January 2025 | Page 8 of 18

COAS pledges to elevate training standards for Nigerian Army personnel

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has committed to advancing the training of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to new heights, aiming to enhance professionalism across the force. Lieutenant General Oluyede made the pledge during his visit to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria on Monday, 20 January 2025, where he addressed personnel at the prestigious military institution. In his address, the COAS emphasized the critical importance of robust training at this pivotal time for Nigeria’s national security. He noted that enhanced training will strengthen military operations and security efforts by equipping personnel with the necessary skills and professionalism to carry out their duties effectively. Oluyede reaffirmed his commitment to creating an environment that fosters excellence in training and assured personnel of his full support in ensuring they have the resources to perform at their best. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of professionalism and expressed his determination to prioritize personnel welfare and well-being. During the briefing, the Commandant of the Depot Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, highlighted the institution’s recent centenary celebration, marking a century of producing skilled manpower for the Nigerian Army. He also shared key achievements and challenges faced by the institution, expressing gratitude to the COAS for his steadfast support.

Suspended RCCG pastor, Iluyomade, unveils new ministry in Lagos

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the suspended pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, has launched a new ministry in Lagos called The Family Fellowship. In a video that went viral on Monday morning, Iluyomade was seen celebrating with members during their inaugural service held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The service, which took place on Sunday morning, was marked by joyous dancing and jubilation. Announcing the new ministry on Instagram, Iluyomade invited the public to attend the fellowship. He wrote, “The Family Fellowship invites you specially. Join us tomorrow at the Civic Centre for a special time in the Lord’s presence. Promises to be a great experience.” Iluyomade, formerly the senior pastor of City of David Parish, was suspended by RCCG in 2024 after his wife, Pastor Siju, hosted an elaborate 60th birthday celebration shortly after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, a prominent church member and former CEO of Access Bank, along with his wife and son. Many criticised the timing of the celebration, which took place just weeks after Wigwe’s passing in a helicopter crash in the United States, viewing it as insensitive.

Shettima arrives Davos for 2025 World Economic Forum meeting

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Davos, Switzerland, where he is representing Nigeria at the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The World Economic Forum meeting brings together global leaders, business executives, and development partners to address pressing global and national economic challenges and identify strategies for sustainable growth. During his time in Davos, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings and discussions aimed at advancing the nation’s economic opportunities and addressing global risks. A notable event on the Vice President’s schedule is a workshop titled “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets”, organized by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the WEF. This session will focus on driving capital flows into Africa to support inclusive development and resilience across the continent. One of the major highlights of the Vice President’s engagements is the launch of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, a collaborative effort between the AfDB and other partners. The initiative aims to foster public-private partnerships and attract investments into Africa’s emerging markets. In addition, the Vice President will co-chair a forum on “Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa” at the Pischa Congress Centre. The forum will provide insights into leveraging the private sector to accelerate the implementation of the @AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, a framework adopted by African Union leaders in January 2024. Vice President Shettima is also scheduled to attend the Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awards dinner for heads of state, government officials, and international organizations at Kurpark Village, Eiger. Another key engagement is his participation as a panelist in a session titled “Global Risks 2025”, which will take place at the Aspen 2 Congress Centre. This dialogue will explore critical geopolitical, technological, and environmental risks shaping the global landscape. Accompanying the Vice President to Davos are senior government officials, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi. The Vice President is expected to return to Abuja after concluding his engagements in Davos.

Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US President

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States as he took the oath of office in a packed US Capitol building on Monday, amid deafening cheers from thousands of his supporters. Vice President JD Vance was the first to take the oath of office, as per convention. Trump received the loudest reaction as he walked to the podium for the swearing-in. Notably, Trump’s inauguration was the first to take place inside the Capitol building in 40 years due to severe cold. “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he said. The ceremony capped off Trump’s remarkable comeback to the White House for a second term, four years after he departed the city under the shadow of an attack by his supporters on the US Capitol.

Polytechnic senior staff begin strike Wednesday

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP is set to embark on a three-day warning strike from Wednesday, January 22, over what it calls marginalisation of non-teaching staff members and denial of their deserved career progression. In a letter dated January 14, 2025, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the union’s secretary Nura Gaya said the warning strike has become imperative to emphasise the union’s position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive Non-Teaching Staff of Polytechnics and Similar Institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers under consolidsted technical education distinct salary structure, CONTEDISS 15 and in the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service. The letter further said, “SSANIP has consistently championed the cause of equity and justice within the polytechnic system and has repeatedly called for the implementation of career progression policies that accommodate both Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff, noting that regrettably, previous engagements with relevant authorities have yielded little to no tangible results, adding that the current machinations against Non-Teaching Staff represents a direct affront to these efforts. In a similar development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP has rejected what it calls plans to change the bill on the establishment of National Commission for polytechnic education to Nigerian commission for technical education. ASUP, in a statement signed by its president Shammah Kpanja says currently, the regulation of technical and vocational education is within the purview of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE,established since 1977, and serves as an umbrella for all Nigerian polytechnics and monotechnics, representing the tertiary education institutions under its regulation. ASUP noted that the recent efforts of the National Assembly to establish a National Polytechnics Commission through a bill in the House of Representatives is commendable, as it comes after several failed legislative efforts on the same subject in the past. However, the union says it is surprising that as the bill awaits final reading in the House of Representatives, plans have emerged to establish a commission for technicaleducation. ASUP said the name change move is a distraction and it remains committed to the unbundling of the current mixture of over 700 institutions under the NBTE and the extraction of tertiary institutions from the mix to a dedicated commission for effective regulation. ASUP used the statement to call on Federal Ministry of Education to maintain a consistent position on the issue, noting that polytechnics need to have its own commission like the universities and the colleges of education, instead of remaining mixed up with vocational and technical education institutions and centres.

EFCC arraigns Ex-AMCON MD, Ahmed Kuru, 4 Others for 76bn, $31.5m fraud

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, January 20, 2025 arraigned a former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, current Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, and Receiver Manager of Arik Air. Kamilu Omokide, alongside Union Bank Plc and Super Bravo Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos on a six-count charge bordering on alleged theft of properties belonging to Arik Air and abuse of office. They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them Details shortly…

Dangote denies petrol pump prize increase

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has denied an upward adjustment in the prices of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol. The company stated this in a statement made available on Sunday. The statement reads; “We wish to clarify that the recent adjustment in our ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) is directly related to the significant increase in global crude oil prices. As crude remains the primary input in the production of PMS, any fluctuation in its international price inevitably impacts the cost of the finished product. “At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we recognise the critical importance of affordable fuel for all Nigerians, and we remain committed to offering the best value with guaranteed quality to our customers. While we have made a 5% adjustment to our ex-depot price from N899.50 to N950 per litre, it is important to note that this increase is considerably lower than the 15% rise in global crude oil prices, which has seen Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days, in addition to the premium for Nigerian crude (approximately $3 per barrel) in international markets. “Furthermore, Dangote Refinery has maintained the Single-Point Mooring (SPM) ex-vessel price at N895 per litre. “All our partners, including Ardova, Heyden, and MRS Holdings, will offer petrol to Nigerians at a retail price of N970 per litre nationwide. We have absorbed the increased logistics costs to guarantee uniform pricing across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “Dangote Refinery has absorbed approximately 50% of the cost increases in the international oil market. This is due to our unwavering commitment to quality and affordability, as well as the ownership of the refinery by Nigerians, which remain central to our mission. If Dangote Refinery were to pass on the entire increase in the price of crude oil to the market, the retail price of PMS would be approximately N1,150 to N1,200 per litre in some locations, compared to the current price of N970 per litre. “We are committed to providing reliable, top-quality petrol to the Nigerian people at competitive prices. In these challenging times, we continue to prioritise the best interests of Nigerians, striving to shield consumers from the full impact of global price volatility while adapting to evolving market conditions. “We sincerely appreciate the continued trust and support of Nigerians as we strive to deliver the best value for their money and contribute to the development of a self-sufficient economy that is resilient to international price fluctuations. “In the interest of transparency and good governance, Dangote Refinery will commence publishing its ex-depot price, ex-vessel price as well as pump price on a weekly basis so that consumers are not exploited. “We would like to express our gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the introduction of the visionary Naira for Crude Initiative. This groundbreaking initiative has enabled consistent access to high-quality PMS for all Nigerians, while also insulating the Nigerian consumers from the volatility of the global oil market.”

NFF concretize plans for CAF B-License Coaching Course

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion concrete plans to organize a four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges. The programme is for both men and women coaches. NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. To be eligible to participate in the course that will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course. “We are targeting a maximum number of 25 participants. Applicants will be provided with a CAF CMS registration link upon successful completion of the pre-course assessment, and will pay the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on or before 31st March 2025,” Eguavoen added. It can be recalled that last year, the NFF organized a CAF C-License programme exclusively for women – the first-ever – which drew 30 women coaches from across the country, including a good number of former Nigeria international players. The three-module course took place between July and September 2024.