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Skills development, our priority – Katsina gov

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Skills development, our priority – Katsina gov

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda on Tuesday said his administration will prioritise youth skill development as it remained the only path to peaceful coexistence.

He made this known in his message to mark the 2024 World Youth Skills Day with the theme “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.”

The United Nations General Assembly designated July 15, as World Youth Skills Day to highlight the crucial role of youth skills in driving peace and sustainable development.

Radda’s message was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed.

“Our youth are not just the future; they are the present. We’ve revitalized the Katsina Industrial Development Centre, providing a conducive environment for learning and innovation. This upgrade, complete with new access roads, opens doors for our young people to acquire vital skills.

“The resuscitation of the Katsina Youth Craft Village is more than preserving our heritage. It’s about equipping our youth with skills that can sustain livelihoods and promote our rich culture.

“In partnership with the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, 3,000 young mechanic apprentices are designed to undergo training. This initiative ensures our youth are prepared for the evolving automotive industry, fostering both employment and entrepreneurship”, Radda stated.

The Governor also emphasised women’s empowerment, noting that “we recognise that peace and development require the participation of all. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University to train 10,000 women across all local government areas in Katsina state. These women are now better equipped to contribute to our state’s economy and stability.

“On this World Youth Skills Day, we renew our dedication to nurturing a skilled, peaceful, and productive youth population. Our initiatives are not just about job creation; they’re about building a resilient, harmonious Katsina State.”

Lagos-Calabar Highway: Rain won’t affect pace of work – Nigerian Govt assures

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Lagos-Calabar Highway: Rain won’t affect pace of work – Nigerian Govt assures

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project will be timely completed, saying rainfalls will not affect pace of work.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Lagos.
Kesha said, “ Despite the fact that heavy rain can naturally slow construction progress, the Federal Ministry of Works is committed to ensuring the project is delivered as scheduled.
“We have measures in place to manage water levels and ensure stay progress of work in spite the weather challenges.’’
The controller of works added that the contractors have been instructed to work diligently to ensure the project met its design and completion deadline.
According to her, the project is vital to the federal government as it is listed as one of the flagship projects of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration due to its significant benefits to the region.
Recall that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had said that the 700 kilometers Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction would take eight years to complete and pegged at the cost of N4 billion per kilometer.
The highway project would be completed in phases, with the first phase starting from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, to Lekki Phase 1.
According to the ministry, the first phase, which is about 1.5 kilometres long, has been completed by Hitech Construction Company.
The project is to improve cross-country connectivity and foster trade relations and is expected to Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar, the capital of Cross River and cut across Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.
“The Lagos portion of the project is designed to pass through Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, and the Good Beach/Sol Beach spanning about 2.5km.’’
Lagos-Calabar Highway: Rain won’t affect pace of work – Nigerian Govt assures

Skills development, our priority – Katsina gov

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The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda on Tuesday said his administration will prioritise youth skill development as it remained the only path to peaceful coexistence.

He made this known in his message to mark the 2024 World Youth Skills Day with the theme “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.”

The United Nations General Assembly designated July 15, as World Youth Skills Day to highlight the crucial role of youth skills in driving peace and sustainable development.

Radda’s message was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed.

“Our youth are not just the future; they are the present. We’ve revitalized the Katsina Industrial Development Centre, providing a conducive environment for learning and innovation. This upgrade, complete with new access roads, opens doors for our young people to acquire vital skills.

“The resuscitation of the Katsina Youth Craft Village is more than preserving our heritage. It’s about equipping our youth with skills that can sustain livelihoods and promote our rich culture.

“In partnership with the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, 3,000 young mechanic apprentices are designed to undergo training. This initiative ensures our youth are prepared for the evolving automotive industry, fostering both employment and entrepreneurship”, Radda stated.

The Governor also emphasised women’s empowerment, noting that “we recognise that peace and development require the participation of all. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University to train 10,000 women across all local government areas in Katsina state. These women are now better equipped to contribute to our state’s economy and stability.

“On this World Youth Skills Day, we renew our dedication to nurturing a skilled, peaceful, and productive youth population. Our initiatives are not just about job creation; they’re about building a resilient, harmonious Katsina State.”

Minimum Wage: NLC threatens one-month shutdown as lawmakers target fresh decision

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Minimum Wage: NLC threatens one-month shutdown as lawmakers target fresh decision

Ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned Thursday meeting with leaders of organized labor, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a one-month shutdown if the minimum wage is expunged from the Exclusive to Concurrent list in the Constitution by Nigerian lawmakers.
NLC President Joe Ajaero gave the warning on Monday while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the 2024 annual Rain School of the NLC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ajaero issued this warning against National Assembly members’ proposed decision to remove wages from the Exclusive to Concurrent list in the Constitution.
He added that if National Assembly members proceed with the move to remove the minimum wage from the Exclusive list—a law that would allow each state governor to determine the minimum wage—he would mobilize labor and shut down Nigeria’s economy for a month.
Although the National Assembly’s decision is yet to be made public, Ajaero said, “As we are here, a Joint Committee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Judiciary are meeting. They have decided to remove section 34 from the Exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list so that the state governors can determine what to pay you and so that there will be no minimum wage again.
“When they finish that meeting, they will collect minimum wage, I promise all of you that. The very moment the House of Representatives and the Senate come up with such a law that will not benefit Nigerian workers, they will be their drivers and gatemen, and there will be no movement for one month.
“Comrades, I am putting you on standby. If that committee comes up with such a policy, for one month nobody should come out. They are the major threat to democracy in this country. Democracy is not all about starving and punishing people. That’s not the democracy we fought for.
“They were not there when we fought for this democracy, and now they are trying to make laws to remove the minimum wage from the exclusive list. So, comrades, as I have talked to you here, I have talked to everybody. We are waiting for them to come up with such hypocritical laws. And from today, let them abolish the security vote,” he said.
The development comes as the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced that President Tinubu will meet with organized labor leaders on Thursday to finalize a decision on the country’s minimum wage.
This follows last Thursday’s decision on a harmonized minimum wage, which ended in a deadlock.
Recall that the government had proposed a 62,000 naira minimum wage, while organized labor insisted on 250,000 naira.
The National Minimum Wage Tripartite had earlier submitted the minimum wage proposal to the President.
While the minimum wage impasse persists, Nigerians have continued to groan over hardship occasioned by the rising headline and food inflation, which stood at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively, in June 2024.
Minimum Wage: NLC threatens one-month shutdown as lawmakers target fresh decision

NECO releases 2024 Unity schools’ examination results

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NECO releases 2024 Unity schools’ examination results

No fewer than 13 candidates scored 01 as the National Examination Council released the 2024 common entrance examination results for Unity schools.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu made this known during a press briefing on Tuesday about the outcome of the examinations.

Recall that a total of 71,291 candidates participated in the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE conducted in 599 centres on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

NECO had released data showing that Lagos State came tops with the highest number of candidates, with 17,751 while FCT came second with 10,209 candidates and Anambra State trailed in third position with 4,972 candidates, respectively.

According to Sununu, a total of 4,360 candidates were absent while 66,931 were present.

The minister noted that one candidate scored the highest score of 203 out of the obtainable score of 210.

He also noted that the admission process will be based on 60% merit as usual.

Details later…

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Teenager who accused cop of rape under medical examination -Police

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Teenager who accused cop of rape under medical examination -Police

The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that a 17-year-old girl who accused a cop in the state of rape has been made to undergo a medical examination.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a late-night post on his X.com page on Monday.

The According had reported on July 12 that the victim alleged that she was raped inside Ogudu Police Station in the Ojota area of the state.

She added that the officer had promised to help her retrieve a stolen phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja.

The suspect reportedly overheard the teenager recounting her ordeal to her mother at her shop and offered to help track her missing phone and take her statement.

The victim also noted that she was invited into the office of the suspect in the guise of getting her phone but the suspect rather carried out the alleged act.

The mother of the victim, Aramide Olupona, disclosed that her daughter began bleeding a day following the assault and was taken to the Mirabel Centre, adding that the incident was also reported to the authorities.

Olupona, however, accused the police of trying to bury the case, saying, “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter that was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?”

Meanwhile, the police in a statement on Sunday, said that it had begun a full-scale investigation into the rape accusation against one of its officers by the girl.

Giving an update on the incident on Monday, Hundeyin noted that the girl had been made to undergo a medical examination to prove her allegation against the officer.

He added that the outcome of the medical examination would determine the culpability of the officer.

“A medical examination has been conducted on the 17-year-old girl. The result is still being awaited.

“If the results cannot prove anything, it would be difficult to secure a conviction in court. The same procedure would be followed if you were the accused.

“However, if the result proves the allegation true, then he is culpable and we would be the first to mention his name,” the PPRO stated.

 

Police arrest crypto billionaire Blord over fraud, terrorism links

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Police arrest crypto billionaire Blord over fraud, terrorism links

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a crypto billionaire, Linus Williams, popularly known as BLord.

Blord was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday following allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, terrorism funding, and aiding internet fraud among others against his companies.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said he was arrested due to complaints against his companies.

He promised that the police would thoroughly investigate the matter.

Adejobi said, “Yes, we have him with us. The FCID (NPF-NCCC) is currently investigating complaints lodged against Blord Group, Blord Real Estate Ltd, Blord Jetpaye Limited, and Billpoint Technology.

“These offences include allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, aiding internet fraud, computer-related fraud, terrorism funding, and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks.

“We will do due diligence in our investigation. Our cyberspace must be safe and secure by all means. We are committed to achieving that.”

He denied that the petition that led to Blord’s arrest was following a petition from, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

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Bear attacks tourist in Italy

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Bear attacks tourist in Italy

A foreign tourist has been taken to hospital after being attacked on Tuesday by a bear in northern Italy, the local authority said.

The victim was a 43-year-old French tourist who had been out running, according to the AGI news agency.

It said his life was not in danger.

“This morning a foreign tourist was attacked by a bear in Naroncolo, in the municipality of Dro,” just north of Lake Garda, according to a statement from the province of the city of Trento.

“The man was helped by medics and airlifted to the Santa Chiara hospital in Trento with injuries to his limbs.”

Forestry officials are investigating, the province said.

There are around 100 bears in the wider region of Trentino, according to provincial authorities.

In April 2023, a jogger in Trentino was killed in a bear attack on a woodland path, launching a debate on the dangers posed by the animals reintroduced in the region between 1996 and 2004.

That plan had allowed for just 50 bears to be introduced, but their numbers have grown in recent years.

The female bear accused of killing the jogger — whom campaigners said was innocent — was separated from her cubs after the incident and taken to an enclosure.

After numerous appeals from animal rights activists, provincial authorities announced in May that the bear, identified as JJ4, would be transferred to Germany later this year to a refuge near the Black Forest.

AFP

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RipplesMetrics… Fuel scarcity: How Nigerian govt subsidised cost of fuel in the two decades

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RipplesMetrics… Fuel scarcity: How Nigerian govt subsidised cost of fuel in the two decades

Just within the first week of July, long queues at petrol stations across some states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, resurfaced due to ‘fuel scarcity’. Several media outlets reported how motorists and citizens struggled to purchase petrol at inflated prices.
At the beginning of this development, the reason for the scarcity was unknown. Later, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said that logistics challenges and flooding caused the fuel queues.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, further mentioned that the federal government was doing all within its capacity to control the challenge; as petrol marketers attributed the scarcity within the country to supply challenges faced by NNPC which imports nearly all the petrol that comes into Nigeria.
While the scarcity of fuel has always been a recurring challenge to Nigeria, the backbone of this problem is the country’s inability to refine its crude oil. Over time crude oil is being exported to other countries to be refined and sold back as either petrol, diesel or kerosene.
This action forces the Nigerian government to always subsidise the cost of importation, which is reflected at pump stations. In a report, Ripples Metrics examined how the cost of fuel has reason since 1999 over time.
Another report showed that between December 2018 and December 2023, the average retail cost paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) rose by 360.81 per cent.
Meanwhile, up until the assumption of President Bola Tinubu as president of Nigeria, fuel subsidy was removed, but there are concerns that the government is silently subsidising the cost of importation.
This report looks into the amount spent by the federal government on fuel subsidies.
READ ALSO:RipplesMetrics: Nigerian govt earmarks N3,566 for each child’s education in 2024
According to data from SBMintel, in the last 40 years, the federal government has adjusted the pump price of petrol 32 times. However, despite this, it has failed to eliminate subsidies.
Between 2008 and 2024, the data from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative showed that the Nigerian government spent a total of N30.27 trillion to subsidise fuel. This payment was approved under different administrations.
Breaking the data down by the administration, under the late former president, Musa Yaradua, N1.78 trillion was spent on fuel subsidies between 2008 and 2010. Between 2011 and 2014, under former president Goodluck Jonathan, a total of N6.01 trillion was spent.
Under former president Muhammadu Buhari, who was president for eight years, Nigeria spent a total of N7.04 trillion between 2015 and 2022. While between 2023 and May 31st 2024, N16.04 trillion have been spent on subsidies.
A closer look at the data showed that 2017 was the only year Nigeria spent the lowest on fuel subsidies. This would mean that an average of N12.8 billion was spent every month in 2017, unlike other years.
From the compiled data, N631 billion was spent in 2008, N469 billion in 2009, N667 billion in 2010, N2.11 trillion in 2011, N1.36 trillion in 2012, N1.33 trillion in 2013, N1.22 trillion in 2014, N654 billion in 2015, N240 billion in 2016, N154 billion in 2017 and N1.19 trillion in 2018.
In 2019, N508 billion was spent, in 2020, N864 billion, N1.43 trillion in 2021, N2 trillion in 2022, N3.60 trillion in 2023 and in 2024, based on projections, a total of N5.4 trillion has been spent.
The data also showed that the amount spent on petrol subsidies increased consecutively from 2019 till date.
By: James Odunayo
The post RipplesMetrics… Fuel scarcity: How Nigerian govt subsidised cost of fuel in the two decades appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

I never expected to live up to 90 – Soyinka

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I never expected to live up to 90 – Soyinka

Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, says he did not envisage that he would live up to 90 years.
Soyinka made this known on Monday at the 2024 edition of his International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at his ARI residence, Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Noble Laureate said he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up.
Speaking the reason he broke into a radio station during the military era, Prof Soyinka said: “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”
He chided Nigerians for always criticizing the State, but refused to examine themselves.
According to him, crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, are not because of poverty or inequality, but selfishness and the desire to live a luxury life.
The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew students from different parts of the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.
I never expected to live up to 90 – Soyinka

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