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Category: General News

  • Gov. Radda lauds Yakubu’s appointment as DG budget office 

    Appointment
    By Zubairu Idris
    Katsina, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina has applauded the appointment of Mr Tanimu Yakubu as the new Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation.
    He said the appointment was a testament of  Yakubu’s vast experience in fiscal responsibility and economic development.
    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed, on Friday, in Katsina,  expressed confidence that the appointee would take the office to greater heights.
    “Prior to this national assignment, Yakubu served as Chairman of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KSDMB), a new agency established by Radda to spearhead rapid state development.
    “As its pioneer chairman, Yakubu demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and commitment to sustainable state development.
    “I have utmost confidence in Yakubu’s ability to bring his extensive experience to bear in this new national role, and I wish him resounding success.
    “On behalf of the government and people of Katsina, I extend profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his discerning decision in appointing an experienced and capable citizen to this crucial position,” the governor said.
    He said that people of the state would offer fervent prayers and support for his success.

    Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale had on Thursday announced Tinubu’s approval of Yakubu’s appointment as the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, following the expiration of the tenure of Mr. Ben Akabueze.

    “Yakubu is an accomplished economist and was Chief Economic Adviser to a former President from 2007 to 2010; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2003 to 2007, and Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning in Katsina State from 1999 to 2003.

    “The new Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the same institution,” Ngelale had said in the statement.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ZI/CHOM/SOA
    ============
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle

  • Illegal garage: LASTMA sanctions 52 commercial vehicles

     

    Garages

    By Chiazo Ogbolu
    Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sanctioned 52 commercial vehicles for operating illegal garages and parking around Obalende and Iyana-Oworonsoki areas of the state.
    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, on Friday in Lagos.
    According to Adebayo, this is part of efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow across Lagos.
    He said the 52 vehicle owners would be arraigned at the mobile court for traffic offences.
    Adebayo said the operation led by LASTMA Director of Operations, Mr Peter Gbegemede, was due to the directives of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa.
    Adebayo quoted Giwa as saying that the drivers of these commercial vehicles, including private car owners, had been repeatedly warned by the government before the enforcement operations commenced.
    “These operations will continue, reflecting the authority’s zero tolerance for indiscriminate parking and any impediments to free traffic flow across Lagos,” he said.
    He added that Giwa was concerned over the unsightly and disruptive activities of commercial bus operators, which cause significant traffic issues for innocent motorists.
    “To ensure smooth and seamless traffic for Lagosians during this festive season and beyond, 52 commercial vehicles were sanctioned for obstructing the free flow of traffic at Obalende and Iyana-Oworonsoki.
    “The enforcement operations will be ongoing with zero tolerance for illegal garages and indiscriminate parking. We will also remove any impediments on our roads in Lagos,” he said.
    He urged motorists to take ownership of the roads and promptly inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned truck via the agency’s hotlines: 08100565860, 08129928490, 08129928515, and 08129928593. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CAN/JNC
    =========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Nigeria’s Jibromah set to break GWR in 144hrs singing marathon

    Blessing Jibromah (middle) declaring her intention to break GWR

     

    Marathon

    By Sarafina Christopher

    Abuja, June 14, 2024(NAN) Blessing Jibromah, a talented Nigerian singer, has declared her intention to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) of 105 hours in a singing marathon event.

    Jibromah is attempting to set a new record of 144 hours of singing.

    Jibromah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Abuja, that she would target to surpass the current record of 105 hours singing marathon held by an Indian singer, Sunil Waghmare.

    She said her aim was not only to etch her name in the annals of music history, but to inspire aspiring singers and performers to dream big and push beyond their limits.

    “I am thrilled to announce my desire to break the GWR for the Longest Singing Marathon (Sing-A-Thon).

    “This record-breaking event promises to be a spectacular; showcasing endurance, talent and community spirit.

    “I am driven not just by the challenge itself but by the potential benefits it can bring to Nigerians,” she said.

    Jibromah said  successfully breaking the record would inspire countless young Nigerians to pursue their dreams, no matter how ambitious they might seem.

    She said the marathon scheduled for July 27 to Aug. 2nd, was open to the public at 9 a.m. daily at Unique Park Gardens, Sky Memorial, Zone 5, Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

    SAF/DE/CJ/

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    Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

  • Stakeholders call for improvement in nation’s electioneering processes

    Election

     

    By Ibukun Emiola

     

    Ibadan, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Some stakeholders have called for improvement in the nation’s electioneering processes to ensure credible, free and fair elections come 2027.

     

    They stated this on Thursday at a town hall meeting held in Ibadan to review the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SOS Children’s Village Nigeria organised the meeting with community stakeholders in Akinyẹle and Ibadan North Local Government Areas.

     

    The Assistant Secretary, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Musa Akinsawe, emphasised the need to increase access for persons with disabilities and involve them in planning during electioneering processes.

     

    He also stressed constant reorientation for electoral officers and continuous voter education.

     

    “Part of what we are clamouring for is accessibility to electoral venues and convenience in voting.

     

    “Elections for people living with disabilities must be easily accessible; the ballot box must be where PWDs can vote without being assisted by anyone,’’ Akinsawe said.

     

    Also, the Assistant Secretary, National Council for Women Societies, Chief Isimiola Olowoyo, identified the need for increased community engagement to restore eroded cultural values.

     

    Olowoyo said such engagements came up toward the 2023 general elections and that her association would sustain them.

     

    She said this would ensure that the right values were imbibed to translate later to good governance in Nigeria.

     

    According to her, lapses recorded in the last elections, such as inadequate security personnel, should be worked on.

     

    “They should empower more security officers so that there will be no violence and there were places where electoral materials were not available on time; this should be worked on,” Olowoyo said.

     

    Representatives of religious bodies and traditional rulers from the two local government areas called for continuous voter registration and increased awareness from the basic education level.

     

    The Programme Officer, SOS Children’s Village Nigeria, Grace Sambo, said communities should learn from past elections and choose their representatives based on competency.

     

    Sambo said ethnicity, tribalism and religion should not be the criteria to elect leaders, adding that sentiments must be thrown away.

     

    Calling for social reengineering, Sambo identified the benefits of peaceful elections and existence to include family stability which would impact children positively.

     

    Also, the state Coordinator, SOS Children’s Village Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Adajie, urged participants to rejuvenate cultural norms that promote value systems in communities.

     

    According to him, poverty and other factors have been weaponised to divide Nigerians, hence the need to change the narrative come 2027.

     

    He noted that the electorates were, in a way, encouraging the political class to continue with the norm in the country.

     

    “For us to change what is on the ground, we have to make sacrifices. We need to endure hunger so as not to continue to make the same mistakes,” Adajie said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    IBK/OIF/MAS

    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Moses Solanke

     

  • Sallah rams: Prices rise in Kano, buyers lament

    Sallah rams: Prices rise in Kano, buyers lament

    Rams

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, customers are faced with high cost of rams in Kano.

    A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in some markets within Kano metropolis on Thursday revealed that the markets were flooded with rams, but buyers were few.

    At Dan-Agundi livestock market in Kano metropolis, the lowest price for a medium size ram was N140,000 while the big ones went for as high as N300, 000.

    Some of the customers told NAN that the prices were too high, compared to last year when they bought rams at between N80, 000 and N130, 000.

    A customer, Musa Shanono, who was met haggling over the price at the market, complained of the cost, but hoped that it would crash before the commencement of the celebration.

    Another customer at Yan-Awaki market in Unguwa-Uku, Abdulaziz Buba, said he was unable to buy any ram due to the high price, but would wait until after the Eid prayers before buying one.

    “There are other preparations to make ahead of the Eid; buying a ram at an exorbitant price is not necessary at this time. Hopefully, the prices would crash after the Eid prayer,” he said.

    Jibril Shehu , a ram seller at Dawanau market, blamed the rise in prices on the high cost of breeding livestock, transport, insecurity and the general economic hardship in the country.

    “We didn’t increase the prices deliberately, because anything you go to market to buy now is costly,” he explained.

    Another ram dealer at Yan-Awaki market, Bala Muhammad, attributed the hike in prices of rams to the increase in the cost of transportation occasioned by subsidy removal.

    “We are not making much profit because of the cost of transporting the animals. We also have to tend to the rams, feed and vaccinate them while waiting for customers,” he said.

    He added that apart from the conventional ones, temporary ram markets had sprouted up on many major streets of Kano.

    Another dealer at Ring Road, Sabo Aminu, said that the ram that sold for N80,000 last year was now going for N150,000.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

    MNT/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • 3 killed, 1 injured in mining pit collapse in Niger

    Mining
    By Rita Iliya
    Minna, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Three persons were killed while one sustained injuries when a mining pit collapsed at Bazakwoi, a village in Adnun community of Niger.

