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Category: General News

  • NAN operates most vibrant politics. Business desks – MD

    NAN operates most vibrant politics. Business desks – MD

    Desks

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Muhammad Ali, says the agency has  one of the most vibrant politics and business desks, with authentic and reliable news.

    Ali said this during a courtesy visit by the management of Business and Politics (P&B) Television, led by its Managing Director/CEO, Hajiya Madina Azaki, to NAN Headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that NAN had over the years gained a reputation for its originality and reliability, adding that it had continued to provide news content for thousands of subscribers.

    He said the agency had over 600 reporters in all the 36 states of the federation and some districts, within the country as well as foreign offices in parts of Africa and beyond.

    “Our subscribers say if it is not NAN, then it is not authentic.

    “That is our cutting edge. That is our unique selling point. We are for truth, we are for objectivity.

    “We have one of the most vibrant political desks, populated by experienced political reporters.

    “If you look at businesses, NAN economic desk has over the years won laurels and respected by global wire services like Bloomberg,’’ he said.

    Ali assured the visitor of the readiness of NAN to support and collaborate with the television station in terms of news content.

    Earlier, Hajiya Madina Azaki, said that P&B Television was established to focus on the inter-dependence between politics and business, which she said had often been overlooked.

    According to her, politics and business are two sides of a coin but you do not talk about politics without talking about business and vice versa.

    Azaki said the visit was more of a familiarisation visit and to also appeal for support and collaboration from NAN because of its extensive coverage.

    She commended NAN for its efficiency and promptness in giving the nation an internationally acceptable image. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/IFY

    ========

    Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

  • Why we didn’t join strike –  private school proprietors

     

     

    Strike

    By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

    Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State Chapter, says its members did not join the indefinite labour strike because they believe that strike is not the way to get a solution.

    The President of the chapter,  Mr Alaka Yusuf, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that strike would also disrupt learning and students’ progress.

    He said that NAPPS operated on a planned academic calendar and could not afford to lose any day.

    NAN reports that while public primary and secondary schools were under lock on Monday and Tuesday due to labour strike,  private schools were open for operations.

    The nationwide strike was called  by  the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    The unions protested inclusiveness of negotiations with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

    NLC and TUC have, however, suspended the strike for a week to give room for continued  negotiations on a new minimum wage.

    The suspension followed a meeting of the unions with Federal Government representatives on Monday.

    Alaka said, “I want to say NAPPS  has been advised by our president not go on strike  but to be watchful during strike.

    “Our schools are not affected, and we must ensure that our students learn adequately.

    “We believe we are helping government to bridge the gap in education. When a child is not educated or loses a day to be educated,  that child has lost a lot in his or her development.

    “For us, going on strike is not a way to get solution to the nation’s problem,” he said.

    Alaka said that NAPPS would prefer that NLC and TUC should continue to engage the Federal Government in dialogue for resolution of any conflict.

     

    “However, we expect the government, too, to reason with the citizenry and see that everything that we are doing, especially now that inflation has risen, is  commensurate,” Alaka said.

     

    Mrs Adebola Olubodun, Principal of Grimes International College, a private school in Suberu Oje, Alagbado, Lagos State,  also told NAN that the school did not go on strike.

     

    ”We are in school,  teaching and learning are ongoing, students will be having their test this week.

    “For us, there is no strike,” Olubodun said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MIL/IGO

    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • EKSG presents N30.5m to retirees under contributory pension scheme

    EKSG presents N30.5m to retirees under contributory pension scheme
    Pensioners
    By Funmilayo Okunade
    Ado-Ekiti, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Ekiti Government has disbursed the sum of N30.5 million to 30 retirees under the state Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti presented the 30 payment beneficiaries with their cheques on Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti.
    Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, promised that no retiree wouldl be denied his or her benefits after retirement from the service of the state.
    The governor said that the beneficiaries represent the fourth batch to receive payments under the CPS.
    He described the initiative as a game changer in the lives of retirees in the state.
    Oyebanji said the CPS was conceptualised  to ensure future financial security for the retirees, assuring that his government won’t dash the hope of pensioners on getting their benefits.
    “Considering the tremendous success the CPS had recorded in Ekiti State, efforts are on top gear to expand the coverage of the scheme by migrating all public servants, except those who will be retiring before Dec. 31, 2028, and the Justices from the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) to CPS.
    “The DBS, which had become unfashionable all over the world, is bedeviled with the problem of huge arrears of unpaid gratuity among other challenges that have rendered the scheme unsustainable.
    “But the CPS is designed in such a way that when employees retire, they  get their retirement benefits promptly.
    “The CPS has come to stay in Ekiti. Since its inception, retirees under the scheme have been enjoying their retirement benefits without delay.
    “Let me assure you of the commitment of Ekiti State government to the welfare of all workforce and the good people of the state”, he said.
    Oyebanji urged the beneficiaries to refrain from financial profligacy or indulgence in acts that could rob them of their benefits after receiving the entitlements.
    Applauding the governor for prioritising the welfare of pensioners, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ekiti, Mr Joel Akinola, thanked Oyebanji.
    “It was like the governor is a God sent to pensioners with the way he has been prioritising our welfare.
    “He has tried and we are happy with him. The governor was sent to deliver pensioners from sufferings,” the chairman  said.
    Akinola admonished the beneficiaries to be frugal.
    “Don’t squander this opportunity. Invest in something that can give you gains. Eat well and prioritise your health needs, so that your labour won’t be in vain,”  he said.
    The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Pension Commission, Mrs Omotola Faseluka, described the CPS as a universal cure to the recurrent and painful cases of prolonged indebtedness of retirement benefits.
    “Oyebanji shall work in tandem with the kernel of the policy to make lives more abundant for pensioners,”
    Faseluka said that the payment was a confidence- booster and strong indication that the current government maintains high proclivity to fulfilling its obligations to the senior citizens, by keeping to the prompt payment of benefits under the CPS.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    FOA/AOS
    ========
    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Embrace future with technology, self-discipline – Fashola tells youths

     

     

    Future

    By Oluwakemi Oladipo/Oluwatope  Lawanson

    Lagos, June 4 ,2024 (NAN) A former Minister of Works and Housing, Dr Babatunde Fashola, has charged fresh graduates  and other youths to  embrace the future with skills, technology and self-discipline.

    Fashola said on Tuesday that the youth would need to prepare for enormous possibilities of prosperity that  would elevate the human race.

    The former Governor of Lagos State gave the charge at the 27th Convocation Lecture of Lagos State University (LASU).

    The Convocation Lecture had the theme: “Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity”.

    “After all the celebrations, you need to reflect and remember this part; self-discipline. It will show you the way away from drugs, crime, belief in wealth without work, and search for miracles of wealth.

    “Only hard work provides sustainable wealth; not rituals, not fake pastors or imams, and not trafficking in illicit drugs.

    “Self-discipline will be the element that completes all the work your parents and guardians have done and what your lecturers have done.

    “It will concretise your character and define your reputation. It will be the compass for your integrity and determine whether you are worthy of trust,” Fashola said.

     The former minister added that the students were graduating into a world of technology at a time when talent was been rewarded at an unprecedented level.

    “One generation ago, there was no internet as we know it today. Google Maps today was a story I read in the Newsweek or Time Magazine… in 1985 to 1986, of a plan to digitally map the surface of the earth.

    “Today, I use the platform to find locations and it is now helping to predict travel time because something new has been added to it – artificial intelligence – based on extensive supercomputing powers.

     

    “The world that awaits you is a world where human beings have developed enormous machine learning capacities,” Fashola said.

    He told the graduating students that education they received at LASU would take them somewhere in their journey of life but would not be enough.

    “You will require many more things, including continuing education in the formal and informal way. Life becomes meaningless the day we stop learning.

    “Some things, as you know it today, will not exist in a few years’ time. Some jobs that you aspire to, may be gone before you know it.

    “Whatever the losses, the gains will surpass them. Your world and the future it promises will be more exciting and more prosperous.

    “The early foretaste of the impact of artificial intelligence is that it is positive for mankind,” Fashola said.

    He added that determination and hard work, collective belief in new and innovative ideas would lead to  greater success and innovation.

    “Let this serve as a reminder that fostering and investing in the potential of the next generation can lead to extraordinary achievements,” Fashola said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OKG/LAW/IGO 

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Scorecard: Delta 8th assembly passes 9 bills within 1st session

    (R-L) Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Dennis Guwor and other principal officers of the Assembly during press briefing on Tuesday in Asaba

    Scorecard

     

    By Mercy Neme

     

    Asaba, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Dennis Guwor, has presented the eighth assembly’s first-anniversary scorecard, saying it passed nine bills.

     

    The speaker disclosed this in Asaba on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the assembly within the last year.

     

    Guwor said the house received 18 bills, made up of 15 executive bills and three private-members bills, within the year under review.

     

    ”And out of the 18 bills received, nine have been passed and three assented to.

     

    ”The bills assented are, The Supplementary Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022 and the Appropriation Bill, 2024,” he said.

     

    The speaker said that apart from the bills passed to positively impact the lives of the people of the state, the assembly also passed some resolutions.

     

    “One of such resolutions is the resolution calling on Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to set out security measures to forestall the recurrence of the destruction of farmlands and produce by herdsmen in Abraka and its environs, which occurred on Aug. 17, 2023.

     

    ”The resolution also added that the peace, love and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained.

     

    ”The assembly also passed a resolution condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and environs among others,” he said.

     

    In fulfilment of its constitutional duties, Guwor said the assembly screened and confirmed nominees for appointment as members of the State Executive Council and into government agencies, boards and commissions.

     

    ”The action of the house in screening and confirming the nominees into agencies, boards and commissions, is to ensure efficient and effective administration of government in the state.

     

    ”We do not stop at the confirmation of these appointments, the house, through its committees, regularly performs oversight activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government,” he said.

     

    The speaker, however, reiterated the commitment of the assembly to the welfare of the staff of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission.

     

    He linked the ongoing strike by the state chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to the fallout of the adoption of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).

     

    ”The state government has set up a committee to work out details of implementation and the committee is already wrapping up the assignment.

     

    ”So, it is not a peculiar issue to Delta House of Assembly. For the record, the state government is not owing any arrears of salary payment to the staff of the assembly,” he said.

     

    Guwor noted that the assembly had consistently built the capacity of its workforce through staff training and retraining.

     

    ”I must also put it on record that the eighth assembly is poised to deliver on its mandate of law-making, representation and oversight of government programmes, projects and policies.

     

    ”We will collaborate without compromising the independence of the legislature with the executive arm of government to ensure development gets to every part of the state,” he said.

     

    Guwor also reiterated the commitment of the assembly to supporting government policies that would help to ameliorate the economic pains of the people of the state.

     

    ”As we move on to the second session, we are more than ever before prepared and propelled to discharge our duties and responsibilities and ensure the policy trust of government, which is in consonance with our legislative agenda, is fully implemented for the benefit of our people,” he added.

     

    Guwor commended the media for their support in creating visibility and prominence for the assembly’s activities.

     

    He urged the media to continuously use its position to support and safeguard the development and growth of the legislature to deepen and sustain democracy and democratic institutions.

     

    According to him, the legislature is the hallmark of democracy without which there cannot be true democracy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    MOA/CHOM/MAS

    ==========

     

    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Moses Solanke

     

     

  • Strike: Operations resume at MMA

    Strike: Operations resume at MMIA

     

     

    Operations

    By Itohan Abara-Laserian

     

     

    Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Aviation Unions have opened barricaded airport terminals, following suspension of an indefinite strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

     

    Mr Francis Akinjole, General Secretary of Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said that the strike was ‘relaxed’ for a week to enable  the  unions  to continue talks with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

     

    Akinjole said that all blocked access points at the domestic airport terminals I (General Aviation Terminal) and II (Murtala Muhammed Airport II) and others had been opened.

     

    Mr Alale Adedayo, President General of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), said that the organised labour had accepted Federal Government’s offer for continued negotiations.

     

    Adedayo said that flight operations had re-started on the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities at the domestic wing are in full swing.

    Passengers were seen boarding Value Jet, Ibom Air, Arik Air and United Nigeria Airline at  Murtala Mohammed Airport II managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd.

     

    Mr Muyioluwa Maraiyese, a Value Jet passenger going to Abuja, said that he  expected  the labour  unions to barricade roads during the strike to disallow road transport  since they disrupted flight operations.

     

    However, at the  Lagos to Abuja check-in stand of the Air Peace, it was announced that flights had been re-scheduled.

     

    An aggrieved passenger of the airline, Monalisa Phillip said that the airline did not give any reason for the flight re-scheduling.

    NAN reports that the NLC and TUC on Tuesday suspended the indefinite strike for a week to enable continued negotiations with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

    Tbe unions embarked on the strike on Monday following inconclusiveness of negotiations on a new minimum wage (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    ITM/IGO

    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

  • Economist decries revocation of Heritage Bank by CBN

    Revocation

    By Gregory O. Mmaduakolam

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) An Economist, Mr Abba Adaudu, has decried the revocation of the licence of  Heritage Bank by the Central of Nigeria (CBN) due to a breach of banking regulations.

    Adaudu, who is also a financial consultant, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that the revocation of the bank’s licence would have adverse effects as all its customers would flood the bank’s offices nationwide to collect their deposits.

    According to him, the revocation of the licence of the bank has multiplier effects on the economy as many staff of the bank will lose their jobs and will again be thrown to the labour market.

    Adaudu  said that the revocation would have a lot of negative effects on the banking system as many people might be afraid to put their money in the bank.

    NAN reports that the CBN on Monday revoked the banking licence of unlisted lender Heritage Bank Plc due to a breach of banking regulations.

    According to CBN, the bank has continued to suffer and has no reasonable prospects of recovery; thereby making the revocation of the licence the next necessary step.

    The central bank said its action followed a period of engagement with the bank where it prescribed various supervisory steps intended to stem a decline in Heritage’s performance.

    Adaudu, however, argued that  as the nation was facing economic crisis presently, the revocation would trigger more hardship on the people as the economy, dependents and staff of the bank would suffer.

    He advised that CBN would not have revoked the bank but dissolve its board as it did to the Keystone, Union and Polaris banks and takeover the financial institution for proper management.

    He listed letters of credit, promissory notes, provision of admirable customer’s service, providing adequate information and providing account statement as some of the services the customers would lose.

    “Other services customers will lose are protecting customer deposits, honouring cheques, provision of access to financial services and protecting customer confidentiality,’’ he said.

    On the Minimum wage crisis between Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Adaudu said that Nigerian workers’ salaries were very meagre coupled with the hyperinflation facing the country currently.

    He urged the Federal Government to constitute cooperative farming for successful businessmen in the six Geo-political Zones to curtail the current high prices of foods in the country.

    According to Adaudu, no amount of money paid to the civil servants will be enough by the Federal / state governments if high rate of inflation is not lessened.

    He said forming cooperative farming would assist to cushion the effects of food shortage and high prices of food in the country.

    The economist added that empowering successful businessmen in the six geo-political zones would help to address the current food crisis in the country.

    Adaudu explained that if this policy was implemented with adequate supervision and security to protect the farmers in these zones, more food and employment opportunities would be created.(NAN)

     

    GOM/CJ/

    ========

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • LASU adopts hybrid teaching for general courses

     

    Technology

    By Oluwakemi Oluwakemi/Oluwatope Lawanson

    Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Lagos State University (LASU) has infused technology into its pedagogy by adopting hybrid teaching for general courses.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Mrs Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, made this known  at LASU’s 27th Convocation Lecture on Tuesday.

    The  Convocation Lecture had the theme: “Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity”.

    She said that  the infusion allowed  students to receive lectures anywhere around the campus without being in crowded classrooms for courses with a large number of students.

    “We also use technology to conduct virtual examinations, which earned the university accolades from far and wide, including its recognition as the most digitally-advanced state university in Nigeria, at the Nigeria Information Technology Awards.

    “These innovations have not cost any staff their jobs nor has any student been shortchanged in any way; rather, it has improved their learning and service delivery experiences.

    “Technology  has continued to enhance our lives and the ways we communicate, educate our learners, move around and do businesses,” she said. 

    The vice-chancellor noted that it had been argued that technology was separating  man from common humanity, making him more isolated, eroding his privacy and hampering his abilities for genuine empathy.

    “Not all people agree with these positions, but these observations need to be addressed.

    “It is, therefore, imperative that we find a balance between technology and humanity by harnessing the power of technology to improve our lives and humanity in general,” she said.

    Olatunji-Bello said that LASU was committed to leveraging technology to enhance service delivery to make life better for its staff and students.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the event, Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, said: “Humanity and technology intersect into each other because of the impacts on social values, morals, education and others.

    “We thank a former Governor of Lagos State, during his tenure, Dr Babatunde Fashola, for elevating LASU and increasing  its budgetary allocation and  research innovation,” he said.

    Okebukola said that LASU had been outstanding. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OKG/LAW/IGO 

    =============

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Osun residents, business owners decry power outage caused by labour strike

    Osun: Residents, business owners decry power outage caused by labour strike

    Strike

    By Olajide Idowu

    Osogbo,  June 4, 2024 (NAN) Residents and business owners in Osogbo, Osun, on Tuesday,  decried the power cut nationwide by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) following the industrial action declared by organised labour.

    The residents and businesses owners, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria’s (NAN) on Tuesday, said that they had to resort to generators and alternative energy to run their businesses.

    Mr Adetunji Adewale, a barber, said that his salon since Monday has been running on generator.

    Adewale said he had been operating almost at a loss since commencement of the strike, and the money spent on fueling the generator had taken all his profit.

    “We are used to having constant electricity supply in Osogbo and I hardly have any need to use the generator.

    “But because of the strike, I had to service my generator and fùel it. I have not used it in a long while before yesterday .

    “I have spent almost N10,000 on the generator alone and I didn’t even have much customers yesterday.

    “This means that I have not really made the money I spent on powering my shop.” he said

    Adewale, who described electricity as very essential to his type of business, therefore, appealed to labour leaders and government to resolve their differences as soon as possible “so that electricity can be restored”.

    Also, Mr Kazim Adeoye, a resident and a real estate agent, said the battery of his two phones were already dead, because there was no electricity to power them since Monday.

    Adeoye said he and his family also had to endure heat throughout the night, as there was no way to turn on the fan without electricity.

    “As I speak to you now, I am looking for where I can charge my phones. I am a real estate agent and I transact most of my business on my phones.

    “Only God knows the number of people that would have been trying to reach me now, since my phones were off.

    “I just pray that the NLC and Federal Government resolve their differences today for TCN to restore the lights.

    “The absence of electricity is just adding more pains to what we are already going through in this country,” he said

    Similarly, Mrs Felicia Ogungbemi,  a vendor of frozen food, said she has been apprehensive due to the power outage.

    According to her, the apprehension stems from the fact that she is a vendor of frozen poultry and fish

    Ogungbemi said that if power was not restored in the next 24 hours, all the frozen items in her freezers would get spoilt.

    The frozen food vendor explained that because she was on band A and has had constant electricity for the past two months, there conse has not seen the need to repair her broken down generator.

    Ogungbemi, therefore, appealed to the Labour Unions and the Federal Governmnet to quickly resolve the issue of national minimum wage “so that Nigerians can enjoy power supply”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ID/MA/AOS

    ============
    Edited by Muftau Adediran/Bayo Sekoni

  • NLC/TUC suspends strike

    NLC/TUC suspends strike

     

    Strike

    Abuja, June 4, 2024(NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their two-day industrial action.

     

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

     

    Onanuga said that the two unions suspended the strike for one week.

     

    He said that this was in consonance with the agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Tripartite Committee on Monday.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLC and TUC are on strike over the National Minimum Wage, Electricity rate increase and band categories among others.

     

    The strike started on Monday.

    More details later.