Monday, June 15

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Envoy hits US for blocking Palestine application for UN full memberhip
News

Envoy hits US for blocking Palestine application for UN full memberhip

The Palestine Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has knocked the United States for blocking his country's application for United Nations full membership. Shawesh said that the excuse that Palestine full membership of UN will hinder the two states solution is neither here or there. The envoy who spoke at the weekend said US's action is a tacit support to Israel continuous attacks on Gaza. He said: " US has vetoed a Palestinian request to the United Nations Security Council for full membership and becoming the 194th member state of the United Nations. "The US said that the “full membership of Palestine in the United Nations will not help in reaching a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.” Not only did they repeat their unfair position and fully back the I...
LG Poll: OYSIEC Apologises For Lateness, Blames Insufficient Vehicles
Politics

LG Poll: OYSIEC Apologises For Lateness, Blames Insufficient Vehicles

A Presiding Officer, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Abiodun Iyiola (Ward 11, Unit 15, Ibadan South-West), has apologised for the lateness of officials and materials experienced in some Local Government Areas on Saturday. Mrs Iyiola attributed the lateness to lack of enough vehicles to convey electoral officers to their different units. “There are not enough vehicles to bring us, and I was able to reach here because I joined security operatives in their vehicle,” she said. Mrs Iyiola, however, urged the citizens to come out and vote, saying they could also use their passport and not only their voter cards as a means of identification. “They can also use their NIN, passport or voter card as we were told officially; but I don’t know if it’s only for this local govern...
Plateau Government Fines 103 For Violating Sanitation Laws
Health

Plateau Government Fines 103 For Violating Sanitation Laws

The Plateau Environment Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) says 103 persons in Jos -Bukuru metropolis have been sanctioned by the mobile courts for violating the sanitation laws. The director-general of the agency, Samuel Dapiya, who disclosed this on Saturday in Jos while monitoring the exercise, also said the exercise recorded minimal compliance by residents of the Jos-Bukuru axis. Mr Daniya said there was partial compliance in Jos North from Gangare to Salisu Adamu area on Bauch road, as the youths were seen evacuating waste and dumping same in the dust bins provided by the agency. Mr Dapiya, further said in Jos South, around Anguldi Junction,the heavy vehicular grid lock showed the non challant attitude of the people towards the exercise. According to the D-G, going ...
Borno: Zulum Approves Employment For 15 Persons Living With Disabilities
News

Borno: Zulum Approves Employment For 15 Persons Living With Disabilities

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the automatic employment of 15 persons living with disabilities who underwent formal educational system and obtained degree certificates, NCE, diploma and vocational training certificates. The governor gave the approval in Maiduguri on Saturday at the Government House when he met with members of the Association of People Living with Disabilities. He stated, “I am delighted to note that despite your disabilities, you people are not lazy; you decided to pursue your education, and for this, I want to commend you. I have directed the commissioner of education to process your applications for employment for my approval immediately. Therefore, I want to bring to your kind notice that you should be on the payroll of the Borno Government ef...
LG Poll: Ibadan Residents Defy Movement Restriction As Security Agents Desert Streets
Politics

LG Poll: Ibadan Residents Defy Movement Restriction As Security Agents Desert Streets

Contrary to reported deployment of 12,000 security agencies for the ongoing local government elections in Oyo State, policemen and other security agents were conspicuously absent in major roads within Ibadan metropolis. Besides, the restriction of human and vehicular movements appeared ineffective as people and vehicles were seen moving freely within the city. The state Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamza, on Friday said about 12,000 security personnel were deployed for the local government elections. Mr Hamzat, at a joint media briefing by heads of security agencies and Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, said the personnel included 8,000 policemen and 2,125 from other security agencies, excluding the military. The police commissioner also said there would be a rest...
Drama in Lagos as monarch engages, unmasks masquerade in physical combat
News

Drama in Lagos as monarch engages, unmasks masquerade in physical combat

Pandemonium broke out penultimate Wednesday when a monarch engaged and unmask masquerade during a physical combat. The drama took place during the annual festival that features a masquerade called Jigbo ended in a fracas in Araromi area of Ibeju, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State. it took the intervention of policemen from the Elemoro Area Command and Akodo Division to contain the situation. In a viral video footage, some masquerades were seen shouting Jigbo, Jigbo when the monarch in question, Oba Lukman Arowolo (Gbadewolu 1), who emerged from a building in a t-shirt on a pair of black trousers halted the procession and accosted one of the masquerades. The monarch had queried the masquaraders’ decision to embark on a procession in his Araromi domain, following wh...
EFCC taskforce arrests 34 suspected currency speculators in Abuja
News

EFCC taskforce arrests 34 suspected currency speculators in Abuja

No fewer than 34 suspected Currency speculators were on Friday arrested in Abuja. The arrest was carried out by Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, attached to the Taskforce on Currency mutilation, Dollarization of the Economy and Forex Malpractice. The arrest was done in a sting operation following credible intelligence about illegal sales of dollars at the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Their arrest came on the heels of the EFCC’s consistent efforts to sanitise and stabilise the foreign exchange market. The suspects are :Usman Mohammed, Abdullahi Nasir, Abubakar Saleh, Mohammed Kabir Ibrahim, Abubakar Ghadafi, Muktar Usman, Umar Abubakar Abba, Yakubu Sani, Aminu Abubakar, Muhammed Suleman Abara, Yusuf Tahir, Usman Lawal...
Aviation Minister inaugurates National Executive Safety Council  
News

Aviation Minister inaugurates National Executive Safety Council  

By Gami Tadanyigbe In compliance with ICAO Annex 19 guidelines, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, officially inaugurated the National Executive Safety Council (NESC) on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Myself and other stakeholders in the aviation sector were appointed as members of the council.   During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Keyamo outlined the terms of reference for the council members. The NESC is mandated to convene quarterly, or as needed for emergencies, to ensure the continual relevance and appropriateness of Nigeria's State Safety Programme (SSP).  The council's responsibilities include endorsing priorities, allocating resources to enhance safety performance based on risk assessment, and providing strategic direction to the Safe...
NESREA, NDRBDA get new heads
News

NESREA, NDRBDA get new heads

President Bola Tinubu on Friday appointment two new chief executive officers to lead key agencies in the country. Dr. Innocent Bariate Barikor was named the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) while Prince Ebitimi Amgbare will serve as the Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority (NDRBDA). Their appointments were announced through a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. Barikor, an academic and politician, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015. Amgbare, a retired naval officer, has also had a distinguished career, having served as a commi...
Water Scarcity bites harder in Minna
News

Water Scarcity bites harder in Minna

Minna the Niger State capital has been hit with acute water shortage forcing citizens to trek far distances to buy water from water vendors . The Chairman Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) branch Barrister Mohammed Abdulkadir Waziri who spoke with NewsSpecng called on Niger State governor Mohammed Umar Bago to address the trends. Speaking shortly after the monthly Congress of the branch at the High court complex the chairman described the acute shortage of water in Minna as worrisome. He noted with dismay the number of households that go out on daily basis in search of water in far distance describing the situation as unacceptable. According to the NBA Minna branch chairman, with the acute scarcity of water in Minna, some houses trekked in far distance even at night in search of w...
ICC shutdown: ECOWAS, FCT working to restore normalcy Parliament’s operations
News

ICC shutdown: ECOWAS, FCT working to restore normalcy Parliament’s operations

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States on Saturday said it was working closely with the Federal Capital Territory authorities on restoration of normalcy to the Parliament’s operations. Operations of the regional Parliament has been impacted upon by the temporary shutting down of the Abuja International Conference Centre (I.C.C). The Parliament maintains some shared services with the Abuja I.C.C. such as electricity supply and someleased office spaces which serve as annexes to the Parliament.A statement by the Parliament's Communication department said the regional body has established talks with the FCT authorities. The statement reads: "The ECOWAS Parliament is working assiduously with the relevant authorities of theNigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, t...
Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of NELFUND
News

Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of NELFUND

President Bola Tinubu on Friday appointed a renowned banker and businessman, Mr. Jim Ovia, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The appointment was announced through a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale Ovia, founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks, is a respected business leader with a proven track record of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to the role, and advance the vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education due to a lack of funds. “President Bola Tinubu has approved...
Makinde Tasks NASS Joint Committee On Constitutional Amendment To Strengthen Democracy
News

Makinde Tasks NASS Joint Committee On Constitutional Amendment To Strengthen Democracy

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has urged members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, to propose amendments that will strengthen the nation’s democracy and unite the country. Gov. Makinde, made the call while playing host to the federal legislators at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. The committee was in Oyo State to consult with stakeholders on proposed constitution amendments Makinde lauded the committee for taking time out to seek the views of young people and women, adding that youths must be encouraged to play pivotal roles in shaping the country’s future. Makinde encouraged them to be open-minded about their task, adding that Nigerians must be made to have confidence in the nation’s democracy and participate in it. “...
NAN’s Okoye emerges FCT SWAN Vice Chairman
News

NAN’s Okoye emerges FCT SWAN Vice Chairman

Mr Victor Okoye, a member of staff of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday emerged as the Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT Chapter. Okoye was returned unopposed at the SWAN FCT Electoral Congress going on at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He received a voice affirmation following a “Yes or Nay” session conducted by Patrick Ngwaogu, the Chairman of the SWAN Electoral Committee (SWANECO). An elated Okoye told Newsmen that the people had spoken, adding that he was pleased and humbled by the massive support and affirmation by members of the association. “As the saying goes, the voice of the people is the voice of God and so I humbly accept the mandate to serve and deploy all resources at my disposal to the service of this great ...
American Academy of Optometry inaugurates Nigerian Chapter, explains benefits
News

American Academy of Optometry inaugurates Nigerian Chapter, explains benefits

The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has inaugurated the Nigerian Chapter and explained the benefits to gain in addressing challenges of Optometry in the country. The event which took place via zoom saw the inauguration of the elected Executives of the Nigerian Chapter with Dr Nkem Okorafo as the President, Dr Nkiruka Nwachikwu as Vice President. Others are, Dr Ejitu Isong as Secretary and Dr Chineye Nwanibi as Treasurer of the Chapter. The President of World Council of Optometry, Dr Sandra Block in her speech said the inauguration of the Nigerian Chapter was a step in the right direction for Optometry in Nigeria. "I have worked with Optometrists in Nigeria for many years, and I know they are working on a very high level with respect to the scope of practice. "It is very...
Oluokun of Ikun-Akoko, Pastor Olokunbola joined his ancestors
News

Oluokun of Ikun-Akoko, Pastor Olokunbola joined his ancestors

The Olukun of Ikun-Akoko,Akoko SouthWest, Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Majesty Pastor Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola, JP has joined his ancestors. The demise of the king was announced by the Ikun-Akoko Progressive Union. Princess Bolanle Deborah Jacob has been installed as the Regent of the stool of Olukun of Ikun-Akoko on Tuesday 23rd April 2024. The group in a statement said the traditional ruler passed on following a brief illness He was installed the Olukun of Ikun-Akoko on 10th May 2003. He reigned for twenty years and eight months. The group therefore said that it was with deep sense of loss it was announcing the glorious home call of the Olukun of Ikun-Akoko His Royal Majesty Pastor Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola, JP who joined his ancestors on 23rd Januar...
Saudi govt. donates 50 tonnes of dates to FG
News

Saudi govt. donates 50 tonnes of dates to FG

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Nigeria on Friday donated 50 tonnes of dates to the Federal Government. Sharpedgenews reports that the donation was presented by the Saudi Amb. to Nigeria, Mr Faisal Alghamdi. Dates are basically tropical fruits that are grown on date palm trees. It is scientifically known as phoenix dactylifera and is one of the healthiest fruits in the world. It was received by Amb. Murtala Jimoh, the Deputy Director, Middle East and Gulf Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on behalf of the Nigerian Government. Alghamdi said that the humanitarian donation reflected the brotherly bond between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia that had lasted for decades. According to him, the Saudi government through the King Salman’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief Cen...
Mutually beneficial, transformative partnership best for real gains- Tinubu
News

Mutually beneficial, transformative partnership best for real gains- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says bilateral partnerships must be mutually beneficial, transformative and translate into real gains for ordinary citizens. Tinubu was speaking at the Nigeria-Netherlands Business and Investment Forum in The Hague, Netherlands. He said that Nigeria and Netherlands must explore more creative channels of collaboration, through partnerships, joint ventures and strategic alliances. The President said that this would enable the building of bridges to connect markets and facilitate the flow of goods, services, ideas and peoples. He said his administration was enhancing the business environment in Nigeria to make it very friendly through various reforms. Such reforms, he said, include the cleaning up of the foreign exchange market to make it more transparent...
APC Primaries: Campaign Group’s Elder Commends Party Members in Irele
Politics

APC Primaries: Campaign Group’s Elder Commends Party Members in Irele

A leading member of the Elders Council of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC) for Irele Local Government area of Ondo State, Barrister Victor Akinfe, has praised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area, for their abiding loyalty to the candidature of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Akinfe, at a meeting in his Ijagba countryhome to appraise the success of last Saturday's primary election, said from all indications, more people would defect from opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, to boost the chances of Governor Aiyedatiwa in the November governorship election. "We can all see from the outcome of last Saturday's primary election in the APC, that the other aspirants were not on ground in Irele, including ...
Ondo APC Primaries: Time for Unity, Grace in Defeat Not Frivolous Lawsuits
Politics

Ondo APC Primaries: Time for Unity, Grace in Defeat Not Frivolous Lawsuits

By Marindoti Oludare The aftermath of the APC primary elections, which saw Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa affirm his position as the party's flag bearer, is a beautiful exercise in democracy. The first time in the state history when all party member are allowed to chose their flag bearer in a free and fair manner. The recent lawsuit filed by Olusola Oke, challenging the election's credibility, is not only regrettable but detracts from the democratic process that is fundamental to our political landscape. While it is understandable that Mr. Oke might feel disappointed by his shift from a frontrunner to a distant third in the race, his repeated electoral disappointments can be attributed to 2 major factors (1) he is just not “lucky” (2) he is strategically deficient. Attributing h...