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FCT
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)
has  promised to invest more funds in other projects to be embarked upon by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in 2015.
The Chairman, Finance and Appropriation of the commission,  Mr Bashir Birni-Gwari, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that NAICOM funded ABU’s N93 billion Digital Centre Project which took about six months to complete.
Birni-Gwari said the commission also had ongoing projects in about 11 other universities.
He commended the efforts of the ABU management in the effective execution of the digital centre project.
“Money has been appropriated in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NAICOM and ABU.

Katsina
The Katsina State Immigration Command says it
has arrested 10 suspected victims of human trafficking and the trafficker at the Kongolam border in the state.
The Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumuo, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Katsina while briefing newsmen.
Ogbumuo said that the victims were arrested in a bus with Registration No. XC 997 APP.
“Our eagle-eyed patrol officers arrested them at about 5 a.m. at the Kongolam border in Katsina State.”
He said all the suspected victims and the trafficker were found lying or sitting on the floor of the vehicle as it had no seat.
He gave the name of the trafficker as Mohammed Usman, who was arrested while conveying his victims to Niger Republic.

Lagos
The National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has con
firmed five persons dead in an accident involving four vehicles at Igando area of Lagos State in the early hours of Tuesday.
Our correspondent reports that the accident involved three trucks loaded with alcoholic drinks and a Honda salon car.
The accident occurred near the Igando General Hospital in Alimosho local government area of the state.
The Spokesman of NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye,  who confirmed the accident, told newsmen that the corpses have been deposited at the morgue of the hospital.
He said that the victims, who were all male, were burnt beyond recognition.

Nasarrawa
A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for
Justice in Nasarawa, Mr Innocent Lagi, has declared his intention to contest for the state’s governorship seat in 2015.
Lagi, who made the declaration in Wamba Local Government area of the state, said that he was contesting on the platform of the Labour Party.
He told journalists that he had informed the national headquarters of the party of his intention.
The former attorney-general said that his aspiration was borne out of the desire to facilitate the development of the state.
He dispelled insinuations that he was being used as a mole by other aspirants for the governorship seat.
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Ni
gerian youths to be God-fearing and to develop good characters and values to enable them succeed as future leaders.
Obasanjo made the appeal at the First Green Legacy Moments With Chief Olusegun Obasanjo On Leadership and Human Security In Africa.
The programme was organised by the Centre For Human Security (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in collaboration with the University of Ibadan and the Green Legacy Resort.
The former president said the fear of God, good character, values and the ability to impact on lives and the society were marks of successful life.
According to him, the totality of a man’s character determines who he or she is and also influences his or her reputation.
“Character influences your reputation and your reputation determines your altitude,” he added.

Osun
A senior lecturer at the Department of  African
Languages, Obafemi Awolowo  University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Dr Biodun Ogunwale has described youths as indispensable change agents.
Ogunwale said this in an interview with newsmen at Ede, Osun State.
He said the only way a nation could grow without hindrance was to breed and have productive youths.
“The youth, who is vibrant, is always in a better position to make a change. That is where the question of culture and values come to play.
“There is no way the young minds will be productive without instilling a clear-cut culture and values that will guide them.
“A good value system in a cultured environment brings about reliable, productive and patriotic youths who are completely equipped to change their nation for the better.
Oyo
The immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), Tribune Chapel, Mr Tunde Ogunesan, has joined the house of assembly race in Oyo State.
Ogunesan picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form to contest for the Saki East House of Assembly seat in 2015.
He told newsmen in Ibadan that his entrance into politics was a call to serve his people.
Ogunesan, who hails from Sepeteri in Saki-East council area, was a Senior Reporter with African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc publishers of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
Plateau
The former Plateau House of Assembly Speaker,
has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form for 2015 governorship poll.
Lalong, who paid N5.5 million for the nomination and express of interest forms at the party’s headquarters in Jos, said there was need for “urgent change’’ in the Plateau.
“Plateau must change its political leaders if we must move forward,’’ Lalong, a former member of the PDP, told newsmen shortly after he picked the form.
He said he had prayed and fasted before making up his mind to contest, and declared that he was in the best position to bring “sanity’’ to the state because of his experience.
The ex-speaker, however, expressed the optimism that he would clinch the APC ticket.

Sokoto
The  Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association in
Sokoto State, Mr Steven Nwoke, says it is morally wrong for the police to withdraw security personel attached to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Nwoke told newsmen in Sokoto that the Speaker’s defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)  did not warrant such an action by the  police.
He said that the police should have waited  for the members of the House of Representatives to impeach the speaker before the withdrawal of his security details.
He advised  the police to, as matter of urgency, restore the speaker’s security details for peace and political stability in the country.
Zamfara
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Con
gress (APC) says it will not conduct primary elections, following a consensus among the aspirants for various positions of the party.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Gwamna, announced this to newsmen in Gusau.
Gwamna said the party’s Reconciliation Committee in the state, headed by Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, had succeeded in reconciling the aspirants vying for all the positions, from governorship to the state House of Assembly.
He said that the success was due to the cooperation and maturity shown by the aspirants.
He said it was “an indication of success of the party towards 2015 general elections”.
“Even before setting up the reconciliation committee, our members were united and always worked together; we therefore expect such cooperation and understanding from them in all elections.”

 A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day Celebration in Abuja, recently.

A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day Celebration in Abuja, recently.

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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