Category: Featured

Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed, Emir of Anka in Zamfara, has cautioned low income earners against marrying more than one wife.

Ahmed, who gave the warning on Sunday in Anka, said that multiple marriages was worsening the economic situation of the poor and making them even poorer.

He spoke during the distribution of some women empowerment items donated by Hajia Aisha Bello-Matawalle, wife of the state governor.

The items were distributed to women from Anka, Bakura, Bukuyyum, Gummi, Maradun and Talata-Mafara local governments areas in Zamfara West Senatorial District.

“Civil servants on a salary of N15,000 a month marry more than one wife and end up raising families they cannot catter for.

“It is this attitude that is responsible for increasing out-of-school children because the parents cannot shoulder the responsibility.

“People should marry in accordance with their earnings to ensure that their children have sound education and good moral background,” he counseled.

The emir advised beneficiaries of the gesture to make good use of their packages in order to be economically-self reliant and support their families.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that various speakers, in their remarks at the occasion, commended the governor’s wife for the gesture and expressed optimism that it would aid the war against poverty and improve living standards in the rural settlements.

They also urged people to plan their lives in accordance with their means. (NAN)

Lottery is considered as a voluntary tax proceeds from various chance-based entertainment activities and has been globally recognized as an important revenue source to governments.

It has funded national defense budgets, infrastructure, and public welfare programs.

In Nigeria, harnessing lottery potentials for Nigerians is the core mandate of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

Established by the National Lottery Act 2005, the Commission is responsible for regulating the business and operations of lottery in Nigeria to ensure transparency in the industry and maximize statutory remittances for good causes.

One of the cardinal responsibilities of the Commission is to ensure accountable collection of statutory remittances intended to fund good causes, especially public welfare projects intended to uplift the socio-economic conditions of citizens.

Such programmes whose funding is enabled by the commission result in stimulation of economic activity while promote national development.

However, over the years, misconceptions abound as to the mandate of the commission and the disparity between lottery and consumer sales promotions.

Such misconceptions have marred the effectiveness of the Commission in this area.

Opponents argue that consumer sales promotions are not lottery. They claim that consumer sales promotions are essential marketing tools used to promote goods and services as well as reward customer loyalty.

But these opponents fail to play up the fact that these consumer promotions are basically ‘contests among consumers to win prizes or other valued-benefits’.

These arguments and misconceptions have giving rise to revenue leakages resulting from the non-collection of statutory remittances of lottery revenue generated by lottery-based consumer promotions.

This also highlights the challenge of effective sensitization which the commission must strive to surmount

Unarguably, businesses always push to increase sales through promotions while consumers are attracted to free goods and services. However, the greater societal interest as embodied in the National Lottery Act must prevail and be protected.

In a symposium titled ‘Raising Standards’ organised by Commission and moderated by Barr. OJ Odunna, the Deputy-Director (Legal), the issue of revenue leakages dominated the front burner.

Odunna held that the massive revenue leakages accessioned by resistance by operators of lottery-based consumer sales promotions to the collection of statutory remittances due to government from their operations.

“People may not be aware that lottery includes consumer sales promotions where these promos use chance or other devices, such as lucky dip to randomly select winners of promoted prizes or services.

“This is lottery as far as the National Lottery Regulatory Commission is concerned.”

“We are responsible for ensuring compliance with the national lottery Act 2005 and the regulations made therein.

“Our job is to ensure that the lottery industry is secure and free from illegal or fraudulent lottery activities,” he said.

To ensure compliance, the commissions has shut down a number of operators, including those who operated in defiance of the Federal law, hiding under the cloak of state laws.

With the new trend of sports betting that has gained a lot of popularity, the Commission also takes its responsibility further to ensure that underage children do not participate.

Though a major revenue source for the commission, the importance of regulation must not be neglected, Odunna held.

“Sports betting is attractive it is a booming business in the country because of our passion for sports. However, the activity needs to be regulated.

“Underage betting should be strictly prohibited and any operator engaged in such activity need to be sanctioned. We don’t encourage underage persons to engage in any lottery activity.

“Proceeds from lottery go back to the society to fund sports equipment, hospital equipment and other social causes,”.

He maintained that lottery in any party of the world is used to fund good causes, adding that lottery in itself is a good thing.

He noted however that when abused or when participants are taken advantage of, then lottery becomes bad.

“We are pushing forward new policies to hold operators accountable, help the public understand who we are and what we do, cover the fields to the extent that we reach all those in our industry.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has described Akwa Ibom State as one of the top investment hubs in the country.

Osinbajo made the declaration during the inauguration of Kings Flour Mill at Onna as part of programs to mark the 32nd anniversary of the State’s creation.

The Vice President observed that in September 2017 he was in the state to commission the Jubilee Syringe factory, Metering Solution plant and some upgraded health facilities, noting that it was laudable that in 2019 he is back to commission more projects.

He congratulated Gov. Udom Emmanul and the people of Akwa Ibom State on the anniversary and the congenial atmosphere provided for business to thrive.

“Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, is working relentlessly to attract sustainable investments to boost the Industrialization drive of the Federal Government.

“This will create employment and generate wealth for the state and country. I appreciate the investors for the choice of Akwa Ibom State for their investment and I’m optimistic that the youths will seize these opportunities to acquire skills that would enhance self reliance” he said.

Earlier, Gov. Emmanuel said that the factory produces 500 metric tones of flour daily.

He disclosed that Kings flour mill is one of the best flour millers in Europe, while applauding the investors for hearkening to the appeal to come and invest in the state.

Governor Emmanuel thanked the Vice President for rising above bias and redefining what politics is and not propaganda.

“My administration is committed to make governance touch the grassroots. My focus is anchored on development and industrialization and I urge investors to come to Akwa Ibom and invest.

In a related development, the Vice President also flagged off the digitized Power Substation at Ekim, Mkpat Enin LGA, which marks the actualization of the power plan for all before 2021.

The power substation is part of the government’s poise to ensure that every home has electricity supply.

The power station will provide electricity to as many as 10,000 small and medium scale enterprises thereby stimulate growth in the State economy.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who gave a brief report on the emergence of the Kings flour mill, congratulated the governor for the initiative to attract investments.

The thirteenth Live Show might be missing an Eviction but it sure unveiled an Ultimate Housemate – Frodd.

All through the week, the Housemates were left clueless not knowing how much power the Ultimate Veto Holder gets to possess. To be fair, they all gave their guesses when Biggie asked them to let him know what the holder of this power can do. Did they guess right though?

Just before Ebuka made his announcement on the fake Eviction, Biggie summoned the Pepper Dem Gang into the Arena, alongside their selected Veto Power pictures and of course, the Red Box. We could feel the tension in the air as Biggie told them this. Cindy couldn’t even hide the panic in her eyes and neither, could we. Who’ll have this power? There’s only one way to find out.

As this week’s Head of House, Biggie told Elozonam to open the Red Box.

Congratulations are in order for Frodd, as he emerged as this Season’s Ultimate Veto Power Holder. He may have missed the opportunity to buy Immunity but his luck game got stronger, as he got the Ultimate Veto Power.

Frodd has the power to Nominate five Housemates for Eviction. Shhh, the Housemates don’t know yet. All five of them will be known tomorrow night at the Nomination show.

You wouldn’t want to miss that, so stay tuned to find out what happens next.

With the announcement of the Ultimate Veto Power Holder, the game just got tighter. It’s going to be a tough pill for the Housemates to swallow when they get to know the power he wields. How will they take it?

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad I, the Emir of Lafia, has called for the official recognition of Pidgin English as a language in the country and for unifying Nigerians.

Muhammad, a retired Supreme Court Justice disclosed this at the 35th Annual National Conference of English Scholars’ Association of Nigeria (ESAN) in collaboration with Department of Languages National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Abuja.

He said it was time to appreciate Pidgin English especially as it had enabled Nigerians communicate in time of difficulty as presently witnessed in the country.

“Pigeon English has done very well because it has become a medium of communication in this country.

“This has helped a lot of Nigerian who do not have a great command of English language opportunity to communicate with people at our level, and it has kept this country together.

“I did say when we were having conference at the Court of Appeal to decide on some pertinent question that there is the need for pigeon English to be given some recognition in this country,” Muhammad said.

According to Muhammad, even the Court of Appeal recognizes that Pidgin English can stand the place of English and as such its statements can be admissible in evidence.

He said: “There was this argument in the past whether a statement made in Pidgin English can be admissible in law; it was subjected to a lot of interpretations and it started from the level of the High Court and met us at the Court of Appeal.

“The decision of the High Court is that Pidgin English is not English and as such that statement cannot on its own stand the test of a statement; it has either to be interpreted in English which was what the court said it must be subjected to but that it will require some degree of corroboration.

“It came to us at the Court of Appeal and we sat at the panel to decide. Our decision at the court of Appeal was that Pidgin English is English, and we said that what is important is that it has communicated exactly what the owner of the statement intended to convey.

“Again, we said that the audience it was intended for fully understood it, so Pidgin English can stand the place of English and such statement can be admissible in evidence.

“We thought that the parties affected will appeal to the Supreme Court since it was of a national importance so that it can become a law and not be subjected to another form of interpretation next time, but they didn’t go to Supreme Court.”

Prof. Amina Bashir, who delivered the keynote speech with the theme “Language, Literature, National Integration and Sustainable Development”, said that the development of any ideal nation depends on the people and their inclination to develop themselves and their nations.

Bashir, from Federal University of Dutse, said the development can be achieved through the medium of language which is not only an end but a means of attaining national integration and sustainable development.

“Language serves a mediating function; literature embodies a whole body of imagination, development, societal integration, history and common artifacts. All these identify individual as belonging to a particular groups sharing wide range of cultural identities.

“Literature therefore, mirrors the language, culture, national integration of the people, objective representation of creative writers and the objective reality of life.

“Nigerian literature as seen by Chidi Amuta (2005) is a super manifestation of process, the process of creation of ideas and values within the limits prescribed by the social essence of language.

“Language and literature in the face of sustainability and development are mutually inclusive. Literature is the total reflection of our imagination through linguistic mediated process,” she said.

Bashir noted that language just like literature cannot exist in an empty space and that they were inseparable.

She further noted that literature used language in artistic form to mirror life, projecting for the future of our resources (oil, Uranium, Gold, Silver, Diamond etc), education, integration with the outside world, economy and so on.

Prof. Abdalla Adamu, Vice Chancellor of NOUN had earlier said that the general theme of the conference – “English language and literature for national integration and sustainable development” came at the right time giving the situation of things in the country.

Adamu who was represented by Joy Eyisi, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, described language as a source of national integration and sustainable development.

“We are for national integration, we are for sustainable development and to achieve this aim, language is at the centre.

“This language, in the right scheme of things is English considering the multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual status of Nigeria.

“It is our official language, the language of politics and administration; it is the language of the law court, the language of the media, and the language of the national and international communication.

“It is the language of text books, the language of instruction in our schools, the language for educational advancement and prestigious employment.

“It is the language that serves as barometer with which we measure the quantity and quality of education possessed by a speaker.

“Above all, English language is the language that serves as a vital link that unites all of us together as one Nigeria,” Eyisi said.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Peace Corps of Nigeria has Commemorated the United Nations International Day of Peace with a Marathon race composed by the FCT order of the corp.

The Marathon held in Abuja, highlighted 193 Sports people who took an interest in a six kilometer open long distance race.

The race commenced at 7a.m. from Banex Plaza zone of Abuja and ended at the peace corp office in Gwarinpa Abuja.

There were prizes for members who have risen triumphant with Mr Fenu Ismaila, 23 years of age developing first position, securing a money prize of N100,000.

The second in line, Mr Utsafa Friday got N50,000 while the third in line Jacob Jere got N25,000.

Talking after the occasion, the champ Mr Ismaila praised the peace corp for arranging the long distance race and said thanks to God for overseeing him to the First position.

For the coordinators of the vent who were exceptionally intrigued with the investment of five youthful Nigerians, including an 8 year old Miss Chioma Onuoha, the pledged a one term school expenses to help the children.

National commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria Ambassador Dickson Akoh swore to pay or discount an entire term school expenses of the five high school members to their parent.

Akoh said that the corp has been Commemorating the UN peace day since 2012 however chose to zest up the 2019 occasion with the long distance race.

Dr Edet Ekpenyong FCT Commandant of the corp and furthermore the Chairman of the Marathon race arranging Committee unveiled that their was a cost for the initial 30 people to finish the race.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Saturday portrayed its Girls Education Project, Phase 3 (GEP3), being executed in Bauchi, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states as a colossal achievement.

UNICEF Chief of Education, Euphrates Wose, told newsmen, in Birnin Kebbi that the GEP3 was intended to get more young ladies in the profiting states to finish fundamental training.

Wose included that the venture, being executed by UNICEF with financing from DFID, was additionally intended to expand parental interest for, and backing to, young girls’ training.

She clarified that the undertaking started a money move, a motivator given to moms to deal with the expense of outfits, books and other school needs, which she said ended up being a distinct advantage.

Wose said that Sokoto State had made budgetary arrangements to support the activity, including that UNICEF was working with Kebbi to do same to continue the advancement of female youngster training.

Wose included that the venture, being executed by UNICEF with subsidizing from DFID, was additionally intended to build parental interest for, and backing to, young ladies’ instruction.

“So far, the project has done some fantastic things to the girl-child and in the education sector of the benefiting states.

“It has created the needed awareness on the importance of education, particularly for the girls, as we have continued to have more and more girls being enrolled in schools.

“Parents have now realised that while religious education is important, children, particularly the girl-child, need other skills to be able to engage beyond the world of their immediate communities.

“In terms of stakeholders’ engagement, the project has galvanised traditional leaders in the states, who are promoting education, with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, leading that initiative.

“Sanusi has been very vocal in promoting education, particularly for the girl-child. He has been mobilising and sensitising communities to embrace education.”

She included that at the network level, the program had reinforced School-Base Management Committees to take proprietorship and add to the advancement of schools.

Wose said that the young girls had been engaged with the information and voice to have the option to ensure their space when in conflict, and to help their fellow girls in trouble.

She said that the mindfulness, voice and investment inside their spaces, had turned into a reality through the GEP3 venture.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Senior Pastor and Founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, has said that he will not be interfacing with Mrs Busola Dakolo in the law court over the claim of assault leveled against him.

It would be reviewed that Mrs Busola Dakolo, spouse of Nigeria’s moving vocalist Timi Dakolo had hauled Fatoyinbo, to court over her assault claims.

A FCT High Court requested the Pastor to show up before it inside 14 days of the administration or judgment might be given in his nonappearance.

Be that as it may, the Pastor through his attorney Mr Alex Izinyon, SAN, in a starter complaint dated Sept. 20, said the case was documented out of time.

“The claimant’s suit is statute-barred therefore this Honourable Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain same; the suit is frivolous and a palpable abuse of court process.

“The suit has no cause of action for this Honourable Court to adjudicate upon; the reliefs sought in this instant suit cannot be granted, therefore this suit is incompetent,” Fatoyinbo said.

He accordingly requested to be granted the expense of N50 million against Busola and her solicitor, while mentioning the court reject the suit for maltreatment of legal procedure.

In the interim, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, lead counsel to Dakolo, when reached to respond on the fundamental protest documented by Fatoyinbo, he declined remark on the issue however said the COZA Pastor should meet them in court.

Then again, Busola Dakolo is looking for the request for the court to propel Fatoyinbo to distribute an obviously worded conciliatory sentiment to her on the first page of at any rate two (2) National Newspapers and two National Televisions for seven days running successively.

She had two months prior made a stunning disclosure in a face by face meeting with Chude Jideonwo, a legal counselor and writer of how the Abuja-based minister assaulted her as a young person.

She asserted that Fatoyinbo had sex with her on Sept. 23 and 26, 2002 made her consistent passionate misery and sum deliberate punishment of enthusiastic trouble.

The viral video report had set web based life and other online stages ablaze, bringing out stun, backfire and reactions from Nigerians, particularly the Christian people group.

Minister Fatoyinbo was confined during cross examination over the assault charge at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in August, however was later discharged on bail.

Fatoyinbo had likewise boycotted the board set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to research the assault charge against him, guaranteeing that he was prompted by his legal advisors not to show up.