Ado Poly Gives Scholarships To Students

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May 2, 2023

The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, has given N630,000 as scholarship awards to the best returning National Diploma II and Higher National Diploma II students in the various departments as part of measures to motivate the newly admitted students to excel.

The school’s rector, Temitope Alake, who gave a N10,000 cheque to each of the best students during the matriculation ceremony of 4,000 ND and HND students for the 2022/2023 session said the best student scholarship award is one of the schools’ beliefs in excellence.

Alake advised the newly matriculated students to shun all forms of social vices, adding that the institution would continue to maintain a zero-tolerance for all anti-social behaviours.

He also urged them to take their studies and acquisition of additional skills through entrepreneurship development and vocational studies seriously.

He said entrepreneurship has become the mainframe of financial stability and wealth creation in the world at large. Nigeria as a nation places a high premium on its development.

He added that entrepreneurship will be added in the curriculum of all tertiary institutions in the country to infuse entrepreneurship spirit, mentality and skills in our youths right from school.

Hollywood Writers Strike As Studio Talks Collapse

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Emenike Agu

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May 2, 2023

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According to their union, Thousands of Hollywood television and movie writers will go on strike Tuesday, after talks with studios and streamers over pay and working conditions ended without a deal. the strike means late-night shows are expected to grind to a halt immediately, while television series and movies scheduled for release later this year and beyond could face major delays.

“we have not reached an agreement with the studios and streamers. We will be on strike after the contract expires at midnight,” the writers guild of America (WGA) said in an email to members, obtained by newsmen.

Studios’ responses to its proposals had been “wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing,” the writers’ union said.

It came after the alliance of motion picture and television producers (amptp), representing studios including disney and netflix, said negotiations had “concluded without an agreement.”

The strike could have potentially catastrophic effects on the us entertainment industry.

The last time hollywood writers laid down their pens and keyboards, in 2007, the strike lasted for 100 days, costing the los angeles entertainment economy around $2 billion.

This time, the two sides are clashing as writers demand higher pay, minimum guarantees of stable employment and a greater share of profits from the boom in streaming, while studios say they must cut costs due to economic pressures.

Writers say it is becoming impossible to earn a living, as salaries have flat lined or declined after inflation, even as employers reap profits and fatten executives’ pay checks.

More writers than ever are working at the union-mandated minimum wage, while shows hire fewer people to script ever-shorter series.

Tanzanian Government Disburses 230.85bn for Schools Infrastructure Upgrade

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 2, 2023

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Tanzanian government through the Ministry of State, President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, PO-RALG, has disbursed 230.85bn to the Local Government Authorities for the construction and repair of primary schools infrastructure.

According to a statement released by the Head of Communication Unit in the ministry, Nteghenjwa Hosseah, the funds were released early in April this year.

Following the delivery of the funds, the Minister for PO-RALG, Angellah Kairuki has directed all the leaders of the Regional Secretariats and LGAs to ensure that criteria, conditions and guidelines for the use of project funds are properly considered in order to have productive projects that meet the criteria and value for money.

She said the project is a continuation of Pay by Results Program.

She directed that information on the receipt of funds for the construction of infrastructure must be presented to the community benefiting from the projects and ensure the participation of all stakeholders from the regional level to the village/street is strengthened.

She also called on all citizens and the community surrounding the projects to participate fully in the implementation of the projects, including the protection of all property and construction equipment, adding that construction of infrastructure must be completed within 90 days from the date of receiving the funds.

She added that along with the new schools that will be built and the construction of classrooms in overcrowded schools, the first phase of funds will be used to rehabilitate eight schools, build 368 nursery classes, 41 classes of children with special needs, two dormitories, 41 teachers’ houses and 2,899 toilets.

More than 12 million children in mainland Tanzania will benefit from the program that aims to make preprimary and primary education better and more accessible across the country

Nollywood Takes Giant Stride With Aki/ Pawpaw Game

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Emenike Agu

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May 2, 2023

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Aki and pawpaw have added a new feather in their hats by becoming the first nolly-wood characters to have their own video game.

Developed by play network studio, in collaboration with blue portal software, the ‘epic run’ game sees the rambunctious duo go on an epic run in an attempt to escape trouble.

The pair appear to be voiced by the nollywood actors behind these comic characters, chinedu ikedieze and osita iheme.

His studio acquired the rights to the aki and pawpaw brand back in 2021 and produced a remake of the aki and pawpaw movie which was released in the same year. The movie opened with ₦30 million before landing a licensing deal with netflix.

Ikedieze and iheme first took on the aki and pawpaw roles in the 2002 aki na ukwa movie.

Over 20 years later, they have become Nollywood household names, hilarious memes, and Nigerian pop culture icons.

BREAKING: Adamawa REC In Police Custody

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 2, 2023

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The suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu-Yunusa Ari, and other suspects have been arrested and are now in police custody and are currently being interrogated at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, over alleged impropriety in the during the April 15 supplementary governorship poll in the state.

The development was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, following an inquiry by our correspondent.

Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy after declaring the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election, when collation of results was yet to be completed.

This was followed by an announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission proclaiming Yunusa- Ari’s declaration as null and void, while he was summoned to its headquarters in Abuja, but failed to honour the summon.

The electoral umpire further wrote to the NPF asking it to investigate, and if found culpable, prosecute Yunusa-Ari over alleged electoral infractions.

APC Adamawa Suspends Boss Mustapha Indefinitely

Following the receipt of the letter the IG subsequently asked an investigative team to work in collaboration with INEC on the matter, as the electoral umpire revealed that it didn’t know the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa REC.

On April 20, LN247 reports that the President Muhammadu Buhari approved Yunusa-Ari’s suspension pending the conclusion of an investigation by the police.

Confirming the arrest of Yunusa-Ari and other suspects on Tuesday, Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State REC, who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.

“Barrister Yunusa-Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State.

“In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.

“The Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution. The IG has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensure that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.”

Nigeria Customs Student Delegation Begins in Liberia

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 2, 2023

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The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has received a delegation from the Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College for a week-long study tour.

The study mission is under the theme “Harnessing Capacity Building for Improved Modern Customs Operation,” and the delegation comprises senior students and lecturers of the Nigerian Customs Staff College.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, the LRA Deputy Commissioner General for Administration (DCGAA), Samuel Bennett Jr welcomed the delegation to Liberia and urged them to use every opportunity in achieving the goals of the study tour.

Bennett said Nigeria has been a very good partner to Liberia and particularly to the LRA over the years and it was prudent for the LRA to share its knowledge.

He said Capacity building is very critical to the developing of any institution, therefore LRA is glad to receive all student on the study tour.

He disclosed that there are plans by the LRA Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah to set up a Customs Training Site in the country to provide capacity-building training in Customs.

The head of the delegation of the Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Abolaji Oluyomi Adebakin said that the aim of the strategic study tour is to fulfill the institution’s course guide and a means to connect the students with other Customs administrations in a bid to improve their experiences and knowledge.

‘Temper Justice With Mercy’: House Of Reps Write UK Govt Over The Ekweremadus

By

faith Jegede

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May 2, 2023

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The House of Representatives has asked the UK government and parliament to intervene in the sentencing of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

The lawmakers want the UK court to “temper justice and mercy” in the sentencing of the lawmaker.

The legislators also asked the federal government to take diplomatic steps to “intervene” in the trial of the lawmaker.

The resolution was passed at the plenary session on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu.

Following the adoption of the motion, the lawmakers asked the clerk of the lower legislative chamber to “convey” their resolutions in writing to British Embassy, UK government and the parliament.

Ekweremadu is due to be sentenced on May 5 at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey in the UK.

UNIBEN Receives 500-Capacity Hostel

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 2, 2023

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A former Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma has donated a 500-capacity female hostel in the name of his wife, Daisy Danjuma, to the University of Benin.

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, while Inaugurating the story building at the Ugbowo campus of the institution said that the donation is another testament to Danjumas’ philanthropy and desire to always uplift the downtrodden.

The governor said that Danjuma was one of the few individuals that made huge amounts of donations to the state during the civil-19 debacle three years ago.

He said the state government had assisted the school in the area of road construction in its community.

He urged other individuals and private organizations to continue to support tertiary institutions with infrastructure to improve teaching and learning.

Senator Daisy Danjuma, whom the edifice was named after, expressed delight with the project.

She urged students who would be accommodated at the hostel to maintain the facility.

She said maintenance is one of the challenges of infrastructure development in the country, thereby appealing to the students to ensure the hostel was taken care of, also urging them to engage in activities that would make the school a model for others.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lilian Salami commended the gesture of the donor towards addressing the shortage of hostel accommodation for students in the school.

Salami said the aim of the management is to have 80 per cent of its students on campus and can only achieve that with the kind gesture of good-spirited individuals like Danjuma.

Pres. Buhari Reappoints Dabiri-Erewa as NIDCOM Chairman

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 2, 2023

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The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has been reappointed for a second term by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her reappointment was contained in a letter written by Buhari, urging the Senate to confirm her.

Dabiri-Erewa, a former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, was appointed NIDCOM chairman in November 2018.

Nigerians leave Sudan for Egypt — Abike Dabiri-Erewa

She also served in the House of Representatives as a member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos from 2003 to 2015.

Dabiri-Erewa served as the chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs at the House of Representatives.

In a separate letter to the Senate, the President also request confirmation of the appointment of six federal commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to fill the existing vacancies in the states.

The nominees are Ayogu Eze, Peter Okpara, Hauwa Aliyu, Rajiya Ayuba, Kolawole Adebola and Ismailia Agaka.

NIDCOM Reacts To Allegations Of Ethnic Bias

By

faith Jegede

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May 2, 2023

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The Nigerians in diaspora commission, NIDCOM, has released a press statement in response to allegations of ethnic bias against citizens from the southeast of the country.

The statement titled “Re: South East Coalition accusation of ethnic bias on boarding of citizens stranded in Sudan: a wicked lie” read,

“It has come to the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) of a fabricated lie from the pit of hell that the Chairman/ CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri- Erewa, prevented some Nigerians, especially of the South East extraction from boarding buses hired by the Federal Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians from the war-torn Khartoum in Sudan.

The ridiculous allegation which was first published by one Chukwujekwu Ilozue of the Daily Independent Newspapers on May 1, 2023, and syndicated by This Day Newspapers, Nigerian Tribune online and other online media, is the height of rascality and mischief.

The said group never bothered to cross-check the sponsored false story on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa or get her own side of the story before spreading the falsehood all over the media in the spirit of fairness, balancing and objectivity.

The allegation by the faceless group, a Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL), signed by one Hon Goodluck Ibem against the indefatigable Abike Dabiri -Erewa who was busy coordinating the two-day conference of Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS), with 64 countries in attendance in Abuja, is most wicked, divisive and a ridiculous fabrication.

Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on the ground in Khartoum indicated that when the boarding of buses began, the situation was so chaotic that some people (including Non-Nigerians) jumped in violently, some with daggers, through the windows. To bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs that priority should be given to women, children and students, the officials started calling them in according to states in alphabetical order, beginning with Abia State.

Reports from Sudan indicate that all who converged at the prescribed locations were to be picked up, and have all been moved in 40 buses either towards Port Sudan or towards Egyptian borders.

However, if some arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they can’t blame it on anyone.

NIDCOM is focused, working with other relevant agencies, on the safe return of stranded Nigerians and will not be distracted by nonsensical, illogical, irresponsible, rascal and unfounded comments meant to distract from the success, safe and secure return of Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan.

The message was signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NIDCOM.