Home Blog Page 508

Why Ese cycled with ‘borrowed’ German bike — Sports minister

admin
-
0
Why Ese cycled with ‘borrowed’ German bike — Sports minister

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has hinted on the reasons behind cycler Ese Ukpeseraye, cycling with ‘borrowed’ track bike from German team in the ongoing Olympics in Paris, France.

Enoh said the track race was reallocated to Team Nigeria after a team was disqualified and that it would need the usage of special equipment which, if paid for, would take months to be delivered.

The minister disclosed this on his X handle on Thursday while reacting to the post by the cycler, who claimed that the German team offered her a bicycle to participate in the competition.

He wrote, “My attention has been called to a post on social media by Ese Ukpeseraye. After reading the post and some follow-up comments, I swung into action. Ese’s post seems to have been grossly misunderstood, perhaps also because it didn’t seem to give proper context to the matter in perspective. It is important i make some clarifications.

“Abinitio, Team Nigeria qualified for one road race in cycling and prepared for it in terms of training and the appropriate competition equipment. Team Nigeria was fully prepared for this road race until two weeks ago after the Cycling team with the rest of Team Nigeria had already left for the Olympics, that a communication from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) was received reallocating additional slots to the Cyclist Federation of Nigeria (Kerin and individual sprint). This reallocation to Nigeria was due to the disqualification of a country, leaving Nigeria as the next eligible to make the list of qualified countries to compete. Unfortunately, this additional slot required the use of different competition equipment in terms of biking.

Details later…

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Tinubu directs security agencies to intensify crackdown on illegal miners

admin
-
0
Tinubu directs security agencies to intensify crackdown on illegal miners

President Bola Tinubu has directed the security agencies to intensify their crackdown on illegal miners, which he called “exploiters and scavengers” in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Tinubu said his administration will ensure that companies engaged in mineral exploration prioritise the health and safety of Nigerians as well as the host communities.

He also expressed concern over the well-being of those living near mining areas and called for safe exploration.

The President gave the new marching orders when he received a presentation titled, ‘Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035,’ by Course 32 participants of the National Defence College on Thursday in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed Thursday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu mineral resources exploration must prioritise health and safety of Nigerians.’

“We have challenges of scavengers and exploiters around the country.

“We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society.

‘‘We expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment,” Ngelale quoted him saying

The Course 32 Participants were tasked with researching topical national issues, and their findings during their 11-month study focused on the mining industry’s potential to contribute to national security and development.

Responding to the presentation delivered by Colonel Olajide Bello on behalf of the delegation, Tinubu commended their work and reiterated the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy.

‘‘I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.

‘‘I recognise the need for the diversification of the economy, and we have been pushing hard on this. Your involvement will equally promote a better understanding of the issues,’’ the President said.

Tinubu assured the delegation that his administration would ensure the completion of the NDC headquarters in Abuja.

Addressing the health implications of exploration activities during an interactive session, the President expressed concern over the well-being of those living near mining areas.

‘‘We must pay attention to that at the outset by providing medical centres and other facilities that will protect the lives, property and health of Nigerians,’’ Tinubu said.

In his remarks, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant, NDC, said the institution, established in 1992 as the National War College, has graduated 2,871 participants since inception.

Olotu said besides participants from 30 African countries, the college has had participants from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

He said through the President’s magnanimity, the college has embarked on unprecedented infrastructural upgrades, making the institution compete favourably with any other defence college worldwide.

However, the Commandant appealed to Tinubu to assist in completing the college’s permanent site in Abuja, noting that the institution currently operates from its temporary facility in the Central Business District owing to the non-completion of its permanent site since 2010.

Speaking with the State House Correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, said Thursday’s discussion emphasised a crucial sector in Nigeria’s economy: solid minerals development.

“The presentation was on solid mineral development; they have also recorded measures to improve Nigeria’s solid mineral sector, which is apt following the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu on the expansion of the economy and other sources of income for the Nigerian economy.

“The college is important in researching topical issues that affect the country; they have suggested ways and means to diversify the Nigerian economy through the solid minerals sector,” he stated.

The 111 participants of NDC Course 32 were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as 19 international participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

The college undertakes in-depth studies on all factors that affect national security and development. The research centre in the college, known as the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, is also designated as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for Peace Support Operations at the strategic level.

Commercial tricyclist slumps, dies in Delta

admin
-
0
Commercial tricyclist slumps, dies in Delta

A commercial tricycle operator, otherwise known as ‘Keke’ rider, whose identity is yet to be known, on Thursday slumped and died in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

According Online gathered that the incident occurred at a location by Okorodudu Junction near the popular Old Airport Junction in Uvwie.

Eyewitnesses said that the tricylist slumped a few seconds after hurriedly parking his tricycle and heading to a local roadside food vendor in the locality.

One of the witnesses, Martins Emuobonuvie, told journalists that “the man parked his Keke and wanted to eat before he fell and stopped all forms of movements.”

Speaking further, Emuobonuvie stated that “the policemen who rushed to the scene said he was dead, and they couldn’t rush him to the hospital.”

Another witness, a motorist, Emeka Ebube, expressed concern that policemen from the nearby Enerhen Divisional Police Station could not rush the deceased to the hospital.

“He (the deceased Keke operator) could have survived if he was given medical attention,” Ebube said.

It was however gathered that a team of policemen later evacuated the remains of the late commercial tricycle operator from the spot of the incident “after calling relations of the deceased”.

The state Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Dangote refinery insists facility not getting enough crude locally

admin
-
0
Dangote refinery insists facility not getting enough crude locally

The Dangote Oil Refinery has insisted that the facility is not getting enough feedstock from producers in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, the Dangote Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission has not been enforcing the domestic crude supply obligations the way it should.

Chiejina was reacting to reports alleging that the refinery has backtracked by acknowledging that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited supplied about 60 per cent of the 50 million barrels it had lifted.

The company was said to have stated this on Wednesday before the Senate committee investigating allegations of sabotage in the oil and gas sector.

“To clarify, we have never accused NNPC of not supplying us with crude. Our concern has always been NUPRC’s reluctance to enforce the domestic crude supply obligation and ensure that we receive our full crude requirement from NNPC and the international oil companies.

“For September, our requirement is 15 cargoes, of which NNPC allocated six. Despite appealing to NUPRC, we’ve been unable to secure the remaining cargoes. When we approached IOCs producing in Nigeria, they redirected us to their international trading arms or responded that their cargoes were committed,” Chiejina said.

He reiterated that the company often purchases the same Nigerian crude from international traders at an additional $3-$4 premium per barrel, which translates to $3-$4 million per cargo.

“We therefore still insist that we are unable to secure our full crude requirement from domestic production and urge NUPRC to fully enforce the domestic crude supply obligation as mandated by the PIA,” the statement concluded.

The According recalls that Dangote Group’s management alleged that the IOCs were still frustrating crude supply to the 650,000-capacity refinery.

The group alleged that the IOCs insisted on selling crude oil to its refinery through their foreign agents, saying the local price of crude will continue to increase because the trading arms offer cargoes at $2 to $4 per barrel, above NUPRC’s official price.

The group also alleged that the foreign oil producers seem to be prioritising Asian countries in selling the crude they produce in Nigeria.

The Vice President, Oil amd Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr DVG Edwin, said: “If the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation guidelines are diligently implemented, this will ensure that we deal directly with the companies producing the crude oil in Nigeria as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act.”

Edwin insisted that IOCs operating in Nigeria have consistently frustrated the company’s requests for locally-produced crude as feedstock for its refining process.

He highlighted that when cargoes are offered to the oil company by the trading arms, it is sometimes at a $2 to $4 (per barrel) premium above the official price set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

Edwin was reacting to a statement by the Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, who, in an interview on national television, said, “It is ‘erroneous’ for one to say that the International Oil Companies are refusing to make crude oil available to domestic refiners, as the Petroleum Industry Act has a stipulation that calls for a willing-buyer, willing-seller relationship.”

The Chief Executive of Nigerian NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, debunked the claim, saying Nigeria could not rely heavily on the Dangote refinery for its fuel supply.

Ahmed said Dangote diesel has a higher sulphur content than the ones imported into the country.

According to him, the refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria.

“We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO and direct all marketers to the refinery, that is not good for the nation in terms of energy security.  And that is not good for the market, because of monopoly,” Ahmed stressed.

However, the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, denied the allegation, wondering how he could be a monopoly when the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is renovating government-owned refineries with $4bn.

President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the NNPC to sell crude oil to Dangote in naira.

Ex-CAF president Issa Hayatou dies at 77

admin
-
0
Ex-CAF president Issa Hayatou dies at 77

A former President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, is dead

Hayatou’s death was made known by the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in a Thursday post on his Instagram stories.

Infantino wrote, “Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President and interim, FIFA Vice President and FIFA Council member, Issa Hayatou.

“As a passionate sports fan and IOC member, he dedicated his life to sports administration and on behalf of FIFA, and condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”

Hayatou battled protracted sickness before his death less than 24 hours before his 78th birthday, according to Cameroonian media.

He served as the president of CAF for 29 years, leading the organisation from 1988 until his unexpected ouster in 2017.

He also stepped in as acting FIFA president from 2015 to 2016 after Sepp Blatter was suspended due to corruption allegations.

In 2021, FIFA imposed a one-year ban on Hayatou for violating the federation’s code of ethics in connection with CAF’s 2016 broadcasting deal with the French media company Lagardère.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the sanction the following year.

Prior to his career in football administration, Hayatou was a successful track and field athlete and basketball player.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

PDP NWC constitutes caretaker committee for Ondo

admin
-
0
PDP NWC constitutes caretaker committee for Ondo

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Thursday, constituted the State Caretaker Committee for the Ondo State chapter of the party.

This was according to a statement obtained by our correspondent and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba.

The statement noted that the caretaker committee was constituted according to Section 29 (2) (b) of the party’s Constitution.

It read, “The National Working Committee of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party has on behalf of the National Executive Committee pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of our Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of Ondo State PDP Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Ondo State chapter of our party.

“The Ondo State Caretaker Committee is charged with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the party in Ondo State as stipulated in Section 21(2) (a-b) of our Party’s Constitution for a period not exceeding 90 days (three months) or until a new Executive Committee is elected.

“Members of the Committee are as follows: Rt. Hon. Bakkita Olufowobi Bello (Chairman), Oluseye Judes Olujimi (Secretary), Tola Alabere (member), Dayo Awude (member), Bobby Omotosho (member), Fadope Amos Oniosayo (member), Olawumi Owolabi Fasonu (member), Barr. Moses Awofade (member), Boluwaji Bamidele (member), Kennedy Peretei (member), Adebayo Abiodun Ibrahim (member), Engr. Dare Akinwale (member), Kemisola Adesanya (member), Babatunde Daudu (member).

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Ondo State to remain united and continue to work together for the progress of the party in the state.”

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Tinubu’s aides begin nationwide public engagement

admin
-
0
Tinubu’s aides begin nationwide public engagement

President Bola Tinubu’s aides on Public Engagement have been given a fresh mandate to initiate citizens’ engagement across the six geopolitical zones.

These came days after Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast, during which he called for an end to the #EndBadGovernance protests and expressed his openness to dialogue.

The Head of Media, Presidential Community Engagement Office, Seun Ajayi, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

The six Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement are Moremi Ojudu (South-West), Chioma Nweze (South-East), Gift Johnbull (South-South), Abiodun Essiet (North-Central), Abdullahi Yakasai (North-West) and Abdulhamid Abba (North-East).

Ajayi said the new move became necessary due to a wave of discussions on the need for the administration to engage with the members of the public through its appointees on policies, projects, and programmes.

Therefore, she announced that the aides “have been tasked with returning to their communities in the geo-political zones to engage directly with citizens.

“Their mission is to ensure that the President’s policies and programmes are well understood and that public feedback is actively incorporated into the government’s agenda.”

The statement continued, “The whole idea is to strengthen the relationship between the government and its citizens and the newly established Presidential Community Engagement Office, a crucial bridge between the Federal Government and local communities in Nigeria, is leading this initiative.

“As part of this effort, the office has introduced the Citizens’ Assembly, a nationwide programme designed to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and considered in national decision-making processes.

