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FG condemns Nigerian-British boy’s murder

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FG condemns Nigerian-British boy’s murder

The Federal Government has described the death of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who tragically lost his life in a sword attack in London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, as unfortunate, sad and gruesome.

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said this in a condolence message to the family, on Thursday.

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement signed by the spokesperson for NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, condoled with the family of the deceased and the Nigerian communities in the UK,  “praying unto God to rest the soul of young Daniel whose life was cut short on Tuesday.”

She maintained optimism that decisive actions would be taken to ensure that the culprit, who is already in police custody, received appropriate punishment, the statement added.

Anjorin, a student at Bancroft’s private school in Woodford Green, shared the same educational institution with Grace O’Malley-Kumar, a victim of a knife attack in Nottingham.

The accused in Anjorin’s death, Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian national residing in Newham, East London, faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article, as announced by the police on Wednesday.

Four individuals, including two Metropolitan Police officers, were injured in the incident on Tuesday.

Monzo, aged 36, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody.

He is set to remain in custody until his appearance at the Old Bailey scheduled for Tuesday unless a hearing is arranged for Friday.

Ex-gov. of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema joins APC 

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Ex-gov. of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema joins APC 
Former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

By Zubairu Idris

Former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Shema, was the state governor between 2007 and 2015, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former governor was registered at Shema Ward party office, Dutsin-ma local government area, and was issued APC membership card by the state’s party Chairman, Alhaji Sani Aliyu-Daura.

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The membership card’s serial number is: 26551.

Aliyu-Daura commended Gov. Dikko Radda and his immediate predecessor, the former governor, Aminu Masari, for their roles in securing the defection of the influential figure.

He therefore assured the former governor of equal treatment, just like any other party member.

The Chief of Staff to Gov. Dikko Radda, Alhaji Jabiru Abdullahi-Tasuri, presented the membership card to Shema on behalf of the governor on Thursday in Dutsin-ma.

He qouted Gov. Radda as saying that the party had recorded a momentous achievement by welcoming such a prominent figure from the opposition.

“This mark a historic shift in the political landscape of the state, the defection is a homecoming and a reunion with political family members,” Gov. Radda said.

The governor recalled that both Shema and Masari, once served under the leadership of the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

He explained that though, the duo later separated by certain circumstances and individual goals, they were now back on the same side.

The governor called on other patriotic citizens of the state to join hands in repositioning the state for greatness.

He reiterated that his doors were open to anyone willing to contribute to the state’s development.

In his remarks, Shema said that he joined the APC to contribute to the development of the state and the country in general. (NAN)

Equity market opens May with N303bn for investors

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Equity market opens May with N303bn for investors

The first trading day in May 2024 bucked the bearish trend as investors gained about N303bn at the close of trading on Thursday.

This marked the second consecutive day of positive trading on the local bourse. The benchmark index appreciated by 0.55 per cent to 98,762.78 points on Thursday, buoyed by strong sentiments following the recent earnings releases and corporate action announcements.

Meanwhile, investors have continued their strong demand for stocks with strong fundamentals in the market, thus taking advantage of the bearish run in the market to take positions.

Similarly, the market capitalisation of listed equities advanced on Thursday by 0.55 per cent to N55.86tn, thus driving the year-to-date return of the index up to 32.08 per cent.

At the close of trading, the exchange recorded more winners (29) than the losers (14). The gainers were led by Flourmill and Presco Plc which gained 10 per cent each to close at N33.55 and N229.90 each. Sterling Financial Holding Company also made it onto the list of top three gainers as its share value increased by 9.98 per cent to N4.74.

On the loser chart were NASCON Allied Industries, UPL and Omatek whose shares dipped by 9.99 per cent, 9.29 per cent and 9.21 per cent.

The level of market activity was in the mix as the total traded volume rose by 20.46 per cent to 665.2 million units while the total traded value tanked by 62.9 per cent to N5.54bn, and the total number of deals dipped by 9.7 per to 8,446 trades.

Across sectors, the performance remained bullish as investor sentiments improved notably in the Banking, and Oil & Gas indexes, which recorded an uptick of 3.20 per cent, and 0.95 per cent respectively, as investors pick interest in key stocks like FBN Holdings, Access Holdings, Wema Bank, Conoil Plc and JapaulGold.

Also, the Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods and Industrial Goods indexes closed northward by 0.67 per cent, 0.58 per cent and 0.01 per cent as investors interest stayed positive in stocks such as Dangote Sugar, WAPIC, CAP Plc, Livestock and Julius Berger.

Closing out the session, Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc emerged as the most traded security by volume with 362.82 million units traded in 16 trades while AccessCorp was the most traded by value worth N954.62m.

Unprecedented Ministry Advancement For Millions Of Pastors And Christian Leaders From The Global Ministers’ Classroom With Pastor Chris

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Unprecedented Ministry Advancement For Millions Of Pastors And Christian Leaders From The Global Ministers’ Classroom With Pastor Chris

The ISM Global Ministers’ Classroom (GMC) is an interdenominational program under the auspices of the International School of Ministry of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc, DSc, DD. Since its inception in 2018, the GMC has been a special assembly of all categories of Ministers of the Gospel: Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Bishops, Youth Ministers, Church Founders, Lay Ministers, and Ministry Leaders, in one Global Online Classroom to fellowship with one another, interact with divine knowledge and information, with the distribution of Grace for the work of the Ministry.

Over the years, the ISM Global Ministers’ Classroom has recorded a tremendous increase in Ministers’ attendance from 8 million in 2018, and 78 million in 2022, to a record-breaking attendance of 168 million ministers in 2023, making it the largest online Classroom in the world.

The 24-hour impactful program has further positioned millions of Ministers of the Gospel with divine knowledge requisite for effective Ministry, ignited their passion for Ministry work, answered questions in their hearts eliminating confusion, and provided tools for Kingdom advancement in these last days.

Now in its 6th edition,ISM Ministers’ Global Classroom with Pastor Chris, is scheduled to hold from Friday 24th May by 2 pm (GMT +1), to Saturday 25th May, 2024. This year’s edition will feature inspiring teachings from seasoned Senior Ministers of the Gospel around the world, impact testimonies from previous program attendees, a Question and Answer segment with Pastor Chris, panel discussions on carefully selected topics relevant to ministers in these last days, and lots more. The heights of the program are the plenary sessions by the man of God, Pastor Chris. It will indeed be a phenomenal time of revelatory teachings and the distribution of Grace for the work of the ministry.

The program will be broadcast live on the ISM online platforms in all languages of the world, giving every minister the opportunity to participate in the languages they best understand. Registration has commenced in earnest for all Ministers. So, register yourself, other Ministers, and Christian Leaders in your sphere of contact, using the link below:

www.ismministersglobalclassroom.org

Myriads of testimonies were recorded from previous editions as Ministers excitedly recounted their experiences and testimonies of the impact of the program:

“Pastor Chris taught about what manner of man we are and the Holy Spirit was ministering to me that if you look into the Word, you will see what manner of Church we are supposed to be. When Pastor said, “This year is the year of the Prolific Church, wherever you are, just proliferate”; I didn’t think about the how, being in Europe, I just stepped into the prophecy. I returned from the GMC with a bigger heart and vision for Europe, because Europe really needs to be reached. Praise the Lord!” –Pastor MarlienLawend from the Netherlands (GMC 2023)

“Being mentored by the man of God, Pastor Chris is one of the greatest blessings any minister can ask for. I always look forward to opportunities to hear the teachings with Pastor Chris and all what I received from the GMC was more than a teaching; they were life truth and practical too. As he spoke, I was hearing the Holy Spirit speak solutions to issues in my ministry. I took action notes for implementation. These are things you can’t find in a Theology book. Thank you so much Pastor Sir for yielding yourself to the ministry of the Spirit in such a very special way and for always pouring out the wisdom of God into us your children. I love you dearly Sir.” – Pastor Isaiah Fine from UK (GMC 2022)

I’m amazed at how much knowledge I took out of the ISM Global Ministers’ Classroom. It was more than a program to me. Pastor Chris taught us about ministry, he helped us to understand the times we are living in right now. At the end of each lesson when he prayed, those words he shared lifted me up, strengthened and transformed me. I know that together with Pastor Chris, we will take billions of people for the rapture. I am so thankful to you, Pastor Sir. Pastor Helena Afelt of Grace and Truth Ministry, Ukraine.

After the GMC, we were charged up to do more for the expansion of the kingdom of God, especially our ministers who attended for the first time. We used to have limited visions, but we were stirred up in our inner man and our visions for the Gospel expanded. The ministers were excited to do more for the kingdom of God; many of them indicated to start up minister cells. Praise God, we have started more than 30 cells! Praise God!” –Evangelist ArchanaMamidi from UK (GMC 2023)

As we count up to the much-awaited 2024 GMC, join millions of ministers in the largest online classroom for the distribution of Grace for effective Ministry.

To register for the program, kindly log on to:

Also, invite other Ministers of the Gospel and Church leaders.

ISM GLOBAL MINISTERS’ CLASSROOM WITH PASTOR CHRIS

…..IMPACTING MINISTERS FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY

 

 

 

 

Defence, intelligence chiefs seek technological solutions to tackle insecurity

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Defence, intelligence chiefs seek technological solutions to tackle insecurity

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for the full deployment of technology in the ongoing operations against criminal elements in the country.

According to him, the adoption of cutting-edge technology would help combat insecurity effectively.

The CDS spoke during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau.

The statement partly read, “Today, May 2 2024, the CDS, General Christopher Musa, continued his efforts to bolster collaboration within the country’s security apparatus with a courtesy visit to the National Intelligence Agency Headquarters in Abuja. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation in addressing the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation.

“General Musa commended the Director General of NIA, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, for his exemplary leadership and commitment to national service. He expressed gratitude for the agency’s invaluable support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and urged the adoption of cutting-edge technology to combat criminal activities effectively.”

He, however, called for collaboration against Insecurity in the country.

Musa said, “Highlighting the significance of unity and teamwork, General Musa affirmed the AFN’s readiness to collaborate closely for the greater good of the nation. He stressed the imperative of addressing security challenges with determination, emphasizing the role of fairness, good governance, and related factors in safeguarding national security.”

On his part, the NIA boss also said it was important for the various security agencies to work as a team.

He added this was important for the security of the nation.

“Ambassador Abubakar extended a warm welcome to the CDS and his delegation, underscoring the paramount importance of teamwork and cooperation in advancing the nation’s interests.

“He reiterated the agency’s mandate to safeguard the country’s interests and emphasized the necessity of collaboration among security agencies. Ambassador Abubakar also acknowledged the challenges facing security agencies but urged them not to waver in their commitment to their duties,” the statement added.

According Online reports that there has been ongoing discussion and planning around the implementation of technology and collaborative efforts among various security agencies to combat insecurity in Nigeria.

According to experts, collaboration and technology would immensely help to address the security challenge bedevilling the country.

Anambra tricycle operators plan protest over extortion

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Anambra tricycle operators plan protest over extortion

Tricycle operators in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum have directed their members to mobilise for protest against continuous harassment, intimidation, exploitation, extortion and multiple checkpoints in the state.

The group lamented that the agencies extorting and intimidating them are security operatives, including the police, naval ratings, as well as operatives of Anambra State Transportation Management Agency and Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, among others.

It was gathered that the security operatives have been extorting the union members of various amounts of money through the multiple checkpoints they created on the roads, which they use in collecting various amounts of money from the Keke drivers.

The State Coordinator of AKDF, Mr Osita Obi, in a statement on Thursday, urged members of the union to mobilise for the protest to draw the attention of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to their plights.

Obi said the governor had listened to the plights of the union members in the past when he reduced the revenue windows created by the AIRS.

He said, “After listening to the complaints and cries of keke drivers, the governor brought the amount payable from N15,000 to N10,000 and further to N8,000 as a result of fuel increase. But today, Keke drivers pay up to N18,000 monthly as a result of some obnoxious revenue windows introduced by Anambra State Internal Revenue Services. The worst part of this is that these revenue windows are given to notorious and greedy businessmen, who in turn recruit touts and cultists for collections.

“Today on account of these, keke drivers are harassed, intimidated, exploited and extorted even leading to their keke being impounded for days. In the light of the above issues, we are directing that keke drivers begin the mobilisation of keke drivers for state-wide protest to draw the attention of His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to the matter.

“Anambra AKDF is also worried about the continued harassment, intimidation, exploitation, and extortion of keke drivers by security operatives who mounted multiple checkpoints in the state.”

He said that from Onitsha to Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Awka, the story of harassment, intimidation, exploitation and extortion are the same, adding that this has continued to deplete the daily income of the Keke operators.

According to him, these revenue touts will either impound Keke for days on account of payment not reflected on the AiRS system, which is not their fault.

He also stated that keke drivers would not be allowed to load in a government park if the drivers questioned the legality of an extra financial burden on them by way of revenue windows.

He stated that Keke drivers are at the mercy of touts, who are recruited to enforce these obnoxious revenue windows.

”The Anambra keke drivers forum demands the immediate withdrawal of these revenue windows as it is obnoxious in nature. It runs counter to His Excellency’s digital revenue policy. It also encourages and breeds touting and touts, which the governor seeks to eradicate.

“AKDF insisted that there would be a state-wide protest to draw the governor’s attention if the situation remains unchanged,” he added.

In November 2023, motorists, commuters and residents along the Onitsha-Owerri Road accused some naval ratings of using teenagers to extort money for them at the checkpoints they mounted at the Enamel axis, near the Upper Iweka area of the ever-busy federal road.

THE According correspondent on a visit to the area observed about two young boys, aged between 18 and 20 years, collecting money ranging from N200 to N500 from commercial drivers and tricycle operators before they were allowed to cross the barrier placed by the security operatives at that section of the road.

How NLC arrived at N615,000 minimum wage

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How NLC arrived at N615,000 minimum wage

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, on Thursday explained how the congress arrived at the N615,000 minimum wage proposal which it submitted to the Tripartite Committee on minimum wage.

Recent reforms in Nigeria including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have pushed the cost of living to newer levels.

Inflation figures hit 33.2 per cent in March, further compounding a troubled economy.

Labour unions and the Federal Government have since been locked in negotiations over measures including a new minimum wage to cushion the impacts of the harsh economy.

The NLC is proposing a N615,000 monthly salary for workers, a jump from the current N30,000.

Although many believe it is unrealistic, the labour union believes many states can pay it if they get their priorities right.

Ajaero in the statement, said the figure was a product of a painstaking effort through which the congress captured the cost of living of Nigerian workers and masses in all parts of the country.

He further described the figure as essentially an outcome of independent research conducted by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress on the cost of meeting the primary needs of an average family around the country.

The research was said to have been based on a family with both parents alive and four children without the burden of having other dependents with them.

“A questionnaire was designed and sent to all the State Councils of NLC and TUC from where these questionnaires were sent to our members in all the local government areas in the country to gather the monthly cost of living for the average family as described above.

“Below is a summary of our findings and we hope that this will enable Nigerians to understand what propels our demand so that better clarity is made to create better engagement around the ongoing National Minimum Wage Negotiation process,” the labour leader explained.

Giving the summary, Ajaero further noted that the union arrived at the figure before the increase in electricity tariff and the recent scarcity of petrol across the nation leading to the appearance of long queues with attendant increased transport fares.

He described any figure below the amount as a starvation wage that would condemn Nigerian workers and their families to perpetual poverty.

“We have to remember that the old one has expired on the 18th day of April 2024, and a new one is expected to have come into effect on the 19th day of April 2024. However, because of the government’s inability to comply with the Law that demanded for negotiations for a new national minimum wage to have begun six months before the expiration of the existing one, concluding the new one has become unfortunately delayed,” he added.

Japa: Number of dependants down by 80%

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Japa: Number of dependants down by 80%

The Prime Minister of United Kingdom has revealed that the recent action to mitigate the number of dependants in the country has experienced a “significant fall” as they have now reduced by 80 per cent.

Sunak said in a statement on social media on Wednesday that the figures mean that his changes to the country’s visa system were working.

“The number of students bringing family members and dependants to the UK was too high. This wasn’t fair.

“Our changes are working—student dependant numbers are now down by 80 per cent,” he wrote.

Recall that the UK government had earlier called for a drastic reduction in the number of dependents, or close family members such as a spouse and children, accompanying overseas students effective from early this year.

In an update issued on Tuesday for the period of January to March this year compared to the same period in 2023, the Home Office said that dependents had drastically fallen by almost 80 per cent amid over 26,000 fewer student visa applications made.

Under rules effective from January, most international students except those on research courses cannot bring along family members. They can no longer switch their visa either before completing their course, which the government claimed misused the student visa as a “backdoor” to work in the UK amid a wider Home Office clampdown on institutions “selling immigration not education”.

Indians have led the international student visa tally in recent years and these figures indicate that a downward trend noted earlier this year is likely to mean fewer Indian students choosing UK universities.

“Ever-spiralling numbers were eroding the British people’s confidence in our immigration system, burdening public services and suppressing wages,” said UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, whose office released the interim data to highlight the impact of his visa crackdowns.

“When I promised to deliver the largest-ever cut in legal migration, I knew we must also work to show the impact of our action as soon as practically possible. This data shows a significant fall in numbers on the first of our measures to take effect whilst underlining why necessary action was taken to cut unsustainable numbers of care worker dependents,” he said.

The minister said there is more still to come in the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak led government plans to “cut migration”.

According to official statistics from February, between 2019 and 2023 the number of Indians granted study visas rose by 85,849 – making up the highest cohort of international students in the UK. However, the 1,20,110 study visa grants to Indian nationals in 2023 was 14 per cent fewer than 2022 – already indicating a downward trend amid the tightening visa norms.

The government’s review of the post-study Graduate Route, which allows overseas students to look for work and gain experience for up to two years after their degree, is widely expected to further restrict international students’ options in the UK when the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) submits its report later this month. This, experts believe, will see more Indians turning away from applying to UK universities after topping the tally of this visa route since it was launched in 2021.

Under other measures, restrictions on foreign care workers from bringing dependents came into effect from March 11 – the impact for which the Home Office said is expected to become evident in future statistics. While doctors and nurses remain able to bring close family members, the tougher measures are aimed as a crackdown on worker exploitation and abuse within the social care sector.

“There is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, recruited into non-existent jobs or paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers,” the Home Office said.

This week’s data also includes the final data before the general salary threshold for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa rose from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 from earlier this month. Taken together, the Home Office says its visa crackdowns will mean that approximately 300,000 people arriving in the UK last year would no longer be able to.

Reducing legal and illegal migration is among the priorities for the Sunak-led government ahead of a general election, expected in the second half of the year. The latest statistics come as the government flew out its first failed asylum seeker to Rwanda under a voluntary scheme, which offers illegal migrants GBP 3,000 to willingly relocate to the east African country.

The compulsory deportation scheme for illegal migrants is also expected to be enforced soon after the controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill became an act this month after clearing Parliament.

SSPWA Marks World Book Day At Beams Royal Academy

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SSPWA Marks World Book Day At Beams Royal Academy

A Non-Governmental Orgnisation (NGO) under the aegis of South South Professional Women Association (SSPWA) on Thursday embarked on enlightenment campaign on book reading to activate reading culture among school pupils as part of activities to mark 2024 World Book Day.

It would be recalled that the World Book Day was created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 23 April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. April 23 is very remarkable in that it is the date on which several prominent authors, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died.

Subsequently, annually the World celebrates World Book Day on 23 April and this year’s theme is “Read Your Way”.

Speaking at the location, Beams Royal Academy, the South South Professional Women Association (SSPWA) General Secretary, Mrs Emem Olutoke Ph.D, recalled that though the World Book Day is celebrated on April 23, but every countries of the world and organizations choose days convenient to them to celebrate it, adding that this was why SSPWA is in school on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

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Mrs Olutoke who represented the SSPWA National President, Chief Mrs Vera Osuhor, explained to the pupils that the purpose of the visit was to enlighten and encourage them on the importance of reading books, starting and reading books from the beginning to the end.

Further, she informed them that SSPWA visit to their school was prompted by the need to set up and inaugurate Readers Club that will focus on reading books and learning from reading books.

According to Mrs Olutoke, “Even if you want to be a footballer or any other profession, if you don’t read to acquire knowledge on how to do it, you will not be successful or be able to perform better.”

She presented to the pupils who constitute the foundation members of the Book Club with banners as take home items with various inscriptions written on it explaining that it will serve as reminder to them that everyday, they must ensure reading a book even at their homes.

“This is something to remind you, I have a responsibility. I promised the SSPWA team who came to my school. It is also a promise to the United Nations. It is a promise to God and then a promise to your school because you want to make your school proud by reading a book everyday”, SSPWA National Secretary further stressed.

Also speaking, a member of SSPWA team on the visit, Rosemary Ogbole, noted that one cannot achieve anything in life successfully without reading. According to her, “Reading gives you knowledge, more understanding, more enlightenment on issues generally in life.

“Reading is very important aspect of our life as human beings and it helps us to succeed. It helps us to know the minds of other people because people who write books have something in mind before writing the books. Whatever you want to be in life, you have to read to understand the field and fit in better.”

The climax of the SSPWA visit to the school for the World Book Day includes presentation of books for the school library and reading drills undertaken by the pupils who exhibited great degree of reading skills. This was followed by the formal inauguration of the Readers Club of Beams Royal Academy. Also, was the appointment of three SSPWA Book Ambassadors among the pupils in addition the school Proprietress who were presented with certificates namely: Abdullahi Abdulakeem, Wada Aisha and Nezeera Abdullahi.

The Proprietress of the Beams Royal Academy in Kurudu satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mrs Linda Ben-Stephen, expressed appreciation to the SSPWA for selecting the School. She noted that it was exciting to the pupils to read together and be encourage to always read.

She assured that with inauguration of the Readers Club, it will motivate the pupils’ interest in reading together every Friday during which the school holds club activities.

The pupils inaugurated as members of the Readers Club and their banners with respective inscriptions include: Steven Benjamin (I love book), Delight Dennis (I love reading), Nezeera Abdullahi (Reading Empowers. Promote the reading culture), Aisha Wada (Reading my way) and Tasiu Usman (Read your way).

Others include Ikeji Blessing (Reading empower. Promote the reading culture), Sani Yussirat (I support reading in my school), Okoye Kamsi (Readers are leaders) and Abdulahi Abdulakim (I love books).

Young Nigerian basketballer bags US scholarship after chance encounter in Calabar

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Young Nigerian basketballer bags US scholarship after chance encounter in Calabar

A lawyer, Faithfulness Okom, who identifies as AttorneyF_ on X.com, has narrated how a young boy he assisted bagged a US scholarship to the NBA Africa Academy in Senegal after a street encounter.

Okom, in a post on his X account on Thursday, detailed how he encountered the tall, lanky kid in Calabar, Cross River State in 2021, where he learned of the boy’s dedication to basketball despite familial challenges.

He wrote, “In 2021, I was driving along Marian Road, Calabar and saw a really tall lanky kid, and I parked the car and chased after him to talk to him. ‘Do you play basketball?’… His response was he started playing a few weeks before but barely has time because his mom is absent and his dad is a bricklayer and he has to assist him on his projects, and also does personal laundry for three families on the side.

“He didn’t have a phone, I described where I live and said, ‘Come on x day and knock on the gate, and I’ll be there.’

“He came to my house, I showed him old videos of #Giannis_An34 when he was a scruffy hustling kid, tried to motivate him and gave him a suitcase of clothes (which his dad eventually burnt out of jealousy). ”

Okom narrated how he enrolled the boy in an academy in Calabar, adding that the boy ended up staying with his family due to challenges with his father.

He added that he had recently received a PDF invitation from the NBA Africa Academy in Senegal for tryouts, which initially he thought might be a prank. However, after verifying it, he realised it was genuine.

Okom mentioned that the boy needed flight tickets to Senegal, and his friend Kennedy Ekezie purchased it without being asked.

He added that David sent him photos from Senegal the previous night and informed him that due to his impressive performances, he had earned a scholarship to an American high school.

 

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