Home Blog Page 753

Babcock varsity paid N300m for electricity in May — VC

admin
-
0
Babcock varsity paid N300m for electricity in May — VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Ogun State, Prof. Ademola Tayo, said the institution paid N300m as electricity tariff in May.

Speaking on Sunday at the ongoing 22nd convocation ceremony, Tayo said the high electricity tariff was a great threat to quality education in Nigeria.

“I hereby call on the government to reduce the electricity tariff. High electricity tariffs are a threat to quality education in Nigeria. Universities and education need support for the development of the country.”

He revealed that the university graduated 132 first-class students and 16 distinctions in the School of Clinical Sciences. The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the institution produced 2,842 graduates.

“It is a delight to witness the transformation of our students into capable, innovative, and compassionate individuals, ready to make their mark in the world.

“Today, we acknowledge the unwavering support of families and faculty members who have guided our graduates every step of the way,” he said.

Legal practitioner, Mr Wole Olanipekun, is the guest speaker at the event.

Details later…

Grace Edema

The According Senior Correspondent, Grace, has over 17 years experience covering education, arts, business and health sectors. She’s a graduate of Sociology

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]

Abia governor, Otti gives reasons why he is not working from his private residence

admin
-
0
Abia governor, Otti gives reasons why he is not working from his private residence

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has given reasons why he has been working from his private residence in Umuehim Nvosi in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of the state instead of operating from the Government House in Umuahia, citing the dilapidated buildings of the Government House.
Otti who gave the explanation while commissioning projects executed by the Mayor of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Joe Aru, at the LGA headquarters on Saturday, however, assured that by December this year, he will demolish the current structures and rebuild a befitting Government House in Umuahia.
“Today, I am not operating from the Government House in Umuahia because there is no Government House. Everywhere is dilapidated and decayed,” he said.
READ ALSO:Appeal Court gives Alex Otti go-ahead to appeal judgement on Abia election
“The option would have been to use the money I used to pay pensioners to begin to retrofit the Government House. But, I felt that we could operate from anywhere while doing the most important things first.
“And I am proud to report that before the end of this year, we are going to break down those dilapidated buildings and put up structures that are befitting for our enlightened people like the Abia people.”
Otti also extolled the projects executed by the council Mayor which he said are in line with his vision for Abia State, explaining that everything his administration is doing, whether in health, road infrastructure, or other areas, is always of the highest quality.
The post Abia governor, Otti gives reasons why he is not working from his private residence appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Ex-Rep Daramola advocates special recognition for outstanding students

admin
-
0
Ex-Rep Daramola advocates special recognition for outstanding students

A former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, Bimbo Daramola, has urged Nigerians to develop the habit of giving special recognition to students who perform excellently in their chosen career so as encourage hard work among youths.
Daramola stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, at a reception for nine undergraduate chartered accountants from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE.
The nine students, known as the FUOYE Nine, include Deborah Eretan, Goodness Opeloye, Oluwafemi Ayodeji, Gideon Ajibade, Abdulrazak Abeeb, Joshua Oni, Samuel Aderoju, Philip Eniola and Boluwatife Tijani.
They were rewarded and given awards with the inscription, ‘The Signposts of Our Desired Future’.
Daramola, who noted that the recognition was not political, stated that he was spurred by his personal conviction and the necessity to dissuade the erroneous belief among Nigerian youths that school is scam.
He called on members of the public to ensure that good thrives over evil, particularly in a situation where the youths are used to cause havoc in the society, especially by the politicians.
“I don’t think there is something to suggest politics here. These students are not from Ekiti but for me necessity is laid upon my mind to do whatever I believe in. If there is conviction behind anything, I just go ahead and do it, particularly at a time when we need people who will signpost our future.
“Now what they say is school is scam and then you find nine young people (three girls and six boys) who have consciously made up their minds to say that we are going to go for the highest point in our career. For people to be chartered at 300 or 400 levels is significant.
“I can’t say that every politician must do this. Nobody told me what to do. Like I said, necessity is laid upon me to do so. I don’t just think that this society will let 300 or 400 level students, young people, who have passed examinations just get lost in social media.
“The plaque we gave to them has the ‘Signposts of our Desired Future’. If yesterday was good, it is incumbent on us to make today better and then to make our future the best. I think we should institute a regime because there is a battle for mindshare – evil and good are fighting. The judgement will tilt to whichever force that is higher.
“But here good has tried to fight back a little bit. So, evil has gotten a hit that we have taken nine people and showcasing what they have achieved. It should generate enough noise and acquire a life of its own to the extent that people can say that FUOYE Nine can inspire people.
“For young people out there, it is clear that somebody is somewhere is watching but I believe that any opportunity that comes my way. I am going to hold these students as I go along my way and then continue to let people know.”
Speaking at the event, a former Special Adviser to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, hailed the nine undergraduate chartered accountants for making the state and their institution proud.
Ex-Rep Daramola advocates special recognition for outstanding students

Adeleke invites Osun CSOs, students for dialogue

admin
-
0
Adeleke invites Osun CSOs, students for dialogue

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has invited representatives of civil society groups and student bodies for a dialogue session.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo on Sunday, described the meeting as a “comprehensive dialogue with organisers of upcoming national protests alongside stakeholders from the security and civil societies,” and it has been slated for Monday.

Rasheed explained that the governor has instructed his team members to reach out to representatives of various civil society groups and student bodies for a dialogue session on the state of the economy.

Stressing the importance of dialogue in state governance, Adeleke further requested key commanders of the Police and other security services to attend the session, where stakeholders would be free to make recommendations on grievances and expected responses from the government at all levels.

“I have instructed my team to organise a dialogue session on Monday where stakeholders can engage in discussions as part of peacemaking in the exercise of constitutional rights. The session will afford parties the opportunity to list grievances and what they expect the government at all levels to do.

“We will convey the outcomes of the session to government leaders, from myself to Mr President in Abuja. It will also be an opportunity to inform stakeholders of what we are doing as a government to resolve the economic hardship facing our people,” Adeleke was quoted as saying.

Reaffirming his belief in the rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution, the governor emphasised the need for peace and non-violent actions, including the dialogue session slated for Monday.

He said, “Osun is a peaceful state where proactive steps are ongoing regarding food security, economic revival, and state-building to deliver good governance and the dividends of democracy.

“We have to sustain the peace even as we express our feelings about the state of the nation to the leadership. We will listen and we will act in the best interest of the citizenry.

“In the midst of the positive transformation ongoing in our dear state, we cannot afford any criminal hijacking of peaceful processions. That is why the Monday dialogue promises to achieve a lot.”

‘It’ll be hijacked by criminals’ – Police Affairs Minister begs youths to shun planned protest

admin
-
0
‘It’ll be hijacked by criminals’ – Police Affairs Minister begs youths to shun planned protest

The Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has pleaded with youths in the country to shun the planned nationwide protest.
In a statement she signed on Sunday, the minister said she acknowledge the frustrations that drive the desire to protest but added that the narratives accompanying the planned protest, and its faceless nature, makes it look like those that often lead to destruction and chaos, which could set the nation back.
She called on Nigerians to exercise some patience in what she described as ‘ a painful process’ that is poised to birth a prosperous Nigeria.
The minister said, “Consider the power of peaceful engagement, dialogue, and collaboration over protest and confrontation.
“We have engaged you and other members of local communities in multiple ongoing town halls, we feel the pulse, we have taken stock, and we have now developed a transformative roadmap for reforming the Nigeria Police Force.
“We are working to see to the emergence of a world-class Nigeria Police Force that is fit for the 21st Century, inclusive, community-based, intelligence-led, and technologically driven, while excelling in maintaining public safety, upholding the rule of law, and fostering community trust through transparent and accountable practices.
“We are making significant progress in expanding the human and technical capability of the NPF. There is a commitment to recruiting over 40,000 young Nigerians into the Force over the next years, and the planned recruitment for 2024 is already at an advanced stage.
“Welfare has been improved to boost officers’ morale, and you can attest that there is an increasing level of discipline and professionalism in the Force.
“We have also partnered with the Ministry of Youths to create a platform for robust engagement between the NPF and the youth and serve as a grievance reporting channel.
“We have strengthened the Police Public Complaint Committee and enhanced the response time of the Complaint Response Unit of the NPF, both key platforms for lodging complaints against police officers from members of the public.
“We are closely monitoring complaints and ensuring closure in all cases. We urge you to engage with this team for any complaints or challenges relating to the NPF. Yes, our nation is at a crossroads, and we need your energy, creativity, and passion to drive positive change.
“But let us work together to find solutions that uplift and unite us rather than tear us apart.
“Protests can easily be hijacked by criminal elements, leading to unintended consequences, causing harm to people and property, and creating divisions that are difficult to heal.
“Instead, let us engage in constructive conversations, listen to each other’s perspectives, and work towards common goals.
“By our collective will and collaboration, we can build a Nigeria that we are all proud of, one that offers hope, opportunity, and justice for every citizen.”
‘It’ll be hijacked by criminals’ – Police Affairs Minister begs youths to shun planned protest

NDLEA arrests Spain-bound businessman with cocaine in sandals, destroys cannabis farm

admin
-
0
NDLEA arrests Spain-bound businessman with cocaine in sandals, destroys cannabis farm

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 50-year-old businessman, Francis Akajiobi, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for attempting to smuggle 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine to Spain.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and shared on the Agency’s website on Sunday.

According to the statement, the drugs were concealed in the soles of his sandals.

The statement said, “A Spain-based businessman, 50-year-old Francis Akajiobi, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, after parcels of cocaine weighing 1.2 kilograms were discovered in his pair of sandals while attempting to board his Royal Air Maroc flight to Madrid, Spain.

“The two parcels of cocaine were concealed in the soles of a pair of black sandals Akajiobi was wearing to board his flight when NDLEA operatives intercepted him on Thursday 25th July 2024. During his preliminary interview, he claimed the consignment was delivered to him at a bar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was to deliver it to his friend and neighbour in Spain for a fee of Five Thousand Euros (€5,000) upon successful delivery to the recipient.”

A suspect, Makinde Sodiq Lekan, was also arrested in relation to the seizure of 99 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, which weighed 51.6 kg and arrived at the Lagos airport’s SAHCO Imports shed via a Turkish Airlines flight from Canada, with a layover in Istanbul, Turkey.

Operatives of a Special Operations Unit targeting opioid smuggling syndicates also arrested Chukwuemeka Obodozie, a kingpin, on Sunday, 21st July.

He was caught at Cele bus stop along the Oshodi-Apapa express road in Lagos with 100,000 tablets of tramadol 225 mg in two bags. The arrest followed five months of surveillance and occurred shortly after he arrived from Ghana via a transport company.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives destroyed a cannabis farm in Osun State, arresting 17 suspects and seizing 31,600 kilograms of cannabis.

The statement said, “No fewer than 17 suspects were arrested on Friday 26th July when NDLEA operatives raided the Owena forest in Oriade LGA, Osun State, where they destroyed 31,250 kilograms of cannabis on 12.5 hectares of farmland, while 84 kg of processed cannabis sativa was recovered along with a single-barrel Dane gun.

“Those arrested include Peter Osuya, 51; Zebron Ode, 46; Dogo Reuben Matthew, 35; Isaac Terna; Joseph David Lawrence, 27; Ugochukwu Victory, 24; Olamilekan Abolarin, 26; Dele Ayibo, 44; Ojo Moses, 21; Nini Ayila, 27; Msughve Clement, 23; Chuks Ogeneku, 40; Dada Aribo, 20; Uche Endurance, 30; Patrick Agba, 21; Osakwe Kennedy, 45; and Ojo Babatunde, 29.”

The agency also arrested a tramadol syndicate kingpin, Chukwuemeka Obodozie, in Lagos, and intercepted a supplier of bandits in Kaduna with 573 rounds of live ammunition.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives conducting a stop-and-search patrol on the Kaduna-Zaria highway intercepted Ubaida Aliyu, a 32-year-old woman, on Saturday, 27th July. She was found in possession of 573 rounds of 7.60 mm live ammunition, which she claimed she was delivering to bandits in Sokoto.

NDLEA operatives arrested Godwin Udochukwu, 35, in connection with the seizure of 25,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection on the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

Another suspect, Alkasim Mikailu, 35, was apprehended in Kano during a follow-up operation after the seizure of 37,880 ampoules of diazepam injection on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

The statement added, “Two suspects, Abioye Adeniyi, 39, and Rafiu Lekan, 41, were arrested with 55 jumbo wraps of Ghana Loud by NDLEA operatives at Oloko along Badagry-Seme road, Lagos, on Friday 26th July, while Samson Ifeayi Egwutouhi, 30, was nabbed the same day by officers on patrol along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway with 20 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa that weighed 10.5 kg.

“In Bauchi State, two suspects, Suleiman Yahaya, 50, and Ibrahim Bello (a.k.a. Special), 35, were on Thursday 25th July arrested with 315 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 204.75 kg along the Maiduguri bye-pass, Bauchi town.”

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers for their efforts and urged them to continue their fight against drug cartels.

Fuel scarcity hits Zamfara ahead planned nationwide protest

admin
-
0
Fuel scarcity hits Zamfara ahead planned nationwide protest

Ahead of the planned nationwide hunger protest, most petrol filling stations in Zamfara State have closed shop, despite the assurance by the state Police Command that it will protect the lives and properties of the residents during the exercise.
TVN observed long queues at the few petrol stations that were operating.
It was also observed that the stations were selling at the cost of between N900 to 950 per litre.
Some of the customers who spoke with TVN lamented that the filling stations preferred selling to black marketers rather than following the queue.
“Many of us have been in the queue for many hours but the line was not moving accordingly,” one Usman Musa said.
A supervisor of one of the filling stations told TVN that the fuel available may not reach all the customers waiting to buy the product.
“We find it very difficult getting fuel at the NNPC mega station in Gusau, the state capital. Even now, the NNPC mega station has no fuel,” another motorist said.
When our correspondent visited the NNPC mega station, it was discovered that the premises was shut as the management claimed there was no fuel.
One of the attendants told TVN that they were expecting fuel from the depot in Gusau.
Fuel scarcity hits Zamfara ahead planned nationwide protest

Ogun ex-deputy speaker, Tokunbo Oshin dies

admin
-
0
Ogun ex-deputy speaker, Tokunbo Oshin dies

Former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and former lecturer at Tai Solarin College of Education, now Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, is dead.

He was said to have passed away at a private hospital in Sagamu on Saturday night after a brief illness. He was 66.

Ogun State Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Ademola Balogun, an indigene of Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government, like the late Oshin, confirmed the news to our correspondent on Sunday.

Balogun said, “Hon Oshin is dead. He was said to have died on Saturday at a private hospital in Sagamu. He should be around 66 years old. It’s a big loss to our great party, the All Progressives Congress, and Ijebu Igbo town, where we both came from. May his soul rest in peace.”

The former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Bayo Dayo, another kinsman of the late Deputy Speaker, also described Oshin’s death as shocking and least expected.

Dayo said, “It is very true that the distinguished lawmaker is dead, and I feel so sad about this unfortunate incident.

“We have been together for more than 20 years, and we are going to miss him very much. He was a true friend, and I wish the family and children well. May the Lord give them the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Oshin was the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007 and was a member representing the Ijebu North State constituency 1 between 2007 and 2011.

He ventured into private business in 2008 as a small-scale petroleum products marketer with the brand name Zipest Ventures Limited, owner of Zipest Filling Stations in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Ago Iwoye, and until recently, Ibadan.

He represented the South West on the Board of the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and some occasions acted as the Board Chairman between 2018 and 2022. He was at various times a member of Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Ogun State.

He was an alumnus of Mayflower School, Ikenne, and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
Until his death, he was a Non-Executive Director of Gateway Mortgage Bank Limited.

NAF airstrikes destroy 12 illegal refining sites in Abia, Rivers

admin
-
0
NAF airstrikes destroy 12 illegal refining sites in Abia, Rivers

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Sunday said its airstrikes destroyed 12 illegal refining sites in Abia and Rivers states.
The Air Force disclosed this in a statement by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information.
The statement said, “In efforts aimed at minimizing the activities of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under Operation Delta Safe, on 26 July 2024, carried out several strikes that led to the destruction of 12 illegal refining sites and 2 reservoirs located in Abia and Rivers states.”
It further disclosed that in Umueze in Abia State, armed reconnaissance undertaken by NAF aircraft revealed several illegal refining sites situated in many fenced households.
“This information was subsequently relayed to ground troops for further exploitation and necessary action. Heading towards Owaza, 3 illegal refining sites were observed hidden under thick vegetations, which were subsequently destroyed.
“Thereafter, the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where 9 illegal refining sites and 2 reservoirs were discovered and destroyed. In total, 12 illegal refining sites and 2 reservoirs were destroyed.”
According to the statement, the sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate.
“Those engaged in these acts, especially in fenced living environments, are again reminded of their danger to human lives and health as well as the environment. Be that as may, armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum,” the statement added.
NAF airstrikes destroy 12 illegal refining sites in Abia, Rivers

Ifa worshippers debunk claims Yoruba race encouraged slavery

admin
-
0
Ifa worshippers debunk claims Yoruba race encouraged slavery

The International Council for Ifa Religion, on Sunday, called for caution against false statements made on social media regarding slavery in old Yoruba history.

ICIR, in a statement by its President, Fayemi Fakayode, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, said that incorrect assertions about Yoruba culture and tradition must be corrected to prevent them from negatively influencing younger generations of the tribe.

He said, “We are issuing this statement to address the grossly misleading, false and harmful statements made by Erelu Lola Ayorinde on various social media platforms and in interviews.

“Her persistent assertions that the Yoruba race encouraged slavery are not only historically inaccurate and false but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes, damaging the reputation of the Yoruba people.

“She has consistently misrepresented her heritage, making false claims of connections to various Yoruba deities, including Sango and Ifa. Her actions constitute a gross manipulation of history, culture and historical facts, with the potential to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.”
Fakayode urged the public to conduct more research on the history of old Yoruba.

He added, “We urge the public to exercise extreme caution and critical thinking about her statements, as they are false, unfounded, misleading and do not reflect the values and traditions of the Yoruba people.

“We will not stand idle and watch while misinformation and deceit are spread by anybody, and we are committed to preserving the truth, cultural integrity and dignity of the Yoruba race.”

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]

1...752753754...2,829Page 753 of 2,829
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv