Sport Minister Mr Sunday Dare

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare says the new draft Sports Industry Policy will transform sports into a big business in the country, when operational.

Dare said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the virtual presentation of the Draft 2020 National Sports Industry Policy.

The 172 page document was put together by members of the steering committee of the Sports Industry Working Group (SIWG), the policy validation committee and the National sport industry policy drafting committee.

Dare said the event was a milestone , with the capacity to change the face of running sports business in Nigeria.

This policy no doubt is a new dawn that will drive the process of moving sports away from being recreational to business, he said.

He said a new sports policy had become inevitable due to the need to update the obsolete 2009 policy and attain international best practice.

The draft National Sports Industry Policy is a review of the 2009 edition, which is principally intended to update the norms and values in the sports industry in achieving the mandate, vision and mission of the Federal Ministry of Youth and sports Development in line with international best practices.

It is important to note that this reviewed National Sports Industry Policy will proffer solutions to four issues of: Infrastructure, Investment, Incentives and policy, that
will take sports to the next level, he said.

The minister commended the Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Aduda, Mr Ufot Udeme the co-chairman and other members of the committee for their valuable contributions towards the draft policy.

He said the document will soon be presented to the public for feedbacks, then submitted to the Attorney-General of Federation to finalise the legal components.

He expressed optimism that the document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council by September or October for approval.

Source: NAN News

Presentation of anti-quackery bill by NMA in Cross River

By George Odok
The Nigerian Medical Association in Cross River has submitted the anti-quackery draft bill to the Cross River House of Assembly for legislative scrutiny.

The Chairman of NMA in the state, Dr Agam Ayuk, presented the draft to Dr Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency in the Assembly, on Wednesday in Calabar.

Ayuk stated that the draft bill outlined ways and strategies for a legislation needed to squarely fight medical quackery in the state.

He stated that in spite of several arrest carried out by the Association on some quack medical premises and their owners, the ugly situation still persisted.

He disclosed that the presentation of the bill to the assembly marked his two years in office as Chairman of NMA in the state.

Today marks two years of my election as Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River Branch, to the glory of God.

It is my singular privilege to present a draft of the Anti-quackery bill on behalf of the Association to the sponsor, Dr Davies Etta.

The Co-sponsors are; Dr Ekpo Ekpo-Bassey, representing Bakassi State Constituency and Mr Elvert Ayambem, representing Ikom II State Constituency.

The bill is aimed at curtailing medical quackery in Cross River and it is tagged A bill for a law to prohibit quackery in the health sector (practice) in Cross River and to provide for other matters related thereto.

My deep appreciation to all stakeholders and everyone who has made this a reality, he said.

Responding, Etta, a medical practitioner, thanked the NMA in the state for driving a purposeful leadership in medical practice and service delivery.

He assured the Association that the bill would be given utmost attention when presented during plenary, adding that medical quackery had caused serious problems to people in the state.

The News Agency of (NAN) reports that the NMA Secretary in the state, Dr Ezoke Epoke, also witnessed the presentation of the draft bill to Etta in the Assembly complex.

Source: NAN News

FRSC official on Duty

By Aminu Garko

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger State Sector Command, says it will deploy no fewer than 1, 010 personnel including drones for traffic control during the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

Mr Joel Dagwa, FRSC Sector Commander in the state made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Minna.

Dagwa said that the command would deploy additional patrol vehicles, three ambulances, a tow truck and power bike for road surveillance during the celebrations.

He explained that the operations would be aligned with the ongoing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment operations in the state.

We have since embarked on aggressive patrols at Mokwa, Magama, Rafi, Suleja and Paikoro Local Government Areas that share borders with FCT, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi and Kwara states.

We will ensure that only qualified and duly certified drivers and vehicles ply highways during and after the festivities, Dagwa said.

The sector commander called on motorists in the state to desist from breaching traffic laws such as speed limit, wrongful and dangerous overtaking, overloading, driving under the influence of alcohol and night journeys to avoid road crashes during and after the Sallah festivities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Federal Road Safety Commission

Ikuru Lizzy
Rivers State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will deploy no fewer than 427 Regular officers/Marshals, 450 Volunteer Special Marshals, 10 Operational Vehicles and 2 Ambulances for the special patrol during the Eid El-Kabir celebration.

The comnand in a statement signed by its Public Education Officer Mr John Michael and made available to Newsmen on Tuesday said that the patrol was a proactive approach towards ensuring an accident-free celebration.

The statement revealed that the command would ensure that all hands are on deck to ensure safety on the highways during the celebration in the interest of residents of the state.

Our special operations will focus basically on; ensuring High visibility along all highways in the State, compliance to COVID-19 protocol on adherence to the physical distancing rule at transport terminals and on transiting vehicles, it said.

The statement also revealed that there would be an intensified enforcement of penalties against overloading and other possible life-threatening offences.

We would ensure a hitch-free traffic flow and prompt rescue of road Traffic Crash Victims where the need raises, it added.

Source: NAN News

Hameed Ali, NCS Boss

Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 79 used vehicles known as Tokunbo and 136,350 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) called petrol in the last six months.

The Acting Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Chedi Wada, told newsmen in Seme on Wednesday that the command made a total 824 interceptions with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N413.4 million.

Wada said that the command remitted the sum of N22, 477, 920 into the federation account as revenue from January to June.

The revenue figure were proceeds realised from auction sales of seized perishables items, which is in line with Customs and Excise Management Act provision, he said.

He said that in spite of governments efforts toward reducing smuggling to a minimal level, some unpatriotic Nigerians had continued in the evil act.

In continuation of the anti-smuggling drive against the activities of deviant smugglers, the Seme command of NCS recorded gigantic strides between January and June.

The command recorded 824 interceptions with DPV of N413, 370, 484.00 in six months.

The items include 3, 236 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 136, 350 litres of petrol, 79 units of fairly used vehicles and 1,302 cartons of frozen poultry products.

Others are 156 parcels of cannabis sativa, 156 jerrycans of vegetable oil and 7,763 general merchandise items, he said.

The acting comptroller said that the successes recorded were as a result of designed and implemented strategies since he assumed office.

Wada said the renewed synergy among different components of anti-smuggling unit also assisted the command in countering the activities of smugglers within the command.

He called on the public to cooperate with the service to succeed in its anti-smuggling crusade and refrain from unnecessary hostilities when officers were performing their lawful duties.

He also urged the people to take advantage of the various federal government intervention programmes and key into it for a legitimate means of livelihood.

Source: NAN News

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Muhammed Bello

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has lifted the ban placed on market operations from three to seven days a week, effective from July 30, 2020.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello made the disclosure in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bello, however, said that the markets would opened from 7a.m. to 6p.m. daily.

Bello said that the decision was reached at a virtual meeting between members of the FCT COVID-19 Response Team, senior members of the administration and members of the Coalition of FCT Market Chairmen and Secretaries led by its Chairman Mr Raphael Okorie.

He said that the aim was to decongest the markets and to further check the spread of COVID-19.

The Abuja Market Management Ltd and the various market associations will continue to enlighten market users on COVID-19 and the necessity of obeying all extant health and safety protocols.

Access to the markets and operations within the markets will only be permitted with the wearing of face mask and adherence to other guidelines such as hand washing and maintenance of physical distancing.

Bello said the FCTA might be compelled to withdraw this extension should the coalition of FCT Market Chairmen and Secretaries fail to implement the guidelines. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

House of Reps at plenary

By EricJames Ochigbo

He said that the essence of the visit scheduled to begin on Aug. 17, was to

He said the DPR was acting on the platform of the powers bestowed on it by the

in the oil sector.

Source: NAN News

Unity Bank

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Unity Bank Plc has declared gross earnings of N22.87 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2020.

Mrs Tomi Somefun, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, stated this in the banks unaudited financials submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Somefun said that the half-year gross earnings rose by 11 per cent to N22.87 billion from N20.55 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

Profit before tax grew by seven per cent to N1.12 billion in the period under review from N1.05 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2019.

Also, the Profit after tax, rose by seven per cent to N1.03 billion from N967.51 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

The half year results showed that the lender recorded gross earnings of N11.01 billion, a five per cent growth from the N10.50 billion recorded for the same period in 2019.

Similarly, the lenders interest earnings recorded a 15 per cent increase to N19.79 billion within the period, from N17.27 billion in the corresponding period in 2019.

Its total operating income also grew by 14 per cent to N12.14 billion from N10.69 billion in the same period in 2019. Earnings per Share stood at 17.64 Kobo for the period ending June 30.

The Banks half-year report also showed a huge boost in asset, which saw a 48 per cent growth to N445.95 billion from N293.05 billion in the same period in 2019.

This follows the growth of the Banks loan book which rose by 53.7 per cent to N131.48 billion from N70.62 billion in Q2, 2019.

A further review of the H1 financial statement showed that the agribusiness-focused lender grew its deposit by 19 per cent to N306.47 billion from N257.69 billion as at December 2019.

Somefun said: Despite the inclement economic conditions occasioned by the global pandemic which almost paused or at best put activities at a slower pace in virtually all sectors of the economy, the Bank has been able to ride the waves to maintain its growth trajectory looking at the key performance indicators.

The assessment, therefore, is that the repositioning efforts which have taken root before the headwinds are equally able to withstand shocks.

The growing health and strength of the Banks balance sheet is attributable to the fact that while the bank remained focused on its niche market, which is agribusiness, thebank has also continued to grow its brand franchise in many areas of the retail market by promoting and leveraging its agriculture value chain businesses as an offshoot, she said.

The statement added that the views of analysts continued to reinforce the gains of the repositioning drive anchored on the agribusiness as the backbone for the steady growth and performance in the half-year 2020.

They share optimism for an even more positive outlook in the future, as market confidence continues to improve. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Train on Abuja-Kaduna route

By Lucy Ogalue

TheMinister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has ordered security personnel at the Abuja-Kaduna train station terminus to deny access to anyone without a face mask, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amaechi gave the order when he visited the Idu Train Terminal to inspect passengers compliance with the COVID-19 safety measures, on Wednesday.

The ministers visit followed the reopening of services after four months lockdown due to the pandemic.

On the increased transportation, Amaechi said the government does not have money to subsidise the fare, so passengers would have to bear the risk.

He added :Even before the pandemic, we were under pressure from even people in kaduna asking us to increase the rate.

We just provide the services for everybody not because we want to make profit. At this stage we are not making profit, its just to recoup the running cost.

The minister further said that incidences of eminent personalities flouting NIgeria Centre for Disease Controls (NCDC) COVID-19 safety measures at airports would not be condoned at train stations.

He encouraged passengers to imbibe the simple, safety basics, saying protecting ourselves against COVID-19 takes no special training.

Amaechi also debunked claims by the National Assembly that the amount of indebtedness of the country to foreign countries is tantamount to ceding the countrys sovereignty to other nations, like China.

He further explained that loans being accessed from foreign financial bodies were for infrastructural development with payment stretched across a certain period.

He said an escrow account managed by the Federal Ministry of Finance has been opened, with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) making monthly payments towards loan repayment.

On loan, the minister said he was to appear again before the House of Representatives on August 17, to give insight into the commercial loan agreement signed between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China to the tune of 5.3 billion dollars.

If there were financial institutions within the country that could loan the ministry such enormous sums of money, there would be no need seeking funds across shores, he said.

He, however, expressed optimism that the project when completed would not only have the capacity to repay the loans but generate revenue for the country.

He added that it would also create employment for the teeming unemployed in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FBN holdings

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FBN Holdings Plc on Wednesday announced Profit After Tax (PAT) of N49.5 billion for the six months that ended June 30.

The PAT represented an increase 56.65 per cent when compared with N31.6 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2019.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew by 14.36 per cent to N41.4 billion from N36.2 billion posted in the comparative period of 2019.

FBN Holdings unaudited results released by the company by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) show that gross earnings stood at N296.4 billion from N280.3 billion in 2019, an increase of 5.74 per cent.

Also, its total assets stood at N7.1 trillion, an increase of 14.9 per cent against N6.2 trillion achieved in December 2019.

Its customer deposits rose to N4.4 trillion compared with N4. 0 trillion in December 2019.

Commenting on the results, Mr Urum Kalu Eke, FBN Holdings Group Managing Director, said they reconfirmed its consistent focus on enhanced shareholder value.

The H1 (first half) 2020 financial results are impressive and reconfirm our consistent focus on enhanced shareholder value.

Despite the difficult operating environment, the H1 results demonstrate our resilience and capacity to deliver on long-term ambitions.

The growth in profit after tax for the period is a testament to the strength of our organisation to continually deliver exceptional services to our customers in these unprecedented times.

We have been able to achieve this feat by leveraging our agent banking network, innovative e-banking capabilities, and operational efficiency, utilising technology, said.

Eke said that FBN Holdings successfully divested from the underwriting (insurance) businesses to focus on banking operations.

We are confident this will enhance greater value to our stakeholders and strengthen the groups resolve to consolidate its leadership of the banking sector.

Following the divestment, FBN Holdings injected Tier 1 capital into FirstBank, effectively increasing its capital adequacy ration to 16.5 per cent.

This provides a comfortable buffer against regulatory requirements with the potential to support any emerging business opportunities.

Looking ahead, we remain cautious, but we are confident that our business is fundamentally strong to withstand any future challenge toward enhanced performance, he said.

Also commenting, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, FirstBank Chief Executive Officer, said the commercial banking group, during the period, increased its gross earnings and PBT.

Over the period, the commercial banking group increased its year-on-year growth in gross earnings and PBT by 6.1 per cent and 9.2 per cent respectively, despite the economic shutdown and varying degrees of challenges in the operating environment.

Notwithstanding, we have continued to provide services to our customers with minimal disruption in a safe environment, supported by seamless transactions through our increasing agent banking network and digital platforms (FirstMobile and USSD).

Furthermore, continuous focus on operational efficiency remains a priority, as improvement in non-performing loan ratio has further been sustained.

As the economy reopens gradually in Nigeria and other key markets, as in the rest of the world, we are adopting a pragmatic approach with optimism on propelling our performance for enhanced profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution, Adeduntan said.

Source: NAN News