All Posts in "Day: May 16, 2022"

ASUU Strike: UI, LAUTECH Students Block Major Roads In Ibadan 

Students of tertiary educational institutions today protested the failure of Federal government to heed to the demand of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other Union of tertiary institutions.
They blocked the popular University of Ibadan-Sango, and other roads in Ibadan.They also barricaded the main gate of the university and other routes that lead to the University of Ibadan and Sango from Ojoo.
The development  forced commuters plying the University of Ibadan-Sango-Bodija Road to find alternative routes and caused heavy  traffic  in the early hour of the day.
The students, who described the strike as needless, said that they will continue to occupy the roads until the institutions are opened.
One of the students, Damilola Olubunmi said the ongoing industrial action is affecting not only the students but their parents.
“I am here because we need to tell the Federal Government that students must resume. The strike is not affecting the students alone.The essence of this is that when the road is blocked, people cannot move and they will trend it for us. Then the government will know that we protesting.
“The security agents are here, newspapers will carry it, then when they give them the feedback they will know that we are talking. Then the government will seat. We are not doing it only in Ibadan. It is a nationwide protest,” he said.
Another student, Solomon Emiola, called for the end of all strikes in the country,saying:“We are here because of ASUU, NASU SSANU strike. We want the Federal Government to use this as the last strike.We want all the strikes to finish. This should be the last strike in the history of Nigerian students”.
admin by — May 16, 2022 in News 0
Money Rituals Alien To Yoruba Culture, Tradition -Aare Onakakanfo

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has faulted the use of human parts for money rituals, saying such is alien to Yoruba culture and traditions.

He stated this on Monday, while delivering a speech at the 2022 edition of Wealth Festival (Odun Aje), which held at the Powerline Praying Ground in Orile Agege area of Lagos.

Stating that he had in recent times, monitored the various stories of ritual abuse and money-making across Southwest, Adams explained that there was urgent need to speak up against the barbaric act, especially, among the youths.

According to,him,in Yorubaland and in every part of the world, killing a person for ritual is an abomination, sacrilegious, and against the norms of the Yoruba race.

He maintained that using human parts for money making is against Yoruba practices and at variance with the ethos of Omoluabi and therefore, everyone should rise against it.

He added:”It is sad though that our society has lost its core values. What we see today is a complete departure from the original practice and ethos of Yoruba race.As the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, it is time for me to speak up and express my displeasure at the ugly narratives that have literally turned Yorubaland into an abattoir, where human parts usually littered the entire communities.

“Things cannot continue like this. We are at the centre of all these and we must speak against this ugly trend. All our royal fathers in Yoruba land should speak up.”

Speaking on the need to educate the Nigerian youth on staying away from this ugly trend, Adams said, “We will need to educate the youths of these days about the core values of hard work and reward. We will need to educate them that it is inhuman to kill human beings for ritual purposes.

“We will need to educate them about the dignity of labour and the essence of preserving their names and that of their parents. We will need to educate them about the sanctity of our culture and traditions. We will need to teach them about how to respect the elderly. We must teach them about morality and the need to stay away from acts that could render them useless in the future.

“The society has lost the battle to instill morality in the minds of the youths. And as I have said earlier, it is quite unfortunate that the social media has done a lot in killing all the values and teachings that could enhance societal values and behaviours.

On the reason for celebrating the Wealth Festival, Adams said:”it is to appreciate the deity in charge of wealth creation. It is also to explore the natural joy and abundant fortunes that wealth symbolises.For instance, in the spiritual realm, wealth is one of the most powerful deities. It is in control of everything that is good or bad. This is one of the reasons for celebrating Wealth Festival (Odun Aje).

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Oduduwa 0
Tinubu Most Eligible To Lead Nigeria – Gambari

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr.Ibrahim Zulu Gambari (CFR) says the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most qualified person to lead Nigeria now.

He spoke on Monday when the South West Agenda For Asiwaju (SWAGA “23)/North Central Agenda (NCA) Paid him a courtesy call to seek his support for the presidential ambition of Tinubu.

He said Tinubu has touched the lives of so many Nigerians positively and prayed that his ambition will come to reality.

“I have been praying for him for this position before now and now that he has declared his intention, we shall continue to pray for him privately and publicly. Allah will grant him his wish”,he added

Earlier, the leader of SWAGA’23 Senator Dayo Adeyeye,briefed the monarch about the purpose of the movement and what it intend to achieve in mobilizing support for the former Lagos State Governor and National leader of APC.s§cf

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Politics 0
Oyo Moves Against Violence,Releases New Guidelines For Park Management

The Oyo State Government has cautioned members of Park Management System(PMS) against violence in the state.

Commissioner for Public works, Infrastructure and Transportation, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin, who disclosed this at a press conference also released the Standard Operating Procedure for PMS in the state.

He said that the state was concerned about unhealthy rivalry in the transport sector as well as some reported reckless behaviour of persons associated with the body.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Commissioner made the position public during a press conference also attended by the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko, at the Oba Akinbiyi Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan.

The statement quoted the Commissioner as saying that the guidelines released by the state at the event must be strictly adhered to by the Park Managers in their day-to-day operation.

The Standard Operating Procedure indicates that no member of the PMS has the right to take Laws into his/he hands, adding that the body must follow the Criminal Code Laws of Nigeria and the Laws of Oyo State as well as operational codes of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA).

It also states that all members of the PMS must wear a human face while discharging their duties and be civil to members of the public while working collaboratively with security organs of the body.

It also states that no member of the PMS must drive recklessly and negligently whether on duty or otherwise.

It said no member of PMS is allowed to drink any form of liquor or intoxicant substances while on duty,adding that members are also not allowed to take cigarettes or any unauthorized drugs while on duty.

The guidelines also prohibit members of the PMS from consuming any form of prohibited hard drugs such as Cocaine, cannabis, refnol, heroin, codeine, Opioids, tobacco indian hemp, tramadol among others.

The guidelines further provide that no member of PMS must hold canes, sticks or rods while on duty, just as they are expected to as Civil as possible and ensure that commuters rights are well protected.

All PMS members,it said, are equally expected to wear government approved Vests and head gears as prescribed by the Oyo state government at all times.

The guidelines also prohibit PMS members from wearing Vests or head gears with unauthorized inscriptions, while they are to wear only those prescribed by the Oyo state government.

Sangodoyin stated that the state government will create data points throughout the State for all PMS members to enable them get properly registered and ensure identity Management.

Besides, the guidelines state that all PMS members must have their guarantors forms filled wherein the perpetrator or the guarantor in the absence of the perpetrator will be held liable for any form of infringement against the Laws of the country/ Oyo State.

Other operating procedures as revealed by the state include: that the leader of any unit will be held liable and face the disciplinary panel should any member under his supervision contravene any of the stipulated guidelines; geedback points and phone numbers shall be created throughout the state; all PMS members must not over speed above the prescribed limits, any perpetrator will face the music squarely, the statement read.

Earlier, the Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko,warned members of Park management System to desist from formelting trouble in the state, adding that the security agencies will not give room for anybody to affect the peace of the state.

In his remarks,the Chairman Oyo State Park Management Disciplinary Committee, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, pledged to abide by all the guidelines raised by the government.

He said that any member who is not ready to abide by the new guidelines will be made to quit the job.

COVID-19:International Travel To Fully Recover by 2025 – Report

GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company,says international departures will reach 68% of the pre-COVID-19 levels globally in 2022 and are expected to improve to 82% in 2023 and 97% in 2024, before making a full recovery by 2025 at 101% of 2019 levels, with a projected 1.5 billion international departures.

But,it said the trajectory for the recovery in international departures is not linear across regions or countries.

According to Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData: “International travel from North America had shown improvement in 2021 as international departures grew by 15% year-on-year. The US rose to become the world’s largest outbound travel market in 2021. In 2022, outbound departures from North America are projected to reach 69% of 2019 levels, before making a full recovery by 2024, at 102% of 2019 levels, ahead of other regions.

“International departures from European countries are expected to reach 69% of 2019 figures in 2022. As travel confidence rebuilds, the intra-European market is expected to benefit, driven by preferences for short-haul travel.

“However, travel recovery must contend with inflation, rising costs of living, and the war in Ukraine. By 2025, international departures are projected to be 98% of 2019 levels. Geographically, the war has not spread beyond Ukrainian borders. However, Russia was the world’s fifth largest outbound travel market in 2019, while Ukraine was the twelfth. Going forward, limited outbound travel from these countries will hinder Europe’s overall tourism recovery.

The report said Asia-Pacific is expected to lag in terms of recovery,while outbound departures from the region will only reach 67% of 2019 levels in 2022, owing to the relatively slower removal of travel restrictions, and the propensity for renewed domestic restrictions during COVID-19 outbreaks.

According to the report, once the region’s and the world’s largest outbound travel market, China is not showing any signs of relaxing its strict border measures in the short-term. In 2021, international departures from China were just 2% of 2019 levels.

Free added: “While global international travel is set to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2025, tourism demand may look quite different. From two years of very limited travel, several long-term shifts and short-term trends have emerged. Consumers are now more likely to pursue authentic experiences, demand personalized travel offerings, blend business and leisure travel, and be more conscious of their overall environmental impact. There is still a long way to go to reach a normal situation. However, a potential full recovery by 2025 at the latest gives good reason for the travel and tourism industry to be optimistic for the future.”

admin by — May 16, 2022 in News 0
Africa Needs US$2.45tr To Meet SDG Financing Gap -UN

The Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Rebecca Grynspan, says Africa requires US$2.45 trillion to meet its Sustainable Development Goals financing gap.

She spoke at the 54th Conference of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Dakar, Senegal,where she also said the continent can close half of the SDG financing gap for Africa if we are able to curb Illicit Financial Flows (IFF).

She said:“We are aware of the increasing rates which make it more difficult and harder for African countries to access finance. The African economies are also feeling the impact of the Russia – Ukraine war and thereby widening the financing gap.

“Africa requires US$2.45 trillion to meet its SDG financing gap. We can close half of the SDG financing gap for Africa if we are able to curb IFFs. We therefore cannot continue to allow the billions of dollars of IFFs slipping out of Africa every year.”

She said the continent cannot continue to allow the billions of dollars of IFFs slipping out of Africa annually.

She added:The IFFs and Asset Recovery are more critical to Africa today. Both are required by African Countries to achieve the SDGs.”

She emphasised the need for data and collaboration among African institutions like Customs and Central Banks as a necessary condition in tracking the IFFs.

Earlier,the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, rallied a global action against Illicit Financial Flows (IFF), including a call for a global framework on IFFs similar to corruption.

Addressing the meeting virtually, the ICPC boss emphasised the need for a global framework on IFFs as part of a determined commitment to tackle the menace.

“The challenge we found ourselves today is that the rules have always been skewed in favour of those who export capital and against those who import capital. Corruption is a global issue and we have a global framework on corruption.

“The IFF is also a global issue but does not have a global framework. A way out of the problem is to institute a global framework on IFF which, among others, will address the huge financial losses suffered by African countries,” he stated.

He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia – Ukraine war have complicated the financial resources of African countries, hence the need to tackle the IFFs and stop further hemorrhage of the financial resources of African countries.

Prof. Owasanoye also recommended legal and policy measures that should be implemented by African countries to address the IFFs risk.

These legal and policy measures,he saud,include Review of agreements entered into with Multinational Corporations (MNCs), review of inimical double taxation agreements, enactment of laws, rules or regulations on unexplained wealth order or lifestyle audit (following the recent Nigerian legislative example), Introduction of civil forfeiture of assets and beneficial ownership standards; and design of a framework for trans-digital transactions.

He also advocated tougher measures against corrupt State Officials who collude with the MNCs against their countries.

He added:“African countries must understand that the MNCs split contracts. The juicy parts of the contracts with MNCs are domiciled in their home countries while the non-juicy parts of the contracts are domiciled in Africa.We need to deal with the MNCs’ collaboration by government officials who look the other way in international agreements”

admin by — May 16, 2022 in News 0
Yorubaland Won’t Condone Religious Crisis -Aareonakakanfo

 

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams,has insisted that the South-West will resist any attempt that could trigger crisis and disturb the peace in the region.

He warned those stoking war to desist from acts that are capable of fueling ethics and religious war in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, condemned the murder of Miss Samuel Deborah, a 200 level student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto.

He advised that the culprits should be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

He also blamed the Sokoto State government for allowing such sensitive issues to degenerate to a full blown crisis, where churches and other places of worship were razed by irate youths and extremists.

“We are in the midst of a full-blown crisis in Nigeria, and unless something urgent is done, this may lead to a complete anarchy. There were reports of how some Northern extremists have invaded the south west. They are everywhere perfecting their insidious plans to set the southwest on fire, but I want to state it categorically that such attempt could only trigger war because we will resist any act that is capable of fueling both ethics or religious war in the south west.

“Three days ago, the South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) raised the alarm over the influx of non-Nigerians in the south west. The Yoruba group expressed worry at the situation, saying those non-Nigerians usually armed with knives, daggers and other harmful weapons, wherever they go and they are always ready to attack their victims.

“These religious fanatics have their agenda. Their plan was to wreak untold and monumental havoc on the south west region. However, we are aware of their plans and we will resist them by all means.

“The incident leading to Deborah’s murder showed the callousness of an extremists. She was mobbed, assaulted, brutalised, lynched to death and heartlessly set on fire.This, as far as I am concerned is the highest level of abuse to humanity and the soul of the deceased. It was purely a complete breakdown of law and order. A radical departure from what obtains in the world in this 21st Century.

“I am appealing to the Sokoto State governor, Malam Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to bring the culprits to book. None of them and their sponsors should go scot-free.There are laws that guarantee the safety of every citizen, and such laws should be respected without rift and rancour.And anybody that goes against the laws must be punished accordingly,” he added.

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Oduduwa 0
Why Alaafin Must Be Reburied -Satguru  Maharaj Ji 

Founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji has  implored  the custodians of culture and tradition in Oyo, to begin reburial of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

Satguru Maharaj Ji who disclosed this in a statement, said Oba Adeyemi should not have been buried in such an ordinary way, as there are certain compulsory rites that should have been observed before he was committed to mother earth.

He added:”Oba Adeyemi who spent well over fifty years on the throne of his father has never derailed from the vision of his forebears, who had always pursued the unity of the Yoruba race and freedom from European hegemony.The role that the late monarch played while alive deserved better than the manner in which he was laid to rest.

“During his last days, from January to April this year before he breathed his last, it is on record that he made overtures to traditional rulers, movers and shakers all over Nigeria and beyond on the need to make sure that the spirit of true federalism is adhered to in the country.It was while his emissaries were still delivering his last messages, that the report of his joining his Ancestors came about”.

He said  his warnings and admonitions had been severally ignored with dare consequences, adding that, “this present matter should be addressed with all the seriousness it deserves and all spiritual processes must be followed and reburial made”.

admin by — May 16, 2022 in News 0
How Street Trading Aids Traffic Robbery In Lagos -Taskforce

The Lagos State Taskforce has expressed concern over the rate street trading gives room for traffic robbery in some parts of the state.

The chairman of the agency,CSP Shola Jejeloye, disclosed this in his office at Oshodi, where he briefed his officers and men on the need for them to expand their horizons and increase their output by carrying out the laid down responsibilities.

He said:“There are many instances where some street traders carry out their activities during the day and when it gets dark they pull out dangerous weapons like knives and sharp objects to rob motorists held up in traffic.

“If we can ensure that this issue is taken care of at the roots, it will drastically reduce the cases of traffic robbery being reported daily. We have received series complaints from motorists and we will make sure this heinous acts become a thing of the past” Jejeloye stated.

He reiterated his agency’s zero tolerance for vices that have negative and harmful effects to the environment and actions carried out by recalcitrant law breakers with disturbing effects on all and sundry in the state.

He highlighted the vices to include; displaying of wares by the road side, selling on kerb, illegal blocking of streets for social activities, flagrant pollution of the environment, indiscriminate parking of vehicles on roads, usage of unapproved bus and Okada bus stops, street trading, illegal collection of fees on the highways and people constituting nuisance with impunity within the state.

Insisting that sanity would be restored in Lagos,Jejeloye urged his officers and men to carry out an all round operations in areas like Iyana-Ipaja, Oshodi, Ikeja Along, Yaba and other areas where Lagosians are made to face unnecessary traffic jam and hardship caused by traders who display their wares on the Road meant for easy passage of vehicles along that routes.

“It has become worrisome having to spend man hours in traffic caused by unauthorized display of wares by traders on our roads thereby creating an artificial bottleneck. We have to put a stop to that by ensuring that activities involving buying and selling are taken off the roads and into the marketing complex designed for such.

“We are going to make series of arrests in the coming week and they will all be made to face mobile court immediately for prosecution. This will serve as a deterrent to others to desist from carrying out activities that are detrimental to others. The roads, inner streets and highways belong to us all and it is in our best interest to make sure we safe guard and preserve them for our use” .

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Nigeria Can Earn $420m Annually From Onion Export

The National Onion Producers, Processors And Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has said that the country can generate $420million annually from onion export if there is value addition to the product.

The value addition includes position Nigeria’s Onion value chain in the global map of onion exporting countries and encouragement of repatriation of foreign exchange back to Nigeria according to the association.

The association’s president,Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitsasumu,disclosed these during its National Executive Meeting (NEC) held in Abuja at the weekend.

He implored both states and federal government as a matter of urgency to facilitate enabling environment for the association,saying the development will go a long way for the NOPPMAN to achieve its aims and goals in the area of contributing to the increment of Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating job opportunities through effective and efficient onion production.

The association also reiterated its commitment towards the promotion of the goals and visions of the Federal Government in implementing strategies that would facilitate the development of the non-oil commodity sector for job creation and for export.

Speaking with journalists after the NEC meeting, Maitsasumu said the bone of discussion was to discuss the achievements recorded so far in the onion sub-sector, challenges they are facing and look at the way forward to solve those challenges that arises from the successes recorded.

Highlighting some of the successes, NOPPMAN President said, the association has been able to initiate formal and documented exports, embarking on modern onion storage facility in Kuje, Abuja, which is the new initiative in the whole sub-sahara Africa.

Others are embarking on different conflict resolutions, increment in revenue generation and maintaining unity in diversity.

Also, the challenges according to him, includes double conversion rate, shortage in production, high-interest rate from the commercial banks.

According to him: “We have discussed the achievements recorded so far in the onion sub-sector and how to complement those achievements, we also looked at challenges we are facing and looking way forward on how to solve those challenges that arises from the successes recorded.Shortage in Production, Nigeria produces 1.4 million metric tons which fall short of its domestic demand of 2.5 million metric tons.

“This demand gap is largely occasioned by the inability to access necessary farming inputs on a timely basis, post-harvest losses due to the poor storage facility and inadequate processing plants due to lack of access to cheap credit facilities from government interventions.

“But we thank God, we have been able to initiate modern storage facility for onion production, which is the new initiative in the whole sub-sahara Africa. With this storage facility at Kuje, Abuja, the issue of spoil onion as a result of adequate storage facility is now the thing of the past, and this has resulted into more revenue for our members.

“The high-interest rate from the commercial banks does not help our business, which discourage our members across the value chain. If this situation continues, with the increase in population and the fact that Nigeria export Onions to other countries, this demand gap will continue to widen except there is a quick and timely intervention by the Federal government.

“It is our belief that once the above challenges are addressed, Onions and Onion products will contribute immensely to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increment, Position Nigeria’s Onion value chain in the global map of Onion exporting countries, Encourage repatriation of forex back to Nigeria.

“We are therefore, appealing to the Federal government to facilitate an understanding between the Association and the business environment, such that, Onions value chain would be developed. This will no doubt help small holder farmers and marketers facilitate access to quick credit and encourage huge investment in the sub-sector”.

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Agriculture 0
Oil Marketers Petition Sylva Over Alleged Discrepancies In Subsidy Payment

Some marketers have petitioned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resource, Timipre Sylva, revealing the alleged discrepancies in the payment to some oil marketers by the Chief Executive Officer
Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

The petition dated May 11th 2022, was
signed by M.O Ihemtuge of Integrity Chambers on behalf of the marketers

They expressed displeasure over the alleged selective payment.

They alleged that over twenty two ( 22 ) marketers were deliberately excluded from the payment scheduled for 28th , 29th and 30th April 2022 as against the rule that marketers within the same Batch should be paid together.

They also accused Chief Farouk Ahmed of making fraudulent payment to only four marketers which includes A.A Rano Nigeria Ltd, A.Y Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd., Danmarna Petroleum Ltd and A.Y.M Shafa Ltd.

They attributed the current fuel scarcity in the country on the divide and rule action of the regulatory authority.

They implored the Minister to intervene as a matter of urgency and prevail on the relevant authorities to put an end to selective payment.

The petition read : ” Our service has been retained by Mr.Ahmed Yusuf of AMFUL GLOBAL RESOURCES LTD. representing the Group of 22 marketers but a few amongst the affected ( hereinafter) referred to as our clients on whose instruction and information we verily believed to be the truth.

“That on the 28th- 30th April 2022 the above mention were due for payment as listed in the Annexures ‘ A’ . That it is the rule that marketers within the same Batch should be paid together and at the same time, but to our ultimate surprise and disappointment, Engr. Farouk Ahmed ( The Chief Executive Officer Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority) isolated and paid four ( 4 ) marketers whose names are ; A.A Rano Nigeria Ltd, A.Y Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd., Danmarna Petroleum Ltd and A.Y.M Shafa Limited.

” To our ultimate surprise and embarrassment other are denied and still being denied without and cogent reasons and without explanation but for his personal interest. Consequently, it is our clarion call to you sir to intervene and stop this act so presenting as fraud, as this has led to present state of fuel scarcity as transporter can no longer travel to bring fuel because of marketers’ huge amount hanging”

admin by — May 16, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0