public schools institutions.
It said part of the rot created by the long years of abandoned education sector in the state is that schools had become breeding grounds for gangsters rather than well-groomed individuals.
The government stated this in the wake of the reported reckless display of violence by some misguided pupils of two state-owned schools at the state capital Osogbo, last week.
In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, the government said ugly incidents such as which happened at the Anglican High School and Adele Middle School both in Osogbo were part of the ugly results of long years of neglect of the education sector, a development which created ample opportunities for irresponsible conducts of pupils.
The statement recalled that Governor Rauf Aregbesola had, at the official unveiling of the first mega high school in the state, lamented what he called a deplorable situation in public education institutions, which had constituted breach of the peace to the entire community in the past.
“Recall that when the government commissioned the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo Governor Rauf Aregbesola made no mistake admitting that the old school system and outlook encouraged pupils to behave almost like animals.
“What happened last week was just part of the remnants of the culture of violence inherited in our schools five years ago and which this administration has battled vigorously. It could have been worse. But the dogged pursuit of excellence in character moulding and academic brilliance under the present administration in the education sector has stemmed the tide and we are not relenting until we stamp out the last instance of anti-social behaviour in our schools,” the statement noted

Continue reading

News

Cattle rearer bags death sentence for murder

EBONYI State High Court sitting in Abakaliki and presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, weekend, sentenced a cattle rearer, Musa Barugun, to death by hanging for murder.
Barugun had in February 2013 killed one Chibueze Nkwegu at Sharon in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
The convict attacked and killed the deceased with sharp knife after piercing his victim, Nkwegu, in the chest and stomach.
The deceased was reported to had been complained of destruction of his crops by the cows and severally pleaded with Barugun to control his cows but his appeals fell on deaf ears.
It was learned that problem ensued between the deceased and the herdsman making Barugun to stab him to death before he was later arrested and arraigned for murder.
Barugun could not put up defense to counter the evidence before the court on the matter as the knife (dagger) used in committing the act was found in his possession with the clothes he wore on the day of the incident.
The convict clothes which were stained with human blood were tendered as exhibit during the trials and the court found him guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging.
But the leader of Hausa community in Ebonyi State, Alhaji Danjuma Gambo who described the death of Nkwegu as unfortunate said the convict will appeal the judgment.

Continue reading

News

Petrol price reaches all time high at N115 per litre

Average pump price of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol, across the country in the month of November was N115.35 per litre, up from N93.5 recorded in the preceding month of October.
Interim reports have pointed to further rise this month with the lingering fuel scarcity in most parts of the country.
This is contained in the monthly PMS Price Watch of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, released yesterday. The survey does not cover black market.
Surprisingly, the report shows that highest pump prices were recorded in the oil producing Niger Delta states while lowest pump prices were recorded in the North and South western states.

FILE: 

In a state-by-state report, average pump prices was highest in Akwa Ibom State which recorded N187.5 per litre followed by Abia at N146.6, Cross River at N140.4 and Rivers at N139.6 per liter.
The lowest average pump price was recorded in Bauchi State at N91.3 per litre followed by Katsina and Ogun States at N91.5 each.
On the country-wide trend, the current report shows that the average pump price at N115.35 has risen by 23.4 per cent month-on-month, the highest rate so far this year, compared to 13.66 per cent recorded during the petrol scarcity of the last days of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s regime.
The current fuel scarcity started during November under review following inability of petroleum marketers to continue supply due to huge outstanding subsidy payment the Federal Government was owing them and also lack of clarity of policy on subsidy payments.
Over N500 billion outstanding subsidy claims are still hanging as at last weekend even after the approval of N413 billion payment by the government last week.
Their concerns appeared worsened by the content of the 2016 Medium Term Expenditure Plan, MTEP, approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, last week which shows that subsidy funding was not covered adequately. The 2016 budget would be extracted from the approved MTEP.
Consequently, petrol stations and dealers have been very cautious in the trade and supply at subsidized rate of N87 per litre.
During the month of November, following the fuel crisis situation witnessed in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, stated that it distributed 25.539 million litres of PMS to petrol stations across the country but the impact was not felt.
Following the crisis which the government has largely blamed on unscrupulous marketers who engage in hoarding of the products as well as panic buying by motorists, security agencies were deployed to enforce sanity in most petrol stations, while forcing marketers to sell products at official pump price otherwise the petrol stations were shut down.
But despite the efforts by security officials, black marketers continued to thrive as there were seen selling the products in plastic containers on major roads and streets in Nigeria at prices ranging from N150 to N200 per liter. Also many petrol stations still violate the official pump price selling far above the official rate.
Oil marketers had promised to support measures put in place by the Federal Government to end the fuel crisis.
The marketers, at the end of a strategy session convened by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu in November to address the fuel situation, pledged to end the fuel queues as soon as possible.
Oil marketers in attendance at the meeting included members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA and the Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria, JEPTFON.
Speaking on behalf of MOMAN, Femi Olawore, Secretary-General of the Association was emphatic that the majors are willing and ready to work with the Petroleum Ministry and the NNPC to restore normalcy to the fuel situation.
However, one month after this meeting the situation is far from resolutions as scarcity persists across the country while pump prices were still over 80 per cent above the official rate.

Continue reading

News

Frivolous Petitions Bill: Online publishers sue Senate

The Registered Trustees of Online Publishers Association of Nigeria has gone before the Federal High Court in Abuja to obtain an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Senate from passing into law the proposed bill for an act to prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other matters collected therewith.
The controversial bill, if passed into law, stipulates two years imprisonment, a fine of N2 million or both for anyone who, through text message, tweets, whatsapp or any social media, post any abusive statement capable of setting the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law.
The plaintiff, in the suit it filed through its lawyer, Mr. Ugochukwu Osuagwu, argued that the Bill which was sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn N’Allah from Kebbi South, will amount to a gross violation of section 39 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In an affidavit deposed by Mr. Daniel Elombah, an online publisher and member of board of the plaintiff, he told the court that the “offensive bill” was presented before the Senate on December 2 by its committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matters, with a view to passing same into law.

It specifically prayed the court to among other reliefs, make “a declaration that in view of the provisions of section 39(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the defendant, her officers, members, agents and privies cannot lawfully pass into law a bill for an Act to prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters connected therewith as presently constituted and or drafted.
“A declaration that the passage into law of the proposed bill for an Act to prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters connected therewith, will amount to the violation of freedom of expression of the plaintiff as guaranteed under section 39 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“An order of injunction against the defendant restraining her from further debating and considering proposed bill for Frivolous Petition and Other Matters connected therewith, which violates section 39(1) (2) of the 1999 constitution.
The plaintiff argued that allowing the proposed law would among to a gross breach of section 39 of the constitution which it said provides that, “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
“That it is in the interest of justice for this court to grant the reliefs sought in this originating summons,” the plaintiff added.
Meantime, no date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

Continue reading

News

$2.1bn Arms Deal: Dokpesi released, says I’m strong in spirit

Ex-Chairman of Daar Communication, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after being interrogated for three days.

Dopkesi

Chief Dokpesi was arrested and interrogated on allegations of complicity in the $2.1bn scam brought against former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki.

Speaking to newsmen after his release, Dokpesi said “It was a change of environment; it was quite peaceful, quite okay.”

“I was granted bail yesterday, where they asked me to get two Directors of the federal government. I’m to also deposit my passport, but my lawyer was not available, and I said that I was not going to sign until he was”.

“But then, I think what they said was that the allegation was alleged conspiracy, the issuance, the transfer of funds, what do they call it?… money laundering and then misappropriation of public funds”.

“But I’m a loyal Nigerian citizen; I’m a patriotic Nigerian citizen. I have no problem and I said they are free. I would still go back. I am strong in spirit; I’m toughened.”

Continue reading

News

FIFA rankings: Nigeria slip out of sight

Nigeria’s ratings on the FIFA world rankings continue to tumble as the Super Eagles slipped seven places down from 56th to 66th in the world rankings.

WINNERS. . . Super Eagles squad before the friendly match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in Belgium.

On the Africa continent Mali and Uganda previously down in the November rankings, over took Nigeria perched at the 14th position. Cote ‘d Ivoire still remain number one in Africa. Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Tunisia, Senegal, Congo, Guinea, Egypt and Cameroon make up the Africa top ten.

Belgium maintained top stop with Argentina, Spain, Germany, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Colombia, England and Austria in the world top ten.

The slip in the rankings is worrisome to Nigeria football enthusiasts as they fear, it could affect Nigeria’s chances in the world cup 2018 qualifying draw to be held in June.

Meanwhile FIFA  executive committee has differed the expansion of the world to 40 teams.

The proposal was one of many offered by the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee during in Zurich, the latest effort to restructure the scandal-plagued soccer governing body.

Expansion — which would not occur until the 2026 tournament, at the earliest — would “enhance the universality of FIFA and to enlarge the basis for participation at major competitions” the FIFA Reform Committee wrote in its proposal.

FIFA last expanded the World Cup field (from 24 to 32) at the 1998 World Cup.

Continue reading

News

Pandemonium as Policeman allegedly kills youth in Badagry

ggrieved youths in Badagry, Lagos State, on Friday, violently protested the alleged killing of one Mr Joshua Sewuji by an unidentified policeman from the Badagry Police Division.

File Photo: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, during the commissioning and handing over of Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Gunboats, Patrol Helicopters to the Nigerian Police and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday, November 27, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that protesters resorted to damaging and burning police posts and tyres on the roads to prevent easy movement around the town.

The protesting youths carried different placards some of which read: “Enough is Enough of This Police Brutality’’, “We Are Tired of Police Killing People’’ and “No More Extortion From the Police’’ among others.

NAN reports that some police traffic wardens were also assaulted by the irate youths.

It took the timely intervention of the Nigerian Army from Topo and Ibereko Barracks to prevent the violence from escalating.
Soldiers were placed at different strategic locations in the town to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

A NAN correspondent covering the protest learnt that the incident happened near the palace of the Akran of Badagry at about 10 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 3).

There were two different accounts of the incident which led to the death of the victim.

Mr Yemi Akande, who claimed to have witnessed to the incident, told NAN that some boys were just relaxing when some policemen came to arrest them.

“Around past 10 p.m. last night, some boys were just talking and eating when policemen on night patrol came to arrest them for no reason.

“The victim challenged them, asking to know the reason for their arrest and one of the policemen just shot the boy in stomach and he died instantly.

“As soon as they saw that he was dead, they ran away in their vehicles,’’ he said.

Another eyewitness account by a man who simply identified himself as Idowu, said the policemen came and shot at the gathering of people.

Continue reading

News

Buhari’s foreign trips’ve started yielding fruits – Lai Mohammed

President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips since assuming office are critical to the implementation of his administration key policies of enhancing security, jump-starting the economy, creating jobs and fighting corruption, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Minister said all the trips have been anything but frivolous, and that they have started yielding fruits in terms of turning the tide in the fight against the insurgents who have been most active in the North-east, attracting investments in the range of billions of dollars, and securing global support for the administration’s anti-corruption fight.

”Nigerians, whether in the ruling or the opposition parties, have a right to ask questions about the activities of their President, but it is absolutely important that they do so from an informed, rather than partisan or sensational, standpoint,” he said.

The Minister explained that most of the President’s trips – to Nigeria’s neighbouring countries of Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as to Germany, the US, France and the UN – were devoted to rallying regional and global support for the war against terrorism

”He was in Germany at the invitation of the G7 to solicit support from the Industrialized Nations for the war against terrorism. No one who has witnessed the killings and maiming in the past seven years by Boko Haram will call such trips frivolous. After all, the security and welfare of the citizens are the reason for the existence of any government.

”The President’s visit to South Africa was to attend the regular summit of the African Union; the trip to Ghana was aimed at fostering better relations with a brotherly country; the trip to India was for the India-Africa summit that provided the opportunity to explore ways of enhancing Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) from Indian investors, while the trip to Iran was to attend the forum of Gas Exporting Countries, a veritable platform for discussing how to better harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for industrial/domestic consumption
and export, at a time of dwindling oil prices.

”The President also travelled to Malta to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, from where he travelled to Paris for the UN Conference on Climate Change. The President’s second trip to South Africa since assuming office is for the China-Africa forum. On the few
occasions that the President has embarked on a State Visit, he has tied that to an agenda that will 

Continue reading

News

Breaking News: Twin bomb blasts rock Borno

Suicide bombers on Friday afternoon, reportedly hit Kimba area of the Biu Local Government Area (LGA) and Sabon-Ngeri, both located in Borno State.

The numbers of injured or dead is unknown at the time of publication.

Details soon.

Continue reading

News

Courtois is fit and available for selection — Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says Thibaut Courtois is fit and available for selection tomorrow but John Terry, Ramires and Falcao remain out.
The manager had hoped to have a full squad at his disposal for the visit of Bournemouth but will be without that trio, though he delivered good news in Thibaut Courtois’ return to the squad. Mourinho could not yet confirm if the Belgian would start in goal tomorrow.
The Belgium international has not played for Chelsea since the end of August after undergoing knee surgery and has missed the majority of the club’s disastrous start to the season.

Continue reading

News

Fire destroys 65 shops in Kano market

No fewer than 65 shops were destroyed by fire in the furniture section of Sabon Gari Market in Kano on Thursday night, an official said.
The Director of Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Balarabe Kabara, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. affected permanent and temporary structures.
Kabara attributed the fire to negligence but said the agency would meet with the affected traders to ascertain what they lost individually.
“The main cause of the inferno is negligence because people are in the habit of playing with fire, especially now that it is harmattan period,” he said.
Kabara advised the people to avoid unnecessary use of fire as any mistake could lead to fire disaster.
Kabara recalled that seven female students recently lost their lives in fire incidents in two secondary schools in the state and advised school authorities to ensure proper monitoring of students.
Kabara also advised students to desist from cooking and using electrical appliances, especially water heater and pressing iron, in their hostels to avoid fire outbreaks

Continue reading

News

Court declines moves to stop Kogi supplementary poll

……..asks Wada, Bello, Faleke to take case to election tribunal
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA—-The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ‎from conducting supplementary governorship election in Kogi State tomorrow.
The court, in a judgement today, declined jurisdiction to resolve any of the constitutional issues that were raised in five separate suits challenging the legality of the planned run-off poll.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole ‎who gave the verdict, maintained that going by section 285(1) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and section 87(10) of the Electoral Act, the Federal High Court, lacked the jurisdiction to grant reliefs that were sought before it by all the plaintiffs.
Noting that the suits were fallout of the governorship election INEC held in Kogi State on November 21, Justice Kolawole, directed the plaintiffs to go and ventilate their grievances before the Election Petition Tribunal.
Whereas one of the suits was lodged before the court by Kogi state governor, C‎aptain Idris Wada, retd, ‎the second suit was filed by ‎the governorship candidate of the People for Democratic Change, PDC, in the state, Hon. Emmanuel Daikwo.
Likewise, a legal practitioner, Mr. Johnson Usman, a House of Reps member for Ahiazu Ezinaehitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo state, ‎Hon. Rafael Igbokwe and an electorate from Omala LGA in Abelijukolo Ife of Eche ward in Kogi state, Mr. Stephen Wada Omaye, filed the two remaining suits‎
Shortly after he dismissed the four consolidated suits, Justice Kolawole, in a separate judgment, also declined ‎to declare the Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi state, Mr. James Faleke, as the governor-elect.
‎More details soon.

Continue reading

News

ASUU to sanction 3 erring LASU members

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, says the three erring members of the union who refused to appear before the disciplinary committee will be sanctioned.

Dr Adekunle Idris, ASUU-LASU Chairman, told newsmen on Friday ‎in Lagos that the union was awaiting the report of the disciplinary committee before taking appropriate action.
ASUU-LASU had on Nov. 20, invited Dr Tajudeen Olumoko, a former ASUU-LASU treasurer, Mr A.S.S. Asokere‎ and Mr O. Aiyeniko to appear before the Ethics and Disciplinary committee.
A copy of the ‎public notice obtained by NAN said the invitation was to avail the trio the opportunity to verbally defend themselves in respect of various anti-union activities levied against them.
“In line with the constitution, this is to avail you the opportunity to verbally defend yourself.
“With respect to the allegations levied against you for which you had earlier been given an opportunity to explain in writing,’’ the notice said.
Among the accusation levied against Olumoko was ‎writing to the manager of Wema Bank on a forged ASUU-LASU letterhead and directing the bank to freeze the union’s account.
Also, writing to the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, to stop the entire ASUU-LASU dues, which made the VC to direct ‎the bursar to implement as such among others.
Asokere and Aiyeniko were accused of writing to the Vice-Chancellor as interim Chairman and Secretary respectively, claiming and informing him of the suspension of the Dr Idris-led ASUU-LASU executive.
They were also accused of calling an illegal congress, sending out notices in the name of ASUU-LASU and writing the university administration to suspend deductions of ASUU-LASU members’ check-off dues among others.
According to Idris, the trio did not appear before the committee, following the invitation and so must face disciplinary action.
“We are waiting for the report of the ethics and disciplinary committee, which will be presented for modification and ratification at the ASUU-LASU Congress ‎on Dec. 7,’’ he said.
Idris said that following the congress ratification, the report would be forwarded to the Zonal Council and then to the National Executive Council (NEC) for appropriate sanction.
According to the chairman, the sanction for such offences in ASUU law is usually suspension.
“ASUU constitution is ‎clear on the sanction for such offences and normally, it is suspension from the membership of the union,’’ he said.

Continue reading

News

FSD, FaB now mandatory in Yabateh – Rector

The Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has said that Flexible Skills Development (FSD) and its compeer, Flexible and Blended Learning (FaB) have become mandatory guides for lecturers and researchers in the institution as part of efforts to produce more entrepreneurs among its students.

Yabatech Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo

Yabatech Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo said during a workshop for principal officers, deans of schools, heads of service units and heads of academic units that all lecturers and researchers should embrace key technology capable of bringing about more flexibility into technical and vocational skills development.
The workshop, she said was a follow-up to an earlier one organized by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in conjunction with the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, which was attended by `10 polytechnics from Ghana and selected polytechnics from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
According to her, the FSD and FaB were new approaches to learning adapted from the classical open and distance learning methodology, initiated by COL and Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics (CAPA).
The objective of the new methodology, she said, was to build capacity in the use of educational media and Information and Communication Technologies for effective and flexible delivery of Technical and Vocational Education teaching and learning in CAPA member institutions.
Ladipo charged the participants to develop sufficient passion and commitment to innovative approaches, promising that the management will work towards an eventual success and ensure FSD and FaB methods are embraced in the College.
She commended the Yabatech UNEVOC Centre for continuing to make its impact felt positively in the College through educational programmes it designed, for initiating the workshop.
Delivering their papers, the workshop facilitators which included the Deputy Rector (ACAD), Mr. Innocent Akwuemonkhan, Deputy Rector (Admin), Dr. Moroof Adebakin, Director, Academic Planning Unit, Mr Uduak Inyang Udo and Coordinator, UNEVOC Centre, Dr. Funmi Doherty charged the participants to brace up for change in TVET triggered delivery so that they could impart students positively and effectively in their chosen fields.

Continue reading

News

Don decries alleged commercializtion of university programmes

A University lecturer in the University of Lagos, Prof. Abubukar Momoh, has decried the alleged commercialization of programmes in Nigerian universities which he said, has relegated knowledge and excellence to the background.
Momoh, a Professor of Political Science, spoke in Ekpoma, during the Second Memorial and First Public Lecture,  organised by ASUU, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in honour of a former ASUU President, late Prof. Festus Iyayi, who died two years ago in Kogi State on his way to Abuja to attend an ASUU conference.
Momoh noted that the profit motive has been over prioritized in place of excellence and knowledge in the setting up of universities.
He said: “Nobody sets up a university because of profit. You set it up because of excellence, to produce excellent knowledge. Go and ask about the history of Yale and how it started.”

Continue reading

News

S’South NFF Congress okays Falode

It was back-slapping galore last Friday in Port Harcourt as the South South Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation met to address pressing football issues ahead of elections into some arms of the football fraternity in the country.
The meeting which was held at Aldgate Hotel, Perekule Street, GRA Phase 2 in the Garden City, had all the Chairmen and Secretaries, including other stakeholders of the South South football community in attendance. It was convened by the Rivers FA boss and Chairman of at least two NFF Sub-committees, Barrister Christopher Green. He is also an Executive Committee member of the NFF.

*Aisha Falode

After robust discussion of members from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and River State, the congress unanimously agreed that first rate women’s sportscaster and football administrator, Aisha Falode, be adopted as the zone’s candidate for the forthcoming Nigerian Women’s League election.
The communiqué described Falode as not only passionate and knowledgeable about the game, with cognate international experience, they also believed she has the capacity to help revive the dwindling fortunes of women football in the country by attracting sponsorship for the game, instead of the present situation that has seen complaints being hauled at the NFF leadership for not providing money for the women’s game in the country.
The South South NFF Congress urged other geo-political zones to join it in reviving the Women’s game in the country. “We are sure our brothers and sisters from other zones will join hands with us to give new direction to Women’s football in the country as it has suffered in recent times”.
The congress also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, saying under Amaju Pinnick, it has done well through victories at the U17 World Cup, qualification for various tournaments including the Women’s U17 World Cup and the Super Eagles continued battle to make it to the next World Cup in Russia and the upcoming Afcon Championship in Gabon.
The congress after making some committee appointments restated its commitment to the growth and development of Nigerian football, declaring that it believed the country has the capacity not only to be the best in Africa but one of the best in the world.

Continue reading

News

In photos: President Muhammadu Buhari at UN Climate Change Conference COP 21, Paris

President Buhari addressing the UN Climate Change Conference COP 21, in Paris, France

President Buhari addressing the UN Climate Change Conference COP 21, in Paris, France

Special Adviser on Media Mr Femi Adesina, National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno Rtd, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geoffrey Onyema and Minister of Environment Mrs Amina Ibrahim Mohammed at the occassion

President Buhari with Minister of Environment Mrs Amina Ibrahim Mohammed and National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno Rtd shortly before addressing the UN Climate Change Conference

President Buhari with Minister of Environment Mrs Amina Ibrahim Mohammed

Continue reading

News

Ondo gets high rating as Immunisation Week begins

Executive Secretary of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Ado Muhammed, has rated  Ondo State high in terms of primary healthcare delivery, compared to other states in in the country, even as the  state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday, declared open the November 2015 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW.
At the event, Governor Mimiko charged the 18 council chairmen in the state to provide the logistic support needed for the successful implementation of the exercise.
The flag-off ceremony, which held at the premises of the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure, was attended by the state deputy governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo and his wife Fatimo, among other government functionaries.
Governor Mimiko, who expressed satisfaction with previous  National Immunization Plus Days, NIPDs, exercises in the state, solicited the support of all stakeholders towards the success of the exercise.

Continue reading

News

Kogi Guber: Women’s group urges workers to reject PDP

The Confluence Women Mandate, CWM, has appealed to civil servants in Kogi State to maximize the opportunity offered by this Saturday’s election to free themselves from the clutches of poverty as fashioned by the PDP.
The group, therefore, urged workers in the state to troop out en-mass and vote for the APC candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, arguing that terminating PDP rule is the only panacea to the deluge of problems confronting the state.
Coordinator of CWM, Hajia Asabe Nuhu, who spoke in an interview in Abuja yesterday, said that the suffering workers can make a choice between remaining in perpetual poverty or liberating themselves.
Nuhu, who was visibly angry at the plight of the workers and the general situation in the state, said apart from workers’ dilemma “as mothers, we are saddened with the precarious future of our children who are roaming the streets without jobs in the state.”
Hajia Nuhu argued that Audu has done it before, adding, “we are convinced that he is ready to do much more, especially in the area of creating employment opportunities for our children. We are tired of watching them idling away.”
“If during his last tenure, the administration initiated the multi-trillion naira Obajana Cement Factory with the Dangote groups, we are confident that Audu’s coming back will foster establishment of cluster of industries within the three Senatorial districts,” she said.

Continue reading

News

PDP will win bailout or no bailout

The Director General of the PDP Governorship campaign, Senator Tunde Ogbeha has vowed that the PDP would win the election irrespective of the release of the bailout fund meant to offset workers’ salaries.
Ogbeha said this in an interview with newsmen in Lokoja just as he took a swipe at the attitude of the APC, towards the poll saying the opposition party in the state is not ready for a peaceful poll.
“It is unfortunate that the federal government allowed themselves to be used against the release of the bailout fund to the state. The level of misinformation and misgivings by the APC about the fund is bad. The bailout is not a gift but a loan to the state.
“However,  I’m optimistic that with or without the bailout, PDP will win Kogi.”
He also denied the insinuation that the party may not be committed to power shift if re-elected, said the National Working Committee of the party have already keyed into the struggle.
“Aside the NWC,  the only reason why I accepted the DG campaign is because of the issue of power shift.   Wada has not only supported it, he has put it in his manifesto. By 100 days after he must have been sworn in, a committee for that effect will be inaugurated to work out the modality”.

Continue reading

News