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China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), with support of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, has renovated and donated learning materials to China-Assisted Model Primary School Nyanya. At the commissioning of the upgraded primary school in Abuja, Mr Zhou Hao, Managing Director of CRBC Nigeria Ltd, handed over relevant learning materials to the school authority. The materials included stationery, desks, chairs and sports equipment. Zhou stressed the need for conducive learning environment and conditions for all teachers and students. He added that among the different peoples in different continents, the common ground that transcends ethnicity and nationality are children, who fill the world with hope and brightness. “Children represent the future's expectations and aspirations ...

The Federal Government has partnered with the Imperial College, London and Partnership for Child Development (PCD) to restructure the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) in Nigeria. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on NHGSFP, Yetunde Adeniji, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja, said it was part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Adeniji said the workshop was to launch the Value for Money Study, which seeks to estimate and reflect on the cost and multi-sectoral benefits of NHGSFP. ``This study, fully sponsored by the Imperial College, is research that improves the level of school feeding within the states. ``It will help evaluate the programme to know issues, indices and whatever challenges the programme has or ha...

… abandoned Adiabo-Ikoneto bridge receives attention The Cross River Executive Council presided over by the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has granted approvals for development initiatives, including infrastructural interventions and construction of some key roads in the three senatorial districts of the state. In his opening remarks, the governor noted that the public opinion about the performance of his administration was clearly positive, but commissioners and other members of the state executive council should re-double their efforts to ensure sustainable benefits to the people. The state's Commissioner for Works, Pius Ankpo, who briefed journalists after the monthly state executive council meeting in Calabar, spoke on the approval given for intervention and construction of som...

The 36th ongoing Annual International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria(BSN),held in collaboration with the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), has brought together biotechnologists, researchers, policy makers,and industry players with the focus of driving biotechnology advancement in Africa. Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria(BSN), noted that biotechnology was a veritable tool that could be used to tackle global challenges and fastrack societal progress. Prof Uzochukwu highlighted the transformative potential of biotechnology across various sectors of the economy. In the wake of the ongoing global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of climate change, the BSN President underscored the urgency of deploying bio...

The Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) has urged journalists across the continent to combat information disorder and fake news in the society through fact-checking. Mr Fouad Arif, the President of FAAPA and Director-General of Agence Marocaine De Presse (MAP), gave the charge at the opening of a training seminar themed: ”Fact-checking: Detection of fake news in media content” in Rabat Morocco. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 23 journalists from different News Agencies across Africa were selected for the one week seminar. The training was organised by Fédération Atlantique des Agences de Presse Africaines (FAAPA) in collaboration with Bank of Africa and Royal Air Maroc. The president said the challenges of disinformation and misinformation by wh...

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has said that the government may not be able to prepare future for the Nigerian youths, but the government at all levels can prepare the youth for the future. Gov. Makinde made this known at the Students' Legislative Summit organised by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin. The event was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, in conjunction with the Students' Representative Council, University of Ibadan, with the theme; “Roles of quality legislation in nation building." Makinde declared that Nigerian youths must become more actively involved in governance by increasing their participation and exposure in po...

ECOWAS and African Union ambassadors say African leaders are determined to rout out terrorism and unconstitutional changes in government, which they describe as the two major existential threats facing the continent. The envoys made this known in separate interviews with the Newsspecng at the end of a consultation meeting between ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) and AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Thursday in Abuja. Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, for instance, disclosed that ECOWAS’ MSC and AU’s PSC were already intensifying numerous efforts towards resolving the asymmetric challenges facing Africa. He said that such efforts were being vigorously carried out under the auspices of the AU’s 1999 Convention again...

The FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) electoral committee has promised its members a free and fair elections that will usher in a generally accepted executives to run the affairs of the Association for the next three years. According to the Chairman of the Committee Patrick Ngwaogu (Odogwu), who was full of appreciation to the leadership of SWAN at the national level, for restoring peace to FCT SWAN by unifying the members. He also appreciated the members of the FCT SWAN for the support given to his committee since their inauguration, and pleaded for their total support as the elections hold on Friday 26 April 2024. Ngwaogu used the opportunity to Inform the Sports Writers that 12 candidates that were eligible to contest in the various positions at the elections. A...

***Says She Inherited over N3.6 billion loans Embattled Managing Director and Chief Executive Of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Dr. Tinuade Sanda on Wednesday reacted to the reason given for her sack. Dr. Sandals was alleged to have been sacked as a result her poor performance in office. She however said that the allegation was a misrepresentation and not the accurate feedback on her performance. She also reeled out some of the achievement of the entreprise under her watch, which include addressing the company's debt portfolio in the region of over N3.6 billion owed vendors for goods and services already rendered. Sanda made the clarification in a statement obtained by journalists in Abuja. The statement reads, "When I assumed the role of MD/CEO at Eko Ele...

President Bola Tinubu has implored the nation's Judiciary to embark on reforms that would ensure a functional justice system and support economic growth. Represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday when he declared open the National Summit on Justice, 2024, held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja. The President also emphasised the need for a legal framework that would guarantee basic human and political rights of individuals and provide security for all Nigerians. According to him, much can be achieved when institutions of government, including the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm. " This is with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria." He, ...

The Federal Government plans to tackle poverty and insecurity through financial inclusion of all Nigerians. Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of a national stakeholders’ workshop on financial inclusion slated for Thursday and Friday. Hadejia reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to an all-inclusive Nigeria under his “Renewed Hope Agenda’’. He said part of the plan was to unveil a roadmap to integrate unbanked Nigerians into the formal financial system. “Economic and financial inclusion are essential components of President Tinubu’s agenda to integrate the underserved and unbanked Nigerians into the formal financial system. “This will enable Nigerians to...

The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday said it has positively impacted not less than 30, 000 individuals through conflict mitigation between farmers and herders in Taraba and Adamawa. The IOM Chief of Mission Laurent De Boeck disclosed this during the official inauguration of the second phase of the mission’s project steering committee meeting in Abuja. The project is on: “Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria (COMITAS Il)”. The event was organised by IOM through collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Mercy Corps and funded by the European Union (EU). De Boeck, represented by Juliana Dorr, Programme Manager of IOM said, “The COMITAS I...

Multichoice Nigeria, owners of DStv and GOtv, has announced an upward review for its subscription packages. The new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024, a few months after its last price upward review. DSTV blamed the latest increase on the “rise in the cost of business operations.” This was announced in a statement titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages,’ read in part: “On Wednesday, 1 May 2024 we will adjust our prices across all our packages on DStv and GOtv. “We understand the impact this change may have on you our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations has led us to make this difficult decision. “It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver hig...

All African member states have unanimously resolved and agreed to collectively come together to fight terrorism and prevent cross border influx of illegal arms in the continent, NewsSpecng learnt. Nigeria's Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar made this known onTuesday ,23/04/2024 while speaking shortly after the closing of the two days High level Africa counter terrorism summit held in Abuja from 22 to 23 April 2024. The Minister said delegates from the participating Countries have resolved that each sub regional body should organise itself and come together as a United Africa to develop means and strategies in Partnership with the International Community to tackle terrorism and other related crimes in the continent. Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar said the time to act to s...

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has recovered 57 billion naira of the 5.6 trillion debt owed more than ninty three government ministries, departments and agencies. This was ade possible through through data collected ,collated and harmonized from over 5,000 debtors spanning more than 93 government agencies. Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, Permanent Secretary of Special Duties at the Federal Ministry of Finance, revealed this information at an Enugu workshop to raise awareness. During the event's opening, Ekanem announced that the debts were revealed through data collected from over 5,000 debtors spanning more than 93 government agencies. Aisha Omar, the Ministry's Director of Special Projects, represented by the Permanent Secretary, conveyed that the ministry had also received re...

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Amb. Musa Nuhu, has called on the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to harmonize strategies towards mitigating regional conflicts. Amb. Nuhu made this known at the maiden joint consultation meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) in Abuja on Wednesday. The Chairman, ECOWAS MSC, described the meeting as a key turning point in Africa’s collective pursuit of peace and prosperity,stressing that “for long, the continent had struggled with security challenges that brought untold hardship to its people.” “From terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government, these challenges demand a unified response that goes...

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he is willing to work with people of goodqwill and progressive ideas for partnerships that will make life better for the people and ensure sustainable development of the State. This is even as he acknowledged the unwavering support demonstrated by both indigenes and residents of Azuabie-Okujaku communities in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, who have become good ambassadors of his Administration. Governor Fubara made the remark while addressing a delegation of the leadership and members of Azuabie-Okujaku communities who were on a peaceful solidarity walk to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who received the delegation on behalf of the Governor, ...

All African member states have unanimously resolved and agreed to collectively come together to fight terrorism and prevent cross border influx of illegal arms in the length and breath of the continent. Nigeria's Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar CON mni made this known onTuesday ,23/04/2024 while speaking to Newsmen shortly after the closing of the two days High level Africa counter terrorism summit held in Abuja from 22 to 23 April 2024. The Minister said delegates from the participating Countries have resolved that each sub regional body should organise itself and come together as a United Africa to develop means and strategies in Partnership with the International Community to tackle terrorism and other related crimes in the continent. Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar ...

Succour will soon come the way of the displaced people of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, inaugurated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Management Committee. The Committee has veteran journalist and former Editor of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr Abraham Ogbodo as Chairman and Director of Personnel Management, DPM, Ughelli South Local Government Council, Chief Austin Emaduku as Secretary. Other members include; Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Hon. Festus Utuama, Hon. Reuben Izeze, Dr Richard Kofi, Chief Oviri Uto, Hon. Josephine Oduaran, Obukohwo Henry Ediyo, Karo Ovemeso and Austin Ohwofaria who will serve as Camp Commandant. Inaugurating the Committee at Government House Asaba, Governor Oborevwori cha...

The Lagos Coordinator, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group, Prof. Olarenwaju Fagbohun, has said the board will refund fees paid by deserving visually-impaired candidates for the purchase of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME forms. Mr Olarenwaju, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, gave the assurance at the Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, centre, for the 2024 UTME for visually-impaired candidates from Lagos and Ogun states. According to him, a total of 88 candidates in this category registered for the 2024 UTME at the centre but only 82 were present. He explained that only visually-impaired candidates with five ‘O’ Level credits in one sitting would be refunded. The coordinator said that the gesture was to encourage physically-ch...