By Chimezie Anaao

The maiden My Anambra Football Super 8 tournament has entered semi final stage with four clubs emerging for a place in the grand finale.

The clubs are Pope John Paul FC, Okpuno, Konti FC Umunnachi, Melon FC Umunze and GP World, Nnewi set to fight for a place in the grand finale on Saturday.

The four clubs emerged from the four matches in both Group A and Group B played at the Chuba Ikpeazu mini stadium Onitsha on Wednesday.

In Group A, Pope John Paul FC drew 1-1 with Ifechikwulu to finish top with five points while Konti FC had a barren draw against Ranges FC of Umunze to finish second with four points scaling through ahead of of Ifechikwulu which also had four points.

Mekon FC with 10-men emerged winners of Group B after walloping Golden Boys FC of Onitsha 2-0 to finish with seven points ahead of GP World which managed a 2-2 draw with hard fighting SmithCity FC of Awka.

GP World FC were second from Group B with four points while SmithCity FC and Golden Boys crashed out of the competition with two points and one point respectively.

Kingsley Onunkwo, Team Manager of John Paul FC said the draw was a victory for them as it was necessary to give them a place in the semi finals.

Onunkwo said he was confident of victory in their next game and expressed optimism that they would advance to grand finale.

Solomon Morah, Coach of Ifechikwulu FC said they gave their best but regretted that they could not advance beyond the group stage.

Moran said it was a great experience for his team and expressed satisfaction with quality of organisation and officiating in the tournament.

The grand finale of the competition will hold at NEROS stadium, Nanka on April 3.

My Anambra Football Super 8 tournament was organised by Anambra State Football Association and sponsored by Aspire FC, Adazi-Ani, an Anambra based amateur football club. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The number of registered organ donation volunteers in China has crossed 3.15 million, the Red Cross Society of China said on Wednesday.

More than 33,000 organ donors donated after death, saving nearly 100,000 lives, according to Liang Huiling, Party chief and executive vice president of the Red Cross Society of China.

Human organ donation is a noble cause that saves lives, promotes love among people, and highlights social civilization and progress, Liang said this at an event held in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing to commemorate organ donors and also to raise public awareness of organ donation.

China started piloting the organ donation programme in 2010.

The number of donors increased to 4.16 per million population (PMP) in 2019 from 2.01 PMP in 2015, according to the 2019 report on China organ donation development released by the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation in December 2020.

Volunteers became the sole legitimate source of transplants in China after organ trade was outlawed in 2011 and the use of organs from executed prisoners was banned in 2015. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the sale of its expression of interest and nomination forms for the Anambra governorship election by one week

The party in a statement by its National Organising Secretary, retired Col. Austin Akobundu, said the closing date for the sales of the forms had been extended from Wednesday, March 31 to Wednesday, April 7.

Akobundu added that the date for the submission of the forms had also been extended to Saturday , April 10.
All aspirants, leaders of our party, critical stakeholders as well as our teeming supporters in Anambra are to take note and guided accordingly.

About 13 aspirants including three females -Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra), Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, daughter of former vice president Alex Ekwueme; and Mrs Genevieve Ekwochi, had obtained the forms.

Others were Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Mr Chris Azubogu, Dr Winston Ude, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, Mr Godwin Maduka, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Sen. Ugochukwu Uba, Mr Tony Nwoye and Chief Walter Okeke.

The forms were sold at N21million made up of N1million for expression of interest and N20million for nomination form.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Folasade Akpan

The World Bank says economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise between 2.3 per cent and 3.4 per cent in 2021.

It said this in its Africa Pulse, a publication on Africas economy titled The Future of Work in Africa: Emerging Trends in Digital Technology Adoption released in Washington D. C. on Tuesday.

According to the report, the growth is dependent on the policies adopted by countries and the international community as a second wave of COVID-19 infections was partly dragging down the 2021 growth projections.

It said that while some countries had a significant drop in COVID-19 infections due to containment measures adopted by the government, other countries were facing an upward trend in infections.

It however said that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2022 was estimated at 3.1 per cent.

It added that for most countries in the region, activity would remain well below the pre-COVID-19 projections at the end of 2021, increasing the risk of long-lasting damage from the pandemic on peoples living standards.

The World Bank added that real GDP in the Western and Central Africa sub region was projected to grow at 2.1 per cent in 2021 and 3.0 per cent in 2022.

According to it, growth in the Western and Central Africa sub region contracted by 1.1 per cent in 2020, less than projected in October 2020 partly due to a less severe contraction in Nigeria, the sub regions largest economy, in the second half of the year.

Nigerias muted growth prospects and slow vaccine rollout will weigh on the sub regional economic outlook.