    The incident was confirmed by Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

    “The agency received report of a mining pit collapse at Bazakwoi of Adnun community.

    “The incident occurred on Thursday. It involved local miners who were said to be carrying out mining activities illegally.

    “Three persons were confirmed dead while one person was rescued alive with injuries.”

    He added, however, that no one was trapped in the pit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the incident is coming barely one week after a mining pit collapsed in Galkogo community, killing one person and trapping 14 persons who are still in the pit. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
    RIS/ETS

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  • Imo Assembly calls for establishment of new College of Nursing

    Imo Assembly calls for establishment of new College of Nursing

    Nursing
    By Ugonne Uzoma
    Owerri, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Imo House of Assembly has called on Gov. Hope Uzodimma to approve the establishment of a College of Nursing at Inyishi in Ikeduru Local Government Area.

    The call was contained in a resolution passed by the house on Thursday.

    The resolution was the outcome of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency, Mr Johnleoba Iheoha.

    Presenting the motion, Iheoma said that the present administration’s insurance policies and essential medical equipment had led to an  improvement in the quality of health services in the state.

    He also said that the 305 primary health centers and providing health services at the rural level would require a lot of manpower to function effectively.

    The lawmaker, therefore, said that there was an urgent need to train more nurses and health professionals to augment those already in training at existing nursing and health colleges in the state.

    He said that some Imo citizens travel to neighbouring states to acquire nursing and health training to the benefit of those states.

    Iheoha, therefore, prayed the house to recommend to the governor the need to establish a College of Nursing Sciences at Community Hospital, Inyishi Ikeduru.

    He also prayed the house to recommend to the governor to direct the state Ministry of Health to carry out an inspection tour of the community for the proposed college.

    Supporting the motion, the Mbaitoli representative, Mr Innocent Ikpamezie (APC ), said that establishing a new college of nursing would reduce the pressure on the existing ones.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (APC-Owerri West), further said that a new nursing college would also help to create more job opportunities in the state.

    Contributing, the Ehime Mbano representative, Mr Ben Ozoemelam (APC), said that the training of more nurses in the state would help improve the current patients to nurses ratio.

    Ozoemelam said it would also reduce the workload of health professionals who, he said, were currently being overworked as a result of the dearth of trained healthcare workers.

    The Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (APC-Ihitte Uboma), thereafter, ruled in favour of the prayers, following the unanimous voice vote in favour of the motion. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

    UOI/CEO/USO
    Edited by Chidi Opara/Sam Oditah

  • Delta Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    Suspension

     

    By Mercy Neme

     

    Asaba, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly on Thursday in Asaba recalled its member, Mr Matthew Omonade (APC-Ughelli North I), after 29 days of suspension.

     

    The recall was announced during plenary by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, following an adoption of the report by the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate Omonade.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the assembly had on May 14 suspended the lawmaker over alleged gross misconduct.

     

    “The house has, therefore, lifted the suspension following the adoption of the recommendations of the committee.

     

    “He is expected to resume plenary and other legislative duties on the next sitting day,” Guwor said.

     

    Earlier, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi (PDP-Aniocha North), who chaired the committee, said after a thorough investigation, it recommended that Omonade be sounded a note of warning against future occurrence.

     

    He said the committee also recommended that the recalled lawmaker be made to study the rules of the house.

     

    According to the committee’s recommendations, Omonade should know that laws are universal and can be domesticated in any state or country without anyone being accused of plagiarism.

     

    Nwaobi said since he had remorsefully apologised to the governor, speaker and the entire house, the committee recommended that the suspension be lifted.

     

    In their various submissions, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) and Mr Austine Uroye (PDP-Warri South I) supported the committee’s recommendations.

     

    The recommendations, unanimously adopted by members via a voice vote, were seconded by the minority leader, Mr Edafe Emakpor.

     

    The house also approved Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s request to review and implement a new tariff regime for the 8.5 Megawatts Asaba Independent Power Plant (IPP), operated by Messrs Bastanchury Power Solutions.

     

    The governor’s request was contained in a letter read during plenary by the speaker.

     

    In the letter, Oborevwori explained that the upward review of the electricity tariff from N31.74 per Kilowatt to N75 per Kilowatt became necessary due to the current economic realities.

     

    He said this would enable the company to sustain its services to the state.

     

    Oborevwori, however, noted that the state government, through the Ministry of Energy, recommended a reviewed amount of N63 per Kilowatt, inclusive of VAT, hence the need for the house’s approval.

     

    The majority leader moved a motion for the assembly to receive the governor’s letter for consideration.

     

    Leading the debate, Nwaobi said it was no longer news that the economic situation informed the governor’s request and, therefore, urged the house to give it speedy approval.

     

    The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly, when put to a voice vote by the speaker, was seconded by Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    MOA/CHOM/MAS

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Moses Solanke

     

  • Kwara Assembly passed 9 bills, 20 motions in one year — Speaker

    Assembly

    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

    Ilorin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, on Thursday said nine bills and 20 motions were passed by the Assembly in the last one year of its 10th legislature.

    The Speaker, during the first anniversary of the 10th legislature under his leadership, said eight other bills were also undergoing legislative processes.

    ”They are at various stages of scaling passage in the House,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 10th legislature of the state House was inaugurated early June 2023 after a proclamation.

    The bills passed in the last one year include the Kwara State Education Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Revised Appropriation (2023) Bill, 2023.

    Others are the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Kwara State Rural Access Roads Agency Bill, 2023.

    The remaining bills passed include the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Amendment); and State Roads Fund and Administration Bill, 2023.

    The rest are the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and Kwara State University of Education (Establishment) Bill, 2024.

    The Speaker however said the House has been enjoying a harmonious working relationship with the other arms of government in the past one year.

    He added that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deserves appreciation for the prompt attention accorded the resolutions of the House when transmitted to him.

    Danladi-Salihu noted that the governor has allowed the independence of the three arms of government to be firmly rooted in the state.

    “The cordial relationship that exists among the arms of government is paying off in the state, and we the lawmakers envisage the same hand of fellowship from Gov. AbdulRazaq in subsequent legislative years,” the Speaker said.

    He stated that the House also introduced new ideas into the conduct of legislative business without sacrificing the norms for innovation.

    “For the record, in the first session, the 10th Assembly has as of date at the committee of the whole house considered a total number of nine landmark reports which emanated from different standing and ad-hoc committees of the House.

    “These reports which generated robust debates on the floor, and on which resolutions were made in line with transparency, equity and accountability, have significantly assisted in reshaping governance in the state,” Danladi-Salihu noted.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    BAY/OLAL

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    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

  • Customs in Oyo/Osun generated over N30bn in 5 months, Comptroller says

    Revenue
    By Olatunde Ajayi
    Ibadan, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, generated over N30 billion revenue in five months between January and May.

    The Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Ibadan.
    Oramalugo said the revenue represented an increase of 5.2 per cent against N29.15 billion generated in the comparative period of 2023.
    Oramalugo said the command in tandem with its revenue generation efforts maintained a robust stance against smuggling activities within its jurisdiction.
    “In spite of the economic hardships that often exacerbate smuggling tendencies, command officers have remained vigilant and proactive in intercepting illicit goods and apprehending perpetrators.
    “The months of April, May and some parts of June, witnessed numerous successful operations resulting in the seizure of contraband items.
    “Among the commodity seized include; 504 wraps of cannabis sativa weighing 391.9kg with N15, 814, 600 Duty Paid Value.
    “Also intercepted were 600 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice, 6,850 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 123 pieces of used tyres, used Mercedes Truck and used Nissan bus,” he said.
    He noted that the command had received approval to hand over the seized cannabis sativa worth N21,128, 260 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command.
    Oramalugo said the command’s efforts to educate various stakeholders within the Commands Area of Responsibility on the importance of adhering to customs regulations paid off with a significant reduction in under-declarations.
    This, he said, contributed to the overall increase in revenue.
    He added that the introduction of advanced technology solutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project streamlined processes, enhanced transparency and revenue collection capabilities.
    “I will like to inform members of the public, that in line with the policy trust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and in the spirit of interagency collaboration, the command has received approval to hand over seized cannabis to the NDLEA Oyo State Command.
    “In the same vein, I would like to mention that approval was also received to auction the seized of PMS listed as part of our seizures due to their inflammable nature,” he said.
    Receiving the seized cannabis sativa, Uche Ene, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, said the command would continue to strengthen inter-agencies collaborations for attainment of crime free society.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    TUN/OIF/JNC
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    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma