By George Odok
Prof. Florence Banku-Obi has been sworn in as the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and the first female to head the institution 45 years after its establishment.

Banku-Obi was sworn in on Tuesday in Calabar by Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of University of Calabar Governing Council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Banku-Obi, who is a Professor of Special Needs Education in the University, was appointed VC of the institution on Sept. 10.

She took over from Prof. Zana Akpagu, whose tenure expired on Nov. 30 after a period of five years.

The new Vice Chancellor expressed her unflinching commitment to a culture of academic excellence through quality research output, teaching and learning, scholarly publications and visibility and integrity of examination result.

She pointed out other areas of her commitment would include result processing and handling and the reinforcement of quality assurance mechanism at all spheres, including the departmental level.

She said that during her tenure as VC of the institution, accountability, transparency, truth and courage would be her watchwords.

She gave assurance that her tenure would also witness staff motivation for optimum productivity.

As a psychologist, I shall deploy the concept of effective motivation, which connects the personal goals, and needs of the worker to our goals as a University.

I expect attitudinal change from all categories of staff in terms of commitment to their schedule of duty in appreciation of the new administration disposition to welfare.

Let it be clear to all, that, this administration will effectively use the the carrot and stick approach to increase productivity and I will maintain a cordial working relationship with the various unions on campus.

Therefore, I implore the leadership of the various university-based labour unions, while constructively engaging management on genuine issues bothering on their members welfare to also make time to counsel their members to desist from unwholesome practices that will pinch administration against staff, she said.

She promised to institute a VCs Honours List to encourage students who are doing very well in their programme of study to continue to aim at the attainment of the highest level of performance at the end of their study.

Towards this end, an undergraduate student whose performance at the end of a session, on the basis of his/her Cumulative Grade Point Average place him/her in the First Class Honours grade of at least 4.5 grade is to be recognised through placement in the VCs Honours List and will also reflect in the transcript, she said.

Earlier in her speech, Nwaogu said that her robust engagements with Banku-Obi after the selection exercise in September further deepen her confidence in the power of her vision, resourcefulness, competence and passion to provide the leadership that will produce concrete result.

She charged her to develop the institution by providing the needed critical infrastructure for scholarship, repositioning of the institution with excellence and also cater for the welfare of its teeming staff and students.

I am very optimistic that she will succeed, and to succeed, your support is pivotal, without which moving the University will only remain a mirage.

I am conscious of the weighty responsibility that history has placed on her shoulder as the first female VC of Unical affer 45 years of its existence.

Prof. Obi is ready to bring all that God endowed her in scholarship, mortherliness, entrepreneurial, advocacy and pragmatic leadership for the growth of the University.

To be on the right side of history, we must rise to the duty of committing ourselves to the task of building the University by playing whatever role is expected of us with seriousness and honesty, she said.

She charged members of the University community to encourage and support the new VC and her administration to provide the leadership that would deal with the problems at hand.

Dignitaries at the occasion include Deputy Governor of Cross, Prof. Ivara Esu, former Governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Eteng Jonah-Williams, VCs from various institutions among others.

Source: NAN News

A flyover in Kwara

By AbdulFatai Beki

The Federal Government has executed more than 30 projects across the three senatorial districts of Kwara from January 2019 till date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects, executed by the Special Projects Unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, included health centres, blocks of classrooms, solar-powered boreholes and roads, among others.

Mr Ibrahim Bala-Usman of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing made the disclosure on Monday evening while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Babaloma during a sensitisation tour of the projects in Kwara.

According to Bala-Usman, who was the team leader for the sensitisation tour of the projects embarked on by the Federal Government to improve the wellbeing of the people of the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the way some communities were maintaining the projects, especially the blocks of classrooms, solar-powered and water scheme.

The team leader, while assuring communities in the state of more provision of projects, advised the benefitting communities to protect them from vandalized or stolen.

The Loma of Babanloma, Oba Mohammed Usman-Ayilara, while receiving the team at his palace, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the provision of a comprehensive health centre and a block of classrooms for the community.

The traditional ruler solicited for the provision of medical personnel and hospital equipment for the health centre to further improve the wellbeing of the residents of the community.

The Etsu Tsaragi in Edu Local Government area, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed-Kpotwa, also expressed appreciation to government for the provision of two 500 KVA transformers for the community.

He urged the government to provide more infrastructure that would aid further development in the community, thereby minimising rural-urban drift.

The Principal of Community Secondary School, Babanloma, Alhaji Agboola Mustapha, thanked the Federal Government for the provision of blocks of classrooms and solar-powered light for the school and Government Secondary School, Ilorin. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Heathrow Airport

Workers at Londons Heathrow Airport on Tuesday began a 24-hour strike following clashes over pay cuts.

Three socially distant picket lines have been set up at Hatton Cross tube station, in west London, where 350 workers gathered at 1100 GMT with the intention of remaining there for the following 24 hours.

A van will also tour around Heathrow and surrounding areas displaying a mocked up image of Heathrows chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, as Dr Seusss curmudgeonly anti Christmas creation, the Grinch.

Alongside the image will be the message: Heathrow Grinch CEO is stealing workers wages.

A total of 1,000 workers are involved in the targeted strike action, which includes firefighters, engineers, campus security, baggage operators, central terminal operators, land side and air side operators.

Only 350 of them will be appearing at the picket lines, however, due to conflicting shift patterns.

The workers union Unite has said the strikes are in response to brutal fire and rehire plans, which will see some workers be given annual pay cuts of up to 8,000 British pounds (around 10,600 dollars).

There will be further strikes on Dec. 14, followed by a two-day stoppage on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18.

Heathrow has suffered severe losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the nine months to September 2020, it reported 1.5 billion pounds (2 billion dollars) in losses as passenger numbers dropped by 84 per cent.

Heathrow remains open and operating with minimal impact from todays action, a spokesperson told dpa. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Arik Air

By Yunus Yusuf

The management of Arik Air says it has leased a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from Eznis Airways to boost its operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eznis Airways is a scheduled and charter airline based inUlaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, said in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday that the leased aircraft arrived in Nigeria on Nov. 21.

Ilegbodu said that the aircraft, which would be deployed into service from Dec. 2,would enable Arik Air return to some routes which were suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Itis expected that the aircraft will boost Arik Airs fleet in readiness for the yuletide season.

We are pleased to announce the additional airplane to boost our operations and ensure we provide seamless and efficient service to our customers in this season, Ilegbodu said(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kano State Fire Service

By Bosede Olufunmi

Kano State Fire Service says it saved 125 lives and property worth N93.2 million in 69 fire incidents in the state in November.

Alhaji Saidu Muhammad, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Kano.

Muhammad disclosed that the fire incidents were recorded in the month of November in various parts of the state.

He said that 14 lives were lost and property worth N21.4 million destroyed by fire during the period under review.

The Service responded to 74 rescue calls and 17 false alarms from residents of the state, he added.

Muhammad attributed most of the fire incidents in the state to careless handling of cooking gas, use of inferior electrical appliances and poor wiring.

Meanwhile, the PRO said that the corpse of a 20-year-old man, Safiyanu Mustapha, was on Tuesday recovered from a river at Gaida in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

We received a distress call from Kabiru Hashimu at about 7:50 a.m. that a body is floating on the water.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 8:02 a.m. to bring out the victim and found out that he is already dead.

Mustaphas corpse was handed over to the village head of Challawa, Alhaji Yahaya Zangina, on behalf of his parents, he said.

The PRO said the Service has began investigation into the cause of the incident. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

HIV and AIDS

By Abbas Bamalli

Dr Sabitu Shanono, the Director-General (DG), Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) says over 35,000 HIV patients are currently receiving treatments in the state.

The DG disclosed this at a workshop for journalists, as part of World AIDS Day commemoration on Tuesday in Kano.

We are still looking for more by ensuring that the test is free and those that show they are positive are also placed on drugs, the DG added.

Shanono explained that the prevalence rate of HIV infection had dropped from 25 per cent to 0.5% in Kano State.

He explained that The essence of organising this workshop is very clear.

The role of the media is indispensable towards the fight against AIDS. In this years celebration, we have achieved a lot and the media has contributed a lot to the achievement.

We feel that the media has a great role to play in HIV response.

That is why we decided to organise this workshop to re-equip the journalists in their reportage of HIV and see how we can improve on the information we give out to the community.

The kind of information that we disseminate and how effective it is to change the behavior of the people, he said.

According to him, one of their targets is to enlighten the public and to ensure that by 2030, there will be no new cases.

