By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has urged the Bank of Industry (BOI) to increase the percentage of dividends accruing to the Federal Government, even after it had paid an N8.2 billion dividend to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, between 2014 and 2019.

A statement, on Thursday, in Abuja, by Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Solomon Adeola (APC- Lagos) said Adeola made the call at an investigative hearing on revenue remittances by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in Abuja.

Adeola described the seven to 10 per cent used by the Board of Directors of the bank to determine dividend on the net profit of the bank as too low and that the bank should consider increasing the percentage to 20 per cent or more.

While I want to commend the BOI for running an efficient bank, that is adding value to our industrial production as well as earning revenue for the Federal Government, I want to say that more money should be paid to the government in view of the financial constraints the country is facing at this point, he said.

Adeola urged the Managing Director of the BOI, Mr Olukayode Pitan, to bring the issue of increased dividends to the banks Board of Directors, to help reduce recurrent budget deficits and borrowings by government .

He said that given the 2021 budget deficit of about N6 trillion, the country was sourcing for revenue for a supplementary budget for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine and for fighting insecurity .

Adeola also called for a confirmation, with treasury receipts, on the payment of the dividend by the BOI into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Pitan had earlier told the committee that BOI had paid a dividend of N8.2 billion to CBN and Federal Ministry of Finance as shareholders in the bank, and over N1 billion as one per cent Stamp Duty to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Nigerians to dedicate themselves to more prayers during the Easter to seek divine intervention and guidance for the countrys leaders.

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Borno and Chairman APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) gave the charge in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

A statement by Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Bunis Director General, Press and Media, said Buni also called for love, unity, peace, harmony and tolerance among Nigerians.

He called on religious leaders to use the occasion of Easter to preach peace, tolerance and unity among Nigerians.

Buni said the Easter period should be used to pray for Nigeria to overcome its challenges and for its prosperity.

As people of faith, we should dedicate ourselves to more prayers during the Easter to seek divine intervention and guide our leaders right.

We should see ourselves as a people with common dreams and aspirations for a greater Nigeria that is full of love, tolerance, unity and prosperity.

We have no any other country than Nigeria, we should therefore work to unify and strengthen our dear country, Buni said.

He further called on Nigerians to see a problem in any part of the country as a common and shared problem that should be fought collectively.

He wished all Christians and Nigerians a peaceful Easter celebrations, love and abundant peace.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Chief Detective Superintendent Usman Muktar has assumed duty as the new Zonal Head, Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Media Head, said this in a Statement he issued to newsmen in Ilorin.
According to him, Mukhar took over from Chief Detective Superintendent Oseni Kazeem, who is deployed to Makurdi Office of the commission as the new Zonal Head.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to his recent appointment by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Muktar has served in various capacities and participated in many high-profile cases across the country.

He also attended several trainings and courses home and abroad including Advance Defence Intelligence Officers Course 11/18 organised by Defence Intel Agency, DIA.

Mukhtar charged officers at the zone, at his formal taking over ceremony on Thursday, to see the task of spearheading the fight against corruption as a service to ones fatherland.

He emphasised the need for cooperation, professionalism and dedication to duty among staff as the commission was determined to eradicate the malaise of corruption.

On the other hand, Kazeem, in his parting words, called for more diligence, dedication to duty and sincerity of purpose by all the officers.

He further admonished them to give his successor the support needed to advance the course of the fight against corruption. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Chief Elias Mbam, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has urged Christian faithful to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to pray for the unity of the country.

Mbams call is contained in his message of felicitation to Christian faithful in Nigeria, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki.

He said that the 2021 Easter celebration has provided another opportunity for Christians to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who gave his life as a ransom to free mankind from sin and death.

The RMAFC boss urged believers to leverage Christs love to work for the promotion of peace, love and unity in the nation, adding that unity was key to overcoming the myriad of challenges confronting Nigeria.

He further called on the rich and affluent in the society to demonstrate love by giving to the poor and needy around them.

He said: The key to overcoming security and economic challenges confronting our dear country is to pursue the ideals of a better society and work towards promoting unity, peace and love in our dear nation.

It is a period of deep reflection on our sojourn on earth, the ephemeral nature of the human body and the need to sacrifice the flesh and earthily pleasures in pursuit of a better place in the after life.

As we celebrate, we should also see the need to help the poor and the less privileged around us.

Mbam, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the fight against insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

The RMAFC chairman applauded the president for the various economic empowerment programmes of his administration aimed at lifting Nigerians out of poverty. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Isaiah Eka

The Akwa Ibom State Government has donated equipment worth millions of naira to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

Speaking during the donation, on Thursday, in Uyo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, said the gesture became necessary as a way to eliminate some of the barriers faced by PWDs.

Adiakpan said that the state government remained one of the few in the country dedicated to the welfare of people with disabilities, including strengthening their sense of belonging in the society.

She applauded the efforts of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, for always creating good and friendly policies favourable to the PWDs.

The commissioner said that other efforts of government could be seen clearly in the consistent provision of mobility devices, financial empowerment, educational materials, scholarship for students with disabilities and sponsoring of skills acquisition programmes.

She urged the PWDs to leverage on the gesture of the government and make good use of the equipment, to enhance their living standards as well as to contribute to the society.

I wish to use this event to urge you all to make good use of the enabling environment and inherent resources created by government to improve yourselves.

Live your dreams, rise to the faith of greatness, and contribute your quota to the building of a sustainable and resilient society that embraces humanity in all its diversity, she said.

Responding, on behalf of the PWDs, the State President, Joint Association of Persons With Disabilities, Mrs Offiong Bassey, applauded the state government for its favourable disposition to the conditions of PWDs.

Bassey noted that the support of the state government had already made street begging a taboo for the association.

The equipment donated included body-support machines, vocational tools, cartons of generating sets, saloon equipment, sewing machines, clutches and wheelchairs. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Sports journalists with no evidence of COVID-19 vaccination will be barred from covering the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), a Local Organising Committee (LOC) official said on Thursday in Benin.

Musa Ebomhiana, Project Manager of the LOCs Media and Communications Sub-Committee, said journalists hoping to cover the festival must show evidence of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results for COVID-19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSF is scheduled to hold in Benin from Friday to April 14.

Any journalist who fails to produce the PCR will not be allowed to cover the National Sports Festival (NSF), Ebomhiana said.

He however said the accreditation process for journalists who had submitted their details for the coverage of the festival was ongoing.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) is strictly in charge. Ours is to assist them and weve done that.

The MOC will produce the accreditation cards and give to those who have registered. The advance party will bring them to Benin for onward distribution to Journalists.

When the cards come they will give them to journalists who have registered, but any journalist who fails to show evidence of PCR test or vaccination will not be allowed to cover the festival, the official said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Maureen Okon
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will plant 50 billion trees in its Two Green Initiatives for the Middle East to combat environmental hazard.

The Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Nigeria, Faisal Alghamdi, at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday said that the kingdom was interested in combating climate change and environmental challenges in the region.

Alghamdi said:the kingdom announces two green initiatives of planting 50 billion trees in the Middle East.

This is due to low level of rainfall which has affected the rise in temperature, higher dust waves and desertification, which in turn constitute an economic threat to the region.

The Green Saudi Initiative aims at improving the quality of life and protecting succeeding generations through increase in the level of vegetation, reduction of carbon emissions, combating pollution and land degradation, and preservation of marine life.

Under this initiative, ten billion trees will be planted within the kingdom, thereby representing four per cent of the global contributions to reduce carbon emissions.

Also it aims at raising the electricity generation within the kingdom to 50 per cent by the year 2030, using renewable energy programme.

According to him, the second initiative is aimed at the Middle East Green initiative, that will see the planting of 40 billion trees in the region.

The ambassador said that 10 billion trees would be planted in the kingdom while 40 in countries of the Middle East.

He said that the initiative would see the planting of the trees in the Middle East region in partnership with the countries of the Gulf region and other Middle East countries.

The initiative is in collaboration with other allies and organisations that look forward to working with the kingdom to achieve this goal.

It is a regional blueprint launched by the kingdom to contribute immensely to the realisation of the global objectives of combating climate change, which represents five per cent of the global target of planting one trillion trees.

This will also reduce the global carbon rate by 2.5 per cent. This joint effort will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions by more than 10 per cent of the global contributions and also enhance the regions hydrocarbon technology efficiency, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the National Identification Number (NIN) is not mandatory for voter registration.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the clarification while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

Yakubu said that NIN was only a means of identification for registration as listed in the Electoral Act.

I want to make this important clarification. NIN is not going to be made mandatory for voter registration.

This is for a simple reason that we are operating on basis of law establishing INEC.

Section 10 of the Electoral Act lists identifications to be presented by prospective registrants for the purpose of voter registration to includes birth certificate, national passport, national identify card, he said.

The INEC chairman said the list also included drivers licence or any other document that would prove the identity and age of the applicant.

He said that the NIN card was only one of the means of identification provided for, under section 10 sub-section 2 of the electoral act.

We cannot single that out and make it mandatory. All the other requirements are requirements of the law and we must apply the law appropriately.

If you have your national ID card we will register you on presentation of the card, but we will not make it a mandatory means of identification for the exercise.

Since the law, the electoral act does not make it mandatory, it is only one of the many means of identification required, Yakubu said.

He also said that INEC had announced June 28 for the resumption of its suspended Continuous Voter Registration across the country, with new technology.

He said that the commission would replace its Direct Data Capture Machineintroduced in 2011 for voter registration with a new technology called, INEC Voter Enrolment Device.

The INEC boss explained that with the new innovation, prospective registrants could only apply and go to the nearest registration centre for data capturing to complete the exercise.

Yakubu further said provision had been made for extra registration centres across the country to avoid overcrowding at registration points for those that want to do physical registration.

On COVID-19 pandemic, he said that 1,000 registration centres had been added to the existing 1,446 for the exercise to reach as many people as possible.

He, however, reminded prospective registrants that it was an offence to register more than once, saying, citizens should register only once. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joy Odigie
Atlantique Marine Engineering Services (AMES), promoter of the Edo Inland Container Dry Port, is collaborating with Manufacturers Associations and the Chambers of Commerce to commence export at the port.

Dr Charles Akhigbe, MD/CEO AMES-Edo Inland Container Dry Port disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday.

Akhigbe said the port has a Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW) that served as a one-stop shop for exporters and business operators.

We are entering into contracts with Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturer Associations as well as individuals to start exportation of non-Oil products from Edo via the inland dry port.

Exporters of Agricultural products within the Edo region do not need to go to Lagos anymore because everything about exportation can be done at the dry port.

The DEW initiative being driven by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council will ensure that exporters operate under one roof to get certification for their products.

Once the product meets the necessary export standards, it will be packaged and loaded into container and conveyed straight to the nominated shipping line, he said.

He said the port would commence operations before end of April, urging exporters to take advantage of less tariffs and logistic cost.

He also urged MSMEs to key into the Federal Government Export Development Fund to enable them boost their export in agricultural products. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
FBNHoldings Plc has announced a profit of N89.7 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2020, indicating an increase of 21.8 per cent.

The company disclosed this in its 2020 audited result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday.

The profit was higher when compared with N73.7 billion achieved in the comparative period of 2019.

Also, profit before tax rose by 11.2 per cent to N83.7 billion in contrast with N75.3 billion posted in 2019.

