By Victor Okoye

Enyimba International Football Club of Aba will face Egyptian clubside Pyramids FC in the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the draw for the competitions quarter-finals was conducted on Friday in Cairo, Egypt.

Enyimba will travel away for the first leg, which is scheduled for May 16, while the reverse fixture will take place a week later in Aba.

The two-time African champions finished top of Group A, following a nervy 1-0 win against South Africas Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.

Should they progress into the last-four, they will face either Raja Casablanca of Morocco or Orlando Pirates.

The Aba giants are looking to make history as the first Nigerian club to win the CAF Confederation Cup.

Source: NAN News

By Nicholas Obisike

The Enugu State Government on Friday celebrated Rangers International FC and its teeming supporters over the clubs great exploits since it was founded in 1970.

The ceremony was combined with the launch of a book, entitled The New Dawn, in Enugu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book was written by the clubs supporter, Mr Basil Ojengwa.

Speaking at the event, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said: Rangers still remain the pride of the Igbo people.
It is a thing of honour that the aim of establishing Rangers is still on course.

It was Gods doing that in 2016, Rangers won the Nigeria Football League trophy and followed it up with the Aiteo Cup in 2018, he said.

Ugwuanyi said that the Aiteo Cup victory was a miracle, saying: I called it the Miracle of Asaba.

I recall that Rangers are a football club like no other formed in the then East Central State.

Rangers FC announced its arrival in the Nigeria soccer space with the win of a national soccer competition and qualification for the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

This unprecedented superlative entry behaviour, a record no other club had set in Nigerian soccer history, underscored the legendary fighting spirit of the club.

Little wonder Rangers are reckoned as the Pride of the East and Flying Antelopes.

The governor paid special tribute to the founders of the club, past and present Rangers players for defending the colour of the club.

Reviewing the book, a lawmaker, Mr Chima Obieze, representing Ezeagu State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, said the book is all about Rangers glory in football.

It started from evolution of football to how Rangers FC was formed after the civil war by Jerry Enyiazu, he said.

He said the book narrated how Rangers waited for 32 years for trophy and how it came to an end in 2016 with the nations league trophy.

The author of the book, Mr Basil Ojengwa, said that determination remained the backbone of progress and a tool for achievement.

According to him, history will not forgive us, if we do not appreciate and document Rangers achievements, especially of late when it seems that the club has been forgotten.

Rangers are the pride of the Igbo nation and international club that has held its own in Nigeria and Africa, he said.

In a vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Manfred Nzekwe, thanked the governor for revitalising sports in the state.

He described Ugwuanyi as a sports-loving governor, whose performance went beyond soccer to other sports in the state.

Nzekwe attributed the states performance at the National Sports Festival (NSF): Edo 2020, where the state won seven medals, to Ugwuanyis support.

He said, Enugu used to go to NSF with lots of sports without much medals to show at the end but this time we went with only four sports and won seven medals.

NAN reports that Rangers had won Nigeria League trophy seven times, Federation Cup six times and Continental Cup once since its 51 years in the round leather game . (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says it has trained 30 coconut farmers on nursery establishment, field development, harvesting, processing and marketing in Edo.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Ernest Uwakhihe, said this on Thursday in Benin.

He spoke at the opening of capacity building workshop for coconut farmers in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR).

Uwakhihe expressed federal governments commitment to changing the socio-economic status of farmers.

He said that the capacity building workshop was coming at a very crucial moment when the country was recovering from a difficult spell of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is at the point of turning around the nations economy by supporting farmers.

Coconut is one of the most important and useful economic tree crop.

Its a major non-oil export foreign exchange earners for the country, providing livelihood for more than 500,000 families in Nigeria, he observed,

He commended NIFOR for partnering with the federal government in conducting the capacity building workshop.

The Acting Executive Director of NIFOR, Dr. Celestine Ikuenobe, said that coconut production offered great opportunities for export earnings.

Earlier, Mrs Okoroji Okechukwu, the National President, National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, commended the sponsors of the workshop, saying that it would transform the agricultural sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expanded the polling units in Enugu State from 2,958 to 4,147 polling units to create easy access to polling units in the state.

Dr Emeka Ononamadu, the INECs Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, told newsmen in Enugu on Friday that the new polling units were those converted from an existing 1,189 voting points.

Ononamadu explained that the new polling units, which were created following strict adherence to the guidelines for conversion, was meant to curb overcrowding in polling units, also leading to lack of voters access.

The guidelines which state that polling units should be located based on the following considerations:

Must be in public places, preferably centrally located and accessible; and non-sectarian facilities like community halls, health centres, court premises, public recreation centres, amongst others.

Spacious facilities that can comfortably sit election officials, party agents, election observers and other legitimate election staff.

Adequately covered locations such as classrooms and halls; and locations or facilities that can take more than one polling unit, he said.

The commissioner said that the guidelines made it clear that that no polling unit would be located in private buildings, houses of traditional rulers, religious buildings, political party buildings or residence of government officials.

Or any building which a voter may under any circumstance be denied access, except as prescribed by the law.

No new polling unit should also be located in any building or facility that is in dispute or inaccessible to persons living with disabilities, he noted.

Ononamadu noted that it was necessary to address rumours and misinterpretation of the exercise.

According to him, the same standard and guideline being applied in Enugu State is applicable all over the federation.

There were certain rumours that it was only some communities that secretly applied for new polling units that were given new polling units.

There was also rumour that it was the pressure from politicians to give them new polling units that INEC is yielding to. These rumours are all false.

INEC is simply converting existing voting points into polling units; therefore, polling units creating is not a direct response to any application or pressure, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) on Friday confirmed that Dr Adesola Adeduntan had resumed as the Chief Executive Officer in line with the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A statement by the management of the bank said Adeduntan had resumed as directed by the apex bank.

We can confirm that the bank is cooperating with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other regulators while the operations of the Bank are not hampered or hindered in any way and are in fact running smoothly.

We further wish to reassure the public, our esteemed customers and stakeholders in the words of the Governor of the Central Bank in concluding his press conference, said the statement.

The CBN governor had said, The CBN hereby reassures the depositors, creditors and other stakeholders of the bank of its commitment to ensuring the stability of the financial system.

According to the management of First Bank, there is, therefore, no cause for panic among the banking public, given that the actions being taken are meant to strengthen the bank and position it as a banking industry giant. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has approved the renaming of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East from Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Yerima said the development was premised on the fact that the Nigerian Army (NA) had made a lot of progress over the years and needed to re-align for better efficiency.

He disclosed that changes would also affect the re-designation of the Army Super Camps to now reflect the nomenclature of the formations and units followed by the name of the locations they occupy.

The Army spokesperson also said the sub-units were redesigned as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) followed by the name of their locations, adding that all the changes were with immediate effect.

According to him, the renaming is in line with the COAS vision of having A Nigerian Army that is repositioned to professionally defeat all adversaries in a joint environment.

It is the belief of the COAS that the complete defeat of insurgency is a process that requires the participation of the entire nation using all elements of national power.

He further gave assurance that the Nigerian Army under his leadership will continue to pursue the path of jointness in prosecuting the counterinsurgency war, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government has prohibited illegal occupation of abandoned buildings and properties under construction as part of measures to address security challenges.

Dr Idris Salako, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

Salako said the measure became necessary due to security challenges in the nation.

Lagos State Government has observed with dismay the security challenges in the nation and clearly understands the danger posed by the likely spread of this ugly situation to our dear state, he said.

Salako noted that hoodlums and social miscreants had continued to convert abandoned buildings and project sites to their bases, from where they commit atrocities, posing serious danger to residents.

He said his ministry decided to invoke its powers, under Section 73 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended, to ensure safe, secure, sanitised and sustainable environment.

Salako said that owners and developers of uncompleted or existing buildings should always ensure their properties were in proper environmental, safe and sanitation conditions.

No abandoned building will be allowed, for security and safety reason.

He added that no construction worker should stay back beyond 6:00p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.

Salako warned property owners and developers to comply within 30 days to avert sanctions of their buildings being sealed off and further actions taken where necessary.

The Ministry is committed to ensuring livability, safety of lives and properties as well as security in Lagos State, hence Owners/Developer(s) who fail to comply with the above conditions within 30 days, would have their buildings sealed off and further actions will be taken where necessary, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Owolewa

An angry mob, mostly youths, on Friday set ablaze property of a suspected kidnapper, simply identified as Ramoni, in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

Some of the property that were touched by the mob included two private cars, two houses and a hotel structure belonging to the suspected kidnapper.

Ramoni, a herder and hotelier, was said to have been whisked away by soldiers along with an accomplice herbalist, Bunmi Popoola, for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping saga in Odo-Owa, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara, on Thursday.

