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  • Iranian presidential vote pits reformist against hardliners

    Hardliners

    Tehran, June 28, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  has kicked off the country’s presidential election on Friday, as Iranians decide whether to continue the country’s hardline conservative course or take a more moderate stance.

    Casting his vote in the capital Tehran, Khamenei urged the nation to participate in the vote to “prove the correctness and honesty of the system of the Islamic Republic.”

    Some 61 million voters in Iran are eligible to elect a successor to hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

    The election comes amid a severe economic crisis, tensions with the West and frustrations among the public with the enforcement of state power and the government, especially among the younger population.

    The candidates seen as having the best chances to win the election are the hardliner Saeed Jalili, a former negotiator in nuclear talks with Western powers; parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; and former health minister and reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian.

    During the campaign, Pezeshkian criticised the government’s strict policy on women wearing headscarves, but also expressed his loyalty to Khamenei and praised the attack launched on Israel with drones and missiles in April.

    While, leading voices from the reformist camp have pledged their support for him, and he may stand a good chance of winning if he reaches a second round.

    The cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi is also still in the running.

    In spite of the title of president, Raisi was only number two in Iran’s power structure as Khamenei functions as the head of state and has the final say in all strategic matters.

    He is also commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces.

    The Guardian Council, an extremely conservative supervisory body, had only authorised six candidates for the election.

    Earlier in the week, two conservative hardliner candidates withdrew their nominations in an effort to unite support among hard-line voters heading to the polls.

    Many Iranians, especially young people, have however lost faith in major political change at home.

    The death of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in autumn 2022 sparked nationwide protests against the Islamic system of rule, but the protests were quashed long ago with harsh punishments for demonstrators.

    If none of the candidates secures an absolute majority, a runoff vote will take place on July 5.

    The first results from the first round are expected on Saturday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ===

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

     

  • Anambra deserves national library branch—FG tells Soludo

    Anambra deserves national library branch—FG tells Soludo
     
    National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, speaking in Awka during
    her visit to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra

    Library

    By Joy Mbachi

    Awka, June 28, 2024 (NAN)  Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, National Librarian, National Library of Nigeria, has urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra to facilitated the establishment of Anambra branch of national library.

    Anunobi said on Friday during a courtesy visit to the governor in Awka that doing so would further boost the level of literacy in the state.

    She said it was unfortunate that Anambra, known for excellence in education, has no branch of the national library.

    “It is disheartening that Anambra State with dignified personalities in diverse fields of life has no branch of national library. I urge other state governments to build one.

    “There is no documentation in the country that does not have a connection with national library services.

    “The national library started in 1964 and almost all the states in the North-West region have magnificent national libraries, we need such in Anambra`’, she said.

    She said the delegation was in Anambra to request the governor to secure a place for the establishment of a national library branch.

    Responding, Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, appreciated the concerns expressed by Anunobi.

    Soludo assured the team that the government would give a speedy attention, saying it was determined to do anything possible to promote education in the state.

    “I assure you that the government will not take your visit for granted, your request is highly appreciated,” Soludo said.

    Speaking earlier, Mr Paul Nwosu, Anambra Commissioner for Information, acknowledged Anunobi’s passion to promote literacy in the state.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    JOY/OIF/KUA

    ===========
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Uche Anunne

  • Don tasks students on profitable ventures in chemistry education

    Don tasks students on profitable ventures in chemistry education

    Chemistry

    By Habibu Harisu

    Sokoto, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Dr Surajo Zauro, a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS), has urged science students and graduates to harness profitable ventures of chemistry education. 

    Zauro gave the charge on Friday in Sokoto during his lecture titled ”Chemistry is Everywhere, Revisiting Some Interesting Chemistry Around Us”.

    The event is part of the 2024 Festival of Chemistry organised by American Chemical Society (ACS), Sokoto State University (SSU) chapter.

    He said science of chemistry is everywhere from sunlight, water treatment, cooking and heating systems, waste recycling techniques, plants and environment.

    According to him, chemistry touches all sectors of human lives as industrial and small scale products are being produced daily for consumption and other services in the society.

    The lecturer listed the products on agricultural practices, human lives, building as well as construction materials and others all produced through education at different formations.

    He said that chemistry education had made impacts in the society and beneficial to the society.

    The Faculty Adviser, SSU chapter of ACS, Dr Thompson Izuagie, said no fewer than 100 secondary school chemistry students, teachers and academic staff of tertiary institutions, technologists participated in the quiz competition organised by ACS.

    Izuagie explained that the competition aimed at  sharing knowledge and experience on enterprenuership in chemistry, chemical safety management and improving chemical laboratory practices.

    According to him, the knowledge is expected to broaden participants horizons on chemistry education and available business opportunities for self reliance.

    In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, Prof. Bashar Garba, urged the participants to utilise the opportunity by putting the skills acquired into practice.

    Garba, who was represented by the Director, SSU Equipment Centre, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad, said the university’s chemistry programme was accredited and urged ACS members to develop more skills in students as well as prepare them for a global workplace practice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to winners of the quiz competition and certificate presented to all participating schools.

     

    Federal Government College Sokoto emerged first position in the quiz competition, while Sultan Bello Secondary School and BUA Cement Secondary School came second and third respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    HMH/FAA

    ======

    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Unilag management reaffirms commitment to students’ wellbeing

    Wellbeing
    By Oluwakemi Oladipo
    Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The management of University of Lagos has reaffirmed commitment to the wellbeing of the students of the institution.
    The Head, Communication Unit of the institution, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, who stated this in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, also urged the students to take advantage of the available academic and social support programmes within the university.
    Alaga-Ibraheem said that the students’ wellbeing had always been the priority of the university.
    “This statement is to give an update on the viral social media report depicting the sub-par home condition of a 300-level student of the institution.
    “The management wishes to appreciate members of the university community and other stakeholders for the outpour of concern and support, following the release of the report.
    “We have concluded investigations into the report as well as held interactions with the student and producer of the video.
    “The student, who has since relocated from the flooded building into the home of one of her guardians, has accepted the university’s offer of accommodation on campus for the rest of her academic sojourn in Unilag,” she said.
    Alaga-Ibraheem said that the student had also expressed gratitude to the donors who had credited her account and that of the video producer with donations running into millions of naira.
    According to her, the university management understands the desire of individuals and organisations to offer assistance to indigent students.
    “We wish to advise that appeals on the basis of being a student of Unilag should be verified through our Students’ Affairs Division through phone call: +234 818 537 0948 or email: dsa@unilag.edu.ng before donations are made,” she said.
    The official noted that the university had various programmes for registered indigent students and was accessible through the students’ affairs division.
    These, according to her, include: “Indigent Students’ Scheme (provision of funds, meal tickets and raw food items), Triple A: Adopt-An-Akokite Project, Unilag Scholars’ Award Scheme, Work-Study Programme and Pay for Mentors Project.
    “We, therefore, implore those who wish to support any indigent student(s) to contact our Students’ Affairs Division through phone call: +234 818 537 0948 or email: dsa @unilag.edu.ng, to key into any of these programmes,” she said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier in the month, a video clip of a 300-level female student studying Biology Education in the university had gone viral over her poor living condition.
    NAN also reports that the institution’s management had stepped in to help the student. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Former ambassador advocates selfless leaders for African progress

    Former ambassador advocates selfless leaders for African progress

    Leadership

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi/ Folasade Akpan

    Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A former Ambassador of Nigeria to Mexico, Prof. Hagher Iyorwuese, has advocated for selfless leadership for the future transformation and progress of the African continent.

    Iyorwuese, who was also Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, said this while speaking to journalists during the Public Presentation of his books in Abuja on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the books, Beyond Ethnic Grievance-the Jukun-Tiv Crisis, Leadership Leading Africa out of Chaos and the English Language and its Discontent, were presented to celebrate Iyorwuese’s 75th birthday anniversary.

    Iyorwuese, also a professor of Theatre for Development, said Africa needed leaders, who could fight colonialism so that Africa would take its pride in the world continents.

    “The leadership book is all about what leadership entails and how we can all learn to be good leaders.

    “The book offers the theory of God centeredness and it is not specific to any religion. If you are a good Muslim or a good Christian, you should be a good leader.

    “There is no country like Nigeria that has almost the same number of Christians as Muslims. We must then come together and accept the need for us to be an exceptional country in Africa,” he said.

    Speaking on his book entitled, ‘Beyond Ethnic Grievance, the Jukun-Tiv Crisis’, Iyorwuese emphasised the need to come together collectively to build a strong nation.

    According to him, Nigeria needs to build a strong nation where its democracy place citizens as kings and its citizens have rights and privileges of human dignity, not toiled by any person.

    “Ethnic grievance is the biggest challenge in Nigeria. Two things have put us down- corruption and tribalism.

    “In my 75 years, I have experienced the Jukun-Tiv crisis and these people have been living together until the white men came,” he added.

    He, therefore, advised that collective engagement was critical in resolving crisis in the communities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/ FOF/AMM

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

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • FG approves e-verification for military pensioners

    FG approves e-verification for military pensioners

    Verification

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Chairman, Military Pensions Board (MPB), AVM Paul Irumheson, says the Federal Government has approved an electronic verification system for military pensioners to ensure sanity in pension administration.

    Irumheson stated this while addressing newsmen on the commencement of the electronic verification exercise nationwide on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the initiative was aimed at sanitising military pension administration and elimination of issues of impersonation.

    The chairman said the board adopted an electronic verification system to reduce the risk of traveling from one place to another, and the cost of transportation owing to their old age.

    “You may recall that on Feb. 15, I briefed this honourable press about the board`s intention or plan to move from physical verification to electronic verification for our military retirees.

    “The reasons amongst others include security risk of travelling from one place to the other; old age of some of our pensioners; and high cost of transportation, particularly for those staying abroad,” he said.

    Irumheson said the board successfully conducted a pilot test from Feb. 15 to March 1, adding that only 15 of the 2,000 pensioners verified failed the process.

    He said the little observations noticed had been used to improve on the system.

    According to him, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, have approved the commencement of the verification for the esteemed pensioners.

    The chairman assured that the board would carry out sufficient public awareness to enable pensioners to navigate the system with ease.

    He called on military pensioners to take advantage of the electronic verification exercise as those who failed to, would seize to receive their pensions.

    “I hereby declare the Electronic Verification Exercise officially open on full scale for all our retired pensioners for a period of three months from July 1 to Sept. 30.

    “Finally, the Board wishes to advise all pensioners to take active part in this exercise.

    “Those that fail to take part in the verification exercise will not get their pensions going forward,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/GOM/JPE

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

    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

  • 2 arraigned for allegedly fighting in public

    Fighting
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Two youths: Rebecca Isioma and Solomon Taiwo, on Friday, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly fighting in public.

    The duo, whose addresses were not provided, are being tried for alleged breach of peace and affray, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on June 14, at about 9.00 p.m. at Oke-Bola area, Ibadan.

    Amusan alleged that the defendants engaged each other in a fisticuff and disturbed public peace.

    He said the offence contravened Section 83 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

    Yusuf adjourned the case until July 19 for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CC/KOO/JNC
    ============
    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Avoid complacency, improve your productivity, Kwara govt. urges principals, teachers

    Productivity
    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
    Ilorin, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Kwara Government has stressed the need for principals and teachers across the state to avoid complacency and improve their productivity.
    Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, stated this during her visit to selected schools in Ilorin on Friday.
    Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu said that the purpose of the visit was to monitor the students writing National Examinations Council (NECO) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
    She told the principals and teachers to avoid actions that could negatively impact teaching and learning.
    ”Principals and teachers must be steadfast and committed to their legitimate duties to reciprocate the kind gestures of the current administration,” she said.
    The commissioner assured them of government’s commitment to creating a conducive working environment to achieve the goal of revitalising education sector.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner also addressed the students the examinations, urging them to avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future careers.
    She emphasised the importance of diligence and focus during the examination period.
    The Principal of Mount Carmel College, Oloje, Ilorin, Mr Olaoye Benedict, praised the efforts of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration in transforming education sector in the state.
    He, however, appealed to government to renovate the dilapidated buildings in the school to prevent overcrowding in classrooms.
    The principal also called for completion of the perimeter fence to ensure that students remained in the school premises during school hours.
    NAN reports that the schools visited by Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu included: Mount Carmel College, Oloje, and Ansarul Islam Secondary School, both in Ilorin. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    BAY/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • 5 teenagers arraigned for alleged attempted felony

    Felony

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Five teenagers, namely, Daramola Samuel, Wasiu Usman, Selim Adebayo, Michael Yekini and Akeem Fawasi, on Friday appeared before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ibadan, for an alleged attempt to commit felony.

    The five with no fixed addresses were charged with conspiracy and attempt to commit felony, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on Thursday, at about 11.00 a.m., at Oke-Ado area, Ibadan.

    Amusan alleged that the defendants attempted to commit felony by gathering at a particular abandoned building within the community to carry out atrocities’ activities.

    He said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 509 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The court president, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

    Yusuf held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendants.

    She, thereafter, adjourned the case until July 16, for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CC/EBI/JNC
    ==========
    Edited by Benson Iziama/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Scavenger bags one-year in prison for stealing cooking pots

     

    Stealing
    By Joy Akinsanya
    Abeokuta, June, 28, 2024 (NAN) An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo on Friday sentenced a 38-year-old man, Saheed Adisa, to one year imprisonment for stealing cooking pots.

    The defendant, who resides at No 25 Yemidire Street, Sabo area in Abeokuta pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of stealing

    The Magistrate, Mrs V.B Williams, noted that the prosecution counsel had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the convict was guilty as charged.

    She however, sentenced Adisa to one year in prison for the first count as well as the second count respectively without option of fine.

    She added that the sentence should run concurrently

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 30 at about 4:30pm at Japo Oke-Odo in Adigbe area in Abeokuta.

    Lawrence explained that the convict who is scavenger entered into the compound of two persons and stole their pots.

    He said the defendant entered into the compound of one Mr Shakirudeen Durowoju and gained entrance through the window to where the pots were kept.

    He added that the convict stole the aluminum pots worth N35,000.

    “The convict also entered into the house of one Mr Femi Adesoji and stole one cooking pots worth N10,000

    “He was caught by one of the complainants, Durowoju, who saw the convict around his compound and asked him what he was looking for, but he could not give a satificatory answer, which made him to search the convict sack he was holding.

    “On Opening the sack, the complainant Durowoju found his pots in the sack and other pots which he later confessed he stole the pots from different houses”he said

    The prosecutor, however, said the offence contravened section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IOJ/MNA

    Edited by Benson Iziama/Maureen Atuonwu