Development
AfreximBank to support Ogun infrastructural development with $200 million
The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed its plans to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with an envelope of $200m. The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Afrexim Bank, Benedict Oramah, who made this known when he led management of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday, equally said the bank would partner Ogun on ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and begin operations soon. Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines ...
Gombe governor commends federal government’s agenda of creating 25 million jobs by 2025
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has commended the Federal Government’s agenda of generating 25 million jobs by the year 2025. He stated this in Gombe, on Monday, while launching a two-day technical meeting on the preparation of the Medium National Development Plan (MTND) for 2021 -2025, for the six states in the North East Zone. The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Manasseh Jatau, said: “It is worth noting that the Medium-Term National Development Plan aims to create 25 million jobs, lift 34 million people out of poverty. “I will like to also appreciate Federal Government for taking a new approach towards achieving a more inclusive and effective participation of states and Local governments at different stages. “Involving everyone in the ongoing process of developing and imple...
Presidency: Niger Delta Avengers’ threat unnecessary
File Photo The Presidency on Sunday reacted to the threat by the Niger Delta Avengers to bomb oil installations if some demands were not met by federal government, saying the recent threat of force by the Avengers is unnecessary. It, however, said it was curious that the threat was coming barely 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the State House, Abuja and the germane issues, especially call for restructuring of the federation, and the inauguration of a Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had been thrashed out. A release on Sunday by the Media Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, stressed that the media was Sunday awash with threats and demands by a group, Niger Delta Avengers, to...
APC group suspends Senator Akpabio as national coordinator
The Minister for Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been suspended by the Presidential Support Committee (PSC), a political support group of the All Progressive Progressives Congress (APC) as the National Coordinator. Akpabio was suspended for inactivity and poor leadership by the national delegates at their National General Meeting and Merit Award held yesterday at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja. The National Facilitator of the committee, Mr Gideon Samanni and the organisation’s Director of Media, Dr Kalaini Mohammed, announced the suspension in a joint statement. They said the suspension was necessitated to ensure the survival and revitalisation of the organisation. PSC raised an outcry that the group was gradually drifting into oblivion even though it supported the APC and the re-electi...
Romelu Lukaku backed to succeed Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich
Former Belgium striker Emile Mpenza has tipped Romelu Lukaku to succeed Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich. The 28-year-old has excelled at Inter, scoring 64 goals in just 95 matches since joining the Serie A side from Manchester United in 2019. The forward has a similar record for the national team, having struck 63 times in 96 caps for the Rode Duivels, including three at Euro 2020. Mpenza has been amazed by the ex-Chelsea and Anderlecht player’s development and believes Bayern would be smart to look at him if they need to replace Poland sensation Lewandowski following his 48-goal campaign in Germany. “Romelu’s strength in a duel and his speed are outstanding. That makes it so difficult for the defenders against him,” Mpenza told Sport Bild. “If they go into a duel with him, he uses his...
Lago governor appoints new LASPPPA chief
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has appointed Kehinde Osinaike as the General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA). Osinaike’s appointment contained in a letter LGS/HOS/178/Vol.X/30 issued on Friday by the Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, takes immediate effect. Muri-Okunola said the appointment was in cognisance of his impressive track records. According to him, Sonaike succeeds the former General Manager of the authority, Funmi Osifuye, upon retirement. Muri-Okunola urged the new general manager to continue to justify the confidence reposed on him by the governor. He charged the new head of LASPPPA to bring his wealth of experience to bear in the delivery on the authority’s mandate. Prior to his appointment, Osinaike was a Special Assista...
Chris Alao-Akala, Sunday Dare applaud Senator Ajimobi’s legacies
Former Gov. Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State and Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare, have applauded the late former Governor of the state, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi’s legacies. The duo, in their separate statements made available to newsmen on Friday, described the late former governor as a focused and committed statesman. Newsmen report that Ajimobi died on June 25, 2020, following reported complications arising from COVID-19 infection. Ajimobi, who died at the age of 70, was the first civilian governor to rule the state for two consecutive terms. NAN also reports that the late Ajimobi was, until his death, the Aare of Ibadanland and Deputy National Chairman (South) of APC. Alao-Akala, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Tolu Mustapha, said that he now...
Akwa Ibom governor, former Kaduna senator urges leaders to learn vision from communist party of China
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has commended the Communist Party of China (CPC) for a laudable administration that transformed China into the global second largest economy. Emmanuel made the commendation as Special Guest of Honour at a symposium to mark the centenary of China’s governing party, the Communist Party of China, CPC, with the theme: “Communist Party of China at 100: Trajectories, Achievements and Prospects,” held at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja recently. Emmanuel who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, said, China emerged over the years as a leading country in industrialisation, science and technology and information communication revolution, even adding that she is a major player in world trade, finance, commerce, aviation and int...
Oyo APC: We’re proud of Senator Ajimobi, even in death
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State Chapter, says it is very proud of the good governance and rare virtues in the late former Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, even in death. Chief Akin Oke, the state Caretaker Chairman, said in a statement by his Special Assistant, Olawale Sadare, on Thursday in Ibadan. Newsmen recall that the late Ajimobi, died on June 25, 2020, following reported complications arising from the COVID-19 infection. Ajimobi, who died at the age of 70, was the first civilian governor to govern Oyo State for an unprecedented two terms. He was until his death, the Aare of Ibadanland and the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC. Oke said that the memory and legacy of Ajimobi would remain indelible in the hearts of the people who valued quality leadership, good govern...
Speaker Gbajabiamila celebrates Governor Sanwo-Olu at 56
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his 56th birthday. Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, described Sanwo-Olu as a silent achiever, whose performance in office speaks for itself. He said Sanwo-Olu has proven to be a man of the people since he assumed office two years ago. The Speaker, who said it was not a mere coincidence that he and the governor share the same birthday, noted that they have a lot in common, especially in the area of serving the people. According to him, “I recall how Sanwo-Olu had sleepless nights at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year to ensure that the people of Lagos were safe, being the worst-hit state i...
Lagos council boss passes on
The chairperson of Eti Osa local government, Rafiu Olatunji, has died on Monday night at his Sangotedo residence. He died from a long-term illness. Mr Olatunji is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. He is the current chairperson of Eti-Osa LCDA and also won the APC primary to run for the forthcoming July 24 election. Confirming his death to newsmen, Oluseye Oladejo, the spokesperson of APC said the party received the news of his demise with shock. “The Lagos State APC commiserates with the entire leadership and membership of our party on the shocking and untimely passage of the chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA, Rafiu Olufunmi Olatunji. “He was a committed party man who was totally committed to the development of his Local Council Development Area. “Our heart goes to his ...
Egyptian TikTok influencer to appeal 10-year trafficking sentence
Egyptian TikTok influencer Haneen Hossam will appeal a 10-year prison sentence handed down by a Cairo court that found her guilty of human trafficking, her lawyer said on Monday. In the latest twist in a nearly year-long saga, the court also fined the 20-year-old Cairo University student 200 000 Egyptian pounds ($13 000) on Sunday for encouraging women to share footage on the video-sharing app in exchange for money. “We will demand restoration of the case proceedings because there are contradictions between the verdict and the merits on which the court’s decision is based,” said lawyer Hani Sameh. “We hope that she can get a reduced jail sentence or an acquittal,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Several women have been accused of “inciting debauchery” for challenging Egypt’s conser...
