News Agency of Nigeria
IOM: Social media pushing youths out of Nigeria
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says social media is a major tool influencing young Nigerians to leave Nigeria. Franz Celestin, IOM Chief of Mission, said this in an interview with newsmen. Citing the number of Nigerian returnees from Libya, Celestin stated that their reason for migration could not have been poverty or insecurity. He disclosed most were from Southern parts of the country whose states were more secured and economically viable. The IOM boss observed that young Nigerians get easily moved by ‘success stories’ people post on social media. Celestin said that in spite of the North-East situation, statistics showed that less people were migrating from the region. “One of the strongest push for migration is aspiration and not just poverty, conflict or disasters. ...
Security men repel bandit on the Kaduna-Abuja Road
Security operatives comprising of military and the police personnel, on Friday, successfully repelled armed bandit who opened fire on motorists plying the Kaduna-Abuja Road. Newsmen report that the incident occurred near Olam Feeds Company, but no arrest have been made. The Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, told newsmen at the scene of the incident that those injured, were first treated at Olam Feeds Clinic and later referred to a specialist hospital for comprehensive medical attention. According to him, security forces both ground and air personnel are presently pursuing remnants of the armed bandit in the adjoining forest. Aruwan, said Gov. Malam Nasir El-Rufai, had been briefed on the development. He said the governor commended the security personnel for t...
NCC remits N362.34 billion into Nigerian government’s consolidate revenue fund in five years – official
Fix Africa News Magazine The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), remitted N362.34 billion into the Federal Government Consolidate Revenue Fund (CRF), from 2015 to date, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, has said. Danbatta, who spoke at an interactive session on Friday in Abuja, said that the revenue was realised through spectrum fees and operating surplus, which he noted helped to boost the revenue generation drive of the present administration. Danbatta also said that NCC had continued to collaborate with academics to support the development of the innovative services and life-changing solutions with the use of information and communications technologies to promote indigenous content. “ The Commission has so far released N336.4 million as research grants to the ac...
LASEMA: Two died, six injured in a four vehicles accident
Two persons died on the spot while four others were seriously injured in an accident along Anthony-inward-Gbagada on Tuesday night in Lagos. The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this to newsmen on Wednesday. Oke-Osanyintolu said LASEMA received distress calls on the accident, around 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday. He added that four vehicles were involved in the accident, comprising two tipper-lorries, one petroleum tanker and one commercial bus. He attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving that left occupants of the bus trapped. “With the use of the LASEMA’s light rescue equipment, six people were rescued from the bus. “They sustained varying degrees of injuries and unfortunately, two female passengers died on ...
Kwara records three new virus cases
Three new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kwara, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the Spokesman of the state’s Technical Committee on COVID-19, made this known in a statement on Monday in Ilorin. Ajakaye, also the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said that this was the situation as at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday. Newsmen report that the state now has a total of 954 confirmed cases of the virus. According to Ajakaye, out of the 954 confirmed cases, 778 patients have been discharged, leaving 151 active cases in the state. He stated that 5,087 tests were conducted, while 5,103 tested negative with 25 deaths recorded so far in the state, and 30 tests were pending. Newsmen report that the virus has spread to 12 local government areas of the state. The local governments are;...
Kogi government mourns deceased Attah Igala
Kogi Government has described the death of Attah Igala, Michael Ameh Oboni, as shocking and a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria. This is contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja on Sunday. Fanwo stated that the late monarch ruled with great courage and with fear of God during his seven-year stay on the throne. Newsmen reports that Oboni was, until his death in an Abuja hospital on Aug. 27, the Chairman of the state Council of Chiefs. Fanwo stated that the late Attah was fiercely loyal to his people throughout his lifetime and used his throne to foster friendships and partnerships for his domain and for Kogi State. “The late Attah of Igala was a great man indeed and often ahead of his time and ins...
Nigerian banks urged to address increasing numbers of customers visiting daily
Prof. Olayinka David-West of Information Systems/Academic Director, Lagos Business School, has urged banking institutions to embrace digital economy to address the increasing numbers of people visiting their branches daily. David-West gave the advice on Saturday at the first ever Virtual Graduates’ Induction and Prize Awards Day organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos. Newsmen report that theme of the programme was: “Digital Economy: The Role of Professional Bankers”. David-West said: “Our financial services ecosystem has recorded significant progress in areas like Bank Verification Number (BVN) and Instant Payments. “The surge on bank branches after the first phase of the lockdown presented some interesting challenges to the ecosystem and the digital eco...
Zamfara government moves against illegal miners
Zamfara state government has warned illegal miners operating in the state despite Federal Government’s ban on mining activities, to desist or face prosecution. Dr Nuruddwen Isah, the state’s Commissioner of Environment, issued the warning on Saturday when he visited one of the suspected illegal mining sites at Sauna village in Talata Mafara local government area of the state. Newsmen report that the government’s warning followed an allegation and complaint by the Director of one of the licensed mining companies, Shamsudeen Sani. Sani alleged that the sole administrator of Talata Mafara local government area had mobilised machinery and was allegedly escavating precious stone on his (Sani) site. The commissioner warned all miners to as a matter of public importance, desist from engaging in m...
Akanu Ibiam International Airport ready for flight resumption – minister
The Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, says the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is ready for resumption of flights. Sirika said this on Saturday in Enugu after the final round of inspection of rehabilitation works in the airport prior to the official reopening of the complex. The Federal Government had in August 2019 shut down Akanu Ibiam International Airport over security reasons. Some of the reasons include its bad runway and landing aids, the presence of market close to the airport attracting birds, leading to constant bird strikes. Others are also included the wrong placement of the state radio station mast directly facing the runways. However, the minister, who landed at the airport on Saturday evening with a private jet, No.5N-PAZ said that he was delighted to have been ...
NCDC certifies molecular laboratory in Bayelsa
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated the newly inaugurated Bayelsa State Molecular Laboratory, Research and Diagnostic Centre for COVID-19 testing. The facility, which was inaugurated by Gov. Douye Diri, brought the number of NCDC accredited laboratories in the country to 66 in 34 states. The Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Yenagoa. He said that the NCDC in a letter by the Laboratory Network Advisor, Celestina Obiekea, to the Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, stated that the laboratory had fulfilled the necessary requirements to test for COVID-19. He quoted the NCDC as saying that the state would be responsible for procurement of consumables, equipment and other mater...
Kaduna maize farmers decry delay in supply of fertiliser, other farm inputs
File Photo Maize farmers under the aegis of Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN) in Kaduna state, have decried the late distribution of seeds, chemicals, and other components of the EcoBank/MAGPMAN Anchor Borrowers Scheme. The farmers made this known during the stakeholders’ review meeting of 2020 wet season EcoBank/MAGPMAN Anchor Borrowers Scheme on Thursday in Zaria. Newsmen recall that on June 20, MAGPAMAN inaugurated the distribution of N644.99 million farming inputs to 3,535 members in the state for the 2020 wet season farming. The state Chairman of the association, Alhaji Lawal-Maishanu Gazara said the review meeting was aimed at evaluating the challenges of the scheme with a view to finding lasting solutions to the identified challenges. The chai...
Three men in court over ‘N40.3 million furniture theft’
Sahara Reporters Three men appeared in a Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday over alleged N40.3 million furniture theft. The police charged Owolabi Sikiru, 43, Adeolu Ojedokun, 34, and Yinusa Ejika, 35 with two counts of conspiracy and stealing. They however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Prosecutor, ASP Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Aug. 8, at South Wood Resources and Services Ltd., at No. 23, Owolewa Str., Surulere, Lagos. He said the defendants who were supposed to deliver furniture to the store, diverted the truckload of the furniture worth about N40m to their personal use and tried to sell them illegally. He said that the defendants stole 149 leather chairs valued at N80,000 each, 45 leather chairs valued at N100,000 each...