Its operating income stood at N426.3 billion from N417.5 billion in 2019, while gross earnings dropped marginally by 1.9 per cent to N579.4 billion from N590.4 billion in the previous year.

The companys total assets rose by 23.9 per cent to N7.7 trillion in contrast with N6.2 trillion achieved in the corresponding period of 2019.

Also, customers deposits grew to N4.89 trillion against N4.02 trillion posted in the previous period.

The company said that the decline of 1.9 per cent in gross earnings was driven bya 10.9 per cent year-on-year decline ininterest incometo N384.8 billion against N431.9 billion achieved in 2019.

This is largely on the back of government securities which declined on the short and long end of the yield curve.

Commenting on the performance,UK Eke, the Group Managing Director, said that the company was pleased to close the year in a healthy financial position in spite of the difficult operating environment.

FBNHoldings is pleased to close the year in a healthy financial position despite the difficult operating environment that has been characterised by unprecedented events as a result of the pandemic and challenging economic environment.

As part of our strategic planning cycle, which is in the second year, we exited the insurance underwriting business through the sale of our interest in FBNInsurance to our long-term partner, the Sanlam Group.

This decision is consistent with our portfolio optimisation strategy, underscored by the renewed focus on deepening our foothold in the banking sector through increased investment in digitalisation, innovation, and expansion in financial services for the benefit of our existing and new customers.

The proceeds from the sale have been injected in First Bank of Nigeria to strengthen the core business of the group and drive further market growth.

Five years ago, we outlined our strategy to diversify our income stream by boosting non-interest income through a transaction-led banking model.

We believe this decision reduced the burden on our customers during the lockdown by providing seamless access to banking service as well as support the effort of the Government and other donor agencies to reach Nigerians with the COVID-19 support programmes, Eke said.

Also speaking, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, said that the commercial banking posted strong performance in 2020 with a profit before tax growth of 4.0 per cent.

The Commercial Banking Group posted another strong performance in 2020 with a profit before tax growth of 4.0 per cent and total asset growth of 25.5 per cent y-o-y despite the unprecedented macro-economic challenges and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a group, our investments in technology and digital channels ensured that we were well positioned to respond in the face of the outbreak, keeping ourservices to our customers stable and unbroken during the period.

The impressive growth of 20.5 per cent (N803 billion) in customers deposit demonstrates the significant value of our brand equity which has become synonymous with security and safety. It further demonstrates customers confidence in the Bank, which we have continued to sustain even in the face of a challenging operating environment.

We continue to successfully expand our agent banking network and optimise our banking franchises in all the markets where we operate.

In 2020, we recorded remarkable growth in the onboarding of new FirstMonie Agents, significant increase in the uptake of our USSD, mobile app and other digital channels thus further reinforcing our leadership position in the financial inclusion and payment space, Adeduntan said.

He said that the company would continue with the execution of its corporate strategic initiatives for the 2020 to 2024 strategic plan cycle.

As we continue with the execution of our corporate strategic initiatives for the 2020 2024 strategic plan cycle, our objective remains to deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation; and to maximise returns to our stakeholders.

We remain focused on the disciplined execution of our strategic initiatives that are aimed atenhancing efficiency and facilitating performance excellence across the board, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The nations bourse opened the month of April with a loss of N67 billion, amid profit taking ahead of Easter celebrations.

Specifically, the market capitalisation which opened for the month at N20.428 trillion dipped N67 billion or 0.33 per cent to close at N20.361 trillion.

The downturn was supported by investors portfolio readjustment ahead of first quarter earning results.

Also, the All-Share Index dropped by 128.39 points or 0.33 per cent to close at 38, 916.74 from 39,045.13 recorded on Wednesday.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Lafarge Africa, Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Guaranty Trust Bank and NEM Insurance.

FTN Cocoa Processors led the losers chart in percentage terms losing 8.70 per cent to close at 42k per share.

NEM Insurance followed with a decline of 7.39 per cent to close at N2.13, while Unity Bank shed 6.67 per cent to close at 70k per share.

Regency Alliance Insurance dropped 3.33 per cent to close at 29k, while Livestock Feeds shed 2.60 per cent to close at N1.87 per share.

Conversely, Royal Exchange and UACN dominated the gainers chart in percentage terms with 10 per cent each to close at 33k and N9.90 per share, respectively.

Japaul Gold and Ventures followed with a gain 9.76 per cent to close at 45k per share.

Cutix rose by 9.31 per cent to close at N2.23, while Linkage Assurance gained 9.09 per cent to close at 72k per share.

Transactions in the shares of UAC topped the activity chart with 37.38 million shares valued at N370.01 million.

Transcorp followed with 25.93 million shares worth N20.88 million, while Fidelity Bank traded 12.6 million shares valued at N31.45 million.

Flour Mills traded 10.36 million shares worth N300.40 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank transacted 9.65 million shares valued at N289.61 million.

In all, the total volume of traded dipped by 2.54 per cent with an exchange of 239.42 million shares valued at N2.32 billion exchanged in 4,45 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 347.17 million shares worth N2.80 billion achieved in 3,990 deals on Wednesday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Mr Funso Adebiyi, Director, Highway Construction and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Works and Housing, has called on drivers and other road users to regulate their speed and maintain lane discipline while driving.

Adebiyi made this call at the inspection of the dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Road (Section 1), including spur to Airport Junction on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project consists of rehabilitation and dualisation of 42 km existing single carriage-way 30 km of which is on Abuja-Abaji road from Zuba Junction to Sheda Village Junction.

It also includes 12 km along Airport Spur road which is from Giri village junction to Airport link road junction.

NAN also reports that the project also include three major highway interchanges- Giri, Gwagwalada and Kuje and three bridges.

At the inspection, Adebiyi while explaining to newsmen the progress made on the construction, said it was at 97 per cent completion lamented on the issues that contribute to the deterioration of roads.

Everybody is in a hurry and this causes traffic problem, the completed sections I discover that road users are generally impatient, they speed a lot incidentally I am the one overseeing the roads in Nigeria.

The section we completed from Lagos to Ibadan, we have completed about 80 km out of about 127 km, when you see people drive on those sections you will think they are going to heaven.

They will be driving at about 160, 170 km per hour, to where and why are they speeding?.

The resultant effects of speeding are colossal as am talking to you fast moving trucks have destroyed two of our bridges, we have to repair those bridges again at our own cost, he said.

The expert said overloading was another challenge that confronted the constructed roads.

According to him, people overload trucks with animals, food stuffs and human beings and this have adverse effects on the roads because they are carrying more than they are meant to carry.

These pavements are designed for specific axel load a trailer that should carry 600 bags is carrying 900 bags some carry 1000.

This is why you see some rods on the road are getting spoiled; if you look at Abuja to Kaduna you will see distress features all over the places, crash of various sizes because of overloading.

Do you know if you drive from Lokoja to Abuja and you are on 100 km per hour and am driving 140 km per hour the time lag that I will save will not be more than 15 minutes because while am slowing down you probably would have caught up with me.

Do you know what if I lose my front tire at 140 km per hour that car may somersault I may not live to be able to tell the story but you that is on 80 or 100 even if you loss all your tires you will still be stable.

Somehow fatality will be less, those you carry on top of those trucks if you slam the break suddenly the other objects on top will continue moving on.

On Abuja -Kaduna road, we lost about 20 people recently why, the truck slam the break and the human beings on top continue in their own motion, Adebiyi said.

Adebiyi added that every time there was a fire outbreak because of trucks collision there was an explosion and all these add to destroy the pavements.

He further said trucks park indiscriminately on the roads turning them to workshops.

The expert therefore appealed to road users to also discipline themselves to maintaining their lanes while driving and desist from all these issues that belittle government effort to provide sustainable roads that would endure the test of time.

Speaking on the importance of the road he said the Abuja- Abaji Lokoja road links South-West, South-East, South-South to Abuja.

The roads construction was started on Aug. 2006, with the sum of N11,227,571,390.41 trillion, is billed to be completed by June 30,2021 at a revised sum of N29,761,504,648.15 trillion. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

Youth Employment Foundation (YEF), an NGO, on Thursday said it had started training 1300 girls in 13 secondary schools in Ibadan in vocational and life skills to enhance positive changes among youths.

Mrs Iwalola Akin- Jimoh, YET Executive Secretary, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders meeting for education stakeholders in Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Standard Chartered Bank is partnering with YEF on the programme as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The aim of the programme is to train girls and in each school; we train 100 girls who now reach out to 10 girls each over a period of 9 months on life skills.

They are also trained on different vocations, like hairdressing, tailoring, baking and information technology.

We want everybody to realise that within your little space, you can do a lot to move the country forward, we dont have to be dependent on government, Jimoh said.

According to her, the NGO have different programmes in its five core areas of health, education, sports for development, child for protection and livelihoods.

What we want is a situation where young people are empowered, not only empowered in term of their academics but also empowered to earn some income, empowered to know that your community is your immediate space you can make a change, she said.

Mrs Aderonke Adeleke, YET Coordinator at Onireke High School, said that the laudable programme had been in existence in her school for four years.

Adeleke said that yearly, new girls were recruited and trained on life skills and life goals.

Part of the skills are budgeting, decision making, goal setting among others. I particularly like training on gender-based violence which teaches how girls can cope with such.

The programme has impacted a lot in the lives of the children, at least we see changes in the lives of the children. The way they think and carry themselves.

The girls train others as they have been trained and it has a far-reaching effect on the populace generally, she said.

She added that the programme should be given more funding and encouragement by incorporating it in the normal school curriculum.

Many schools are challenged with timing, giving them adequate time to train the children, so it wont clash with the normal school activities.

If the government, Ministry of Education in particular, could incorporate them into the curriculum maybe after examination, since we normally have two weeks after examination that could be used for YEF to train the students.

Also Ill like to see a programme that would include the boys because if we train the girls to be good and all rounded and the boys are found wanting, these girls will end up with such boys.

They should look into the possibility of training the boys in some particular areas so we can have a balanced environment, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of his former Personal Secretary at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), Mohammed Baba Marafa.

In a condolence messag issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Thursday in Abuja, the president said:

Im personally devastated by the death of Mohammed Baba Marafa who had served as my Secretary at the PTF and I am proud of his record of dedication, hard work and loyalty.

The late Marafa did his job with great passion and zeal, and these are qualities that earn a subordinate the respect and trust of his boss.

Buhari conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased, the Lamido of Adamawa, the Waziri family of Adamawa and the Alkali Hamma Joda family as well as the Adamawa State Government over the passing of Marafa. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing says it has adopted proactive technical inspection strategies to fast-track execution of quality road projects across the country.

Dr Babangida Hussaini, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, stated this while inspecting ongoing road projects, on Thursday in Kano.

Hussaini said that the inspection would ensure timely and quality execution of road projects initiated by the President Muhammadu Buharis administration.

He said the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola, and other officials of the ministry had inspected various road projects across the country in the past three months.

We have scale up technical inspection and monitoring to ensure that the projects are being executed in accordance with contract specification. The government is geared to ensure quality job to provide one of the best roads in Africa, he said.

Hussaini who expressed satisfaction with progress of work on the projects, said that some of the projects were expected to be inaugurated in May.

Through the technical inspection we have identified some gaps and funding challenges which are addressed. I commend the contractors for a good job and urged them to work towards timely completion of the projects, he said.

Hussaini, however, decried indiscriminate release of water by car washing operators on some section of the Kano-Zaria road, noting that the trend was inimical to sustainable road infrastructure development.

Roads are critical national assets, the federal government is spending huge sum of money on road construction and rehabilitation.

It is disappointing to see some people are destroying the roads in the name of businesses, they should observe the right of way.

The government will not condone the act and it must stop, he said.

Also speaking, Mr Muntari Dantata, Manager Director, Dantata

By Justina Auta

Zizah Okeugo, 12, will feature his artwork at Terra Kulture centre for creative arts, as part of activities to mark this years World Autism Awareness Day.

World Autism Awareness Day is globally celebrated every April 2, to raise more awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome throughout the world.

Mrs Esther Sule-Okeugo, the Manager and Mother of Zizah disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

She explained that the exhibition was an avenue for the public to see into the mind of an autistic person and appreciate the beauty that could be created.

According to her, they will also be launching a foundation to support autistic children.

We are immensely proud of Zizah and want to use this event to highlight the ability that exists in autism.

We plan to also launch the Haven for Autism Foundation in the coming months to support other kids on the spectrum, she added.

She revealed that a series of acrylic on paper and canvas artworks, themed, Eidetic Impressions by her son would be exhibited at Terra Kulture between Friday and April 11.

She said the artworks were created by Zizah Obioha Okeugo who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4 and also suffers from epilepsy.

According to her, Zizah underwent constant therapy in speech development, motor skill development and several emotional control techniques to help him blend into a neurotypical world.

She, however, noted that it was when he discovered art and music that he really began to engage with his surroundings and his family.

On how he blended in with the world around him, she said, Like most kids of his age, he is constantly trying new things and Art and music are his means to connect and communicate what he is feeling.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Zizah regularly shares sketches, profiles and abstracts drawn from his immediate surroundings on his Instagram page.

The Terra Kulture is an art and culture centre in Nigeria that promotes the beauty, affluenceand diversity of Nigerian Art and Culture.

The centre is popular for its art gallery and exhibitions with its annual events such as art auction and Taruwa festival.

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

Deputy Gov. Ude Oko-Chukwu of Abia on Thursday challenged journalists to write books so that generations to come would always reference their materials and build up from there.

He issued the challenge while congratulating Chief Sam Ibe for his book Professional Journalism Practice Under Threat.Why all hands must be on deck, which was launched in Umuahia.

Oko-Chukwu, who was represented by Chief Michael Egwu, Permanent Secretary, Trade and Investments, said that journalists were in a better position to write about any subject.

Journalism has left the state of short story into something that can stand the test of time, he said.

Also, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, the Commissioner for Information,Abia, while congratulating Ibe, said that it was important for journalists to document their thoughts.

He challenged journalists to rise above the threat posed by social media and quacks, even as he advised them to manage their time well and write books.

The book reviewer, Uche Uwaoma, an Association Professor, said that it was time professional journalists rose to stamp out those who had no business with the noble profession.

Most of citizens journalists do it for pecuniary reasons, but I want to say that journalism is not for sale, he said.

Earlier in hisremarks, the author said he was inspired by the fact that journalism profession practice had been debased to a ridiculous level that it had become an all-comers affair.

The book is an answer to some of the unethical blunders committed by some of our colleagues at public functions which is reducing the image of the profession, Ibe said.

Ibe, who is the Chairman, Correspondent Chapel of Abia council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, expressed optimism that journalism would regain its enviable status if all hands are on deck.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book presentation was attended by many personalities from the academia, media and business circles. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olajide Idowu

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Thursday inaugurated the Osun Food Support Scheme to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on 30,000 vulnerable citizens.

Oyetola, while inaugurating the programme at the state secretariat, Osogbo, said the initiative was part of his promise to prioritise the welfare and general well-being of the people.

He said the scheme became necessary because available statistics showed that several jobs had been lost with many sources of livelihoods significantly threatened due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyetola said that the scheme would run till the end of his administration.

He said that the scheme would cater for the critical needs of 30,000 poor and vulnerable citizens, including youths, widows, the aged and people living with disabilities, across the state on a monthly basis.

Oyetola said beneficiaries were drawn from the nooks and crannies of the state using the World Bank-sponsored Social Register.

He stressed that his administrations ultimate goal, apart from feeding the vulnerable in the interim, was to also boost local food production and achieve food security in the long run.

The governor disclosed that the food support scheme had been calibrated, in line with the administrations policy of promoting small, micro and medium businesses to boost the local economy.

He said that all food items would be sourced locally to further encourage local farmers and businesses.

Oyetola said that to achieve the sustainability of the scheme, his administration, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, had commenced the clearing of 10,000 acres of land,.

He said that part of the land would be allocated to youths who are genuinely interested in farming to engage them effectively and productively.

Oyetola added that 30 per cent of the beneficiaries of the Food Support Scheme were youths.

Through this scheme, in the first instance, 30,000 beneficiaries across our state will be reached and provided with 5kg of food bags as a token of support.

To make the exercise hitch-free and transparent, we have constituted a committee made of relevant state functionaries and key stakeholders with representations from the various religious bodies, trade groups, youth groups, minority groups, among others.

We are adopting the use of the World Bank-sponsored Social Register to cater for the beneficiaries in a manner that is just and equitable across the various nook and crannies of our state.

We also followed this up with our post-COVID economic recovery plan targeted at empowering over 5,000 SMEs with relevant skills and requisite funding in partnership with the Bank of Industry.

Through the Ministry of Youths and Sports, we have also been facilitating loans to businesses in the state to support youth entrepreneurship, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

North Koreas national carrier set to resume flights between Pyongyang and Beijing this week, its website showed on Thursday, drawing attention to whether the route would resume after 14 months of suspension amid coronavirus.

According to the flight schedule released on Air Koryos website, the airlines JS251 flight will depart Pyongyang at 4:00 p.m. and arrive Beijing at 5:50 p.m. on Thursday.

Another flight is scheduled to depart from Beijing for Pyongyang on Friday, the airline stated.

The flights could mark the first time the North has operated an international commercial flight since January last year when it closed all ports of entry by land, sea or air as part of efforts to block the COVID-19 virus from spreading into the country.

It was, however, unclear whether the North would actually resume flights.

In February last year, the airline released its flight schedule to the Russian port city of Vladivostok but did not operate the flights.

North Korea has not reported any case of COVID-19 virus infection, but it has called for nationwide efforts to prevent the virus from breaking out on its soil through intensified border controls and tightened quarantine processes. (Yonhap)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government says it has so far enrolled 51million citizens for the National Identification Number (NIN) as at March 31, 2021.

Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, made this known at the weekly Presidential Media briefing organized by the Presidential Communication Media Team in Abuja on Thursday.

He also revealed that about 189 millionsubscribers of the Identification Module (SIM) had been registered in the country.

According to the minister, only 150million out of the 189million have successfully completed their registration while the remaining have problems of improper registration.

Pantami reminded all citizens to enroll for the NIN, warning that those yet to obtain the NIN risk seven or 14 years imprisonment as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.

Based on the requirement by law each and every citizen and legal resident must obtain his/her National Identification Number (NIN), which is being coordinated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Its a requirement by law but many citizens ignore it.

What we achieved in the area of enrolment from the time Mr President has directed me to supervise NIMC till date is unprecedented and we would continue to ensure that in the next few years we have an almost a complete data base of all our citizens in the country.

No country will be successful in education, health, budget planning or national planning without data base of its citizens in place.

What I inherited in the data base was less than 20 per cent of our population. But we want to ensure that before we leave office we would look at the data base and be proud of our country, he said.

According to him, while obtaining a SIM card maybe optional, NIN is mandatory, noting that a lot of transactions in the country are not supposed to be carried out without NIN.(NAN)

Source: NAN News