Group urges NNPC to sanction petrol hoarders

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November 16, 2021

PMB Oil and Gas Progress has alleged that some petroleum marketers are planning to create artificial petrol scarcity in the country ahead of the Yuletide, calling on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sanction the culprits.

The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mallam Sabiu Abdullahi, yesterday, expressed concern over alleged attempts by some petroleum marketers to hoard over 90 million litres of petrol, to be sold at exorbitant prices during the festivities

The group called on the NNPC management not to be lenient with any marketer found guilty of creating artificial scarcity.

Libya prosecutor opposes Gaddafi’s presidential bid

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Henry Williams

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November 16, 2021

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Libya’s military prosecutor, Mohamed Gharouda, has asked the electoral body to halt processing the paperwork for the presidential candidacy of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the country’s late ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The prosecutor also asked that the paperwork for warlord Khalifa Haftar – who is also seeking the presidency – be suspended.

The electoral commission on Sunday said that Mr Gaddafi had submitted the necessary documents as a presidential candidate in the elections set for next month.

But in a letter to the electoral commission, Mr Gharouda warned that the commission would be held responsible for consequences if the processing of the paperwork was not halted.

Inflation ‘decelerates’, defies market reality

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Henry Williams

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November 16, 2021

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Again, the October inflation rate defied market reality as data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), yesterday, showed prices of goods and services have continued to increase at a slower rate.

Amid escalating prices, the October Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of goods and services, showed inflation decelerated to 15.99 per cent (year-on-year) in October 2021 as against 16.63 per cent recorded in September.

According to NBS, the inflation rate has decelerated for seven straight months, a rare trend in recent history. The headline inflation, driven by soaring food prices, had accelerated consistently for about three years, hitting 18.17 per cent in March. Since April, the rise in inflation has been slower, according to NBS statistics.

Group threatens to occupy CBN for seven days over exchange rate

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Henry Williams

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November 16, 2021

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Nigeria youths under the auspices of Nigerian Youth Initiative for Good Governance (NYIGG) have vowed to mobilise Nigeria masses to occupy the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to relieve the governor, Godwin Emefiele, of his duties within seven days.

According to the Convener / National Coordinator, NYIGG, Engr, Adeyemi Lukman, the inconsistent and poor monetary and fiscal policies of the CBN was solely responsible for the sky-rocketed prices of commodities in the market which he noted is almost going above the reach of the masses.

Difficult to be impartial, objective without autonomy, CJN tells Buhari

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Henry Williams

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November 16, 2021

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It is difficult for the judiciary to be impartial and objective in a democracy, where it remains financially tied to the executive. Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, made this known, yesterday, at the 2021 biannual All Nigeria Judges Conference for courts of superior records, at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

He stressed the need for financial autonomy upon which the impartiality of the judiciary is anchored and to avert the repeat of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike that grounded the judiciary for months.

The conference offers judges a chance to collectively strategise and tackle the problems of court inefficiencies, poor infrastructure and condition of service, decay of intellectual capacity and corruption.

EndSARS: Lagos will fully implement judicial panel report- Sanwo-Olu

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Henry Williams

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November 16, 2021

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured of the implementation of the recommendations of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of EndSARS related abuses and other matters.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said this during the submission of the report to him on Monday. He also immediately constituted a four-member committee led by the Lagos State attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo to raise a white paper on the report of the panel within two weeks.

Other members of the committee are; commissioner for youth and social development, Segun Dawodu; special adviser, works and infrastructures, Aramide Adeyooye and permanent secretary, cabinet office, Tolani Oshodi.

10-Year Football Plan Committee Will Not Achieve Anything – Amiesimaka

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Emenike Agu

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November 16, 2021

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The former Super Eagles forward declined the appointment as he had served like-minded committees whose reports were not used

Former Super Eagles left-winger and 1980 Nations Cup winner, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has declined his nomination by the Minister Sports and Youth Development, as a member of a committee to produce a 10-year football development masterplan for the country, because similar assignments he carried out in the past ”yielded nothing”.

Amiesimaka, who revealed this in a statement issued on Sunday, in Port Harcourt, attached a letter dated October 12 attesting to his declining his appointment.

“I have been informed that some radio stations have announced that I am on this committee: No, I am not.

“As this letter dated October 12, 2021, addressed to the Minister, Youth and Sports Development, and duly delivered since then attests: I respectfully declined the offer,” he said.

According to the attached letter, Amiesimaka declined the offer because he was not expecting any positive outcomes from it, as similar assignments he had carried out had yielded nothing.

“I recall that carefully thought-through reports on similar subjects by other committees, some of which I was privileged to serve on, were received with high recommendation by the authorities, only to gather dust.

”Regrettably, there is no indication whatsoever that things will be any different this time around,” he said in the statement.

Qatar 2022 Race: Musa Says Eagles Will Cope Well With Pressure Against Sharks

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Emenike Agu

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November 16, 2021

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Captain Ahmed Musa has assured that the Super Eagles are matured, professional and ambitious enough to deal with any pressure when taking on the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in Tuesday’s ultimate game of Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying African series.

“There will always be all kinds of pressure when you are out there on the football field, as a professional sportsman or woman. You just must have strong fibre to cope with the pressure from everywhere, focus on getting the result and get the job done. Pressure is never an excuse not to put out your best; sometimes, it helps you to get beyond your level best,” Musa told thenff.com. just before the Super Eagles had their last training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Monday evening.

At a pre-match press conference earlier in the day, Nigeria’s record international caps’ holder also said the big motivation to go all out in Tuesday’s encounter is that a number of players in the squad are yet to feature at the FIFA World Cup finals.

“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest stage for every professional football player. They all want to be there; you don’t need any more motivation than that. We said after the match with Liberia in Tangier on Saturday that we will not be going for a draw against Cape Verde. Nothing has changed.”

Musa also assured that the Eagles will not be under-rating the Sharks but will go all out as from the first whistle of Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal.

Head Coach Gernot Rohr, who will be in charge of his 54^th game for the Nigeria senior men’s team on Tuesday, expressed confidence that the three-time African champions will collect all three points against the Sharks, just as they did when both teams met at the Estadio Municipal Adérito Sena on the island of Mindelo on 7^th September.

“We have a job on our hands and that is to win tomorrow. It is important to win so as to be sure of where you will be at the end of the day. We are top of the table now and a win keeps us there and sends us to the final knockout round.

“I really don’t think we are under any pressure. We have 12 points, two more than the opponents. They are the ones with the big pressure to come out and look for a win. Our approach for tomorrow will be to win. The players are looking forward to doing that.”

Forward Odion Jude Ighalo, who was unable to play any part in Saturday’s encounter in Tangier because he arrived in Morocco only two days to the match as he was taking his second dose of the covid19 vaccine in Riyadh, is likely to be involved against the Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. It would be his first run-out with the squad since he announced his retirement from the international scene after the 2019 AFCON, where he was tournament top scorer.

Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks, who lost 1-2 to the Eagles on their own soil two months ago, are staying at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

Hendai City: Chinese Investors Acquire 120 Hectares For State-Of-The-Art Project

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Angel Gimalo

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November 16, 2021

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A multibillion dollars modern city development project promoted by the Chinese investors , Hendai Investment Limited, is coming to oil rich Akwa Ibom state, it was gathered.The mouth watering project is billed to straddle on the landmass of 120 hectares at Ikot Andem Itam, adjacent to the automobile company, Itu local government area of the state.Executive Director, Africa Operations, Prince Owoediinyene Essien, who shed more light on the state-of-the-art project, stated that it would generate about 80,000 direct employment and commended the state government for signing a pact with the investors for the project to kick start in earnest,noting that governor Udom Emmanuel was passionate about the success of the project given his industrialization drives.Essien, looking upbeat, said interests from investors have already been flooding in , stating that the choice of Akwa Ibom for the project was due to its peaceful ambience.
He said,” we have already signed an agreement with the state government to facilitate an enabling environment and also make contributions in the area of security to make sure that the project takes off successfully.The governor was ably represented at the event by the SSG. This is one project that his Excellency does not want to leave Akwa Ibom state because the project is going to generate massive employment.We are considering a minimum of 80,000 direct employment, besides other multiplier effects.Hendai city sits on 120 hectares of land, that’s about 1.2million square meters land space. And it’s a mixed band development that has industrial hub, residential township , the tourism and recreational and central business areas. When completed, it’s going to change the soci-economic narrative of the South-South. It will change a lot of things in Nigeria.“We all know that housing deficit is a major challenge in Nigeria and Africa. So, Hendai city residential township is meant to generate affordable houses for Akwa Ibom people and environs.And we are looking at 1,600 units including seven floors residential building and we envisaging about 3, 000 people living there.On the hand, we considering a minimum of 20 manufacturing industries.A lot of restiveness we have today is orchestrated as a result of lack of employment, joblessness.But by the time the youths have something to do , nobody will remember to think of crime.Ibom was choosing because of its peaceful nature.The project will not be abandoned because it is strictly a private sector driven.We are committed. You know who the Chinese are.They are result oriented people . Also, the project has a lot of local content with good track records. So, it’s a well planned project which cannot fail.

About 12,860 Nigerians Studying In 1,000 U.S Schools, Report Says

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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November 16, 2021

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No fewer than 12,860 Nigerians are enrolled in over 1,000 educational institutions in the United States, the 2021 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange has said.

The report released on Monday by the Institute of International Education and the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs highlights the U.S higher education sector as a destination of choice for international students and the growing interest in international educational exchange among American students.

The Open Doors report indicates that Nigeria was the leading source of students from the continent and the 10th largest place of origin country worldwide, noting that students using EducationUSA Nigeria services recorded $28 million in scholarships and financial aid awarded to those admitted for the 2021 academic year.

It said there was a slight drop in the number of students from Nigeria currently studying in the United States, less than half the worldwide average decline.

“The current figure of 12,860 Nigerian students represents 33 per cent of African students in the United States, making Nigeria both the leading source of students from the continent and 10th largest place of origin country worldwide.

“Nigerians are enrolled in more than 1,000 institutions in the United States, while students using EducationUSA Nigeria services recorded $28 million in scholarships and financial aid awarded to those admitted for the 2021 academic year,” a statement on Monday from the U.S Embassy said, citing the report.

The statement titled, ‘Nigeria ranks #1 in Africa and top 10 worldwide,’ read, “In 2020/2021, the U.S remains the top destination for international students, welcoming over 914,000 international students from over 200 places of origin.

“International students build life-long connections with Americans, their peers, host families, professors and communities. These relationships help grow America’s international partnerships, forging ties that help the world combat global challenges.”

The embassy said the U.S remained open and welcoming to international students, even throughout the pandemic, adding that the U.S government and system of higher education have been flexible to safely welcome international students, providing opportunities and resources to students during the global crisis.

“These efforts exemplify our shared commitment to international student mobility and global higher education,” it noted.