By Ruth Oketunde

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), has charged accounting professionals in the country to promote integrity and accountability, in the discharge of their duties.

Mrs Onome Adewuyi, ICAN President, made the call on Sunday, in Abuja, during a reception, organised in her honour, ahead of the institutes 50th Annual Accountants Conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the ICAN Abuja and District Society to mark the institutes 50th Annual Accountants Conference.

Adewuyi, who is also the 56th president of the institute, stressed the need for accountants to be accurate and serve with integrity, which the institute is known for.

The economy of the country as at now, is down, we are supposed to help it move up and I believe that every accountant has what it takes to do that.

So, my advice to all accountants now, is to work hard to unlearn their old styles and relearn the new things that will help them support the economy of the country to go up.

I believe that this conference will give them the ample opportunity to acquire more skills to enable them achieve that desired goal.

Mrs Queensley Seghosime, Conference Chairman, said that the conference would provide opportunities that would enable delegates get acquainted with new innovations in the accounting profession.

At the end of the conference, the delegates would be equipped technically, because we are going to look at things that will make their jobs easier, she said.

Mrs Bosede Ikhanoba, Chairman, ICAN Abuja and District Society, added that the COVID-19 pandemic had made it important for accountants to embrace the use of technology.

One thing I know is that there is always a blessing in disguise for whatever happens.

For some of us, we did not believe we could work from home and one of the things from the theme that we must highlight, is that as accountants, we need to embrace technology.

We can work from the comfort of our homes, there are so many things we dont need to travel to do, that we can do, while we are in Nigeria or in our offices.

We also need to up skill our knowledge, so that we can embrace technology and what is happening globally, she said.

NAN reports that the conference is themed; The 4th Industrial Revolution: Boom for the Accounting Profession and Panacea for Pandemics.

It is scheduled to take place from April 5 to 9. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Awayi Kuje

Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja-Anyembugu, Parish Priest in charge of St Johns Catholic Church, Awe, Nasarawa state, says he sponsored the weddings of 146 couples from 2018 to 2021.

Soja-Anyembugu, said this on Sunday at the marriage matrimony of 10 couples he sponspored , who were church leaders in Awe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
When I was the Parish Priest in charge of St Slyvester Catholic Church New Nyanya, Karu on Feb. 3, 2018, I sponsored the weddings of 53 couples in the Church.

In commemoration of my 10th priestly anniversary in St Patrick Catholic Church, Akwanga on Feb. 17, 2018, I sponsored another 83 couples wedding.
Today, I have also decided to sponsor the mass wedding of 10 couples who wanted their marriages blessed in the Church.

This bring the total to 146 couples from 2018 to 2021. This is to enable them get the sacrament of holy matrimony and will enable them to get more blessings and Gods favour, he said.

Soja-Anyembugu urged the newly wedded couples to live peacefully for the growth of their family and overall development of the society.

He called on Christian faithful and other Nigerians to use the Easter period to pray for the unity, peace and development of the country.

The man of God also urged Christians and other Nigerians to live a life worth of emulation by shunning negative acts at all times in order to inherit the kingdom of God and for development to thrive.

The parish priest assured of his continued determination to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged and other Nigerians.

Mr Noel Dawan, spokesperson for the couples, appreciated the man of God for the gesture and prayed God to bless him abundantly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured cutting of wedding cake by the Parish priest. ( NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed shock and grief over the death of a former acting Gov. of the state, Prince Sam Obi.

Okowas condolence was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba.

He said that Obi, who hails from Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Area, reportedly passed on in the early hours of Saturday.

According to the governor, Obi died a few days to his 60th birth anniversary, after a brief illness.

He commiserated with the people of Delta, the Ika nation and Ute-Okpu community in particular, over the demise of the renowned politician and pastor.

Okowa said that the late former lawmaker, who was the Speaker of the states House of Assembly and acting Gov. in November 2010, was a great patriot and leader, who led with the fear of God.

He said that because of Obis love for God, he founded the Oracle of God Ministries, where he ministered the word of God with passion until his heavenly call to be with his maker.

Okowa added said that the deceased would be remembered by the people of Ika North East for his contributions as a councillor.

He was a council chairman and representative of the constituency in the state legislature. His role and wise counseling will be missed by his political family and Ika nation, the governor said.

He noted that Obi was a dependable political ally, whose commitment to the attainment of stronger Delta laced with unity and peace was infectious and grandiose.

Needless to say that my brother and chum, Prince Sam Obi, will be sorely missed.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of our beloved brother and former Acting Governor of Delta, Rt. Hon. Sam Obi.

He was a very peaceful man who loved his people and served them to the best of his ability.

As a minister in the temple of God, Prince Sam Obi, served the Lord by preaching the gospel of Christ and shepherding His flock until his demise.

As a former Speaker and acting Governor, he will be long remembered for his contributions to the growth and development of the Ika nation and Delta, he said.

Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceaseds soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, on Sunday, turbaned no fewer than 20 dignitaries, including three sons of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, late Ibrahim Dasuki, with traditional titles of the caliphate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the turbaning ceremony took place at the Sultans palace, in the ancient city of Sokoto and seat of the caliphate.

The event was a unique one which, offered its most famous traditional honour and hospitality to the dignitaries, making it the first of its kind in the history of the caliphate.

In his address at the ceremony, the Sultan charged the new title holders to remain committed to the course of strengthening the administrative roles and responsibilities of the caliphate, to humanity.

Abubakar said that the event was historic as it retraced the footprints of the late Othman Dan Fodiyos purposeful legacies.

Your turbanning is a great honor and opportunity to serve the society and the entire Sokoto caliphate. Because of this, I expect all of you to shoulder the responsibilities with dedication and commitment.

It is our humble belief that you would assist in achieving a favourable and rewarding Ramadan, in peace and for the benefit of Muslims, while keeping people closer to the caliphate.

Moreover, people should continue to pray for the turbaned, to enable them deliver the responsibilities shouldered on all of them, he said.

Abubakar further called on Nigerians to sustain their prayers for the leaders, to enable them address all the security challenges bedeviling some parts of the country.

NAN reports that prominent among the 20 persons turbanned were, three sons of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki.

They included a former lawmaker in the National Assembly and serving Sokoto State Commissioner of Finance, Abdussamad Dasuki turbanned as Santuraki of Sokoto, Abubakar Dasuki as Danmaje and Alhaji Khadir Dasuki as Durbi.

Other dignitaries turbaned were: Chairman, Sokoto state Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Muhtari Maigona, as Zanna, former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, as Jekada.

Also included were; former Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, as Danamar, Prof. Ahmad Mora, as Kayayen Sarkin Musulmi, Alhaji Musa Bashar, as Mayana.

A former NNPC Director, Alhaji Faruk Ahmad, was turbanned as Danmadami, and the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, (NADDC) Alhaji Jelani Aliyu. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Yough

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba has enjoined Christian faithful to work toward sustaining the relative peace in the state.

This is contained in his Easter message by Mr Bala Dan-Abu, Special Adviser on media and Publicity in Jalingo on Sunday.

Ishaku expressed happiness that peace had gradually returned to the troubled communities in the state, saying the best gift of the season would be to sustain the harmonious relationship.

The governor enjoined Christians to constantly remind themselves of the virtues of peace and forgiveness which Jesus Christ amply demonstrated throughout his trial and crucifixion, and to allow these virtues to reflect in their conduct and relationship with humanity generally.

This will help in sustaining the peace that has gradually returned to the troubled communities in the state for the good of all, he said.

While calling for unity and vigilance against security challenges, Ishaku said government was working hard with security agencies to permanently end kidnapping and killings of innocent people by criminals in the state.

The governor also urged residents to take the COVID-19 vaccination as well as continue to observe all protocols against the spread of the pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Bishop John Ibenu, Chairman, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the sacrificial life of Christ to guarantee peace and security in the nation.

Ibenu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said that Nigerians should live a life of sacrifice, love and forgiveness to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the nation.

The cleric said that Easter was all about sacrifice, love, forgiveness, peace and eternal life, which were the mission of Jesus Christ on the earth according to Gods divine plans.

He urged Christians to learn to wait on God, read and speak about their faith, pray together, pray for one another, the nation, Kogi and for humanity at large.

I congratulate Christians and the entire humanity for the crucifixion and the eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ today being Easter Sunday.

As we mark this occasion which actually marks the life of sacrifice, I call on all Christians, the people of Kogi, Nigerians and all of humanity to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice.

Jesus Christ, even though, God, left everything in heaven for the sake of humanity to come down to our level.

I call on everyone especially those who are in high positions to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice. Let our leaders be humble and become servant leaders.

Jesus came to teach us servant leadership and in so doing he sacrificed and laid down his life for humanity.

Jesus came to transform humanity and give eternal life, therefore, let us work for the transformation of our state, nation and humanity, Ibenu said.

Quoting from the Bible in the book of John 3:16, he said: For God so loved the world and He gave His only begotten son; that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

He called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences to love their neighbour as themselves and to also strive to improve the lives of others.

Christians, Muslims, pagans, let us embrace the life of sacrifice in our offices, homes and markets to make the life of everyone around us better.

The clergyman used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to pray that leaders would find solutions to the security challenges in the country.

According to him, the government is doing its best, we have talked and criticised enough, let us unite, come together and find solutions.

We must not attach sentiments to security issues. Anybody who sheds blood, destroys property, cause mayhem in our nation is an enemy of Nigeria and an enemy of God.

Let us pray for the success of our military and other security agencies, and partner them to give useful information that will help them to curb insecurity in the country.

Peace be upon our nation Nigeria, he declared. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Traders dealing in beverages, clothing, and food items from across the country have on Sunday, besieged the games village of the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, to make brisk sales, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Our correspondent, who visited the village on the University of Benin campus, reports that as a result the prices of these commodities witnessed marginal increase of between 50 to 100 per cent.

For instance, a bottle of soft drink goes for N200 as against the N150 being sold in the Benin City, while a plate of rice sells for N500.

Athletes, coaches and other officials were, however, given meal tickets to collect food at designated stands in the village, NAN learnt.

A food seller from Abuja, Mr Brown Omede said that the items were costlier because they paid before being alloted stands, though he declined to reveal the cost of the stands.

Many of us come from far places. For instance I came from Abuja, Omode said.

The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of the University of Benin, also operates a stand for such foods as Pounded yam, Garden egg sauce, Eba, Amala, Rice and Semovita. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Sunday in Benin received the torch of unity of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020.

After he received the torch from Peter Nelson, the Secretary of the festivals Main Organising Committee (MOC) in Edo Government House, Obaseki described the festival as a festival of unity.

He said: As you are all aware, the National Sports Festival is a festival of unity, a festival that brings the entire country together.

More than ever before in our history, we need to come together at this time.

This is why the Edo government, in spite of all the challenges and difficulties of the (COVID-19) pandemic, did all it could to ensure that we still hold the 20th edition in Benin.

The governor said the government and people of Edo were glad to receive the torch.

We promise that we will keep it alive and pass it on to the next generation and the next state that will be hosting the next festival, he said.

Obaseki, thereafter, passed on the torch to his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, who is the Chairman of the festivals MOC.

He said Shaibu would galvanise sports men and women for the festival which was expected to be declared open on a Tuesday by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Zimbabwe has opened more immunisation centers in its capital Harare, in a bid to ramp up vaccinations against the pandemic.

The 24 centers including hospitals, polyclinics and satellite clinics have been designated as vaccination centers in the city of about 1.5 million people, the Harare City Council said in a statement on Sunday.

Vaccination is being rolled out during this Easter holiday period in hopes of attracting more people.

The government aims to vaccinate 10 million people out of the countrys 16 million people to achieve herd immunity.

Zimbabweans are being vaccinated with the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines from China, and the country is also expecting delivery of more vaccines from Russia, India and the Covax global distribution scheme.

A total of 111,588 people in Zimbabwe have so far been vaccinated with Chinese vaccines since the national inoculation programme began on Feb. 18, with more than 16,000 people receiving their first doses on Easter Friday alone. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Ukrainian army has denied responsibility for the death of a 5-year-old child in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine.

The armed forces never use their weapons against civilians or civilian objects, a press spokesman said in response to a question from dpa, on Sunday.

On Saturday, pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region blamed government forces for the death of a 5-year-old boy, when an explosive was dropped by a drone, killing the child and seriously injuring his over 60-year-old grandmother.

The village of Oleksandrivsk is located about 14 kilometers from the front line.Heavy fighting took place in the area in 2015.

Insurgents have controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border for almost seven years, with the UN saying that more than 13,000 people had been killed in the regions since then.

In spite of an agreed ceasefire, at least 21 soldiers have been killed on the government side since the beginning of 2021, while the separatists say about 23 people have been killed in the same period.

Meanwhile, a peace plan agreed in 2015 is on ice. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News