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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to enact laws that prioritised safety and technological advancement in the electricity sector. Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, at the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Safety Conference 2024 on Thursday in Abuja, emphasised the legislature’s duty to create laws encouraging innovation. “As legislators, our foremost duty is to enact laws that prioritise safety and encourage technological advancement. “The electricity supply sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by innovations such as smart grids and renewable energy sources. Our regulatory framework must evolve in tandem with these advancements.” Abbas commended the co...

By Vivian Emoni Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice-Chancellor, Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has warned the public against wrong dissemination of information through digital technology. Peters said this at a one-day workshop to commemorate the Global Media and Information Literacy Week, 2024, on Thursday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is tagged: “New Digital Frontier of Information, Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information.” Peters said that technology had made the spread of information far easier than ever before, adding that people needed to be careful on how they disseminate information. According to him, people need to be careful on how they disseminate information because of the impact of what is...

By Vivian Emoni Judith Tsaaior, 21, has emerged as the winner of the 11th edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Essay Competition/National Symposium. Pastor Samuel Sanusi, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), announced Tsaaior as the winner at the 11th African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) in Abuja on Thursday. Tsaaior, a corps member serving in Taraba State University, hails from Benue State and studied English and Literary Studies at Veritas University, Abuja. The essay competition’s topic was “Raising a New Generation of Transformational Leaders.” Sanusi noted that the programme had been in existence for over 12 years, with the BSN investing approximately N10 million in the competition. He said about 200 corps members participa...

The Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), an NGO, with support from the Government of Ireland through the Embassy of Ireland Nigeria, has trained 20 community youths as Anti-Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Ambassadors and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Champions in Abuja.  Mr. Augustine Igweshi, the Executive Director of CEPASD, said the training was part of CEPASD's project, Promoting Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: An Approach to End SGBV," aimed at empowering youth to become agents of change in their communities. According to him, the two-day training brought together youth from Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, and Kuje, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to; advocate against SGBV and promote SRHR, p...

By Jacinta Nwachukwu An NGO, Public and Private Development Centre, has underscored the importance of using virtual court proceedings for justice administration among pre-trial detainees. Mr Joshua Uba and Kwapaya Adamu, both of the PPDC’s Legal Unit, expressed this view during the Criminal Justice Cohort, four-day Second Regional Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice in Abuja. In their presentations, the duo stated that using virtual court proceedings would save time and enhance justice. Uba particularly said that currently, through the help of the centre, the administration of criminal justice system in Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna states had been greatly enhanced, swift and faster. According to him, inmates now have their days in court as regularly as possible...

CAF has allocated a significant portion of expenditure , specifically 84%, towards African Football Development, which is a strategic move that underscores its commitment to nurturing and growing the football ecosystem. Also prize money and Host Association Support is increased to USD 56 million: This represents the largest portion of the expenditure, showcasing a continued focus on rewarding excellence. The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) released the 2022-2023 audited Financial Report and 2024-2025 budget at the 46th CAF Ordinary Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa on Tuesday, 22 October. CAF Continues its Significant Financial turn-around as losses are reduced by 68% and Projects Net Profit in the next Financial Year It reduces deficit from USD 28.9 million to...

By Emmanuella Anokam The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) has lauded the Triple Helix Nigeria model for driving commercialisation of research and innovation output for socioeconomic development. Dr Samuel Onoji, Principal/Chief Executive Officer, PTI made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the Triple Helix Nigeria maiden SciBiz conference. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the triple helix model of innovation refers to a set of interactions between academia (the university), industry and government, to foster socioeconomic development. The model aims to ensure that research transcended the boundaries of laboratories and classrooms to solving real-world problems and fostering economic prosperity. The association hosted the conference in fulfilment of the requ...

By Joan Nwagwu The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called emphasised the need for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), in Nigeria. The ILO made the call in conjunction with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE). Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, made the call during a workshop on Wednesday in Abuja, while inaugurating a strategic initiative to enhance the RBC in Nigeria. The theme of the workshop is,”Responsible business conduct for the realisation of decent work: international instruments, current trends and initiatives, the national context and the way forward in Nigeria ”. The workshop which was organised by ILO was funded by the Government of France, Phala said that the...

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. "There will now be a ministry of regional development to oversee all the regional development commissions, such as Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission and the North East Development Commission. The National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports, ’’Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement. He said the FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. He noted, “The decisions were taken today at the meeting of Federal Executive Council in Abuja.’’(NAN) ...

Purple Dove Foundation, an NGO, at the weekend donated gift items and cash donations to over 100 indigent patients worth N3.5million at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada Abuja, to help cushion the hardship faced in the country.  The Chairman/CEO, of the Foundation, Princess Amara Ifechuckwu, during the donation said it was part of the organizations efforts to give back to the society by putting a smile on the faces of the less privileged in the society that they are not forgotten.  The Team leader, Mr. Segun David, said the foundation's team generously presented gifts and cash to the indigent patients to help ease their financial burdens and brightening their days for a better and healthy living.  Sepecifically, an orphan receiv...

By Victor Okoye An NGO known as Centre for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH) has harped on the need to ensure that the hands are washed and kept clean on a regular basis, stressing that it remains an essential defense against the spread of harmful germs, infection and illnesses. Dr. Mrs Momoh, the Executive Director of CSHEEH made the remarks on Thursday during a sensitization programme in commemoration of the 2024 Global HandWashing Day held at L.E.A. Primary School, Lugbe Zone B, on Thursday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports thatthe theme for this year's Global HandWashing Day is "Why are clean hands still important" Dr. Momoh said that this year's theme was quite apt, as it serves as a reminder that germs areeverywhere and a lot of ...

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. This was disclosed in a press statement on Monday night, revealing that the crossdresser is presently being interrogated. The statement said Bobrisky would soon be handed over to appropriate authorities for proper investigation concerning a series of allegations against him. The statement reads: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to Exit the Country. “The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. He is undergoing interrogation a...

By NAN  Police Community Relations Community (PCRC), Bwari Division in the Federal Capital Territory has sensitised over 300 secondary school students on security, juvenile deliquecy and  effects of social media on youth behaviours. The sensitisation carried out over the weekend with the theme, " Catch them Young From Criminality" was organised by the Bwari Division of the PCRC with support from the Nigeria Police. The Chairman of Bwari PCRC, Decon John Owens in his address of welcome  said tte fomative years of adolescence are crucial in shaping the minds and characters of young people,  "But unfortunately, many of our youths are exposed to  various foms of criminality, including cybercrime, subatance abuse, gang violence, cultism, examinatin malpract...

Mandate Defenders,  a Non-Governmental Organisation( NGO) has commended Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior for his effort in tranformating the activities of the ministry and improving Nigeria’s internal security. Mr Danielson Akpan, National Convener of the group,  said this in a statement  on Sunday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mandate Defenders is an NGO that focuses on promoting youth empowerment, quality education and good governance. Akpan said the group had followed the development in several sectors of the the government and, also the efforts of the interior minister. According to him, we, at the group views Tunji-Ojo as the star boy of the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration. “As already reported in ...

The Nigerian Army on Sunday debunked reports circulating that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Several reports, originating from a social media post by a Nigerian journalist announcing the death of the Army chief, had gone viral. The journalist claimed that Lagbaja had died of cancer 48 hours ago. The post read, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official. The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position. “Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023...

By Perpetua Onuegbu The leadership of Labour Party has demanded the release of its National Vice Chairman, South-East, Mr Ceekay Igara, arrested by the police allegedly on the order of Abia governor, Dr Alex Otti. The party made this demand in a statement by its Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, on Saturday in Abuja. Olorunfemi said Igara was arrested in Aba while holding a meeting with some party leaders when they were surrounded by policemen and whisked away without any warrant of arrest. “Labour Party leadership is totally in shock over this development, particularly as it is coming on the orders of the party’s only state governor. “The party is worried that Dr Alex Otti, who it laboured for in the 2023 governorship election and defended his victory, has sudde...

Mr Ogidi Bara, Technical Assistant on General Duties to Governor Douye Diri, says the governor is focused on developing Bayelsa. Bara made this known on Saturday in a statement, while condemning allegations and false news on social media of Gov. Diri’s reckless spending on vehicles and gadgets. He debunked the misleading reports which said that the state government, under Diri’s leadership, earmarked N700 million to purchase only 50 torches and 100 walkie-talkies for personnel of local vigilante group, known as Bayelsa Community Safety Corps. “For the avoidance of doubt, the listed security items in the approved budget estimates of N700 million do not only cover the purchase of torchlights and walkie-talkie. “But included items as 2,000 heated bullet-proof vests, 500 units of ...

Frm L-R . Prof Francis Ayim UNILAG, Com.Adewale Adeyanju President Mwun, Com. Issa Aremu DG. MINILS,  Com.Joe Ajaero, President NLC, Representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr Segun Adekunle; author,Sharon Ijasan and her husband Prince Olasukanmi Ijasan,Com. Ayuba Wabba Frmr. ITUC/NLC President, Com, Lumumba Okugbawa Pengassan G.S. during the public presentation of The Tripartite in Abuja recently By Joan Nwagwu An Award winning journalist of Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, Mrs Sharon Ijasan has called on the Federal Government and Organised Labour to protect the workers in the informal sector. Ijasan made the call at her book launch titled, The Future of Work: Is the Tripartite  Body in Africa ready  for Digital Economy  on Monday...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer  The African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) has concluded plans  to hold International Conference in Abuja from Monday 21st to Friday 25th of October 2024 at NAF Conference  Centre, Abuja.  The Chairman, National Planning Committee, ABLI,  Prof. Jerry Gana made this known during a media conference on Thursday in Abuja. Gana said the International delegation of ABLI leadership visited Nigeria between 21st and 26th of January 2024 for consultation with key leaders in government,  the Church, media and civil society. "The ABLI seeks to bring about quality transformalion of a naton through value-based leadership that is informed and inspired by biblical values. "ABLI aspires to achieve this missIon by becoming a non-parti...

By Emmanuella Anokam The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) says some delays in Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Fund creation and implementation are caused by community members and litigations. The HOSTCOM said pending issues by host communities in choosing members and chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) delayed the implementation of the HCDT funds. Dr Benjamin Tamaranebi, National President, HOSTCOM, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja while making clarifications on recent claims on the Host Community Project Funding in Akwa Ibom. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HCDTs are responsible for managing and distributing oil company funds to the host communities, ensuring that resources are used effectively for community d...