Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives,Mr Yakubu Dogara, as the chairman of its screening committee, for the Ondo State governorship primaries.

The appointment is contained in a statement issued by itsNational Organising Secretary,Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Akobundu said that the partysNational Working Committee (NWC) approved the nomination of Dogara and four others to serve on the screening gubernatorial committee.

Other members of the committee, according to Akobundu, include Sen. Zainab Kure, Fred Agbedi and Ndubuisi Agwuama while Rev. Bunmi Jenyo will serve as Secretary.

The committee is mandated to screen all aspirants for the upcoming 2020 governorship election in Ondo state.

The exercise is scheduled for Thursday at the NWC hall, Wadata Plaza at 10.00 a.m., Akobundu stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

By Ifeanyi Olannye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta Chapter, has empathised with Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, Edith and family following the news that they tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, on Wednesday expressed its solid support for the governor and his family at this trying time.

The party urged him to be firm in faith and strong in the conviction that this is a situation that would soon pass.

Your Excellency, the Delta PDP family wish you, your dear wife and members of your family presently inconvenienced by this unwanted situation, a speedy recovery.

COVID-19, like you have told Deltans, is not in any way a death sentence and your inspirational leadership, as well as proactive management of this pandemic, has further strengthened our belief that you and your family will all come out stronger and healthier.

We commended your Excellency for the sincerity, honesty and the transparency you have continually exhibited, especially as it concerns your family since the outbreak of this pandemic.

We join our prayers with those of your well-wishers all over the world, that the good Lord will touch you and your family with His Divine healing at this time, the party prayed.

It called on Deltans to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 preventive measures put in place by the NCDC, the Federal and Delta Ministries of Health amid rising positive cases of the pandemic in the state.

It is now obvious to all that COVID-19 is real.

The party wished the governor and his wife, speedy recovery and prayed that God blesses and keeps them safe. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday in Abuja said domestic flights that had been suspended since March 20, would finally resume on July 8.

Sirika announced this in a statement signed by Mr James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs, in the ministry.

He said flights would commence at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

According to him, the Port Harcourt, Owerri, Maiduguri and Kano airports will reopen to flights on July 11, while other airports across the country will join on July 15.

Sirika said passengers looking to travel out of the country would have to wait a bit longer as the dates for the restart of international flights into and out of the country would be announced later.

I thank stakeholders in aviation industry and Nigerian public who have to cope with the adverse effects of flight suspension for their perseverance and cooperation in ensuring a successful return of operations at the nations airports.

Passengers are highly advised to follow all the safety guidelines and protocols put in place to ensure that the airports dont become channels of infection for the dreaded coronavirus.

Government will do all within its powers to ensure a rapid recovery of the aviation industry, the minister assured. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ECObank Nigeria

By Donald Ugwu

Shareholders of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) have elected Prof. Enase Okonedo and Mr Simon Dornoo as board members of the bank.

A statement issued by Adenike Laoye, its Group Head Communication on Wednesday said that the election took place at the companys 32Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Okonedo replaces Ms Arunma Oteh, who has resigned from the board.

It noted that shareholders were pleased with ETIs progress in 2019 and approved all the resolutions at the AGM, which included the election of the two new directors.

It stated that shareholders also ratified the co-option of Mr Deepak Malik, a nominee of Arise B.V, Ms Zanele Monnakgotla, a nominee of Public Investment Corporation and Dr George Donkor, the representative of Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development as directors.

The statement added that the shareholders renewed the mandates of the firms Deloitte

INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said that 14 political parties submitted nominations for Edo governorship election.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC).

Okoye said that the particulars of the nominated candidates would be published in the Edo State office of the commission and simultaneously uploaded on its website on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that from the provisional list of the nominated candidates by the 14 parties, only the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party was a female.

The list also indicated that that only African Democratic Congress and the Social Democratic Party nominated females as running mates.

Okoye said that 15 political parties earlier signified their intention to conduct primaries for the nomination of their candidates, adding this exercise ended on June 27.

At the close of nominations on June 29 at 6 pm, 14 political parties used the dedicated online portal of the commission to submit the list of candidates that emerged from their primaries.

The provisional list of the candidates disaggregated on the basis of name, gender, age and qualification has been uploaded on our website and social media platforms.

Furthermore, and as required by law, the particulars of the nominated candidates will be published in the Edo State office of the commission and simultaneously uploaded on our website on Thursday, July 2.

Okoye encouraged members of the public to go through the nomination forms, affidavits and documents submitted by the parties on behalf of their candidates.

He advised that any person who had reasonable grounds to believe that any information in the affidavit or any document submitted by any candidate was false to take a legal action.

Okoye said that such a person may file a suit at the Federal High Court, High Court of a State or the FCT against such a candidate seeking a declaration that the information contained in the affidavit was false.

He noted that the final list of duly nominated candidates would be published on Aug. 13, after withdrawals by candidates and substitution by their political parties.

Okoye said that the commission also deliberated on several issues including Ondo State end of tenure of governorship elections as well as the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election.

He said political parties interested in nominating candidates for the Ondo governorship election should note that the conduct of party primaries would commence on July 2 and end on July 25.

The last date for the submission of the names of duly nominated candidates is July 28.

For the Nasarawa State Central Constituency bye-election, the conduct of primaries for the nomination of candidates starts today, June 30, and will end on July 6, Okoye said.

He said that the commission was encouraged by the seamless online nomination of candidates for the Edo governorship election using its newly introduced dedicated portal.

Okoye said that the same procedure would be applied in the Ondo governorship poll, Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election and all subsequent elections to be conducted by the commission.

Accordingly, political parties are encouraged to obtain their nomination access codes from the commission for the bye-election and upload the list of their candidates and their particulars to the dedicated portal between July 3 and July 7.

For the Ondo governorship election, the commissions dedicated portal for the submission of the names of candidates that emerge from valid party primaries will open on July 21 and close on July 28, 2020.

Political parties are encouraged to submit the list of their candidates on time as the portal will automatically close at 6 pm on the last date for the submission of nominations, he said.

He advised all political parties, candidates, aspirants and supporters to obey all laws, regulations and guidelines, especially in their campaigns.

Equally important is the need for strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols to ensure their safety and well-being as well as that of members of the public, he said.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19: Expert urges SMEs to embrace digital marketing

By Joy Odigie

Mr Efe Igbinovia, a Digital Marketing Consultant, has called on operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to embrace digital marketing to get more patronage, following effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Igbinovia gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.

He said that the owners of SMEs should increase their social media presence given the fact that there was a surge in social media during this period of COVID-19 lockdown.

He said the benefits of digital marketing were enormous during the lockdown provided the digital marketer had a data bundle.

Billboards that would usually have been seen by thousands now stand beside empty streets. Fewer people are venturing out to get newspapers and nobody is holding events.

In the meantime with so many more people online and for longer periods, the chances of seeing adverts on social media or interacting with content marketing blogs are greater.

So, now is the time for SMEs to embrace digital marketing to grow their businesses.

There is a vast audience on social media that are hungry for interesting and informative content.

Thus giving business owners opportunity to satisfy these needs, attract new potential customers and generate substantial exposure for brands, Igbinovia said.

He said that owners of SMEs must determine and promote what sets their brands apart to succeed on the digital marketing platform.

Social media is filled with different brands offering products and services similar to your own.

Posting regular content wont make the cut. All your social media posts should foster conversations and promote interaction between you and your followers, he said.

Igbinovia also advised SMEs to avoid over-saturating their feeds with advertisements (Ads) but embrace the use of paid Twitter Ads, Facebook Ads or any other paid social media campaign to target users who had an interest in products and services.

The goal is to make your brand more relatable, which in turn will attract other users and result in substantial following, he added.

He also recommended training of micro and small business owners on the use of digital marketing, so they would have a better understanding of how the market worked and how positioning was done in the industry.

Where they cannot afford this training, the government can also come in to help in this regard.

We need the government to be more responsive to the growing needs of this market, Igbinovia said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal
Nigeria has recorded 561 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 25,694.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made the disclosure on Tuesday through its official Twitter handle.

