By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Military Pensions Board (MPB) says it is yet to fix date for verification of military pensioners urging them to disregard the publication which said the exercise would commence on Nov. 26.

The Public Relations Officer of the board, Flt.-Lt. Abdullahi Gambo, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Gambo described the information as fake, saying that it did not emanate from the board.

He clarified that the purported story was lifted from the website of a popular newspaper which was published in 2017 during the preparation for the 2017 verification exercise.

Although, the board is working towards conducting a verification exercise of military pensioners on its payroll, the board will adequately inform military pensioners of the date and time when all preparation for the exercise are concluded.

Accordingly, our esteemed military retirees are please urged to remain calm and patient.

Finally, all military pensioners are advised to always rely on established official means of communication provided by the board to source their information.

Pensioners can call the Board on 09087447782 or 09087994694 or send an email to [email protected] in order to confirm any issue that concerns them, he added.

He said the board appreciated the retirees for their usual support and understanding. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The Management of Katsina United Football Club has invited 120 indigenous players across 34 local government areas of the state for talent hunt and screening.

The spokesperson of the club, Mr Nasir Gide, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Katsina.

According to him, the screening is scheduled to hold between Sept. 28 and Oct. 6 at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Katsina.

He explained that participants were expected to arrive at the venue by 10 a.m on Wednesday.

The exercise is meant to revamp the team and also to give more chances and playing time to the home based players, he said.

According to him, the clubs Director of Football Development, Mr Saleh Yusuf, said the slots for the players were given, depending on the profession of the active football teams in the local governments areas.

Katsina local government, being the centre, carried 20 slots with some of the players from the Junior Katsina United FC.

The director stated that feeding and accommodations will be provided to all the invited players.

The invited players are therefore urged to exhibit sportsmanship and discipline during the screening and assured that fairness and just consideration will be done to whoever deserves to be registered with the club.

The management expressed gratitude to the state sports Commissioner, Dr Bishir Gambo-Saulawa, for giving the state home based players a chance to exhibit their talents.

Gide reported Yusuf as saying this would greatly improve the performance of the players and the development of football in general. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) holds its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, some stakeholders project a hike in policy rates.

This is against the backdrop of global monetary policy trend, which has seen the American Central Bank (The Fed), and the Bank of England increasing Monetary Policy Rates (MPR).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MPR is the benchmark interest rate that guides all other rates in the financial market.

The MPC had raised the MPR by 100 basis points from 13 per cent to 14 per cent in its last meeting in July.

The July increase represented the second consecutive hike in the MPR within two months.

The committee had in May, and for the first time since September 2020, increased MPR by 150 basis points from 11.5 per cent to 13 per cent.

According to Prof. Umhe Uwaleke, an economist, the MPC is likely to increase the MPR again by at least 50 basis points.

Uwaleke, a Professor of Economics from Nasarawa State University, said that his projection was informed by rising inflation rates as well as the trend in the some developed countries.

Judging from the recent shift in monetary policy stance from accommodative to contractionary in deference to the CBNs primary mandate of price stability.

And against the backdrop of rising inflation, the MPC is most likely to increase the MPR by at least 50 basis points.

Aside inflationary pressure and the need to tame it, the MPC will be considering current global monetary developments such as the hike in policy rates by central banks in developed countries.

For example, the U.S. Federal Reserve recently increased the benchmark rate by 75 basis points while the Bank of England increased by 50 basis points, he said.

Uwaleke said that these monetary tightening by central banks of U.S. and the UK continued to trigger capital outflows from Nigeria with negative implications on the exchange rate.

So, the MPC will equally consider this as justification for increasing MPR, he said.

The economist, however, urged the MPC to hold the prevailing rates constant as tightening may not tame inflationary trend.

Be that as it may, if I were a member of the MPC, I would vote for a hold position. In other words, I would advise that the policy rates be held.

This is because the major drivers of inflation in Nigeria today are cost-push related rather than demand-pull.

Further policy tightening may not really tame inflationary pressures that are stemming more from high cost of energy and negative impact of insecurity on food output.

Furthermore, any hike in rate at this time will hurt output growth through higher cost of lending to SMEs.

In view of the current tepid real GDP growth, I will advise the MPC to maintain the status quo and give more time to the current CBN monetary policy to permeate the economy, he said.

Dr Tope Fasua, an economist, also urged the MPC to retain the subsisting rates as past rates increase had not tamed inflation.

Though I expect that they may further raise rates, my advice to the MPC will be that they hold rates.

We have raised rates by 250 basis points in the last two meetings but inflation has surged further.

This means that our own inflation is not tightly linked with interest rates and may recede in its own time.

Ours is a bit of a carryover from the COVID-19 era of production shut down and imported inflation because our economy is dependent on foreign ones battling inflation presently, he said.

According to Fasua, raising rates further will only be a continuation of punishment for local industries that borrow locally and are struggling to achieve previous levels of productivity post COVID-19.

Banks are always quick to raise lending rates anyway. The CBN had to recently force them to increase savings rates.

Their margins are always so high, so the committee and CBN must be careful about raising rates, he said.

A financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, urged fiscal and monetary authorities to look beyond the MPC and work together to save the economy from negative external influence.

Unegbu is a past President of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

He particularly decried the negative effect of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the Nigerian economy and called for policies decisions that could insulate the Nigerian economy from such incidents. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

China has achieved initial success in new infrastructure construction, which has greatly facilitated the countrys social and economic development over the past decade, officials said on Monday.

Zhang Zhihua, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission said at a news conference that China had quickened its steps in upgrading information infrastructure as well as advancing infrastructure integration and innovation.

Zhang said that the length of Chinas optical fiber network had increased 2.7 times over the past decade, and the number of data centre racks has topped 5.9 million.

According to him, smart devices are being integrated into various industries and businesses such as transport, energy supply, and industrial production, as well as facilities concerning peoples wellbeing like e-commerce, telemedicine, and online education.

In terms of innovation, Zhang said up to 32 of Chinas planned 77 major national science and technology infrastructure projects had been put into operation.

He said centres on engineering research, enterprise technology, and industrial innovations were being set up across the country.

According to him, new infrastructure has greatly empowered Chinas economic and social development by offering sustained support to new technology exploration, effectively backing the development of the digital economy and fully facilitating the improvement of peoples wellbeing.

While each round of scientific and technological revolution introduces new infrastructure, each round of infrastructure construction will bring in an upgrade in economic transformation, he said.

Also speaking,Song Wen, an official with the National Energy Administration, said that with the energy sector seeking a faster shift to digital, internet-based, and smart-tech models, progress had been made.

In fields such as smart grid, mining, and power generation, as well as energy storage, he said.

Wen said that the coverage rate of Chinas power distribution automation system had exceeded 90 per cent by 2021.

He said that the country had seen the completion of more than 800 smart mining sites and a number of 5G plus smart thermal power plants. (Xinhua/NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan weakened 378 pips to 7.0298 against the dollar on Monday.

This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In Chinas spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two per cent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. (Xinhua/NAN)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Dogo

The Nigeria National Christian Coalition (NNCC) says no tribe or religion can build the country alone, adding that nation-building is a collective responsibility.

NNCC said this in a communiqu at the end of the annual Meet the Church summit by its Convener, Pastor Titi Oluwadare, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Oluwadare, working together and investing wisdom are key to nation-building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, which had more than 700 participants, had the theme: The Role of the Church in Nation Building.

Oluwadare called on the Church to fight for justice for everyone, including Christians and adherents of other religions.

She said that the indivisibility of justice, and being vigilant to protect the rights of humans as enshrined in the constitution would go a long way.

No tribe or religion can build the country alone, thus all must work together and invest wisdom which is the application of the right knowledge.

Equal opportunities and access to wealth to every Nigerian and inclusion of youth and women in all national calculations must be treated with the sense of urgency that it deserves.

There should be counterpart equity in all policies that will be passed into law.

The banking sector, sharing of political and government offices or ambassadorial positions must recognise all interests identified in Nigeria, she said.

She called for selfless and visionary leadership, and a trans-generational process of producing leaders with requisite character, competence and conscious of the consequences of their actions and inactions.

She said the creation and development of strong institutions, structures, policies and strategies were applicable to everyone, adding that there was the need to realise previous mistakes and usher in a new Nigeria.

To establish credible elections, the Federal Government must derive their governance from the governed.

It is of utmost importance that there is a national vision, a national dream and nationhood premised on national shared core values.

Furthermore, we need to put in place, a national strategic purpose and the national will to pursue and enforce the purpose, she said.

According to the former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Danjuma Gani, the decisions made today and the actions that follow will greatly affect Nigeria and Nigerians.

Gani called on Christians to participate in electoral processes come 2023.

A nation is built upon the vision and values of the founding fathers which, more often than not, are a God-given ideal to see to the business of nation building, national transformation and prosperity.

Whatever we do must be accomplished with a clear vision, strong value systems rational thinking with a critical mass of information populace fully engaged in the project of nation building, he said.

NAN also reports that the summit comprised three plenary sessions and four interactive group sessions.

The conversations were aimed at identifying the role of the Church in nation building and charting a new course for credible elections with the critical inclusion of all stakeholders in the nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Philip Yatai

Good Deeds, a global movement of people dedicated to doing good, is to sensitise Abakpa community of Kaduna metropolis on how to convert waste to wealth.

The coordinator of the group in Kaduna State, Mrs Itama Okhuelegbe, stated this during the evacuation of refuse dump, located close to Government Junior Secondary School, Abakpa, in Kaduna on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the refuse evacuation was organised in collaboration with the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA), community leaders and other stakeholders.

Okhuelegbe expressed concern that the community members were dumping refuse and other household waste close to a school and exposing the students and the community to environmental hazards.

According to her, the waste, if properly managed, will keep the environment clean and be a source of wealth to the community members.

She said that the sensitisation would involve all community stakeholders; traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups, government officials and other partners.

She added that Good Deed would reach out to the KCTA to provide a designated location where the community would be dumping their waste.

This will solve the problem of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and other public buildings, particularly schools who were the worst affected.

The gesture is part of our support to keeping the environment clean.

We are support changemakers who desire living in a better world with inspiration and motivation to take impactful action for the good of their communities.

This is because we believe that every person has the power to create positive change in his or her community and our world, she said.

The Village Head of the community, Alhaji Rabiu Dansani, commended Good Deeds for supporting the community to evacuate the refuse, adding that this would improve sanitation.

The group has put its resources, time, and energy in supporting us to clear and evacuate the refuse dump.

This will not only keep our environment clean, but also prevent the outbreak of cholera, malaria and other preventable diseases linked to improper waste disposal.

The village head appealed to the state government to provide a designated location or facility for households to dispose of their waste to avoid further dumping.

Also speaking Dr Umar Hairau, acting Director, Municipal Waste Management, KCTA, said that the authority was collaborating with non-governmental organisations to manage refuse and other environmental menace.

Hairau said that the KCTA has provided refuse receptacles, a metal or plastic container for the disposal of refuse, in strategic locations across the four metropolitan Local Government Areas (LGAs).

He identified the four metropolitan LGAs as Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Chikun and Igabi, adding that the authority had also engaged 13 private service providers.

He said that the service providers were contracted to manage waste collection and disposal in the state.

He said that the Abakpa community would be provided with a refuse receptacle to prevent dumping of refuse close to school and ensure proper management of waste in the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) says the partys Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will get 65 per cent of Benue State votes.

Mr Abraham Chila, who is a grassroots mobiliser expressed the optimism while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that in spite Gov. Samuel Ortoms support for his Rivers counterpart, Gov. Nyesom Wike, in the power tussle within the PDP, Atiku would garner 65 per cent of the state votes.

Ortom had said that unless Wike was appeased, PDP would risk losing the state votes during the 2023 presidential election.

Chila said regardless of whatever action Ortom would take, during next years general elections, PDP and Atiku would always win elections in the state.

He said that from 1999 to date PDP has become very entrenched in Benue.

He added that for the fact that PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu is from Benue, it made it imperative that nothing could change the voting pattern in the state.

You may wish to know that my governor, Ortom, is also a candidate for the senatorial election in next years election. Interestingly, the presidential election and that of National Assembly come up the same day.

So, with Gov. Ortoms fate tied to that of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, it is impossible for PDP to get less than 65 per cent of the state total votes cast.

And with our son, Dr Ayu as the national chairman, PDP has the bragging rights for the maximum votes from Benue State, Chila noted.

Chila, who contested the partys ticket for Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency, explained that being a predominantly agrarian state with more population in the rural communities, no other political party could achieve rural penetration more than PDP.

He expressed confident that with the security and economy challenges facing the country, including Benue, the state would vote for Abubakar who has the capacity to address the challenges.

We need stability and security and Benue State voters know that the only man that can pull Nigeria back from the precipice is Abubakar.

The former Vice President is not coming to the Presidency as a learner, but will bring his wealth of experience to bear on national reconstruction.

On the calls by some PDP stakeholders on Ayu to resign, Chila said those making the calls were either mistaken or mischievous, saying Ayu emerged through a foolproof process that was not controverted.

He said that telling Ayu to quit when he had not committed any impeachable offence amounts to questioning the very rudiments of democracy.

Ayu has not committed any offence. Therefore, anybody asking him to leave office is indirectly calling for the proscription of PDP, which is not attainable in a democracy.

People should look beyond Ayu as an individual, he represents that party on account of the mandate freely given to him.

If I may add, what would be the compensation for the North Central if Ayu resigns?

The North Central has been making sacrifices for the growth and stability of PDP.

Do we have to wait for 24 years before being considered for the presidential ticket, why must we throw away the consolation prize of national chairman? Chila asked. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Obike Ukoh

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says the passage of the Investments and Securities Bill (ISB) will facilitate the growth of the economy.

The SEC Director-General, Mr Lamido Yuguda, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Yuguda said the passage of the bill would also facilitate effective functioning of the capital market to make it more competitive.

The director-general said the passage would also help in the on-going economic diversification in the country.

He appealed for the buy-in of key stakeholders to make the passage of the bill, a reality.

Yuguda said the bill expanded the categories of issuers, as a key step toward the introduction of new innovations and offerings such as crowd-funding.

Importantly, the bill introduces an express prohibition of ponzi/pyramid schemes as well as other illegal investment schemes.

