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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...

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...

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. “...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum has underscored the pivotal role of biotechnology in driving economic recovery and sustainable development in the region. This is contained in a press statement issued by Abraham Isah, Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria(BSN) in Abuja on Thursday. The Governor said this at the ongoing 36th International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria(BSN), held in collaboration with the University of Maiduguri in Maiduguri. Represented by Malam Bukar Tijani, Secretary to the State Government, Zulum emphasised the urgent need to harness the transformative power of biotechnology in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing Borno and Nigeria at large. The Governor, who highlighted pressing socio-econ...

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...

President Bola Tinubu has met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of Netherlands where he detailed out a roadmap for enhanced trade opportunities for both countries. At the meeting, Tinubu said that Nigeria was well-positioned to power the clean energy future of Europe and the world with its high-grade lithium deposits. Tinubu met with the Prime Minister at his official residence, known as The Catshuis, in The Hague. The President said Nigeria offers immense opportunities across a pool of sectors and that his administration would deepen reforms to enhance the investment climate. He said Nigeria seeks robust, balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships that would bring about value-addition in areas like solid minerals. “Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is tremen...

A former spokesperson of the Senate, Ayogu Eze, is dead. Eze, aged 65 reportedly died in an Abuja hospital after a protracted illness. He represented Enugu North during the 6th Senate and 7th Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP). He was a founding member of the PDP before he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he ran for the Enugu state governorship election. During his time in the Senate, he was appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, making him the official spokesperson of the Senate in 2007. After his reelection to the Senate in 2011, he was appointed chairman of the Committee on Works. Eze also served as a member of the Senate Committees on Police Affairs, National Planning, Marine Transport, and ...

The Federal Government on Thursday said demolition of structures within the first three kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will begin on Saturday, April 27. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Korede Keisha, said that structures to be demolished would be those within the designated right of way for the project. Keisha urged property owners who received demolition notices and have concerns to visit the secretariat of the Federal Ministry of Works between Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26, to discuss their concerns. She said, “So this press briefing is just to create awareness for all those that may be involved or have one or two things to do along that project corridor. “We’ve sent out demolition notices to as many as are within the right of way, and...

Protesters on Thursday stormed the National Secretariat of All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding for the cancellation of the last Saturday primary election in Ondo State. The protesters carried placards and banners with different inscriptions such as: “We reject this fraud called APC primary’; ”we want cancellation of this sham called election” and “We want a fresh primary poll in Ondo State” among others. One Kolawole Johnson, who led the protest appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders to prevail on the National Working Committee (NWC) to cancel the primary and inaugurate a new chairman of the primary election committee He said: “What happened was assigning of figures. "We want the party to cancel the primary and bring a new person to conduct the p...

The Trade Union Congress(TUC) of Nigeria om Thursday demanded the payment of N35, 000 March and April wage award to civil servants. President Bola Tinubu approved the payment of N35, 000 wage award to federal workers following the removal of petrol subsidy. The payment was to last for six months. But President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo urged the government to continue to pay the wage to federal workers until a new national minimum wage was negotiated. Osifo said: “NEC in session discussed the issue of minimum wage, we insist that the only way to reflate your economy is when people have money to purchase items. When people lack purchasing power, the effect is that manufacturers will produce and keep on the shelf. So the minimum wage committee should hasten up to unveil a new...

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned some life-touching projects in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital as part of activities to mark the 60th birthday of the governor, Pastor Umo Eno. Some of the projects include the 1.3 Kilometres underground concrete flood control tunnel, the reconstruction of a section of Atiku Abubakar Way, with walkway, drainage, solar street lights and reconstruction of adjourning 1Km Afaha Ube road. Speaking at the commissioning, the former President, lauded the State Governor for his leadership strides having prioritized the needs of his people which, according to him, has been demonstrated in his ingenuity of initiating and completing such major life-touching projects within his first year in office. Making reference to a recent flood alert by ...

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and other stakeholders in the region have validated the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS). PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said at the validation workshop held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, that the document, co-designed by PIND and the MNDD, will provide the framework for the implementation of a regional peace building apparatus in the Niger Delta. Idowu was represented at the workshop by PIND's Peace building Manager David Udofia. According to him, “This apparatus will apply a multi stakeholder approach, where all stakeholders focused on peace building and conflict management and resolution in the Niger Delta will join resources to en...

Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), has warned treasury managers against corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement. Madein gave the warning at a training programme organised by the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM) in Abuja. Represented by Alhaji Muhammed Aliyu, Director, Special Duty (OAGF), the AGF said there was a need to safeguard public funds and protect the interests of the government and the public. "We must remain watchful against the threats of corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement by implementing a strong internal control system and promoting a culture of compliance. "Training and professional development are essential in equipping the practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct the ac...