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By Jessica Dogo The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has launched its Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS) in Enugu State to enhance the investment climate for economic growth in the country. The Executive-Secretary of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Rimi said NIPC was partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under its Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Phase II project. She said that the European Union (EU), would also support the implementation of the Nigerian Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS), of which Enugu State is one of the beneficiaries. Rimi said Enugu State, with its rich natural resources and vibrant economic potential, stands to gain sig...

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers says his administration will continue prioritising the people’s interests under the mantra“Rivers First.” Mr Fubara remarked during the praise night organised on Friday by the state government to mark his first year in office in Port Harcourt. The governor, represented by his deputy, Ngozi Odu, solicited the people’s support in moving the state forward. He urged the people to contribute their quota to assist the administration in achieving its vision of advancing the state’s fortunes. “We shall continue to have this shared vision of putting Rivers State first, but we can’t do it alone. ‘’We need all of you, big and small, to be there for us, to chip in the little or the much you can, and at the end of this our first tenure, you will see ...

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has urged African countries to adhere to the nuclear weapon testing ban agreement to ensure safety and security on the continent. African countries urged to adhere to nuclear-testing ban agreement“Therefore, the complete adherence by African countries to the CTBT will ensure the full realisation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa,” he said. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral agreement that opened for signature in September 1996 and has since been signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178 to prohibit any nuclear weapon test anywhere in the world by anyone. CTBTO executive secretary Robert Floyd spoke at opening the two-day regional workshop organised by the organisation for African ...

The comptroller general of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, says 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide. The service public relations officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The CG, however, appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced for pick-up at the various passport-issuing centres across the country. Ms Nandap lamented that efforts to contact the owners had proved abortive. “Applicants are therefore strongly advised to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling out their online passport application forms for easy contact, “she said. The NIS CG directed that all passport offices in Lagos should operate on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. She said t...

The Association of Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) says ECOWAS’ facilitation of the resuscitation of its hitherto moribund statute would engender subregional investment promotion and drive economic growth. Members of the technical committee of the association made this known at the end of a collaborative meeting on Saturday in Abuja. Abayomi Salami, chairman of the technical committee and deputy director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), explained that the meeting was essentially for member states to align their efforts, streamline regulations, and promote cross-border investments. He said that the event was basically informed by the need for member states to be united to maximize their potentials and opportunities to promote and faci...

Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, the Senior Environment Specialist at the World Bank Nigeria Office and Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL Project, has expressed concerns about the geological situation in Zone C of Benue state. She recommends conducting a hydrological assessment of the area to explore its groundwater potential. "Let's deploy the necessary technology and conduct a detailed technical study of the area's groundwater potential," she said. Speaking during the ongoing joint World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria Hybrid Implementation Support Mission for the ACReSAL Project in Benue state, Dr. Agene emphasized the need for an integrated policy on Environment, Water Resources, Climate Change, and Agriculture to ensure the project's sustainability. She commended the state government f...

President Bola Tinubu says Oyo State holds a pivotal role in the nation’s economy, and will remain a top priority in the Federal government’s effort in stabilising and promoting unity and peace across the nation. The President, who was represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima, stated this at the inauguration of the 76.67km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road named Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway, in Ogbomoso The road, described as a landmark legacy project, spans 76.76km across many communities between Iseyin and Ogbomoso. The President also lauded the Gov. Seyi Makinde, of Oyo State for being a collaborative partner with the Federal Government in the area of building road infrastructure.He said the road infrastructure provided by the Oyo State government connects communities and ope...

…Traditional Council Divided, As Olori Battles Oluyede Family By Taoreed Alaba An uneasy calm has enveloped Ayede-Ogbese, a community in Akure North Local Government over the demise of Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede (Iseoluwa The ll). The late monarch who joined his ancestors in December 29th 2023 at the age of 65 passed on at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Maryland in the United States of America, after two years of protracted illness. Upon arrival in Nigeria, the remains of the late Oba was deposited in a morgue by the Olori which we gathered was contrary to the tradition and culture of the people of Ayede- Ogbese. The battle for the soul of Ayede Ogbese started when the community and the family demanded for the corpse of the Oba (from the Olori for burial accordi...

The Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, remanded a 34-year-old man, Emenike Agugwo, in a correction facility for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl. Mr Agugwo is charged with defilement. The prosecutor, John Iberedem, told the court that the suspect committed the offence at about 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Okesanya Street, Papa-Ajao, Lagos Barcha, Lagos. Mr Iberedem said that the suspect forcefully had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent. The chief magistrate, E. Kubeinje, who did not take Mr Agugwos’ plea, ordered him to be remanded in prison custody. She adjourned the matter until June 26 for advice from the director of public prosecution (DPP).NAN

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the Edo office’s damaged facilities would be replaced before the September 21 governorship election. Mr Yakubu said this during an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused to its facilities by the flood disaster occasioned by torrential rain in Benin on May 24. The flood disaster destroyed some voter enrollment machines already configured for the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. Speaking after the facilities were inspected, Mr Yakubu said he was in Benin to assess the level of damage and immediately offer solutions to whatever problems arose from the disaster. He said the flood disaster would not hinder the smooth conduct of the governorship election in the state, adding ...

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to promote investment to engender sustainable development in the sub-region. ECOWAS urges Nigeria, other member states to champion investment promotionECOWAS has called on member states to promote investment to engender sustainable development in the sub-region. ECOWAS acting director of private sector investment Anthony Elumelu made the charge during a meeting of the technical committee of the Association of Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Elumelu said that the event aimed to allow all member states to shape IPAWAS’ form and structure as the regional platform for cooperation in investment promotion and facilitation. He noted that member sta...

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions in Oyo State Government-owned tertiary institutions has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to end using a consultant to run the institutions. Kola Lawal, a member of JAC and chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), The Polytechnic, Ibadan, made the appeal in an interview on Thursday. Under the aegis of JAC, the academic and non-academic staff of the institutions started a three-day warning strike on Wednesday to press home their demands from the state government. The institutions include The Polytechnic, Ibadan; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki; Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa; Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. Mr Lawal said using a consultan...

By Gami Tadanyigbe Yeyedu Outreach Foundation on May 24th and 25th, 2024 provided free medical services to over 400 residents at the IDP camp in Makurdi North Bank, Benue State as well as shared the word of God aimed at making positive impact on the health and well-being of the people. Miss Juliet Gbefwi, the Executive Director of the Foundation said the foundation carried out the medical outreach because of the lack of access of residents to healthcare facilities in the community. She said the camp is home to individuals who have been displaced from their communities due to terrorist attacks, which resulted in the loss of homes, loved ones, and properties. The Executive Director, said the Services Offered by the Foundation are free medical treatment to the IDPs, including con...

Alhaji Salman Akorede, Team Lead of the Almagamated APC Support Group (2nd Left) and some members of the Group during the news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Amalgamated APC Support Group (AASG) has expressed optimism of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda yielding positive results in no distance time. The Group Lead, Alhaji Salman Akorede stated this in a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. Akorede explained that the score cards of the APC-led administration under Tinubu in the first 12 months have been well articulated by official assigned to oversee policy formulation and implementation. He congratulated Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda Team for the achievements so far recorded across board. "We recognised that the first 12 mon...

.Arrests couple, 4 others; intercepts Loud shipment concealed in imported vehicle compartments A cocaine trafficking cartel headed by a couple: Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda has been smashed in Lagos and Ogun states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with multi-billion-naira worth of the illicit drug recovered in two major operations following the arrest of the kingpin and his queen in one of the intelligence-led raids. The duo were arrested on Saturday 25th May 2024 by operatives of a special operation unit in NDLEA with the support of Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana. At the point of their a...

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through the Bank of Industry, to provide single-digit interest for financing to media organisations in the country. This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the sectoral press briefings to mark the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration. This was as the Federal Government said it remained dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for the media and information sectors. The Federal Government, through Idris, had last week announced that there would be no ceremony to mark President Tinubu’s first anniversary in office. Speaking on Monday, Idris stressed the administration’s commitment to transparency and account...

Nigeria’s table tennis sensation, Quadri Aruna, has reclaimed the top spot in Africa’s ranking less than two months after surrendering the position. A statement issued on Tuesday by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) saw Aruna moving to 17th position in Week 22 of the 2024 ITTF Ranking. However, Egypt’s Omar Assar slipped to 22nd in the world ranking after occupying the top spot in Africa in the last two months following his triumph at the last African Games in Ghana. Aruna, who recently reclaimed the ITTF Africa Cup in Rwanda in May, rose two steps up the ranking ladder to become the highest-rated African in the world. Assar’s drop in the world ranking was due to the expiration of the quarter-final points he garnered at the Durban 2023 World Championships in South Afr...

He expressed worry over the current economic hardship, coupled with the level of poverty and other social factors in the country, saying that might likely inflict mental illness on more Nigerians. He listed the social factors as including the high cost of living, insecurity, kidnapping, financial problems, inflation, child abuse, rape, broken homes and broken marriages, traumatic experiences and degrees of violence, among others. Mr Obindo explained that people who were predisposed to social factors were more likely to develop mental health issues, particularly during this period when the country was faced with lots of economic challenges. Mr Obindo decried the rate of multiple taxes on small businesses and individuals, stressing the need to streamline the taxes. According to him...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not make a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria. Instead, the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly, which has lined up a programme to commemorate 25 years of the nation's democratic journey at both the executive and legislative levels. President Tinubu’s speech will dwell on the achievements of his administration and Nigeria's democracy since the military ceded power in 1999. Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, former speaker of the House of Representatives and now President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila are all lined up to address the parliament. Also lined up to speak is the former military ruler, General Abdulsalami Abubakar,...

By Funmilayo Adeyemi The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has partnered with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in finding lasting solutions to the effect of climate change impact on jobs. The ILO Senior Specialist, Ms Inviolata Chinyangarara, at the NLC’s Post Conference of the Parties (COP 28) Review meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said there was a direct link between emissions and inequality. According to her, those in poorer countries are likely to suffer more from climate events and catastrophes, while poorer households find it harder to make energy saving measures. She commended the NLC for its role in organising several national, regional and global initiatives aimed at strengthening workers’ knowledge and understanding on climate change and justtransition. She a...