NCDC said that the 561 new confirmed cases were from 19 states, with 17 deaths as at Tuesday.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC said that Lagos reported the highest number of cases with 200 new cases and Edo was second with 119 new infections.

Others were Kaduna-52, FCT-52, Niger-32, Ogun-19, Ondo-16, Imo-14, Plateau-11, Abia-8, Oyo-8, Bayelsa-7, Katsina-6, Kano-5, Bauchi-3, Osun-3, Kebbi-3, Borno-2 and Jigawa-1.

The NCDC said that till date, 25,694 cases had been confirmed; 15,358 were active cases; 9,746 cases treated and discharged; 134, 257 samples collected and 590 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, the NCDC said that three out of every five Nigerians who died from COVID-19 were more than 50 years old.

It urged Nigerians to take precautions to protect their older relatives by wearing a face mask in public, practising hand and respiratory hygiene and maintaining a physical distance of two metres from others.

Ensure that if you do share a toilet and bathroom with others, they are cleaned after each use. Where possible, consider drawing up a roster for bathing, and you use the bathroom first at the start of each day.

Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water by all other household members and disinfect frequently touched surfaces e.g. door handles, light switches, TV remotes etc throughout the day.

Keep shared spaces well ventilated and minimise the time spent in shared enclosed spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas.

Where possible, sleep in a different bed and endeavour to maintain physical distancing even within the household.

Do not share towels and beddings or use commonly shared household items including cutlery, drinking cups etc, the body stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the health agency also said it does not own quarantine or treatment centres.

The body said that this was the responsibility of the state governments or relevant teaching hospitals.

The NCDC said it only provides guidance on set-up of standard isolation centres, national case management guidelines and training for health workers across the country.

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government has reiterated that coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for residents of the state was free of charge.

Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the states Commissioner for Information and Strategy said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

The state would like to reassure the general public that testing is still free at all the COVID-19 public testing laboratories for all Lagos residents.

Residents are enjoined to take advantage of this service if they feel unwell or feel they have had close contact with an infected person, Omotoso said.

He said that the government has established sampling centres across the state and has continued to enhance the capacity of the public testing laboratories to examine all those who required testing free of charge.

According to him, if any resident feels unwell, he should please, lodge a complaint through the appropriate channel by calling 08000CORONA.

He said that the state government has launched a consortium of seven private laboratories in the first phase.

This is part of the testing strategy of the state to increase the accessibility of testing facilities to the organised private and corporate sector who wish to test for various reasons.

For the avoidance of doubt it is necessary to reiterate to members of the public that testing remains free of charge at all public testing laboratories, the commissioner said.

Source: NAN News

COAS, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai

By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has charged the combined troops of the Armed Forces in Zamfara to go deep into the bushes where bandits are hiding to deal with them.

Buratai gave the charge when he paid an operational visit to the troops deployed at Sector 2 Forward Operation Base, Zurmi in Zamfara State on Tuesday.

He said that the asymmetric nature of the ongoing war against banditry in the region required painstaking effort towards identifying the hideout of the criminals.

Buratai also urged the troops to remain focused in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, adding that there are forces bent on sabotaging their efforts.

He assured the troops of more and better equipment to prosecute the campaign against the criminals.

According to him, more equipment have been procured and deployed in line with President Muhammadu Buharis promise to enhance the fighting power of the military.

You must ensure that you remain focused and not be distracted as there are so many forces trying to sabotage the security of this country both internally and externally

You must go deep inside the bush and pursue them until they are tactically defeated because we have what it takes to defeat them, he said.

Buratai commended the troops for their patriotism and commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

He later proceeded to the Palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, where he assured him of the renewed commitment of the armed forces to end the lingering security challenges.

The Emir commended the effort of the military in addressing the security challenges in Zamfara state and pledged to support the military to succeed in curtailing it.

Also, at the palace of the Emir of Kaura-Namoda, Buratai assured that the Nigerian army was fully committed to ending the menace of insecurity in the state.

