Epl: Everton Boss Hints Iwobi Will Spend Time On Sidelines With Injury

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August 21, 2023

Everton manager Sean Dyche has said he expects Alex Iwobi to spend time on the sidelines after the Nigerian sustained an injury in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Iwobi was replaced by Neal Maupay in the 56th minute of the encounter.

The 26-year-old is expected to undergo a test on Monday (today) to determine the severity of the injury.

Dyche however said the former Arsenal man is not likely to return to action any time soon.

”Alex we’re waiting on, but it looks like a hamstring injury. Dom, we’re hoping it’s just a knock,” Dyche told reporters after the game.

”With Alex, it’s unusual for hamstrings to settle down very quickly so he’s likely to be out — but I don’t know yet.”

Brume Misses Out On Long Jump Medal At World Athletics Championships

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Emenike Agu

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August 21, 2023

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Ese Brume who was vying for honours in the final of the Women’s Long Jump event, was widely tipped to deliver a medal going by her antecedence in every major competition she has represented Nigeria

Sadly, despite a season-best jump of 6.84m, the African record holder finished fourth position, just outside the medal zone.

Interestingly, Brume, a bronze medalist at the Doha 2019 World Championships and a Silver medal winner in Oregon last year, was gearing up to claim the bronze and become the first Nigerian to win three consecutive medals at the World Championships.

However, she was denied that historic moment by Romania’s Alina Rotaru-Kottmann, who saved her best for last with a leap of 6.88m to leapfrog Brume to claim the bronze medal.

Adegboyega Oyetola Redeployed As Minister Of Marine & Blue Economy

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Angel Gimalo

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August 20, 2023

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Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy have been reshuffled as follows:

(A) H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy

(B) Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior

(C) Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation

Furthermore, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:

(i) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources

(ii) Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources

The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.

Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 20, 2023

Ministry Of Marine and Blue Economy – What You Need To Know

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Angel Gimalo

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August 20, 2023

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In a bid to drive the development of marine resources, President Bola Tinubu has introduced a new Ministry of Marine and Blue economy.

The creation of Blue economy, according to analysts, is a good step in the right direction and great news for the long struggling people of Nigeria.

Here are five (5) things you probably don’t know about the newly-established Ministry:

1. The term ‘Blue economy’ in Economics connotes the exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the marine environment. It is generally used in the scope of international development when describing a sustainable development approach to coastal resources.

2. The concept includes a wide range of economic sectors, from the more conventional fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal, marine and maritime tourism

3. According to Rear Admiral Atakpa, a leading Nigerian expert on the blue economy, we must optimise the benefits of traditional and emerging sectors in a sustainable way by using an important tool known as “Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).” The MSP is considered the most important element in the establishment of a functional and virile blue economy, and the most critical requirement next to maritime security,” Real Admiral Atakpa added.

4. Blue economy also attempts to embrace ocean ecosystem services that are not captured by the market but provide significant contribution to economic and human activity. They include carbon sequestration, coastal protection, waste disposal, and the existence of biodiversity.

5. According to analysts, if the ministry is properly harnessed, it will boost Nigeria’s revenue, significantly reduce budget deficits – at a time we are using over 90 percent of our revenue to service our debts. It has just been reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) owes JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs $7.5 billion in what it classified as “securities lending.”

Europe’s Travel Industry Hit By Strike Disruptions

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 20, 2023

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Europe’s travel industry is on high alert for disruption from strikes as passenger numbers globally recover to pre-pandemic levels.

According to warnings from Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, Last year peak season was hit by cancellations, this summer, air traffic control issues are likely to be the weak spot.

On Aug. 4 Union Syndicate representatives at Eurocontrol suspended tentative plans for industrial action announced on July 7, after long negotiations and an exchange of letters.

In July the union said it was considering taking industrial action at Eurocontrol’s Network Manager Operations Centre, which oversees traffic across the European airspace, giving a six-month window for action but no specific dates.

ISSUES ACROSS THE REGION

In Belgium, Ryanair (RYA.I) pilots went on strike on July 15-16 to demand higher wages and better working conditions. Belgian media reported around 120 flights were cancelled.

Also, Pilots held another strike on July 29 and July 30, saying management had failed to address their demands. The union has said further action could be taken.

Ryanair pilots residing in Belgium called a new strike for Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.

According to the Chaleroi airport website, 88 Ryanair flights to and from the airport on Aug. 14-15 were cancelled due to the strike.

In Britain, ASC, Menzies Aviation and GGS staff, who work for airlines including British Airways, cancelled walkouts scheduled to take place from July 28 to Aug. 1 and from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8 after they voted to accept a 15% pay rise, the Unite trade union said.

Another Airline, Easyjet, cancelled 1,700 flights, mostly from Gatwick, in July and August.

Gatwick airport workers employed by Wilson James have suspended their August strike to allow members to vote following a “greatly improved offer”, Unite union said on Aug 15.

Two days later, the same union confirmed Red Handling employees at the same airport had called off their August strike after receiving a “significantly improved pay offer.”

230 Gatwick airport employees and members of Unite were set to go on strike for eight days during August.

At Luton Airport, workers from GH London Ground Handling Services announced 24-hour strikes that will affect passengers flying with Wizz Air on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 and 13, Unite union said on Aug. 16.

Also in Italy, about 1,000 flights were cancelled on July 15 due to a nationwide airport staff strike, local media reported. Up to 100% of workers participated in the strike, trade unions said in a press release.

Air traffic control company ENAV (ENAV.MI) has confirmed there will be no strikes in the Italian air transport sector between July 27 and Sept. 5 due to a summer exemption provided for in industry regulations.

Portugal

Meanwhile, Easyjet(EZJ.L) cancelled 350 flights arriving to or departing from Portugal ahead of a cabin staff strike on July 21-25, the SNPVAC union of civil aviation flight personnel said, the union’s third strike since the start of the year.

On July 21, almost 100% of EasyJet’s cabin staff in Portugal walked out, and the union threatened more strikes in the coming months if the company kept rejecting the raises they demand.

Enugu Govt. Partners Ethiopian Airlines To Train Youths

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 20, 2023

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The Enugu State government, South East Nigeria, has concluded plans to enter into a partnership agreement with a major international airline-Ethiopian Airlines, as part of measures to grow the aviation sector in the state, and boost its economy through diversification.

The relationship will also foster mutual economic growth in aviation, including exploring different available opportunities such as the training of Enugu youths at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation University and other areas of interest.

Federal Govt. Inaugurates Enugu Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station

This was disclosed by the airlines’ officials when the state governor Peter Mbah played host to a delegation from Ethiopian Airlines led by the outgoing Traffic and Sales Manager, Henok Sirak, at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Saturday.

“Our meeting with the governor was a productive meeting aimed at strengthening ties and exploring avenues for mutual benefits,” Sirak said.

The discussions which centred around collaborative opportunities and strategies to enhance the airlines’ operations within the state, further underlined the commitment of the parties to forge a common front that would contribute to the growth and development of the state’s economy.

Responding, governor Peter Mbah expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, describing it as a pivotal step towards the realisation of the administration’s economic development plan.

While wishing the outgoing manager well, Governor Mbah pledged that his administration would work with the new manager, Zeleke Flate, who was introduced to him at the meeting by the outgoing manager, to ensure that both parties benefit from the partnership.

The visit ended with a symbolic gesture from the Ethiopian Airlines crew, as they presented the governor with a model aircraft bearing the Ethiopian Airlines logo and an exchange of gifts.

Customs To Renew Relations With Cameroon, Chad

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 20, 2023

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The acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has said the service will re-establish a good relationship with Cameroon and the southern part of Chad.

Adeniyi said this when he hosted the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in Abuja.

He said that the service would re-establish cross-border trade in the northeast.

Adeniyi also expressed readiness for the service to improve trade activities in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

He said, “Moving forward, we will need your support to engage with members of the border communities in Borno, especially as the insurgency has been degraded. We will build on the good relationship that we have and leverage it to re-establish a good relationship with Cameroon and, of course, the southern part of Chad.”

According to the Customs boss, the measure will boost the region’s economy and provide jobs for the people in the state.

The CGC appreciated the long-time relationship between the service and Borno State Government in border security and humanitarian services.

He also affirmed his readiness to support victims of terrorism in the state.

PRESS RELEASE: PRESIDENT TINUBU RETIRES ALL SERVICE CHIEFS, ADVISERS, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF CUSTOMS, APPOINTS NEW ONES

He assured the governor of his administration’s commitment to engaging the military to develop new measures to assist in re-establishing the full structure of cross-border trade in the area.

Earlier, Zulum had congratulated Adeniyi on his appointment as the CGC.

“Let me, first and foremost, congratulate you on your appointment as the Comptroller-General of this vital organisation in this country. I also want to commend the NCS for uplifting the standard of living to the displaced communities in Borno and other parts of the northeastern region,” Zulum noted.

He applauded the service for distributing food and non-food items to the displaced persons in the state, which according to him, is alleviating the hardship of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I am here once again to solicit your support to continue distributing food and non-food items to the vulnerable people in Borno State.”

The governor expressed interest in liaising with the service to promote trans-border trade in the North-East, particularly in Borno State.

“As peace gradually returned to Borno State, I want to express my readiness to work with the NCS to enhance transportation of goods between Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.”

Kebbi State To Revive Mining Activities

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Angel Gimalo

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August 20, 2023

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Kebbi state governor says his administration is ready to holistically revive mining activities in the State.

Speaking on the sideline of Inspection tour of mining sites at Warah and Birnin Yauri in Ngaski Local Government areas of Kebbi State.

He said the tour was part of efforts of revive mining activities in the respective areas apart from diversifying the revenue base of the State.

Gov, noted with satisfaction that Kebbi State hard multiple sources of revenue beside farming, yet, it remained one of the major and giant contributor to national food security.

He use the Medium to charge the youth engaged in the mining activities to be law abiding and to security conscious to identified any visitors to community leader to avoid any criminal tendencies.

Ministers Designate To Get N1.37bn For Accommodation

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 20, 2023

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The housing allowances for the newly appointed ministers may cost the country about N343.25m yearly.

With that annual allocation, in four years, the Federal Government will spend N1.37bn on the 45 ministers-designate’s accommodation.

The allowances are based on data collated from a document obtained from the website of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.

Tinubu Unveils Confirmed List of Ministers with their Portfolios

It covers allowances for accommodation (200 per cent of basic salary), domestic staff (75 per cent of basic salary), utilities (30 per cent of basic salary), and furniture (300 per cent of basic salary).

Unlike other allowances paid monthly, furniture allowance is usually paid once in four years.

The President, Bola Tinubu, recently unveiled the portfolios of his ministers.

Despite calls to reduce the cost of governance, Tinubu has now surpassed Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari to nominate 48 would-be ministers, setting a new record since the country returned to democracy 24 years ago.

However, with the three yet to be approved, the total number of ministers has dropped to 45, which still exceeds previous administrations.

House Committee Probes Non-Remittance To Housing Fund

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 20, 2023

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A House of Representatives Committee will soon begin the investigation into the non-remittance of funds to the National Housing Fund (NHF) and how the fund has been used since 2011.

The committee has sent an invitation to critical stakeholders for its investigative hearing set to commence on Wednesday, august 23.

Chairman of the committee, hon Dachung Musa Bagos in a memo to that effect, said that the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas will inaugurate the investigative hearing.

Among the critical stakeholders invited include the head of the service of the federation; the accountant-general of the federation; the auditor-general of the federation; the chairman of the independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission (ICPC); the acting chairman of economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) and the surveyor-general of the federation.

Others include; the managing director/chief executive federal mortgage bank of nigeria; the officer in charge of the department of estate development loan; the managing director/chief executive of, federal housing authority; the permanent secretary of the ministry of finance, budget and national planning; the permanent secretary of the ministry of works and housing; the executive secretary, federal government staff housing loans board; the president/chairman of the council, real estate developers association of nigeria; all ministries, departments and agencies; the commissioner for insurance/chief executive officer, national insurance commission (NAICOM), other concerned stakeholders and the general public

The statement also urged the affected institutions and government officials to submit their memorandum and other relevant documents to the committee’s secretariat.