The 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, yesterday said the national power grid collapse is a shame and an indication of leadership failure in Nigeria.

Obi, who called for the reform of Nigeria’s power sector, said the latest collapse has exposed the fragility of the country’s electricity infrastructure.

In a post on X, the former presidential candidate said the latest power grid collapse is emblematic of a leadership and government that had failed to prioritize the welfare and economic well-being of the people.

Obi said: For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

“This recurring disaster is a national shame and a glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels.

“How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?

“We all know the immense importance of power supply to the transformation of our economy. Its support to SMEs, which are the engine of job creation and a major contributor to our GDP, is immeasurable.

“Today, we are the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the number one position due to leadership failure over the years, including the persistent power crisis, which is critical when compared to smaller economies.

“South Africa, which is now the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of about $400 billion and 30% of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts of electricity.

“Secondly, Egypt, the second largest economy with a GDP of about $350 billion and half of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts.

“Algeria, the third largest economy, with about 300B GDP and 20% of our population, generates and distributes over 50,000 megawatts of electricity.

“Nigeria, with less GDP but with more population than the 3 countries combined, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts, and even that is riddled with frequent collapses and crises of failure.

“This disparity in power generation is a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continue to hold back our growth and potential.

“It is time for urgent, comprehensive reform. Nigerians deserve a government that prioritizes measurable indices of development”

Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms said that the federal government has proposed that personal income for rich people will increase to 25 percent from 2025.

Oyedele disclosed this in its remarks at the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit.

According to him, the new tax policy contained in the Economic Stabilization Bill currently at the National Assembly will see wealthy Nigerians earning above N1.5 million pay more taxes in the coming months.

Citing a survey by NEGS, he said only 17 percent of Nigerians and 30 percent of businesses pay taxes because of lack trust in the Nigerian government.

He stressed that the country is working to close its about 70-75 percent tax gap to double its revenue by four times.

“The rich people earning N1.5 million above will see their personal income tax rise by up to 25 percent.

“Only 17 percent of Nigerians pay taxes, as well as 30 percent of businesses and one of the reasons is because they dont trust the government.

“Therefore, what we want to do is to have a National portal just like South Africa where tax payment is seamless and transparent because our current tax gap is about 70-75 percent but if we correct that and everyone pays, our revenues will be 4 times.

“Another issue is policy gaps where we grant unnecessary waivers to some people who dont even deserve it. But the main issue remains compliance issue”, he said.

It would be recalled that in the first week of October 2024, Oyedele announced that the Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) Regulations, 2024, has been published in the official gazette.

Earlier in September this year, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills as proposed by Oyedeles committee, aimed at 15 tax, fiscal, and establishment laws in Nigeria.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has described absolute autonomy for local government areas in Nigeria as an impossibility, insisting that it will be a recipe for chaos.

Soludo made the assertion while signing the Local Government Administration Law in Awka.

According to him, the attendant challenges before the issue of local government autonomy are such that would certainly deepen the fate of the system and spell doom for the expected beneficiaries of the process.

Soludo said, “This is where Section 7 of the Constitution comes handy, and the Anambra State House of Assembly has risen to the occasion. Happily, the Supreme Court did not nullify Section 7 of the Constitution”.

“The new laws by Anambra House of Assembly are therefore consequential to give operational life to the Supreme Court judgment and not to undermine it.

“If the State House of Assembly abdicates this constitutional duty, the Local Government will then have no law on the use and management of its finance which the Constitution has given the State House of Assembly the mandate to legislate on. Indeed, in many states the House of Assemblies retain the power to suspend or remove chairpersons of local governments.

“By the way, isn’t the legislative authority exercised by the State Assemblies under Section 7 of the Constitution similar to the powers granted by the Constitution to the National Assembly over the Federal Capital Territory and its Area Councils?

“Governors are often accused of seeking to control LG funds with insinuations that LG funds are mismanaged. Of course, in a society where public office is seen as dinning table and public trust is low, people judge others by their own standards: by what they would do if they were in the position. I often ask: control for what?

“While I cannot hold brief for every governor, I know that most states are struggling to ensure a solvent local government system. I wish I can be spared the headache, if not for the predictable collateral damage to the system if we abdicate from structured oversight and collective accountability.

“Without active collaboration and coordination between state and local governments, many LGs will end up in a huge financial mess, requiring bailouts by state governments or will FGN directly intervene in every case of insolvency among the 774 LGs?

“The challenge ahead can be daunting given the quantum rise in wage bills because of the new minimum wage, as well as consequential rise in future pension/gratuity payments”.

The governor highlighted some of his achievements in the local government sector since he became governor of Anambra State.

“We inherited a local government system with four-year arrears (2018-2022) of gratuity to retired primary school teachers and other staff of local government.

“We have restructured their finances back to sustainability. Everyone who retired from the local government and State civil service since my tenure is paid gratuity/pension, and we are on course to clear the outstanding arrears soon.

“Three years arrears on counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has been cleared, resulting in billions of Naira recently invested in our primary schools.

“Some 326 primary health centres are being constructed or modernized in all the 326 wards in the state as well as employing hundreds of medical personnel to man the primary health centres.

“Most of the local government secretariats have been remodelled and equipped, and the LG system is once again alive. This is not to mention that 3,615 out of the 8,115 new teachers recruited under my administration are for primary schools and they are being paid”, the Governor added.

A high court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, yesterday ordered social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse AKA VeryDarkMan to delete defamatory videos on human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN.

The court also ordered the critic to desist from making any comment about the Falanas again.

This came after Falana revealed he is resisting the temptation to file a criminal complaint against VeryDarkMan, for accusing him of allegedly facilitating pardon for cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.

It would be recalled that VeryDarkMan, on September 24 2024, leaked a voice call recording of Bobrisky narrating how singer Falz contacted him during his six months jail term.

Responding to the allegations, the Falanas had filed a letter demanding a retraction of the statements and an apology from VeryDarkMan within 24 hours.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has agreed to sell Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria at N995 per litre.

This followed the intervention of the Department of State Services in the controversy between the two parties.

The National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, told our correspondent that the intervention of the DSS solved a lot of problems facing marketers.

Fashola also confirmed that through their intervention, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority agreed to pay the associations outstanding N10bn while resolving issues about the direct purchase of petrol from the Dangote refinery.

“We really appreciate their intervention. They are doing their job. Anywhere they have seen that there may be a crisis, it is their duty to intervene. And their intervention brokered peace and understanding between the parties, and everybody agreed to work together,” Fashola stated.

Asked to disclose how much the NNPC will sell PMS to IPMAN, he replied, “For now, tentatively, I think they are offering us N995 per litre.

“With the N995 ex-depot price, Fashola assured that IPMAN members would no longer sell at prices much higher than that of major marketers, saying, however, that distance is another factor for pricey PMS.

“Our members sell at N1,200 or so and this depends on the location. I think with the N995, there will be a little reduction. Don’t forget that if you transport a product from Lagos to a far distance, you will pay for transportation and other charges.

“We want to work on that because we want to have a common ground. When we sit down and look at the price analysis offered to us, and factor in all our expenses, we want to have a uniform price as much as possible.

“So, I will not be able to tell you the exact price now, but we are working on it, especially in the Lagos axis and other zones. We will look at the transportation cost and all that. At the end of the day, we will fix the price for ourselves”, he stated.

The IPMAN leader emphasised that IPMAN is interested in prices that would be competitive, saying the price disparity has been a disadvantage to independent marketers.

“The price disparity has been a disadvantage between us and the NNPC Retail and major marketers. So, we are trying to look at how to close that gap so that we come back fully into the business. The lack of direct supply has been our problem, and now that we are solving that problem, I don’t think that disparity will be there again”, he stressed.

Fashola explained that the price differential is the reason for the queues in some filling stations in the cities.

“The queues you see are because of that difference in prices, that’s why people are saying there are queues. There are no queues; it is the price disparity that is causing the queues. So, if there is not much difference, we have filling stations everywhere; just drive in, buy fuel, and go. But that so much difference in the price is creating that scenario of queues”, he narrated.

Reacting to the directive that marketers can now buy petrol directly from local refineries, Fashola said the association would meet with Dangote this week.

“For now, we intend to meet with Dangote this week to see how we work out the modalities and all that. The Federal Government has given a directive and we want to take full advantage of that”, he posited.

The IPMAN vice president stressed that the association is not ignoring the NNPC either as it would patronise the best price.

“At the same time too, we are not ignoring NNPC. So, whichever way, we are ready to do business with NNPC. It depends on the price, we go for the best”.

IPMAN had revealed on Thursday that the cost of petrol from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to NNPC was about N898/litre, but noted that NNPC was selling the same product to independent marketers at N1,010/litre in Lagos.

The association, which controls over 70 per cent of filling stations nationwide, kicked against this and threatened to down tools, as it also demanded a refund from NNPC for earlier petrol supply payments made by its members.

The IPMAN national president, Abubakar Maigandi, who spoke during a live television interview on Thursday, argued that the price was higher than what NNPC paid for the product from the Dangote refinery.

He also noted that independent marketers funds had been held by the national oil company for about three months.

According to him, NNPC purchased the product from the refinery at N898/litre but is asking marketers to buy it at N1,010/litre in Lagos; N1,045 in Calabar; N1,050 in Port Harcourt; and N1,040 in Warri.

“Our major challenge now is that independent marketers have an outstanding debt from the NNPC and the company collected products through Dangote at a lower rate, which is not up to N900, but they are telling us now to buy this product from them at the price of N1,010/litre in Lagos; N1,045 in Calabar; N1,050 in Port-Harcourt; and N1,040 in Warri”, Maigandi stated.

In a bid to avert the looming strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Federal Government has re-established a seven-member renegotiation committee to address the 2009 agreements with university-based unions.

Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, at the committees inauguration in Abuja on Monday, gave them a three-month deadline to conclude negotiations.

The reports indicated that the committee brings together representatives from ASUU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU.

Others are Non-Academic Staff of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT.

Mamman stated that President Bola Tinubus government aimed to improve the education system and maintain peace on campuses.

He noted that renegotiations began in 2017 but were delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

He said that the previous committee, led by Prof. Nimi Briggs, produced a draft report covering significant areas.

The minister urged the reconstituted committee to work diligently and produce realistic agreements addressing the challenges facing the Nigerian University System (NUS).

Committee Chairman, Dr Yayale Ahmed, appealed to the government to support universities in achieving global competitiveness and to consider lecturers salaries as investments.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, thanked the government and expressed hope that the new committee would succeed where previous ones failed.

He emphasised the unions readiness to renegotiate, provided the government worked towards a stable academic calendar.

The Federal Government has said the petition by Yoruba nation agitator, Mr Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, calling on the United Kingdom to consider the Yoruba nation was not endorsed by the UK government.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said media reports on the petition were highly misleading.

He explained that Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10 Downing Street by Mr Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to shed light on the issue.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner noted with concern that the matter was overblown, indicating that the media reports were highly misleading.

Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed that he was aware of the letter being delivered but added that it was merely an established practice of allowing the delivery of letters and petitions to No. 10.

It was not endorsed by any agency of the UK government nor the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

The UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.

He quoted the high commissioner to have informed that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.

He further agreed to continue liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as needed, while reiterating the importance of the bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

It would be recalled Igboho, according to his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, in a post on Sunday via his X handle submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation.

He stated that Igboho submitted the petition on behalf of the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, Prof. Adebanji Akintoye.

He wrote, At exactly 14:00 hrs Dr. Chief Sunday Igboho delivered a petition to the UK Prime Minister on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, and Olayomi Koiki, his spokesman @10DowningStreet.

By Jude Onyenedogha & Obinna Nkwocha

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed delight that all the recommendations it made to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), seeking to entrench value orientation processes were approved by the FEC.

This expression was made by the agency’s Director General,

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a press briefing on the ongoing nationwide progress of the Agency in Owerri, Imo State, recently.

He disclosed that many of the proposals deal with young age indoctrination, “providing the template for the evaluation of the real Nigerian character”.

Issa-Onilu who was represented by the Executive Director of Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilization, Mrs Theresa Madueke, listed some of the recommendations to include; Restoration of the dignity and standardization of the national symbols, unveiling of the National Values Charter, Establishment of National Values Brigade and proposal for Citizenship Study to be made compulsory in all schools.

Others according to the NOA DG were; Proposal for an approval to nationalize cartoon contents in Nigeria, to break the dominance of foreign cartoons, proposal for the global implementation of the campaign for national reputation management, proposal for the change of name from the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade, to Citizens Value Brigade.

Further proposals of NOA, which got the approval of FEC, according to the DG included; Proposal for value orientation to be made compulsory component of the one year mandatory National Youth Service and constitution of implementation committee for the National Identity Project.

The NOA DG said the Act that established the agency made its mandate clear, which include; Communicating government policies, programmes and activities; mobilizing support for them and processing feedback to government.

“It also mandates us to promote democracy, as the best model of government and promote values that will ensure peace, orderliness and moral conduct”.

He said, over the years, especially in the last one year, the agency has pursued their mandates with extra vigor.

Earlier in her address, the Imo State Director of NOA, Mrs Stellamaris Damian-Igwe welcomed the DG to Owerri, Imo State capital, while soliciting the support of stakeholders, especially journalists, in promoting and publicizing activities of the Agency, both at National and Imo State levels.

The World Bank has announced a 500-million-dollar grant to support Nigerias recovery efforts from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will be utilised through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

The reports indicated that the programme was launched in 2021 to aid poor and vulnerable households and micro-small enterprises affected by the pandemic.

Dr Lire Ersado, the World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, revealed these at the end of a two-day Peer Learning and Experience Sharing meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Cares Support Unit, under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Ersado, represented by Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, an official with NG-CARES, said that the grant would also assist Nigerias broader economic recovery initiatives.

He added that the World Bank will continue to support NG-CARES for the next three years, and this support may extend further with backing from the government.

He reiterated the banks commitment toward institutionalising the programme to ensure its sustainability beyond external funding.

He said the NG-CARES programme aims to promote economic resilience and provide stimulus to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Abdulkareem Obaje, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, highlighted the programmes successes in offering essential support to vulnerable populations.

He said the programme spent about 750 million dollars to aid those affected by the pandemic.

He explained that the shock response mechanism of the programme has been highly effective, with 625 million dollars already disbursed to states, representing an impressive 88 per cent.

These reimbursements for work completed by various states is a remarkable achievement, considering the programmes scope and timeline.

The national coordinator further stated that an additional 50 million dollars was expected to be disbursed before Dec. 31, with the possibility of extending the programme.

Obaje pointed out that NG-CARES has overachieved its goals by 30 per cent, with 345 million dollars reimbursed to states, resulting in 834 million dollars in verified outcomes.

The programme could reach one billion dollars by the end of the fourth Independent Verification Agent assessments, restructured to support victims of shocks in several states across the country.

Alhaji Abdulateef Shittu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), emphasised the NGFs mandate to assist states in adopting best practices for developmental programmes like NG-CARES.

He highlighted the forums role in managing peer learning and experience-sharing, ensuring that all states benefit from the programme.

The forum commends the states for their active participation and collaboration in overcoming common challenges to achieve success, Shittu concluded.

The International Press Centre, IPC, has called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, officials who stormed Urban Radio Station (94.5FM) in Enugu on the evening of Monday, October 14, 2024.

The demand which came on Tuesday via a statement, was made through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, hub.

Signed by the IPC Executive Director, the group described the incident as a despicable assault on the media and a blatant abuse of power.

The recent spate of attacks on journalists suggests that the EFCC and other security agencies have resorted to extra-judicial, jungle tactics to address whatever grievances they may have. Said the statement.

He said, the officials overpowered the staff of the station who they alleged intimidated with arms, forced them to sit on the bare floor, took their phones, and went straight into the live studio of the station and whisked away the anchor of the interactive programme, PRIME TIME, that was going on live at the time of the invasion.

They called on the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoye, to launch a thorough investigation into the invasion and to ensure that the officers involved are prosecuted and held accountable for their unprofessional conduct.

The group who stressed that the incident should serve as a warning to other officers, urged the EFCC to provide additional training for its personnel on the constitutional boundaries of their authority.

They also condemned a recent attack on journalists in Bayelsa State, which according to them, occurred during a press briefing organized by the Sagbama Local Government Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Yenagoa.

In the attack, thugs were reported to have attacked the venue, leaving several journalists injured.

IPC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the protection of journalists and holding those responsible for attacks on the press accountable.

By Ezinne Ude…

Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma has called on the people to go into cultivation of herbal Medicines for improvement of the health system and development of the Country’s GDP.

The Governor made the call when he flagged off, the 15th Edition of HerbFest program, held at Foret Event Center Owerri.

Senator Uzodimma who was represented by the Commissioner for Primary Health, Social Services and Health Insurance Dr Prosper Ohayagha Success, stated that the economic value of herbal medicine cannot be overstated adding that the cultivation and distribution of herbal products has the potential to create jobs, generate revenues and significantly contribute to the growth of GDP.

He said that the theme Herbal Medicine for sustainable development” underscores the critical role the herbal medicine has done in the quest to promote a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable future, emphasising that herbal medicine rooted in ancestral knowledge and practices covers a bunch of natural remedies that can address a lot of health challenges while promoting environmental Sustainability.

“By creating the power of indigenous plants, we can develop a striving herbal industry that benefit both our communities and our economy. To fully realise the potential of herbal medicine, it is imperative that we can invest in research and clinical collaboration among medical practitioners by conducting rigorous studies and sharing knowledge, we can establish evidence based practices that ensure efficacy of herbal remedies.”

He exerted that collaboration between traditional healers and modern health care professionals can bridge the gap between contemporary Medicine leading to effective health care solution.

The Governor used the opportunity to thank Prof Maurice Iwu who is one the pioneers in the field of herbal medicine for his unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in organising HerbFest year after year, adding that his visionary leadership and dedication has inspired countless individuals to explore the potential of herbal remedies.

He equally recognised the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Health for their contributions to the promotion of herbal medicines in the state stressing that the support of medical dialogue and the cultivation of medicinal plants has been instrumental in advancing the crux of herbal health care.

Speaking, the Convener of the program, Prof Maurice Iwu thanked the state government for supporting the program advising the people to embrace traditional medicine for the impact it has on health and on their total being.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Chief Cosmas Maduba commended the Managers of Bio Resources group for their ability to sensitise the people about medicinal plants and spices associated with the plants.

Speaking on behalf of Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Principal Officer, Mr Eze Uchenna Nwabunwanne, in his goodwill message, said that herbal medicine plays pivotal role in ensuring sustainable health care system, adding that this year’s HerbFest underscore the urgent need to protect biodiversity while promoting the responsible use of medical plants.

He maintained that the Ministry supports organisations and groups that promote good health for the citizens, and commended the vision and commitment of HerbFest in bringing together researchers, practitioners and policy makers to discuss and promote the critical issues.

In his goodwill message, representative of Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Engr Olalekan Omoniyi said that his organisation was collaborating with HerbFest for the development of standard products that will ensure the safety and marketability of herbal products.

An Elder Statesman, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, as well as the Manager of Bio Resources group, Prof Elijah Sokomba, thanked the government and the people that identified with the group.

The highlights of the program were lectures presented by professionals in the field of herbal.

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has said nurses and other professionals travelling overseas for greener pastures should not be stopped.

Obi stated this at St Charles Borromeo College of Nursing and Midwifery in Onitsha yesterday.

Obi, who donated money to the institution, noted that education and health are the currencies with which people will transact in the future.

The former Anambra governor, who said Nigeria has over 200 million people, noted that there is no need to restrict people from travelling out of the country for greener pastures.

Rather, he said Nigeria’s leaders should concentrate on training more people as foreign remittances can be a form of revenue for the country

“What we are doing is not charity, we are rather investing in you. We need to invest in knowledge and health because it is the future.

“Investing in you will ensure your greatness. Your profession is lucrative, you are being looked for all over the world.

“I told Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria that they should stop denying anybody from leaving Nigeria for greener pastures.

“We have 200 million people, let us educate them. Let those who want go out to go and let those who want to stay should stay. Diaspora remittance is also a form of revenue generation.

“If you see me going round trying to donate, it is not anything but because we want to make life better for you all. I came here so I can donate to you. My children will not attend that university, and I can sit down and use the money to add more chieftaincy to my name, but that is not be how to develop the future.

“I will be in college of nursing Anyingba tomorrow, they need my assistance to get accreditation and I will be there to support them, so that they can get it”, Obi said.

Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has advised schoolgirls against prostitution and drug abuse.

Jonathan advised in Abuja yesterday, at the National Female Students Conference and launching of the maiden Magazine tagged, The Face of Womens Libbers.

The event was organised by the National Association of Female Students (ANFS) as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.

Represented by Mrs Safiya Ogo, Director-General, Women of Change Initiative, the former First Lady noted the involvement of young girls in all kinds of social vices.

She identified some of the ungodly activities as drug abuse, prostitution, girl child trafficking, alcoholism, cultism, cybercrimes, indecent dressing and rituals among others.

Jonathan, adopted as the Grand Matron of ANFS at the event, described the development as worrisome, adding that such absurd actions were taking a toll on young girls, particularly female undergraduate students.

These practices are undoubtedly barriers to the achievement of the goals and aspirations of these girls and women.

We also have had reports of young girls who are victims of yahoo rituals, resulting mostly from the crave for quick wealth.

This craving for quick wealth can be achieved through hard work and selflessness, while maintaining ones dignity as a woman, she said.

Jonathan, therefore, urged the female students to shun prostitution, drug abuse and all manner of vices but instead, be role models with dignity as women, wives and mothers.

She advised the ANFS to embark on a massive campaign to sensitise female students, including the males, to remain focused and law abiding for them to excel in their chosen careers.

You are not only the future mothers and wives of this country, but also future leaders, businesswomen, heads of parastatals and captains of industries.

We live in a competitive world, therefore, in preparation for your future role, you must be well equipped and excel in your various professional callings.

One way to equip our girls ahead of these positions is the girl-child education. This is because education is the key to development, she said.

Also, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration, stressed the need to celebrate the potential, resilience, and achievements of girls everywhere.

Benjamins-Laniyi, who was also adopted as the Matron of the association in FCT, described girls education as the cornerstone of societal progress.

According to her, education unlocks opportunities, breaks cycles of poverty, and fosters inclusive growth.

Similarly, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, founder and Executive Director, Helpline for . advised female students to continue to raise their voices for change through positive activism.

Ahmadu, however, stressed the need for the students to be serious with their academics and aspire for greatness.

Earlier, the National President of ANFS, Omoniyi Alice, said that the event was organised to discuss the future of female students across the world.

This, according to Alice, will ensure that female students are given every opportunity to succeed.

We live in a world that is rapidly changing, and it is essential that we adapt our education system to meet these changes.

As the future leaders of our society, it is crucial that our female students are given every opportunity to excel and be able to compete on a level playing field, free from discrimination or unfair barriers.

We must also provide our female students with the resources they need to succeed. These include access to quality education, mentorship programmes, and scholarships.

It is our responsibility as educators and leaders to ensure that our female students have the tools they need to succeed, she added.

Alice equally called on relevant stakeholders to promote a culture of inclusion and respect for women in schools and universities.

This means creating an environment where women feel safe and supported, where they are valued for their contributions and their ideas.

We must also challenge the traditional gender roles that have limited womens opportunities in the past, the president said.

On her part, the founder and pioneer president of the association, Safiya Sarki, said that ANSF was established to give female student a voice.

Sarki explained that the move was in response to the male-dominated National Association of Nigerian Students, where only two seats were reserved for females out of the 15 leadership positions in the association.

The Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu administration to take proactive action to ameliorate the current hardship in the country.

Honourable Ismaila Yusuf Atus, Executive Chairman of the organization, in a statement on Sunday, noted that the rising cost of fuel has further reduced the purchasing-power of the citizens.

He called for urgent governments measures to reduce citizens suffering, acknowledging that existing initiatives were insufficient.

The organization also urged NGOs, business leaders, and wealthy individuals to unite and support communities in need.

The statement reads: The hunger is severe, and the rising fuel prices have only added to the hardships. Many people can no longer afford to feed themselves properly.

I urge those of us with NGOs to unite and support our communities. We also call on the government to take measures to alleviate the suffering in our nation.

While we acknowledge that the government is doing its best and that many initiatives were in place before this administration took over, we still urge them to work towards reducing the hardships faced by citizens.

We appeal to other well-off Nigerians to step forward during this critical time; the people need your support now more than ever. It is essential for the wealthy to share their resources and assist those in need.

Additionally, we call on business leaders and politicians not to hoard their wealth in bank accounts while the populace suffers.

Given the current challenges in the country, the Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative has decided to assist Nigerians who are struggling with poverty by raising N500 million to help two million people.

It was reported reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, recently increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit(petrol) to N1,030 per litre, further worsening the hardship on Nigerians.

A two-storey building has collapsed on Amusu Street, in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State.

The incident happened in the early hours yesterday.

As seen in a video trending online, the building caved in as residents nearby scampered for safety.

The Head, Public Affairs Unit, LASEMA, Mr Nosa Okunbor, who confirmed that there was no casualty in the building collapse,as it was reported.

In a statement, the LASEMA boss said that the building collapsed on its own at about 8.45am.

LASEMA Response Teams in Search and Rescue Operation is at a self-collapsed building on Amusu Street, Baale Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu.

No casualties and updates to follow, he said

Earlier, an official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency who confirmed the incident anonymously to our reporter said no casualty was recorded.

The official added that the building had been evacuated before the collapse.

I can confirm to you that the incident happened this morning but there were no casualties. An evacuation already took place before the collapse.

The LASEMA source further stated that emergency responders were already at the scene of the incident.

In May, a four-story building collapsed on Lagos Island, trapping an unknown number of people.

The incident occurred at Iga Iduganran, near the Oba of Lagos palace.

In July, family members living in the boys quarters behind a storey building on No 49 Oyinlola Street, Off Adealu Bus Stop, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, escaped death by a whisker when the quarters caved in.

The broad-based stakeholders final validation workshop for Nigeria’s draft national blue economy strategy is set to be held in Abuja, the nations capital, from October 14 to 16, 2024.

This was contained in a statement by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, yesterday.

According to the statement, with funding from the Kingdom of Norway, the workshop brings together important players to verify the plan and promote long-term growth and development in Nigeria by making use of the countrys abundant maritime resources.

It added that among the topics to be discussed would include sustainable energy, governance, blue tourism, fisheries, and shipping.

The statement partly read, Welcome remarks will be provided by Mr Georges Asseko from the African Union on the first day, followed by opening statements by Mr Obinna Anozie and the Hon. Minister in charge of the Blue Economy in Nigeria, Gboyega Oyetola. This session introduces the workshop, its goals, and the significance of the Blue Economy in Nigeria. It sets the stage for the rest of the day.

Proceeding with Dr Patrick Karanis overview of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the technical talks will follow. The expert then lays out the next steps for implementing the Blue Economy Strategy that Nigeria has drafted. Participants then divide into smaller groups to focus on certain topics, such as sustainable energy, governance, blue tourism, fisheries, and shipping, following a period of group discussion and photographic opportunities.

Group reviews of the proposed strategys implementation plan will carry over into the second day. Sustainable ecosystems, creative funding, and good governance are just a few of the areas that undergo in-depth evaluation by participants. Participation in the strategy and cross-sectoral collaboration is fostered through open dialogue in which rapporteurs from each group present their results.

As the event draws to a close, the National Blue Economy Strategy, its implementation plan, and the governance coordination mechanism are likely to be presented by the Director or Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Last but not least, the workshop will end with a communique adoption, strategy validation, and concluding discussions, all of which will lay the groundwork for the future of Nigerias Blue Economy.

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN has raised an alarm over the shrinking number of teachers available to impart knowledge within Nigeria and by extension the global community.

A high-level panel on the teaching profession, set up by the United Nations revealed this in its report released in 2024.

This development has also been worsened by teachers leaving Nigeria en mass for greener pastures abroad due to dwindling fortunes in the profession.

Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of TRCN, Dr Stella-Maria Nwokeocha confirmed the crisis yesterday, saying the situation is necessitating the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria.

Nwokeocha recalled how the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, underscored this concern when in 2022 he convened the first-ever United Nations Summit on Education, tagged Transforming Education Summit. Teachers, teaching and the teaching profession which was one of the five tracks [sub-themes] of the Summit.

She said the report confirmed a dramatic shortage of teachers worldwide and the existence of millions of teachers who lack the support, skills and continuing training they need to meet the demands of rapidly changing education systems.

Its recommendations, further, call for urgent action to address serious issues in the teaching profession that pertain to pre-service teacher education and continuous professional development.

At an interactive session with the media, she said Nigeria as the Giant of Africa, even in matters of education, has a huge share of the teacher shortage and need for continuous updating of the professional skills and competencies of teachers along the lines identified by these evolving global concerns and recommendations.

This is why the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria scheduled for October is a special response to the emerging global continental and national issues of interest to the teaching profession and education in Nigeria.

She listed the theme for this years conference as, Advancing Teacher Professionalization in Nigeria Towards Education 2030: Challenges, Strategies and Prospects

According to the TRCN boss, the conference is directly linked to international concerns which is expected to deal with strategies for quality teaching and lifelong learning; national and international best practices in continuous professional upskilling of teachers especially with respect to knowledge, skills, attitudes, conduct and orientation of teachers.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched an investigation into the disturbing scenes at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the Nigerian Super Eagles were detained.

In an official statement released yesterday, October 14, by CAFs communications department, the organization vowed to take appropriate action against those responsible through its disciplinary board.

The statement reads: The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.

The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.

It would be recalled that the Super Eagles contingents have now been granted passage to exit Libya after being held for over 14 hours at the Al Abraq International Airport.

The director general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has dismissed the claims made by aggrieved workers as the basis for their industrial action, describing them as untrue.

She emphasised that while the management has been attentive to the workers welfare, it is limited by its mandate in matters such as promotions and certain remuneration.

In a statement yesterday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the DG however reiterated her commitment to the workers welfare.

As at the time of filing this report, the workers have not called off the one-week-old industrial action, as their demands remain unmet, though, it was gathered that negotiations to end the strike are ongoing.

The workers are protesting the agency’s failure to promote the significant number of staff who participated in the 2024 promotion interviews.

According to the aggrieved workers, despite many of them meeting or surpassing the required pass mark, NAFDAC management cited a lack of vacancies, leaving more than 500 eligible employees without the promotions they had earned.

They are also protesting NAFDAC managements failure to uphold a 2022 agreement that addressed workers welfare and promotion issues.

However, in the statement, the DG refuted the claims made by the striking workers, stating that they are untrue, highlighting several actions taken to reposition the agency and create a conducive working environment for the staff.

According to Akintola, since the assumption of office in February 2022, the DG has spearheaded significant reforms to enhance the agency’s operational capacity.

According to him, the DG inaugurated 73 new operational vehicles, including 43 Hilux vans, 20 Toyota Camry cars, and 10 buses, in key locations like Abuja, Oshodi, and Apapa.

These additions were aimed at improving regulatory inspections, staff welfare, and operational efficiency.

Additionally, under her leadership, a N3.2 billion debt was cleared within a year of her appointment, demonstrating her commitment to cost-saving and effective management.

Whether it is a matter of promotion or estacode, the agency has been following the rules and is committed to promoting the workers welfare.

We are not in charge of the number of people to promote, we are only responsible for conducting exams.

The office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) is always responsible for allocating available vacancies that the government can pay for.

It is not that there is a vacancy and we are not promoting. It is what the government can pay for that they approve as vacancy every year. It is not different from any other agency.

On the issue of estacode, as raised by the striking workers, the NAFDAC boss said there is nothing wrong with the agency’s estacode policy.

That is just playing to the gallery. Our staff have always been paid their due estacode and so, that is not an issue.

We are not different from any other agency, the estacode will be paid when the evidence of the trip is presented. We have never owed any staff any travel allowance, the DG affirmed.

Akintola noted, however, that there are positive signs on the horizon, suggesting the matter will soon be resolved, saying, The agency, like any other in the country, is not permitted to exceed approval given by the federal government but I can assure you that the matter is being looked into at the highest level of government for a possible resolution without further delay.

The government, the agency, and the unions are not oblivious of the importance of the role being played by NAFDAC in safeguarding the health of the nation.

A common ground would be found in due course, and everyone will go back to their duty posts.

The Directorate of State (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have called on the public to ignore what it described as false claims by the Anambra State Police, saying that they thwarted the kidnapping of foreign nationals by IPOB in Ogbunka Orumba LGA of Anambra State.

The group cited the claim by the Nigerian Police as a fictional story meant to attract readers to think that they are working.

IPOB in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful on Monday, stressed that the Nigerian police failed to understand that the international community knows that they are unprofessional.

The statement read in part, The unsubstantiated statement credited to the Nigerian Police as published by The Guardian newspapers of October 8, 2024 is a false claim, narrative and a deceptive headline to promote their criminal and unprofessional job actions.

The deceptive headline quoted, The Nigerian Police rescued foreigners from IPOB in Ogbunka Orumba Anambra State. For public records, IPOB has never and will never engage in kidnapping for ransom, talk of kidnapping foreign nationals.

The Nigerian Police claimed in the newspaper that they thwarted kidnapping attempt of foreign nationals by IPOB without providing further and full details about the incident. Instead of providing verifiable evidence of their bogus claims and propaganda, the Nigerian Police using some Nigerian compromised newspapers started promoting their criminal activities.

The Nigerian Police and the compromised Nigerian journalists in the Guardian newspaper used a deceptive headline to attract traffic to promote the fake news from their moronic news. The Nigerian government and her Police working with some compromised media try to demonize IPOB while promoting the Nigerian Security Forces and its agent provocateur. Their plans are dead on arrival.

IPOB stands for the defense and freedom of Biafrans and will not use fake news as the Nigerian Government and its Agents were using to deceive their gullible followers in Nigeria. Only a fool will listen to a man speaking from Nigeria police and their lies, Nigerian police know that IPOB is engaging foreign diplomats for Biafra Liberation. Only a fool will listen to a compromised institution in the world who are just playing an amateur script written by the Nigerian government to destroy the Biafra struggle.

Acting on a poorly written script by the Nigerian Security Agencies to damage the Biafra viability will not work. We cant be involved in violent arm struggle and kidnapping and at the same time be involved in diplomatic engagements to restore Biafra.

The Nigerian police is being used by the Nigerian government to make carricature of the Biafran struggle. IPOB will see the end of the Nigerian government and their criminal activities.

While urging the public to ignore the concocted lies by the Anambra State Police Command that they thwarted the kidnapping attempt of foreign nationals by IPOB, the group insisted, The claim didn’t happen.

It described the claim as part of the fictional series by the Nigerian Police to attract traffic for the unsuspecting public to read the fake news from their criminals masquerading as anti- Biafra agitators.

IPOB added, Nigerian police is just doing the job criminals do to blackmail innocent movement fighting for the liberation of its people. Nigerian government, and their security agencies are relentlessly promoting their fake news to deceive their gullible followers.

IPOB have overcome such infamous activities of Nigeria police. Nigerian Government sponsored agent provocateurs in the past, IPOB will keep matching forward.