Responding, the Emir, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad, commended the military and other security agencies for their effort towards addressing the security challenges.

Muhammad also expressed profound appreciation to Buhari for giving priority to the state, adding that farmers were now confident to go to their farms.

The emir, who was a former military officer, promised to deploy his security experience to support the military and other security agencies in curtailing the activities of bandits in the state.

Source: NAN News

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam

HK
Hong Kong police on Wednesday made their first arrest since the new national security law came into effect.

A man was arrested for holding a Hong Kong independence flag, the police force wrote on Twitter, adding that it was a violation of the new law passed by Beijing, which was implemented on Tuesday night.

This is the first arrest made since the law has come into force, Hong Kong police tweeted.

The force announced on Monday that they would deploy between 3,000 and 5,000 officers in light of potential unrest on Wednesday, as protests were planned to mark the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kongs handover from Britain to China.

Civil Human Rights Front, the group that organized the citys largest protest marches over the last year, had vowed to go ahead with a banned march despite having no permit.

The national security law targets secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong. Critics say its purpose is to quash dissent in the financial hub, which has been roiled by protests for the past year.

Under the new law, serious offenders may face life imprisonment, or a fixed term of no less than 10 years.

Those engaged in minor actions such as flag waving, slogan chanting or displaying banners could face punishment of between three and 10 years in prison.

The law was gazetted into an annex of Hong Kongs Basic Law late Tuesday after it was given the go-ahead at the end of a three-day deliberation by the National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, who voted unanimously to push the law ahead.

There are fears the law will undermine the autonomy promised to Hong Kong under the One Country, Two Systems principle agreed by China and Britain to guarantee certain freedoms for the territory until 2047. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

PDP Logo

By Aderemi Bamgbose

Mr John Ola-Mafo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant has withdrawn from the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for Oct. 10.

Ola-Mafo announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Okitipupa.

The state yearns for a true leader who will make the goals and aspirations and the overall interest of the citizenry to be supreme objective of government policies and programmes, he said.

Ola-Mafo thanked supporters across the state who believed in his vision and who contributed towards actualising his dream.

With a great sense of responsibility and unbroken faith in the future of Ondo State, I announce my formal withdrawal from the governorship race, having been an aspirant on the platform of the PDP.

My exit from the contest is predicated on circumstances beyond my control as history is my witness as I withdraw from the governorship race.

I made myself available in the first place because I believed I have what it takes, in terms of experience, vision, capacity, and general competence, to govern the state in a way to guarantee sustainable development in line with the yearnings and aspiration of the people of the state.

From the activities of the present administration and disposition of the people, it is clear that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has failed to meet the expectations of the people.

They have proven to be incapable of meeting the lofty objectives of the masses.

From the foregoing, one can rightly declare that the people of the state are looking for an alternative platform, which the PDP represents, to bring about the desired change in the state.

On way forward, as a patriotic citizen and loyal member of the PDP over the years, I am prepared to work with whoever emerges from the party primaries to bring PDP back to the government house in line with the expectations of the good people of the state, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Interstate travel: FRSC urges motorists, passengers to exercise patience

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged motorists and passengers to exercise patience due to anticipated increase in vehicles on the roads as Federal Government lifts ban on interstate travel.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Enugu State, Mr Ogbonnaya Kalu, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

NAN reports that for more than three months, the Federal Government had imposed a ban on interstate travel as part of measures meant to contain spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Kalu noted that exercising patience by all road users had become imperative following the rush most motorists would engage themselves in.

I will advise all road users, which includes motorists and passengers to be patient and avoid rush as most people might want to be in a haste to get to where they are going to after few months of being inactive on the road.

Drivers should not speed; while passengers should also live up to their responsibility of cautioning their drivers when he or she speeds or drives recklessly.

Drivers should drive with a sense of moderation, especially as the rains are here.

It is quite clear that the roads are slippery now and one must exercise some level of caution.

Also, as long distance transport companies had parked their vehicles for few months; it is good they do servicing on their fleets.

There is a need to check tyres, lighting system, wipers, oils and radiators, among others and ensure that they are in top working condition, he added.

