Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has raised the alarm over a plot by the Federal Government and her agents to frame him up by planting illegal items on him in any of his trips outside the shores of Nigeria, and have him quizzed and embarrassed by foreign security agencies.

A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media noted that investigations by the Rivers State Governor revealed the Federal Government is using her security agencies to plan the set up anytime the governor travels abroad.

The governor said: ” My investigation reveals that the Federal government using her security agencies is planning to set me up anytime I am travelling outside the country. They plan to organise security to storm the hotel I am staying and say they found xyz cash in my possession; after which they would say I was arrested for currency trafficking or whatever offences outside the country.

“They will then precipitate crisis in my state and other parts of Nigeria. They will plan demonstrations to demonize me and claim I have gone outside to embarrass the country. The public odium is meant to smear me before my people and other Nigerians. It is unfortunate, wicked and unfair.

“What they plan is similar to what was once done to the late Chief DSP Alamieseigha. They are planning what they call the ‘Alams treatment’ for me. But, by the grace of Almighty God, they will fail.”

Governor Wike said, though he was neither scared nor disturbed over the plot, he felt the need to alert the nation and the world to the evil and dangerous dimension politics had degenerated in the country.

He said: “I am using this opportunity to alert the world of the sinister plot. I am a law-abiding citizen of this country and countries I visit in the course of my work or holidays. I have never dabbled into anything illegal. So, any attempt to frame me up on trumped up charges or alleged offences is bound to fail.”

“What they are doing is just cheap politics. They want to intimidate the opposition into silence as they are already doing with their so-called ‘looters’ list’. It won’t work. We can’t all be intimidated. What we expect government at the centre to do is to showcase to the people their lists of achievements; why they should get a second chance. But they have nothing to show; so they are embarking on intimidation and arm-twisting tactics of the opposition.”

Governor Wike said he was sure of resounding victory at the polls in 2019, because he has been serving the people diligently and efficiently.

“My works will speak for me. My projects will speak for. The People of Rivers State will speak for me by voting me back. No shaking, ” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave for Britain today (Monday) for an official visit.

The President will hold discussions with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May before he will proceed to Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings that will start on 18th April, 2018.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu on Sunday night said that President Buhari will also meet Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Monday 9th April, 2018 for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria – British relations with Prime Minister Mrs Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th to 20th April, 2018.

“The President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15b in Nigeria’s oil industry.

“These investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years production and domestic gas supply, bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society.

“President Buhari is due to renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, a good friend of the President on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and World-wide.

“Further meetings have also been scheduled for the President to see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.”

The Federal Government has at last recognised Anambra as one of the oil producing states in the federation.

The National chairman of Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas, HOSCON, Prince Mike Emuh, who disclosed this yesterday at Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ House, Government House, Awka, while briefing traditional rulers in the state, said the Federal Government had also approved 10 modular refineries in all the 11 oil producing states in the country out of which one of the refineries would be cited in Anambra.

Emuh further told the traditional rulers that the Federal Government also approved the employment of 10,000 youths from all the oil producing states, out of which 1,000 youths are to be employed in Anambra State, adding that he was in the state to ask the royal fathers to mention a particular place where the modular refinery would be cited in the state and to prepare for the selection of the youths to be employed.

Flanked by Chief Monday Whisky, HOSCON’s National Media Director and other national officers; Anambra HOSCON officers, including the state chairman, Anthony Chiokwe, his deputy, Greg Onyilegbe and the state organising secretary, Ifeanyi Chigbo (a.k.a. Target), Emuh who is also a member of Federal Government’s Governing Council on Petroleum, also handed over all the documents containing the approvals from the Federal Government and a copy of HOSCON’s constitution to the royal fathers.

Meanwhile, Anambra State government reacted last night on the new status of the state as officially an oil producing state, describing it as a welcome development.

Speaking with Vanguard on the issue, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. C Don Adinuba, however observed that the quantity of oil produced in the state was still small, hoping that with further exploration, more oil would be discovered in the state.

He said: “This is cheering news, but we must realize that the quantity of oil produced in Anambra State cannot be compared to what is produced in other oil -producing states in the country.

“The oil in Anambra is produced from marginal oil fields, which may not immediately attract international oil companies. For now, the oil is produced through barges as opposed to pipeline drilling that carries large quantity of crude oil.

“But we are grateful for this recognition, which will surely shore up the state’s revenue, even if marginally.”

Responding, the State Chairman of Anambra Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, commended him for coming to brief them and disclosed that the traditional rulers would set up a committee to be headed by the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Christopher Idigo, to look into his briefings and take a decisive steps.

Achebe who handed all the documents over to Igwe Idigo, disclosed that he himself, having worked in the oil industry for over 30 years, would serve as a private consultant to actualize the dream of Anambra getting its fare share as an oil producing state.

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared his interest to seek re-election in the 2019 elections.

He made the declaration at a National Executive Council meeting of the All Progressives Party (APC) which just ended in Abuja with a resolution to conduct elections in the offices of the National Working Committee of the party at all levels.

The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to recontest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.

Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.

His remarks:

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS NATIONAL EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 9TH APRIL, 2018

I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important meeting in the affairs of our party and our country. I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.

It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, It is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.

I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.

However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.

Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.

Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.

Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the registration of the Batch A stream II prospective Corps Members.

The announcement of the extension of registration was made via NYSC’s Twitter handle.

This is to inform 2018 Batch “A” Prospective Corps Members that Online Registration has been extended to Tuesday 10th April, 2018.

— NYSC HQ Nigeria (@nysc_ng) April 9, 2018

The agency had earlier notified prospective corps members that the registration portal will be open from Monday, March 26, 2018, and will close on Sunday, April 8, 2018.

However, the portal will now remain open till today,  April 10, 2018.

The Suru Local Government Council in Kebbi, says it will begin to pay 1000 youths in the area N5,000 monthly allowance each, to help them overcome unemployment challenges.

The Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Usman Maigandi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Suru that the beneficiaries comprised 600 males and 400 females.

“The youths will be empowered with N5,000 monthly allowance to help them overcome unemployment challenges.

“They can use the allowance for investment and trade; the amount will be beneficial to the youths if used prudently.

“Asides from this, the council is also taking the responsibility of paying medical bills for the less privileged people in the area.

“My council decided to take such steps in order to encourage the youths and make them become self-reliant,’’ Maigandi said.

The chairman called on the people to be law-abiding and support the efforts of the local government in developing the area.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Zaki Ahmed, has launched a manhunt for the killers of SP Kingsley Chukwuegu, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rumuolumeni Police Station in the state.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by DSP Nnamdi Omoni, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, said the commissioner had promised to arrest the killers.

Omoni also said that the commissioner had already led a delegation of senior police officers to commiserate with the wife of the deceased officer and other family members.

“With a deep sense of loss, the Police Command in Rivers announces the sudden death of SP Kingsley Chukwuegu who died in the early hours of Monday.

“Until his death he was the DPO, Rumuolumeni Police Station. The Commissioner of Police has this morning led a delegation of Senior Police Officers to commiserate with his wife and other members of his family.

“The commissioner has launched a serious man-hunt for the perpetrators of the dastardly act and promised to fish them out soonest,” the spokesman said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo on his 90th birthday.

Buhari, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the elder statesman.

He thanked God for the grace that had taken Adebanjo to this landmark age.

The president, who noted with delight that Adebanjo had clocked 90 years, believed the politician and lawyer had contributed to national development through his profession and commitment to nation building.

He prayed that almighty God would grant Adebanjo longer years and strength to serve humanity.

Born on April 10, 1928, Adebanjo has been identified as one of the strong and die-hard associates of the late Chief Obafemi Owolowo and Awoism.

Adebanjo, one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has also been described as the “last of the original Awoists’’.

He is also a leader of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group in the South-West region of the country. – NAN.

A middle-aged housewife, Umma Bashir, on Tuesday dragged her husband, Ibrahim Bashir, to a Sharia Sourt II at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State for renting out her bedroom without her knowledge.

The complainant told the court that her husband had provided two rooms for her and her two children but decided to rent out the bedroom without her consent.

She said “I returned home from an errand, only to see my bedroom locked and belongings moved to the sitting room.

“When I confronted my husband, he told me that it was his room and that he had the right to do whatever he wished with it.”

Umma, who had left for her parents’ house for five days, told the court that she won’t return to her matrimonial home until her husband provides good shelter for her.

She also disclosed that her two co-wives were living in a two-bedroom apartment each with their children but she was left with one room to manage.

The defendant agreed that he truly rented out the room, but denied his wife’s claim of not being informed prior to it.

He said, “I informed her that I would rent out one of the rooms, to enable me to renovate an apartment I was planning to relocate her to.”

Ibrahim added that he promised his wife that he would use the money collected from the tenant to renovate the proposed apartment.

The Judge, Malam Musa Sa’ad, after listening to both parties, emphasised the importance of shelter in marriage.

He said it was the responsibility of the husband to provide shelter for his family, stressing that “in Islam, it is  wrong for husband and wife to live in one room with two teenagers.”

The judge adjourned the case until April 18 for the court to be able to inspect the house and assess its condition.

In desperate need of surgery to alleviate the ravages of sickle cell disease and previous medical care that worsened his condition, university student Abiodun Bakare was about to give up hope when he discovered the cost of his surgery would be N18 million (about $50,000).
Bakare, his family and friends had done their research and discovered that a hospital in India could provide him with the care he needed, but the cost of the care and the journey was well beyond his reach.
Digging deeper, Bakare was determined to solve his challenge locally, and finally his search connected him with a hospital in Nigeria’s northern state of Sokoto where medical experts agreed to perform the operation for a nominal fee.
Bakare’s friends jumped in, launched a social media fundraising campaign, and pulled together the money needed for the operation. However, Bakare still had to overcome one huge hurdle: how to get to the hospital.
The 18-hour overland journey was out of the question due to Bakare’s critical condition. Fortunately, a friend stepped in again and discovered a solution: Flying Doctors Nigeria, which agreed to fly Bakare to the hospital free of charge. The offer reduced a journey that would have taken longer than a day, to just over an hour.
“I knew we had to support Bakare with air ambulance services because it would have been impossible for the student to pull together the funds to pay for the service,” explained Dr Ola Brown, founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first and leading indigenous air ambulance service organisation.
The news came as a surprise to Bakare. “I didn’t even know there was an air ambulance service in Nigeria. I thought these services exist only in the Western world. My health condition opened my eyes to the fact that this kind of service is available in Nigeria,”Bakare later said.
He appreciates the support of Flying Doctors Nigeria and understands its value. “This is a journey that the firm could charge over a million naira for. It is still like a dream to me that this kind-hearted firm would intervene in my situation and provide their air ambulance services at no cost to me,” he added.
Dr Ola Brown says that there are a number of reasons air ambulance services are essential to both the patient in particular and the healthcare community in general.
“The first hours of an emergency situation are critical and the life of individuals shouldn’t depend on how far they live from the medical facility best equipped to handle their injury or illness,” she said. “And we know that the sooner patients receive the proper care, the sooner and better they recover,” she added.
“Further, a firm like Flying Doctors Nigeria helps us solve the logistical problems involved in providing good healthcare in Nigeria, where the roads are often poor and the distances between the patient and healthcare are wide,” she explained. “Ultimately, this allows us to save money by centralising healthcare services.”
Bakare remains grateful. “I want to say thank you to Flying Doctors Nigeria for their support, and encourage other Nigerians to embrace this means of transporting critically ill patients, because if not for Flying Doctors Nigeria, I could have remained in my serious and painful medical condition.”
Dr Ola Brown established Flying Doctors Nigeria almost 10 years ago. Since then, the firm has saved lives across the West Africa sub-region, including infants, children, and pregnant women. Corporate organisations, such as those in the construction, mining, oil & gas industries, have also come to depend on the services of Flying Doctors Nigeria.
Born, raised and trained in the UK, Dr Ola Brown graduated as one of the youngest medical doctors in England. She is also a trainee helicopter pilot.She leads a team of 50 emergency healthcare professionals from the Flying Doctors Nigeria base at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos where their aircraft is located.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu will on 26 April argue before a Federal High Court in Abuja why the Federal Government should be stopped in seizing 22 houses, said to belong to him.

The Federal Government had on March 21 filed an ex parte motion, seeking an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of some of Ekweremadu’s assets it claimed were undeclared.

Mr Festus Keyamo, (SAN), filed the ex parte application on behalf of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property.

When the matter came up on Tuesday, Mr Adegboyega Awomolo, (SAN), counsel to Ekweremadu told the court that he filed two applications on March 26.

He said the first application was praying the court for leave to be heard in the motion ex parte adding that he had filed a counter affidavit to depositions contained in the application.

He said the second application was praying the court to decline jurisdiction and exercise of judicial power, and consequently strike out or dismiss the motion.

This, Awomolo said was on the grounds that the panel was unknown to law.

“The body that brought that motion ex parte does not exist in law. We are challenging the constitutionality of its existence” Awomolo said.

In opposition to Ekweremadu’s application seeking to be heard, the Federal Government stated that all it was currently seeking was to obtain an order of court stopping Ekweremadu from dissipating the assets in question whilst investigation was ongoing.

Mr Bala Dakum, counsel to the government claimed that it was not seeking to permanently deprive Ekweremadu of the use of his properties.

He alleged that the application of Ekweremadu was a delay tactic to frustrate the suit adding that there were reports that Ekweremadu was already selling off the assets in question.

According to him, without an order attaching/forfeiting the said properties, the likelihood of the frustration of investigations as well as the dissipation of the said properties was very high.

He further told the court that the matter was of utmost public interest and concern, and that an order of court would enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, adjourned the matter until April 26 for hearing. – NAN.

Multiple music award winner, Mr Innocent Idibia, is set to swell the ranks of entertainers seeking political offices.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos, the R&B crooner and songwriter said it is about time good people intervened in Nigeria’s politics.

He however, did not reveal under which political platform and at what level he would be seeking to actualise his political aspiration.

Nonetheless, Mr Idibia said he was interested in affecting lives positively and would soon pick up the challenge of a political position. He also urged youths to get more involved politically.

“Politics affects everything I do. So, I am definitely going to be interested in politics. I will soon participate as a contestant and speak the truth at all times.

“I hope and pray that good men will rise up and make a difference in this country, because we need more patriotic people in all aspects of life,” he said.

Also, Idibia called on Nigerians to come to the aid of victims of the herdsmen and farmers clashes.

“There is so much we’ve been saying about this crisis, but nothing much has come the way of the victims.

“We just need more people to support and join hands to continue extending relief materials to affected people.

“This is the most important thing we can now do; bring succour to the victims,” he said.

The musician said people need to be sensitised on safety precautions during times of crisis.

Idibia appealed to the Federal Government to do the needful by ensuring permanent solution to the crisis.

“This thing is going on for too long, repeating itself over and over. There has to be a solution, the victims are not goats they are humans and should be taken care of.

“I feel terrible not because it also happened in Benue State, where I hail from, but because it is also happening almost throughout the federation.

“It does not have to happen to someone you know before you speak up about it,” he said.

The suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, alleging violation of his fundamental human rights by the Senate has been dismissed by the court.

Justice Abba-Bello Muhammad of the FCT High Court, Jabi, on Tuesday said that the suit lacked merit.

The judge said that Section 88 and 89 of the Nigeria’s Constitution empowers the lawmakers to carry out investigations on issues of public interest.

Joined in the suit are the Senate President Bukola Saraki; Sen. Isah Misau and members of the ad-hoc committee that heard complaints of financial misappropriation levelled against the Police.

The judge said that the I-G failed to establish the element that constituted infringement on his fundamental human rights as he alleged against the Senate.

“His right has not been infringed to require the court’s intervention, inviting the applicant is a mere invitation to shed more light on the allegations levelled against him.

” More so, the Police Act also empowers the Police to carry out investigation about itself which the Police was already doing as at the time the allegations were raised,” the judge said.

The I-G had approached the court seeking a declaration that the investigative activities of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee breached his rights as the Head of the Police Force.

He also sought for a declaration that his invitation to appear before the ad-hoc committee based on Sen. Misau’s petition was also a violation of his rights. – NAN.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerian youths, especially aspiring young leaders, not to repeat the mistakes of the past, charging them to revolutionize a new paradigm shift in leadership and citizenship.

Jonathan gave the charge yesterday in Yenagoa while receiving the New Nigeria 2019 Group, (#NN-2019) and the Young Professionals of Nigeria, YPN, led by Chima Nwafor and Moses Siasia.

He also commended the youth groups for trying to chart a new course for the socio-political development of the country.

The former president, who described youths as the pillar of any society, stressed that anybody who meant well for the society will not downplay the role of the youths, noting that the political history of the country was replete with youths who have played leadership positions and performed creditably well.

He also went on to urge the youths not to make the fundamental mistakes of past leaders which included mistakes of tribalism, nepotism, and mistakes of religious intolerance.

He said: “I am happy that you cut across all parts of the country, you are

not here because you are Christians or Muslims, you are not here

because you are from the South-South, or from the North-East, or North West or South West, but because you are Nigerian youths that are committed to a particular cause and you want to make an impact for a better society for us and the future generations.”

A statement issued by his media adviser Mr. Ikechukwu Eze also noted that Jonathan identified himself with other leaders who had advocated for young people to be fully involved in leadership. According to the statement, former President Jonathan said further that he believed in the philosophy of Late Maitama Sule who posited “that the young breed without old breed will breed greed.” I believe that both old and young people must come together.

He noted that there was a time young people played dominant roles in the nation’s politics. He said: “All the big historical names you hear; Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Sarduana of Sokoto, Michael Okpara, all of them got involved in governance at very young age. Some of them were ministers in their twenties.”

He stressed that the situation was similar up to the time of the military heads of state, starting from Yakubu Gowon who was 32 and Ibrahim Babangida and President Buhari who became heads of state as young men.

He said further: “I am not envisioning a government that every actor will be below thirty-five years old, but I share the aspiration of those who want young people to be fully involved in governance.

“I remember when Alfred Diette Spiff was the military governor of the then old Rivers State, though most of the members of his cabinet were older than him and even referred to him as “my son,” together they achieved much in infrastructure and human development.

Jonathan stated that during his political career as a governor and president, he encouraged young people and women to play key roles in governance.

“Before I leave let me charge the young people in two key areas; the young must reform the young for us to grow positively. Some of the challenges like cultism, kidnapping and terror that we are have in the society are perpetrated by youths who have been used negatively.

“A group like yours constituting of CEOs must create platforms to re- orientate the thinking of our young people. I am glad that you mentioned setting up similar bodies, across the country. At least even if you start from the universities and secondary schools, to change the mindset of the youths.  Youth movements like Boys Scout, Boys Brigade and Girls Guide, developed from this kind of thinking. He went on to note that the growth of society should not be marked by flashy cars, sky scrapers and beautiful roads but by the people, the way they think and the way they do things.

Earlier, the Convener of NN-2019, Dr. Chima Anyaso and Chairman NYPF Moses Siasia, said they are consulting with elder statesmen all over the country to seek their blessings and support, and mobilizing young minds to advocate for democratic inclusion come 2019, stressing that they have taken up the challenge to participate actively in the democratic process of the country.

The Federal Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage will commence public hearing across the country from 23rd April, 2018, in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.

National President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the Central Working meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Wabba said that the public hearing which would also take place in Lagos and Abuja would consider memoranda from organised Labour, governors and employers of Labour especially as the organised Labour was said to have presented a new demand of over N66,500 to government.

Wabba while confirming the upward review of the demand of organised Labour, however, refused to confirm the new figure presented to the tripartite committee for consideration.

He said, “I will not be drawn to mention figures because it is not relevant at the moment as organised Labour considered the current realities in the country.

“As certain variables and current inflation in the country has made us to make an upward review of the demand.

“The new submission from Labour is not different from the initial submission. We made a demand almost two years ago and that demand was the beginning of the process.

“So , the demand of Labour was based on the agreement we had on the five-year circle which we believe was due and also considering the level off inflation, we made a demand of N56,000.”

He said the tripartite committee after its constitution by President Muhammad Buhari, requested state governors and employers, private sector and organised labour to resubmit their memorandum to the committee for discussion to commence.

The NLC President said in furtherance to the request states, federal government, NECA and Labour have submitted their memos.

He said, “But what we did was to look at the dynamics of the times because the discussion will be evidence based.

“So, we undertook a study and made a submission. This is the logic and not that we have submitted a new position.

“It was the same memo that we submitted, but what we did was to look at the indices because a lot have changed between 2015 and 2018.

“So that cannot be regarded as a change of position because the process of arriving at a minimum wage in line with convention 121 is evidence-based.

“Everybody submitting memo or document will have to back it up with logic and not just quote figures from the air.”

He, however said that every variable that was supposed to be considered for a discussion on the new minimum wage has been considered.

According to him, “Clearly, what I want to inform you about is that we are committed to what we have.”

He added that the next Tripartite Committee meeting would be held on April 17, to discuss procedure for the public hearing. – Vanguard.

The National Population Commission (NPC) has put Nigeria’s current population at 198 million people with urban population growing at an average annual growth rate of about 6.5 per cent.

Chairman of NPC, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, stated this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration at the 51st Session of Commission on Population and Development.

Duruiheoma said: “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million.

“The recent World Population Prospects predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will become the third most populated country in the world.

“Over the last 50 years, the Nigeria’s urban population has grown at an average annual growth rate of more than 6.5 per cent without commensurate increase in social amenities and infrastructure.

”It grew substantially from 17.3 in 1967 to 49.4 per cent in 2017. In addition, the 2014 World Urbanisation Prospects report, predicts that by 2050, most of the population – 70 per cent – will be residing in cities.

”The 2010 human mobility Survey report revealed that 23 per cent of the sampled population were of more females than males”.

He said the category of population mostly engaged in urbanisation and migration were young people of teenage and adolescents’ girls and boys, women of child bearing age and the working age population.

He said existing urbanisation trend coupled with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in cities, pose critical challenges to securing sustainability of our cities, including efforts to make them smart and responsive to human influx.

”The Displacement Tracking Matrix round XXI of January 2018 identified estimated 1.7 million IDPs in over 321,580 households across six states of North-East Nigeria with 40 per cent residing in camp-like settings in urban areas plus 1.4 million returnees.

”The number of IDPs represented 4.5 per cent increase compared to the 1,702,680 identified in Round XX (Dec. 2017).”

Duruiheoma said like in other developing countries, Nigerian cities hosted wide spread poverty, under-employment and unemployment at an average of 18.4 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics 2017 report.

The NPC boss bemoaned the insecurity and inadequate and inequitable health care services for adolescents and women of child bearing age.

”Nigeria continues to commit to solving the challenges of insurgents in the Northeast, which has induced a high number of internally displaced persons.

“We acknowledge that women, children and particularly the girl child are often the most vulnerable in these displacements, and in this regard, we remain focused on the wellbeing of these vulnerable parts of our population.
”We are committed to providing adequate health care services, reducing maternal mortality, rebuilding safe schools and empowering our women, ensuring no one is left behind in terms of achieving sustainable development.”

Duruiheoma said these challenges adversely impacted on the quality of life and standards of living of the urban populace.

According to him, Nigeria stays committed to the twin goals of the Habitat Agenda – adequate shelter for all and the development of sustainable human settlements in an urbanising world. – NAN

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby during his visit to Abuja House London, to see President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed the church would be praying for him following his declaration for a second term in office.

“You have my best wishes on your recent decision. I read your declaration speech. We are neutral as a church, but we will pray for you. Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country,” the clergyman told the President.

Welby said it was always a delight to see Buhari whom he said he had tremendous respect for.

The Archbishop presented Buhari with a copy of his recent book, “Reimagining Britain. Foundations for Hope.”

After the visit, Welby took to his Twitter handle, where encouraged people to pray for Nigeria; “Please join me in standing prayerfully with those in #Nigeria suffering from the herder-farmer conflict, the #BokoHaram insurgency and all those mourning loved ones. Pray especially for Christ’s liberating peace to be with all those in captivity.”

Buhari and Welby were joined by the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, George Oguntade; and the Secretary-General of Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.

Students at Beirut Arab University (BAU) will now be able to gain prestigious Cambridge English certificates, thanks to a new agreement.

BAU will be formally recognizing Cambridge English Qualifications, in addition to working with Cambridge English on several research and leadership programs.
Students will be encouraged to prepare for Cambridge English’s B2 First exam, a high level qualification which is recognized by universities, employers and government bodies in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries.

The qualifications are valid for life and will help students, who wish to immigrate, further their studies or enhance their employability globally.

Ramiz Haddadin from Cambridge Assessment English explains that ‘successfully passing the B2 first exam indicates that the student has achieved high standards in English for listening, speaking, reading and writing and can use the English language in different contexts and are prepared to take the C1 Advanced qualification’.

Haddadin added: ‘Reliable English language exams are more important than ever to individuals and institutions. Cambridge English Qualifications don’t just show how much English you know – they prove that you can use the language to communicate in the real world. This can have huge benefits for individuals looking to further their studies and careers, as well as institutions wanting to ensure they are attracting candidates with the right levels of English language skills’.

Cambridge Assessment English is a department of the University of Cambridge.

Cambridge English exams are taken by more than 5.5 million people a year, in over 170 countries.

They are recognised by over 24,000 universities, employers, and governments around the world, a number which is rapidly increasing.

It was a wonderful moment filled with love and support for the average Nigerian child as Change-A-Life (CAL) Foundation held a special fundraising auction tagged “Celebrity Iconic Piece Auctioning” at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, April 5, 2017.

The event, which was held as a part of the foundation’s social service activities for the year 2018, had several dignitaries and celebrities in attendance, including former First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, represented by Mrs. Azeezat Tijani, who offered to train all beneficiaries of the foundation’s Women in Business programme in catering services.

Also in attendance were representatives of the famous talent and event agency, Temple Management Company; popular red carpet and television host, Denrele Edun, who anchored the event; Ugochukwu Monye, principal head of Ugo Monye Menswear Fashion brand and official tailor of Big Brother Naija’s Ebuka Obi-Uchendu; Head, Digital Marketing, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Yinka Ijabiyi, and Toyin Lawani of Tiannah Styling.

CAL Foundation, a social non-profit organisation passionately driven by the need to enable and facilitate a better life for every Nigerian child, which was founded in 2002 by journalist and TV producer, Funmi Iyanda, has consistently delivered several empowering initiatives to support children and women.

The foundation, which is known for supporting children who despite the harsh socio-economic situation in the country have shown determination to thrive in their various academic endeavours, decided to hold the event in order to raise more funds for the continued support of academically sound, well-mannered students who are facing financial constraints.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Operating Officer, Sekinah Ayeyemi, stated “that the event was held in line with the organisations mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria, especially in the area of academic development.

“This auctioning event provides us with the needed support to reach out to more children. We believe that with the proceeds from today’s event, our foundation (CAL) would definitely become enabled to support the development of more children and the protection of their rights.”

Ms Ayeyemi further explained that the event is also remarkable because it marks the celebration of the Foundation’s 15th year of putting smiles on the faces of all its beneficiaries.

In appreciation to the foundation for its immense contribution to the advancement of child rights as well as the social and academic development of the average child, several past beneficiaries of the foundation commended the founder, Ms. Iyanda, and appreciated her for her passion for children.

One of the past beneficiaries, Okon Clement, now a graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education, commended the foundation and its founder for their steadfast love for empowering children and youths.

“This foundation has been a blessing to me in many ways. I am a graduate today thanks to the financial support I receive as a beneficiary of the foundation which took care of my fees from primary level of education until I finished from the university. I pray that God continues to bless and increase them,” Clement said.

Ayeyemi also appreciated all the supporters and sponsors of the event for their unwavering commitment towards improving the wellbeing of the average Nigerian child in communities all around Lagos and beyond.

“We really appreciate all the dignitaries, celebrities and VIP who have demonstrated their love for the children of this great nation by supporting this event; we say a big thank you to all,” Ayeyemi said.

She finally called on other corporate institutions to support the foundation as well as other similar organization as a way of showing their love for the development of the average Nigerian child as well as in continuation of their social development activities.