An unnamed hunter in Odo-Owa was said to have foiled payment of a ransom to secure the freedom for a kidnapped victim, who was tied down in a Fulani settlement called Ruga and alerted security agencies.

Some of the kidnappers were said to have fled the scene while Ramoni, who was in his car with Bunmi heading toward Ruga at the time, were suspected to have a hand in the incident and were promptly arrested and whisked away by soldiers.

The 27-year-old Popoola, Ramonis alleged accomplice, was formerly a kingmaker in Odo-Owa community but was in October 2016 expelled by the Odo-Owa Traditional Council for criminal activities.

He was accused of raping a 27-year-old girl, simply identified as Joke, under the guise of curing her of an ailment.

Joke, an Agricultural Science graduate of the College of Education, Lafiagi, was reportedly afflicted with a strange disease in 2014, which defied orthodox medication and was referred to Popoola for treatment.

Jokes mother had told the police then that Popoola always used a handkerchief to wipe the private part of her daughter each time he had sex with her and threatening her with death, if she revealed what he did.

Popoola was later arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrates Court, presided over by Mr Ahmed Immam, and ordered to be remanded in prison custody over a one-count charge of murder.

Ramoni on the other hand was said to be on the radar of the youths in the community and was being observed for allegedly belonging to a kidnap syndicate.

The aforementioned past scenarios involving the two suspects was said to have angered the youths and compounded their woes.

NAN gathered that the soldiers had to whisk away the two suspects to an unknown destination on Thursday to prevent the youths from setting ablaze the Odo-Owa Police Division where they were initially detained.

The youths allegedly from Odo-Owa in their hundreds on motorbike and holding dangerous weapons, including charms, had stormed Ramonis residence and hotel premises in Omu-Aran as early as 9 a.m on Friday and set the property ablaze.

NAN reports that cases of kidnappings had become rampant in most of the communities in Kwara South and had created tension and anxiety among the populace.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Kwara Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said he was yet to be briefed about the development.

Okasanmi however promised to get back to NAN after hearing from officers at the Omu-Aran division, where the incident took place. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will do all it can to defeat forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country so as to restore peace and order.

The National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the president made this known at a crucial security meeting in Abuja on Friday.

Monguno stated that the meeting was summoned by the president to address the persisting security challenges in some parts of the country.

He disclosed that the meeting which had been adjourned to Tuesday next week, deliberated on vital national security issues.

He stated that the president reiterated the determination of government to decisively end the assault on the nation and would do all that it takes to achieve this.

He said: Concerned about the persisting security challenges in parts of the country, Mr President summoned a crucial meeting of the National Security Council today as he continues to frontally confront the situation in the country.

At todays meeting, the President made it abundantly clear that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he has no doubt that the Nigerian security agencies and all of us as a nation will certainly overcome all the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country.

While the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the president and the Council which adjourned todays critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes.

Mr President is very prepared to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation.

There shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored in our communities, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Victor Nwachukwu

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has kicked off training on vocational skills for 594 unemployed youths in Imo.

The acting Director-General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, made the disclosure at the launching of its Vocational Skills Development (VSD) Scheme on Friday in Owerri.

According to Fikpo, out of the 594 youths, 540 will be trained under the Basic National Open Apprenticeship (B-NOAS) while 54 will be trained under the Advanced National Open Apprenticeship (A-NOAS).

Fikpo, who was represented by the NDE Coordinator in Imo, Mrs Ngozi Ihenacho, added that the trainees would be presented with a certificate upon completion of the training.

Under A-NOAS, trainees upgrade their knowledge of basic skills acquired under the B-NOAS and are guaranteed a certificate as well as access to startup loan upon completion of the training, he said.

Also speaking, the Director, Department of Vocational Skills Development (VSD), Mr Julius Fakunle, said that participants would be trained in skills such as computer operation, fashion designing, generator maintenance, catering and hair-dressing.

Fakunle, who was represented by Mr Obinna Offia, an Assistant Director in the department, urged the trainees to take the three-months-long training seriously.

Many people applied but only 20 persons were selected from each Local Government Area for the B-NOAS and 2 persons per LGA for the A-NOAS.

It is on this note I urge you to take the training seriously and make yourselves self-employed at the end of the three months training, he said.

One of the participants, Miss Chisom Ebegbulam from Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (LGA), thanked the NDE for what she described as an opportunity to shape the lives of beneficiaries and pledged commitment to the training. (NAN)

Source: NAN News