NYSC to build radio station with N50m
Olaleye Aluko, AbujaThe National Youth Service Corps has said it will establish a radio station in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by 2020. The radio station, sources added, would serve as an avenue to project the needs and emergencies of corps members in insecure areas. The NYSC Director-General, Brig-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, had on October 3, confirmed that the scheme was planning to establish a radio station. We are going to use the radio station to enlighten Nigerians, to entertain Nigerians about the unity of this country. The budget partly reads, “Renovation of the Printing press in Kaduna State – N70,000,000; establishment and installation of NYSC Radio Station – N50,000,000; Purchase of skills acquisition training equipment for Skills Acquisition Training and Entrepreneurship Development Training – N50,521,125.
Source:Punch
October 21, 2019 23:03 UTC
Airtel reviews data plans as internet demand rises
Ife OgunfuwaAirtel Nigeria has announced an increase in data allowance on its weekly and monthly data tariff plans to enable mobile Internet consumers to enjoy more value at heavily discounted rates. A statement from the telco stated that the new data tariff review applied to most of the weekly and monthly data plans, including its mega plans. The telco added that the reviewed data tariff plans would ride on its expansive 4G network, which covered over 100 major cities and towns. Commenting on the new data plans, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said prevailing consumer trend indicated a growing demand for data/mobile Internet and Airtel was well-positioned to take the lead in providing the right value offerings. The company said data plans were available to all prepaid and post-paid customers on the Airtel network.
Source:Punch
October 21, 2019 23:03 UTC
FG disburses $103.64m Abacha loot to the poor
Ifeanyi OnubaThe Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs Maryam Uwais, has said that the Federal Government has been channelling the recovered Abacha loot and the International Development Association /World Bank credit towards programmes and policies designed to address the plight of poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Delivering an address on Monday at the training on illicit funds, the Presidential aide said from the August 2018 to the October payment cycle, the total amount disbursed from the Abacha loot was $76,538,530 and $27,099,028 from the IDA credit. She said the decision to distribute the Abacha loot and the IDA funds to poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who were mined from a National Social Register, collated by the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office, was reached by the Swiss government, the World Bank and the Federal Government. “Presumably, this was as a consequence to the opaqueness that surrounded the application of recovered funds,” Uwais said. She said efforts to tackle poverty in Nigeria must also take into consideration the basic and peculiar needs of the people.
Source:Punch
October 21, 2019 23:03 UTC
Latest EPL table after Arsenal match
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Source:Punch
October 21, 2019 21:11 UTC
Federer praises Murray's Antwerp comeback success | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
“Andy’s achievement was great,” Federer said after rolling through into the second round of the ATP Swiss Indoors in Basel. “I was a little bit torn since he beat (fellow Swiss) Stan (Wawrinka) in the final, but it was a great way for him to come back.”Federer said that Murray’s perseverance to regain match fitness after his major surgery was admirable. “He’s been playing to try and get close to his old level,” the 20-time Grand Slam winner added of Murray, who competed on the circuit for four straight weeks ending in Antwerp on Sunday. I remember in the locker room of the Australian Open (when a tearful Murray played in pain and loss in a five-set first-round match in January). I’m extremely happy for him,” Federer said.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2019 20:48 UTC
Border Closure: No gain without pain, says Lai Mohammed | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
He said many poultry farmers have given testimonies of how the border closure had improved on their sales of eggs and birds while there has been a high demand for local rice. ” He called to thank the government that before the border closure he was selling 4,000 birds today the demand is 15,000 birds. “But for the border closure, there would have been a glot in the rice market. The minister assured Nigerians that with the bountiful harvest the price of local rice will be crashed soon. “Local rice is not only helping our economy and generating employment but it is also more healthy than imported rice.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2019 20:03 UTC
Bayelsa: Lyon promises to restore 24 hours power supply in twelve months
He said: “My appeal to my dear friend, the outgoing governor of Bayelsa state, Dickson, because I understand the withdrawal syndrome facing any governor close to the end of his tenure. “Can you imagine the number of bullets that were fired at Bayelsa state House of Assembly just to change the speaker? That is why I said to him, this election is about the power of the ballot, not the power of the bullets. “APC is coming to make a difference in Bayelsa as a party of change, Lyon will not betray those who stand by him. I want to assure you that in the first 100 days in office, Bayelsa will be secured already and there would be plenty of jobs.”
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 20:03 UTC
Fayose’s trial: We solicited patronage but evidence based on what I was told, EFCC’s witness tells court
Fayose’s trial: We solicited patronage but evidence based on what I was told, EFCC’s witness tells courtThe trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, facing money laundering charges resumed on Monday, before a Federal High Court in Lagos. The witness replied that he did not just meet Fayose for the first time in the transaction. Ojo asked: “Do you recall giving evidence in this charge before Justice Olatoregun,’’ to which the witness replied: “Yes”. The witness replied: “That’s correct.”Ojo also asked:”So you have no direct knowledge of the transactions including lodgements, payments or deposits inrelation to this account. ”The witness replied “Correct.”Ojo again asked: ” So, all other things were based on what you were told.”The witness replied: “Yes”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 19:41 UTC
Experts proffer solutions to refinery issues in Nigeria
As it seems the country’s refineries continue to suffer so many challenges, experts have explained and proffered solutions in order to nip the challenges in the bud. He also said that periodic disruption of crude supplies through pipeline vandalism makes it uneconomic to achieve feedstock for refining at a realistic cost. Also speaking, The Managing Director, Subterra Energy, Mr Niyi Awodeyi, who spoke on crude oil theft, said that Federal Government should aggregate and assign refinery license holders to team up with crude oil owners in order to establish refineries, including modular ones. Niyi said that a Community Engagement Committee comprised of stakeholders should be established to embark on massive enlightenment, rehabilitation and reinvigoration of the die-hard culprits of illegal refining and oil theft. While pointing out issues on crude oil theft, Awodeyi noted that lack of political will by successive administrations engender failure to implement policies and reforms instituted to restructure the oil and gas sector.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 19:30 UTC
Augustine University produces seven first class graduates, 25 others
SEVEN first class students and 25 others are set to make records as the first set of graduates of Augustine University, Ilara Epe, Lagos State during the varsity’s first convocation on Thursday. Augustine University, founded by the Catholic Mission in Nigeria, was approved on March 25, 2015 by the National University Commission (NUC) while academic activities commenced in November 2015. According to Professor Afolami, the institution which took off with 54 students is producing seven first-class students; 13 students in second class upper category, 11 in second class lower division and just one student in third class category. “We want to present these courses to the NUC for screening as part of the prescribed general courses studies for other universities in Nigeria. “The general courses will make them a better person and have a deep knowledge of what it takes to love goodness.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 19:18 UTC
NASS accuses PENCOM of illegal utilisation of N12.283bn IGR
The National Assembly on Monday expressed displeasure over arbitrary utilisation of over N12.283 billion internally generated revenue by National Pension Commission (PenCom) without the approval of the legislature. Babatunde Salam, Senator Ubok Anang had during the tension soaked engagement frowned at the refusal of the Commission to submit its internally generated revenue to the National Assembly for appropriation. To this end, the lawmakers demanded the details of the 386 staff who collect about N9 billion salaries estimated at an average of N2 million monthly per staff. She also informed the lawmakers that the sum of N2.998 billion appropriated in 2018 and N1.882 billion as Other Staff Cost (Allowances) were for workers’ allowances. She added that the N30 million earmarked for miscellaneous expenditure minor assets, water dispensers, among others.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 19:18 UTC
Cracks in Republican dam as frustration with Trump mounts | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
No sitting Republican lawmaker has publicly expressed their intent to vote for Trump’s impeachment in the House of Representatives, or for Senate conviction if the process gets that far. – More facts needed –With frustration building, congressman Francis Rooney on Friday became the first Republican to publicly say he is considering supporting the impeachment inquiry. “I don’t think you can rule (impeachment) out until you know all the facts,” the Florida lawmaker told CNN. Rooney also announced he will not seek re-election next year, perhaps allowing himself to speak more critically of Trump. Conviction requires a two-thirds majority, meaning out of 53 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, at least 20 would need to vote against Trump.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2019 19:07 UTC
Senate interrogates FCC over alleged secret recruitment
Issues around alleged secret recruitment in some federal agencies dominated Monday budget defence session as Senators threw a barrage of questions on representatives of the Federal Character Commission who were in the Senate to defend their 2020 budget proposals. The senators sought to know if the employment in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was in compliance with due process. The representative of the Commission said the Commission was aware and has begun an investigation into the alleged recruitment exercise and would make it’s findings available to the Senate when completed. “Then you will come to the Federal Character Commission for the Character Balancing Index which would indicate the states that should be prioritised and those that should not be prioritised. Justice would definitely be done and we would expose all culprits.”It would be recalled that the Senate Committee chairman senate had lamented what he described as secret recruitment into federal agencies without compliance with due process.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 18:56 UTC
Mix feelings trail Labour’s minimum wage adjustment in Nasarawa
THE organised Labour in Nasarawa State has expressed mixed feelings over the agreement on consequential adjustment on the minimum wage with the Federal Government. They, therefore, urged Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State to commence the process for the implementation of the new minimum wage without foot-dragging. He expressed confidence that the government would implement the new minimum wage as soon as the template was made available. On her part, Hadiza Sabo, Chairman Nasarawa State chapter of Market Women Association, congratulated workers for the increase. She, however, assured the general public that their members would not increase the prices of their goods because of the increase in the minimum wage.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 18:45 UTC
Court orders forfeiture of Saraki’s property
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, October 21, 2019, ordered the temporary forfeiture of two properties located in Ikoyi area of Lagos State, belonging to the immediate past Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to the Federal Government. Part of the EFCC’s relief included the following: “An order of this honourable court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria landed property with appurtenances situate, lying and known as N0. EFCC in an affidavit alleged that the former Nigerian Senate president acquired the two properties with proceeds of unlawful activity. Delivering ruling on the application, Justice Mohammed Liman, ordered the interim forfeiture of the two properties. He also directed that the EFCC should publish the order in a national daily within fourteen days.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2019 18:33 UTC