By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

The opening ceremony of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) on Tuesday evening in Benin was a spectacle to behold, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

It was a display of the rich culture and traditions of Edo, adorned with the colour and glamour Edo has always been known for.

The ceremony which took place at the remodelled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was witnessed by several personalities.

These included Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, as well as the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.

The guests list also included the Senators representing the states three senatorial districts.

They were entertained by cultural troupes from Benin and musical stars such as Timi Dakolo and Fireboy.

NAN reports that a display of fireworks, which lasted for
close to five minutes, heralded the official opening of the festival whose activities had actually commenced since Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the states Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had welcomed athletes and their officials to the home of culture and the traditional ground for sports in the country.

Shaibu who is the Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman for the festival had said the festival was an indication that sports was back home.

Edo is home of culture. There are only two kingdoms in the world, United Kingdom and Benin Kingdom.

Please enjoy the hospitality of the people and have a joyous stay in Edo.

President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

While speaking, Dare said sports has become business with the benefits of job-creation and Nigerian youths needed to take full advantage of this.

The festivals oath by athletes and participating officials was taken by Henry Aghomoh of the Karate Federation of Nigeria and Mohammed Bashir of Cycling Federation respectively.

The 20th NSF, which had suffered several postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be officially closed on April 14. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olajide Idowu

The management of Osun United Football Club of Osogbo on Tuesday suspended the teams Head Coach, Bright Omokaro, and two of his assistants, Bayo Adesina and Wole Animasahun.

Theclubs Media Officer, Tajudeen Amodu, disclosed that the decision was taken after an emergency meeting of the clubs management in Osogbo.

Amodu said the meeting was held following the clubs poor performances in the ongoing 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) where the team have lost four matches in a row.

He said the teams assistant coach, Waheed Olapade, and goalkeepers trainer Moruf Olasupo were to take charge of the team in an interim capacity with immediate effect.

Similarly, the Media Officer said a player, Olusola Akilapa, has also been suspended due to gross indiscipline.

This decision by the club management takes immediate effect, until a general review of performances during the mid-season break, Amodu said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Felicia Imohimi

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) says it has commenced a-three-year identification of balanced fertiliser blends in Nigeria to augment for nutrients deficiency in the soil.

Prof. Victor Chude, AGRA Fertiliser Systems Project Coordinator, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

AGRA is a farmer-centered, African-led and partnerships-driven institution that is transforming Africas smallholder farming from a solitary struggle to survive to businesses that thrive.

It deals with improving agricultural products and supporting local farm owners and labour.

Chude added that the intervention will remedy the current practice of using generic fertiliser blends and blankets application rates across the country.

He said the project, which is being piloted in two states of Niger and Kaduna, is aimed at strengthening fertiliser systems partnership for the production of balanced fertiliser blends in the country.

He emphasised that the use of balanced fertiliser blend is required to augment for nutrient deficiencies in soils, adding that facilitating the sustainable maximisation of the genetic potentials of crops has been proven by a good number of studies.

The coordinator explained that the primary objective of the intervention is to catalyse the production and use of appropriate crop and soil specific fertiliser blends to enhance maize, rice and soybean production in the pilot states.

Based on success recorded in the two piloted states, extend to other states across the country.

One of the common agricultural practices in Nigeria is the use of generic fertiliser blends to address issues of soil fertility.

This practice across various regions is often without investigations to determine unique challenges common to that region ultimately negates the specificity of soil nutrient requirements.

It also undermines the benefits of secondary and micro-nutrients required for crop growth and the production of highly nutritious food.

To say the least, inappropriate formulation and often-misguided use of organic/mineral fertilisers is a setback to the achievement of food and nutrition security in Nigeria and many other African countries.

Although East African countries like Kenya (with support from AGRA) and Zambia are fast promoting the adoption of balanced fertilisers, he said.

Chude explained that the methodology involves soil testing, on-field evaluation trials, use of visual ranking and technical yield evaluations to assess the performance of the fertiliser blends on maize, rice and soybean commodity value-chains at designated locations.

The coordinator, who described the benefits as numerous, says they include an increase in productivity which is expected to drive demand for these blends.

According to him, blanket fertilisation of soils should be passionately discouraged at all levels nationwide.

The results of initial field trials show that crop/site specific fertiliser blends can improve productivity of crops by at least 25 to 40 per cent while improving their nutrient content.

This translates to economically efficient parameters with a multiplier effect, as it would increase income for affected stakeholders including fertiliser blending plants, agro-input distributors and farmers.

It will as well as possibly encourage more investors into the agricultural sector thereby stimulating economic growth. This is a great stride towards improving the business of agriculture in Nigeria, he stressed.

The coordinator further stated that for the trials, three crops and soil specific formulations were adopted for the focus commodity value-chains.

These formulations, according to him, are a blend of NPK with appropriate mixes of secondary and micronutrients such as Sulphur, Boron, Zinc and Calcium as required.

Since 2019, approximately 1,500 demonstration plots have been established for trials, while an approximately 2,500 farmers and 40 fertiliser producing companies have been actively engaged in realising the goal of the project.

One of the next steps will be to acquire optimal land area required to optimize the yield effects on individual crop enterprises and aggregate them into nutrient requirements for statewide application in standard formulations.

This is targeted at the policy instruments of relevant government agencies to promote the use of appropriate fertiliser blends for production of different crops.

In addition, fertiliser blenders would be encouraged to invest in and produce more of balanced fertiliser blends, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

An Elder Statesman and former Leader of a socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has expressed support for the presidential ambition of the APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

Fasoranti stated this while receiving members of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (SWAGA 23), who paid him a courtesy visit in his country home in Akure.

Tinubu has all it takes to rule Nigeria. Considering his activities and track record, he deserves to be President, come 2023.

May his prayers be answered. When he gets there, he will do all we want, he said.

According to the Afenifere leader, with Tinubu as president, all the prayers of Afenifere for Nigeria will be answered, particularly on the issue of restructuring and federalism.

Earlier, Prince Dayo Adeyeye the Chairman and Coordinator of SWAGA, said Yoruba must unite and speak with one voice, ahead of 2023 presidential race.

He urged the Yoruba not to divide its house ahead of the presidential election.

The former minister for works said that more than 50 traditional rulers across the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone had been visited for their royal blessings.

He added that presidency would be zoned to the South in 2023, which could be any zone, hence the need to quickly start the movement for Yoruba to unite.

Tinubu has all it takes to rule the country, being a detribalised Nigerian who loves the masses and is blessed with enormous wisdom, he said.

Adeyeye however, stated that the team was not sent by Tinubu, but that it decided to take up the role, having found the former Lagos governor worthy because of his leadership quality. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismail Abdulaziz
As part of its measures to curb Road Traffic Crashes, the Dangote Cement Plc has inaugurated a Drivers Training Centre at the Dangote Cement Plant (DCP), Obajana, Kogi State.

The new Centre is charged with the responsibility of attending to all training needs of the Dangote Cement drivers.

The new centre has convocated its first graduates of 50 Trainee Drivers.

At the event, Mr Harisson Pepple, Head of the Dangote Drivers Training Centre, said that the training was in line with the companys Zero Tolerance Policy for auto crashes.

Pepple said that the Trainee Drivers were drawn from the existing Motor Boys, adding that the training period was six months.

He expressed optimism that the days of crashes involving Dangote trucks are numbered.

The Trainee Drivers Programme is all encompassing. The first twelve weeks is theoretical. Then there is three months attachment, he said.

He said that the idea for the new cntre was conceived in June 2020 with the aim of training, retraining and constantly engaging the companys drivers.

He said that the company was engaging another set of qualified drivers with Class G licenses, stressing that the centre was collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps in these activities.

He added that the Trainee Drivers were also taught Defensive Driving Techniques, which involved driving to save lives, time and property.

The Dangote Group has been taking stringent measures to minimise auto crashes, and the new training centre is a continuation of this innovative efforts.

Some of the efforts by the company to curb crashes include: The recertification of drivers, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, drug test, Onboard Camera and tracking of vehicles.

Others efforts are Root Cause Analysis, engaging behavioural psychologists and clerics, convoy movement as well as checkpoint policy and sanctions.(NAN)
PR:

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian stock market resumed after the Easter public holidays on Tuesday with a loss of 0.39 per cent due to persistent bearish trend.

Specifically, the All-Share Index lost 150.13 points or 0.39 per cent to close 38,766.61 compared with 38,916.74 achieved on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation lost N78 billion to close at N20.283 trillion from N20.361 trillion achieved on Thursday.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are Guinness Nigeria, MRS Oil Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, BUA Cement and Aluminium Extrusion Industries.

Market sentiment turned negative with 21 laggards, relative to 14 gainers.

MRS Oil led the losers chart in percentage terms by 9.92 per cent to close at N10.90 per share.

Aluminium Extrusion Industries followed with a decline of 9.88 per cent to close at N7.30, while Consolidated Hallmark Insurance shed 9.38 per cent to close at 29k per share.

Sterling Bank shed 8.65 per cent to close at N1.69, while Guinness Nigeria depreciated by 8.08 per cent to close at N33 per share.

Conversely, Eterna dominated the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 9.91 per cent to close at N5.99 per share.

Linkage Assurance followed with 9.72 per cent to close at 79k and Royal Exchange rose by 9.09 per cent to close at 36k per share.

Japaul Gold and Ventures appreciated by 8.89 per cent to close at 49k, while FCMB Group gained 4.59 per cent to close at N2.96 per share.

Also, the total volume of trades declined by 6.19 per cent with an exchange of 224.59 million valued at N2.14 billion in 4,675 deals.

This was against 239.42 million shares worth N2.32 billion exchanged in 4,445 deals on Thursday.

Transactions in the shares of UACN topped the activity chart with 34.05 million shares valued at N337.61 million.

Access Bank followed with 26.35 million shares worth N214.93 million, while FBN Holdings traded 18.93 million shares valued at N137.44 million.

Zenith Bank traded 16.59 million shares worth N364.34 million, while Fidelity Bank transacted 15.31 million shares valued at N39.15 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) says Mr Oscar Onyema has completed his tenure as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after a 10-year period.

Mr Olumide Orojimi, NSE Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, that a closing gong ceremony was held on April 1 to honour Onyema.

Also, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, said that the closing gong was in commemoration of Onyemas exemplary leadership.

Following the successful demutualisation of the Exchange, Onyema would transition into the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), NGX Group Plc.

Ogunbanjo stated: It is impossible to overstate Oscar Onyemas contributions to the growth of The Exchange and the development of the capital market in the past 10 years.

After his first year of leadership, it became evident that his strategic mindset and mastery of Exchange business is what NSE dearly needs to rise to its next level of growth.

As anticipated, The Exchange went on to experience significant growth as the years pass by, most notable of which is the recent completion of the demutualisation of The Exchange.

It has indeed been a pleasure working with him in our time at the NSE and I look forward to our continued journey to greatness in the NGX era.

The new GCEO, Onyema, said: I arrived at the NSE when the stock market was in the doldrums, investors confidence low, mono product and the bourse under regulatory administration.

With tunnel vision, collaboration with stakeholders in the financial system and perseverance, we have been able to surmount almost all of the challenges.

I am delighted to have worked with astute members of the national council, visionary leaders in the executive committee and expert crop of staff at The Exchange to have delivered excellent results.

We have come a long way from where we used to be and I am excited about the opportunities demutualisation has opened for us in the coming years.

I must reiterate my commitment to ensuring that the NGX Group Plc and its subsidiaries deliver on the mandate to become Africas leading capital market infrastructure provider.

I look forward to deepening partnerships with existing stakeholders and exploring new collaborations locally and globally to bring this to bear.

The demutualisation of the Exchange has led to the emergence of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc and three subsidiaries: Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited; NGX Regulation (RegCo) Limited and NGX Real Estate Limited.

Mr Temi Popoola will assume the role of CEO, NGX Limited while Ms Tinuade Awe will become the CEO, NGX RegCo Limited. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oladapo Udom

Four Nigerian Navy Ships are to collaborate with the Spanish Navy War Ship (SNS) Furor, to conduct a two-day sea exercise to develop capacity toward improving protection within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, said this to newsmen during the SNS Furors visit to the command on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise will hold on April 7 and April 8.

Gbassa said the visit by SNS would further consolidate the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as improve capacity on the side of the Nigerian Navy.

As part of our naval responsibilities, navies all over the world as a universal service, always collaborate and cooperate in areas of maritime operations.

Your port visit to Lagos is in line with that function of the navy and it is our pleasure to have you around.

The exercise we plan to conduct together will go a long way toward improving our capacity in monitoring our maritime environment and further cementing our relations, he said.

The FOC said that the Nigerian Navy and the Spanish Navy have had relationship that dates back to a while.

Over the last two years, this is the fourth SNS that is visiting Nigeria and at each of their visits, we conducted exercises together as regards the protection of the Gulf of Guinea.

Their experience must have informed and encouraged your port call, so we intend to build on your visit to go further into other areas of training.

That will include areas where we will have joint training and exchange programmes at the higher level that will contribute to all our efforts to secure not just our waters but indeed the Gulf of Guinea, Gbassa said.

(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Barely 48 hours after unknown gunmen attacked the Police Command in Imo, bandits again razed the Police division in Ehime/Mbano in the state, setting some vehicles on fire on Tuesday.

The Police Spokesman in Imo, SP Orlando Ikeokwu confirmed the attack on the police division to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN recalls that the Police Headquarters and the Correctional Center in Imo, were attacked by unknown gunmen on Sunday, while some inmates escaped in the process.

The attack occurred few hours after the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and other government functionaries visited the state to inspect the attacked facilities.

However, the PPRO said no life was lost in the latest attack.

Yes I can confirm to you that the police facility was attacked today by bandits.

No casualty on the part of police, no loss of arms but three vehicles were burnt in the process, he said.

NAN reports that the attack has brought the number of police facilities destroyed in the state between February and April to five.

They are Obowo, Aboh-Mbaise, Ihite Uboma, Isiala Mbano and Ehime Mbano as well as the police headquarters in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu Correctional Centre says it has beefed up security around the facility to forestall any attack that could lead to jailbreak.

The Spokesman for the centre, Mr Emeka Monday, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.

Monday said the measure became necessary, following Mondays attack on the police headquarters and correctional centre in Owerri, the Imo capital.

According to him, the centre is working with other sister security agencies to provide maximum security around the Enugu correctional centre.

We are aware of what happened in Imo and have put certain measures in place to ensure that such an ugly incident does not happen here.

We are on alert and will resist any jailbreak attempt. For now, the centre is secured and safe, Monday said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News