IMPACT
CBN governor vows to block maize importation
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele on Thursday vowed to resist importation of maize as Nigerians have the capacity and capability to grow the crop locally to meet consumption demand. On that note, he has urged youths across the country to embrace agriculture, declaring the bank’s readiness to support those ready to venture into it. Emefiele made the declaration in Katsina at the unveiling of the first maize pyramid and flag-off of the 2021 maize wet season farming under the CBN-Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. He averred that Nigerian youths could leverage their talents, along with technological tools to improve farm productivity and delivery of agricultural produce to markets. While noting that agriculture offered significant benefi...
NOA sensitises Oyo residents ahead of council election
File Photo The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has embarked on sensitisation of residents of some local government areas in Oyo State, ahead of the May 22 council elections. Newsmen report that the programme was tagged: “Voter education and mobilisation campaign towards free, fair, peaceful and credible local government elections.’’ NAN also reports that the exercise, led by the NOA Director in the state, Mrs Folake Ayoola, took the agency to Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Iseyin and Egbeda local government areas of the state. Other council areas, which had earlier been visited, included: Ibadan North, Ido, Ibadan South-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North-East and Ibadan North-West council areas. Ayoola said that the sensitisation was aimed at intimating the electorate in the state on the importan...
Premier League issues major announcement on fan attendance for last two games
Only home fans (a limited number) will be able to attend the final two league games of the season, as confirmed by the Premier League. This update comes from The Athletic, following suggestions that away supporters could be permitted access to the stands as part of the 10,000 spectator figure previously touted. “The Premier League today confirmed the final two match rounds of the 2020/21 season will be limited to home fans, subject to the Government easing lockdown restrictions,” as the Premier League statement read. “Following consultation with clubs, it was agreed matches would not be open to away supporters due to varying operational challenges across the League and the need to deliver a consistent approach, while maximising the opportunity for home-fan attendance. “The safety and secur...
Tottenham to pay part of Jose Mourinho’s salary at Roma
Tottenham Hotspur will pay part of José Mourinho’s salary in his first season at Roma. The Special One will return to Serie A 11 years after leaving Inter, according to Sky Sport Italia, He had warned the Nerazzurri fans he was open to returning to Italy to coach one of their rivals. According to Sky Sport Italia, Mourinho signed his Roma contract on Monday and accepted a pay cut. Tottenham had sacked the Special One earlier in April. The Portuguese coach will earn €7m-a-year, way less than his €16m-a-year contract in North London. However, according to the report, Mourinho will earn the same money in his first season in the Capital as Spurs have agreed to pay part of his salary in his first campaign at the Stadio Olimpico. The so-called ‘Growth decree’ has also had an impact on Mourinho’s...
NNPC assures will continue to meet financial obligations to FAAC
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified that the revenue projection contained in the letter to the Accountant General of the Federation being cited in the media pertains only to the Federation revenue stream being managed by the Corporation and not a reflection of the overall financial performance of the Corporation. A press release by the Corporation’s spokesman, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the clarification became necessary in the light of media reports insinuating that the Corporation was in financial straits. NNPC maintains that it is conscious of its role and was doing everything possible to shore up revenues and support the Federation at all times. “The shortfall will be remedied by the Corporation as it relates only to the Federation revenue stream being...
Nigerian government tasks universities on best practices for impact as panel visits FUPRE
Nigerian universities have been charged to always comply with global best practices in terms of corporate governance, operations, benchmark, quality assurance and judicious application of resources for impact. The Chairman of the federal government Visitation panel to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Prof. Ikenna Onyido, stated this yesterday at the institution. Onyido argued that it was important for the federal government to at interval check the books of the various universities owned by it to ascertain compliance to the various regulations and assess their development in line with available regulations overtime. The Emeritus Professor and former Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, who led a seven-member team to FUPRE, stre...
NCDMB sets up $20 million loan support for women in business
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the setting up of a $20million loan scheme to support women in business especially in the oil and gas sector. Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote, stated this at a virtual roundtable by the Diversity Sectoral Working Group (SWG) of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF). In his remarks, Wabote stated that the mandate of the Board has always been the need to promote local content in every sphere of the oil and gas sector. Quoting Section 57 of the NCDMB Act, he said the role of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum is to provide a platform for information sharing and support in order to chart way for local content development in Nigeria. According to Wabote, “The basic aim of the NCCF is t...
Harry Kane to decide on Tottenham future
Embattled Harry Kane is set to decide on his Tottenham Hotspur’s future. The England and Tottenham star is quite rightly regarded as one of the best forwards in English football. But he remains trophyless in his career so far, with the latest opportunity passing him and Spurs by in a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Kane’s fitness was a huge topic of conversation ahead of the Wembley showdown after he picked up an ankle injury in a 2-2 draw at Everton last weekend. Despite that Kane was included in interim boss Ryan Mason’s starting XI – but like the rest of his Spurs teammates failed to have any sort of impact on proceedings. Remarkably, Kane didn’t attempt a shot or create a single chance for Spurs in Sunday’s final. That’s the first time he’s done neithe...
PSG boss: Idrissa Gueye a pleasure to work with
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his delight to work with Idrissa Gueye and praised him for his contribution to his side. The midfielder is currently spending his second season at Parc des Princes, having teamed up with the club from Premier League side Everton in the summer of 2019. Gueye has featured in more than 60 games since joining the side and in the current campaign, he has made 42 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist across all competitions. His performances ensured the Parisians to their second spot on the Ligue 1 table and their progression into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Pochettino has lauded the impact of the Senegal international to his side ahead of their encounter with the Maroons. “He’s a player with experience, ...
Lagos: Police arrest protesting Uber, Bolt drivers
The police in Lagos have arrested some members of the Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), the umbrella body of e-hailing ride companies including Uber and Bolt, who had embarked on an industrial action over the services rendered by the platforms. Five drivers, including the president of PEDPA, Idris Shonuga, were arrested on Tuesday. Speaking on the arrest, Kolawole Aina, the Regional Vice President PEDPA, South-west, said the drivers were picked up by the police at the National Stadium in Surulere while they were gathering for a peaceful march to Alausa. Newsmen reported that Bolt and Uber drivers commenced strike on Monday to express their displeasure over the “unfavourable pricing” of the companies and its impact on their business. Shonuga, who listed ...
NLC to declare nationwide strike over Kaduna government’s plan to sack workers
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved to declare an industrial action nationwide if the Kaduna State government goes ahead with its plans to sack civil servants. The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with newsmen on Monday. Last week, Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the plan to disengage civil servants in the state, citing fiscal reasons. El-Rufai said a significant amount of the statutory federal allocations to the state is being spent on the wages of public servants. According to the governor, the decision was one of the necessary moves to salvage the state’s finances. “Therefore, the state government has no choice but to shed some weight and reduce the size of the public service. It is a painful but necessary step to take, for the sake of th...
Premier League clubs excluded from Super League set meeting to discuss path forward
The 14 Premier League clubs excluded from Super League plans are set for a meeting on Tuesday, according to a report. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham were not invited to the meeting, with the remaining teams set to discuss a path forward. The aforementioned six teams were among the 12 clubs confirmed for the new competition, which was announced on Sunday. Though six of its biggest clubs have announced their involvement, the Premier League released a strong statement on Sunday condemning the proposal. “The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid,” the statement read. “Fans of any club in England and across Europe c...
