1. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the intellectual and professional achievements of Nigerian professionals in the Netherlands.
The president stated this during a meeting with members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, Netherlands chapter.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Julius Nwankpa, the Chairman of NIDO commended Buhari for his anti corruption war and urged the government and its security team to accelerate efforts at halting the unfortunate killings in Nigeria.
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2. The National Board for Technical Education says it has recommended 29 polytechnics to pioneer the Open, Distance and Flexible Learning Programme.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Masa’udu Kazaure, said the recommendation of the institutions was the outcome of the 2017 Innovation in Vocational Education and Skills Development Meeting with the Commonwealth of Learning aimed at boosting access to technical and innovative skills of Nigerians.
The programme is expected to begin once it is ratified by the National Council on Education.
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3. The Nigerian Army says it has neutralised 22 suspected terrorists in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, Northeast Nigeria while several others escaped with gunshot wounds after troops repelled an attack.
Spokesman of the army, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, denied a report that the terrorists attacked, killed soldiers and carted away some military vehicles.
Chukwu said the reported attack was not only untrue, but misleading and blown out of proportion and urged residents to disregard the report as their safety was guaranteed.
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The Community and Social Development Project in collaboration with the World Bank is to support poor and vulnerable groups to build social amenities in their communities.
The National Coordinator of the Project, Dr Abdul Karim Obaje said the CSDP had so far disbursed N14 billion to 30 participating states and the FCT as part of the Project.
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5. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Deny Gauer, has assured Nigerians of his country’s continued security support and commitment to stronger bilateral relations.
Gauer said France would support Nigeria’s efforts toward the elimination of Boko Haram, ensuring stability in the country, and promoting mutually beneficial relations for the development of culture, renewable energy, agriculture, and smart cities.
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6. Iranian President Hassan Ruhani has given the green light for Iranian women to attend football matches, a spokesman for Iran’s Guardian Council, who announced this said an “absolute ban’’ was no longer rational.
Until the presidential green light, women in Iran were banned from entering stadia since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.