“This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and responsive government by facilitating meaningful engagements with the public.”

In his address last Sunday, August 4, 2024, the President urged organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests to “suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.”

He said Nigeria requires all hands on deck, regardless of age, party, tribe, religion, or other divides, to work together to reshape its destiny.

On July 29, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Esseit, unveiled the Citizens’ Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Essiet decried the gaping disconnect with the Local Government Councils in Nigeria.

She cited a March 2024 survey conducted across the North Central region, including Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states lamenting a stark disconnect.

This gap, she argued, necessitated the creation of the CA to “enhance community development and cohesion.

She explained, “Community engagement plays a crucial role in building trust between the Federal Government and its citizens. It establishes a direct connection, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and considered in the corridors of power.

“To gain a clearer insight into the challenges facing our grassroots, we conducted a survey in March 2024 involving 166 respondents from the North Central region, including Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states.

“The findings revealed a significant disconnect between the Federal Government and local communities. For instance, 48.2 per cent of participants perceive a lack of engagement from the Federal Government. 78.3 per cent feel unrepresented in the government’s policies and decision-making processes.”

She further revealed that 62.1 per cent consider community engagement organisations effective, while 68.7 per cent believe the government does not consult with local communities before implementing projects.

To address this gap, Essiet noted that President Tinubu appointed six SSAs on Community Engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in September 2023.

The appointments, she said, are part of the administration’s agenda to improve governance through strategic citizen engagement.

Therefore, the Citizens’ Assembly initiative, launched by her office, will work to bridge this disconnect, with plans to replicate this across the North Central states following its FCT launch.

She explained, “Nearly a thousand volunteers from the region applied to participate in this grassroots engagement effort.

“Selected individuals will represent at least one ward across the six North Central states and the FCT, serving as agents of change within their communities.”

Essiet emphasised the crucial role of community engagement in building trust between the government and citizens.

She also called on other government appointees and elected officials to replicate this model in their respective jurisdictions to foster national prosperity.

Fire kills one, displaces 200 in Philippine

admin
-
0
Fire kills one, displaces 200 in Philippine

Fire on Wednesday killed a 69-year-old man with Alzheimer’s disease in a residential area of the Philippine capital.
The Bureau of Fire Protection said on Thursday the fire which broke out at 5:30 p.m. local time in a district in Manila City quickly swept across at least 20 houses and displaced 50 families of 200 residents.
The bureau added that it took the firefighters nearly an hour to bring the fire under control.
Arson investigators are still trying to get the cause and origin of the fire.
The post Fire kills one, displaces 200 in Philippine appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

#EndBadGovernance protests an eye-opener for my colleagues

admin
-
0
#EndBadGovernance protests an eye-opener for my colleagues

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has said the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests that began on August 1, 2024, should serve as an eye-opener for governors to begin to “do something”, especially those of the Northern region.

The governor made the statement during an interview on Thursday evening on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Sule, who was addressing agitations about the failure of state governments to account for large allocations received from the Federal Governments, assured Nigerians that governors were all working with the funds provided.

He argued that state and federal government revenues had improved under the President Tinubu-led administration while commending the President for allowing the sharing of the funds to the states, and the FCT.

He said, “No state will say that their revenue has not actually multiplied by two, sometimes doubled. In the past, the total amount of revenue shared monthly was around N600bn to maybe about N620bn max, sometimes even slightly lower. Today, you see the total amount being shared, N1.1trn, N1.2trn and the rest of that.

“Every state, as well as the Federal Government, is receiving improved revenue; thanks to Mr President for allowing it to go like that.

“Because he would have said, ‘No, this is money meant for subsidy. Therefore, we are going to take it and divert it somewhere. No, but they are sharing it so that every state will go and do other things, and every state is doing.

“As a matter of fact, this protest that came, is an eye-opener, especially for my colleagues in the North. Even if anyone is not doing anything, this is the time to do something, because we can’t blame other people. I love the statement made by Shehu Sani (Senator), when he said to forget about the microscope and look at the mirror, and this is the time.

For me, I can’t wait for next week or the week after, when we sit down as governors of Northern Nigeria, and tell each other the truth; we must do something. We have no reason not to do anything.”