The sector commander noted that his command would put more efforts on enforcement as more vehicles plied major road corridors within the state to ensure safety of all.

Kalu said that FRSC officers and men were still within the state boundary areas to ensure safety compliance of all vehicles crossing over to the state.

We will also ensure that transport companies and drivers maintain Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocol on physical distancing in parks and number of passengers being carried at a time.

FRSC will ensure rules of wearing of face masks by all in all parks.

While transport companies provide temperature checking device and alcohol-based sanitisers or hand washing devices for passengers, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus

By Christian Ogbonna

Bayelsa has recorded two additional COVID-19 related deaths and seven new infections as announced by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Dr Jones Stowe, Director of Public Health and member of state COVID-19 Task Force who gave the update in a statement on Wednesday in Yenagoa, said the new deaths brought the total number of deaths in the state to 14.

Stowe said that the total COVID-19 infections in the state has risen to 205 with the new cases.

The state recorded seven new confirmed cases and two new deaths on Tuesday.

The total confirmed cases are now 205, active cases 91 and total discharged stood at 100.

We call on the general public to please, adhere strictly to the recommended public health advisories to reduce the transmission of COVID- 19.

Maintain regular washing of hand, use your facemask, avoid hand shake and crowd; stay safe, MaskUpBayelsa, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

who

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned people against wearing masks while exercising, saying masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably.

WHO gave the warning on Wednesday in an update of its Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters.

It said that sweat could make the mask become wet more quickly which made it difficult to breathe and would promote the growth of microorganisms.

The important preventive measure during exercise is to maintain physical distance of at least one metre from others, it said.

The health agency said that the prolonged use of medical masks when properly worn, did not cause Carbon dioxide (CO2) intoxication nor oxygen deficiency.

It, however, noted that the prolonged use of medical masks could be uncomfortable.

While wearing a medical mask, make sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally.

Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp.

Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are flat or pleated; they are affixed to the head with straps or have ear loops, it said.

It maintained that the likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting individuals was very low.

As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance of your home.

This will help prevent contact with dirt or any waste that could be carried on the soles of shoes, it said.

According to WHO, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a virus not by bacteria.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is in a family of viruses called Coronaviridae. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Some people who become ill with COVID-19 can also develop a bacterial infection as a complication. In this case, antibiotics may be recommended by a health care provider, it said.

WHO noted that currently there was no licensed medication to cure COVID-19.

It advised people that have symptoms of the disease to call their health care provider or COVID-19 hotline for assistance.

WHO added that most people who contracted the COVID-19 had mild or moderate symptoms and recovered due to supportive care.

Source: NAN News

Gov. AbulRahaman AbdulRazaq

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who inaugurating the committee said it was aimed at mitigating the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, which is a World Bank-backed initiative, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Ilorin.

The members of the committee are the Commissioner for Finance and Planning/Team Lead (CARES), Mrs Oyeyemi Olasumbo, the
Commissioner for Enterprise, Mr Femi Agbaje, the Technical Assistant on Agriculture to the Governor, Abdulqowiy Olododo, the
Senior Special Assistant on Non-Governmental Affairs, Mr Oloruntoyosi Thomas.

Others are KWASSIPs Anchor, Mohammed Brimah, the Head of Irrigation/Water Resources, MARD, Dr Busari Isiaka; and the
Acting State Project Coordinator of FADAMA, Adam Abdullahi.

The governor, who was represented at the inauguration by the finance commissioner, called for diligence and dedication while carrying out the assignment.

He said that the mandate of the committee was to fashion out ways to protect livelihoods and food security for the poor and vulnerable families.

He added that the CARES was to facilitate quick recovery of local economic activities through increased cash transfers, food security and food
supply chains for poor households, and enhance the capabilities of MSEs in the state.

NAN reports that the CARES Programme is a World Bank-assisted programme for results targeted at existing and newly vulnerable households,
their food supply chains, and micro and small enterprises affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: NAN News

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, issuing oath of office to Justice Sati Dabit, the new Ag President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Plateau, on Wednesday at Government House Jos.

