Tinubu’s Cabinet has Doused fears over Single Faith Ticket – Christian Pilgrims Board

Tinubu’s cabinet has doused fears over single faith ticket – Christian Pilgrims Board

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Yakubu Pam, has commended the Tinubu/Shettima administration for taking deliberate steps towards ensuring inclusiveness for all Nigerians.

He urged the administration to continue taking such steps in the national interest.

Giving an appraisal of the present administration, Reverend Pam said Tinubu’s choice of Ministers and other recent appointments have doused the apprehension raised over the single-faith ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

The Executive Secretary of NCPC told journalists that He visited the Presidential Villa on Friday to express appreciation for the Bola Tinubu administration’s excellent support for the NCPC, which is Nigeria’s sole facilitator of Christian pilgrimage.

“Last Friday, we briefed Mr. President on the activities and mandate of NCPC and plans for Christian pilgrimages to Israel, Rome, Jordan, and Greece.

It is an opportunity for hundreds of Christians to have prayer retreats, and we are immensely appreciative of this administration’s unwavering support.

“Many will recall that during the electioneering period a few months ago, some politicians stirred up dangerous sentiments and apprehensions by alleging that Nigeria was about to be converted to one religion, but we thank God that this administration embraces all,” he stated.

He further appealed to politicians to shun divisive propaganda and aggressive use of disinformation and misinformation, which he described as potent threats against democracy, unity, and peace.

Pointing out that Nigeria faces numerous challenges in its bid to actualise the genuine populist developmental goals of the current administration, he maintained that Nigerian politicians and their supporters must rise above dangerous propaganda and the dissemination of mischievous information that threatens national unity, peace, and progress.

Reverend Yakubu also disclosed plans to organise a ‘Peace Walk’ that would enable those who believe in the peace and unity of Nigeria to send a potent message to adherents of all religions about collective resolve to support all efforts aimed towards the actualization and sustenance of peace nationwide.

He further stressed the need to overcome hate and embrace peace and forgiveness, noting that, as a Christian, he has chosen to forgive mischief makers who made unjustified allegations against him and tried to rubbish his personal sacrifice towards the election of President Bola Tinubu by making false claims that he was anti-Tinubu.

“I have chosen the path of forgiveness,” Reverend Pam stated with conviction, emphasising the values of reconciliation, compassion, and understanding.

Nigeria Export Trade to UK stood at £3.3bn by June 2023 – British Deputy High Commissioner

Nigeria’s exports into the UK from June 2022 to June 2023 were worth 3.3 billion pounds, according to the British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter.

Baxter gave the figure while speaking on the level of trade between both countries in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that the figure was 1.4 billion pounds higher than what was achieved in the corresponding year before.

“The overall trade figures, which include imports and exports, are 7.6 billion pounds, and of that, 4.3 billion are made up of UK products that are imported into Nigeria, and that figure has gone up by 1 billion pounds if you compare it with the figure of the year before.

“The rest of the 3.3 billion are Nigerian exports into the UK, and this has gone up by 1.4 billion, so the increase in Nigerian exports into the UK has been much more rapid, and this is great news.

“It shows that Nigeria is producing goods and services that people in the UK want to buy, and they are being bought and purchased from Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that the introduction of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) has further strengthened trade relations between both countries

“The UK is committed to creating the best conditions possible for trade to continue to strengthen, and in June this year, we started a new programme called DCTS.

“It is a global scheme covering all developing countries in the region of 65 countries, and Nigeria in particular benefits from that.

“What it does is that it allows more and more goods into the UK with reduced tariffs or no tariffs at all, and for Nigeria, 99 per cent of what Nigerians export to the UK in goods and services is tariff-free.

“This means that it is cheaper for people in the UK to buy those Nigerian goods, which are therefore going to be more popular, and it is a great thing for Nigeria to benefit from,” he said.

Baxter revealed that both countries were exploiting ways to address some barriers and hindrances to trade.

He said that in April 2024, the UK would host an African Investment Summit, which would serve as a platform for Nigerian Companies to meet British investors.

“ In April next year, the UK is hosting an African investment summit and Nigeria would be a big player as it is an opportunity for Nigerian companies to pitch to British companies for investments, contracts, imports and exports.

“As part of that, there would be a special side event on Nigerian creatives, as I think in the past, maybe people haven’t focused so much on the creative industry as part of the economy.

“Nigeria is such a classic place where the creatives are so important and they have produced a lot of money and wealth, and indeed, I think it is an increasing area for Nigeria’s economy, and it is brilliant that the African Investment Summit would have this side event,” he said.

Don’t Cross the Blue Rail Track to Avoid Electrocution, LASG Warns

The Lagos State Government has warned residents to avoid crossing the track of the Blue Rail line as it is set to start full commercial operations on Monday (tomorrow).

The Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, gave the warning on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, adding that citizens should instead use the overhead bridges provided by the government.

“Dear Lagosians, please be reminded as we kick off the commercial operations of the Lagos Blue Line Rail transport on Monday, that the rail line is electrified. Don’t cross the rail lines because it is dangerous. Use the overhead bridges that have been provided by the government. Thank you,” he wrote.

The first phase of the rail line which extends from Marina to Mile 2 has five stations located in Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba, and Orile.

In a video clip that was posted by the CPS on X, the General Manager of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo, also urged residents to respect the regulations regarding the Blue Rail line in order to avoid very bad situations.

She said, “With regards to the operations of the Blue Line in particular, we all know that we have publicised that the Blue Line is going to be an electrified rail system. If you want to cross from one side to the other, you must use the overhead bridges.

“This is a necessity for all of us to understand and we have fenced all along the alignment for the Blue Line to ensure that people do not cross it. But what we see time and again is that people go there and they cut the fences and they run across. We have bothered to put pedestrian crossings; there is access for people with physical challenges, and therefore we have no reason to cross the track.”

Pastor Adeboye Predict Naira Bounce-Back against the Dollar

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has predicted the possibility of Naira bouncing back and this time greater than the United States dollar.

Our correspondent reports that based on findings in the black market buying rate of the dollar is about N915, and sells at N918.

Sequel to the upward slide, businesses and the cost of living of Nigerians coupled with the fuel subsidy removal have been badly affected.

The G.O gave this prediction during the church’s monthly thanksgiving service on Sunday, monitored by our correspondent with the September theme; ‘Uncommon Miracles’.

According to the revered Clergy, there was a period when Naira, competed favourably with United States dollars.

He said, “The days when Naira will be stronger will come back; those glorious days will return when that happens you will know.”

Adeboye noted that miracles connoted something that is unique, stressing that a lot of times they may not be comprehensible by many.

He explained how God granted him usual testimonies, some of which many people couldn’t believe.

“Miracle is totally unusual. God can give you a miracle that will be difficult to share,” the respected clergy added.

Wife Beats Husband for Asking about Her Closeness to Pastor

A middle aged woman, yesterday, in Aba, Abia State, beat up her husband for daring to question her relationship with a pastor living in their area.

The mother of three, whose full identity was not immediately known, but lives along Ukonu Street, off the Ajah-Ngwa Road area of Aba South, allegedly got angered when her spouse complained that the quantity and quality of food she takes to the pastor, was better than what she dispenses at home.

Witnesses said the lady, a member of the pastor’s church, was displeased with her husband’s observation and reacted by slapping, pushing and holding him down on the ground before neighbours came to his rescue. She was said to have threatened to move out of her matrimonial home, claiming that her spouse and neighbours were monitoring her activities and accusing her of acts she never engaged in.

An elderly man in the vicinity, who pleaded anonymity, told Daily Sun that the pastor, who lives and operates a new generation church in the area, had variously been rumoured to be flirting with young women, even in the presence of their spouses.

“You see, though no one had come out openly to accuse this young pastor of taking his wife, rumours have been going on about the promiscuity, especially female members of his church. He behaves as if nothing is happening, but we know that rumours do not circulate in vain. There must be truth in what we hear, because the way the woman beat up her husband and threatened to divorce him for questioning her behaviour shows something is between her and the pastor,” he said.

Another resident in the area, who also didn’t want his name made public, called on the authorities to come out with ways of monitoring the activities of new generation churches, to actually ensure they are working towards leading people to righteousness, instead of using such avenues for breaking marriages.

“Government should come up with a mechanism of monitoring the actual reasons for establishing worship centres and what goes on in them thereafter, to forestall what we are seeing today.”

He advised young women not to be carried away by the sweet talks from proprietors of the new generation churches.

Reps Investigate how NAGWW Spend N81bn on 21 Million Trees

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the utilization of Ecological Funds and other intervention funds of the Great Green Wall Project on Wednesday queried claims by the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW) that it spent N81bn to plant 21 million trees in the frontline states in the north.

The states are Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.

NAGWW Director-General, Yusuf Maina Bukar, told the committee that the agency also spent N697.71m on renovation of office accommodation and N11.28bn on capital projects.

He said the main funding of the agency was from 15 per cent of the Ecological Funds and the federal allocation as well as other sources for its operations.

The committee also quizzed the Central Bank of Nigeria over seven accounts domiciled in the apex bank.

A six-page document dated 22nd August, 2023 submitted by the CBN showed that N9,465,960,382.57 was domiciled in the agency’s account from 2015 to date.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, represented by Deputy Director, Irene Nwangwu, said the NAGWW had received a total of N19,377,726,506.95 from the Derivation & Ecology Accounts from February 2019 to date.

In addition, the agency also received the N11.023bn as capital expenditure through the oAGF.

Nwangwu said former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N2.309bn to the agency as 2020 statutory 5% Ecological Fund.

The chairman of the committee, Isma’ila Haruna Dabo and members complained that the NAGGW spent monies without commensurate results.

The committee also said the agency deviated from its core mandate.

He said, “Projects such as the Great Green Wall under investigation here were designed primarily to address some of these issues.

The persistence of these challenges despite funds put into the programme from both the federal government and international partners has necessitated this investigation.

“In recent years, we have witnessed a significant upsurge in natural environmental challenges such as land degradation, deforestation, desertification and drought, which most times are explained away with the context of climate change”.

I Am Sad The Way The Acting Leader I Appointed Ran Afenifere – Pa Fasoranti

The leader of Pan Yoruba Socio- political group Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Wednesday disclosed that the group is in a sorry state and requires urgent restoration effort to steer it away from the current trajectory.

Fasoranti, who said that the present state of the group was not his vision and expectation when he appointed the acting leader and deputy leader, said,’’I am sad and disappointed at the turn of events is an understatement.”

Speaking at the meeting of the group held in Akure, the state capital, Fasoranti said, “I am particularly disturbed because unless we take urgent remedial action, the future looks very bleak and the necessary resources to revamp our organization are being depleted by the day.

“A noticeable drift away from our core values of Afenifere which is based on consultation, brotherliness and camaraderie and traditional process of conducting the business of the organization, upon which our collegial system of leadership is based, has been severely threatened.

“This threat has been further exacerbated by more recent events, culminating in a fracture of the traditional backbone of the Afenifere organization. I am sorry to say, without mincing words, that our organization is in a sorry state and requires urgent restoration efforts to steer it away from the current trajectory.

“This wasn’t my vision or expectation when I appointed the acting leader and deputy leader. And to say that I am sad and disappointed at the turn of events is an understatement. I am particularly disturbed because unless, we take urgent remedial action, the future looks very bleak and the necessary resources to revamp our organization are being depleted by the day.’’

“I have called you here today therefore, as leaders and responsible members of this organization, to challenge yourself to find a lasting solution to the current impasse. I implore you to engage frankly and honestly in the spirit of comradeship and mutual respect for which we are well known and upon which this organization is founded.’’

We’ll make Police take full Control of Internal Security – Ribadu

Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), says the goal of his office is to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) takes full control of internal security without any need to invite the military.

Ribadu spoke on Wednesday while presenting a paper at the ongoing annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.

Represented by Anthony Oluborode, a special adviser in the legal department of the office of the NSA, Ribadu said achieving the goal would help the army to focus better on external security and terrorism.

The NSA said there must be closer interagency collaboration as well as capacity building to ensure success in the fight against insecurity.

“National security is a collective effort where all ministries, departments, agencies, civil society groups and citizens have to work collaboratively to ensure a secure nation,” NAN quoted Ribadu as saying.

“Community support is also critical for the success of curbing insecurity.

“The goal is to get the police to take full charge of internal security without having to invite the military to wade into the internal security of the country so that they can focus on external security.”

The NSA said there is a need to strengthen the legislative framework and review strategies and policies on security.

He noted that the government would spare nothing to ensure synergy among all security agencies.

He added that it was important to work with the media to reach a wide audience to ensure that any information on security was accurate and not fake news.

Coup in Gabon as Military Announce Oust of President Bongo

Army officers have appeared on national television in Gabon to say they have taken power.

They said they were annulling the results of Saturday’s election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.

The electoral commission said Mr Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.

His overthrow would end his family’s 53-year hold on power in Gabon.

Twelve soldiers appeared on television on Wednesday, announcing they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.

They also said the country’s borders had been closed “until further notice”.

One of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.”

This, he added, was down to “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.

Journalists from the Reuters and AFP news agencies reported the sounds of loud gunfire could be heard in the country’s capital, Libreville, following the broadcast.

There was no immediate response by the government to the soldiers’ announcement.

As in previous general elections in Gabon, there were serious concerns about the process in Saturday’s vote.

Main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa complained that many polling stations lacked ballot papers bearing his name, while the coalition he represents said the names of some of those who had withdrawn from the presidential race had still been on the ballot sheet.

Campaign group Reporters Without Borders said foreign media had been banned from setting foot in the country to cover the vote.

As polls closed, the government announced a curfew and suspension of internet access for security reasons.

Both of Mr Bongo’s previous wins were disputed as fraudulent by opponents. This time, controversial changes were made to voting papers just weeks before election day.

Mr Bongo came to power when his father Omar died in 2009.

In 2018, he suffered a stroke which sidelined him for almost a year and led to calls for him to step aside.

The following year, a failed coup attempt saw mutinying soldiers sent to prison.

– BBC News

ZENITH BANK APPOINTS DR. JULIET EHIMUAN AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board of Directors of Zenith Bank Plc has appointed Dr. Juliet Ehimuan as a Non-Executive Director of the bank effective August 29, 2023. The appointment, which was announced in a statement to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, has also be confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dr Juliet Ehimuan is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Limits and the immediate past Director of Google West Africa. She was named by Forbes as one of the top 20 power women in Africa, by the London Business School as one of 30 people changing the world, and as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD). She was also featured in the BBC Africa Power Women series, and on CNN Innovate Africa.

With over 25 years experience primarily in Technology, Oil & Gas, and New Media industries across Europe, Middle East and Africa; Juliet is a leading voice on Innovation, Transformation, and Leadership.

During her remarkable 12-year tenure at Google, Juliet played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence in Nigeria and the wider West Africa region. She championed initiatives to increase digital access, local content development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurial growth, innovation, and fostered strategic partnerships with leading private sector and government institutions.

Dr Juliet has made significant contributions to the tech ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa at large. She served on committees that developed the national broadband plan and ICT incubation strategy in Nigeria, and has been involved in national strategic advisory groups focused on economic growth. These engagements demonstrate her commitment to shaping the future of tech in Africa. She has received numerous awards for outstanding contribution to the digital landscape in Africa.

She holds board positions across multiple industries including Finance, FMCG, Oil & Gas, Education and social enterprises.

Her education includes a Doctoral degree in Business from Walden University in Minneapolis, an Executive MBA from the London Business School, a Postgraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge; and a BSc in Computer Engineering (1st class honours) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She is a recipient of the London Business School Global Women’s Scholarship, and at Cambridge University was awarded Selwyn College Scholar and Malaysian Commonwealth Scholar. She is a Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society.

She was awarded IT Personality of the Year in 2012 by the Nigeria Computer Society, Digital Personality of the year 2016 by Marketing World; and received a 2015 Titans of Technology award from Technology Africa. She is a published Author, Executive Coach, and a member of the Forbes Coaches’ Council.