The Federal Government has hastened Ministries, Departments and Agencies to reflate the nation’s economy by fast-tracking the release of their capital budgets. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who spoke to news men shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday said: “The focus of our deliberation today at the FEC was a review of the economy which we do from time to time. “On a quarterly basis, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning briefs the cabinet about the economy and the steps that we need to take. “Council approved that the various MDAs should fast-track the processes for release of their capital budget so that the economy can be quickly reflated.” According to Udoma, the administration’s promise to release N350 billion into the economy was undergoing some process, adding that while it was easy to release for ongoing projects, new ones would pass through procurement laws. “The N350 billion indicated is available but there is a process and this is part of the reasons we briefed council. “There is need to fast-track those processes so that most of those monies will be released very soon.” Udoma said that the administration expected that the Ministry of Works should make quite substantial release in the next week or so, saying that the release would be easier for existing projects “but new projects are a bit more difficult because of the public procurement”, adding that the impact of the release would be felt soon. He said that the administration would from time to time announce various amounts released to the economy. [myad]
Nigeria’s former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has spoken from Germany where he has been in the last few weeks, saying that he is not dead. Babangida, who spoke on a Television Continental programme on Wednesday, said he would soon return home. The Lagos-based television programme, Journalists Hangout, was quoted by online medium, African Examiner, as where Babangida called in to dispel the rumour of his death. He told TVC crew: “I am alive.” His Personal Assistant, Captain Jalingo, said that Babangida is expected in Nigeria on Sunday, adding: “the General is alive. He is supposed to be back today (Wednesday), but he did not come. “General Babangida is alive. Insha Allah, he will be back on Sunday. “If IBB comes back, there would be a press briefing that same day or the following day. “He will address the media.” [myad]
The Federal government has announced a take-off in the recruitment of 500,000 unemployed graduates who would benefit from the N500 billion social investment Programme of the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led federal government.
A statement from the Office of the Vice President by his media aide, Laolu Akande said that the Buhari presidency will start taking applications via online for positions in the 500,000 direct teacher jobs scheme, through an internet portal named npower.gov.ng.
It said that applications are expected to start coming in on June 12, as the portal would formally be launched on Saturday, June 11.
The statement therefore asked young unemployed Nigerians to visit the website and apply, adding: “it would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in his May 29th Democracy Day broadcast to the nation formally launched the unprecedented social investment programmes already provided for under the 2016 Appropriation by the administration.
“The 500,000 Teacher Corps, nicknamed N-Power, Teach on the portal, is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes Nigerians can start applying for from Sunday, June 12.
“Others are N-Power Knowledge which will train 25,000 Nigerians in the area of technology, and N-Power Build, which train another 75,000 in the areas of building services, construction, utilities, hospitality and catering, automotive vocations, aluminum and gas services.
“All trainees would be paid for the duration of their training. The N-Power Teacher Corps initiative which will engage and train 500,000 young unemployed graduates is a paid volunteer programme of a 2-year duration.
“Unemployed Nigerians selected and trained will play teaching, instructional, and advisory roles in primary, and secondary schools, agricultural extension systems across the country, public health and community education-covering civic and adult education.
“Besides their monthly take home pay estimated at about N23,000, the selected 500,000 graduates will also get computer devices that will contain information necessary for their specific engagement, as well as information for their continuous training and development.
“They get to keep the devices even after exiting from the programme. According to the plan of the Buhari administration, the N-Power Teacher Corps programme is an invaluable opportunity for young Nigerians to make immense economic and social contributions to the nation while developing their skills. It will also help to address the problems of inadequate teachers in public schools.” [myad]
Hillary Clinton, wife of former American president, Bill Clinton, is the 2016 has picked the Democratic Party’s Presidential ticket as its ‘presumptive Presidential candidate.’
Hillary had earlier on Wednesday, given a speech to accept that declaration.
“Her historic campaign inspired millions and is an extension of her lifelong fight for middle-class families and children,” a statement said.
Reaching the highest point yet in a tumultuous and trailblazing political career, Clinton claimed victory exactly eight years after folding her 2008 Democratic primary campaign against Barack Obama.
“Thanks to you, we’ve reached a milestone,” she said during a speech in Brooklyn.
“Tonight’s victory is not about one person. It belongs to generations of women and men who struggled and sacrificed and made this moment possible.” [myad]
Nigeria’s first national Home Grown School Feeding programme which would lead to the feeding of about 5.5m Nigerians in the first year of its operation would be rolling out soon in several states. The programme, when fully realized, will provide a nutritious hot meal a day to over 24 million primary school children.
