₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has honoured Abia-born entrepreneur, Miss Prosper Chidinma Erem with Leather Works Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) National merit award, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV reports that the MSME National Merit Award ceremony took place on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and streamlined live across the nation via Zoom, a videoconferencing app.

In his speech, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo who was the Chief Host said the Federal Government will continue to create enabling environment that will ensure SMES development in Nigeria “owing to its potentials and positive impact on the nation's economy.”

Prof Osibanjo maintained that Government do not take for granted, the impact of the awards on the recipients, as he congratulated them for their steadfastness and success in the various categories of the awards despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on SMES development.

Igbere TV reports that the event which also featured other SMES States of Lagos, Bauchi, Niger, Kaduna, Benue and Kebbi saw indigenes winning in various categories.

Miss Chidinma Erem who bagged the Leather Works MSME National Merit Award for 2020 is the creative Director of Proach Shoes, a shoe brand domiciled in Aba, Abia state.

She is native of Ohafia in Abia State. Miss Prosper had been to Cairo, Egypt to showcase her brand and leather works in the Intra-Africa Trade fair.

Igbere TV gathered that the Aba/UNIPORT shoemaker girl will be embarking on a 75-day TV reality show christened 'ThinkNaijaTV’ in August, 2020.

The show is an avenue for young entrepreneurs and youths in Nigeria to compete and showcase unbeatable business ideas and plans and she is expected to represent Abia once more.

https://igberetvnews.com/1358530/abia-north-girl-miss-chidinma-bags-fg-merit-award-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Two “key suspects” have been arrested in connection with the rape and gruesome murder of 100 level Microbiology student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa.

This was disclosed by the Edo state police commissioner, Mr. Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, when he played host to the UNIBEN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami at the Force headquarters, in Benin city on Monday.

In a statement made available to Campus Gist, the police chief assured that efforts were being made by the Force to bring all the culprits to justice.

Miss Omozuwa, 22, was raped and murdered right inside a Redeemed Christian Church in Benin city, on May 27, 2020 during her study hours.

Her death had stirred reactions from activists and notable figures, especially Nigerians on social media, seeking for justice and demanding a stop to rape in Nigeria.

Students of the University of Benin, friends of the deceased and members of the public had equally protested Omozuwa‘s death by taking to the streets of Benin city.

The University, in a statement, said it shares in the pain of the family of the victim. While commiserating with the bereaved family on the loss of their dear daughter, the vce chancellor prayed God to grant her soul peaceful rest.

A statement endorsed by the Public Relations Officer of UNIBEN, Benedicta Ehanire, Ph.D, noted that losing a child at this time compounds the hardship brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

https://campusgist.com.ng/2020/07/06/uwa-police-arrests-two-over-murder-of-uniben-student/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Rivers State has recorded its first case of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, as Nigeria recorded 5 fresh cases on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 51, with Lagos and Abuja recording two new cases each.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced this via its Twitter handle [@NCDCgov] late Wednesday, Igbere TV reports.

With this development, while Lagos state has a total number of 32 cases, FCT has 10, Ogun 3, Ekiti 1, Oyo 1, Edo 1, Bauchi 1, Osun 1 and Rivers 1.

Igbere TV reports that two persons have since been discharged having been successfully treated of the virus, with one death recorded.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has ordered the closure of all air, sea and land routes into the state in a move to check the spread of coronavirus to the state.

A statement sent to Igbere TV on Wednesday by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Electronic Media) to Gov. Nyesom Wike, said “the measure became necessary in view of recent developments.”

Revealing that the order takes effect from 6am on Thursday (today), Governor Wike said the new measures will be in place until further notice.

The EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, today arraigned one Malik Wakili before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and money laundering to the tunes of N3,106,216.00 (Three Million, One Hundred and Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixteen Naira).

A statement obtained by Igbere TV on the Commission’s Twitter handle, said the defendant allegedly impersonated a former Governor of Lagos State and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, with intent to gain monetary advantage to himself.

“Malik Wakili and Abdullahi Umar (now at large) sometime in March,  2019 in Lagos, indirectly converted the total sum of N3,106,216.00 (Three Million, One Hundred and Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixteen Naira) being value of Air-miles Skywards account number EK248739282 of Mr. Babatunde with Emirate Airline.

“The offence is contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011as amended and punishable under Section (15) (3) of the same Act,” the statement read.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, today officially inaugurated the Nigerian National Broadband Plan Committee for the Development of the 2020-2025 National Broadband Plan for Nigeria.

A statement obtained by Igbere TV on Monday in Abuja, said the move “is part of the effort to foster the growth of a Digital Economy in Nigeria in line with the re-energized Mandate of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.”

The Inauguration ceremony which was held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja had in attendance representative of the UK Government, Heads of Agencies under the supervision of the Ministry, Stakeholders from both the public and private sectors and members of the press.

