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Showing posts from February, 2023

Universal Energy Facility Launches Grants For Solar Projects Across Nigeria

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  The Universal Energy Facility (UEF) says it will provide grants to renewable energy companies who apply to have their projects financed as part of the facility’s Stand-alone Solar for Productive Use programme in Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Universal Energy Facility is a results-based financing facility managed by Sustainable Energy for All. This was disclosed in a statement in Lagos on Thursday by Anita Otubu, Senior Director, Universal Energy Facility. Otubu said that these companies would now begin construction on their proposed solar projects, all of which are designed to connect businesses and services to a clean, affordable and reliable electricity source. “These projects will span most states in Nigeria and be completed within the next 12 months. “Together, they will connect approximately 3,500 businesses, markets, shopping malls, cold-storage facilities, clinics, schools, and other productive uses of energy, that support economic activity and communi

Zipline Begins Drone Delivery Of Medical Products In Cross River

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Zipline, an American drone delivery services company, says it has started commercial deliveries of essential medical products to health facilities within Cross River.  The company in a statement on Tuesday said that this followed a successful approval and a right to fly certification from the Civil Aviation Authorities in Nigeria. Catherine Odiase, General Manager of Zipline Nigeria, said that as part of the Memorandum of Understanding with Cross River, the company would build and operate two distribution centres where it would store essential medicines and vaccines. She explained that health workers would place orders by text message or call and promptly receive their deliveries exactly when and where they need them in 30 minutes on average. “Our technology is proven to be one of choice for the last mile delivery. “This partnership with Cross River will allow us to start seeing very significant improvements in the delivery of essential medicines and vaccines to health facilities withi

GOC Assures Continuous Peace, Commends Synergy With Security Agencies

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  The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa has commended the current synergy between the military and other security agencies in the society towards ensuring peace. Ajunwa said this during the Division's and Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers 2022 West African Social Activities (WASA) 2022 which held at Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WASA is an annual social event organised by the NA to promote bonding through social activities among personnel and families while displaying rich cultural heritage. The GOC said that the army had done well in curbing insecurity so far and that it would not relent in ensuring peace and tranquility in the country. Ajunwa said WASA was an occasion to reflect on the training activities in the previous year with a view to positioning the command for greater achievements inline with the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya's

Ogun CP Commends Residence For Resilience Amidst Naira, Fuel Scarcity

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  The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command, CP Frank Mba, mni, has commended the residents of the State for their resilience and peaceful conduct, in the face of the biting challenges, resulting from the new Naira policy and paucity of fuel supply in the State.  According to a statement signed by the State Police Command's Spokesperson, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the CP made this known during a confidence-building patrol conducted by the Police and other security forces in the State, on Saturday, February 18, 2023. The patrol was targeted at assuring residents of the resolve of the Command to protect lives and property, prevent breakdown of law and order, and improve public safety and security. "The CP further noted that intelligence at the disposal of the Command indicates that some criminal elements are planning to take advantage of  the challenging economic situation to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State.  "He therefore warned that the Police, will not

Labour Leaders, Others Declare Support For APC

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  Leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the Southwest on Friday declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. The Labour leaders pledged their support for the Tinubu/Shettima - Sanwoolu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council at APC House, GRA, Ikeja. Receiving the Labour leaders, Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Director General, Tinubu/Shettima - Sanwoolu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council said Asiwaju's achievements will continue to speak for him. "Sentiments apart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most qualified candidate of all. He is capable and his achievements will continue to speak for him. "Talk of welfare, good working condition, retirement package, Asiwaju is the best. We all know he has been performing before he even became the governor," he said. Ayinde further described Tinubu as a masterplanner who deserves to be given the mantle to lead Nigeria to greater heights.  Mrs Iyabo Obasa, Director of Labour while addressing the council said the La

Nigerians Still Find A Way To Laugh Amid Hardship– MC Fantasy

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Nigerian comedian, Samson Adeleke, popularly known as Mc Fantasy, has commended citizens for still finding a way to laugh, despite the hardship in the country. Mc Fantasy said that comedy was the only thing that would keep Nigerians together at the moment. “If not some people would have lost their minds. “Comedy is the only therapy that is helping us with the current situation going on in Nigeria. “Even the politicians themselves are comedians, the likes of the ‘balablue, bulaba’, ‘a town hall diferrent from balablue’. “Our leaders are indeed acting more like comedians than doing what we voted them to do. “In the midst of the hardship, people still find a way to laugh with content and that is why apps on social media like the Instagram and Tiktok Facebook are getting more popular and entertaining,“ he said. Mc Fantasy also urged Nigerians to vote for the most credible candidate in the forthcoming elections. “With the 2023 general elections already here, Nigerians should vote for the mo

Yusuf’s Twins Recount 4-years Experience As Blood Donors

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  Twin Sister, Taiwo and Kehinde Yusuf on Tuesday recounted their 4-year experience of voluntary donation of blood an exercise which they described as fulfilling. The Yusuf twins gave their experience in an interview on the sidelines of the 6th Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive. The Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive is a programme organised by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Timilehin Leukemia Foundation, (TLF) where the people are encouraged to participate in a voluntary blood donation. The 2023 edition with a theme “Gift Someone a Pint of Blood this Valentine” was held at Textile Labour House, 10, Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja and the Mechanic Village, Ogba. On the voluntary blood donation, Taiwo Yusuf, a writer and bloger said that the exercise was more rewarding than any financial gain people might want from it. “Voluntary blood donation for me is a good exercise to engage in, I love doing it freely since 2019 when I first had the experience. “I have yet to have any negative

NIM Pledges To Synergise With Government On Economic Roadmap

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  Dr Christiana Atako, President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), says her administration will synergise with the government at all levels to further develop Nigeria’s economic roadmap. Atako made the assertions at her investiture as the 24th President of the NIM on Wednesday in Lagos, saying the institute’s plan to work with the government was part of its contributions to national awakening. She also unveiled a five-year strategic framework to promote continuity for successive leadership and boost the institute’s financial base. The newly elected president of the institute hinged the framework on factors like capacity building and institutional strengthening for increased productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. She said that these were available to the government bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to improve their operations and enhance career development of the workforce. Atako added that the institute would accord greater priority to the promotion of profes

General Assures Of Peaceful Elections Through Collaboration With Sister Security Agencies

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The Corp Commander Signals Maj.-Gen. Garba Abdullahi has said that the military would continue to make sacrifices and promote friendly engagements with other security agencies to ensure peace and security throughout the election period. Garba who was the Special Guest of Honour said this at the 2022 West African Social Activities (WASA) which held on Saturday at the Nigerian Army Cantonment Epe on Saturday. The social activity was being jointly hosted by NAOS, 25 SER, and 81 BOD.  The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that WASA is an occasion to mark the end of the year’s training activities and to usher in activities for the next year. It is designed to enable officers, soldiers, their families and civilian friends particularly the host community to interact and make merry in a conducive atmosphere. It also promotes comradeships, deepens espirit de corps and strengthens unity among personnel while displaying various cultural groups reflecting the cultural diversity across the country.  Gar

Engineer Sues Police For Alleged Threat To Life

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An engineer, Mr Samuel Oladele, has filed a suit before an Ikeja High Court against alleged threat to his life by the police and some suspected land grabbers. In the suit numbered ID/14897/MFHR/2023 and filed through his counsel, Mr Adetayo Bello, Oladele is praying the court to stop his alleged continued harassment and intimidation by the police. The  inspector-general of police, Lagos State commissioner of police and DCP Sheik Danko are among the respondents in the fundamental enforcement rights suit. Oladele is also praying the court to save him from activities of alleged land grabbers, Mr Sule Suraju and Taye Hassan, also respondents in the suit. He alleged that Suraju and Hassan worked with Danko on a mission to  take over a land he lawfully acquired. He averred that his alleged continued invitation, harassment, intimidation and coercion by the police at the instance of the alleged land grabbers were unlawful. He said: “The respondents’ action is a clear violation of the applicant

Contempt: Olanipekun Insists Bawa must go to Prison Before Furthet Action

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A renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ola Olanipekun, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, to comply with a court order that committed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa to prison for contempt.  Olanipekun, who said Bawa was trying to cause anarchy in the country by flagrantly disobeying court orders, said Bawa had recently been committed to prison in a similar ruling by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in November.  He said this just as the office of the IGP received and acknowledged the order committing Bawa to prison on Wednesday.  Speaking on Arise Television, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that no Nigerian or foreigner, no matter how highly placed should be allowed to rubbish the courts, noting that the same instrument put the EFCC boss in office.  “In fact, the higher the position you occupy, the greater the burden of responsibility on you to show good example and live within the ambit of the law.  "N

Contempt: Court Sends EFCC boss, Bawa, To Kuje Prison, Directs IGP To Arrest Him

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  The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been committed to prison for disobeying Court order.  The court also directed the Inspector-General of Police to effect Bawa's arrest and remand him in kuje prison for the next 14 days until he purges himself of the contempt.  Justice R.O. Ayoola of the Kogi State High Court, in his judgement on Monday, granted the application for commital to prison of the EFCC chairman for disobeying a court ruling delievered on November 30, 2022, wherein the EFCC chairman was directed to produce the applicant in the case, Ali Bello.  Ali Bello had dragged Bawa to court for arresting and detaining him illegally, with the court ruling in his favour, only for the EFCC to arraign him for alleged money laundering three days after the ruling.  The EFCC's applications for setting aside and stay of execution of the ruling were refused for want of merit.  The Court had, in Form 49, Order IX, Rule 13, marked: "H

SMEs In Nigeria Need To Collaborate For Growth – Oduncreamz

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  Chief Executive Officer, Oduncreamz Confectionery, Odunayo Taiwo, has stressed the need for collaboration among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stating that such actions produced the best results in a brand. She disclosed this to the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the opening of a new outlet at Anthony, Lagos. Stressing the need to invest in mentorship, she reiterated the firm’s commitment to delivery of quality products and services with non-stop thrilling experiences. “Invest in classes and programs run by mentors and keep a good relationship with them. There is a place of a growing relationship with people that you see are going in your direction. “You have to be international about how you relate with them. Don’t look for barriers, make sure you do what you have to,” she said. Taiwo said the new outlet was necessary to multiply results from the online platform, adding that the space in the home was no longer sufficient to accommodate equipment and training. “This o

2023 General Elections: A Call For Peace

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As we enter the month of February, 2023, which kick starts the general elections, it is imperative we discuss, highlight and tackle the need for all active and passive players to play the game by the rules and by the books.  Apparently the country is saturated and charged with heavy political activities and frenzy. There are key actors that need to navigate this process with tact, care and a sense of responsibility for the country to go through the electioneering process with ease, in peace during, before and after the elections. Of this first categories, the various political parties that have sponsored candidates into various elective offices.  There is every need for the political parties to educate their members on the need to practice politics without bitterness. Political jingles should be devoid of insults and inciting comments. Just as the language at political campaigns should emphasize on the programs of the political parties and not invectives on other candidates or parties.