The programme is expected to be given a final push on Thursday by stakeholders who will hold a Forum in Aso Rock. The Forum will be addressed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
At the Forum, the federal and state governments will review the Strategic Plan for the rollout of the scheme which is part of the N500B Social Investment plans of the Buhari presidency.
A statement by the spokes man of the Vice President, Laolu Akande said that the strategic plans will run until 2020 and will form the cornerstone of the nationwide Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme.
the programmes, according to Akande, would provide free school meals procured from local farmers and will be a ‘win-win-win’ for children, farmers and communities alike.
“Children benefit from hot nutritionally balanced school meals which reduce hunger and improve education outcomes; farmers benefit from improved access to school feeding markets and communities benefit from new catering, processing and food handling jobs.
“According to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, not only will the Home Grown School Feeding programme help our pupils become better students, it will also boost the local economies, and create new jobs along the way.”
The statement said that in order to achieve national coverage, the federal government is working in partnership with states and local communities for the successful implementation of the HGSF programme.
It said that also to support the process, the federal government is working with key technical partners to capitalize upon global experience and adopt best practices. One such partner is the UK’s Imperial College, London’s Partnership for Child Development (PCD) which is providing technical assistance to the Presidency.
“The forum will have in attendance Governors of Borno, Oyo, Osun, Enugu and Kaduna, and other government representatives and stakeholders from all 36 Nigerian States as well as developmental partners. The forum which is also an advocacy event will provide the opportunity for state teams and their partners to model their school feeding plans within the national HGSF framework.
“Besides the strategic plan, the Vice President will also launch the ‘Global School Feeding Sourcebook: Lessons from 14 countries’, a joint Partnership for Child Development, the World Bank and World Food Programme analysis of national school feeding programmes from across the globe.” [myad]
The Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has promised that the former Eagles Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, would be immortalized.
“I will formally inform the government of the death of this great Nigerian, and I want to assure Nigerians that government will seek ways to immortalize him. I join millions of soccer followers across the world to mourn this illustrious son of Nigeria, Africa and the world.
The minister prayed for the repose of his soul and that the family, especially the children he left behind will find the strength to bear this devastating loss. “Keshi during his life time was an embodiment of all that was good about Nigerian Football. Having played the game from the grass roots, where he featured prominently at the prestigious Lagos Principal’s Cup that launched his playing career into national limelight at a very tender age, he had a long career with the Super Eagles, that saw him record well over 64 appearances from 1981-1995.” this was even as President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday that Nigerian football would no longer remain the same with the death of Stephen Keshi.
In a post on his official Twitter handle, @NGRPresident, President Buhari said that Keshi gave his country his all, saying: “May his soul rest in peace.”
Buhari said that that with Keshi’s death, Nigeria had lost a great sportsman, football player and coach as well as a citizen.
“Nigeria today lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and citizen.
“President Buhari commiserates with the family of the late Stephen Keshi, and with the entire country, on his untimely passing.
“Nigerian football will not be the same without Stephen Keshi. He gave this country his all. May his soul rest in peace.” [myad]
The Nigerian Navy has announced the arrest of the coordinator of the Niger Delta Avengers who have carried out series of attacks on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron oil and gas facilities in Delta. The Commander of the NNS in Niger Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, told news men at the Warri Naval Base that the suspect was apprehended on June 2. Mohammed, who presented the suspect alongside others allegedly involved in the act of vandalism and criminal activities in the maritime sector, described the arrest as a major breakthrough. He, however, said the identity of the suspect would not be disclosed now. “I am pleased to announce that after several weeks of persistent effort the Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested the main coordinator of attacks on NNPC and Chevron oil and gas facilities. “The attacks were the bombing we witnessed since May 4 with the attack on Chevron Okan valve platform offshore in Escravos in Warri South-West. “We have recovered some Impoverished Explosive Devices (IED) for blowing up and vandalizing pipelines. “We have decided not to give out the name of the suspect because he is helping us with useful information that could lead to the arrest of others,’’ Mohammed said. The Commander said the suspect was deeply involved in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, saying that his arrest came after several weeks of trailing and arrest of some of his foot-soldiers. “The suspect has stolen crude oil from about 35 abandoned oil well heads and crude oil pipelines in Okpoko and Obodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area,’’ he said. Mohammed also said that the navy had apprehended another suspect identified as Michael John, who allegedly murdered three soldiers in Jones creek and one soldier and a policeman in Batan community. “The suspect has confessed to the crime.” The commander also said that another suspect was being quizzed for alleged involvement in the June 3 attack on the 48 inches crude oil pipeline in Forcados oil terminal. The crude oil pipeline is operated by Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC) at Ogulagha in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta. He said that the suspect had provided useful information that would facilitate the arrest of the other culprits by the Command. While commending the Delta Government for its cooperation, Mohammed assured that the navy would continue to protect the nation’s territorial waterways. Items recovered from the suspects included rolls of cables, two car batteries, three Shovels, Hammers, Saw, suspected dynamites, cutlass, among others. [myad]
Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is dead. He died in the early hours of today, Wednesday, June 8, at the age of 54, about six months after his wife died of Cancer, at the age of 35.
In a statement, family spokesman, Emmanuel Ado confirmed that Keshi died of cardiac arrest, saying: “with thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, announces the death of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi.
“Our son, brother, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem ), Mrs. Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th December 2015.
“Since her death, Keshi has been in mourning. He came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday, before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He has found rest.
“Though deeply mourning the shock exit, Mr. Ado said the family remained grateful to God for the life spent by the Big Boss.”
Keshi, who was Nigerian football defender, was born on January 23, 1962. He was one of only two people, along with Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohry, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
After a playing career mostly with Belgian clubs, Keshi went to the United States to be educated in coaching.
In 1996 he was joined by Augustine Eguavoen, who once coached the Nigerian national team. They played together in California as the backbone of the defence for the short-lived Sacramento Scorpions. Keshi has been a part of the coaching staff for the Nigerian national team, most notably as head coach for the Junior Eagles at the 2001 African Youth Championship which also served as qualification for the 2000 FIFA World Youth Champion, without success.
Between 2004 and 2006 Keshi coached the Togo national football team, surprisingly bringing them to their first World Cup tournament, German 2006. Having secured Togo’s unlikely qualification, he was promptly replaced by German coach Otto Pfister prior to the World Cup finals, after Togo showed a dismal performance and failed to advance to the knock-out stage in 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
However, Pfister did not last beyond a controversial World Cup campaign that nearly resulted in a player’s strike over pay and Togo remained without a manager until February 2007 when they re-engaged Keshi in time for a friendly against Cameroon.
He worked as manager of the Mali national football team, after being appointed in April 2008 on a two-year deal. Keshi was sacked in January 2010, after Mali’s early exit in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Keshi became coach of the Nigerian National Team in 2011. He led Nigeria to qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations, which they went on to win, defeating Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final. The following day Keshi handed in his resignation, only to reverse his decision the day after. Keshi led Nigeria to the 2015 Confederations Cup, defeated Tahiti 6–1, and lost 1–2 to Uruguay in the second game, and also lost 0–3 to World Cup winners, Spain in their final group game.
On 16 November 2013, Keshi’s Nigeria secured qualification to the 2014 World Cup by beating Ethiopia 4–1 on aggregate in a play-off.
On 18 November 2013, Stephen keshi set a record in African football by being the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup Finals. He also helped Nigeria become the first country to achieve an African Cup of Nations trophy and World Cup qualification, both in 2013.
On 25 June 2014, Keshi’s Nigeria progressed to the knockout stage of 2014 World Cup. They started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Iran, followed by a controversial 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They lost the final group stage match 2-3 against Argentina, but progressed to the knockout stage, courtesy of a 3-1 win by Bosnia Herzegovina over Iran.
On 30 June 2014, the Super Eagles lost to France in a 2014 World Cup Round of 16 match. After the match, Keshi announced his resignation as Super Eagles coach but later reversed the decision after the Nigerian Football Federation renewed his contract.
On 14 October 2014, his team failed to win a single game in the ongoing Morocco 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying series and he announced he would move to another job if pressure continues to mount because of certain people, whom he refused to name, were trying to “sabotage” him. However, he stated that he will continue to coach the Super Eagles because he loves the team and he loves his country.
In July 2015, following Nigeria’s exit from the World Cup, Keshi’s contract with the Nigerian Football Federation expired and was not renewed.[13] A statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee said the decision was made, having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inaction of Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ Head Coach, which NFF found to lack the required commitment to achieve the Federation’s objectives as set out in the Coach’s employment contract.
Keshi was married to his wife Kate (née Abureme) for 33 years. She died on 10 December 2015, after battling cancer for three years. They had four children.
Honours
Club, New Nigeria Bank FC
West African Club Championship (2): 1983, 1984
Stande d’Abidjan
Coupe Houphoet Boigny (2): 1985, 1986
Africa Sports
Côte d’Ivoire Premier Division (1): 1986
Côte d’Ivoire Coupe (1): 1986
Anderlecht
Belgian Cup (2): 1988, 1989
Jupiler League (1): 1991
International
Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations (1): 1994
Manager
International
Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations (1): 2013
Confedrations of African Football – African Coach of the Year 2013. [myad]
Bayelsa State is said to be owing medical doctors in the state five month salaries even as the doctors are threatening to withdraw health services in public hospitals. The state Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Israel Jeremiah, who made this known at a news conference in Yenagoa, gave the mandatory 21 days notice to the Bayelsa State Government. The strike notice, dated June 6, was for the three affiliates of the NMA in the state. The NMA said that the non-payment of salary in Bayelsa State since January 2016 has taken a negative toll on the health sector as residents could no longer afford to seek medical attention and compelled to either patronize quacks or resort to self medication. Jeremiah listed the affiliates as the Association of Resident Doctors in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri; the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria; and the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners. He noted that the worst affected were the House Officers who were the most vulnerable in the medical profession could no longer meet their obligations and faced untold hardship. Jeremiah said: “In spite the untold hardship occasioned by this non-payment of salaries for five months now, our members have kept faith with our Hippocratic Oath and continued to render services and ensured that Bayelsa people get the needed healthcare. “The continued non-payment of salary has adversely affected healthcare delivery in the state. “Hospital attendance has markedly reduced; patients can no longer procure drugs, pay for tests, settle bills on discharge and in the worst case scenario, opt to die at home.” The NMA noted that the association was not part of the agreement that the Bayelsa State Government reached with organized labour to pay workers in the state 50 per cent salary pending the improvement of the state’s revenue. The association maintained that it will insist of full payment of their members’ salary as it was excluded from the meetings where the agreement to accept 50 per cent salary was reached and therefore cannot be bound by the agreement. Jeremiah said: “We dissociate ourselves completely from the purported agreement between NLC/TUC and Bayelsa government where a payment of 50 per cent monthly salaries among other agreements were said to have been reached. “We insist on full payment of our salaries 100 per cent in full.” The association noted that if the outstanding salaries were not paid before the expiration of the strike notice, which will lapse on June 27, 2016, all affiliates of NMA will be compelled to go on indefinite strike and full withdrawal of medical services. They urged well-meaning people of Bayelsa State, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Royal fathers, opinion leaders and statesmen to intervene to avert the looming strike and its disastrous consequences. [myad]
No fewer than 32 political groups have applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be registered as political parties. INEC officials said that more of such groups are still applying but that “so far, we have received 32 applications. The applications are being processed.” Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, who spoke on Tuesday at the second quarterly consultative meeting with the Chairmen and Secretaries of registered Political Parties, at the Commission’s headquarters assured political parties: “the Commission remains committed to the opening of the democratic space in line with the law and our guidelines.” He said that the meeting was a forum for the Commission to brief party leaders on developments in the management of the democratic system. He addressed the recent revelations of alleged involvement of INEC staff in the subversion of 2015 general elections through cash inducement. “INEC will also take further administrative action against staff found culpable in this dastardly conduct. We will not hesitate to interdict staff where prima facie cases have been established against them by EFCC and immediately terminate the appointments of those indicted.” Professor Yakubu said that despite the severe constraints on the Commission with regard to the prosecution of election offenders, as exemplified by the recently held bye-election in Minjibir Constituency in Kano State. “INEC legal team and the Police have successfully secured the conviction of 42 suspects. This is the highest number of convictions in a single case ever achieved by the Commission.” On the outstanding re-run elections, the INEC Chairman explained that out of 80 court ordered re-run elections, the Commission had successfully conducted 49 and has 31 elections pending as well as one bye election. They are: one election in Anambra, four in Imo, one bye-election in Kano, three in Kogi, one in Plateau and 22 in Rivers. He maintained that except for Anambra and Plateau re-run elections which are sub-judice, we have started the processes of consultation leading to the completion of the outstanding elections. Professor Yakubu welcomed suggestions and inputs from the political parties on areas of constitutional and legal amendments. “We welcome suggestions by political parties on areas of amendment you consider important for inclusion in the comprehensive proposal we intend to submit to the National Assembly.” [myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
The Federal Government has hastened Ministries, Departments and Agencies to reflate the nation’s economy by fast-tracking the release of their capital budgets.
