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  • RSIEC meets stakeholders ahead of LG election 

    RSIEC meets stakeholders ahead of LG election
    Election
    By Precious Akutamadu
    Port Harcourt, June 19, 2024(NAN) Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission(RSIEC), has invited stakeholders for a meeting as the body prepares for election into Local Government Councils(LGCs).
    Enebeli, in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, listed the stakeholders to include leaders of parties leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious groups and the media.
    Others are professional organisations, civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organisations, community-based groups and the electorate.
    “The meeting will hold on Monday, July 1 at the RSIEC headquarters,” Enebeli said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara had earlier assured the people of Rivers that the processes to conduct elections into the LGCs had commenced.
    He also promised that the tenure of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the 23 LGCs would not be long.
    NAN reports that the commencement of the election processes is expected to douse tension generated by the expiration of the tenures of the former local government leaders.
    They had vowed to remain in office until their successors were elected while the state government insisted they must give way after their tenures ended on June 17. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PA/ETS
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  • Ododo disburses N370m community revolving loan to farmers in Kogi

    Ododo disburses N370m community revolving loan to farmers in Kogi

    Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi in a group photograph with CFR beneficiaries on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    Loan

    By Stephen Adeleye

    Lokoja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Wednesday disbursed N370 million Community Revolving Fund (CRF), to farmers to boost food production in the North-Central State

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the CRF loan disbursement is in partnership with the World Bank under the ACReSAL project.

    A total of 208 farmers spread across 10 clusters in two catchment areas benefited from the CRF loan in the Pilot Phase I.

    Each cluster got 25,000 USD (N37m), out of the 250,000 USD (N370m) shared.

    The 208 beneficiaries, 70 per cent of whom are women, got N1.77m each.

    Ododo, who inaugurated the disbursement at the Government House, Lokoja, said the scheme was a proactive initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change.

    It is also to support community agricultural efforts, he added.

    The governor disclosed that the second phase of the CRF loan disbursement would come up in August.

    He appreciated all stakeholders involved in the project and emphasised his administration’s commitment to agricultural development.

    According to him, within his five months in office, his administration had implemented various initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity.

    The initiatives, he said, included the provision of agricultural machineries for mechanisation, agricultural inputs, training and capacity building for farmers, among others.

    The governor urged the CRF beneficiaries to utilise the loan judiciously, stressing that it was designed to support their agricultural endeavours and improve their livelihoods.

    Ododo expressed confidence that the loan would boost agricultural practices in the catchment areas, leading to increased food production and security.

    “It is expected that the funds would be utilised for activities under climate smart agriculture and related agricultural value chain, just as you have been trained.

    “I implore you to pay back the loans as at when due, to enable others benefit from the fund because it is a revolving loan.

    “I assure you all that our administration will continue to collaborate with global partners to provide resources and support that could cushion the attendant effect of climate change and tackle poverty.

    “We are not oblivious of the fact that our farmers need security in order to farm effectively. To this end, we have mapped out our security plan to protect our farmers and their farmlands.

    “Our administration has developed a template for farmlands security by employing local hunters and vigilante men and women to provide adequate security at all times.

    “We have also activated our security rapid response capacity to distress calls from farmers and others

    “Adequate security gadgets and patrol vehicles have been provided across the 21 Local Government Areas(LGAs) of the state.

    “We have strengthened the capacity of LGAs to ensure community policing. We won’t complain and run to Abuja, we are providing solutions here in Kogi.

    “Local Government Chairmen, community leaders, security agencies are all our critical partners in ensuring the success of this all important, poverty-defeating scheme.

    “There are pointers to the fact that our efforts in the area of community policing is already yielding fruits,” Ododo said.

    Earlier, the Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Umar Yusuf, had emphasised the importance of partnership for progress as highlighted in the 17 thematic areas of the SDGs.

    The speaker commended the governor for his leadership and commitment to the development of the state.

    Also, State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Ladi Jatto, commended the governor for his  commitment to the success of the project in the state.

    Jatto stressed that the governor had made it easy for the people of Kogi to take advantage of the project.

    In their remarks, Messrs Asiwaju Idris and Olusegun Joseph, finance and environment commissioners respectively, thanked the governor for paying due attention to the plight of the rural poor.

    The Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, commended the governor for his efforts at supporting the agricultural sector.

    They urged the beneficiaries to ensure timely repayment of the loan to ensure the sustainability of the project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ASA/TYC/ETS

    ======≈====

    Edited by Thompson Yamput and Ephraims Sheyin

     

  • Edo Govt. condemns rape, murder of 22-year-old UNIBEN fresh graduate

    Edo Govt condemns rape, murder of 22-year-old UNIBEN fresh graduate

    Condemnation
    By Usman Aliyu
    Benin, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Edo Government on Wednesday condemned the alleged rape and gruesome murder of one Glory Adekolure, a fresh graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    The victim was reportedly raped and killed at Iyowa Community, Benin City, on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

    A source said that Glory, 22, was on her way home after processing her clearance forms, when she was tortured and raped to death by yet-to-be-identified persons.

    Her corpse was later dropped close to her mother’s house.

    In a statement by the state government in Benin, communications and orientation commissioner Chris Nehikhare expressed shock and sadness over the incident.

    “Gov. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, to fish out the perpetrators of the evil act within the next seven days,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AUO/BEKl/ETS

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    Edited by AbdulFatai Beki and Ephraims Sheyin

  • First Bank confirms appointment of Alebiosu as MD

    First Bank confirms appointment of Alebiosu as MD
    Confirmation
    By Rukayat Adeyemi
    Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) FBN Holdings Plc has confirmed the appointment of Mr Olusegun Alebiosu as substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, (FirstBank), one of its flagship subsidiary.
    Mr Adewale Arogundade, Acting Company Secretary of the Holdings, announced this in a disclosure sent to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.(NGX), on Wednesday in Lagos.
    Arogundade said that the approval of  the substantive appointment of Alebiosu by the Bank’s Board of Directors was subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN)
    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Board of FBN Holdings on April 21 appointed Alebiosu as the acting managing director/CEO of First Bank.

    His appointment followed a sudden resignation of Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the former managing director/CEO of the bank, effective  April 20, ahead of his official retirement.

    Additionally, Arogundade said that the Bank’s Board also approved the appointment of Mr Ini Ebong as the Deputy Managing Director of FirstBank, subject to the approval of the CBN.
    The company secretary stated that First Bank further approved the appointment of Mr Alao Olatunde-Olaifa as Non-Executive Director of FirstBank, subject to the approval of the CBN.
    Before his appointment, Alebiosu was previously Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Compliance Officer of the bank, from January 2022 until April 20.
    He was, before then, the Group Executive/ Chief Risk Officer of the bank since 2016.
    Alebiosu brings to the executive management of First Bank over 28 years’ experience in the banking and financial services industry with cross-functional exposure to credit risk management, financial planning and control.
    He also has experience in credit and marketing, trade, corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, including Aviation and Shipping and Project financing.
    Prior to joining First Bank in 2016, Alebiosu served as Chief Risk Officer at Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd., Chief Credit Risk Officer at African Development Bank Group and Group Head, Credit Policy, and Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer at United Bank For Africa Plc.
    Alebiosu is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and Harvard School of Government.
    He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, and also a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.
    Alebiosu obtained a master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and completed Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School.
    He is a member of various professional bodies namely: Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), Associate, Nigeria Institute of Management (ANIM), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Member, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.
    On his part, Ebong, prior to his appointment, was the Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking of First Bank, since January 2022.
    He was previously the Group Executive, Treasury and International Banking, a position he held since 2016 after serving as the Bank’s Treasurer from year 2011 to 2016.
    Ebong brings to FirstBank over 20 years’ extensive banking experience, working through a wide variety of trading roles across most Treasury products, Asset and Liability management, Treasury sales and marketing, as well as Treasury risk management.
    Before joining FirstBank, he was the Head of African Fixed Income and Local Markets Trading, Renaissance Securities Nigeria Ltd., the Nigerian registered subsidiary of Renaissance Capital.
    He also worked with Citigroup for 14 years as Country Treasurer and Sales and Business Head, and has passion for market development.
    Also, Alao-Olaifa has extensive experience cutting across the corporate Finance spectrum, including Capital Raising, Deal Structuring, Debt Restructuring, Acquisition Planning, Project Financing and Asset Management.
    He is currently the Group Chief Financial Officer/Strategy and Principal Investment at Leadway Holdings with responsibilities covering strategy, corporate finance and principal investment across the group and geographies.
    He also sits on the Boards of C&I Leasing Plc and Leadway Pensure PFA.
    Alao-Olaifa had previously worked with Lionstone Group as an Associate, Investment Banking and Fidelity Bank Plc as an Assistant Manager in the Corporate Banking division, where he managed blue chip clients.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RUKY/ETS
    =========

  • Wounded-in-action soldiers true heroes of Nigeria – NDA Commandant

    Senior military officers in a group photograph with wounded-in-action soldiers during a dinner in their honour at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Wednesday.

    Wounded-in-action soldiers true heroes of Nigeria – NDA Commandant 

    Dinner

    By Muhammad Tijjani 

    Kaduna, June . 19, 2024(NAN) Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, Commmandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), on Wednesday celebrated with wounded-in-action personnel and declared that they were true heroes of Nigeria that must be celebrated.

    Ochai celebrated the heroes at a dinner in honour of wounded soldiers receiving  medical attention at  the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was organised by the NDA to honour the wounded soilders.

    “The soldiers are the real heroes because they took the bullet on our behalf,” Ochai declared.

    According to him, the event is part of the tradition of the military which stipulates that leaders must ensure that troops wounded in action are provided with needed succour.

    “Just within the week, we were at our various houses and villages to celebrate Sallah holiday, but the wounded-in-action action soilders were here in the hospital, not out of choice, but out of necessity.

    “They took bullets for the nation to be at peace.

    “So, a gathering like this gives them a sense of belonging and makes them understand that we truly appreciate their sacrifice.

    “This is an encouragement to all those out there in the field on operations. It shows that in the event of injury or death, we’ll continue to be with them and ensure they and their families receive necessary support.

    “It shows that their sacrifices are not in vain,” Ochai said.

     

    Maj.-Gen. Ochai and other senior officers serving wounded-in-action personnel on Wednesday in Kaduna.

    In a message, Samuel Aruwan, overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, said that the wounded-in-action personnel were the reason for Nigeria’s stability,

    “They stand between us and the enemies and the enemies of our existence,” he declared.

    Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), appreciated the NDA Commmandant for the kind gesture, and particularly commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja for his leadership.

    He further commended Lagbaja for providing the necessary resources to ensure the well-being of  soilders wounded in action.

    The Acting Chief Medical Director, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, making his remarks at the Dinner in honour of wounded-in-action in action soldiers on Wednesday in Kaduna.
    “This is a clear commitment to national service,” Onuchukwu said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    TJ/ETS
    ======

  • Paris Olympics: Nigeria’s Edem targets quarter-final berth

    Olympics

    By Vivian Ibobo

    Lagos, June 19, 2024, (NAN) Offiong Edem, Nigeria’s international Table Tennis player, says she is targeting a quarter-final berth at the Paris Olympic.

    Edem said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday at the opening of World Table Tennis Contender 2024 in Lagos.

    ”It is a good thing I qualify for the Olympic Games; I am very excited to still be playing actively and this will be my fifth. It’s not really easy, but you have to stay disciplined and committed.

    ”It was not an easy task, am very happy I made it to my fifth Olympics and I’m going to play my best and give my best to my nation.

    ”For me after the qualifier, I have been practicing and also we have tournaments too here in Lagos which will help me to prepare for the coming Olympics.

    ”I am aware we have training in Germany and I don’t know how true is that plan, but I know it will really go a long way for our preparations,” she said.

    She also said the training in Germany would really help because she would be able to acclimatise over there .

    She said, ”In 2020, I won the top 50 player and lost in the second round, I want to move further this time and I’m just trying to be focused.”

    NAN reports that Edem, ranked 113 in the world, made her debut at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004.

    She will be making her fifth Olympics appearance at the Paris games.

    The former African Games champion has been the mainstay of the Nigerian female team. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IZU/DOE
    ========
    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • NFF denies banning Osimhen from Super Eagles 

    NFF denies banning Osimhen from Super Eagles

    Ban

    By Muhyideen Jimoh

    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described as false, reports in some online mediums that the federation has banned Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen from the team, for his recent social media outburst.

    NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, in a statement on Thursday, expressed amazement at the reports.

    According to him, the federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the national team.

    “The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters.

    “There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all,” he said.

    The general secretary said the focus of the NFF is to get the Super Eagles on track in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    “Our focus is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

    “This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more.” Sanusi said.

    It will be recalled that Osimhen recently went on a rant on social media against Finidi George, the former Super Eagles head coach, few hours after he resigned from the job.

    Osimhen had accused Finidi of allegedly questioning his commitment to the national team. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MUYI/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Players commend WTT Contender Lagos organisers

    Players
    By Vivian Ibobo

    Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN)Some international Table Tennis players on Wednesday commended the organisers as well as the hospitality of Nigerians at the ongoing WTT Contender Lagos.

    The players, XU Huiyao and LUO Jiecheng, made this known at the World Table Tennis Contender Lagos at the Molade Okoya Thomas indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament which served off on June 19 will end on June 23.

    They said that their respective experience in Nigeria so far had been wonderful, adding that the atmosphere was also very good for them.

    They also said that being their first time in Nigeria they found the people very welcoming.

    They said that they started from the qualification match and progressed in their game in spite of challenges.

    They said that their perseverance and skills in training enabled them to win their game,
    adding that they were very happy and would also be better prepared in subsequent games.

    Also, Francis Antwi, an international table tennis player from Ghana, who competed in the men singles said he is proud to be in Lagos playing the WTT Contender.

    ”As this is my second time at the event and I have just won my first match in the qualifying round 3-0 and I’m very happy.

    ”I am very proud to be here to play such a nice event, have won my first round match so I’d just be focused on training and waiting for my next opponent.

    ”My opponent might be from China or wherever, so I’m just focusing, training for the next round.

    Similarly, Mustapha Mustapha, a Nigeria table tennis player, said it was his second time competing in WTT contender Lagos,

    He said,”Last year I lost at the first round of the qualifying draw and I told myself next year it has to be better.

    ”I couldn’t lose at the first round last year and still come and lose at the first round again.

    ”Even though I had a tight match against my junior brother, he’s also very good, I think it was a 50/50 match, it was just a hard luck for me and I wish to do better.

    ”I am looking forward to getting into the main draw, I have one more match to win against a player from Ghana. I wish myself luck because I know am going to do better.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IZU/DOE
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    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • KWASU gets NUC accreditation for 18 programmes

    KWASU gets NUC accreditation for 18 programmes

    Accreditation

    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

    Ilorin, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation status to the 18 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes presented by the Kwara State University (KWASU).

    A statement from the Acting Director, University Relations, Dr Saeedat Aliyu, on Wednesday in Ilorin stated that the application was in the October/November 2023 round of accreditation of academic programmes in the institution.

    The statement indicated that the accreditation was contained in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, dated June 6, 2024, and signed by the Acting Director of Accreditation, Mr Abraham Chundusu.

    ”The accreditation is for six post-graduate and 12 undergraduate programmes valid for a period of five years,” the letter stated.

    It listed the programmes to include Public Health, Film Studies and Production, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Fine and Applied Arts.

    Others are Chemistry, Plant and Environmental Biology, Political Science, Tourism and Hospitality Management and Mass Communication.

    The post-graduate programmes are M.Sc. Accounting, M.Sc. Business Administration, Masters in Business Administration, M.Sc. Finance, M.Sc. Public Administration, and Masters in Public Administration.

    The statement quoted the Vice-Chancellor as describing the result as reflective of the commitment of the management and staff of the University.

    He equally appreciated the roles played by the Kwara State Government and Ministry of Tertiary Education, commending their support during the accreditation exercise. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    BAY/AMM

    =========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Nigerian pilgrim returns lost $800, other currencies in Makkah

    Pilgrim

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Makkah (Saudi Arabia), June 19, 2024 (NAN) Malam Abba Limawa, 52, a Nigerian pilgrim from Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has returned 10,500 Russian rubles, 800 dollars and 690 Saudi Riyals, he found, to the authority in Makkah.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Limawa, handed over the different currencies to the Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi during the post-Afarat conference, held on Wednesday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    The pilgrims explained that he found the money inside a waist bag, while on his way to pray at the Masjid Haram (Mosque).

    ” Initially, I wanted to ignore the waist bag and moved to the Mosque, but on a second thought, I said it might belong to a Nigerian, especially some of our old women.

    “So, I decided to pick it, and I proceeded to the mosque. When I returned to my accommodation, I opened the bag and discovered that there is no Nigerian currency and no any sign that it belonged to a Nigerian.

    ” Immediately, I approached one of the officials of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, narrated the story and presented the money to him.

    ” From there, he commended me for showing an exemplary character and honesty and told me that he will handover the money to the NAHCON, to ensure that the owner gets his or her money,” he said.

    Responding, Arabi commended Limawa for being honest and projecting the image of Nigeria positively at the international arena.

    Earlier, in his presentation on the outcome of the just concluded Hajj ritual, the NAHCON boss explained that the aim of the post-Afarat conference was to review what had transpired.

    “This will enable us to have a sincere post-mortem of what we did at the battle field and improve on the success recorded.”

    Arabi disclosed that Saudi government had released the time-table and timeline for the 2025 Hajj operation on Tuesday.

    ” Perhaps by Thursday we will have known what they allocate (Hajj slots allocation) to each nation of the world, how the visas will commence.

    ” But interestingly for the first time, they (Saudi authority) have opened the e-portal as from Tuesday.”

    He, therefore, called on the States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Tour Operators and all other stakeholders to take notes of the development.

    Also, the Head of Aviation of NAHCON, Malam Goni Sanda, said that three flights carrying pilgrims from Kebbi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will take off to Nigeria on June 22. (NAN)

    SSI/ROT

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    Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi