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Ramadan: Islamic cleric congratulates Muslims

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Ramadan: Islamic cleric congratulates Muslims

The Founder, Muslims’ In Light Organisation, Sufi Centre Nigeria, Dr Rasheed Akinbile, has felicitated Muslims in Oyo State and across the country on the commencement of Ramadan.

He urged Muslim faithful to seize the opportunity of the holy month to renew their faith and trust in Allah to reap the gains and benefits of the month for personal and national development.

He gave the charge in his Ramadan message on Sunday at a pre-Ramadan lecture delivered during the organisation’s service at City Zawiah, Challenge, Ibadan.

In a Ramadan message personally signed by Akinbile after the Sunday service, he admonished Muslims to imbibe the teachings contained in the Quran regarding the blessed month, including showing kindness and generosity.

According to him, the month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual upliftment and complete devotion to Allah for spiritual cleansing.

He said, “Muslims should take full advantage of the holy month to strengthen their commitment to Allah by renewing their faith and trust in Allah alone for them to be able to reap the benefits that are embedded in the month which are peace, harmony, tranquillity, happiness, success, and achievements.

“I congratulate Muslim faithfuls in Oyo State and around the globe for witnessing yet another blessed month of Ramadan. We thank Allah (SWT), who has made this possible.

“Ramadan is a period of complete devotion to Allah (SWT) and I urge all Muslim brothers and sisters to take full advantage of the period to strengthen their faith, trust, and commitment to Allah (SWT).

“They must endeavour to increase their level of dkhir (remembrance of Allah) to experience spiritual cleansing and nearness to Allah. They should also engage in the act of kindness, goodness, and generosity by showing love and extending hands of support to the less privileged and the needy in their various societies, as it was the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

“I pray to Allah to accept all your deeds as an act of worship in this blessed month and reward us all abundantly. Ramadan Kareem.”

Coalition asks FG to impose 20% tax on sugary drinks

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Coalition asks FG to impose 20% tax on sugary drinks

The National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition has tasked the Federal Government to impose a 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

The coalition said taxing sugary beverages will save Nigerians from preventable diseases and obesity.

It noted that one in eight people worldwide grapples with obesity, with alarming statistics revealing that 30 per cent of Nigerians are overweight and 15 per cent are classified as obese.

Speaking at an awareness rally to commemorate the World Obesity Day on Saturday in Abuja, the representative of the coalition, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, said the fastest way to become obese is to drive sugary beverages.

World Obesity Day is observed globally on March 4 to end the growing global obesity crisis, and it is an opportune time for governments to reaffirm their commitment to tackling this global challenge and strive towards a healthier and more equitable future for all.

The World Obesity Atlas released by the World Obesity Federation showed that 79 per cent of adults overweight and obese will live in low middle-income countries by 2035, 88 per cent of children overweight and obese will be living in LMICs by 2035, and it is projected that the number of adults living with obesity will rise from 0.81 billion in 2020 to 1.53 billion in 2035.

The World Health Organisation underscores the global scale of the obesity crisis, with more than one billion people affected worldwide.

Bongos-Ikwue said, “The reason we are having an awareness on obesity, including abdominal obesity is because obesity leads to serious illnesses like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack. The fastest way to become obese is to consume sugary beverages. The issue with these drinks is that they go straight to the bloodstream and are stored as fat because the content of the drinks is heavily concentrated with sugar and the body can’t digest it all.

“It is also said that 12 types of cancer are related to the consumption of these products. So, what we are trying to do is to raise awareness and get the government’s attention that if these drinks are taxed properly, it will prohibit people from buying them.

“Eleven million people in Nigeria are living with diabetes and many of them cannot afford the drugs. So, we are saying tax sugary drinks so we can prevent people from things like diabetes, and heart disease, and in the end, you are saving yourself and the family.”

She added that obesity poses a significant threat to health and SSBs emerge as a primary source of added sugar in diet.

“We urge the government to implement higher taxes on sugary drinks. We demand at least 20 percent tax on all SSBs. The goal of this pro-health tax is to protect more Nigerians from the risks of obesity, alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, and promote a healthier society,” she said.

FG renames Minna airport after Tinubu 

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FG renames Minna airport after Tinubu 

The Federal Government has renamed the Minna Airport in Niger State after President Bola Tinubu hours to the inauguration of the airport on Monday.

The airport had earlier been named after the late Abubakar Imam by the FG when 15 airports in the country were named after some prominent personalities in Nigeria.

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The state Commissioner for Information, Binta Mamman, disclosed the latest development on Sunday during a media briefing at the Government House, Minna, where she unveiled preparations for the hosting of the President who would inaugurate the airport as well as some mechanised farming implements.

“All is set for the Niger State Government to receive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Minna, the state capital. During the President’s visit, he will commission the remodelled and upgraded terminal at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport,” she said.

The commissioner disclosed that the remodelling of the airport was originally an FG project but due to a delay in completion, the state government took over the project after consultation with relevant authorities for speedy completion.

She further stated that the project would serve as an alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport considering the state’s proximity to the nation’s capital.

The state Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aminu  Takuma, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Governance and Reform, Dr. Isah Adamu, while fielding questions from newsmen, explained that the renaming of the Airport was based on the support of the President to the state so far.

He said it was the FG’s prerogative to rename the airport since it was the same that had earlier named it.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Musa Salihu, also revealed that the state-of-the-art- equipment for agricultural mechanisation procured by the state government to support and achieve the food security agenda of both the State and Federal Governments would be inaugurated.

He explained that the equipment such as tractors, power tillers, planters and harvesters were already assembled at the airport for a symbolic demonstration of irrigation farming at the Airport City Free Agro Processing Zone.

Salihu said with all the efforts of the Governor Mohammed Bago-led administration especially on agriculture, the state would be the agricultural hub of Nigeria.

Sokoto gov approves half wage for staff, pensioners

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Sokoto gov approves half wage for staff, pensioners

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Sokoto, has approved the payment of half salary as Ramadan gift to all civil servants from primary school teachers to local government staff as well as pensioners in the state.

This, according to the governor, formed part of his efforts to ensure that Muslims in the state start this year’s Ramadan fast comfortably.

A statement signed by his media aide, Abubakar Bawa, and made available to newsmen on Sunday read, “The governor in a magnanimous gesture, which is expected to commence tonight, is to assist workers in the state observe this year’s Ramadan fast with a relative ease.

“Governor Aliyu, therefore, appealed to the Muslim ummah to use the sacred month to pray for Allah’s intervention in the numerous challenges hindering smooth Nigeria’s development.

“He also called on traders and wealthy individuals in the state to show love and mercy to the have-nots for them to earn Allah’s mercy and forgiveness in this holy month.

“The hovernor thanked the people of the state for their continued support and fervent prayers to his administration, which he described as key to all the success so far recorded in the state”

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Tinubu’s CBN reforms will shut loopholes Emefiele exploited — Presidency

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Tinubu’s CBN reforms will shut loopholes Emefiele exploited — Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday said the ongoing reforms in the Central Bank of Nigeria were geared towards closing gaps which the bank’s former Governor, Godwin Emefiele, exploited while in office.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, stated this when he appeared on TVC’s Politics on Sunday with Mr Femi Akande.

On June 9, 2023, Tinubu suspended the former CBN chief sequel to an ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the economy’s financial sector.

The Department of State Services later detained him as operatives combed his Lagos residence, reportedly recovering bags of currency notes and documents in the process.

On July 30, 2023, the President appointed a special investigator to probe the apex Bank, Jim Obazee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

The President asked the special investigator to investigate CBN and key government business entities, adding that the investigator would report directly to the President’s office.

In the months that followed, more revelations surfaced, including the forging of the signature of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and documents purportedly written by Boss Mustapha, the former secretary to the government of the federation, to induce the payment of $6.23m from the CBN.

However, Ngelale said Tinubu is spearheading reforms that would close the loopholes that allowed for the malpractices of the past.

“Moving forward, the kind of elite conspiracy we saw between CBN officials, high-ranking government officials and high-ranking members of the private sector, they’re not going to be able to conspire amongst themselves to find loopholes within the system because we have a president who is an auditor and accountant who will close those loopholes just the way he did in Lagos State many years ago.

“The President (Tinubu) has taken a comprehensive review of the organisational structures that led to Godwin Emefiele putting the nation in the position that it currently is.

“And he has said, even by legislation, that we are going to ensure that not only guardrails are put in place, but that legislative changes be enacted in such a way that this can never happen,” the Presidential spokesman explained.

Madrid sweep previous hapless Celta to remain clear in La Liga

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Madrid sweep previous hapless Celta to remain clear in La Liga

Vinicius Junior turned in a rebound at the second attempt midway through the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu before a Celta side coached by former Madrid boss Rafa Benitez unravelled late on.

Antonio Rudiger powered a header against the bar which bounced back off Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and over the line for an own goal, effectively sealing the points for the hosts with 11 minutes left.

Guaita was then involved in a mix-up with Carlos Dominguez as the defender bundled a teasing Vinicius cross into his net.

Turkish starlet Arda Guler came off the bench to grab his first Madrid goal in stoppage time as Madrid brushed off the absence of the suspended Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham, the league’s top scorer this season with 16 goals, watched from the stands after an appeal against the England international’s two-match ban for his red card against Valencia last weekend was dismissed.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side played poorly in a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, but it was enough to see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.

Despite dropping points in three of their past five league games, Madrid had gained ground on second-placed Girona recently as the surprise challengers’ unlikely title bid began to taper off.

Madrid are now 22 games unbeaten in La Liga and eight points above reigning champions Barcelona, who are just behind Girona in third place.

Celta remain in 17th and just two points above the relegation zone.

AFP

Sultan declares Monday first day of Ramadan

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Sultan declares Monday first day of Ramadan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Monday, March 11, 2024, as the first day of Ramadan.

He said the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Sunday, which is the 29th day of the Month of Shaban and thereby signifies March 11 as the first day of Ramadan 1445.

He said, “We got the information from Muslim leaders across the country and we accept the sighting of the moon accordingly.”

Abubakar called on the entire Muslim community in the country to start the Ramadan fast on Monday following the teachings of Islam

He urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray against the spread of insecurity in the country.

He called on all Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the leaders to discharge their duties with the fear of God.

He further advised all Muslims in the country and beyond to observe the fast with the ultimate fear of God, while urging the wealthy to assist the less privileged with food during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the lunar month of Ramadan, which will pave the way for the beginning of the Islamic lengthy fasting.

The Kingdom announced its Twitter platform, @Haramaininfo, on Sunday.

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Adeleke guarantees to revive leisure business

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Adeleke guarantees to revive leisure business

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has stated the readiness of his administration to bring back to life the dying entertainment industry in the state.

Adeleke, who made this promise at the launch of an app for voting for ‘The Most Popular Celebrity Award,’ project in the Osogbo area of the state, described the entertainment industry as one of the veritable avenues to generate revenue for the state.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Bankole Ojo, the governor recalled with nostalgia the pioneering efforts of the late Duro Ladipo, Karim Adepoju, popularly known as Baba Wande, late Yekini Ajileye, late Oyin Adejobi, late Kola Ogunmola, amongst others in the entertainment industry in the country.

According to him, the exploits of many Osun-born entertainers had brought national and international recognition and fame to the state, noting that his administration had a plan to reinvigorate the industry for better productivity.

He said, “I recall with nostalgia, how the likes of late Duro Ladipo, Alhaji Karim Adepoju,(“Baba Wande)” late Alh.Yekini Ajileye, late Oyin Adejobi, Late Kola Ogunmola, Prince Antar Laniyan and Bolaji Amusan ( Latin) among several others brought national and international recognition and fame to Osun as indigenes of the state in the theatre industry.

“The administration is ready to bring back to life the dying glory of the entertainment industry in the State.

“The entertainment industry is one of the veritable avenues to generate fame and big revenue for the state and Nigeria at large.”

A statement by the Information Officer of the Osun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Tobiloba Taiwo-Awofadeju, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, said the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Tope Omitogun and the Project Coordinator of ‘The Most Popular Celebrity Awards,’ Mr Solanke Hamzat, in separation submissions at the event, lauded Adeleke for supporting the initiative.

Boat passenger jumps into Lagos lagoon, drowns

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Boat passenger jumps into Lagos lagoon, drowns

A female adult, Nimotalahi Ishola, has jumped into the lagoon while on-board a ferry at Igando, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

According Online learnt that the incident happened around 9 pm on Saturday shortly after the boat left the Isuti jetty in the community.

Ishola was said to be in the boat with 11 other passengers while en route to the Totowu area of Ogun State when she suddenly pulled her life jacket and committed the act.

A police source told our correspondent on Sunday that a bottle of insecticide was found in one of the belongings she left behind in the boat.

“The victim boarded a boat from Isuti jetty, going to Totowu in Ogun State with other eleven passengers on board. Suddenly, she removed the life jacket she was wearing and jumped into the river.

“She left behind one nylon bag containing a bottle of sniper, Alimosho General Hospital cards and some drugs,“ the source said.

The police source further disclosed that police detectives visited the scene of the incident while a search party had been constituted to recover the corpse.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the incident.

He said, “Investigation is ongoing and effort is on to contact her family.”

Similarly, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Wuraola Alake, in a statement, noted that the ferry which had 17 passengers on board collided with a submerged shoreline concrete at a construction site around the power line corridor at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, killing one person.

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Sub-regional forces conspiring in opposition to Nigeria, Presidency alleges

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Sub-regional forces conspiring in opposition to Nigeria, Presidency alleges

The Presidency on Sunday described the recent cases of kidnapping across the country as efforts by subregional geopolitical forces conspiring to undermine the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made the allegation when he spoke on TVC’s Politics on Sunday anchored by Mr. Femi Akande and monitored by According Online.

On the programme titled ‘Counting the Cost of Presidents Tinubu’s Reforms,’ Ngelale revealed that the Federal Government is already receiving support from the United States for the release of students kidnapped in Kaduna.

“I will say this: Across the north, we understand that some of the sub-regional geopolitical forces that are currently at play are actively conspiring against the stability of Nigeria,” said the President’s spokesman.

His comments followed the kidnapping of over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school in Kuriga, Kaduna state, on Thursday as terrorists reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, shooting at their targets before whisking away the captives.

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Locals said the secondary section of the school was relocated to the primary school on account of the council’s insecurity.

A day earlier, the United Nations had confirmed that over 200 persons were abducted from the internally displaced persons camp in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, said the abductees, including women, boys and girls, were captured while fetching firewood.

Although the actual number of IDPs abducted remains unknown, Fall said they may be over 200 persons. Fall added that the terrorists released some older women and children below 10 years.

However, Ngelale affirmed that the Federal Government is on top of the situation and has received support from the US to secure the release of the school children and address the regional forces at play.

“We understand that and we are not sleeping. We are responding to it and we’re doing it in a concerted way, with our neighbors.

“And it is worth noting that the United States government has also pledged its assistance to ensure that there is a full return of all of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped recently in Kaduna.

“But the point is we are going to continue to intensify our collaboration not just within the region, but internationally to make sure that some of the regional actors that are conspiring against our nation are brought to justice and ultimately silenced in the future,” he explained.

The presidential spokesman lamented that with increased security in major communities in the Southeast and Southwest, the FG is working to extend coverage to vulnerable far-flung settlements in the north.

“First of all, the President has been very clear that this is an administration of no excuses. If you look at other parts of the countries that were in flames before he took office, such as the Southeast and parts of the Southwest for example, you will know the level of work that has gone into securing our nation.

“Where we still have some challenges is in the North Central in the northwest and to a lesser extent in the Northeast. There’s still a lot of work to be done along the Kaduna axis. Remember the time when you could not travel by road on the Abuja-Kaduna highway? Now, you’re able to do that.

“Now the problem is when you have these far-flung communities, we do have these hit-and-run incidences of not just violence and killings, but obviously kidnappings and hostage-taking,” Ngelale explained.

He toed the line of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, proposing capital punishment for kidnappers, saying, “I think that there’s going to have to be some sort of robust legislative reform that makes it clear to every citizen of our country that if you kidnap anybody, you will be killed by the justice system.

“There will be a death penalty attached to it. I don’t see how this can be solved if we don’t do this and see to its implementation.”

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