By Martha Agas

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau has called for investment in the digitisation of courts to enhance its efficiency in the country.

The governor made the call , at the swearing in ceremony of Justice Sati Dabit as the Ag President of the Customary Court of Appeal on Wednesday at Government House Jos.

The experience we have garnered from COVID-19 has further reinforced the need for us to invest towards digitizing our courts and also ensuring that Information Communication Technology (ICT) platforms are available for use to further enhance the efficiency of our Courts.

My administration will continue to work with the Judiciary and Legislature, to ensure that our Courts are made conducive for judges and staff as well as all those who come to access justice or other services, he said.

Lalong urged judicial officers, especially Judges to uphold justice and equity in the discharge of their duties, as the Judiciary is a critical pillar of democracy and the only hope for justice for Nigerians.

He said that the sanctity, integrity and independence of the Judiciary must be defended at all costs to forestall chaos, anomie and instability, urging the Ag president and his Staff to tow that path.

The governor urged Plateau people to pray for the judge as his new position was a huge responsibility that should be discharged according to the Constitution and the oath of office he had taken.

He expressed confidence that Dabits experience and record of service, was an indication that he would perform well in his duties of justice delivery and reform of the judiciary for more effectiveness.

My Lords, we are aware of the challenges of our judiciary and the need to ensure that it is transformed to be in tandem with the realities of the day and the yearnings of the people, particularly in ensuring quick dispensation of justice, he said.

He assured the judiciary of a cordial working relationship with Plateau government for the benefit of its people and progress of the state.

I charge your Lordship to resist any attempt to compromise your integrity and that of the Court and to abhor any act that is against the Constitution and dictates of your professional calling, he said.

Responding, Justice Dabit, the new Ag President promised to discharge his duties guided by Nigerian laws and constitution.

He noted that the society looked up to the court to get justice, saying he would ensure that the customary court being a grassroots court achieved such objective.

Dabit appreciated the Plateau Government and People for the opportunity to serve as the Ag President of the court, saying he would not disappoint them in discharging his duties.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Justice Dabit was sworn in as Ag President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Plateau, following the retirement of Justice Julia Kyentu on
Friday, June 26th.

Source: NAN News

NURTW

By Lucy Ogalue
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), on Wednesday, says it is not the intention of the union or in its place to increase cost of transportation in the country.

Mr Kabiru Yau, Acting General Secretary of the union, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the vehicle owners rather than the workers union were responsible for any increase.

Yau was reacting to an earlier publication in the media where the union requested for governments support in form of Transport Subsidy or it will increase the cost of transport.

NAN reports that the COVID-19 guidelines by the government required commercial vehicles to carry fewer passengers than normal on each trip, thereby reducing the income of the motorists.

Following an earlier statement that we (NURTW) will increase transport cost due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

I wish to state that the NURTW is a workers union that have the interest of Nigeria and the general public at heart.

It is not our intention or in our place to increase the cost of transportation in the country. The car owners are the ones saddled with that responsibility.

The union will continue to do everything within its power to ensure the peace and safety of travellers and Nigerians, Yau added.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger

Niger Government, on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Family Home Funds, a financing firm, to develop 1,200 housing units at a cost of N1.8 billion.

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, while signing the MoU in Minna, said the project was part of the state governments efforts to provide qualitative and affordable houses for the people.

Bello decried the poor condition of the existing four estates that were built by previous administrations.

He, therefore, advised financing firm to ensure the contractors abide by terms of the agreement to build quality houses.

We have had bad experiences when it comes to estates, especially with four of our estates M.I. Wushishi and Talba estates in Minna, Sani Bello and Aliyu Makama housing estates in Kontagora and Bida.

This is as a result of bad structuring and MoU.

I hope the contract will be clear and the contractors will abide by the agreement and that both parties will take the matter seriously to ensure the houses are built in accordance to structure and terms, the governor said.

He said that provision for contractors to make profits were usually contained in the bill of quantity, but that most contractors get greedy while executing projects.

He, however, gave assurance of full government support in executing the project in order to provide decent and affordable houses for the people.

Earlier, Mr Femi Adewole, Managing Director of Family Funds Home, explained that the project was to provide 1,200 housing units for citizens that would change their lives.

Adewole said that the project would create 6,000 jobs for women and youths through indirect linkages.

He added that the company was working with nine state governments to build 14,000 homes altogether.

He assured that the company would work assiduously to disburse funds for immediate take-off of the project.

The managing director appealed to the state government to ensure the enhancement of infrastructure provision for quality homes.

Family Home Funds is financing the project to provide quality homes and the state government is to repay the loan between the period of seven to eight years, he said.

Also, Malam Ahmed Abdullah, General Manager of the Niger State Housing Cooperation said that 70 per cent beneficiaries of the houses would be civil servants while 30 per cent would be the general public.

Under the first phase, he said that 300 units of two bedrooms flats would be built and 100 units of three bedrooms under the second phase.

He added that the houses would be located along Kaduna-Abuja road.

Source: NAN News

Aisha Buhari

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has pledged her continued support to widows of late Nigerian soldiers to enable them to become economically self-reliant.

She made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja during the graduation of 50 beneficiaries of Nigerian Army Widows Empowerment Scheme.

The three-month training programme was organised by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Future Assured programme of the first lady.

The first lady who was represented by Mrs Grace Chamah, wife of former Military Administrator of Katsina State, said the gesture was aimed at reducing the hardship faced by the widows.

She also called on wealthy individuals to provide support to the families of the fallen heroes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were trained on different skills, including catering and food processing services, fashion and tailoring, soap making, Agro Allied/Fishering as wellas beads-making.

The beneficiaries were also provided with startup kits, such as gas cylinders and cookers, sewing machines and fish ponds, among others.

Source: NAN News

A 17-year-old girl, Barakat Adeoti, has emerged the winner of a COVID-19 essay competition for secondary schools in Badagry, Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised by an NGO, Real Act of Kindness (RAK) Development Foundation.

Adeoti, of Araromi Ilogbo Senior Secondary School, Oko-Afo, won the final round of RAK COVID-19 Essay Competition held on Wednesday at Ajara Vetho, Badagry.

The topic of the essay writing was The Lessons I Learnt During The COVID-19 Pandemic.

NAN reports that Olufisayo Sorungbe and Faith Ojerinde, both SS3 and SS2 students of Lagos Senior Model College, Kankon, came second and third, respectively.

Adeoti received a cash award of N10, 000, Sorungbe got N6, 000 while Ojerinde received cash prize of N4, 000.

Other participants were presented with consolation prizes which include school bags, exercise books, Notepad, water bottles, face caps and pens.

In his speech, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Founder of RAK Foundation, said the competition was aimed at keeping the students busy during the pandemic.

We are all suffering from COVID-19, the whole world is going through changes, all students are at home, a lot of students are willing to go back to school,

So, I thought of a way to engage the students, and what came to my mind was the essay competition, he said.

Ogunlende urged the students to always take advantage of similar education programmes to excel, adding that aside the cash prize, the competition was an opportunity to push themselves forward.

For me it is not so much about the prize, its about the opportunities, value and leverage we are creating for the young individuals to thrive.

In this type of competition, to me everyone is a winner, for the fact that you actually took the effort and time to participate.

The sky is your foundation, not your limit, Ogunlende said.

Ogunlende also commended the volunteer teachers who selected the three winner of the competition.

He described them as the pillars of success to the essay competition, adding that without them they wouldnt have been able to achieve the aim of the competition.

Also speaking, Mr Raji Olanrewaju, the team leader of Education Volunteers for RAK COVID-19 Essay Competition, said a total of 26 students submitted answers through a dedicated WhatsApp number.

Olanrewaju said the number was later shortlisted to a round of 15 persons out of which the best three were selected.

After receiving the cash prize, Adeoti thanked the pioneer of RAK foundation for putting up an educational programme for students.

She said that she heard about the essay through her computer teacher who encouraged her to try her best.

Source: NAN News