Zelensky says Russia must feel the war as Ukraine presses attack

admin
-
0
Zelensky says Russia must feel the war as Ukraine presses attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Russia needed to “feel” the consequences of its war as a major Ukrainian incursion across the Russian border stretched into a third day.

Pro-Kyiv forces stormed into Russia’s southwestern Kursk region on Tuesday morning, deploying around 1,000 troops and more than two dozen armoured vehicles and tanks, according to the Russian army.

It appears to be the most significant Ukrainian attack into Russia since the war began, with independent analysts suggesting Kyiv’s troops had advanced up to 10 kilometres (six miles) into Russia.

“Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done,” Zelensky said in his evening address, without directly referring to the offensive.

“Ukrainians know how to achieve their goals. And we did not choose to achieve our goals in the war,” he added.

Russia’s defence ministry said Thursday its troops were “continuing to destroy” armed Ukrainian units and were using air strikes, rocket and artillery fire to try to push them back.

It said it had rushed into reserves and was “thwarting attempts to break through” deeper into the Kursk region.

The independent US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Ukraine had made significant territorial gains in the first two days of the incursion.

“Ukrainian forces have made confirmed advances up to 10 kilometres (six miles) into Russia’s Kursk Oblast amid continued mechanised offensive operations on Russian territory,” it said in its latest update.

“The current confirmed extent and location of Ukrainian advances in Kursk Oblast indicate that Ukrainian forces have penetrated at least two Russian defensive lines and a stronghold,” it added.

Kyiv has not officially taken responsibility for the operation, but an aide to Zelensky said Moscow was to blame for the incursion.

“The root cause of any escalation, shelling, military actions, forced evacuations and destruction of normal life forms — including within the Russian Federation’s own territories like Kursk and Belgorod regions — is solely Russia’s unequivocal aggression,” presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Thursday on social media.

Without mentioning the Kursk attacks, Zelensky said Wednesday: “The more pressure we put on Russia, the closer we will get to peace. A just peace through just force.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called it a “large-scale provocation” by Kyiv and Russia’s top general vowed on Wednesday to crush the incursion.

The United States State Department expressed support for Kyiv without directly commenting on the operation.

“We strongly support Ukraine’s effort to defend against Russia’s aggression,” spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

‘Entrenching’

The surprise attack appeared to catch Russia’s army off guard, triggering criticism of its top brass by the country’s influential military bloggers.

The Ukrainian advance has centred on the logistical hub of Sudzha, a town of around 5,000 inhabitants located eight kilometres (five miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Russian military bloggers, who have links to the army, also reported Thursday that Kyiv had made significant advances.

“The situation is complicated and continues to worsen,” blogger Yury Podolyaka said in a post on Telegram.

“Sudzha has been completely lost,” he said.

The Dva Mayora Telegram channel said Ukraine was “entrenching, indicating that the fighting is likely to be long-term”.

Many reported Ukrainian troops had advanced towards the town of Korenevo, more than 25 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

AFP could not verify those reports.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Thursday it would continue shipping gas through the Sudzha metering station, the last transit point for Russian gas heading to Europe via Ukraine.

Moscow also said its forces had destroyed a US-made Bradley Fighting Vehicle that Ukraine was using in the incursion.

The Russian defence ministry had initially blamed a pro-Ukrainian “sabotage group” for carrying out the raid, but it has since said Ukraine’s army is carrying out the raid.

Pro-Kyiv militia, including those made up of Russian citizens fighting against Moscow, have previously staged several cross-border raids.

But the latest incursion into the Kursk region appears to be the most successful and organised attempt by Ukraine to penetrate Russian territory.

Kyiv’s objectives remain unclear, with some analysts suggesting it is an attempt to stretch Russia’s army, forcing them to move units away from the eastern Donetsk region where they have been advancing.

The governor of the Kursk region declared a state of emergency in the region on Wednesday evening, a move that gives authorities the power to restrict movement in a bid to bring the situation under control.

Several thousand people have been evacuated on both sides of the border.

AFP

1...507508509...2,826Page 508 of 2,826
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv