Gov. Sheyi Makinde

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, inuagurated the construction of 360 units of houses at Ajoda New Town Housing Estate in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the project, which is Public Private Partnership in collaboration with Remax Realtors Limited, will cost N2.5 billion.

The housing units consist of 2-bedroom semi-detached, 3-bedroom semi-detached and 3-bedroom detached.

Speaking at the occasion, Makinde said the project was in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises.

Those who have taken time to study our Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023, would have come across our promise to facilitate private sector driven housing delivery through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

The government, through the Oyo State Housing Corporation (OYSHC), is providing 13 hectares of land for the scheme, while the developer will solely finance the entire project.

The project will cost N2.5 billion and, upon completion, the developers will recoup their finances when the houses are sold.

We have seen the wisdom of getting developers to commit to projects by using their own monies to carry them out.

Some people may wonder why we are starting off in Ibadan Zone.

Well, the need for an affordable housing scheme in Oyo State is clearly evident.

Statistics show that the population of the capital city has been growing at over two per cent since 2018 with a peak of over 2.5 per cent in 2020.

So, half of the population of Oyo State live in Ibadan zone.

But that the project is starting in Ibadan zone, does not mean that it will end here.

Our plan is to replicate these housing units in other parts of Oyo state in the shortest possible time, Makinde said.

He assured the people of the state that the Ajoda New Town scheme of the state government and other housing schemes under the supervision of OYSHC across the state would be fully revived.

He called on all interested members of the public, who were desirous of buying land in any of the government schemes, to approach the appropriate government agencies for that purpose.

Earlier, the Chairman of the corporation, Chief Bayo Lawal, said OYSHCs mission was to provide site and services, undertake provision and development of residential, commercial and industrial estates to members of the public has remained the guiding principle of the corporation.

He said that the flagging off of the construction of the estate was another giant step by the Makindes administration to ensure that people have access to decent accommodation at affordable prices.

He called on other prospective investors to collaborate with the corporation to make accommodation accessible.

He said that the corporation had adequate land in all the nooks and crannies of the state and called on indigenes of the various communities, where the corporation estates were domiciled, to partner with the corporation for speedy development of the estates.

He also use the opportunity to invite individuals, who were desirous of owning land for either residential, commercial or industrial development, to approach the corporation.

In her welcome address, the Managing Director of Remax Realtors Limited, Mrs Adefunke Adesoji, said the 360 units of houses would be ready in the next nine months.

Adesoji implored the governor to encourage civil/public servants to buy from the houses.

Highlight of the occasion was the turning of the sod by for the commencement of the construction works by the governor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

AU calls for development of digital skills for African teachers in post COVID-19

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The African Union (AU) has called for development of digital skills in teachers across Africa, especially in post COVID-19 period to ensure dynamism in learning at all levels.

Prof. Sarah Agbor, Commissioner, AU Human Resources, Science and Technology, made the call at the first phase of webinar to celebrate the International Literacy Day of the Year in Sub-Saharan Africa on Wednesday.

The celebration was organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) offices in Abuja, Dakar, Harare, Nairobi and Yaound in collaboration with the International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA).

The meeting focused on policy dialogue on innovative methodologies for youth, adult literacy programmes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, as well as the role of educators.

The 2020 theme is: Literacy, Teaching and Learning: The Role of Educators and Pedagogical Changes.

Agbor explained that with the increase in remote learning, the role of educators needed to be examined now and during post COVID-19 era, to ensure that quality education was delivered.

She said that technology was driving the means of education and learning in the pandemic era, hence the need for teachers to get skilled digitally.

The roles of educators are influenced in the way of remuneration because job motivation should also ensure satisfaction.

Teachers need to be skilled digitally and their capacity developed to teach with the right infrastructure post COVID-19 era.

Teachers also need to get acquainted with the cognitive socialisation of school children because they play a major role in their early lives, she said.

The commissioner also said that AU was focusing on developing strategic policies, frameworks to foster education, encourage youth engagement.

She mentioned that the policies included Agenda 2063, 50 years set of initiatives proposed and being implemented by AU, the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 and continental strategy on youth entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.

Ms Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO, regretted that about 235 million children from primary to tertiary level had been denied access to learning due to COVID-19.

Giannini stated that some children on the continent could not access education prior to COVID-19 due to conflicts and human engineered problems but the pandemic had provided opportunity for a change.

She said that some African countries were taking steps to modify means of learning through online platforms.

The assistant director general said that literacy educators were not frequently on the spotlight, adding that there would be no progress in education without adequate attention to teachers.

Teachers need to be projected to ensure achieving Sustainable Development Goal four.

UNESCO will ensure continued collaboration with AU to promote continental education platforms in Africa.

We are focusing on 29 countries facing literacy challenges and we will continue to proffer solutions, policies to support educators, she said.

According to her, lets make literacy first important step to create acceptance, resilience and ensure development especially in the COVID-19 period.

Mr Mamadou Sow, Officer In Charge, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, hoped that African countries would adopt the Literacy Strategy of November 2019 to promote education on the continent.

Mrs Awut Acuil, Minister of General Education, South Sudan, said there was need for increased investment in education by government and development partners for inclusive literacy.

Some Non-Governmental Organisations like Just Commit Foundation, Ghana, Tabitha Kumi Foundation, Nigeria who were being supported by UNESCO gave testimonies of their interventions toward delivering literacy in their localities.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minister of Youth and Sports development, Mr Sunday Dare

By Franca Ofili

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Tuesday in Abuja urged all state governments to ensure a return of the state sports festivals.

Dare, while receiving Daniel Igali, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Youths and Sports who paid him a courtesy visit, said the state sports festivalswould enhance the competitive level of Nigerian athletes.

He lamented the fact that most states have in the last 15 years completely stopped holding their sports festivals.

If the sports festival is done as expected, it will increase the competitiveness of our athletes, Dare said.

He congratulated Bayelsa on its forthcoming state sports festival, and assured thatthe ministry would ensure the proper development of sports at the grassroots.

Dare disclosed that the ministry had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state over the upgrading of the Sports Academy at Asoama.

The ministry will ensure that the academy spots and grooms young talents for the country.

I think it will go a long way to accelerate and deepen sports development in this country, he said.

Dare thanked the state government for its effort in encouraging grassroots sports development in the state.

The minister also noted that the wrestling sport was one of the countrys hopes for medals at international competitions.

He then urged Igali, who is an Olympic champion in the sport, to use his talent to bring up other wrestlersto enable the sport win more medals for Nigeria.

Bayelsa is the wrestling theatre of Africa, and this had made Nigeria stand tall in the medals category in various international sports competitions, Dare said.

He also promised that the ministry would support Igali to seek nomination to be a member of theUnited World Wrestling Bureau.

While speaking, Igali pointed out that Bayelsa had been home for the national wrestling team for the past 10 years.

He appreciated the minister for his efforts to help boost sports in the state, saying the wrestling theatre under construction was nearly completion.

The commissioner then called for collaboration with the ministry ashe seeks to be nominated into the world wrestling bureau.

From history, Nigeria has not had any person who contested to be a member of the body, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

By Desmond Ejibas

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is now in custody of Felix Okpoh, who was declared wanted by the U.S Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) over alleged fraud.

Okpoh is wanted by FBI for alleged involvement in a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that allegedly defrauded more than 70 different businesses in the United States of six million dollars (N2.79 billion).

A spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, that Okpoh turned himself in to the anti-graft agency on Sept. 18.

Okpoh, alongside Richard Uzuh, Alex Ogunshakin, Abiola Kayode and Nnamdi Benson were declared wanted by the FBI sometime in 2019.

They allegedly defrauded over 70 businesses in the United States, of over six million dollars, he said.

Uwujaren said that Okpoh allegedly provided over 40 bank accounts and conspired with others to receive fraudulent wire transfers from their victims totaling over one million US dollars.

Okpoh was, on Aug. 21, 2019, indicted in the United States District Court, District of Nebraska, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He turned himself in to EFCC Lagos Zonal Office in the company of his parents on Sept. 18, 2020, he stated.

Source: NAN News

BY Desmond Ejibas

The Nigerian Navy has deployed troops on board six warships, including 60 gunboats, in a special military exercise to tackle pirates, oil smugglers and other criminalities in the nations waters.

Rear Adm. David Adeniran, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, announced the deployment at the flag-off of the exercise in Onne, Rivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation was code-named, Exercise Sanga Sung, meaning Safe Transit in Ibibio dialect.

Adeniran said that the two-day exercise, aimed at consolidating on similar Exercises Bekan Mmon I and II, would hold on the territorial waters of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers states, under the ENC.

Exercise Sanga Sung is one of the numerous operational engagements that the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is currently undertaking to safeguard the nations maritime environment.

The purpose of the exercise is to check the state of preparedness of our fleets and training of our personnel, said the naval chief.

He said that personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would also participate in the exercise.

Others are the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Customs Service.

The other security agencies are participating in the exercise knowing that safety and security of our maritime environment cannot be provided by a single security agency.

Also, there are so many personnel involved in this exercise from our naval headquarters, Defence headquarters, Western Naval Command and Central Naval Command, among others.

However, physically on ground, we have six major ships that would be going out to sea as well as 60 gunboats participating in Exercise Sanga Sung,he added.

The FOC said that Operation Bekan Mmon conducted in 2018 and 2019 recorded successes, including the arrest of over 600 suspected oil thieves and pirates and the destruction of over 200 illegal refining sites.

According to him, no fewer than 11,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil as well as over 15,000 metric tonnes of illegally refined diesel were recovered during the exercise.

In addition, we also intercepted and recovered about 25,000 bags of 50 kilogramme of par boiled rice during Exercise Bekan Mmon I and II.

So, going by the successes, it became imperative that we consolidate on the gains recorded with exercise Sanga Sung, the FOC added.

Adeniran called for the support of stakeholders to ensure a secured and peaceful maritime environment and warned criminals to desist from maritime crimes.

Source: NAN News

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the opening ceremony of the First Lagos State Ministerial Performance Review Retreat in Ikeja

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday charged members of his cabinet and Lagos State Government officials to brace up for optimum performance.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge during the closing of the two-day Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organised by the executive arm of the Lagos State Government.

He urged them to deploy their physical and mental resources to bringing the administrations development vision to reality.

According to him, Lagos possesses all that is required to attain Dubai development model.

He then urged the drivers of his administrations vision of Greater Lagos to be articulate and purposeful in the discharge of the tasks assigned to them.

Sanwo-Olu commended the cabinet members and heads of the state governments agencies for the progress recorded in the last one year.

He, however, said that peoples expectations of the administrations efforts were more than what had been achieved so far, hence, the need to brace for more work.

The governor urged the cabinet members and executives of the parastatals to deploy more resourcefulness to the implementation of policies and programmes designed to transform the lives of the residents and the states economy.

There are many takeaways from this two-day retreat which must energise us further to deliver on our goals and promises to the people.

But, one key thing we must take away from this exercise is the fact that we have sustained our attempts to transform Lagos and these efforts are being acknowledged by those who understand what development is all about.

We have many great actions and ideas we have implemented, which probably have not been properly communicated. Now we need to be smarter, more organised and articulate in the way we go about our programmes, so that our efforts can be more visible.

The Ministry of Information and Strategy and everyone that has strength in communication should begin to magnify these efforts and show the world how Lagos is changing, he said.

The governor said that in spite the slow pace of socio-economic activities across all sectors, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration would not give excuses to residents.

According to him, the virus would not derail his governments development agenda.

Sanwo-Olu charged all commissioners and special advisers to work together and exchange information for better service delivery.

We need to work together and share information with one another. This way, we articulate our successes and progress better, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian High Commission in Canada

By Harrison Arubu

The Nigerian High Commission in Canada says it will resume in-person immigration and consular services on Thursday.

This is coming six months after it shut its doors in compliance with the host countrys guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The reopening of the commission is contained in a statement, which indicates a number of rules that applicants must comply with to access the services.

However, it has been issuing Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants needing urgent travels, via email since then.

One of the guidelines required applicants to apply online and request for interview appointment through email.

Everyone coming to the chancery has to come in with face masks/covering and sanitise their hands.

You are also required to practice social distancing. These are public health measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, it stated.

Warning against gate crashing, which is common at Nigerian missions abroad, the High Commission said only those with printed interview invitations would be attended to.

Canadian authorities are expanding restrictions on gatherings amid a surge in COVID-19 cases to unprecedented levels in the country since May.

According to its Public Health Agency, the North American country has reported a daily average of close to 1,000 infections within the last seven days.

Tally by John Hopkins University puts the countrys caseload at 148,411, including 9,283 deaths. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will continue to partner with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and some countries to ensure accelerated development, manufacturing and uninhibited supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines to all.

Buhari stated this on Tuesday night while delivering Nigerias National Statement via video link on the first day of the 75th session of the Unted Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Debate.

The President pledged Nigerias commitment to working with member states in the spirit of global cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general well-being.

The theme of this years General Assembly is The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism- Confronting Coronavirus Through Effective Multilateral Action.

The Nigerian leader described the theme of the conference as most appropriate and timely, saying that it captured the common desire for a renewed and revitalised UN in need of multilateral approaches to the many challenges facing the world.

As we reflect on the future we want and the United Nations we need, we must realise that the people of the world not only look up to us: they count on us.

If the United Nations system cannot mobilise the world to marshal out a truly effective and inclusive response to the coronavirus pandemic, then the United Nations would have failed in the core mission of giving expression, direction, and solution to the yearnings of the international community.

The future we want must guarantee human rights, human dignity, human prospects and prosperity.

The principles of Leaving No One Behind and Doing No Harm must be expressed through accountability, strategic growth initiatives, and elimination of threats of all kinds, he said.

He said that in order to give hope for a bright future and prosperity for all Nigerians, his administration had embarked on measures aimed at ensuring national resilience.

We intend to achieve this through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Medium Term National Development for the periods 2020-2025, and 2026-2030.

We expect that these ambitious initiatives will deliver sustainable economic growth and development to Nigeria, he said.

Speaking on the coronavirus pandemic, Buhari stressed the need for effective multilateral actions aimed at tackling the situation.

He expressed concern that the pandemic had devastated the world economy and strained the capabilities of health systems of many countries, including Nigeria.

In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, we prioritised vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, and the unemployed, in our efforts to provide medical and social assistance to cushion the socio-economic effects of the disease.

Accordingly, we have expanded our National Social Register to include an additional one million Nigerians.

Our National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has been the vehicle for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population, as well as providing cover for over 12 million households, he said.

While applauding the UN and WHO for the efforts they put in to help combat the pandemic, Buhari noted with appreciation the two billion dollars Global Response Plan launched by the UN Secretary-General to fund the coronavirus response in the poorest countries.

He also applauded the Secretary-Generals call for a cease-fire in conflict areas so that humanitarian assistance could reach groups vulnerable to the virus.

On poverty eradication in Nigeria, the president said that in order to mitigate its impact, his administration had embarked upon the disbursement of N10.9 billion to households engaged in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises as palliatives.

According to him, an additional N500 billion fiscal stimulus package as well as sustained delivery of humanitarian and social interventions to cater to poor and vulnerable households have been established.

He added that the Central Bank of Nigeria had also launched a N3.5-trillion-stimulus package to boost manufacturing and facilitate import substitution.

The Nigerian leader then urged the international community to complement efforts being made to address poverty, particularly in developing countries.

In this regard, he commended the outgone President of the 74th General Assembly, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, for launching an Alliance for Poverty Eradication in June.

He enjoined global leaders, particularly from the global North, to support the alliance at a time when the COVID-19 is reversing gains made toward the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pushing an additional half a billion people into extreme poverty.

On disarmament, international peace and security, Buhari said Nigeria remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly on the continent of Africa.

He, therefore, called on the international community to renew efforts that would help stem such activities and promote the Arms Trade Treaty in order to codify accountability in the battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy.

On terrorism and counter-terrorism, the president urged world leaders to redouble efforts at ensuring collective security, saying that the litany of sophisticated terrorist attacks across the globe is a harsh reality of the challenges the world is facing today.

In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits.

We continue to count on our strong cooperation with UN counter-terrorism bodies and neighbouring countries to overcome the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel Region.

We will vigorously sustain the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement of victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North East.

The North-East Development Commission has been established for that purpose, he said.

On illicit financial flows, Buhari said that global aspiration to recover from the impact of COVID-19 would not be fully met without addressing structures making it more difficult for countries to generate and retain their financial resources.

In this regard, the president again thanked Muhammad-Bande as well as the immediate past President of the Economic and Social Council, Amb. Mona Jul, for jointly launching the High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI) for Achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Meanwhile, a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman, indicates that Buhari also spoke on other issues that are of interest to Nigeria.

Adesina said that speaking on climate change, the Nigerian leader reiterated his countrys commitment to revitalising Lake Chad.

We are convinced that recharging the Lake will improve the living conditions of our people in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, and assist in addressing environmental as well as security challenges threatening the region and its resources, he said.

Buhari, therefore, renewed his call for international support for the regional efforts being made to raise 50 billion dollars required to revitalise the lake.

On quality education, Buhari announced that Nigeria would be hosting the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021.

Quality education for all is the cornerstone of sustainable development.

I invite you all to Nigeria to participate in the conference, which aims to advocate the protection of education from attack as we work together towards the future we want, he said.

Buhari ended his speech at the virtual event by reaffirming Nigerias commitment to promoting international peace and security and sustainable development.

He also said that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening partnerships and cooperation with international organisations.

The general debate is held at the beginning of each session of the UNGA, usually in September in accordance with the Rules of ProcedureandA/RES/57/301.

Often member states are represented by their Heads of State or Government during the general debate. Not all member states participate in every session.

The general debate provides an opportunity for member states to raise any topic and statements often reflect issues of importance to the member state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus update

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 176new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Wednesday.

According to the agency, the new infection takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 57,437.

The NCDC said that the new cases were reported from 14 states of the federation.

It stated that Lagos reported the highest infection in the country with 73, Plateau (50), FCT (17), Rivers (8), Ondo (6), Niger (5), Ogun (5), Edo (3), Kaduna (3), Oyo (2), Bauchi (1), Bayelsa (1), Delta (1), and Nasarawa (1).

According to it, till date, 57613 cases have been confirmed, 48836 cases have been discharged and 1100 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the FCT.

The health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, have continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.

It added that the drivers of COVID-19 were different across the country, therefore subnational understanding of transmission was critical.

We cant celebrate decline in national figures until we test sufficient numbers in every state, it stated.

The NCDC said that the most common signs and symptoms reported by COVID-19 patients in Nigeria were cough and fever.

The agency said that in addition, most patients who died were reported to have difficulty in breathing.

Most people who died were 61-70 years of age.

The agency said that a properly worn face mask acts as a protective barrier to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Wear a mask properly covering your nose and mouth, no gaps secured with straps.

Remember, a face mask is a personal item and must not be shared, it said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Small arms and light weapons

By Harrison Arubu

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night urged the international community to take strong action against illicit flows of small arms and light weapons.

Addressing the virtual United Nations General Assembly through a pre-recorded video statement, Buhari said Nigeria was deeply concerned over the menace.

Nigeriaremains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons,particularly on the continent of Africa.

We urge the international community to renew efforts to stem this traffic and promote the Arms Trade Treaty.

This is to codifyaccountability in the on-going battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy, he said.

The president also reminded the world of the litany of terrorist attacks across the globe, saying it is a harsh reality of the challenges the world is facing today.

He emphasised that the problem could only be solved through international collaboration and solidarity.

In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits.

We continue to count on our strong cooperation with UN counter-terrorism bodies and neighbouring countries to overcome the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel Region.

We will vigorously sustain the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North-East.

The North-East Development Commission has been established for that purpose, he said.

Buhari also stated Nigerias position on other global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, illicit financial flows and nuclear proliferation.

On COVID-19, the president joined other world leaders at the forum in calling for uninhibited supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines for all.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call for global solidarity against the pandemic featured prominently in all the statements delivered on Tuesday.

The developing world has been watching helplessly as some wealthy countries pre-order millions of doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines from pharmaceutical companies.

This move, which has come to be known as vaccine nationalism, is a source of concern to the UN and other stakeholders.

They fear that this would leave the poor countries thereby undermine efforts to end the pandemic.

In his statement earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that vaccine nationalism is not only unfair but also self-defeating.

Buhari decried the lack of global solidarity in the battle, urging the UN to marshal an inclusive response to the pandemic.

According to him, failure by the orgainsation in this direction means failure in its core mission of giving expression, direction and solution to the yearnings of the international community.

Turning to illicit financial flows, he called for an overhaul of existing international structures that undermine countries efforts to generate and retain their financial resources.

Speaking further, the president expressed Nigerias commitment to ongoing efforts by the UN to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

He said: We recall the adoption of the landmark Treaty on The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which opened for signature on 20 September 2017.

Nigeria participated actively in the processes leading to its adoption and was an early signatory and ratifier.

With less than ten ratifications needed for the TPNWs entry into force, we urge other member states who have not done so to quickly ratify the Treaty for the actualization of its important objective. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Damilare (left) and Christiana (right) winners of the Big Dreams Nigeria Talent Hunt Show in music and acting

By Joshua Olomu

Adaja Damilare and Christiana Nsolo have carted home N1 million each as star prizes after emerging winners at the grand finale of Big Dream Nigeria Talent Show on Tuesday night.

The reality show is geared toward discovering and developing young talents in acting and music.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youngsters were announced winners at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the show which held in Abuja.

The duo beat 12 other budding talents who made it to the final day of the 5-week-long event to clinch the highly coveted grand prizes.

Damilare, Ondo State born model and upcoming singer, won the grand prize for the music category of the contest, while 22-year-old Christiana from Delta State clinched the grand prize for acting.

According to the organisers of the show, the two best winners are to receive a plot of land each in the Federal Capital Territory as part of the star prizes.

The organisers also announced a plot of land each for the first and second runners-up in both music and acting categories of the show.

Amb. Kingsley Amafibe, CEO of Peace Ambassador Agency and Principal Executive of the Big Dreams project, told NAN on the sidelines of the grand finale that contestants were selected from a nationwide audition held at the beginning of the year.

He explained that 30 housemates started the show and that the number of contestants kept reducing in a weekly eviction process until the last two persons were announced winners.

According to him, the Big Dream Nigeria talent show initiative is imed at offering talented and passionate youth a platform to express themselves and to be discovered in the creative industry.

He said that movies and music produced by housemates in the course of the show had been premiered and that all participants would be recommended to relevant stakeholders for music and movie roles.

The reality show is aimed at building the next generation of talented Nigerians in the areas of music and acting.

During their stay in the house, contestants were coached and mentored by seasoned filmmakers, actors, singers, and even leadership experts.

They produced a movie and a song titled 9JA Go Beta, which is to commemorate Nigerias 60 years of independence, he said.

Amafibe said that the housemates were earlier quarantined in preparation for the premiere and commencement of the contest because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He called on relevant stakeholders, especially government at all levels to support initiatives such as the talent show in order to empower and gainfully engage teeming talented Nigerian youth.

Our youths are talented but they need to be given platforms to express themselves, and that is why we want everybody to support this project so that we can get our youth off the streets.

The entertainment industry can create the much needed jobs for our youth, especially as the country faces economic challenges, he said.

Speaking with NAN, Christiana, a 300-level student of Architecture at the University of Benin, who won the star prize in Acting, expressed gratitude to the organisers.

She described the show s the kind of veritable platform talented and passionate young Nigerians needed for mentorship and direction in pursuit of their dreams.

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nigerian International Securities Limited (NISL) and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) expressed commitment to expanding retail investment opportunities in the capital market.

The trio made the commitment at a webinar organised by the NSE in collaboration with the NISL in Lagos.

It was also supported by the CIS and the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar was on Capital Market Investing in a Digital Age.

Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, in his address, said that investor participation was crucial to sustainable economic growth.

Onyema said that the Exchange was committed to playing its role in advancing the Federal Governments financial inclusion goals.

Investor participation is central to the growth of sustainable development of any economy.

NSE is committed to playing a critical role in the advancement of the FGs financial inclusion goals.

As part of our efforts to realise the objectives of the financial inclusion, we intend to facilitate conversations which will serve to equip existing and potential investors with the necessary skill to effectively manage and grow financial resources at their disposal.

In these engagements, we will also expand the retail investment opportunities available in the capital market and the channels through which they can be accessed, Onyema said.

The CEO of the Exchange also hailed operators and investors in the capital market for their resilience, with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of COVID-19 adversely affected the global economy in many ways and at different magnitude.

The Nigerian capital market was also negatively affected, with the market witnessing a downturn in Q1 of this year.

However, the market rebounded in Q2 and as a result the NSE all share index has recorded a 18.9 per cent increase from its position at the end of March.

The market also witnessed the growth in the percentage value of equity transactions contributed by retail investors, currently at 29 per cent from 21.8 per cent in 2018 and 24.72 per cent in 2019, he said.

According to him, these highlight the markets resilience in time of adversity and is a testament of market stakeholders ability to adapt.

Onyema said that digital technology played a significant role in achieving the positive results recorded in the NSE so far.

He said that technology had helped to make significant services more easily accessible.

Mr Laolu Martins, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NISL, said that it had become imperative to ensure that retail investors were made aware of the opportunities inherent in the capital market.

Martins said that for retail investors, navigating through the web of processes in the capital market was usually difficult, thereby discouraging them from investing.

He said: The general belief is that retail investors are often left behind and do not have enough knowledge on the workings of the capital market.

It is interesting to note that the NSE has over the years taken time and work to ensure that retail investors are carried along and aware of the various opportunities inherent in the NSE.

NISL is a securities trading company, financial advisory service, offering consulting solutions to corporate bodies across the value of activities on the stock exchange.

In order to invest properly, all investors need to carry out some sort of financial planning, no matter how small or big.

We realised that for retail investors, it is usually difficult for them to navigate through these web of processes and other issues that create a bottleneck or discourage investors.

Martins said that some processes that create difficulties for investors include budgeting, investment, savings, risk management and liquidity management.

At NISL, we have enough expertise to ensure that we help our investors navigate through this web of terms and processes to ensure that their investment is rewarding, he said.

Martins said the reason for the webinar was to expose some of the investment opportunities for retail investors.

This webinar is to enlighten the investing public, retail investors, that they can buy bonds in the NSE and it is like lending your money to a company or a government entity.

It is advisable that retail investors should approach their stockbrokers to guide them in which bond they should invest in, he said.

Mr Femi Balogun, Head, Market services Department, NSE, spoke on the importance of market data in guiding investors decision.

Market data is important to the investment of an intending investor.

Some people are good at picking stocks, but If you use data to drive your decision in conjunction with your expertise, you make a better informed decision on your investment, he said.

Mr Olatunde Amolegbe, President of CIS, commended the NSE, while pledging the Institutes continued support to drive an inclusive financial system.

Amolegbe said that the Exchange had always provided avenues that would support and ensure a seamless investing process for retail and other investors.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 195 new cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Monday.

According to the agency, the new infection takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 57,437.

The health agency sadly reported two new deaths raising the death toll in the country to 1,100.

It also reported that 105 patients who had been treated and had also recovered from the infection were discharged across the country.

The NCDC said that Enugu State recorded the highest number of new cases with 51, followed by Gombe with 40, Lagos with 39, Plateau with 23, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 15.

Among other states that recorded new cases were Rivers (12), Kaduna (8), Ondo (3), Bauchi (2), Edo (1), and Ogun (1).

According to the agency, till date, 57,437 cases have been confirmed, 48,674 cases have been discharged and 1100 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the FCT.

The health agency said a multi-sectoral national emergency operation centre (EOC) activated at Level three, had continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.

