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Election Violence: FG Approves Automatic Employment For Families Of 10 Slain Corps Members

 

The Federal Government has approved automatic employment in the Federal Civil Service of one graduate each from the families of the 10 corp members killed in 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare disclosed this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the National Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He added that President Buhari also approved scholarships to the four children of Mr Adowei Elliot, a Delta State indigene killed during the post-election violence.

“It has become an integral part of our national development and unity architecture. Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this scheme.

“As a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the diseased NYSC members, who lost their lives during the 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State.

“Mr. President also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr Adowei Elliot,” the Sports Minister said.

The 10 corps members were reported killed in Bauchi State following the 2011 election won by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Minister called on the board members to come up with initiatives that will make the NYSC more impactful and increasingly endearing to all Nigerians.

He added that the inauguration of the Board is taking place at a time when all hands must be on deck to further strengthen the NYSC Scheme and charged both the returning and new members to continue to get acquainted with the provisions of the NYSC Act.

He assured that President Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development are committed to the continued success of the Scheme.

 

 

See the full statement below…

ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, MR SUNDAY DARE, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NYSC NATIONAL GOVERNING BOARD ON TUESDAY, 15TH JUNE, 2021
PROTOCOL
It is my pleasure to address you on this occasion of the formal inauguration of the new National Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps. Let me begin by congratulating the Chairman and Board Members on this unique opportunity to make further contributions to the progress and development of our dear country. I am also delighted at the re-appointment of the Chairman of the immediate past Board, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar, along with most of its members into the new Board in the same capacities. Indeed, this is an eloquent testimony to the confidence of His Excellency, Mr. President in your performance.
2. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to reaffirm the full commitment of the Federal Government to the success of NYSC’s mandate. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Scheme has made enormous contributions to the promotion of national unity and integration as well as the acceleration of development in various spheres, including education, health, infrastructural development, sports and social services, amongst others. NYSC, therefore, remains a great source of pride to the Government and the entire people of our dear country. Without doubt, all well-meaning Nigerians strongly recognize the continued relevance of the Scheme, especially at this critical period of our national life.
3. The inauguration of this Board is taking place at a time when all hands must be on deck to further strengthen the Scheme. This underscores the enormity of the task before you. It is pleasing to note that the Chairman and members, who were in the immediate past Board, are adequately informed about the objectives, programmes, achievements and challenges of the Scheme. It is my ardent hope that you will work collectively to build on the successes made by the former Board. In particular, I charge both the returning and new members to continue to get acquainted with the provisions of the NYSC Act, especially as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders, including the Board.
4. Distinguished Chairman and Board Members, I wish to use this unique occasion to once again affirm the satisfaction of the Federal Government with the achievements of the present Management of NYSC, which has enhanced the visibility of the Scheme. Accordingly, I commend the Director-General, the Management team, Staff and Corps members, whose collective efforts resulted in the successes recorded. I expect that members of the Board will deploy the political influence at their disposal to strengthen all levels of engagements aimed at sustaining the legacies of the scheme through continuous engagement with policy makers at various levels.
5. I also commend the excellent synergy between the immediate past Board and the Management, which contributed to the remarkable achievements recently made by the Scheme. I wish to stress the need for the new Board to sustain the harmonious working relationship in line with the expectation of Mr. President. For emphasis, all your actions must be guided by extant regulations. At all times, your major pre-occupation should be the success of NYSC and, by extension, the success of this Administration.
6. I am confident that you will work together to come up with initiatives that will make the Scheme even more impactful and increasingly endearing to all Nigerians. However, it is important to highlight the following guidelines as they affect roles, responsibilities and privileges of Members of the Governing Board as follows:
i. The Board shall set up operational and administrative policies in accordance with Government policy directives and supervise the implementation of such policies;
ii. The Board shall not be involved directly in the day-to-day management of the Scheme;
iii. The Board must only operate on part-time basis in accordance with extant rules that forbids allocation of official quarters to Members on a permanent basis and use of official vehicles by Members on a permanent basis;
iv. Estacode allowances are only for overseas travels approved by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Supervising Ministry;
v. No Member of the Board shall be allowed to retain official vehicle for use on a permanent basis;
vi. On the other hand, the core functions of the Chief Executive Officer include the day-to-day administration of the NYSC.
Furthermore, the Board shall perform the following oversight responsibilities:
i. Ensure that long-term interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria is served;
ii. Work with the Management to determine the Scheme’s mission and long term strategy;
iii. Promote sustainable and cost-efficient activities of the NYSC;
iv. Establish and promote the objectives and integrity of the Scheme;
v. Monitor the performance of the Management in achieving set objectives of the Scheme; and
vi. Request appropriate reports from Management.
7. I consider it appropriate to use this forum to once again endorse the proposal made by stakeholders for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund. I am confident that such an initiative will go a long way in strengthening the Scheme and deepen its impact. Among other benefits, the Fund will make the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme more functional. It will, especially, serve as a sustainable source of providing start-up capital for the trained Corps members to actualize their business plans and in turn employ more Nigerians. Therefore, I appeal to all and sundry to support the actualization of the proposal. The NYSC Scheme will be sustained. It has become an integral part of our national development and unity architecture. Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this scheme. As a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the diseased NYSC members, who lost their lives during the 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State.
Mr. President also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr. Adowei Elliot.
8. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm the unflinching support of His Excellency, Mr. President, and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for both the National Governing Board and Management of the NYSC towards the continued success of the Scheme.
9. I now have the pleasure to formally inaugurate the NYSC National Governing Board. Once again, I congratulate you and, as you set out to discharge this important national assignment, I pray the Almighty God to guide you at all times.
10. Thank you and God bless

 

Unbelievable! Cristiano Ronaldo’s Rejection of Coca-Cola Cost The Company Value Loss

Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent gesture towards bottles of Coca-Cola may have adversely impacted the share price of the company.

Ronaldo removed two bottles of Coca-Cola from his region during Monday’s news conference ahead of Portugal’s game against Hungary. The Portuguese star sat down and spotted the two bottles of the carbonated drink and pushed them aside. Unfortunately, the gesture had a big negative influence on the brand.

The Portuguese international has even said in some interviews that it is important for children to have a healthy and healthy diet, away from sugar and fats. Being asked on one occasion about his relationship with his son on this issue, Ronaldo was clear. “I’m tough on my son. Sometimes he drinks Coke and Fanta and eats chips and he knows I don’t like it,” he said.

According to The Athletic, Coca Cola’s shares were worth $56.1 each when the market opened in Europe on Monday. But by the end of the press conference, they had fallen to $55.2 each. The 1.6% drop in share price meant a loss of $4 billion dollars in terms of company worth. At the time of writing this article, the stock price has seen some recovery to $55.44.

It is important to note that Coca-Cola shares were on a bearish trend on Monday trading session with a dropped by -1.09%. Investors are expectant of a strong bullish recovery as regards their next earnings release.

Leicester City Hitman Jamie Vardy becomes football club owner

 

Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy has joined the league of football club owners after investing in US-based team Rochester Rhinos according to the club.

The 34-year old striker purchased a minority stake in the New York-based club, which has not played a competitive game for four years.

The club statement said: “The Rochester Rhinos are delighted to announce that Premier League star Jamie Vardy has become a co-owner of the club.

“The Leicester City striker has bought a minority stake and is excited by the prospect of being part of a journey that puts the Rhinos and Rochester back on the map after a four-year hiatus.

“This is a huge coup for Rochester and the Rhinos. Jamie is known throughout the soccer world and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us as a co-owner.

“Hopefully this fantastic news will give everyone connected with the club the belief that there are good times ahead.”

Rhinos, the only non-Major League Soccer club to have won the US Open Cup, announced in November 2017 they would go on hiatus as they sought extra funding.

Rochester Rhinos in 2017 announced the club will go into hiatus as they sought extra funding. The New York-based club plans to resume competing in the USL League One in 2022, the third tier competition on the American football pyramid.

The Rochester Rhinos hold the enviable record of being the only non-Major League Soccer club to win the US Open.

Vardy also joins a select few active footballers with stakes in football clubs around the world, alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic who owns a 23.5% in Swedish club Hammarby IF, Thomas Partey with CD Paracuellos Antamira in Spain, Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sow co-own US-based San Diego 1904 FC and Gerard Pique who owns third-tier Andorra FC based in Spain.

 

Lagos Assembly Wants FG To Engage Secession Agitators and Consider True Federalism

The Lagos Assembly on Tuesday called on the federal government to engage agitators across the country rather than employ the use of force.

This is as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, argued that the use of the military in an attempt to quell agitations for secession would not yield the desired result since it is part of democracy for a people to speak out concerning how they are governed.

Obasa, who noted that the 22 years of unbroken democracy being enjoyed by Nigeria is worthy of celebration, however, said there many things yet to be done after so long adding that these had led to the tension in the country.

The Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, who made the comment during the debate on a motion about the 22 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria raised by Hon. Setonji David, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing an executive order granting autonomy to state legislatures and judiciary and for honouring the late MKO Abiola with the declaration of June 12 as democracy day.

Noting that democracy is a wholesome package, he added: “It is not about electing us alone. Those that elected us also have freedom, they have the right to protest where they think things are not working.

“The right to protest should not be taken away from them as long as such right is not taken for granted.

“There is no crime in seeking for separate nations within an existing nation,” he said as he mentioned some countries where the citizens have called for disintegration.

“Those representing the people through the ideology of social contract must listen to the people,” he said urging the government to engage the groups and calling on the National Assembly members to go beyond weeping on the floor of the House and truly rejig the constitution.

“For the southern governors, having stated their position, they should not go to sleep. They should follow it through,” he urged.

Concerning the issues of insecurity, the Lagos Assembly Speaker said: “We will continue to cry that we have state police and devolution of power.”

He said restructuring, which he described as part of the solutions and not a problem, should have addressed economic challenges and poverty level just as he lamented that the Naira has continued to fall against the Dollar.

He praised Lagos as the true example of democracy and promised that the state would continue to lead in this area.

The House observed a minute silence in honour of the late MKO Abiola and all those who lost their lives in the course of the struggle for democracy.

Earlier in his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo described the current constitution as fraud.

“This 1999 constitution amended so many times can no longer be embellished. It is fraud,” he said as he called for the semblance of regionalism where the interest of the minority is taken care of.

To him, the current amendment is another effort in futility and a new constitution reflecting the will of the people has to be produced.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu suggested an overhaul of the constitution while noting that some items on the exclusive list be devolved.

On his part, Hon. Bisi Yusuff noted that Nigeria’s democracy is not a true reflection of the will of the people adding that the constitution was promulgated through a decree.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Desmond Elliot said Nigeria will not progress more than it is now if the constitution is not overhauled.

Other lawmakers of the Lagos Assembly who spoke concerning the motion include Hon. Tobun Abiodun, who complained that states are not allowed to manage their resources, and Hon. Kehinde Joseph, who noted the high level of insecurity in the country.

The Lagos Assembly also called on the National Assembly to ensure true federalism while it urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the government to engage in enlightenment of the people on security consciousness.

You Can’t Surrender Your Security Duty To Govs, Wike Cautions Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to come under attack since his statement that state governors should take re­sponsibility of security in their states.

Responding to the president’s statement, governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said it is unconstitutional for President Buhari to shift the power of securing lives and property of Nigerians to state governors.

According to Governor Wike, president is the com­mander-in-chief of the armed forces and cannot declare that governors are in charge of security in their respective states.

Governor Wike, while speaking at the commission­ing of the 21 kilometers Odu­for-Akpoku-Umuoye Road in Etche Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, said such position suggests that the APC led Federal Govern­ment has lost grip of strategy on how to tackle the troubling security issues, and make the country safe for Nigerians.

“Mr. President, you’re the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Feder­al Republic of Nigeria. You appoint Inspector-General of Police, you appoint the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Na­val Staff, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Director of Department of State Services (DSS) and other heads of secu­rity. Which one do we appoint? How can people appointed by Mr. President be under me?” Wike queried.

He said: “It is not only to borrow money for Nigeria that you’re in charge. You must, also, be in charge in other things including secu­rity. Who signed Order 10? Is it the governors? It is not when things are going bad concerning security, and you say you’re not in charge, and it becomes governors’ respon­sibility.”

Governor Wike admon­ished the Federal Govern­ment to own up that it can no longer fulfil promises made to Nigerians, and also lead the country out of its present predicament.

According to Governor Wike, when there is a failure, what makes leadership re­spectable is that such leader is able to accept his weakness publicly.

The governor pointed out that it was time Nigerians began to compare the per­formances of PDP and APC governors in office.

He said Mr. President was short of calling names of those governors who run to Aso Rock when they are sup­posed to stay in their states to see the needs of their states and people.

“Mr. President should have come out openly and said, my APC governors, stop worry­ing me. Go back to your states and do your work. On that, I support him.

“Thank God, Mr. Presi­dent knows that I am not one of those that go to visit him over one problem or the oth­er. I, as the governor of Rivers under PDP, you’ll never find me there.”

Former Senate President David Mark, who performed the commissioning of the 21 kilometers Odufor-Ak­poku-Umuoye Road, noted the excitement expressed on the faces of the locals who are di­rectly impacted by the project.

He noted that even those in opposition in the state have become so weak to have anything more to say against Governor Wike who is not only performing, but has re­mained as a strong pillar of the PDP.

“I told him I’ll be here because he loves his people. Politics and democracy is not about enriching one or two persons within a community. The Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye Road is project that will out­live everybody in this place. The legacy you’re leaving be­hind, Rivers people will not forget you. They will defend you, they’ll protect you and they will stand by you always.

“That is why you can walk tall. That is why you can jump into your car and go any­where because you’ve shown them love. You’ve brought de­mocracy to the people. PDP as a party is happy to have you. You’re one of the pillars of our great party”, he said.

Ecobank Partners Linda Ikeji’s Selfmade Woman Conference; says Women Are Bedrock of Entrepreneurship

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has said the decision to partner with the media entrepreneur and blogger, Linda Ikeji to host the latest edition of her yearly popular empowerment programme, ‘Selfmade Woman Conference (SMWC) 2021’ is in line with the bank’s empowerment policy for women, stressing that the challenges facing the nation has made it more imperative to recognize the potentials in women and develop it.

 

According to Mr Akinwuntan, Ecobank recognizes women as the bedrock of most families and entrepreneurship in society, and if we must succeed as a nation, it is imperative that we recognize their unique potentials and support them sufficiently.

“Our decision to support Linda Ikeji conference aligns with our women empowerment policy. As a bank, we have been playing a leading role in this respect. Like you know, we have a long standing partnership with  Tera Kulture, that is Bolanle Austen Peters who has come out with various movies such as ‘Bling Lagosians’, ‘Moremi The Musical’, ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens,’ ‘The Oluronbi Musical’ and others. Recently, we also supported ‘The Wait’, a movie inspired by the popular book from renowned lawyer and entrepreneur, Yewande Zaccheaus.

We are also currently working with the Ogun state government to promote the Adire industry which is also primarily women driven. In the agric industry, we have supported the Anchor borrowers programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria across the six regions of the country to reach out to farmers, especially the women folk to support them financially to increase their farm size and yield capacity through the introduction of new techniques. Let me also add that Ecobank has a women empowerment programme “Ellevate” for women in Business; this will be publicly launched across the country in July. With Ellevate, we want to ensure we raise and recognize our women for the significant role they have always played to ensure a better society for us all”.

The Linda Ikeji Self-Made Woman, which debuted in 2013, is an advocacy project with the sole aim to mentor and provide financial empowerment to young female entrepreneurs or aspiring ones. it is essentially to build stronger economies and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.  Speakers for this year’s conference scheduled for Saturday, June 19th at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, include Tara Durotoye, renowned beauty and make-up entrepreneur; Dr. Ola Brown, Founder of the Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company; and Dr. Nancy Nnadi, Serial Entrepreneur & CEO of Telecom Distribution Company.  They will provide actionable strategies and hope to women who would like to start their own businesses, enhance their impact in various industries or broaden their creative roles in traditional industries.

Other guest speakers will include Tomie Balogun, Investment Expert & Fin-tech Entrepreneur; Sola Adesakin,  Finance Coach & Chartered Accountant; Kemi Adetiba, Film Maker and content creator; and TV star Dorathy Bachor.

Heirs Life Assurance Partners Avon Medical on World Blood Donor Day

Newly launched specialist life insurance company, Heirs Life Assurance (HLA) has partnered Avon Medical to organize a blood drive in commemoration of the 2021 World Blood Donor Day. The event, which was held on Monday, June 14, 2021, at the ultramodern Avon Medical Dialysis Centre in Ikeja, Lagos had individuals present to donate blood for those in dire need of medical attention.

This year’s edition, the first partnership between both companies, set out to increase awareness of the importance of safe blood for transfusion and highlight the critical role voluntary blood donors play in national health. The Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Life Assurance, Ifesinachi Okpagu confirmed that the partnership is in line with the company’s goal of promoting, not just the importance of life insurance, but wholesome living.

‘At the core of our business operations at Heirs Life Assurance is care for people and their families and we are pleased to have demonstrated this with our partnership with Avon Medical. There are several statistics that show that blood donation is of much benefit to the end user as much as it is to donors and here today, we are raising awareness for the need to encourage this culture and celebrate as many that have come out to be superheroes’, she said.

Shekinah Olagunju, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Avon Medical, also expressed delight in the partnership, describing it as laudable especially as it helps both companies further their commitment to building a healthier nation and, in the process, improving the economy and transforming Africa; values held by the companies within the Heirs Holdings group portfolio.

Since its official launch on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Heirs Life has continued to actively push its offering of life insurance that is simple, quick, accessible, and reliable with its array of value adding products, served on several easy-to-use platforms. Heirs Life’s product offerings comprise of insurance-backed savings plans and life insurance security for individuals, families, children’s education, debtors, creditors, entrepreneurs, and employees. The company is backed by top-notch Reinsurers to provide second-layer security for its clients’ insurance portfolios.

Nigerians see Buhari as a “willing horse” to be ridden to death – Ngige

 

Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has said no president would tolerate what Nigerians are throwing at President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ngige said Nigerians see Buhari as a “willing horse” to be ridden to death.

Speaking on Channels Television, the Minister claimed that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan would not tolerate some of the criticisms thrown at Buhari.

Buhari tolerating rubbish from Nigerians, hasn’t failed – Gov Masari

He also dismissed claims that Buhari was fond of flouting the rule of law.

Ngige said the President was afraid of breaching any of Nigeria’s laws.

He said: “If a government has done well; if a president has done well, give him accolades there. Areas he has not done well, point them out and discuss.

“Buhari is a democrat and is so afraid of a breach of the constitution or any law. I am even stronger than him in terms of that.

Biafra agitation: Shehu Sani hails Ngige over support for united Nigeria
”Even President Obasanjo, can he give you people this latitude? He will not. I know him. Even ex-President Goodluck Jonathan will not allow such.

“They will not grant you people that. So, Buhari is a willing horse and Nigerians want to ride him to death.”

Oyo Government begins evacuation of beggars in Ibadan

 

The Oyo State Government on Tuesday said it has commenced evacuation of beggars in some parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

The government noted that the evacuation of the beggars from the Jemibewon area to a resettlement facility in Akinyele started on Tuesday.

Our correspondent learnt that beggars had over the years been living around shanties on Jemibewon Road in the Sabo area of Ibadan.

The government, however, on Tuesday said that it has commenced evacuation of the beggars to the newly built Akinyele Resettlement Centre.

Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the evacuation process commenced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

The evacuation followed a tour of the site by Arewa community leaders and representatives of the beggars on Saturday.

Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke, who led the first set of evacuees to Akinyele, said that the new site is fitted with social amenities.

Other ministries involved in the exercise according to him include Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Information, Culture and Tourism, Local and Chieftaincy Matters.

 

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