The bill also prescribes a jail-term of not less than 10 years for promoters of such schemes.

It expands the definition of a Collective Investment Scheme to include schemes offered privately to qualified investors.

Minor reviews on various sections of the extant law have been carried to provide greater clarity, he said.

Yuguda said that a recommendation was made in the bill for the inclusion of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on the SEC Board for increased collaboration between the agencies.

He said the collaboration would encourage greater investment of pension funds in capital market products and instruments. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Abiemwense Moru

John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has called for better care and welfare of the poor in the country.

Onaiyekan who made the call in his Sunday Homily at the Catholic Church of Assumption in Abuja, said that the rich should always accommodate and catered for the poor.

A man with many mansions can only sleep on one bed, so help the poor people around you to improve their living conditions.

He maintained that if the rich carried the poor along, the country would be good for everybody.

Onaiyekan also called for the structuring of the systems by making sure that the countrys education system worked as it ought to be.

He said there was a need for the healthcare system to function properly for easy access to healthcare.

The cleric further called on all Nigerians to pray for the country and also participate actively in politics.

Make sure that those who represent you fulfil all promises made during campaigns and also ask question when they are not meeting up with their promises, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

By Polycarp Auta

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has urged Christian to be united irrespective of their denominations.

Adeboye gave the advice at the Chapel of Mercy, Dadin-Kowa, Jos, on Sunday.

He said he was in Jos to commiserate with the family of the Late Rev. Isaac Oyebamiji, the Founder and Senior Pastor of Chapel of Mercy, as well as members of the church.

Adeboye, who described the deceased as one of his spiritual sons, apologised for his inability to visit immediately Oyebamiji died.

It took me this long to come for this visit because we had a close relationship with your late pastor for over 40 years.

So, it has not been easy with me trying to accept the fact that he is no more, but Im here today to condole and pray for his family and indeed all members of this congregation.

The servant of God has finished his assignment on earth and has gone to be with his maker; ours is to live right so that we will meet him on the resurrection day.

But I want to use this opportunity to call on Christians in Nigeria to be united in order to defeat the enemies of the nation,he said.

Adeboye advised family members of the deceased to emulate the good ways of their father and sustain the legacies he left behind.

Responding, Pastor Olutoyin Oyebamiji, wife of the deceased thanked Adeboye for the visit and described it as encouraging.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeboye was accompanied for the visit by his wife, Foluke.

NAN reports that Oyebamiji, 64, died in February after a brief illness in the United States.

He held a doctoral degree in Ministry, with emphasis on Leadership and Preaching from the Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky, U.S.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Nabilu Balarabe

The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Yobe Chapter, has offered free medical services to over 800 patients in Fune Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the end of the two-day outreach on Sunday in Ngelzarma, IMAN Vice Chairman, Dr Mahmoud Maaji, noted that the outreach was conducted in various clinics in the area.

He listed the services to include: consultations, provision of drugs, psychological and psychosocial counselling as well as various laboratory tests.

Maaji said the aged, orphans, widows, pregnant women and under-five years children were given more attention during the outreach which began on Saturday.

The vice chairman said the objective of the outreach was to assist the less-privileged and to educate residents on the need to seek for medical assistance in the hospital.

In his remarks, the Emir of Ngelzarma, Muhammad Mai-Yeri, thanked the association for helping his people.

He called on philanthropists to support IMAN to enable it to carry out activities effectively.

Mai-Yeri also called on members of the association to sustain the good work they did, saying Allah would reward them in this world and the hereafter.(NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Alex Enebelie

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) said it raided Enugu and impounded illegal digital cable network worth N250 million to serve as deterrent to others in the business.

The commission had on Sept. 21 sealed the premises of a digital television station, Real Summit Television, situated at Nsukka, Enugu State.

The television station, it was gathered, was allegedly stealing the programme contents of other digital satellite transmitting stations like DSTV and Startimes.

Before sealing the station at Ugwuoye, Nsukka, the commission had first arrested the Manager, Mr Daniel Anedo and subsequently demobilised the station by removing the gadgets used in getting signals.

The gadgets and equipment demobilised included the transmitter, decoders, inverters, and the scramblers.

The commission equally switched off the transmitter and other gadgets so that there was no way the broadcast station could indulge in pirating other stations.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday, the Enugu State Director, NCC, Mrs Okeke Ngozi, said Anedo was arrested while doing illegal broadcasting activities and his equipment impounded.

According to her, he was arrested sometime in March but still went back to same business without permission from the cable network.

Condemning the act, Okeke urged other citizens doing same illegal business to desist from it as it was discouraging the investor that invested in that line of business.

The illegal operation prevents the real owners from engaging unemployed Nigerians and NCC is warning them that if they continue, the full wrath of law will descend on them.

They will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, she said.

The state director, however, stated that the Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein had zero tolerance for piracy, saying he was more committed in the fight against it.

It is no longer business as usual, NCC under our Director-General is fighting piracy in all aspect of copyright as well as creative works.

All the perpetrators will soon be clamped down, no matter how long it will take, she said.

Speaking to NAN also, the Leader of the Operation, Mr Macfoy Akachukwu, an Assistant Director, NCC, Enugu Office said the operation took place to stop them from stealing other stations contents.

We were not interested in what they were doing except that they were pirating other Cable Network programme contents.

If they want to operate an independent station, we have no problem with that, What we will not tolerate is the piracy going on at the station, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Abigael Joshua

The late British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has been described as one of the worlds most famous diplomats and most impactful global leaders in the 21st century.

A British Nigerian don and founder of the firm TEXEM UK, Dr Alim Abubakre, gave the description while speaking on the leadership attributes of the queen.

In a statement on TEXEMs website, Abubakre, whose organisation has trained over 4,000 executives across multiple continents, said global leaders could learn a lot from the Queen.

According to him, the queen is a case study of excellent global leadership skills and unique statesmanship.

I agree with King Charles that Queen Elizabeth the Second is a pattern for all princesses living, and I add for all leaders hoping to have an enduring legacy.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II is undoubtedly one of those endings that one would argue has a bitter-sweet conclusion of impactful, strategic and global selfless leadership spanning seven decades and filled with an enduring legacy.

It is bitter in the sense that Britain and, indeed, the rest of the world have lost a great leader with massive wealth and experience of impressive transformation, Abubakre said.

He added that the sweet part was that world leaders could learn valuable lessons from when she became queen as an inexperienced person to her acquisition of globally admired excellent leadership skills.

Abubakre asserted that over the years, she became a visionary leader and an influential political figure.

He said that one of the lessons to be learnt from the late British monarch was her empathy and strength of character.

When it comes to empathy and the strength of her character, the Queen ensured that she remained herself throughout her reign.

She remained unapologetically female, and at no time did she pretend to be someone she wasnt.

For instance, instead of ruling other kings (exerting power and always seeking to dominate), she offered a beneficial sounding board in all her sittings with other leaders, Abubakre said.

He said though she did not intervene openly in governance operations, the Queen utilised her convening power to exemplify strength, stability, dependability and empathy in her engagements with diverse stakeholders.

Abubakre said the Queens ability to inspire service to humanity was a global lesson leaders should copy.

Right from her tender age, Queen Elizabeth II strongly believed in her uncommon sense of purpose to serve humanity.

As her successor, King Charles expressed in his tribute speech; the rested Queenmade sacrifices for dutyher dedication to servingnever waveredthrough times of joy and celebrationand through times of loss.

In doing so, the Queen demonstrated her determination to serve and ensured that she upheld the public pledge she made at the young age of 21.

This was a time during which she announced that she would devote her life, whether short or long to serve humanity until her demise, the TEXEM founder elaborated.

On her attribute of strategic leadership,

Abubakre said throughout her reign, the Queen was very strategic in her decisions and actions, especially when she was required to act quickly.

He said that from the death of Princess Diana to the COVID-19 crisis and the Meghan scandal, the Queen was able to decide, align, inspire and learn from the crises to stimulate the nation to navigate these turbulent times effectively.

Abubakre further referred to the following quote of the Queen from her speech during the COVID-19 crisis to buttress his point on her good leadership credentials:

I hope in the years to come; everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.

That the attributes of self-discipline, quiet good-humoured resolve and fellow-feeling still characterise this country. The pride in who we are is not a part of our past. It defines our present and our future.

The don said that the Queens focus on the bigger picture even in times of crises and her amazing ability to communicate this effectively, was legendary.

One could argue that these contributed immensely to UK scientists being world leaders in genome sequencing and the country being the first nation in the world to license COVID-19 vaccine, Abubakre added.

He recalled a testimonial from a former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, which extolled the Queens unique leadership qualities.

According to the former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, the Queen always listened fairly to everyone and offered to help solve the most complex problems without necessarily making her physical presence felt or using force.

While some criticised such a character, the Queen kept it and never allowed them to interfere with her leadership, Abubakre said.

Speaking on the Queens dedication to duty, he said that while she had the liberty to retire at the age of 66, she continued to serve and carry out her duties diligently up to the age of 96.

Abubakre said this was an indication of her commitment to dedicate her time to serving the UK, Commonwealth nations and the rest of the world.

He said that remarkably, even two days before her death, the Queen performed one of her most important roles: accepting the resignation of the parliamentary leader of the country and asking the new Prime Minister to form her government.

Dr Alim Abubakre is on the advisory board of the London Business School Africa Club and is the non-executive chair of These Executive Minds (TEXEM)-An organisation which he founded and has trained over 4,000 executives across multiple continents.

He is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at Sheffield Business School (An AACSB accredited Business School) at Sheffield Hallam University.

Sheffield Hallam was named the University of the Year for Teaching Quality by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Stakeholders on Saturday urged the Federal Government to include cancer treatment under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to reduce death rates of victims of the disease.

They also called for special consideration for childhood cancer care under the service.

They made the call during a 5km sensitisation walk organised by an NGO, Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, to raise awareness for children fighting cancer.

Ms Kemi Adekanye, the Chief Volunteer of the foundation, said diagnosis and treatment of cancer was expensive and not easily affordable for some, especially those in rural areas.

She added that incorporating childhood cancer treatment and care into the NHIA would reduce the burden and support parents and caregivers.

We would like to see a situation whereby children with cancer are being considered in all the healthcare schemes, they are being supported psychologically and in all other means as well, she said.

According to her, the foundation has over the years organised annual walk, donated money for treatment and supported children and families of those with cancer at the National Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

Dr Adamu Alhassan, the President, Nigerian Cancer Society, said cancer treatment in children was highly neglected and underestimated in Nigeria despite the high rate of death which could be treated and prevented, if detected early.

You find out that most cancers are not detected early and but at the advance stage, thereby recording high mortality rate among children.

Unlike other forms cancers, we dont have early screening services for childrens cancers and that is the reason why there is need for early detection, he said.

Also, Dr Uduak Effiong, a Paediatric Consultant at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, listed the various types of cancers in children, stressing the need for early detection, treatment and follow-up.

The most common used to Burkitt lymphoma, it was the most common in the malaria zone because it is associated with the presence of malaria.

But now in my own centre it is kidney cancer and in other centres they have cancer of the eyes, which is becoming more rampant in my centre too.

Leukaemia is also a common type of cancer in Nigeria, she said.

On his part, Mr Izuyon Tobi, father of an 11-year-old cancer survivor, said his daughter would have died of the disease, if not for the timely intervention and support of the foundation.

Tobi commended the foundation for its support to his primary five daughter, who is now cancer free and undergoing regular checkup to forestall any reoccurrence.

Dr Shuaibu Belgore, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, said they partnered with the organisers to show support to the children and create more awareness on the disease.

Other highlights of the event, themed Make Childhood Cancer a National Priority, featured aerobics and a 5km walk along Jabi-Utako axis of the FCT. (NAN)

JAD/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Federal Government has selected Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Consortium as preferred bidder for Nigeria Air.

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika made this known during a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, ET scored 89 per cent out of 100 as regards the technical bid and 15 out 20 as regards financial bid.

Sirika explained that the Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act, governed by Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission(ICRC) regarding the Nigeria Air was now completed.

After a careful, detailed and ICRC governed selection process, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Consortium has been selected as preferred bidder, offering an owner consortium of 3 Nigerian investors.

The Nigerian investors are MRS, SAHCO and the Nigerian Sovereign Fund (46%), FGN owning 5% and ET 49%. The consortium has been subject to a due diligence process.

The contract will be negotiated between consortium and FGN leading to a Full Business Case (FBC) which will be expected to be approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). We expect this process to take 6-8 weeks.

The minister said the national carrier would be launched with three Boeing 737-800 in a configuration very suitable for the Nigerian market.

According to him, Nigeria Air will be launched with a shuttle service between Abuja and Lagos to establish a new comfortable, reliable and affordable travel between the two major Nigerian Airports.

Sirika added that other domestic destinations would follow thereafter.

The first aircraft is ready to arrive in Abuja for the further work and NCAA inspection, demo flights and audit as part of the AOC requirements.

In time, two others will arrive to complete the required three aircraft for a new AOC holder. The interim executive team has prepared, with the support of FAAN.

The team has arranged for Terminal C at the Abuja Airport and finalised a contract with MMA 2 terminal in Lagos, for the operation of an initial shuttle between Lagos and Abuja, he said.

He noted that the Operations Control Centre (OCC) at the Abuja Airport would act as Headquarters of the airline. (NAN)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

A legal practitioner, Josephat Abaagu has advised Nigerians to approach the courts whenever their fundamental human rights were infringed upon.

Abaagu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)) in Abuja.

The legal practitioner is also the Vice Chairman, Justice Development and Peace Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

He advised aggrieved persons not to resort to self-help as the courts now accord top priority to such cases.

Anyone who approaches the court using the fundamental rights enforcement tools, there are time limits within which such cases are supposed to be dealt with.

If your grounds are about fundamental human rights the court will prioritise such cases and you will be given justice because your rights are being threatened, he added.

Abaagu, however, said there was no justification for the courts to allow any case to linger for a long time.

The delay of justice in any manner engenders suffering for the people and create a form of disquiet in the society, he added.

He said that it was important to build and sustain the trust of citizens in the justice system.

Abaagu urged courts to dispose of cases as quickly as possible, as anyone who approaches the court is seeking for justice, relief or help in a way. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has advised the retired and discharged officers of the Nigerian Army to make maximum use of their entitlements.

Yahaya gave the advice at the Regimental Dinner in Honour of Retired Officers of the Rank of Colonel and Below on Friday in Abuja.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina,Director, Personnel Services, Army Headquarters, the COAS advised them to stay guarded against the antics currently being used by fraudsters to target pensioners and retirees for monetary scams.

He urged them to be careful of falling victims of the fraudulent activities as many of their colleagues had fallen victims to their tricks.

Yahaya described the officers as fine crop of citizens who meritoriously served and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian army and the country at large.

According to him, it is only befitting that this ceremony is arranged for all you gallant patriots, as a similar ceremony was held in this same venue.

He said that retirement was a phase of life, which most of the serving military personnel hopefully prayed to enjoy in a gratifying and peaceful manner after giving their best to the system.

It is therefore, a milestone which is worth celebrating. I am certain that the transition from active military service to retirement is not without its own peculiar challenges.

But I believe there is also much to enjoy in retirement especially if you have prepared well for it.

All efforts are being made to ensure that entitlements for retired and all discharged personnel are paid on time, he said.

The army chief also commended the retired officers for their sacrifices to keep the nation peaceful and united, urging them to be ready to continue to contribute their quota even out of service.

I will end this remarks by imploring all the celebrants to devote themselves to the service of the nation and to eschew any action that could jeopardise the dignity and integrity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation at large.

You still remain very important to the Nigerian army as your experience will continue to count and could be required at any time, he said.

The Commander, AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Kabir Garba, said that similar regimental dinner was held for officers in the rank of Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals who retired in 2021.

Garba said it was the first time that regimental dinner would be held for officers who retired with the rank of colonel and below in the Nigerian army.

This, according to him, is another landmark achievement by the COAS in his effort to entrench full regimentation in the army in line with his command philosophy anchored on professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation, he said.

The retired officers served in Army Headquarters Garrison and Army Headquarters Departments prior to their retirement in 2021.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Col. Isah Shuaibu, said he served in the army for 32 years and retired from the Corp of Supply and Transport.

Shuaibu said while retirement is good, it could never be better than when in service and appreciated God for granting them peaceful retirement.

He expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for counting them worthy for such honour as regimental dinner, saying the gesture had given them a sense of self worth.

He pledged that the retired personnel were ready and would make themselves available for service whenever called upon by the army.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Some women groups have called for a review of legal administrative parameters used for deployment of force personnel to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to avert assault, sexual abuse and other inhumane treatment meted on them.

These groups made the call at a joint press conference on Friday in Abuja over the alleged recent assault and human right abuse of Inspector Teju Moses by Prof. Zainab Abiola, a legal Practitioner and human rights activist.

Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Founder, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) described the incident as barbaric and inhumane, calling for thorough investigation to establish the culpability of the suspects and prosecution.

Ezeilo decried the plights of security forces attached to VIPs, who are often abused physically, psychologically and used in manners inconsistent with their line of official duty.

The fall out of the instant case calls to mind the need to review the legal and administrative parameters under which the force personnel, particularly the female gender amongst them are deployed to VIPs.

It also underscores the need for psycho socio assessment and validation to be carried out on these VIPs before police personnel will be attached to them.

This is to ascertain whether the VIPs have the mental, psychological, social and emotional wellbeing to accommodate and work with these police personnel, she said.

She also called for urgent review of the working and posting conditions of the police service personnel, especially the female police officers attached to VIPs remain paramount in the circumstances.

Also, Mrs Ene Obi, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria commended the Inspector General of Police for acting promptly in responding to right violations and arrest of the suspects.

This will serve as a deterrent to all those abusing the rights of both male and female officers attached to them, that the eyes of the law are very active, and justice will be served, she said.

Obi, however,called on the police to review the welfare and roles of the orderlies and officers assigned on special duties as well as other police officers to avert future occurrences.

She also advocated a panel to conduct a survey or assessment on how officers assigned to private citizens were treated and ensure the Nigerian Police Force support the development and implementation of workplace policy to address GBV.

The Nigerian Security Officers are toiling day and night to protect the citizenry and it is time to protect them too, she said.

On her part, Ms Chibuzo Nwosu, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Abuja Branch,said the association cannot prosecute, but would monitor the prosecution and ensure justice is served.

Meanwhile, Mr Emmanuel Ikule, Network of Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Foundation said cases of abuse meted on orderlies and special duty officers were recurring, calling for immediate action to forestall it.

The police should not just look at this case alone, but seize the opportunity to look at other similar ones that have been reported and take action to stop such,he said.

Mrs Moji Makanjola, Execute Director, International Society of Media and Public Health (ICSMPH) called for prosecution and justice to prevail in cases of abuses, irrespective of the highly placed position of the suspects.

Makanjola, said our health institutions were overburdened by such preventable cases.

NAN reports that Abiola was alleged to have assaulted her police orderly, Insp Teju Moses on Tuesday at her residence in Abuja following refusal to carry out menial and domestic chores at her residence.

The trending and viral audio clip available all over the social media showed the police orderly bleeding profusely on her face.

It was later reported that the suspect has been arrested together with her housemaid, Rebecca Enechido, while certain domestic servant and cohorts in commission of the alleged unlawful act remain at large. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should not engage in the act of defying a court order regarding its upcoming elections.

Harrison Jalla, Chairman of PFAN Taskforce, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that all those in the NFF defying court orders would face the consequences of their actions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFF Electoral Committee had fixed Sept. 30 for the Federations elective congress in Benin and proceeded to release a schedule of events.

But an order of a Federal High Court Abuja order on Sept. 15 has since put the NFF Elections on hold.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruling on an ex-parte motion, ordered the Youth and Sports Development Minister and the NFF President, or any person acting on their instruction, to maintain the status quo.

This he said would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The attention of PFAN Task Force has been drawn to publications in the media space on the threat by the NFF and its Electoral Committee to defy the Sept. 15 court order.

In the light of this, the PFAN Task Force has taken appropriate steps and has duly informed all relevant agencies of government that there is a threat to cause a breach of the peace by defying the court order, Jalla said.

He disclosed that PFAN Task Force was exploring all possibilities within the ambit of the law to ensure those already defying the court order would face the consequences of their actions.

Jalla said it was worrisome that NFF has continued to violate and breach court orders.

This is in spite of President Muhammadu Buharis advice that they (NFF) go back as a body to amend the statutes, expand it and accommodate those who have been disenfranchised.

As we speak, they are already breaching the orders of court because we see correspondences after the court order, and campaigns for elections are still going on.

So, we are taking the appropriate steps to ensure that those who do this dont go scot-free.

He said PFAN Task Force did not need government to do the job of ensuring a stop is put to the act of defying court orders.

We have all it takes within the ambit of the law to ensure that the election does not hold, Jalla stated.

He noted that the court order to halt the elections was a result of a consistent and deliberate acts of breaching court orders by the NFF since 2021.

Every Nigerian is a citizen of the country, and the threat by NFF to defy the court order is unacceptable as nobody is above the law.

The NFF has no immunity from the laws of the land, even as FIFA itself has no immunity from the laws of Switzerland.

The order we got from court didnt just start today. Weve been in court four times, and the two parties have been in court since 2021.

At the last hearing date in June, the court gave us Oct. 31 to come back.

We asked for an interlocutory order because we anticipated that an election would hold.

They (NFF) said they are not going to do any election because there was no cause for that action and the court agreed with them as there was no electoral committee in place at the time.

The PFAN Task Force Chairman added that the judge thereafter stood down the order and gave all involved parties an Oct. 31 date to return to court.

In between that period, they set up an electoral committee and started selling nomination forms. There is no court that will accept that anywhere in the world and that was how this fresh order came about.

So, when the court order was issued, it was because they were already violating the process in court. This has really nothing to do with stopping the election.

If any other group is now telling us that they are not bound by that order of court, then we will take it from there, he said.

Also, Victor Baribote, the PFAN spokesman, said it was very clear the Nigeria football governing body was not in order.

In the last eight years, there has been nothing to show for all what the Federal Government did in terms of supporting the NFF with massive funding.

Also, all the funds FIFA brought in and all the funds that were realised from the private sector cannot be seen in what is on ground.

We are all aware of the activities which have been going on within the football circle of late.

This is why on June 26 in 2021 PFAN set up a task force in its wisdom, to look at issues on how we can advance our football.

We are all aware and are witnesses to the fact we have been recycling old hands in the NFF.

On the strength of that, the task force wrote a letter to the NFF last year in line with Article 29, requesting for an ammendment of the Statutes to include every stakeholder.

But to cut the long story short, the NFF has blantantly refused to do anything about it, he claimed.

The former Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Chairman said the position of PFAN was that election was not important at the moment, and that fixing the nations football was the top priority.

He noted that Nigeria had all it takes for its football to become the biggest employer of labour in the country, if the right things were done.

It is not about election because the election we are talking about is the same one that will reproduce the same people who brought us to where we are today, and that is unacceptable.

So, we are ready to answer any name to make football work again in this country. We are not going to let it go. The President (Muhammadu Buhari) himself has said it is a national asset that should be guarded jealously.

So, our position is that we have to sit down as a group, fix the game, include those who are supposed to be part of it and we take it from there.

If that is not done, then if it is FIFA or the Federal Government that wants to intervene in this process, it is left for them to come and do what is necessary, Baribote said.

Jalla, Baribote, Austin Popo, and the registered trustees of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (trading under the name of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria) are the plaintiffs in the suit.

PFAN is advocating for equal representation for all the five statutory bodies that make up the NFF as it relates to voting rights and representation on the NFF board. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

Source: NAN News