Funmi Ogbue WIEN President

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has lauded the inauguration of a Diversity Sectorial Working Group (SWG) by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Mrs Funmi Ogbue, President, WIEN, applauded the step in a statement in Abuja, on Friday.

For us at WIEN, the creation of the Diversity SWG not only represents the interest of women in the oil and gas sector but recognises the importance of diversity to the sector.

On behalf of the board and members of WIEN, I wish to also appreciate the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote for the gesture, Ogbue said

She further commended the minister on the the appointment of Mrs Peace Oyanbo Owei, as the first female member of NCDMB Governing Council inaugurated on June 11.

Recall that Wabote announced the inauguration of the new Diversity SWG and a new Gas Value Chain Group on June 24.

The decision to set up the Diversity SWG was conceived following the Workshop on Mainstreaming Women in the Oil

Gov.Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Sept. 19 governorship election.

Obaseki emerged candidate after two other aspirants, Mr Omeregie Ogbeide-Ihama representing the Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Mr Ken Imasuangbon finally stepped down from the race.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the aspirants, Mr Gideon Ikhine, had on Monday stepped down for the governor.

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who was the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Committee, said that voting still took place in line with the partys constitution, the Electoral Act as well as acceptable democratic practices.

Mohammed said that that Obaseki polled 1,952 while 72 votes were declared invalid from the 2,020 total vote cast.

He said that the total delegates were 3,234.

NAN reports that the result was declared by the chairman of the committee after it was confirmed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials as well as security agencies.

Source: NAN News

late sen. Abiola Ajimobi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is deeply saddened by the death of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi.

Ajimobi was also the former APC Deputy National Chairman (South).

The APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, stated this in Abuja on Friday in a condolence message to Ajimobis immediate family, the government and people of Oyo State.

Buni said: Senator Ajimobis death has come at a crucial time when the party is looking up to our well-meaning leaders to champion the needed reforms and reconciliation moves to be undertaken by the newly-appointed caretaker committee of our great party.

The APC has lost a decent man who in spirit and character embodied our progressive mantra.

In mourning, we remember the fond memories and indelible strides Sen. Ajimobi left behind.

According to him, the ruling APC will always remember a loving father, husband, gentleman, astute administrator, patriotic Nigerian, fine politician who was exemplary in all his private and public endeavours.

We express our condolences to Sen. Ajimobis immediate family, the government and people of Oyo State, and indeed the entire APC family over this painful loss.

May Almighty Allah be merciful and grant Sen. Ajimobi Aljanat Firdaus, he said.

Ajimobi died on Thursday at a Lagos hospital at the age of 70.

Source: NAN News

late sen. Abiola Ajimobi

By Akeem Abas

A former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, and Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, on Friday paid tributes to Sen. Abiola Ajimobi who died on Thursday.

The duo, in separate statements in Ibadan, described the former governors death as a great loss to the family, Oyo State and Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Ajimobi died at First Cardiology Hospital in Lagos following complications arising from COVID-19.

Ladoja in a statement signed by his spokesman, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo,described the death of the immediate past governor as a great loss to his family and the entire state.

The Ibadan high Chief said that the late Ajimobi contributed his quota to the development of the state and Nigeria.

Late Abiola Ajimobi after a successful career at National Oil now Conoil PLC served as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for four years before serving as governor of the state for eight years, he said.

Ladoja, who expressed his condolences to the people of the state and the immediate family of Ajimobi, prayed that God should grant him eternal rest.

Alli, in his statement, described the death of Ajimobi as a great loss to the state and Nigeria.

The former governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party in the state said that the late Ajimobi contributed his quota to the development of the state and Nigeria.

Alli prayed that Allah would give the people of the state, Ibadanland and the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Five-year-old British double amputee,Tony Hudgell, raised .24 million dollars for London hospital that saved his life

Tony suffered near-fatal abuse from his birth parents when he was a baby that resulted in the amputation of his legs.

His adoptive mother Paula Hudgell said that he received a set of new limbs in February, and from walking barely a step a month ago he could now power through hundreds of metres every day.

The challenge had been really fun, although hard to begin with, it had got easier day by day, Tony said.

He said he felt really good to have achieved his goal of walking 10 km (6.2 miles) in June with days to spare.

Hudgell said Tony was fighting for his life when she first met him in Evelina London Childrens Hospital when he was four months old.

Hed had all his limbs broken, hed had blood trauma to the face, sepsis, multi-organ failure, and they never expected him to survive.

We took him home, he was broken, shutdown, a tiny, tiny underweight little boy, she said at the familys home in Kent, southeast England.

Hudgell and her husband however adopted Tony in 2016.

We didnt want him to go anywhere else, he was our little boy by then, she said.

Consultant Michail Kokkinakis said Tonys determination and the support of his family had helped him cope with multiple operations.

I have seen him thriving, I have seen him becoming this very confident and bright young boy he is today, hes a huge inspiration to us all, he said.

Tony took on his challenge after seeing Tom Moore, 95 years his senior, walking 100 laps of his garden using a walking frame, raising 33 million pounds.

His initial target of 500 pounds had now passed an absolutely incredible 1 million, his mum said.

She said that Tony was now fast and confident on his new legs.

It is incredible to think just three and half weeks ago he could barely take a few steps, Hudgell said.

Tony, deciding on his next challenge was a hard question, said he is set on becoming a policeman.

I want to handcuff bad people and robbers, he stressed.

Source: NAN News

FCMB Logo

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FCMB Group and AIICO Insurance have notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the investing public of discussions for sale of 96 per cent stake of AIICO Pensions Managers to FCMB Pensions.

This is disclosed in separate statements by FCMB Group and AIICO Insurance on Friday posted on the Exchange website.

FCMB Group in a statement signed by Mr Kayode Adewuyi, Chief Financial Officer and Mr Ladi Balogun, its Group Chief Executive Officer, said the proposed acquisition would make AIICO Pensions an indirect subsidiary of FCMB Group.

They said both organisations had entered into discussions with shareholders of AIICO Pension Managers to acquire the 70 per cent stake held by AIICO Insurance and 26 per cent held by some other shareholders in AIICO Pensions.

According to the statement, the proposed transaction is subject to the approvals of the National Pension Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

We shall notify the NSE and the investing public once the relevant approvals for the transaction are received, it said.

In the same vein, AIICO, in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Mr Donald Kanu, said at the conclusion of the proposed sale, AIICO Pensions shall cease to be a subsidiary of AIICO Insurance Plc.

The proposed sale is AIICOs stake of 70 per cent and other shareholders stakes of 26 per cent thus bringing the cumulative sale of 96 pe cent stake to be purchased by FCMB Pensions, Kanu said.

He said that the company would notify NSEonce the relevant approvals for the transaction were received. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police IG Mohammed Adamu

By Mustapha Yauri

The Police in Kaduna State have confirmed the death of a 17-year-old boy in Zaria, while being interrogated by the State Vigilance Service (KadVS) over alleged theft of a cell phone.

ASP Muhammad Jalige, the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday.

Jalige said that the Commander of KadVS at Jan Labule, Kofar Doka Unit in Zaria, Alhaji Abubakar and six others had been detained at the Police Divisional Headquartres in the town.

The PPRO added that they would be transferred to the Police Command in Kaduna for further investigation.

The father of the boy, Malam Aliyu Dauda of Filin Mallawa, Zaria told newsmen on Friday that his son, Muhammad-Sani Aliyu, died while being interrogated by KadVS over alleged phone theft.

Dauda said that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 2 p.m. at Jan Labule, Kofar Doka unit of the service.

He said one Auwalu, a butcher, alleged that his late son stole his phone.

As a father, I question him over the issue but he insisted that he knew nothing about the phone.

I later requested my friend Abubakar Dan-Bakano, to question him about the phone. He (late son) maintained his earlier stand that he did not steal any phone.

While Abubakar Dan-Bakano was questioning my late son, the complainant Auwalu, arrived with personnel of vigilance service, who took him to their office at Jan Labule, Kofar Doka, Zaria, where he lost his life during interrogation, he alleged.

Dauda said that the remains of the deceased son were laid on the ground at the KadVSs office until police arrived the scene.

According to him, the police took the son to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, where he was certified dead.

Malama Hannatu Muhammad, the mother of late Muhammad-Sani Aliyu, said that those responsible for the death of her son should be fished out and brought to justice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ex-Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi

By Naomi Sharang

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed grief over the passing of former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

Lawan said this, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Ola Awoniyi, on Friday in Abuja.

Lawan said that Ajimobi, who once represented Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate before he was elected to two consecutive terms as governor, would be missed by the people of Oyo and the progressives political family throughout Nigeria.

The Senate President said Oyo would always remember him for his numerous achievements over which the people rewarded him as the first governor to be reelected in the history of the politically sophisticated state.

Lawan said his death would also be felt by the ruling All Progressives Congress, especially at a time the party needed all hands on deck to stabilise the party.

We, at the Senate, mourn Sen. Ajimobi, who also served with merit at the upper legislative chamber between 2003 and 2007 during which time he was the Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Lawan said.

Lawan expressed his condolences to the family, friends and political associates of the departed former governor and prayed for Allah to comfort them.

The Senate President also prayed for the repose of Ajimobis soul in Aljannat firdaus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

By Emmanuel Afonne

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has described as fake news a report by an obscure website claiming that the institution was recruiting.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by NOUN Director of Media and Publicity, Malam Ibrahim Sheme, described the story published on June 20 as fake news.

Sheme stated that the fake news was published by a website jobcenternigeria.com with a phone number of 0805 860 6531.

The websites false alarm, published on June 20, 2020, was mischievously headlined as Massive Recruitment at NOUN.

NOUN has no recruitment drive for either teaching or non-teaching staff or junior staff, and is not recruiting any staff in any category.

It is obvious that jobcentrenigeria.com was designed to be scamming millions of Nigerians into believing there are vacancies in respected institutions such as NOUN.

Perhaps, its promoters were recruited by elements within and or outside NOUN to create a Denial of Service (DOS) application attack on the university in the public domain, giving the impression of a secretive recruitment drive.

For the record, NOUN does not employ any staff without following the necessary steps for recruitment of any staff in a federal organisation, Sheme said.

He also said that the university, after following due processes, had stopped all recruitment since joining the governments new salary platform, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in October 2019.

Sheme also noted that NOUN no longer operates a School system since 2016 when it started using the Faculty system for its academic units.

He said: The university joined the IPPS system as ordered by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and with that, has closed all recruitment of all categories of staff indefinitely.

The fact that jobcentrenigeria is still calling the Faculties schools reflects the mischievous and ignorant nature of the organisation and its calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the management of the university.

The website also revealed its ignorance further by claiming that the university has vacancies in some listed study centres; this is another blatant lie.

Each of the study centres listed has a fully functioning, highly qualified director who has been a staff of the university for more than five years.

The university is not unmindful of the desperation of saboteurs of the excellent achievements and giant strides made by the present management in the last four years and are therefore using scam sites such as jobcentrenigeria to rubbish these achievements.

He said NOUN, however, remained undeterred in ensuring that Nigerians had affordable access to quality education at any place, at their pace.

Sheme further added that the website Jobcentralnigeria had no authority to declare vacancies on behalf of NOUN and as such, the university would consider legal action against its owners to protect the name and integrity of the university. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government, says it has sealed off additional 42 buildings in Lekki to reduce incidences of building collapse.

A statement on Friday by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, the spokesman of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, quoted the Commissioner, Dr Idris Salako, as saying some of the buildings do not also have building permit.

Salako said the enforcement became necessary to stem the tide of building collapse and also to protect the built environment for adherence to proper planning.

This explains why we must stop those who are bent on jeopardising the Operative Development Plans of Lagos State by not tolerating any form of illegal physical development, he said.

Salako said that the special operation started in Lekki Phase1 on Tuesday when 19 buildings were sealed off, making a total of 42 buildings shut as of Thursday.

He advised property owners in Lekki Phase 1 and other parts of the state to ensure compliance with physical planning laws of the state to avoid embarrassment.

Salako urged those whose property were affected due to infractions to report to his office in Alausa, Ikeja to perfect their documents.

Source: NAN News