Senator James Manager from Delta state has described the Kaduna-Abuja highway as the most dangerous in the country.

He was making a point of correction at plenary on Wednesday after senators described the road as simply one of the most dangerous in the country because of the spate of kidnapping and banditry on the road.

James Manager disagreed. He said the road is the most dangerous in the country and that only those who want to commit suicide could use the road at the moment.

The Senate after the debate called on the Federal Government to deploy more coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna train service, to ameliorate the plight of passengers.

The resolution followed a motion by Sen. Ali Ndume, titled urgent need to increase the number of Coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.

The senate said the call has become necessary following the number of people who out of fear of kidnapping, and other criminal activities, resorted to travelling by rail.

The Senate, also urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to increase frequency of trips, while regulating prices, to check abuse.

Ndume noted that most passengers en-route Kaduna-Abuja Road had resorted to rail as a safer means of transport.

He also said that the increase in the patronage of the rail services was as a result of its relative safety, comfort, convenience and affordability.

The lawmaker expressed concerns that the train had been hijacked by the elites, who daily congested the stations for fear of.being kidnapped or attacked by bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja road.

According to Ndume, many travellers jostle for tickets at the train stations on daily basis, adding that shortage in the number of available coaches was the reason for the long queues recorded at the stations.

Contributing, Sen. Shehu Sani, noted that the Kaduna-Abuja railway had become the oxygen and lifeline of the people, stressing that the road had become one of the most dangerous roads in the country.

Contributing, Sen.Bala Ibn Naalla said the increase in train coaches was not the solution but increasing the frequency of trips, wondering if Kaduna-Abuja road should be abandoned because of security challenges.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Transport, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, revealed that the federal government had paid for 64 coaches but lamented that the Chinese company building the coaches was only ready with 12 that would be delivered shortly.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki put the resolution to a voice vote and it was adopted.

Source: NAN

Akwa Ibom state has denied reports of Cameroonian gendarmes killing of 40 Nigerians, describing the fake news as capable of causing diplomatic crisis.

The state government said gendarmes did not kill any Nigerian at Idiaabatu Fishing Settlement in Cameroon.

Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Ekikere Umoh, said the killings and burning of Akwa Ibom property were masterminded and executed by a local militia known as Asanawana, operating in the Shell Creek Area.

The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to recent media reports insinuating resumed border hostilities by Cameroonian authorities resulting in the death of several indigenes of Akwa Ibom residing in the Cameroons.

He said that the report could trigger a diplomatic crisis with attendant grave consequences on both sides.

Putting the issue in perspective, he said: There is hardly any iota of truth in the allegations that the killings and wanton acts of arson and destruction of property of Akwa Ibom indigenes living at the Shell Creek in Cameroon, was carried out by Cameroonian authorities.

From discreet investigations which have been corroborated by affected returnees, the killings and burning of Akwa Ibom indigenes property at the Idiaabatu fishing settlement in Cameroon was the result of the heightening of a prolonged feud between two indigenous groups.

The incident took place last weekend when majority of the residents visited Akwa Ibom to attend a burial at Ikot Inyang Esuk in Uyo.

We have been informed that the attack was masterminded and executed by a local militia operating in the Shell Creek Area by the name Asanwana, and purportedly backed by a local chieftain, Umoh said.

He added that the Cameroonian army had mobilised into the fishing settlement; and that the culprits have been arrested.

We also have it on good authority that following an official report, the Cameroonian army at Abana mobilised into the fishing community and arrested 15 suspects involved in the weekend carnage, he said.

He said the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, had urged the Chairman of Uyo and Uruan local government areas, whose indigenes form the bulk of the victims, to reach out to the affected indigenes for assistance. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Afonne

A Civil Society Group, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative has thrown its weight behind the aspiration of Sen. Danjuma Goje for Senate Presidency of the 9th National Assembly.

President of the group, Mr Solomon Adodo, said in Abuja on Wednesday at its meeting that Goje had the required legislative and administrative finesse to rebuild the country and compliment the Next Level Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adodo said the support given to Sen. Goje was borne out of the senators genuine desire to bring about a leadership that would effectively drive legislative processes, functions, activities and programmes that would accelerate national development.

Adodo noted that the group which represented the interest of unemployed youth in the country listed hard work, experience, expertise, competence, commitment as some of the sterling qualities of Sen. Goje.

According to him the group is also supporting Goje because of the senators political versatility, noting that the senators achievements when he presided over the affairs of Gombe state are clear testimony to Midas touch and development-oriented leadership.

I am fully aware that there are other contenders to this seat. But our coalition has chosen to pitch tent with Sen. Danjuma Goje.

This decision is as a result of his incontrovertible track records which fuel our conviction and belief in his ability to deliver on any given or assigned task.

As a former governor of Gombe state for two terms, he ensured due diligence, commitment, and dedication to duty which brought the state out of the woods to the modern status it now occupies in the comity of states in the nation.

It is on record that Gombe State enjoyed significant peace and security throughout the tenure of Sen. Goje and this opened the space for economic growth and jobs creation.

We want the same replicated at the national level.

We have also carefully reviewed his contribution to legislative business in particular and the nation by extension which earned him the Chairmanship of Budget and Appropriation Committee.

By allocating resources to the most critical sectors of the nation, he has impacted positively on the economic and infrastructural base of the country.

We are optimistic that the tested, trusted, ready, willing and available compatriot would deploy such energy to stabilise the Senate and place it on the path to successful deliberations and quality legislation.

We, therefore, appeal to all Senators-elect across Party to vote Sen. Goje as the President of the 9th Senate, Adodo added.

Source: NAN

The Duke of Sussex will today travel to the Netherlands just three days after the birth of his son Archie.

is due to visit The Hague to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games after he and MeghanMarkleannounced they had called their baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

In a photocall at St Georges Hall in Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Harry and Meghan presented the baby boy to the world for the first time.

The new parents were later pictured showing off baby Archie to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, alongside Ms Ragland, at Windsor Castle.

Source: NAN

In case you needed a friendly reminder that womens pregnancy bellies do not magically disappear overnight, Meghan Markle made her first post-birth appearance sporting a belted dress that revealed a visible baby bump.

Many women subsequently expressed their gratitude to Markle for not trying to hide her postpartum baby bump, as reports.

The bump doesnt disappear as soon as the baby pops out

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has apologised to their customers within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond, for the near-total blackout being experienced.

The company on its twitter handle @AEDCelectricity urged its customers tobe patient as it was only receiving 20 megawatts of electricity from the transmission companies.

Dear esteem customers, as a result of challenges in the grid, the allocation to AEDC has been limited to only 20mw.

In the circumstance, we are unable to service our customers.

We apologise for the inconvenience this may be causing or customers. We promise to restor power supply as soon as the allocation to AEDC improves, it said.

Prior to the announcement of a drop in its supply, the company had taken to its handle to announce a supply of 463 mega watts for its customers in FCT, Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi.

The company which always announces the amount of electricity supply received, usually has above 450 mega watts on an average.

Source: NAN

A judge has ordered a Northern California couple to pay nearly $600,000 for uprooting an almost 200-year-old oak tree from their property that was protected under a conservation easement.

Peter and Toni Thompson removed the 180-year-old heritage oak tree to move it to another home they built adjacent to the property.

More than 3,000 cubic yards of dirt was also removed in the process.

The tree, two others they removed and a dozen others along a previously undisturbed path they bulldozed died, along with surrounding vegetation.

The Sonoma County Superior Judge sided with the Sonoma Land Trust, saying the Thompsons knowingly violated the conservation deal and said they demonstrated arrogance and disregard over the terms of the easement.

The fine of $586,000 was imposed for environmental restoration on the property.

The couple, who decided to sell their estate for $8.45 million after the ruling, are seeking a new trial, reasoning their attorney could not properly represent them for personal reasons.

In our opinion, theres a lot of evidence that our side of the story really didnt get a chance to explain, Peter Thompson said.

Source: NAN

Venezuelas National Assembly Vice President Edgar Zambrano has been arrested by security forces as government began going after foes tied to the failed attempt to stir up a military uprising last week.

Zambrano, a key opposition figure of President Nicols Maduro was leaving his Democratic Action Partys headquarters when he was surprised by a commando unit from the feared SEBIN intelligence agency.

According to reports, the unit members surrounded his car and after about a half-hour later, the officers towed the vehicle away with the lawmaker still inside, at the same time that Maduro was speaking live on state TV and inaugurating an agricultural project.

Neighbors looking on were seen shouting, Assassins! as the heavily armed agents pulled away.

The arrest was the first following a fizzled uprising that started early on April 30 outside a Caracas airbase.

It was led by Juan Guaid, head of the National Assembly, who is leading the U.S.-backed effort to end what he calls Maduros dictatorship.

Zambrano, 63, was one of the first opposition leaders to answer Guaidos call for an insurrection, going to the bridge in Caracas where the opposition leader had appeared at dawn with a small cadre of soldiers ready to rebel against Maduro.

A lawyer by training, Zambrano is seen as a conciliatory figure within the opposition who is close to Henry Ramos, the former head of congress, who has been accused of taking part in an earlier alleged conspiracy to oust Maduro.

He took up his role as Guaidos deputy as part of a power-sharing arrangement among the biggest parties.

Government officials had announced that Zambrano and eight other opposition lawmakers faced investigation on charges of betraying the homeland and instigating an insurrection, for their roles in last weeks unrest.

Source: NAN

The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards can help you take your sustainability initiative, product or service to the next level. Take a look at what you need to know about the Awards this year. Then send us your entry!

We believe the world will only succeed in delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals if we all start to think and work differently. That means a real shift towards meaningful partnerships and collaboration across the whole range of players from governments to NGOs, and big businesses to start-ups. Imagine what we can achieve together.

Thats why six years ago we started the Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards to recognise and support brilliant young innovators tackling the planets biggest environmental and social challenges, and to help them achieve scale for impact.

So, if you are working on an innovative and scalable technology or initiative or know someone who is which is contributing to one or more of these three categories, then we want to hear from you.

Were looking for initiatives relating to one or more of the three categories were focusing on:

• Improve peoples health and well-being
• Improve the health of the planet
• Contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world

Whether its with an initiative, product or service, if youve gone beyond the idea stage and started to make an impact, we want to hear from you.

Anyone from around the world (excluding Russia), aged between 18 and 35 (as of 29 June 2019).

To submit your entry, youll need to create a profile and complete the application form. Youll need to tell us all about your initiatives story so far, and your vision for its future. The more you can share, the better.

The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards will recognise up to eight winners, including the HRH Prize Winner, in 2019. The eight winners will be selected from a rigorous assessment process led by The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, culminating in video interviews with our finalist selection panels. All eight winners will be invited to an Accelerator Programme in Cambridge, before making their final pitches in person to a guest judging panel who will decide on the HRH Prize Winner of the 2019 competition.

Winners will have a chance to practice their pitches during the Accelerator in Cambridge where they will work with experts from the University of Cambridge, Unilever and other inspirational speakers and guests.

The overall winner will receive the HRH The Prince of Wales Young Sustainability Entrepreneur Prize.

All winners will attend a special prize event hosted in London.

• The overall winner of the HRH The Prince of Wales Young Sustainability Entrepreneur Prize will receive a 50,000 cash award and one-to-one mentoring support tailored to their specific needs for a duration of 12 months.
• The remaining winners will each receive a 8,500 cash award and one-to-one mentoring support tailored to their specific needs for a duration of 12 months.

The Young Entrepreneurs Awards open on 07 May 2019 until Sunday 30 June 2019, 23:59 BST.

If you are shortlisted to further stages, you must commit to sharing additional information by 11:59 BST on 21 August 2019 and to attending an online interview on 19 or 20 September 2019. In addition, the elevator pitch you provide in the entry form may be made public, however all other parts of your entry will remain confidential.

If shortlisted as a winner, you must be exclusively available to attend all parts of the accelerator programme in Cambridge, UK and subsequent Awards events in London, UK from Sunday 24 November to Friday 29 November. Unfortunately, inability to attend any part of the agenda due to a competing commitment will mean participants forfeit their place on the programme.

For more information, visit youngentrepreneursawards.unilever.com

For any questions please contact [email protected]

Source: Scholarships And Aid

In partnership with eight Governments in Eastern and Southern Africa, the World Bank is supporting the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence project which aims to develop the skills and training skills of young African female candidates.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Countries:Female candidates under the age of 35 from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia or Burundi are eligible.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: They can apply for a masters degree program in the field of Industry, Agriculture, Health, Education and Applied Statistics.
• Admissible Criteria: Candidates must not be holding any other grant from any other organization.

Method of Application:For this grant, participants must have obtained admission in amasters degreeprogram from any of the given disciplines at the organization. apply for this program by downloading the application form and send it through email [email protected].

• • Supporting Documents: Certified copies of passport or national identity card indicating citizenship, copies of academic certificates and transcripts, Summarized CV with names and contacts of two referees, and a recent passport-size photograph must be submitted.
  • Admission Requirements: Must have a Bachelors Degree from a reputable university at the level of Upper Second Class Honours.

• Language Requirement: English language proficiency is necessary for this project.

The award will give USD 3,000 per year university fees, USD 800 per month to support living expenses such as housing, food, utilities, local transportation, medication and settlement expenses, USD 4,800 for student research, USD 2,000 one-off allowance to cover visa, laptop, and books and a round-trip economy fare for the most direct route between the beneficiarys home country and the study destination of Host University.

Scholarship Application Deadline:June 30, 2019

Source: Scholarships And Aid