Excluding Nigeria, growth in the sub region is projected to rebound to 3.1 per cent in 2021, following a modest contraction in 2020, and strengthen to 4.3 per cent in 2022.

Metals exporters and non-resource-rich countries are expected to drive the recovery, it said.

The report said that Sub-Saharan Africas recovery was expected to vary across countries.

It said that non-resource-intensive countries, such as Cte dIvoire and Kenya, and mining-dependent economies, such as Botswana and Guinea, were expected to see robust growth in 2021.

This would be driven by a rebound in private consumption and investment as confidence strengthens and exports increase.

It estimated that in the Eastern and Southern Africa sub region, the growth contraction for 2020 would be -3.0 per cent, mostly driven by South Africa and Angola, the sub regions largest economies.

It added that excluding Angola and South Africa, economic activity in the sub region was projected to expand by 2.6 per cent in 2021, and 4.0 per cent in 2022.

In a statement issued by the bank, Mr Albert Zeufack, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa, said African countries have made tremendous investments over the last year to keep their economies afloat and protect the lives and livelihoods of their people.

Ambitious reforms that support job creation, strengthen equitable growth, protect the vulnerable and contribute to environmental sustainability will be key to bolstering those efforts going forward toward a stronger recovery across the African continent.

Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, said he was convinced of the power of digital technology to transform the future of Africa.

We applaud countries that are already making necessary investments and innovative reforms, as this will not only create new jobs, but improve the jobs people already have and allow more people to work, earn and provide for their families and communities.

The Pulse, said that as the region looks ahead to economic recovery, digital technology not only had the potential to create new jobs, but could also help boost the productivity of existing ones.

It also pointed to mounting evidence that showed that large employment increases resulted in better employment opportunities for both low-and high-skilled workers and vulnerable groups such as women and young people.

It said that to harness the full potential of the digital technologies and to take advantage of the energy and ideas of a young, dynamic population, African governments, development partners and the private sector should prioritise digital infrastructure.

It added that they should invest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and enhance the skills of workers to advance human capital.

Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, said for the continent to leapfrog and to make the digital economy more inclusive, it would require actionable policies in place to ensure fast, affordable and reliable connectivity.

This will be key to boost productivity and improve employment and wages for both women and men in the formal and informal sector.

As countries move forward, jobs, digital connectivity and skills will need to be at the center of policy action and private sector response. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Presidents wife, Aisha Buhari, on Wednesday, unveiled the Gender Policy for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to promote gender mainstreaming in the nations armed forces.

Mrs Buhari, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration, Dr Hajo Sani, commended the military for taking step towards actualising gender mainstreaming in the armed forces.

She said that the policy had the propensity of opening up opportunities not only for the female personnel but also for the children aspiring to join the military.

According to her, the policy has set the stage for every woman in the AFN to begin to play a significant role in the defence of the nation from all forms of security challenges that confront Nigeria.

It is on record that women and girls exert more efforts than the men and boys to prove their competence in many chosen areas of endeavour including the military.

Therefore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has set itself up to benefit maximally from the abundant innate capacities and capabilities women and children possess.

It is also heartwarming that with this giant step, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is encouraged to ensure that the large part of the population contributes to the task of defending the country against its enemies, she said.

She said that one of the cardinal focus of her Future Assured Programme under Aisha Buhari Foundation was the quest for gender inclusiveness and increased participation of women in decision-making processes.

She expressed hope that because women had been imbued with wisdom that enables them to unite systems, they would play a critical role in bringing solutions to various security challenges confronting the country.

This effort, according to her, is an added impetus to the efforts of Nigeria through the Ministry of Women Affairs and other civil society organisations working on ensuring women and girl children rights in the male-dominated environment of Nigeria.

She advocated that the policy should keep in view the challenges that militate against women emancipation, adding that gender stereotype against women was a potential threat to their advancement in the military.

According to her, there are a good number of reported cases where women were prevented from participating in combat duties, excluding pregnancy or maternity.

Women are often restricted to careers within the supportive aspect of the military such as finance, human resource, personnel, logistics, medical services, welfare etc.

I enjoin the military women to continuously take note of this and vehement exception to such psychological oppression with the formulation of this policy.

The security issues bedeviling our Country Nigeria still abound probably because we are yet to redefine the Armed Forces of Nigeria to explore the potentials of women for operational effectiveness.

Women possess the traits of patience, perseverance and passion. Because of the emotional buildup of women, we possess the tendency to transmit the same spirit to any task, she said.

Speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, said the complexity and dynamism of the spectrum of security challenges facing the world demand that all useful approaches and means must be employed to combat the menace emanating therefrom.

Irabor said it was the realisation that gender disparity contributed in no small measure to the suffering of women and girls in any environment that birthed the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.

He said that the crux of the resolution aimed at ensuring that women and their societal needs were safeguarded through increased emphasis on granting access to opportunities in all spheres of human endeavours including the military.

Irabor said that Nigerian armed forces had become gender-sensitive by ensuring that the career paths of female personnel were unhindered.

This, according to him, is evident in the fact that the AFN can boast of producing female officers up to the rank of 2-star generals, adding that women were currently engaged in all areas of specialisation including combat operations.

He said that the Nigerian Defence Academy had continued to train female cadets as combatant officers as well as the establishment of Nigerian Army Women Corps in 2018.

According to him, the Nigerian Air Force established the Women of War in 2018 to involve women in all aspects of air operations including flying, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and engineering.

He said that the Nigerian Navy had equally deployed women as sailors and for other key aspects such as ship maintenance.

The defence chief said that the coming of the policy was a clear declaration that the AFN was totally committed to taking the issue of women empowerment to higher levels.

He said that the policy was part of ongoing efforts at addressing some of the security challenges prevalent in the country.

The involvement of women and girls in a myriad of violent crimes and activities including banditry, kidnapping and terrorism among others, demands that the innate capacities and capabilities of women and girls are channelled and harnessed for societal benefits.

On this note, let me assure you all that the AFN remains seized in confronting all agents that threaten the peace of Nigeria, he said.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, commended the military for taken step to actualise the call for gender mainstreaming in the country.

Tallen, who was represented by the Director, Gender Affairs, Mrs Friya Bulus, pledged the ministrys support for women emancipation in the armed forces.

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Victoria Irabor, commended the move and the unveiling of the policy document.

She advocated the proper implementation of the policy to enable it to achieve the desired goal, adding that the policy was poised to launch the Nigerian armed forces to greater heights.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by the service chiefs, their wives and coordinator of UN Women, British High Commissioner among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Francis Onyeukwu

Police in Anambra have confirmed gun attack on a gathering being addressed by Prof. Charles Soludo, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor in his country home in Isuofia, Aguata in Anambra.

Soludo, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6, 2021 election, was said to be holding meeting with youths of his town at Isuofia Civic Center in Aguata Local Government Area of the state when the gunmen stormed the place.

Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who confirmed the attack to the News Agency if Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday evening in Awka, said he was not sure of the killings.

I can confirm that there was a gathering in Isuofia community where Prof. Soludo and other personalities gathered for a meeting on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

For now, we can only speak of the gun shots, but other details especially on whether there were causalities or not will be when we get more facts, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, says the establishment of the Nigeria Police Radio, 99.1FM is to promote community policing and bring the police closer to the people.

Adamu stated this at the inauguration of the radio station on Wednesday in Abuja

He said the radio station was a legacy project, conceived, nurtured and actualised by the Nigeria Police.

Adamu said the project was part of strategies designed by his administration as the 20th I-G to combat crimes and stabilise security across the country.

As part of the implementation processes, we appreciated the need to bolster partnership and good working relationship between the police and the people in our various communities.

One of these strategies is the construction and setting up of this community based radio station, the Nigeria Police 99.1FM Radio, targeted at bringing the police closer to the people, he said.

He commended the federal government for its unrelenting commitment to the security and safety of Nigerians and support for the Nigeria Police in the enhancement of its operational capacity.

According to him, the Nigeria Police 99.1FM Radio is a product of this laudable gestures and it is within the vision of our community policing initiative.

He said the focus was to ensure smooth information flow, aimed at strengthening the bond between the citizens and the police.

Adamu said the radio station had since commenced test transmission in line with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) code and operational regulations.

The police boss said the station would serve as a veritable avenue for the Nigeria Police to engage, enlighten and inform the public on policing activities and other security related matters.

According to him, the station will also air phone-in programmes to involve the citizens in the security of their localities especially on ways to spot and report crimes and other necessary steps to take in the event of a crime or security emergency.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said the project was a legacy project set up at a time when fake news was a big issue globally.

He said the establishment of a radio station by the police implied that Nigerians have a station where credible, accurate and timely information about security and other issues could be aired.

It cannot be said that the police radio is airing fake news.

When people listen to all other radio stations, they will tune to police station to have a confirmation of the news they have heard else where, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Key market indicators dropped further by 0.57 per cent at the nations bourse on Wednesday, on increased profit taking in banking and industrial sectors.

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

Specifically, the All-Share Index declined by 221.98 points or 0.57 per cent to close at 39,045.13, compared with 39,267.11 posted on Tuesday.

Also, the market capitalisation dropped by N116 billion, closing at N20.428 trillion, from N20.544 trillion.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Glaxo Smithkline Consumer, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Market sentiment remained negative with 24 stocks in contrast with 18 gainers.

Daar Communications led the losers chart in percentage terms, losing 8.70 per cent to close at 21k per share.

Wema Bank followed with a decline of 8.06 per cent to close at 57k, while University Press lost 7.76 per cent to close at N1.07 per share.

UACN Property Development Company lost 7.23 per cent to close at 77k, while Japaul Gold and Ventures shed 6.82 per cent to close at 41k per share.

Conversely, Linkage Assurance drove the gainers chart in percentage terms with 10 per cent to close at 66k per share.

Meyer and Prestige Assurance followed with a gain 9.76 per cent each to close at 45k each per share each.

NEM Insurance rose by 9.52 per cent to close at N2.30, while Guinness Nigeria appreciated by 7.28 per cent to close at N33.90 per share.

However, the total volume of shares traded increased by 3.3 per cent with a total of 347.17 million shares valued at N2.80 billion exchanged in 3,990 deals.

This was in contrast with 336.13 million shares worth N3.27 billion transacted in 4,394 deals on Tuesday.

Transactions in the shares of Wema Bank topped the activity chart with 94.05 million shares valued at N53.37 billion.

Union Bank of Nigeria followed with 78.91 million shares worth N418.22 million, while Zenith Bank traded 22.14 million shares valued at N500.20 million.

FBN Holdings traded 11.98 million shares worth N87.14 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank transacted 10.72 million shares worth N352.67 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Amen Gajira

Communities in Kauru and Kajuru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, on Wednesday signed a joint agreement to promote sustainable peace in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement, signed in Kafanchan, was facilitated by the Centre For Humanitarian Dialogue to deepen peace building efforts in the area.

In his remarks, Mr Cafra Caino, Executive ChairmanofKajuru Local Government pledged the councils committed to sustainable peace in Southern Kaduna.

He noted that there was no alternative to peace, in view of recent crisis in the area which had turned many into widows, orphans and homeless.

For anybody who has known or witnessed what happened in Kajuru in 2019 and 2020, it is something we will live to remember for the rest of our lives.

Violence and crisis has created widows and orphans in our midst. It is important to put all our efforts so that the fight against violence is sustained.

Part of our responsibility is to be partners in anything that will bring development and progress to the local government, he added.

He commended the Centre for its peace building efforts in Kajuru.

This is a day that sets us on a progressive path to peace building. The intervention of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue is timely and we have seen the result.

We are grateful for your intervention and we will like to do more with you.

According to him, misunderstanding was part and parcel of human relationship, but how they resolved them mattered.

He cautioned the people against taking laws into their hands even in the face of provocation and urged them to channel their grievances through lawful means. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Nigerians in South Africa have been urged to key into the process of getting vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus.

Mr Collins Mgbo, Head of Secretariat, Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA), said this in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Mgbo said there was a need for Nigerians in South Africa to take the jab and disregard all conspiracy theory against the vaccine.

The government will shortly complete the first phase of its vaccination programme involving healthcare workers in the public and private sectors.

Over 230,000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated since the arrival of the first batch of the vaccine in February.

We will like to use this opportunity to advise all our compatriots to ignore vaccine related conspiracy theories and participate in the programme for possible alleviation of the global pandemic.

We will also like to appeal to all Nigerians living in South Africa to participate in the process whenever the vaccine is rolled out to the public, Mgbo said.

He said that the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases released by the South Africa Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, as at the middle of March stood at about 1,530,033 with 613 new cases identified.

Mgbo quoted Mkhize as saying that the country had recorded 95 more COVID-19 related deaths from different parts of the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Captains of industry on Wednesday charged Nigerians to imbibe principles of integrity, trust, high moral and leadership values, among others, for better societal outcomes.

The professionals spoke at the physical and virtual launch of a book titled A Journey In Leadership by Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, second Vice President, Institute of Directors (IoD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 180-page seminal autobiography showcases the life and times of Borodo in his eventful and celebratory career in the public and private sectors.

Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Chairperson, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, outlined character, professionalism, and guidance in leadership as values necessary to build a better country.

Awosika stated that her interactions with Borodo, a former CompanySecretary of FBN Holdings, provided her with the necessary guidance and information she needed to settle down as chairperson.

Borodos gentle nature and ability to build bridges presents him as one of the mostdetrabilised Nigerians.

He is a strong family and relationship man, and interactions with him would have you building stronger family relationships.

I am comfortable and confident going back to Borodo to seek his guidance and counsel over a matter that he is capable of.

He is a leader that has the humility of spirit to encourage others, and can collaborate to contribute and nurture generations for a greater good.

I am certain that every person that would read the book now and in the future would get many valuable lessons, she said.

Also, Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Honeywell Flour Mills, stressed the need for all leaders, no matter how seasoned, to note their positions as students in the journey of life.

Otudeko said the publication was timely and would serve as a signpost as people journeyed through life.

Borodos leadership style became more clearer as he took up more responsibilities as company secretary, First Bank Holdings.

He is a sound leader, a great inspiration and an impact we need as a country, and has demonstrated it excellently as we worked together for over 20 years.

A Journey in Leadership offers insights into a better life, as the leaders mandate is to render services that would ease the burdens of the people, he said.

Chief Chris Okunowo, President, IoD, said the author demonstrated values of integrity and enterprise; principles notable to the Institute.

Okunowo urged young Nigerians to learn from people like Borodo and encourage participation of more people like him in the nations quest to move forward.

There is no doubt that he has imbibed the qualities of leadership from a very young age, as he learnt from his father and has displayed same in his day to day activities both in family life and the corporate space, he said.

Alhaji Adamu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi, commended the author for producing a well-written book that was inspiring.

He said it was one that could help and inspire everyone, particularly the younger generation, to educate and enlighten themselves for the benefit of humanity.

Responding to the encomiums, Borodo urged parents to be watchful and actively involved in the daily activities of their children, to tackle societal ills.

Borodo, stressing the importance of education, said that proceeds of the book launch would be used to fund a foundation by his mother, Hajiya Safiya Borodo.

According to him, the foundation aims to provide education and medical support to indigent children.

Education is key in any society and that is what we need to inculcate in this country, as an educated society is a successful society.

My advice to parents today is that they should put an eye on their children and be watchful of what they do, where they are and who they are with.

My father, every evening, made sure that every child was home for prayers, and that act informed the importance of togetherness and prayers.

Once that is taken care of, a lot of societal ills would be addressed for better national outcome, he said.

NAN also reports that Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, former Chairman, First Bank Limited, and Mr Fabian Ajogwu, Founding Partner of Kenna Partners, who read the book review, were among many other dignitaries at the book launch. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

Nigerian security forces fired shots into the air to disperse #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Oct. 20, according to the U.S. Department of State.

This assessment is contained in the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Nigeria released by the department on Tuesday.

It contradicts claims by media reports and persons claiming to be witnesses that soldiers fired live bullets at the protesters.

Although Amnesty International reported that 10 persons died during the incident, the reports says there is no accurate information on the fatalities.

It says: On Oct. 20, members of the security forces enforced curfew by firing shots into the air to disperse protesters, who had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to protest abusive practices by the Nigerian Police Forces Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at years end.

Amnesty International reported 10 persons died during the event, but the government disputed Amnestys report, and no other organisation was able to verify the claim.

The government reported two deaths connected to the event. One body from the toll gate showed signs of blunt force trauma.

A second body from another location in Lagos State had bullet wounds. The government acknowledged that soldiers armed with live ammunition were present at the Lekki Toll Gate, part of the report stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday approved about 26million dollars for various power projects in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting in Abuja.

He said the .62million of the amount (m) was the payment of the claims and the variation of onshore and offshore cost of the existing contract for the construction of 11 50 MBA three 31, 32, 33 KV sub-stations at Damaturu and 1330 KV land by extension at Gombi, Adamawa.

He revealed that an additional N102.9million was approved for the affected project.

The minister also disclosed that the remaining .38million of the total approval was meant for the design, manufacturing and supply of four fabricated sub-stations of 2100 MBA 132 33 KV power transformers with complete accessories for deployment to Damaturu, Potiskum, Biu, and Maiduguri.

He said: Today, the Federal Executive Council has graciously approved two memos from the Federal Ministry of Power.

One, it approved the payment of the claims and the variation of onshore and offshore cost of the existing contract for the construction of 11 50 MBA three 31, 32, 33 KV sub-stations at Damaturu and 1330 KV land by extension at Gombi in favour Msssr Kadlak International Limited in the sum of ,621,423.88 cents plus N102,905,606.07.

The other one is the approval of the contract for the design, manufacturing and supply of four fabricated sub-stations of 2100 MBA 132 33 KV power transformers with complete accessories for deployment to Damaturu, Potiskum, Biu, and Maiduguri for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in favour of Msssr Kidon T Good Electric Company Limited and Incomtel Engineering Limited in the sum of ,387,850.22 cents plus N1,475,204,584.34.

Altogether, it is N10,730,393,742.82.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, also told the correspondents that the Federal Government had budgeted N396 billion for the provision of COVID-19 vaccine in the 2022 Appropriation.

She said: Sometime in January, the President has, based on the request by the Ministry of Health, given in principle approval for the Ministry of Health to work with the Ministry of Finance, budget and National Planning to prepare and take to the National Assembly a supplementary budget for COVID-19 vaccination.

The submission that was made to Mr. President at that time was in the sum of N399 billion, but included in this N399 billion was a N103 billion for building of primary healthcare centres.

So we have worked with that and met several times with the ministry, we have agreed to back out from this building of primary health care centres, that can wait till later.

So there is still a provision of 396 billion for COVID-19 vaccinations for 2021 and 2022.

The minister explained that the delay in the submission of the supplementary budget on COVID-19 was because the government wanted to confirm the vaccines donation that Nigeria was expecting from donors.

There have been some delays because we expected the ministry to confirm the vaccines donation that Nigeria is expecting. We are expecting a total of not less than 43 million doses of vaccines.

So they are supposed to find out when those ones will come. Because, if we are going to get back the donated vaccines, and at the speed of the current rollout, we have to slow down on what we are buying ourselves.

So the ministry is working with partners that are donating these vaccines.

We see the timelines of the donations and see the gap that the government needs to fill in 2021, but we have already provided to the ministry funds to enable them roll out the four million vaccines that have been brought already into the country, and the vaccination process is ongoing.

So for us, it is still work in progress. We hope in the next couple of days, we will have clarity on the schedule of vaccines expected from donors, and then we will now be able to firm up what government has to provide for in 2021. And therefore the 2021 component we will provide it during the 2022 appropriations.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila met on Tuesday and agreed on supplementary budget for COVID19 vaccination and procurement of military hardware. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it will soon start the issuance of its enhanced 10 years validity passports in London and Atlanta, U.S.

The Controller-General of the Service, Mr Muhammad Babandede, disclosed this at a briefing with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Babandede said that the new enhanced passport would solve a lot of issues related to passport renewal by Nigerians in diaspora.

He said one of the challenges facing the agency was the none availability of passport booklets, adding that efforts were ongoing to address the problems.

He also added that the service was working at deploying more machines and personnel to Nigeria Foriegn missions abroad to clear the backlogs of passports for those who had registered.

The new enhanced passport is intended to solve many problems especially the number of times Nigerians need to come and renew their passports.

The idea is to also link the identity of Nigerians to their National Identification Number (NIN), which means we are reducing identity theft in the country, he said.

He said that while the service was affected by COVID-19 outbreak, it was taking advantage of the pandemic to improve on its services delivery and efficiency.

He added that the NIS had developed a website for such Nigerians who would want to return to apply and get clearance to board flight with their expired passports and on arrival in Nigeria get a new one.

With the closure of admissions due to COVID-19 policy in some countries, a lot of Nigerians are now holding expired passports.

Nigerians in such countries can now board an aircraft after applying to the C-G for approval and clearance recieved, can proceed to the airport for their onward journey to Nigeria.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has graciously approved it for the purpose of mitigating the problem with the opening of three front offices at our International Airports.

The airports are Nnamdi azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Aminu International Airport, Kano, and Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.

This is to attend to passport needs of Nigerians on arrival before entrying into the country.

He, however, denied reports that the service was producing passport booklets in Malaysia, saying that the production was contracted to IRIS SmRt Technology Ltd., a company 100 per cent owned by Nigerians.

He added that the Minister of Interior, the Minister of justice, and the service were working on domestication of production of passport booklets in Nigeria to address the challenges of its non-availability. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nicholas Obisike

Enugu State Government on Wednesday launched the COVID-19 Heroes and Heroines Campaign to celebrate survivors of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration followed by the stat

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, said that the event was to bring to the fore the dangers of contracting the virus and to reinforce the call for strict adherence to the safety protocols.

Ezeilo said that out of the 2, 287 confirmed cases in the state, 1, 923 patients had recovered and discharged with 285 cases still active.

Unfortunately, we have lost 29 patients as a result of complications of COVID-19. However, before us are survivors of the pandemic, she said.

The deputy governor said that the survivors were able to pull through in spite of the rumours and misinformation surrounding the scourge and the general hardship in the country.

She said that the survivors comprised citizens from different walks of life who were either treated at home or at the isolation centreby experienced physicians.

Ezeilo appealed to residents of the state to continue to adhere to the preventive measures put in place to check the spread of the virus.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeanyi Akujiobi, said that the survivors needed to be celebrated to prove that contracting the virus was not a death sentence.

Akujiobi praised the survivors for using the public health facilities and isolation centres in the state even amidst stigmatisation.

He commended the state government for its efforts at ensuring that health facilities were on ground for the treatment of the virus and thanked the medical experts for their selfless services.

The Coordinator, Park Lane Isolation Centre, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Dr Okechukwu Ogbodo encouraged residents of the state to get vaccinated.

The representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Ada Erinne, saidthat over 127 million cases had been confirmed globally as at March 30, 2021.

Erinne said that 2.7 million deaths had been reported to the WHO while 520 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered globally within the same time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The President, Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Victor Okhai, on Tuesday vowed to restore the dignity of directors in Nigerias movie industry.

Okhai said this during his inauguration as the new President of DGN at the guilds secretariat in Lagos.

He said that it was a new dawn for the guild and that every member, non-member and stakeholders in the entertainment industry, would witness the positive development in the making.

It is a new dawn and a whole new chapter has been opened. My first assignment is to change the motto of DGN.

You will agree with me that in production, the first among all equal, what we call primus inter pares, is the director.

We have lost our glory down the years and it is time to restore the glory of the directors and so the new motto is primus inter pares, which translates to first among the rest.

It, therefore, means that wherever we are, especially in production, the director is number one. He is first among the rest, he said.

Okhai said that it was time to restore the dignity of the DGN so that it can take its proper place locally and globally.

He added that his intention wasto take the guild to the promise land, by the grace of God.

Okhai said it behoved on the new executives to ensure capacity building for members, adding it would go a long way in restoring the dignity of the director.

He said that aside capacity building, the welfare of members was important.

Okhai said that the situation where members and colleagues found it difficult to take care of themselves without support from the guild would no longer be there.

We will engage the government and stakeholders, home and abroad, and most importantly, we will encourage unity among members which is key in the progress of this guild.

When we started this guild about 23 years ago, we didnt realise we would be here for a time like this. We, as young men then, just did what we did.

To the glory of God, we are here and the mandate has fallen on me to take it to another level.

I want to thank the outgoing president and the past presidents who have kept the guild alive until now. I thank members of the Board of Trustees, colleagues and may the souls of the departed rest in peace.

I want to thank you for the mandate that you have given me and I assure you that I will hold this mandate dearly and I will execute what you have given me to do with the best of my ability, he said.

The outgoing president, Fred Amata, urged the new president to ensure continuity in the positive governance of the guild.

According to him, the vision for a guild such as DGN must include the need to ensure members protection, welfare and development.

He said that the new regime needed to enhance the visibility, prestige and integrity of a guild to compete in a changing environment which had become increasingly expedient.

Today, we are proud to handover a guild that still dominates in practices within the movie industry. DGN is still the custodian of film art in Nigeria.

This handover note is prepared to ensure that there is continuity in the governance of our great guild.

I will like to congratulate the incoming President, Mr Victor Okhai. I pray the Almighty God give you great wisdom and great success as the sixth president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria. he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deji Abdulwahab

The General Manager of the National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo, says all arrangements have been put in place to establish a National Theatre Academy.

Ododo, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the academy would hunt for talents as well as train and retrain practitioners in the creative industry.

We are coming up with the National Theatre Academy to hunt for talents as well as train and retrain those that are already in practice.

This National Theatre Academy will be for film and performing and allied arts.

The finest in the creative industry is what we want to produce.

I must add that we dont have all the money to do this, but to work in partnership with other stakeholders to drive this,he said.

The general manager recalled that barely two and half months in office, he had engaged relevant stakeholders through partnership.

This, he said, had helped his management to reduce cost.

So, that is what partnership can do. What I dont have but you have, you have to collaborate to make it happen.

We will rely on this to ensure that our dream to change the cultural landscape of Nigeria especially for creative and performing artists in Nigeria comes to stay,he said.

Ododo also said that his vision for the National theatre was to key intothe mandate of the Act that created it.

He said that he would run the theatre as a viable commercial project as well as preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the country.

Going forward, we want to give mobility for this mandate. The National Theatre to us is not just a structure, but a concept that envelopes the entire nation.

So, we cannot be left alone to project our national culture, we have to move round to the nooks and crannies of this nation.

At the moment, we have three operational stations outside Lagos. We have one in Jos, Kano and Calabar and of course, a liaison office in Abuja.

So, my vision is to discover more talents and give platform to the creativity industry in Nigeria to make gains and ensure that it puts food on their table,Ododo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deji Abdulwahab
The General Manager of the National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo, says all arrangements have been put in place to establish a National Theatre Academy.

Ododo, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the academy would hunt for talents as well as train and retrain practitioners in the creative industry.

We are coming up with the National Theatre Academy to hunt for talents as well as train and retrain those that are already in practice.

This National Theatre Academy will be for film and performing and allied arts.

The finest in the creative industry is what we want to produce.

I must add that we dont have all the money to do this, but to work in partnership with other stakeholders to drive this,he said.

The general manager recalled that barely two and half months in office, he had engaged relevant stakeholders through partnership.

This, he said, had helped his management to reduce cost.

So, that is what partnership can do. What I dont have but you have, you have to collaborate to make it happen.

We will rely on this to ensure that our dream to change the cultural landscape of Nigeria especially for creative and performing artists in Nigeria comes to stay,he said.

Ododo also said that his vision for the National theatre was to key into the mandate of the Act that created it.

He said that he would run the theatre as a viable commercial project as well as preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the country.

Going forward, we want to give mobility for this mandate. The National Theatre to us is not just a structure, but a concept that envelopes the entire nation.

So, we cannot be left alone to project our national culture, we have to move round to the nooks and crannies of this nation.

At the moment, we have three operational stations outside Lagos. We have one in Jos, Kano and Calabar and of course, a liaison office in Abuja.

So, my vision is to discover more talents and give platform to the creativity industry in Nigeria to make gains and ensure that it puts food on their table,Ododo said.

Source: NAN News

By Deji Abdulwahab
Prof. Sunday Ododo, General Manager, National Theatre, says the ongoing facelift of the theatre will provide job opportunities and creative hubs in the entertainment industry.

Ododo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday during a visit to NAN Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as Bankers Committee on Feb. 15 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to renovate the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.

According to Ododo, the ongoing facelift of the National Theatre is a total renovation of the entire structure and part of fallow land of the National Theatre.

You know very well that National Theatre is over 44 years old and no urgent intervention has been made on the iconic edifice that defines the cultural space of Africa.

The Bankers Committee with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture came to the understanding to invest N21.8 billion to revamp and restore the iconic building.

What are the facilities in this building that will make meaning to economic gains for Nigeria and her people?

We have a main bowl that can seat 5,000 people at a go. We have two cinema houses that can seat 200 people and more.

We have a banquet hall that can be used to host occasions. We have two exhibition halls that can be used to host cultural exhibition, art gallery and so on.

We have a VIP Lounge and rooftop garden that can also host some meaningful entertainment and events and of course we have parks around the edifice, the theatre boss said.

According to him, by the time its fully fixed, it means expansion in terms of jobs creation for the youths because all of these spaces, facilities have to be managed.

Take for instance, to clean these facilities to make it conducive for users, you will need nothing less than 200 cleaners that will be working on a daily basis. So, that is job for Nigerians.

On the MoU that has just been signed, a company is going to be assigned to maintain the facilities on a constant basis.

Beyond these, when activities begin to happen, there are vendors as service providers that will gain from the activities of the National Theatre.

Because when we begin to host that kind of events, audiences are expected.

If you want to host an event that last two weeks, imagine that the people will come to that event will have access to such businesses that people around provide, Ododo said.

He said that the ongoing renovation of the theatre would provide four creative hubs in Information Communication Technology (ICT), Nollywood Movies, music and fashion.

We also have as part of these packages, provision of four creative hubs by the Bankers Committee through the Lagos State government.

Creative hubs in ICT, one in Nollywood Movies, one in music and another in fashion; so creative hub is to develop creative abilities of our children.

In fashion, they will come there and learn and go and set up their own. Those that have already established can come there to get some designed stuff and others.

Most of the things we take abroad today in movie production will be realisable in the National Theatre Creative hub.

And the biggest of all is the Information Technology (IT) because it is going to provide room for children that are to create packages, programmes, he said.

According to him, this can turn things around for the National economy.

We have confidence that Nigerians have people with creative abilities to create even something better.

So, the hub on ICT is going to provide that opportunity for our children. Today, Nigerian Music rules the world. There are many Davidos, Wizkids that have not met.

This is going to provide a platform for little or unknown creative artists in Nigeria to showcase their talents and become great.

So, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is very concerned about social inclusion to reduce poverty, Ododo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mufutau Ojo
The General Manager of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, Prof. Sunday Ododo, shed more light on the ongoing restoration project at the theatre, describing the master plan of the edifice as massive and futuristic.

Ododo spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, when he paid a courtesy visit on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle.

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee have launched a N21.3 billion initiative to renovate the National Theatre and make it a world-class entertainment centre.

Ododo said that a new National Theatre would be showcased at the end of the restoration initiative.

The National Theatre is going through very radical restoration, revamping and renovation.

In the next 15 to 20 months or so, the nation is going to have a new National Theatre that can compete with any of its type in the world.

The masterplan is massive and futuristic. What I thought I was bringing were already there in the masterplan.

All we had to do was to give it a modern touch.

By the time it is fixed, we will be able to host world-class events like those of the UN, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States), Ododo said.

In his remarks, Ponle commended the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for spear-heading the linkage between the National Theatre and the private sector that resulted in the restoration effort.

Ponle expressed his optimism that the current renovation would restore the glory of the National Theatre and change the face of the Nigerian entertainment industry for good.

He also gave an assurance on the determination of NAN management to partner with the National Theatre management.

The managing director, who recalled the age-long relationship between NAN and the National Theatre, pledged that NAN would continue to give media support to the activities of the management of the National Theatre.

We will ensure that all aspects of your programme are covered by NAN.

We will also go the extra-mile to ensure that you are given special publicity in the execution of your programmes.

We hope you would also reciprocate by buying into our bouquet of services, Ponle said.

Source: NAN News