News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In furtherance of its Human Capital Development initiatives, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has so far trained  16,000 semi-skilled and skilled youths across the country. General Manager of NCDMB Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination Division, Mrs. Angela Okoro stated this on Wednesday at the graduation of 500 youths trained on solar power installation and maintenance in Ibadan, Oyo State.  The training programme, which lasted for six months, was organised as part of the board’s youth empowerment and human capacity-building initiatives.  Okoro noted that the training would empower the youths to contribute immensely towards the development of the economy.  The former Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the 9th Senate, Sen. Teslim Folarin commended NCDMB for the initiative.  Folarin, who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District lauded the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi K...

President Bola Tinubu has pledged its administration's commitment to the welfare of the families of fallen heroes and other categories of the Armed Forces.  Vice President Kashim Shettima stated this on Wednesday in Abuja shortly after hIs decoration with the emblem of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day by the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin. He said that the administration acknowledged the sacrifices of service personnel to the unity of Nigeria and sustenance of global peace. Shettima commended the heroics of Nigerian service personnel in conflict theatres at home, across Africa and beyond. He said; ”We really need to identify with the families of our fallen heroes, those who made the supreme sacrifice in the enthronement of peace in our country and the world generally, from Congo to Liberia, Sierra Leone and beyond. ”My heart goes out to the families of those who paid the supreme price. We have the moral burden to suppo...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders at the launch of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) five-year Strategic Plan in Abuja on Tuesday.  The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has unveiled its five-year roadmap (2023 - 2027) for the successful implementation of health security.  This was the crux of deliberations at NCDC's Health Security Partners’ meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.  The newly launched strategy and implementation plan titled: "Vision to Action” reflected the agency's commitment to the ministerial agenda for the health sector which centred on health security as the fourth pillar.  Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate had shortly after assumption of office unveiled a four-point agenda that would create an ambitious and realistic blueprint for Nigeria’s healthcare system.  The fourth agenda which was on health security, would provide an opportunity for the Ministry...

A High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the immediate past Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million.  Justice Hamza Muazu stated this on Wednesday while ruling in the bail application filed by Counsel to Emefiele, Mathew Burkaa.  This latest development is happening four months after the Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos granted him bail in the sum of N20 million, in a separate case bordering on illegal possession of arms. The court also ordered Emefiele to produce two sureties in the like sum of N300 million, who must have property in the Maitama district of Abuja. In addition, the sureties must present the title documents and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to the court for verification. Emefiele was also ordered to submit his travelling documents to the registrar of the court and must remain within the Abuja Municipal Council during the period of his trial. He is expected to remain in Kuje Correctional Cent...

The Federal Government has called on member states of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) to deploy modern technologies so as to end illicit financial flows in the sub-region. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2023 summit for Compliance Officers in the sub-region with the theme: “Intersection of technology and anti-money laundering; combating of financing of terrorism and proliferation”. Fagbemi, who is also the Chairman of the GIABA Ministerial Committee noted that illicit financial flows posed serious threat to the sub-region, which is currently facing rising cases of money laundering and terrorism. He noted that member countries should prioritise the deployment of new technologies to address the threats. The Director-General of GIABA, Mr Edwin Harris said although technology provided new ways to prevent crime related to money launde...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja General Christopher Musa The Defence Headquarters has debunked allegation making the rounds on social media that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa passed away on November 20, 2023.  This was revealed in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Bridgadier General Tukur Gusua on Tuesday in Abuja.  He said that the attention of the Defence Headquarters was drawn to an unfortunate publication by an online news paper, alleging that the CDS is dead.  Gusua described the information as unfortunate, unethical and lacked credibility. The statement reads: "To put the records straigth, the CDS, General CG Musa is alive and hearty. The Chief of Defence Staff who just returned from an official assignment outside the country has resumed work with more vigour to continue with his uncommon leadership style to prosper the Armed Forces of Nigeria.  He stated that the online newspaper have since retracted the news sto...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Dr Matshidiso Moeti  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has trained 899 Nigerian youths as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Ambassadors and were fully equipped to serve as advocates against the threat posed by AMR in their communities. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti disclosed this in her message on Monday to commemorate the 2023 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) with the theme: "Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together." Annually, the international community observes the World AMR awareness week from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness of the risks posed by the inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals, and crops and encourage their responsible use to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR.  AMR occurs when disease-causing germs stop responding to frequently prescribed antimicrobial medicines. This jeopardises the ability to treat common infections, increases the cost of treatment, ...