Earlier in a remark, the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, reaffirmed the commitment of the government to provide necessary facilities needed by HIV patients and the general public.

Garba said that the state government was fully committed to ensuring total eradication of HIV/AIDS, pointing out that the seminar was timely as journalists play a vital role in the development of every society. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Policemen on duty

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested three armed robbery suspects that specialises in attacking residents at gun-point and also vandalising street/traffic lights within Enugu metropolis.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu that the suspects were arrested on Nov. 27 at about 5 a.m.

Ndukwe said that items recovered from the suspects included one pump action gun with two live cartridges, a dagger, assorted phones, an LG TV set, electronic cables, car batteries and cash sum of N41,750, suspected to be stolen.

Following credible information received at Abakaliki Road Police Station that hoodlums, suspected to be armed robbers, were vandalising street/traffic lights near Shoprite Shopping Mall, Enugu, police operatives raced to the location.

The police operatives successfully arrested three of the five-man armed robbery gang, while two others were fatally wounded.

Preliminary investigation reveals that on arrival, police operatives were engaged in a gun duel by the suspects operating in a yellow mini commercial bus, and two of them sustained bullet wounds and were later confirmed dead in the hospital, while three others were arrested.

Furthermore, the suspects all confessed to the crime, while some of their armed robbery victims have been able to identify them and the items they robbed from them at gun-points, he said.

The police spokesman said that the states Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdurrahman, had directed the transfer of the case to the state Criminal Investigation Department for dispatch completion of discreet investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

Ndukwe further called on residents of the state to remain vigilant, law-abiding and promptly report suspected criminals and acts of criminality to the nearest police station.

They can also call the Commands hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The nations bourse closed for the last trading day in November with a growth of 0.45 per cent following price appreciation posted by Airtel Africa and 16 other stocks.

Specifically, the All-Share Index on Monday rose by 156.63 points or 0.45 per cent to close at 35,042.14 compared with 34,885.51 achieved on Friday.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N18.227 trillion inched higher by N82 billion or 0.45 per cent to close at N18.309 trillion.

The uptrend was driven by price appreciation in medium and large capitalised stocks, among which are; Airtel Africa, MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), AIICO Insurance and FCMB Group.

AIICO Insurance and Airtel Africa led the gainers chart in percentage terms with 10 per cent each to close at N1.10 and N588.50 per share, respectively.

Tripple Gee

MSMEs

By Christian Ogbonna

The Federal Government on Monday in Abakiliki launched the Transporters Track programme for the South-East zone.

The programme is under the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund and Guaranteed Off-Take Stimulus Scheme.

A member of the Board of Trustees of MSMEs, Mr Ubadigbo Okonkwo, who performed the launch, said that no fewer than 4,400 persons in Ebonyi would benefit from the programme.

Okonkwo said that beneficiaries, including commuter bus and taxi drivers, tricycle operators, commercial motorcyclists and mechanics, would get N30,000 grants as survival fund.

This is a federal governments initiative to alleviate the sufferings of transporters and reduce the effect of income loss in their business, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, he said.

In a remark, Mrs Ann Aligwe, the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring in Ebonyi, lauded the federal government for choosing the state to launch the scheme.

Aligwe expressed happiness that the initiative would go a long way to boost the business of transporters and allied trades generally in the southeast.

The State Coordinator of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Mr Chigozie Asochukwu, said the beneficiaries were selected from 13 local government areas, transport associations and cluster groups in the state.

The documentation has commenced and thereafter disbursement will start.

This involves all transporters from community to community and the disbursement will be done through their associations.

The state Chairman, Okada Riders Association, Mr Paulinous Atam, described the scheme as a welcome development and urged members to make judicious use of the fund.

A beneficiary, Mr Nwancho Alo, expressed gratitude to the federal government for the gesture and promised to invest the money wisely. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday dispatched a high powered government delegation to Maiduguri to deliver a message of condolence and solidarity with the government and people of the state over the killing of 43 farm workers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 43 farmers were murdered while unspecified numbers of others were unaccounted for when Boko Haram insurgents attacked rice fields at Koshebe village, near Zabarmari, on Friday.

NAN gathered that nine of the victims were believed to be settlers in search of greener pasture from Zamfara, seven from Kebbi and eight from Sokoto state while the remaining were indigenes of Zabarmari town.

NAN also reports that the victims were buried on Nov. 29.

A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said members of the high level officials were drawn from the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

He stated that the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan spoke for the team and the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari representing Buhari presented a joint message, on behalf of the President, the government and people of Nigeria.

Shehu said the presidents message was delivered to the state governor, the Shehu of Borno, and the bereaved Zabarmari community, describing the massacre of the farm workers as the worst form of senseless, barbaric and gruesome murder.

In the message, Buhari gave strong assurances of his continuous commitment to fighting insurgency and all forms of insecurity in Borno and across the country.

The president committed himself to making more resources available to the military to prosecute the war.

According to him, he will work closely with neighbouring countries on bilateral and multilateral levels to ensure that there is no hiding place for the terrorists.

Nothing is more important than ensuring the security of lives and property of the people. Everything is secondary when security is at stake.

As we mourn the loss of our sons in Zabarmari, the Armed Forces have been given the marching order to take the fight to the insurgents, not on a one-off, but on a continuous basis until we root out the terrorists, he said.

Buhari commended Gov. Babagana Zulum for his leadership in running the affairs of the state.

In his response, Zulum thanked the president for ensuring relative peace since his assumption of office; saying that the situation is much better than he met it.

The governor presented a number of requests on behalf of his people, including that the youths of the state should be enlisted in military and paramilitary organisations to play their roles in the defence of the nation.

He called on the federal government to assist in the repatriation of Borno indigenes in camps in neighbouring countries and requested the National Assembly to hasten the draft budget now before them to allow better allocation of resources for the Northeast sub-region.

At the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai, the traditional ruler described as madness, the gruesome killings and urged his subjects to pray and offer useful information to the security agencies.

He thanked Buhari for his efforts in returning normalcy to the state.

Before this administration came, all 27 local councils and the Emirs had migrated to Maiduguri.

We had no power from the National Grid, Telephone services were discontinued and the airport was closed, he said.

He commended the president for changing all that for the better.

The presidential aide further disclosed that the delegation was also in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government where the incident took place.

The local Imam, Alhaji Idris who responded on behalf of the community, said they were touched by the presidents gesture, saying, we are happy that the President is with us in our moment of grief.

Other members of the delegation included the House Majority Whip, Tahir Monguno, the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello, Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, Agriculture (State), Mustapha Shehuri and Works and Housing (State), Abubakar Aliyu.

Others are National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

Ahead of the Yuletide and its accompanying festivities and travels, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) has advised Nigerians against unnecessary travels and gatherings.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who gave the advice in Abuja on Monday explained that it was to curb the possible spike in the spread of COVID-19.

He spoke during the Joint National Briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

Travel over the upcoming holiday period should be restricted and all associated social activities, curtailed.

Nigerians are advised to cut off all travels, especially international travels, most especially travels to high burden countries except it is very urgent.

This is particularly important given the threat posed by the spiraling rate of infection in countries with which Nigeria has strong political, business, social and family relations.

There is correspondingly high volume of travel between Nigeria and those countries, which is what also determines the risk

This is a sacrifice we must make to preserve lives. The elderly and persons with delicate health should best not travel or mix in crowds.

The experience from Thanksgiving celebration in the U.S. indicates a serious COVID-19 spike from the travels and specialisations that went with the holiday.

This should be a lesson for us, he advised.

The minister reminded Nigerians that COVID-19 was not over yet.

According to him, all Nigerians have a responsibility to work with government to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is, therefore, more realistic that we adopt preventive measures which have been proven to be successful in controlling the pandemic.

Observe physical distancing and respiratory hygiene, wear your face masks appropriately especially in public places and regular hand washing and use of hand sanitisers, Ehanire advised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Jerry Rawlings

The funeral of Ghanas late former president, Jerry John Rawlings, will be held on Dec. 23, his family announced on Monday.

James Victor Gbeho, Head of the funeral planning committee, in a press statement on Monday, said the family, in consultation with government, has agreed on the date.

The funeral rites for the 73-year-old will come off at the Independence Square in Accra.

Mr Gbeho said, The family is working in conjunction with government on the finer details of the funeral ceremony and will communicate the arrangements in due course.

Rawlings, Ghanas longest-serving head of state and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), died on 12 November at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a short illness. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday in Asaba assented to the states 2021 Appropriation Bill of N383 billion.

The bill tagged Budget of Economic Recovery is made up of N210 billion capital expenditure and N173 billion recurrent expenditure

The Delta House of Assembly increased the budget figure of N378.48 proposed by the governor to N383 billion.

Signing the budget, Okowa assured the people that the state would strive to recover from the economic challenges engendered by Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The governor commended the state house of assembly for the speedy passage of the bill.

He said that signing the budget before December would avail the state government the opportunity to further plan towards its implementation from January, 2021.

He said that the state government would remain focused on the implementation of the budget as passed, for the benefit of the people of the people.

The governor noted that there was a warm working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state.

You have just witnessed my signing into law, the 2021 Appropriation Bill, and as I said on Oct. 27, during the presentation of the bill, we are in very difficult times this year.

The second wave of the pandemic will create further challenges for the recovery of the economy of our nation.

However, we are optimistic that in the 2021 fiscal year, things will gradually improve and we will be able to get back to the desired levels of infrastructural and human capital development for our people.

There is a lot of unemployment and our people are generally getting restive nationally.

I pray that God will help us and this nation to rediscover ourselves and to commit every work of our people and our state and nation for the common good of all our citizens.

The budget is termed budget of economic recovery because we are very much aware of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on both our health systems and the economy of the country.

The pandemic obviously impacted negatively on our budget in 2020 that we had to reduce it twice in the year.

I want to appreciate our contractors who have continued to stay in their various sites to work even when it is becoming increasingly difficult to make payments on contractual agreements already made.

We will continue to be very responsible as a state and we will continue to work with them to deliver on our projects, he said.

The governor expressed delight that some of the key projects in the state, including the new state secretariat building and the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway were still on course.

I want to reassure you, Mr Speaker and Delta people that the executive will keep focus on the development of projects that we are involved in, he added.

He disclosed that work had commenced at the Ogwashi-Uku Agro-Industrial Park, and reaffirmed that the state government was committed to delivering the project on time.

Okowa said that the state would continue to focus on entrepreneurship programmes, and take them to higher levels in the 2021 fiscal year by engaging more youths.

He said that the state government was also paying attention to the girl-child development and the empowerment of women.

Presenting the appropriation bill, the Speaker of the state assembly, Sherrif Oborevwori, said that the bill went through all legislative processes before being passed.

He said that the bill was presented to the house on Oct. 27 and was passed on Nov. 17, after it was considered sector by sector.

The quick passage of the bill was necessitated by Your Excellencys vision to bring the state out of the economic challenges posed by the pandemic, he said.

According to him, the increase in the budget size was to provide for some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that were not captured in the proposal. (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

A six-member joint committee consisting of personnel from the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been inaugurated to create awareness on blood donation nationwide.

The National Coordinator, NBTS, Dr Omale Amedu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the joint committee was to complement its efforts in the provision of social services to Nigerians.

Amedu said the collaboration would ensure that the appropriate messages on blood donation got to people in rural areas faster.

He added that the joint committee is made up of six members from both agencies. One of our objectives is to design a framework of partnership between the NBTS and NOA to disseminate messages on blood safety and voluntary non-remunerated blood donation to the Nigerian public.

This framework is to inform, educate and counsel Nigerians on the need for safe blood donation to save lives, reduce death rates, and increase life expectancy and other human development indices.

The framework is designed toward the realisation of the next level agenda regarding health in line with Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, the NBTS boss said.

He disclosed that the Director, Human Resource Management of NOA, Mr Kehinde Ogunkuade, would chair the newly inaugurated joint committee.

Amedu further said that the committee was expected to develop a tool for grassroots advocacy and community engagement for blood safety across Nigeria.

Members of the committee are expected to forge a strong collaboration between NOA and NBTS toward achieving the mandate to ensure national availability and accessibility of safe, quality blood and blood products to all who may need it in the country, he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had said on the occasion of theWorld Blood Donor Day in June that about 24,483 units of blood were collected and screened from volunteer blood donors through the 17 centres of the NBTS network in 2019.

Ehanire also said that the countrys estimated blood need based on its population was about two million units per year. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Members of executive of the Anambra FA, during its General Assembly

By Chimezie Anaso

The Anambra State Football Association (AnSFA) has dismissed an appeal by Chikelue Iloenyosi, a Chairmanship Candidate in the Oct. 30 board election, on the ground that it was not validly filed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recallsthat Iloenyosi, who ran as a sole candidate, was not returned as winner.

He was adjudged not to have polled the simple majority of votes cast at the election as stipulated in the electoral guideline.

Dissatisfied with the development, Iloenyosi petitioned AnSFA, arguing that as a sole candidate in the election, he should be declared winner.

He also claimed to have scored the only valid votes cast in the election.

But rising from its 2020 Extra Ordinary General Assembly in Awka on Monday, AnSFA threw out the petition, saying that Iloenyosi did not pay money either in cash or electronically to the FA.

The assembly held that the lapse contravened Article 244 of the AnSFA statute 2015.

It further resolved that a by-election be conducted to fill the five vacant positions of the nine-member electoral board and three Local Government Football Councils by February 2021.

Meanwhile, the Election Appeal Committee had earlier declared the election valid but ruled that Iloenyosi did not win.

It rather called for a runoff to be conducted within 14 days, with effect from Nov. 16.

The committee further resolved that only candidates, who were cleared for the election, should stand for the second ballot.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of AnSFA, Victor Aniekwena, assured Anambra football community of a busy and competitive football in 2021.

He said the state Football League, with the theme: My Anambra football Super 8 Tournament, would be executed to develop grassroots football.

According to him, from the first quarter of 2021, we will set the ball rolling, engage our elite clubs and get them adequately prepared from the beginning of each season.

The Anambra State Gold Cup will commence from next pre-season. We have plans also to train referees and coaches in the state.

There are plans for youth tournaments as well as schools tournaments for boys and girls.

We are promising that there will be no dull moment for the game in Anambra, Aniekwena said.

It is important for this congress to embrace the new dispensation because it will help focus our energies more on football development and less on discussing football politics and issues of bad governance, he said.

NAN reports that the AnSFA general assembly was attended by Aniekwena, three other board members and 20 of the 23 congresss members. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday announced the migration of four companies from the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) to the Growth Board.

The companies are Chellarams Plc, Living Trust Mortgage Plc, McNichols Plc and The Initiates Plc.

The NSE also launched the associated Growth Board Index on Monday.

The migration of the companies followed receipt of their applications to be migrated from ASeM.

This led to the screening and approval by the National Council of The Exchange.

Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, said the migration affirms the notable efforts of the four companies to meeting corporate governance standards and underpins the robustness of our market.

Congratulating the companies, he said they would have access to a suite of value added services at the board, that would give them a competitive edge beyond access to capital.

We believe that the inclusion of these companies on the All Share Index and the Growth Board Index of the NSE will provide increased visibility that will attract global investors.

The migration of the four qualified companies was commemorated with a virtual Closing Gong ceremony where top officials of the firms were given the honour to close the market.

The NSE Growth Board was launched to assist Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and growth-oriented companies looking to raise capital and promote liquidity in the trading of their shares.

It offers relaxed entry criteria with less stringent listing requirements, making it easier to attract capital flows along with reduced pre and post listing obligations.

The NSE Growth Board was launched on Jan. 29, 2020. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Gambo

National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), on Monday, started community dialogue in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State on the importance of birth registration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue is supported by the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the Kaduna State Government.

Yusuf Muhammed-Balarabe, UNICEF Focal Person, NOA in Kaduna, said that the dialogue was aimed at reorienting communities on birth registration and urged the people to register children aged zero to five years.

He said that NOA would support NPA in ensuring that 18,000 children were registered in 30 local communities of Jemaa, Kaduna South and Zaria.

He urged participants to bring their children for registration and pass the information to their families and friends who were not able to make it for the community dialogue.

Nasir Muhammad-Shafii of the NPC in Zaria, said we are here to sensitise people to register their children aged zero to five years and get birth certificate.

According to him, the birth certificate issued by NPC is the only constitutionally recognised document that will help government to get accurate data on the number of births in the country.

He added that Zaria has 10 wards where parents are being sensitised on the importance of acquiring a birth certificate from the NPC.

Aminu Alhassan, the NOA Community Mobilisation Officer in Zaria, said that 10 communities would be reached in the local government and children who were not registered due to the COVID-19 lockdown would be registered.

He mentioned the communities as Kwarbai, Gyallesu, Dakace, Bizara Tudun wada, Unguwar Alkali, Kaura,Unguwan Juma, Tukur-Tukur A and Tukur- Tukur B, with 11 registration centres.

Umar Lawal, a community member, said many people were not aware of the birth registration done by NPC but with the coming of NOA, people are now aware and will register their children.

Another community member, Aisha Shitu, said she assumed that the birth certificate issued by hospitals after birth was sufficient, adding that she now realised the need to register her children with the NPC.

By the grace of God, I will take my two children to the NPC office and get them registered, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise will last for 10 days. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Commodity and Export Department Young Professionals Programme (CED-YP) to spur competency and expertise in public administration.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, inaugurated the programme organised by the ministrys Commodity and Export Department.

He said it would serve as a continuous career development strategy to trigger speedy economic growth.

Adebayo explained that the programme would broaden the perspective of the young professionals and add to their skills and knowledge base, to keep pace with dynamism of public administration.

The initiative will also provide an avenue to link up with other international sponsored professional development programmes such as World Trade Organisation (WTO), UNICEF, New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) and World Bank young professionals programmes, he said.

He underscored the importance of well trained and mentored youths in economic growth and development globally.

According to the minister, Nigeria and other African countries are facing some challenges in their efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth.

He said in spite of being resource rich countries, major macro-economic variables such as unemployment, balance of payment, exchange rate, balance of trade, GDP/debt ratio and inflation had not been favourable as expected.

Adebayo expressed confidence that the knowledge to be gained from the programme would assist in improvement of decision making and policy implementation, especially in this dynamic era of globalisation.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Sanni Gwarzo, said the programme had been identified as a veritable platform to provide skills development, coaching and mentoring.

He said it would also provide networking opportunities to emerging leaders.

Globally, young professional programmes are used for human capital development, which is an essential component in nation building.

Skilled human capital has been pivotal and considered to be one of the fundamental solutions to challenges of economic growth and development, Gwarzo said.

According to him, it is the right platform of molding emerging professionals.

*We are looking forward to seeing the work plan going forward, as well as witnessing the exploits of this great plan, he said.

Gwarzo called on the young professionals to be committed, dedicated and to imbibe valuable partnership skills. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 Vaccine Research

announcements of discovery of vaccines to tackle novel coronavirus pandemic, mass production of the vaccines is still far.

The centre said that for the reason, Nigerians must continue to observe non-pharmaceutical measures against COVID-19.

We must take this into consideration as we make our choices.

We are even very far from having one with a licence; so, we have to tighten our belts and get through this month of December.

he said.

Ihekweazu said that Nigerians mustof COVID-19.

all non-essential domestic and international travel. This is especially important for intending travellers from countries recording a high number of COVID-19 cases.

According to him, NCDC advisory can be seen on https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/media/files/AdvisoryforVulnerableGroupsV2June2020. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Survival Fund: FG releases registration schedule as portal opens Monday

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Presidency says that small business operators are not required to undergo any form of training before accessing the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund.

Mr Tola Johnson, Special Assistant to the President on Micro Small and Medium and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Office of the Vice President, made the clarification at the inauguration of the Transport Track of the fund on Monday in Abuja.

The Survival Fund Scheme for MSMEs is captured under the National Economic Sustainability Plan drafted by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Economic Sustainability Committee and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 1.

He said the programme was being run in a direct and transparent manner, adding that the beneficiaries could be reached for confirmation

To state very clearly, for the MSMEs Survival Fund, we are not training anybody; we believe you are the owners of your businesses; you have been running them for years.

What we are doing is just to support you; you are not required to do any training to qualify; what you need to do is to apply; it is on first come, first serve.

There is no element of audio money in the scheme; the contacts of the beneficiaries are available to be contacted for confirmation.

The Federal Government has started getting it right with schemes like this; what we need is more schemes that are traightforward. People are calling that this be replicated in every other government programmes; let the money go straight to the users, he said.

Johnson said that the Transport Track would give a one-off N30,000 grant to self-employed transport workers.

According to him, the track targets self-employed individuals in the transport sector who include, but not limited to, Uber, Bolt, Taxi drivers, Keke Napep, Okada riders and cart-pushers.

Earlier, while performing the inauguration, Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, said that the Transport Track was part of the Artisans and Transport Scheme.

Katagum, who is also the Chairperson, Programme Steering Committee, said the MSMEs Survival Fund and Guaranteed Off-take Schemes had five different tracks approved under ESP.

The minister, represented by Mr Adewale Bakare, Director, Industrial Development Department in the ministry, said the Transport Track targeted 4,505 beneficiaries in each state of the federation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News