News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Tiwet The Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gloria Tiwet has revealed that about  13,000 Nigerians study annually in Malaysia, an indication of a robust bilateral relations between the two countries. She disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja yesterday at the 2022 Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Alumni Programme. Tiwet said that the numbers of Nigerian students in Malaysia increased again  following a disruption of academic exercise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Before COVID-19, every year, we had a total of 13,000 Nigerian students but during COVID-19, there was no movement, so there was zero students because most of them would have returned to Nigeria." “Starting this year, our borders opened since April, and right now, we have around 4,000 Nigerian students who returned to continue their studies and there are also very few who are just starting their universities." "Currently, they are ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Osodeke Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended the six-month old strike action indefinitely over the failure of federal government to meet its demands. The decision was reached in Abuja on Monday by the National Executive Council of ASUU after brainstorming on reports from various congresses held last week. Tribune reports that the state congresses voted overwhelmingly for the continuation of the strike, especially to protest the decision of the federal government to enforce the no-work-no-pay policy. ASUU had commenced on a nationwide strike since February 14, 2022 over the adoption of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) of the government as the payment system for university staff members. Other issues raised by ASUU were non-payment of salaries and allowances of some staff, poor funding of universities and the inability of government to pay earned academic allowance to lecturers.  According to G...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has unveiled a mobile application, NISS Agro App meant to support farmers and extension agents to bolster agriculture.  The app, which can be downloaded from various online application stores would provide knowledge, information and services to farmers on specialised implements and fertilisers for bigger yields.  At the end of a one-day training in Kano recently, farmers and extension agents were drawn from the North-Western states to acquaint them on the benefits of the app.  Addressing the participants, NISS Northwest Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Sama’ila Noma stated that the institute developed the app to guarantee best and standard practices in farming. Represented by a Professor of Soil Science, Nafiu Abdu, the don described the ICT agriculture tool as user-friendly, adding that it would assist farmers to properly utilise the soil and boost agricultural production. He said, "NISS is an organisatio...

Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon and Lance Corporal John Gabriel were officially dismissed from the Nigerian Army on August 27, 2022. Nigerian Army has dismissed two soldiers over the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami Gashua in Yobe State. The dismissed soldiers are Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon. Acting commanding officer in charge of 241 Reece battalion, Nguru, Yobe State, Lt Col. Ibrahim Osabo informed newsmen that a joint board of inquiry set up in partnership with the police found the culprits guilty. He said that the two soldiers were dismissed on a two-count charge of failure to perform duties and conduct prejudice to service discipline.  Osabo stated that the dismissed soldiers would be handed over to the police in Damaturu for prosecution in a court of law. According to reports, the cleric was travelling from Gashua to Kano when he was trailed in a bus by the attackers. The incident occured around 10am at Jajimaji, a distan...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Before and after picture of Nefesah Vandi The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos has sought adequate protection for  Adamawa-based female journalist, Nefasah Vandi, who was recently brutalised by her estranged husband. Vandi works with Adamawa State Broadcasting Commission, Yola.  Reports by IPC Safety Alert Desk revealed that Vandi, a mother of three was beaten and defaced by her estranged husband, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, a situation that led to dislocation of one of her hands.  Aliyu is a former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).  Condenming the incident, Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade regretted that the spike in domestic violence against women by their spouses is alarming.  He charged security operatives to carry out thorough investigation on the matter and prosecute the culprit so as to reduce attacks on female journalists in Nigeria. “We condemn the attack and demand apprehension...

Out of Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), about 527 recorded security breaches between January and August 21, 2022. This is even as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cultist attacks crippled socio-economic and religious activities in the affected areas. The figure, which was contained in the Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker report, conducted by Beacon Consulting between January 1 and August 21, indicated that a total of 3,264 cases of security breaches were recorded within the period under review. Given the series of attacks on unarmed Nigerians, there are fears that insecurity may likely jeopardise the forthcoming 2023 general elections.  In the report, Konduga, a local government area in Borno State, recorded 89 security incidents, leading to the deaths of 172 persons and the kidnapping of 43 persons. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed a total of 126 incidents in the six area councils. It led to the deaths of 55 persons and 118 ab...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Registrar of nvironmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) Dr. Baba Yakubu Mohammed during the symbolic source site management intervention for Mosquito control at UTC Market, Area 10 Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE  As part of activities to commemorate the 2022 World Mosquito Day, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) in partnership with Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) have marshaled plans to end the death of over 300, 000 Nigerians caused by malaria annually. This is even as Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) embarked on road walk from Area 3 to UTC Market, Area 10m Garki Abuja, declaring war against mosquitoes and malaria.  They carried placards with inscriptions such as "Source Site Management, Don't Keep Stagnant Waters'; 'Mosquitoes Kill, Kill Mosquitoes'; 'Prevention Is Better Than Cure, Get Rid Of Mosquitoes'; 'Vector Control E...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered the immediate shutdown of African Independent Television (AIT), Silverbird TV and 50 others over expired licences.  This is even as the broadcasting regulator revoked the licences of the affected radio and television stations due to their inability to offset the licensing debt amounting to N2.66 billion. A statement by NBC on Friday revealed that they had published and mandated the affected stations to renew their licences, just as a two-week waiver was issued to them in May for the renewal.  But after the expiration of the deadline, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act. “Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the stations and gives them 24 hours to shut do...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Barely ten hours after electricity workers under the auspices of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) suspended a-day nationwide strike action, blackout persists in Nigeria.  Checks by BOblog on Thursday reveals that sounds of generators dominated activities in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Portharcourt, Enugu, Lagos, Anambra and other commercial cities across the country.  This was linked to the inability of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore power supply after the shutdown of national electric power following the industrial strike by NUEE.  NUEE had on Wednesday evening suspended its nationwide strike for two weeks after a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige. The secretary-general of the union, Joe Ajaero stated that the federal government promised to resolve the issues raised by the union within two weeks. He insited that the union will down tools again if government ...

        Ruto Deputy President, William Ruto has been declared the winner of Kenya's presidential election amid dramatic scenes. He narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, taking 50.5% of the vote, according to the official results. The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by Mr Odinga's campaign. Four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to endorse the result, saying that it was opaque. "We cannot take ownership of the result that is going to be announced because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election," said Juliana Cherera, the Vice Chairperson of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). "We are going to give a comprehensive statement... and again we urge Kenyans to keep calm," she added. Mr Odinga's party agent earlier alleged that there were irregularities and mismanagement in the election. This was the first time Mr Ruto, 55, had run for president...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja             Newly Commissioned Nasarawa State Solid Waste Management Facility  The residents in Nasarawa State have heaved a sigh of relief given the mounting waste dotting its landscape as President Muhammadu unveiled waste management facility.  Commissioning and handing over the Integrated Solid Waste Management System in Lafia, the state capital on Thursday, the President informed that the project renewed government's commitment to clean and healthy environment.  The project was one of the eighteen ecological interventions approved by the President for the first quarter of 2020, and was awarded by the Ecological Project Office (EPO), Office of the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in 30th May, 2020.   He said that efficient waste management is a global concern, which required extensive research and development works towards exploring newer applications for a sustainable environment...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Nigeria's Gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo on Saturday sealed marital vow with hubby, Pastor Blessed Uzocchikwa in a church ceremony.  This is even as the couple celebrated their traditional marriage ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Friday.  Famous singer and politician, Bankole Wellington aka Banky W, shared a photo of himself and the groom on his Instagram page. Family and friends also attended the church wedding including Actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington and renowned Gospel singer, Chioma Jesus.  Chinwo had in June announced her engagement to Uzochikwa, who is a resident pastor of The Waterbrook Church and an IT professional via her verified Instagram account @mercychinwo.  In addition, the couple legalised their union at a Lagos Marriage Registry in August.  Confirming the news, the singer shared pictures of the marriage via her verified Instagram account @mercychinwo with the ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Lawal   President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the immediate past Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal as Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination. This is coming one-week after her well-celebrated retirment from the EPO on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.  Before retirement, Dr Lawal had successfully supervised a team that facilitated the identification, planning, management and execution of ecological and erosion-control projects across the country, with commendable results. These were contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.  Briefly  Dr Lawal attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria from 1982 to 1986, where she bagged a B.Sc. in Chemistry. While in school, she won the Nigerian Tobacco Company Prize for the Best Year II Student in 1984/19...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, New Karu           Eseduwo  The federal government has promised to exhibit high level of transparency in handling ecological issues, with a call on the media to present factual reports on Nigeria's environmental challenges. Acting Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Famous Eseduwo stated this in Nasarawa State Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a 2-day Capacity Building Workshop for EPO Correspondents and Press Unit, organised by EPO in collaboration with The Management House Africa.  Eseduwo, who was epresented by the Deputy Director, Press & Public Relations of EPO, Mrs Eno Olotu, was optimistic that the participants would gain new ideas and learn to cooperate with one another during the workshop.  He stated that the training provided an opportunity for the participants to acquire indepth knowledge in handling ecological and environmental crisis as well as sharpen their skills for effective ...

      Daniel The federal government has secured the release of popular singer and songwriter, Oluwatobiloba Daniel aka Kizz Daniel who was arrested in Tanzania after failing to show up for a paid concert in the country. Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa on Monday night stated that the singer has been released. Organisers of the Summer Amplified Show arrested the Buga hit maker for failing to perform at the well-publicised show on Sunday night. Fans of the singer were forced to wait until 6 am for a live performance but Kizz Daniel was absent. The singer was reported to have arrived in the country earlier but refused to perform because of unavailability of his clothes. A viral video on Twitter shows the singer wearing a black hoodie while being escorted into a Tanzanian police van. But reacting to a tweet on Monday night from a twitter user pleading for federal government's intervention, Abike clari...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Special Guest of Honour, Senator Mpigi Barinada (2nd right),  presenting the Handover Certificate of Erosion and Flood Control Works at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku in Rivers State to the College's Provost, Dr  Emmanuel Ikenyiri (2nd left); while Acting Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Famous Eseduwo (left); Director, Drought , Desertification and Coastal Management Department of EPO, Alhaji Haruna Bello ( right) and others watch with keen interest in Rivers State over the weekend. PHOTO BY EPO.  Determined to mitigate ecological challenges across the country, the federal government has stated that the completed erosion and flood-control works at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku in Rivers State would provide succor in the institution, as well as safeguard lives and properties in the commhnity.  Acting Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Fa...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Retired Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Habiba Lawal (3rd Right); Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan (Right); former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed  (Left) ; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha (2nd Left) and others at the Celebration of Retirment and Launch of a book written by Dr Lawal in Abuja yesterday .  Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Habiba Lawal has bowed out of the Civil Service, having performed excellently in different cadres for 35 years.  This is even as technocrats hailed her sterling leadership, which resulted to the successes recorded by the federal government in addressing flood and erosion crisis across the country.  Lawal's exit from the service was heralded with a Retirment Ceremony and Public Presentation of her book titled, "Account of my Stewardship in the Managemen...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Chairman, Board of Directors, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi; Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Managing Director/ Chief Executive of FMBN, Mr Madu Hamman; President of Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Mr Aliyu Wamakko and others at the 2022 Board and Management Retreat of Federal Mortgage of Nigeria (FMBN) and official launch of its Corporate Statement in Abuja Monday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE.  The federal government through the National Council on Housing and Lands has approved insurance coverage for National Housing Fund (NHF) contributions, managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).  With the recommendation, the bank is expected to seek the support of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in protecting the contributors funds as done for depositors in commercial banks across the States.  The Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fas...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja            Lawal The federal government has advocated for the upscaling of funds reserved for the management of ecological challenges nationwide in order to execute more projects at the federal, states and local government levels.  Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Habiba Lawal stated this in Abuja recently during an interactive session with the media, alongside the top management staff of EPO.  Currently, 2. 32 percent is set aside for the management of ecological challenges nationwide. One percent share goes to the federal government coffers while 0.55 percent of the federal government's share is utilised by the EPO in addressing ecological crisis.  To this end, Lawal pleaded with policy makers and governors across the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to establish its Ecological Project Offices (EPO) in order to ameliorate the mounting ecolo...