Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

Mr Remi Ajibewa, Director, Political Affairs and Peace and Security for ECOWAS says the sub-regional body is ready to work closely with relevant agencies, stakeholders, and private organizations to end the conflict in West Africa. Ajibewa said this on Tuesday in Abuja, on the sideline of a two-day workshop organized by ECOWAS-United Nations for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS), in collaboration with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). He added that the workshop would provide an opportunity for participants to adopt the best international best practice in resolving conflicts. He added that the workshop would enable partners to share experiences…

ABUJA – The House of Representatives will partner with the Nigerian film industry to make it perform optimally and boost the government’s revenue, the Speaker of the House Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said. Gbajabiamila said the Nigerian film industry has come a long way and that all well-meaning Nigerians, especially governments at all levels, should support it for the betterment of the country. Describing the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, as a very critical industry, Gbajabiamila said he has been fascinated and impressed by the output of the industry over the years. Speaking when he received a delegation…

ABUJA – The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has emphasized the need for the enrolment of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as it is meant to check the flagrant corruption in Nigerian universities. It will be recalled that ASUU has been embroiled in a running battle with the Federal Government over the decision to include ASUU members in the IPPIS system as a way of ensuring accountability in the ivory tower. In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO noted that over the years…

MAIDUGURI – Boko Haram insurgents invaded Auno, a village 20 kilometres from the state capital, Maiduguri, on Sunday night, killing no fewer than 30 persons. Aside from those killed in the attack, several others, including women and children were also abducted, while 18 vehicles and several houses were razed. A source said the insurgents invaded the community at 10pm, shooting sporadically at everyone in sight. “The insurgents abducted a number of women and children, with no fewer than 30 people who were mostly motorists killed and 18 vehicles destroyed,” the source said. An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated three vehicles loaded with fake and substandard drugs in Asaba. Dr Christiana Esenwah, Deputy Director, NAFDAC, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Asaba. Esenwah who heads Investigation and Enforcement on Counterfeit and Fake Drug in South East/South-South zones said the NAFDAC team arrested five persons in connection with the seized items. The official said the drivers of the vehicles were apprehended at Abraka Market, Asaba, on the Asaba-Onitsha highway, following a tip-off. She said the vehicles were loaded…

The Nigeria Customs Services, (NCS) has intercepted Pangolin scales worth billions of naira in Adamawa. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Pangolin is an African and Asian mammal that has a body covered with horny overlapping scales, a small head with an elongated snout, a long sticky tongue for catching ants and termites, and a tapering tail. NAN reports that Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis. Mr. Kamaldeen Olumoh, the Comptroller in charge of Adamawa and…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has announced to airline operators and other airport users that a bush fire incident has been reported at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. A statement by FAAN spokesperson, Henrietta Yakubu, said Officers of the Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Services are presently on the ground and fire fighting is in progress. She also assured that the incident did not affect flight operations as normal flight operations continue unhindered. “The Authority will like to appeal to host communities around airports to please desist from burning bushes around the airports as this act…

Makinde swears-in five new permanent secretaries Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday swore-in another set of five Permanent Secretaries in the Civil Service of Oyo State, taking to 19 the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed since he assumed office in May 2019. The Governor, who called on the new permanent secretaries to see their appointments as a call to service, maintained that the appointments were based on merit and qualification. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the swearing-in ceremony was held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s…

Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, says Federal Government is committed to ensuring food security and price stability in the country. Mu’azu said this on Monday while inspecting 25,000 metric tonnes capacity Grains Reserve in Dutsinma Katsina State. Mu’azu, at the reserve which has 10 silos of 2,500 capacity each, said the government was committed to functional grains reserves because they were critical to price stability, food security and response to emergencies. He added that the government was committed to ensuring that the 33 strategic grains reserves across the country were in good condition and…

As Nigerians join the rest of the world to mark the 2020 Internet Safety Day, Mrs Seember Nyager, Policy and Government Relations Manager, Google, on Tuesday commended the Federal Government for introducing online safety in schools’ curriculum. Nyager was speaking in Abuja at the launch of the ‘Be Internet Awesome’ in commemoration of the day. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Be Internet Awesome’ is a flagship programme of Google in collaboration with Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) designed to bring the internet safer to children and parents. She said that Google had taken a giant step…