Meanwhile, the agency has warned that majority of Nigerian states were not testing enough.

It said, We do not have enough data coming out of these states to ascertain if we are improving or not or where exactly we are.

So we have to work together; in summary, it is way too early to make any interpretation whether we are flattening the curve or not.

The NCDC appealed to more states to test consistently so that progress could be monitored on a national level.

Source: NAN News

Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, has advised religious leaders to without fear or favour continue to prevail on their congregations to wear facemask.

Mustapha gave the advice, while responding to questions during the PTF media briefing on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

The Chairman, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, expressed displeasure over the way some people had started moving about without facemask.

He said that religious leaders and traditional rulers have a lot to do to curb the further spread of the pandemic.

The best we can do for our people and our country is to adhere to these non-pharmaceutical interventions that have been put in place.

Wear your mask, observe social distancing. Stay away from large crowd and if you have no business dont travel.

It is sad when people gather and they do not think it is appropriate to wear mask.

What we can do is to continue to appeal to our people that COVID-19 is still alive, it has not gone on any vacation.

It is not relaxing. As much as we are not seeing the figures reflecting in our country, does not mean that inflations are not going on in other countries.

People are dying on a daily basis from COVID-19. The high, the mighty are dying. So it is a very serious issue.

And I will keep on saying this as we expect vaccines to show up on the horizon. The only vaccine we have in our hand now let us apply it.

And the only vaccines we have are the non-pharmaceutical interventions.

So we will continue to appeal to our people in places of worship to ensure that they insist on members of their congregation to wear mask either in the mosque or in the churches and we will continue our engagements.

Because we have ceded communication of the risk to the communities now.

We will often time remind them at this level that it is the responsibilities of traditional rulers and religious leaders to drive home that point, Mustapha said.

Source: NAN News

DPR Officials

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it will continue to use its regulatory instruments to enhance revenue collection for the Federal Government.

DPRs Director, MrSarki Auwalu made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos.

Auwalu said the DPR, as a revenue collection agency of government had remitted 1.03 billion dollars to the Federation Account from oil and gas royalties and legacy debts.

He said this was achieved through robust regulatory reforms that had been put in place to ensure timely and efficient revenue collection drive.

Auwalu said the department collects oil and gas royalties, which represent the proportional value of oil and gas production and flare gas penalties.

It also collects concession rentals paid forgrant of oil and gas acreages and miscellaneous oil revenues comprising statutory application fees, licences, and permit fees.

Such revenues are generated from licenses, permits and approvals to enable businesses and create opportunities for investors in the oil and gas sector, the director said.

Auwalu explained that it was not part of DPRs functions to advise government against borrowing from global financial institutions.

According to him, there are agencies that are statutorily empowered to do that.

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

By Uche Bibilari

A Chief Magistrates Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, on Tuesday ordered a 25-year-old student, Akeem Yakubu, to cut grass in the Gwagwalada Divisional Police station for two days for stealing two cell phones worth N8,700.

The police charged Yakubu with theft.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and told the court that he sold the phones for N5,000 and used the money he realised to buy clothes.

Chief Magistrate Aliyu Shafa, ordered that he should report to the Gwagwalada Divisional Police station by 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m each day.

Shafa also ordered the convict to return to his parents in Okene, Kogi.

He warned the convict to desist from committing crimes and to be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Abudullahi Tanko, told the court that the complainants, Suleiman Ahmadu and Tijani Adamu of Angwan Fulani, Kuje Road, Gwagwalada, reported the matter at Gwagwalada police station on Sept. 17.

Tanko said that Yakubu stole the phones of the complainants while they were charging it.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The Defence Counsel, Yusuf Jibril, prayed for the court for leniency.

If he is sentenced to a prison term, he will mostly likely come out hardened and pose treat to the society.

He is a very young man at the peak of his formation age, I urge the court to assume a human and parental face ,and to temper justice with mercy, he prayed the court. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Fashion designer, Kudrat Oyewole, petitions an Ile-Tuntun Customary Court in Ibadan, seeking dissolution of her two-year-old marriage with her husband, Sikiru.

By Olawale Akinremi

A fashion designer, Kudrat Oyewole, on Tuesday, petitioned an Ile-Tuntun Customary Court in Ibadan, seeking dissolution of her two-year-old marriage with her husband, Sikiru.

Kudrat is seeking the divorce on grounds of harassments and unfulfilled marital life.

The mother of one testified before Chief Henry Agbaje, the courts President that she had endured sadness and frustration in her matrimonial home.

She further said that her husband kept her and the child in a lonely developing site to live a ghostly existence and to starve.

Sikiru keeps ignoring my plea to empower me by paying for my shop as a fashion designer.

He also tells me that I had the option to pack out of his home if I was not ready to keep living a wasteful life with him.

In fact, Sikiru usually record some of his romantic moment with his concubines on his mobile phone and plays it in my presence to further frustrate me.

I reported him to his parents, but he never changed.

Just two weeks ago when I went to visit my uncle, he changed the key to the house and locked me out because I didnt get back in time.

I am tired of staying with Sikiru, I also want to make progress in life, Kudrat told the court.

However, the respondent, who lived at Fatusi area in Ibadan, opposed the suit and denied some of the allegations levelled against him.

He submitted that his wife was fond of frequently running to her parents home anytime there was a misunderstanding between both of them.

Kudrat went to enrol for a menial job without my knowledge and I told her that such behaviour doesnt happen in our own family.

That was the reason why I prevented her from entering.

I have done everything humanly possible to rent Kudrat a shop, but she is not ready to be patient.

She must also learn to stop running to report me to her relatives, Sikiru told the court.

In his ruling, Agbaje appealed to the duo to exercise patience with each other.

He directed them to provide more evidence to support their arguments and adjourned the case until Oct. 6 for the continuation of hearing.

Source: NAN News

Air Peace plane

By Yunus Yusuf

The management of Air Peace has announced an increase in the number of flights from Lagos to Enugu, with effect from Sept. 22.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos by Mr Stanley Olisa, External Relations Officer, Air Peace on Tuesday.

He assured Enugu passengers of seamless flights.

As we commence a daily second Los-Enugu-Los in the afternoon. Passengers can now leave Lagos for Enugu in the morning and still come back to Lagos in the evening, same day with Air Peace.

While this is going on, we are almost finished with plans to reintroduce our night stop and early morning flights in and out of Enugu to Lagos daily.

We thank our teeming customers for their unflinching loyalty to the Air Peace brand, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FRSC personnel at the scene of an accident

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday directed its zonal and sector commanders to evolve improved strategies that would ensure effective traffic management and reduction in road accidents in the country.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, gave the directive at the third quarter corps operators meeting in Abuja.

He said that zonal commanders should ensure that component commands tackle critical offences with desired vigour during the ember months.

Oyeyemi noted that the FRSC operators meeting was a prelude to the series of planning and technical interactions toward a hitch-free end-of-the- year patrols.

He said that it was particularly timely, as it would provide the platform for participants to interact on internal response plans toward the escalating security threats across the country.

The corps marshal stated that it was important for commanding officers to ensure that public education and advocacy were stepped up by both regular and special marshals.

According to him, You must introduce measures that will restrain our operatives from negative tendencies.

Aggressive public enlightenment targeted at mitigating health risks, associated with road traffic carnage, must be put in place.

You must also ensure prompt response to road emergencies and the follow up on crash victims.

Focus on the speed reduction strategies as a means of bringing down crashes and fatalities, he said.

Oyeyemi noted that all patrol vehicles, ambulances and other equipment would be put in order for the highest enforcement capacity attainable.

He stated that COVID-19 remained a major life-threatening challenge, urging zonal and sector commanders to continue to educate field command operatives on the need to take personal responsibility for their safety.

He said that they woulc achieve that by simply accepting the trend and complying with the directives of the Presidential Tasks Force on COVID-19. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Angry JOHESU members

By Maureen Ojinaka

Health activities have fully resumed at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, after the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) ended its seven-day warning strike.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation on Tuesday in Enugu, observed that health workers were busy at their various duty posts.

Some patients at the hospital expressed joy that they were attended to by the health workers while they appealed to the Federal Government to quickly meet JOHESUs demands for the healthy living of the citizens.

They said that incessant strikes in the public health sector would continue to cause more deaths, financial waste and serious health challenges for the citizens.

Mr Azubike Udeh, a patient on admission, said he remained in the hospital ward during the strike because transfering to a private hospital would have caused him more money, which might likely not solve his health problem.

My everyday prayer on this my hospital bed is for the government to listen to the health workers and pay them what is due to them so that there will be better healthcare service delivery in our public hospitals, Udeh said.

Mrs Charity Akuabata, whose son was on admission, expressed happiness as workers resumed work after the strike, adding that her sons health situation would have gone bad if the strike was not called off.

I am happy that I met the health workers on duty because it would have been terrible for me to be carrying my 12-year-old son from one private hospital to another in order to get his leg treated, Akuabata said.

Miss Helen Egwuonwu, another patient, said that for the health workers to carry out their duties effectively, the government must create a conducive working condition for them.

A nurse in the hospital, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that health activities had started in earnest as patients had also started coming in to receive medical attention.

NAN reports that the members of JOHESU and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations embarked on a seven-day warning strike to press for their demands from the Federal Government.

JOHESUs demands include: addressing the disparity in the payment of hazard and inducement allowances to workers in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.(NAN)

Source: NAN News