Day: March 26, 2023

The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society on Sunday in Abuja urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu to prioritise the war against hunger, poverty and inflation as soon as he gets to the seat.

National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Mosque, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, made the call at the 20th National Unity Ramadan Lecture organised by the society.

It had: “Ramadan Lessons: Inspiration for reform’’ as its theme.

Adeyemi emphasised the need for the president-elect to hit the ground running from the day he is sworn in.

“It is clearly seen by the blind and so audible by the deaf that there is poverty in the land; people are hungry and angry, inflation is so high and recently we started using naira to buy naira.

“He needs to work hard to reverse these unholy trends. Tinubu’s victory didn’t come to us as a surprise; he is known to be a talent hunter, a cerebral and compassionate leader.

“His tenacity and focus is enviable; his victory is testament of his years of investment in people and relationships,’’ the cleric said.

Adeyemi assured that Al-Habibiyyah, as an Islamic organisation would give all the necessary support to the incoming government as instructed in the Glorious Qur’an.

“Qur’an Chapter four, Verse 59 dictates that `believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those from among you who are invested with authority,’ ‘’ Adeyemi noted.

He said the society fed at least 2,000 people at the end of every fasting day during Ramadan as part of efforts to ease difficulties among the less privileged.

“It is not a mistake that I use the word people and not fasting Muslims because over the years, not only Muslims had been benefitting from the programme.

“Non-Muslims are received with open hands and without discrimination at the feeding sessions conducted by the society’s Food Bank.

“Over the years, the first day of Ramadan usually recorded a relatively low turnout of people coming to break their fasts at the Food Bank, but the turnout peaks by the fourth or fifth day of Ramadan.

“We were marvelled this year; we prepared 1,000 meals and we were surprised that the first day turned out more than 2,000 persons, meaning this is a challenge.

“We have firm belief in Allah, that the challenge will be surmountable,’’ Adeyemi said.

Earlier, the guest lecturer, Prof. Usman Shu’aib, noted that circulation of wealth was the precursor of prosperity in nations.

Shu’aib, Director, International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, Bayero University, Kano, urged Muslims to allow Ramadan to pass through them to enable them to acquire all the necessary lessons and benefits.

“We can persevere in the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan, but we must fear Allah and endeavour to be pious throughout and beyond the month of Ramadan,’’ he admonished.

In his remarks, former Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi urged Muslims to maximise the benefits of the month of Ramadan by giving more charity to the less privileged, regular recitation of the Qur’an and other good deeds.

“My message is for us to learn the lessons of Ramadan, particularly during this fasting period; lessons of sacrifice, piety, worship and devotion to Almighty Allah,’’ he charged.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A United State of America -based business tycoon and philanthropist, Dr Magdalene Agada, has described Friday’s Abuja Appeal Court victory of Gov. Ademola Adeleke

Of Osun, as well deserved victory.

Agada’s felicitation was conveyed in a statement issued from New York, U.S.A. and was made available to newsmen in Asaba, Delta.

She noted that the Appeal Court verdict aligned with the wishes of the people of Osun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chief, Mrs Magdalena Nwaka Agada is a frontline philanthropist, whose Open Hands Amazing Charitable Organization undertakes life-changing activities across Nigeria.

She also doubles as, President of leading U.S.-based medical equipment firm, Star Global Marketing Limited.

She said, “as a long-time friend and development partner of Osun State, I followed the court proceedings with keen interest and wish to observe that the verdict of the revered Justices of the Court of Appeal, Abuja aligns with the wishes of the vast majority of Osun people.

“The spontaneous joyful reaction of the people to the judgement speaks volumes.”

She commended the Appeal Court Justices for upholding justice in the case, and to Gov. Adeleke, for his victory.

“This verdict has once more served to rekindle hope in the Nigerian Judiciary as a bastion of justice.

“For His Excellency, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, this is sweet victory for which I heartily congratulate him on behalf of my family, as well as my business and charitable organisations,” she said.

The philanthropist, hailed Adeleke for leading his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to dominant victory in both the Presidential and National Assembly polls of Feb. 25, and March 18 State House of Assembly election.

“This, no doubt, is a demonstration of the great love which Osun people have in His Excellency, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, and their strong belief in his leadership abilities,” she said.

She, however, advised the governor to work even harder to meet the expectations of Osun people, as the saying goes, “to whom much is given, much is also expected.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to leave a legacy of a functional system that would respect the rule of law, ensuring all actors acted only in full compliance with the Constitution.

The National Conference, convoked by 158 Anti-Corruption Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations, faith-based groups, youth and community-based organisations, made the call in a communiqué issued at a day National Conference on Sunday in Abuja.

The conference was convoked to discuss the state of the nation, covering several fundamental issues, especially as they affected education, security, corruption challenges and other general interests.

They urged Buhari to protect the anti-corruption legacy, noting that the war against corruption in the country, particularly under his administration had its milestones, prospects and challenges.

The conference said there was the need to consciously review same, while also setting an agenda for the incoming administration in the country.

It stated that the subject of corruption and the war against it was of crucial importance to the stakeholders, in the Nigerian project.

The conference noted that the anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari administration would eventually be assessed by the conduct of key officials, especially those saddled with the responsibility of taming corruption in Nigeria.

“Corruption undermines growth, erodes trust in governments, fuels support for extremism and hinders the fight against poverty and inequality.

“Therefore, we as Nigerians, have a responsibility to prevent, detect and expose any form of corruption. In fighting corruption, we cannot but also be mindful of the dictates of our laws, as a country under a democracy.

The conference, specifically expressed concerns that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under the leadership of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, had allegedly become a cesspool of internal corruption, among other diverse issues.

It alleged that that Bawa’s actions as a public officer had been high-handed, prejudicial, contemptuous of Nigerian courts and oppressive to the human rights of persons under the EFCC investigation, while also condemning, in its entirety, his “deliberate disobedience of court orders.”

The communique said, in line with genuine concerns among informed Nigerians, “conference restates that a convict, as Bawa is seen to be currently, according to the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, which has not been vacated, cannot continue to preside over an important law enforcement agency like the EFCC established to fight corruption.”

They admonished the incoming administration to work hard and ensure vigorous fight against corruption and ensure that Nigerians remained united in peace and justice.

“Conference expressed gross dissatisfaction with the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which in the last three months has crippled economic activities

“And, put Nigerians under unprecedented and untold hardship due to the scarcity of the local currency as well as the incessant failure of the online banking system,” it stated.

It stressed that there must be consequences for the needless hardship Nigerians were made to contend with in the face of a policy that was not well thought out.

While congratulating Nigerians on the outcome of the various elections, the organisations faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not keeping strictly to the promises made to Nigerians.

They also condemned what they described as the various attempts by some politicians and people of vested interests toward pushing the country dangerously to the edge of the slope, particularly the promotion of ethnic and religious divisions among Nigerians.

The organisations also demanded that states and other tiers of government must set up genuine machinery toward cooperating and consolidating the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling the various security challenges presently facing the country.

They admonished the incoming administration to work hard to ensure that Nigerians remained united in peace and justice to all.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ambong Energy has set up the Ambong Global Online Campus (aGOC©), an innovation, to assist the oil and gas professionals in learning to keep up with changes in the sector.

The aGOC© will deliver worldwide online courses that are innovative and future proof with the latest technologies and new approaches to the energy, oil and gas sectors.

Mr John Nwosu, the Managing Director, Ambong Energy, on Sunday said as the world moved in a never-ending and rapid evolution, fast training became more important for oil and gas professionals to be abreast with changes.

Nwosu, in a statement by David Bruce, Media Services Consultant to Ambong Energy, said the company established the virtual learning campus in response to constant changes, following years of research and development.

According to him, it is an innovation that puts the visionary company ahead of the rest.

“Ambong already has a unique track record in services and the delivery of technology and manpower to the industry: through an innovative capacity building programme for African youths.

“This provides a pathway to indigenous young people to get a foothold in the Energy industries,’’ he said.

Nwosu said it was achieved through diverse educational and industry partnerships as well as critical support from the Nigeria government local content organisation.

He, however, said Ambong was not just a training organisation but an innovator in the development of vital human resources.

Nwosu said track record and expertise gained by decades of experience in service, technical and business aspects of the oil and gas industry, gave the organisation an edge.

“This means that the essential skills, technologies and new developments are covered in all its courses,’’ he added.

Nwosu noted that the company had tracked trends in energy, oil and gas sectors and offered unique but necessary developments, covering major areas of change such as sustainability and better environmental protection.

He listed others as social responsibility and inclusive employment and training, digitalisation and digital transformation, massive pressure and demand for better productivity, maximum returns from every operation project and enhanced safety and environmental protection.

Nwosu said these drivers were incorporated into the Ambong conventional courses but specially were covered in its latest programmes about to be unveiled from the aGOC.

He said that the company, after years of innovation, is now opening up new doors for people worldwide; through innovative online courses that could meet the challenging needs of the energy, oil, gas and mining sectors.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Chief Toby Okechukwu, Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representative, says that Dr Peter Mbah, the Enugu State Governor-elect remains the best choice for the state.

Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/oji River Federal Constituency, made the remarks in Enugu on Sunday, while congratulating the new Governor-elect of the state, Mbah.

The lawmaker said that Mbah’s election by the people of the state was a right step at a time of severe national economic challenges.

He called on the opposition candidates to drop their court cases and join hands with Mbah and work for the greater good of the state.

“I pity Nigerians who see some Labour Party politicians as progressives because they moved out from the dominant parties (either PDP or APC) to the LP to cruise on the Peter Obi bandwagon.

“They won seven out of the eight House of Representative seats in Enugu State, but PDP did not complain.

“They won the senatorial seat of the governor and even the governor’s polling booth during the Presidential and National Assembly Election, yet neither PDP nor Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi complained.

“They won the Enugu East senatorial district where Nkanu East LGA is located and celebrated it. But they would not accept the governorship result that came from the same process the same day,” he said.

Okechukwu explained that Enugu people supported Peter Obi in the name of justice because “we believed it was South-East turn to produce the next President”.

On accusations of Mr Frank Nweke of APGA that the election was marred by irregularities, the lawmaker said, “it beats imagination how a man who managed 17,983 state-wide votes against Dr. Mbah’s 160,895 votes hoped to win the governorship election in the first place.

“On behalf of the good people of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, I congratulate the governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the people of Enugu State on this massive victory.

“It is a hard-won victory, but it is worth it, given the quality that Mbah is expected to bring to bear on the leadership of the state.

Okechukwu commended Mbah for his commitment in his acceptance speech to run an all-inclusive government, saying that the unity and brotherhood were imperative if the state must experience the much-needed development under the Mbah administration.

He equally urged the people of the state to continue to support and pray for Mbah as he embarked on the onerous mission of building a new Enugu State.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Three sports journalists based in Abuja on Sunday urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to relieve Jose Peseiro of his Super Eagles Head Coach job before it is too late.

They made the call following the Eagles’ 0-1 loss to Guinea Bissau on Friday in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Romanus Ugwu, a sports writer and an Assistant Editor with the Sun Newspaper, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that retaining Peseiro was like holding on to expired drug.

“There is nothing we can do unless the NFF takes action, but if you ask me, I will automatically ask for the sack of Peseiro because he has not given us anything.

“Subsequently I will have to decide whether to watch Super Eagles match. I can’t be devastated like this all the time after Super Eagles match.

“I have learnt not to invest emotions in the team because I know that certainly they will disappoint.

“I am not surprised with the outcome of the game but I expected that after we lost the World Cup ticket to Ghana, that we are going to see something else.

“All of a sudden, we are seeing thunder striking twice at the same place,” Ugwu said.

For Ndubueze Chidoka, Chairman of a faction of the FCT Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), noted that everything about the country’s football was on the decline.

“I am disappointed that the Eagles could not fly considering the fact that we are nursing the pain of not qualifying for the World Cup when Ghana came to deny us the ticket at this same venue.

“And many football fans were looking up to the Super Eagles to make up in subsequent matches.

“It was unfortunate that the Super Eagles lost to Guinea Bissau barely 42 hours after the under-23 team drew against Guinea.

“This is a humiliation. The worst would have been a draw. For Guinea to come here and defeat us means that we don’t have a team and a coach.

“Everything about our football is going down drastically and something urgent must be done,” Chidoka said.

A former chairman of FCT SWAN, Victor Iroele, on his part said a lot of factors contributed to the team’s lacklustre performance in recent times.

Iroele noted that weather and the pitch could be contributing factors to the poor show of the team.

But he added that the technical crew had a lot of work to do if they would be retained

“NFF needs to apply the big stick if necessary, to save the country from further embarrassing outings and to ensure the country did not miss the AFCON ticket, the way it missed the World Cup ticket.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu on Sunday secured the three points at stake in their Day 10 match in the 2022/2022 abridged national league encounter with Bayelsa Utd at the Awka Township Stadium.

The visitors from Yenagoa had gone ahead through Alax Oyowah in the 36th minute after absorbing a number of attacks by the hosts.

But Rangers returned to parity through a penalty through Godwin Obaje in the 48th minute and later went ahead in the 87th minute when Chidera Ezeh curled a spot kick into the net.

The victory which is the first after the break, placed the Flying Antelopes on seventh position on the log of the Group B after three wins, three draws and four loses in the National Professional Football League (NPFL).

In a post-match press conference, Rangers Coach Mbwas Mangut described the victory as hard fought and well deserved.

Mangut said his team remained a work in progress as their performance wasn’t the best they could offer while pouring encomiums on the competitive prowess of the visitors.

He said they placed more emphasis on garnering more points in their away games and ensuring that they do not drop any point at home.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria says the much anticipated direct flights from Nigeria to India is set to commence on March 31.

Balasubramanian told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline had concluded plans for the inaugural flight from Lagos to Mumbai, Bombay.

” I can announce to you that that Air Peace will be flying directly from Lagos to India on March 31st for the inaugural flight.

“This is part of the implementation of the

Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) aimed at deepening relations between both countries, so I have been invited for the inauguration, ” he said.

Balasubramanian explained that the direct flight would further strengthen economic, trade, bilateral relations, and people-to-people ties between both strategic countries.

“The volume of trade between both countries as at 2022 is 14.95 billion dollars, so we believe agreements such as this will go a long way in boosting our relations,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the new route would increase the volume of trade between both countries, while opening new vista of opportunities for citizens of both countries.

NAN reports that Nigeria and the Republic of India had in 2019 signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), to deepen flight operations end to end.

Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika had expressed optimism that the agreement would further deepen cooperation between both countries.

BASA covers the basic framework under which airlines are granted bilateral rights to fly two countries. The frequency, designated airlines of the signatories, origin, intermediate points as well as traffic rights, type of aircraft and tax issues are normally covered by Memoranda of Understanding.

The new route is expected to further boost relations between both countries, as more than 135 indian companies currently operate in Nigeria.

India is becoming the prime destination for Nigerians seeking medical tourism, studies, businesses among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria