JACK OF ALL TRADES

Goods said to be worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire incident that occurred at a popular commercial centre at the post office area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday. The fire also gutted an office of the Akure South Local Government Area inside the centre. The market shared boundary with the palace of the Deji of Akure. Although no life was lost in the incident, it was gathered that many of the traders collapsed when they saw the damage caused by the fire. An eyewitness, who declined identification, said the fire gutted no fewer than 100 lock-up shops which were filled with stationery, photocopy machines and computer accessories, among others. Another eyewitness said the fire started about 1am, adding that its cause had yet to be known. He said, “When the fire started in the middle of the night, we put a distress call to the men of the Ondo State Fire Service, but they said there was no vehicle. However, the men of the fire service unit at the Nig...

PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge Application 2016 Commences.   Apply for PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge Competition PZ Cussons in conjunction with Carex invites application from Nigerian secondary school students for the 4th edition of the Chemistry Challenge competition. The primary objective of the competition is to stimulate and inspire the learning of Chemistry amongst students and raise their IQ. It is also to demonstrate the relevance and role of chemistry in our society. The PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge Competition: This year’s competition comes in four stages; Stage 1 (All Participants): The First stage shall be a written quiz and all screened candidates shall participate at this stage. Stage 2: The Second stage shall be a written quiz for the best 100 students from stage 1. Stage 3: Practical for the best 24 from stage 2. Final Stage (4): This year’s final stage will have 6 finalists and 4 final awards. Only the best six from the third stage shall qua...

Lagos State Employment Trust Fund is opening the #LSETFPilotScheme to the public. Get up to N5million for your business. This opportunity is open to SMEs and Micro-Enterprises. A)  Guidelines for Accessing The Micro-Enterprise Fund Maximum Loan – N500,000.00 Interest Rate - 5% per annum Term - 12months The guidelines for the selection are; 1.Target Fund Beneficiary: The applicant’s business must be the main source of livelihood 2.Market: The applicant must also demonstrate existence of a verifiable and economically stable market for goods and services 3.Turnover: The business must have a minimum turnover of N20, 000.00 monthly. In cases where applicant is unbanked, turnover can be estimated using price of applicant’s service and walk in or buying rate 4.Operations: The business should have been operational for at least one year otherwise the applicant should have a certification in a trade and reference from the certifying body 5.KYC: The person must hav...

The Nigerian Police Force has released Recruitment List of Successful Candidates. Nigeria Police recruitment list of successful candidates for appointment into the force has been published. The Police Service Commission (PSC) has released the list of candidates in the 2016 recruitment exercise appointed into the Nigeria Police Force. Candidates who participated in the last zonal screening exercise are advice to check their names by following the procedure below; Visit the PSC websites on: http://psc.gov.ng/join-the-nigeria-police-force.html Click on the various Cadres to view the list. The commencemnt dates and venues of the training would be communicated to successful candidates soon. Congratulations to the successful cadets... Mother's Joy Academy Team

The recent outbreak of violence among secondary school students in Oyo town to protest their massive failure after the government decision to raise the standard of education reached its climax today when some students of the Isale-Oyo Community Grammar School, Oyo allegedly set some of their school buildings ablaze. The incident occurred early this morning after the concerned and aggrieved students mobilized some other colleagues and proceeded to the school compound to perpetrate these acts. It took the timely intervention of the men of the Fire Service before the fire was quenched. As at the time of filing this report, Security operatives have been informed but the culprits were yet to be apprehended. The school compound appeared deserted as teachers and students have fled the area for fear of being harmed. Some of the culprits were also seen with dangerous weapons and charms, threatening lives and damaging properties. On Monday, we reported how some students of Anglican Secondary ...

Federal Government To Employ 200,000 Graduates In October through N-Power Programme. By Ebitonye Akpodigha The Federal Government has announced on Tuesday that the implementation of its Social Investment Programmes would commence before the end of this month. This, according to a statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, is in fulfilment of the government’s campaign promises. Mr Akande noted that the Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, confirmed that implementation plans for the effective commencement of a number of the Social Investment programmes of the Buhari presidency has reached advanced stages as the selection of the first 200,000 unemployed graduates to get jobs is now being completed. According to the statement, Mr Osinbajo made this known while fielding questions in an interview with a small group of radio journalists and producers at the Presidential Villa. “We expect that before th...

Massive Corruption Reponsible For Boko Haram Ravage, Osinbajo Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, says massive corruption that existed in the Armed Forces over the years is the major reason the Boko Haram insurgents ravaged the northeast with ease over the years. The Vice President made the observation on Thursday at the convocation ceremony for cadets of 63 Regular Course and Postgraduate students of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna state. He noted that Boko Haram terrorists gained more grounds in the region over a long period due to the failure of the previous administration to provide the needed equipment, supplies and welfare for the fighting troops in theatre of operations. Professor Osinbajo explained that the successes recorded by the Nigerian military against Boko Haram insurgents is as a result of the present administration’s determination to rid the military institutions of corruption. He, however, applauded the Nigerian Defence Aca...

Why Buhari Will Keep Dasuki In Detention. Why is former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki still in detention despite court orders that he should be released? Dasuki, NSA in the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, is standing trial for embezzlement of over $15 billion fund meant for equipment and other logistics to fight Boko Haram, the insurgent group troubling the Northeastern part of the country. The ECOWAS Court on Tuesday ordered Dasuki’s release. He went to the court after a Federal High Court’s order that he should be released was ignored. President Muhammadu Buhari’s biographer, JohnPaden, hinted that Dasuki’s release from detention may not happen soon. In Chapter 15 of the book, “Muhammadu Buhari – The challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” which focuses on ‘Military Procurement Accountability’, Paden noted that Buhari believed in confronting to the end any act of corruption that will undermine th...

Recession: Dangote Threatens To Stop Tomato Paste Production. From Magnus Eze and Adanna Nnamani, Abuja Few days after Erisco Foods Limited threatened to shut down its tomato factory, Dangote Industries Limited yesterday disclosed plans to stop tomato paste production because of the harsh operating environment that gives advantage to imported production. Group Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Sani Dangote disclosed that the group recently stopped tomato paste production because of the harsh operating environment that gives advantage to imported products. He also said the company would not be able to pay farmers from whom they get the raw materials unless government did something urgently. Although, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it would not give dollars, Dangote noted that countries like China give their people huge support and waivers that allow them access to finance that they do not really feel the forex crunch being faced by their Nigerian competit...

Reps revisit controversial $1.1bn Malabu oil deal     An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday reopened investigation into the controversial $1.1bn award of Oil Prospecting Licence 245, better known as ‘Malabu Oil Deal.’ Lawmakers said Nigeria could not afford to lose an equivalent of “N500bn”, the local value of the money, using the current Naira to 1USD exchange rate. The committee, which is chaired by a member from Kwara State, Mr. Razak Atunwa, held a session with some of the key stakeholders involved in the deal at the National Assembly in Abuja. Among those whose representatives met with the committee were Shell and Agip. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was also represented at the session where it was directed to provide information on the outcome of its investigation into the deal within two weeks. Among former government officials to be summoned by the committee are a former Minister of Petroleum ...

Next CJN: Commission sends Onnoghen’s name, two others     The Federal Judicial Service Commission met on Wednesday and decided on three names to be considered as successors to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, The PUNCH has learnt. At the end of its meeting presided over by its Chairman who is the incumbent CJN, the commission nominated the next three most senior Justices of the Supreme Court to the National Judicial Council. Judiciary sources told our correspondent that Justice Walter Onnoghen, who is the most favoured by the tradition of succession arrangement in the judiciary being  the next in rank to the CJN, topped the FJSC’s list of nominees. Justice Onnoghen was born in 1950 at Okurike,  Biase Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, and was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 2005 (11 years ago). The next on the list was JusticeTanko Muhammad who was born on December 31, 1953 at Doguwa-Giade, Giad...

CCT dismisses Saraki’s prayer to disqualify tribunal chairman.     The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, asking the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from further presiding over his (Saraki) trial on charges of asset declaration breaches. Saraki is being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the CCT on 16 counts, bordering on false and anticipatory asset declaration, which he allegedly made between 2003 and 2011, when he served as the Governor of Kwara State. Saraki had, in his motion filed on June 13, 2016, sought the tribunal’s order compelling its chairman to disqualify himself over allegation of a statement credited to him (Umar) during the proceedings of June 7. It was the second time that the tribunal would dismiss an application seeking the disqualification of the chairman based on allegation of bias. The earlier ruling by the tribunal, dismissing similar ...

FCT minister orders psychiatric tests on traffic offenders.     The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed the FCT Police Command to arrest any motorist that beats traffic lights in Abuja for psychiatric evaluation. The minister also instructed the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to make ambulances available at traffic interchanges to convey any motorist arrested by the police to undergo psychiatric test in the hospital. Bello, who gave the order on Wednesday in Abuja, instructed the police to permanently station speed bikes, provided by the Inspector-General of Police, at various traffic intersections for the purposes of sternly enforcing the directive. “The bills for the psychiatry test and administrative processes should be borne by the errant motorists to serve as a deterrent,” the minister stated. Bello further instructed that if the arrested motorist was certified to be alright and medically fit by doctors,...

EDOE: Anambra APC tasks Obaseki on reconciliation       By Vincent Ujumadu Awka—THE Anambra  State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged the governor-elect of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to start the reconciliation of aggrieved members of the party in the state before and during the recent governorship poll in the state. In a statement in Awka, yesterday, the party also urged Obaseki to appoint credible persons that would help to achieve his campaign promises to push APC’s ideals in the state. The statement, which was signed by the Public Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Okelo Madukaife, described Obaseki’s election as a great fight. The statement read: “We heartily congratulate the governor -elect of Edo State and APC governorship candidate in the September 28, 2016 keenly contested elections, Mr. Godwin Nosaghenese Obaseki. “We are convinced based on monitoring reports at our disposal, that Oba...

Stay away from Rivers, Wike warns election riggers       By Jimitota Onoyume PORT HARCOURT— Ahead of the re-run elections in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has warned election riggers to stay away from the state, saying that they would be resisted. The governor spoke, yesterday,  in Port Harcourt when he flagged off the reconstruction of Bonny Jetty at the Bille/Bonny/Nembe waterfront. He said: “Anyone planning to steal our mandate will be resisted. Nobody can intimidate us. They will rig themselves into the water. “I hear some persons are celebrating that they will repeat what they did in Edo State, here in Rivers State.  Somebody who is suffering from malaria can say anything.  But nobody will use the police to rig the re-run elections in Rivers State. “If you want to take our mandate by force, you will go by force. All the people of Rivers State must remain vigilant.  Independent National Electoral Commis...

I can’t wait to meet Ize-Iyamu in court – Oshiomhole BENIN CITY-Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that his All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot wait to meet the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in court if they have any contrary claims about the governorship election held in the state on September 28. Oshiomhole said that the APC was ready to show that the PDP and its candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, were the actual election riggers, saying that Ize-Iyamu could not have won more than 15,000 votes. Addressing APC youths during a road show, after a ‘Thank You’ visit to the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said, “We are happy with the outcome of the election. We had gone to present the candidate to the Crown Prince, the Edaiken N’Uselu, and he (Obaseki) has been very well received. “Thank you for coming out to celebrate. ...

Obiano Rewards Hardworking Traffic Warden AWKA - Work is to commence very soon on the Isiagu site where a 1000 Housing Units is to be constructed for Civil Servants in the State. Governor Willie Obiano disclosed this during the 2016 African Public Service Day Celebration held in the State. The African Public Service Day is an annual event set aside by the African Union to draw attention to the Central and Unique role the public service play in the governance process of member Nations. The Celebration in the State which took place at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka and was well attended by Civil Servants and top state government functionaries, featured paper presentations on various topics as well as presentation of Certificates to some civil servants in recognition of their outstanding performance. Governor Obiano who noted that workers' welfare remained a frontline charge for his administration, revealed that his government has offset all outstanding payments hindering the...

Buhari & Saraki Attend Special Prayer For Nigerian 56th Independence Anniversary. President Buhari, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and many others attended Special Prayer for Nigeria at the National Mosque in Abuja to mark the country's 56th Independence Anniversary. Delivering his sermon from the Holy Quran, the Chief Imam of the National mosque, Ahmed Onilewura enjoins leaders to always use position of authority to better the lots of their followers. See more photos… Image credit: Sallau Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2016/09/buhari-saraki-others-attend-special.html?m=1

Today, Enugu state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi honored Enugu-born Paralympian, Mrs. Lucy Ejike, who smashed a world record to win a gold medal at the recent Paralympics held in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. Lucy Ejike, shattered the Paralympic and world record three successive times by winning gold with a lift of 142kg. The governor rewarded her with the sum of One million naira and a plot of land in Enugu. The Gold Medalist, Mrs. Ejike thanked the governor for the kind gesture and prayed God to continue to blessing him abundantly. Mrs. Ejike expressed excitement that she was remembered and appreciated for her efforts in the past 16 years. Ejike first broke the Paralympic record by lifting 136kg before subsequently adding lifts of 138kg and 142kg to seal the world record and hand Nigeria with their third gold medal of the Games. Source; http://www.nationalhelm.net/2016/09/lucy-ejike-paralympian-who-smashed.html

A Tribute To My Country Nigeria!!!! Happy Independence Day Celebration!!! Happy 56th Birthday Nigeria! I am excited not just because today marks a new dawn in my life nor because today begins a new month, but because this is a time to speak positive about my country Nigeria. Nigeria is a land blessed with rich human and material resources.  It is blessed with rich cultural heritage. Nigeria is unique in its diversity it.  It is a country   where over 230 languages are spoken. It is a country that has rich soil in different geopolitical zones and food items can be planted and grown beautifully on its soil.  Nigeria has various natural and human resources most of which has not even be tapped.   Nigeria has a great climate with different seasons coming at its time.  Nigerians are hardworking talented, survivors and very happy people in spite of all challenges they face daily. Nigerians are unstoppable especially when they decide to do somethi...