The 26-member committee has individuals drawn from the public and private sectors and is being co-chaired by the Managing Director / CEO, MainOne Cable Company Nigeria Limited, Ms Funke Opeke and Former Executive Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Bashir Gwandu.

In his remarks, the Minister reiterated the importance of putting aside personal interest and uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity in the discharge of the critical national assignment.

The Minister said, “selection criteria for members of the committee was based on competence, integrity and professionalism”, adding that “we did not restrict the Nigerian National Broadband Plan to only this administration, the target is Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is out to support Nigeria and make decisions in her best interest.”

Dr Pantami further stressed the importance of broadband penetration, citing an example with the world development report of 2016 which states that, A 10% increase in fixed broadband penetration triggers an average increase of 3.19% in Per Capita GDP of a Nation.

Pantami also revealed that the Ministry under his watch is working hard to address the challenges of the telecommunications sector such as Right of Way (RoW), consideration of Telecom Infrastructures as Critical National Infrastructures among others.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lifted the suspension on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun state.

Others whose suspension were lifted, according to a statement sent to Igbere TV on Monday in Abuja, were Senator Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo; Mr. Osita Okechukwu and Pastor Usani Uguru Usani.

The statement signed by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, said the move “is in line with the party’s deliberate policy of fairness and actions targeted at ensuring harmony within the party across the country.”

“Through the suspension, our party has shown the capacity and willingness to implement its own rules and enforce discipline when there is an infraction. We have also shown that no individual is above discipline and that the party would always apply equity and justice in the day to day running of the party.

“We hope the concerned party members will seize this opportunity to fully reconcile themselves with their ward, local government, and state party structures, key into the party activities, and continue to make their own contributions to the growth and stability of the party.”

The APC, however, urged the concerned members to also take steps to reconcile with groups and individuals that are “important” to ensuring a lasting solution to any conflict that may exist in their respective states.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved to partner the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug abuse in the country.

Igbere TV reports that the proposed partnership deal, once sealed, will also cover and deal with all cases relating to money laundering in Nigeria.

According to a statement sighted by Igbere on EFCC’s Twitter handle, the decision was reached on Monday when the new Oyo NDLEA commander paid a visit to EFCC Ibadan zonal office.

The statement reads, “The EFCC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have expressed the readiness to foster strategic partnership to better help in their respective mandates.

“This was the tone of discussion between leaders of the two agencies when the new Oyo State Commander of the NDLEA, Josephine Ruth Obi, paid a familiarisation visit to the Ibadan Zonal Head of EFCC, Friday Ebelo, at the Commission’s Ibadan office on Monday, December 16, 2019.

“While explaining how NDLEA is preparing its staff for the envisaged relationship, Mrs. Obi disclosed that the agency is raising an elite team of officers for training on money laundering.

“I tell my officers to always look out for evidence of money laundering.

“They shouldn’t just be after the drugs. The agency itself is now emphasizing on money laundering.”

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to obey the rule of law to the fullest.

Lawan made the call while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday in Abuja, an event that was covered by Igbere TV correspondent.

Speaking on the repeated violations of the rule of law by President Buhari, the Senate President said Nigerians should not suffer unduly for a crime they are not guilty of.

This is coming at a time the Buhari administration has been accused of disrespecting the rule of law in the trial of Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement.

Sowore, SaharaReporters publisher has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), despite been granted bail by courts.

On December 9, 2019, DSS operatives re-arrested Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, less than 24-hours after granting him freedom.

Also, former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki has continued to languish in detention despite several courts granting him bail.

The DSS actions has been condemned by most Nigerians, rights groups and the international community

Reacting to the series of ugly developments, Senator Lawan said, “Rule of law is something that we all have to adhere to.

“Part of respect for the rule of law is to ensure that those suspected of criminal activities are taken to court, but they should also be freed if they are not found guilty.

“If someone is not guilty of an offence, such a person should not suffer any undue consequences.”

Vikynas:
This one go be tief...o see eyes like kpoma

Following the announcement of the interception of an attempted plot against the authorities in Ghana, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has issued the following statement:

“Nigeria and Ghana are leading partners in ECOWAS, and Transparency International, and Afrobarometer’s Africa Index 2019 attested that both countries have recorded exceptional advances in fighting corruption.

When you take on powerful and corrupt vested interests successfully, sometimes they seek to push back. As the saying goes, ‘if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back’.

“The only acceptable form of governance in our region in this 21st century is through democratic elections. It is the only way to install – and the only way to change – an administration. The days of coups and government without votes are over.

“All Africans hold the nation of Ghana in the highest esteem as the first post-colonial country to gain independence, and the first African country to hold multi-party elections by universal suffrage. Ghana is the first, true African democracy.

“We in Nigeria hold out – as always - our hands in support and friendship to our brothers and sisters in Ghana”.