Abuja Airport closure: Traders, transporters, others count gains in Kaduna, losses in Abuja (Read full details)

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The new look of Kaduna International Airport on Tuesday (7/2/17) in preparation for smooth take-off of flight operations as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja closes temporary for repairs.

Just a few days after the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for maintenance works and routing of flights to the Kaduna Airport, traders, transporters and others having businesses to do with air transportation in Abuja have been counting their losses as a result of the shut- down, while their colleagues in Kaduna are smiling to the banks already, due to booming business.

For many businesses operating small shops, airline operators, hoteliers and business owners in and around the Abuja airport premises, the six weeks closure is tantamount to six weeks without any income.

In reaction to concerns raised by stakeholders on the economic loss to the country, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, admitted that many stakeholders, would be out of business for the period of six weeks, including hoteliers, car hire operators and others rendering sundry services. He appealed to them to see the period as their own way of rendering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the country.

Indeed, the petrol stations along the airport road and recharge card sellers would also bear the full brunt of hardship due to the closure of the airport.

It was gathered that staff of the international airlines have been placed on temporary leave without pay for the six weeks closure.

Ali Abdulazeez Aliu, Executive Chairman of the airport’s unit of car hire association said they would definitely be out of income during the closure, as each of his members would lose at least N10, 000 to N20, 000 daily if there are no passengers to carry.

But some airport taxi operators are already eking out a living through the closure of the airport by picking passengers to Kaduna Airport for between N15, 000 and N20, 000

Margaret Patrick, a vendor stand operator at the international departure hall, said she would definitely close her stand and stay at home.

She estimated a loss of about of N10, 000 per week during the closure.

Patrick, who also sells recharge cards and few books, said she was yet to figure out how she would survive the six weeks closure.

Aliyu Yahaya, who trades in clothes and jewellery at the domestic departure terminal, said up till now, he hasn’t been officially served notice that the airport would be shut down.

“I’m still on standby, waiting for the final word on the matter before I take a decision,” he said, adding that once the airport is shut down, naturally they would vacate their shops.

He said he couldn’t give a definite estimate loss, as his profits fluctuate, depending on the sales of the day, even though he agreed that he would incur some losses.

Nura Mohammed, who deals in shoes and clothes, lamented the closure, saying he would have to relocate to Kano to live with his family, as living without any income in Abuja for six weeks would be devastating.

“If I stay in Abuja, how will I pay my bills and feed without an income?” he asked rhetorically.

One of the aviation cargo handlers, who craved anonymity, said that he had relocated all his staff to Kaduna and rented house for them in the city and at a cost of N2million for the period.

He explained that he might have to reduce his staff for that period, as there would be reduction of air traffic as a result of the refusal of foreign airlines to move to Kaduna Airport.

He said: “International passengers are the major people that carry loads and they have refused to move to Kaduna.”

“I pay N600, 000 annually for the office space I built by himself, which also includes the electricity fee.”

He said some of the food vendors would also have to relocate to Kaduna and might have to continue to pay their workers, who are not mostly adhoc staff.

Some business owners have temporarily relocated to Lagos, with many of them lamenting that they don’t have the luxury of seating down in a vehicle on a three-hour journey to Kaduna Airport.

The Guardian gathered that all the restaurants operating inside the terminal building have closed down and some of them have relocated to Kaduna airport.

The airport as at yesterday was gradually becoming a shadow of itself, but for few passengers who came in to join the free buses to Kaduna airport.

Indeed, the Federal Government would lose a lot of revenue generated through the Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian (FAAN).

It was gathered that an average of 4,300 vehicles, comprising cars, SUVs and trucks enter the airport on a daily basis and pay a tollgate fee of N200, N300 and N500, respectively.

An official of FAAN told The Guardian that in January alone, a total of 102,272 cars, 28,955 SUVs and 279 trucks entered into the airport.
At Kaduna, the reverse is the case, as business activities have sprang up and is booming, even as life returns to the airport community that has experienced a lull in the past years.

Despite the skepticism of some airliners regarding security and standard of facilities on ground, within the few days of operations, several people are now counting the gains of the diversion of flight operations to Kaduna, just as the security situation has improved at the airport and Kaduna metropolis.

Although construction workers at the airport are still putting last minute touches to the terminal wing of the airport and other places, flight operations are going on, as international and domestic airlines were seen taking off and landing.

Taxi operators are already counting their blessings as a result of an increase in patronage since the diversion of flights to airport.

Aliyu Kasim said: “Business has changed and we can work (pick passengers) conveniently now. We even get passengers with ease and all drivers are happy.”

To Balarabe Shuaib: “We enjoy our work. Before, we can spend two days here without getting even one passenger. But now, even the highway is busy since the diversion started some days back.

“You can see checkpoints around. Everywhere is secure and business is going fine.”

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Ramos, Morata strike as Real crush Napoli hopes…See full details

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Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos (L) comforts Napoli's defender from Albania Elseid Hysaj next to Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos (C) at the end of the UEFA Champions League football match SSC Napoli vs Real Madrid on March 7, 2017 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Real Madrid won 1-3. PHOTO: Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Captain Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Morata struck one apiece as 11-time winners Real Madrid secured a seventh successive Champions League quarter-final berth with a clinical 3-1 win over a spirited Napoli on Tuesday.

“We’re happy to have won,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “We suffered a lot in the opening half when they had us under a lot of pressure.

“But after a good talk about what we had to do in the second half, we were much better.”

Real, who took a commanding 3-1 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu last month, looked to be facing a tough night in Naples after Dries Mertens finished off a great attacking move to give the hosts a 24th minute lead.

But Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri had warned of the threat from the “world’s richest club, with the best players” a day earlier.

And Zidane’s ‘Galacticos’ emerged from the half-time interval in far more clinical fashion.

Ramos rose to head Real level six minutes after the restart and a second header which deflected off Mertens at Pepe Reina’s near post gave the Spaniards a 2-1 lead by the 57th minute.

Napoli saw late claims for a penalty waved away when Mertens tumbled in the box and suffered more woe in the first minute of added-on time when ex-Juventus striker Alvaro Morata came off the bench to hit their third for a 6-2 aggregate score.

“The second goal took away practically any chance we had of trying to qualify, we probably need a little bit more aggression at the corner to try and put him off,” said Sarri.

“It leaves us with a bitter taste because for the opening 55 minutes we were far superior.

“But that’s mostly because our fans had so much expectations on us. We’re sorry for our public, because we feel they deserved a lot more.

“But this (Real) is a team with great talent that, physically, were superior to us.”

Napoli required nothing short of a miracle if they were to reach the last eight for the first time — although a bright opening reflected a growing belief in the football-mad southern city the Azzurri could cause an upset.

Maurizio Sarri’s men had 11 shots in the opening period, the most Real had seen in a Champions League game since facing 15 against Juventus in 2013.

But neither Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne or Hamsik got shots past Reina in a busy opening period that had most of the 56,695 crowd in full voice.

On Real’s first real foray, Luka Modric outmanoeuvred Kalidou Koulibaly to deliver a back-post cross that Reina collected after a mix-up between Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Gareth Bale then escaped down the right to deliver a cross that Kroos, from the edge of the area, volleyed straight at Reina.

But Real were left ball-watching on 24 minutes after a slick passing move between Hamsik and Mertens that saw the Belgian run in to beat Keylor Navas at his bottom left corner.

The San Paolo erupted, but relief reigned moments later when Ronaldo rounded Reina to see his low drive come off the base of the post.

Napoli could have had a second but Hamsik fired high and wide before seeing a shot from the right byeline blocked by Navas.

When Hamsik gave away possession minutes after the restart, Kroos’s dangerous cross to the back post was cleared by the head of Mertens.

The danger of Hamsik’s error became apparent when Ramos rose to meet Kroos’s corner to stretch the back of the Napoli net.

Sarri added on Ramos: “He’s world class at dead ball situations. He scores seven or eight goals a year like that.”

After Allan was cautioned for a challenge on Casemiro, the Brazilian was replaced by Marko Rog.

But Napoli’s dream died a minute later. Kroos delivered again from the corner flag and Ramos’s glancing header at the near post came off Mertens to leave Reina rooted to the spot.

Napoli hit back, Rog setting up Hamsik for a cross that Navas got down low to smother.

But as Napoli tired in the closing minutes, Morata ran in to meet the rebound after Reina spilled a Ronaldo strike.

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Firms restate commitment to Nigerian market, unveil core banking IT solutions

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ICT

SofGen, a financial services industry Information Technology consulting firm, has restated its commitment towards providing cutting-edge technology solutions that benefits businesses and players in the banking industry in Nigeria.

To achieve this objective, SofGen has partnered with Hafol Resources Limited, an indigenous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and managed service Solutions Company, as its local partner.

Hafol is one of the subsidiaries of TopTech Group, a one-stop shop for all ICT requirements for businesses and other organisations in Nigeria and beyond.

Announcing the partnership during a customer forum engagement organised in Lagos by Hafol, Vice President, East and West Africa, SofGen, Adam Uyaga, said “We are engaged with Hafol to benefit the Nigerian market with our core banking solutions in order to further deepen seamless banking transactions in the country.”

He noted that with estimated 70 per cent of Africa population still unbanked, “much still need to be done in order to guarantee deeper financial inclusion in the African continent. This is the gap we have identified and which we want to fill with our core banking solution by partnering credible organisation such as Hafol Resources.”

“We are going to establish a stronger partnership with Hafol Resources. We provide core banking assistance to over 200 customers globally, including central banks and commercial banks and we are ser to do the same thing in a deeper way in Nigeria,” Uyaga said.

Speaking on the partnership with SofGen, the Managing Director, Hafol Resources, Bode Oyesina,who express delight over the deal, explained that his company has always been at fore front of partnersing with innovative Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other global ICT solutions providers with a view to adding value to the Nigerian market.

“This is yet another partnership we are committed to and working a global company such as SofGen will give us the opportunity to deploy innovative solutions to our various customers within the financial services sector and beyond. We are very delighted about it,” he said.

According to him, “As a company, we are involved in managed services in its various categories. We have implemented various IT projects of different budgets and at different levels for organisations; we are also involved in providing technical training, supply of hardware and IT security, among others and we will continue to work with various partners to see how we can deliver more values for businesses.”

Meanwhile, Oyesina, said Hafol has transformed into a more vibrant and innovative company, by working with various partners and OEMs towards developing solutions that meet the demands of end users.

At the customer forum, new technological innovations that offer cost-effectiveness in the areas of reduced capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) for businesses and organisations in Nigeria were on showcase.

Apart from SofGen core banking solution, whose great CAPEX and OPEX potentials were demonstrated at the forum, other Hafol partners/OEMs presented the latest innovations in ICT products cutting across ConvergeIT solutions by Siemon; high-security locking solutions by Abloy; Telergon’s lighting solutions as well as innovative solutions from other OEMs such as Westcon Comsteor.
Other partners, who made presentation at the forum, restated their commitment towards working with Hafol to ensuring that end-users get Capex and Opex savings.

Managing Director, Hafol Resources, Bode Oyesina, explained that the company has transformed into a more vibrant and innovative company, by working with partners and OEMs towards developing solutions that meet the demands of end users.

“The reason behind this forum is to see how we can m get more from investment that clients have made over the years in ICT infrastructure in various organisation.

“As a company, we are involved in managed services in its various categories. We have implemented various IT projects of different budgets and at different levels for organisations; we are also involved in providing technical training, supply of hardware and IT security, among others and we will continue to work with various partners to see how we can deliver more values for businesses,” he said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2la7P9T

Police rescue three-year-old girl sold to three buyers for N600,000

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Nigeria Police

Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command have arrested a female apprentice, Grace John, who abducted her boss’ three-year-old daughter, a month ago in Alagbado area of Lagos. The little girl, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, was found in Abia State, where she was sold for N600,000.

It would be recalled that her mother, Mrs. Oluwatobiloba Adebiyi, had allowed her baby to follow the newly engaged apprentice, Grace, who was going to buy snacks, after efforts to pacify the wailing child failed.

But apprehension set in moments later after an endless wait without any sight of Grace and her baby. Grace could not be reached on her phone as it was switched off.

Since her abduction, the distraught parents were not contacted for any ransom, to suggest that their daughter could have been kidnapped, until the arrest of Grace at the weekend by the anti-robbery squad operatives.

According to a police source, “we used Grace as a bait to get the first buyer in Onitsha, Anambra State. Grace was arrested in Badagry area of Lagos. She led us to where the child was rescued unhurt in Onitsha.

“She called the woman she sold the baby to on phone, informing her that she had another child to sell. The woman came to meet her at a bus stop, where she was apprehended. The first suspect led us to another person she sold the child to for N500,000 in Awka, who in turn, led us to the third buyer whom they sold the child to for N600,000. The third buyer was also on the verge of selling the child to the forth buyer when she was rescued. So far three persons have been arrested.”

As at 5:00p.m. yesterday, Oluwasemilore’s elated parents were still at the Abia State Police Command. Speaking with newsmen, her father, Mr. Elesh Adebiyi, said: “We give God praise and also thank The Guardian for the assistance rendered. Our daughter is hale and hearty. Only that they cut her hair.

“Before she was abducted, she plaited her hair. Aside that, she is okay. We are grateful to the FSARS and the Nigeria Police in general. This feat has further reaffirmed my confidence in our police.”

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Fake housemates leave BBNaija as Bisola, Bally go on holiday

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Ese and Jon

It was mission accomplished for the two fake housemates, Ese and Jon, who were on Sunday, February 26, pulled out of the Big Brother Naija house after two weeks of stay. Both fake housemates were removed in what looked like a real eviction to the real housemates but it was a mock eviction for the ardent followers of the reality show.

Ese and Jon were introduced to the house on the night of CoCoIce’s eviction to provide entertainment, cause drama and carry out secret tasks for ‘Big Brother’. They were not eligible for the N25 million grand prize, as they were simply there on a mission. The show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu revealed that their job in the house was successfully done, hence their exit.

Following last week’s cancellation of nominations, all the housemates were thrown in a state of anxiety on eviction night when Ebuka called up two of the strongest housemates: Bally and Bisola for eviction alongside the fake housemates. They, alongside Ese and Jon, were sent to the Arena from where Ese and Jon eventually exited.

Much as it looks real, the other housemates are not disturbed by the nominations of Bally and Bisola, as they are optimistic that they would return to the house, as Bally will be covered by his found green card, while Bisola will be saved by her victory in last week’s ‘high stakes’ game. However, they will not be returning to the house yet as they both won a holiday for two in paradise, which was another twist from Biggie to the show.

Shortly after the exit of Bally, Ese, Jon and Bisola, Biggie summoned the rest of the housemates to the arena to participate in a fresh nomination game. After picking from about 30 envelopes, the housemates were all unfortunate to have picked ‘nominated’ slips which ultimately put them all up for eviction come next week.

As Bally and Bisola enjoy their time at Big Brother’s paradise, the other housemates wonder in silence, who the next evictee(s) would be. The show has taken an unexpected turn as fans would this week vote to keep their favorite housemate in the game. This eviction show was quite exciting with performances from Naija female hip-hop artiste, Emma Nyra and singer, Simi

While on stage with Ebuka, Ese and Jon shared their moments in the house and gave their predictions on who would likely win the game. Ese tipped TTT or Bisola to emerge winner; Jon placed his bet on TTT. Jon says he had to resist the urge to tell the rest of the housemates that ThinTallTony was married, and that Beyoncé is pregnant with twins.

Meanwhile, the mood in the House on Monday was mellow following Biggie’s surprised quadruple eviction. The housemates were left gutted and reeling after he sent them to the arena on Sunday night and they didn’t find anyone waiting for them like they’d expected.

In spite of the clever cover-up, Debie-Rise had her suspicions and sited the fact that there were no pictures hanging on the wall as proof that people were coming back. To put these hopes to rest, Biggie had his Ninjas come into the House Monday afternoon and hang up the portraits in question. The plan seemed to work.

TTT, Uriel, TBoss and Kemen stood in front of the wall staring blankly as the reality that the eviction might have been real after all started to set in. TBoss in particular seemed overcome with emotion and on the verge of tears. Uriel and Bassey sat and reiterated once again that Biggie was probably up to something because Bisola was too ‘popular’ to be out of the race for the N25 million prize.

In reality, Bisola and Bally have not left the house as they are on vacation, getting wined and dined whilst they watch their fellow housemates on screen, feasting on ribs and having a blast at the moment. The housemates seem not only have a strong intuition but a great understanding of who their competitor is too. As wait continues, let’s see how they will react to Bally and Bisola’s return to the house today (Wednesday).

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2la0B5O

Chukwu rallies support for Rangers, as team battles Algeria’s J.S Saoura…See full details

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Christian Chukwu

New General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Rangers Football Club, Mr. Christian Chukwu, has solicited the cooperation and support of all stakeholders as the team confronts Algeria’s J.S Saoura in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round in the ‘Coal City’ tomorrow.

Enugu Rangers held the Algerian side to a 1-1 draw in the first leg and need only a scoreless draw to qualify for the last qualifying round.

Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Thursday evening, the former Super Eagles’ coach told journalists that no club across the globe could succeed without the media.

He added: “For me to really succeed in this onerous task of taking Rangers FC to greater heights, I need your unflinching support and co-operation. The essence of this parley is for me to familiarize with you, the sports journalists, in Enugu State, as well rub minds on the way forward for our darling team, Rangers.”

Enugu Rangers won the 2015/2016 NPFL title for the first time in 32 years last season.

Chukwu promised not to fail the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who found him worthy to steer the ship of the club, adding
that he would not rest until Rangers returned to what it used to be in
the 70s and 80s.

The Rangers boss hinted
that the players were in high spirit ahead of tomorrow’s return leg match with the J.S Saoura of Algeria in Enugu.
He added that the players had been duly motivated and were set to do the state and Nigeria proud and called on Rangers’ fans across the country to turn out en mass to cheer the club to victory.

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D’Tigers to play friendlies with France, others…See full details

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D’Tigers

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) says it has started putting modalities in place to ensure the men’s national team, D’Tigers, successfully defend their title at this year’s African championship slated to hold in Congo Brazzaville from August 17 to 31.

NBBF Media Officer, Patrick Omorodion, told The Guardian yesterday that the body has made plans for international friendlies with France Lithuania, China, Serbia and Lithuania, adding that the games would help the coaches to build a formidable team.

He said the federation was keeping close tabs on the activities of the local players, adding that plans were on to ensure the men and women leagues commence next month without any hitches.

“The friendly games would prepare D’Tigers well for the big task ahead, which is to come out victorious in Congo Brazzaville. The federation is working hard to ensure the men’s team gets the best preparation when the camp opens for the friendlies in June.*

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161 Nigerians return from Libya, Delta, Edo indigenes top list

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

No fewer than 161 Nigerians yesterday returned to the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after unsuccessful stints in Libya.

The persons, who arrived aboard Airbus 320 Nouvel Air aircraft at about 4pm, were voluntary returnees ferried back by the International Organisation for Immigration (IOM).

They are made up of 101 female adults and 60 males . Among them are seven children and two infants. At least three came with medical issues, with one in fractures and immediately sent to the hospital for care.

It was gathered that majority of the returnees are Delta and Edo states indigenes, who allegedly have a reputation of seeking greener pastures overseas through illegal entry routes.

Officials of IOM and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received the returnees at the cargo section of the airport, offering food, water and stipend of £50 (N19,695) for all to return to their communities.

Some, who spoke to reporters, were full of gratitude to IOM for finding them, keeping them in custody with clothings and food for weeks before ensuring their safe return to Nigeria.

Head of Sub-Office, IOM, Nahashon Thuo, said efforts were ongoing to assist other Nigerians willing to return home from various detention camps.

NEMA DG, represented by Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, Dr. Bandele Onimode, said the repatriation effort was the Federal Government’s response to a recent video that went viral on the untold hostilities in Libya.

Onimode said besides getting IOM to bring the stranded Nigerians in, the government had also provided services to ensure that “our children” are well received and catered for.

He added that through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, some state governors had been contacted and some are present to receive returnees that are from their states.

Head of Protocol, Edo State Laison Office in Lagos, Segun Alabi, said it was regrettable that Nigerians are still falling prey to exploiters promising that the grass is greener overseas, “when that is no longer the case.”

Alabi added that on the part of the Edo State government, the development was a cause for concern, but all machinery are in motion to create about 3000 job opportunities for young Nigerians to discourage them from risking it all overseas.

At least five batches of returnees from Libya were recorded in 2016, totalling over 700 returnees.The Guardian observed that the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) around 7:00 pm deployed mass-transit buses to pick the returnees after profiling, for further care at the Ikotun-based church.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l6HZQO

A resilient city and innovative leadership

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Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Another milestone was recently recorded in Lagos State’s quest to build a globally competitive state as the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, received the certificate that admitted the state as one of the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) in the world. Aside being a remarkable accomplishment, the feat is a further affirmation that recent strides of the administration in the socio-economic transformation of the state across all sectors have not gone unnoticed. It is common knowledge that, in the current political dispensation, Lagos has become a reference point when it comes to initiating and executing pacesetting innovative and strategic policies and programmers that are meant to uplift the living standard of the people.

Since, the world has become a global village; the world could not but recognise the modest efforts of succeeding administrations in the state towards turning it around. Such recognitions have come from diverse globally recognised platforms and in varied forms, the latest of which is the admission into the league of 100 RC of the world. The 100RC initiative, which was established by the Rockefeller Foundation, is no doubt a starting point and an optimistic enterprise that would help the state address its salient developmental challenges.

This much was revealed at the 100 RC admittance event by Governor
Ambode when he asserted that: “In spite of the challenges faced by the state in vital areas such as flooding, environmental degradation, public transportation, security, unemployment, strain on existing physical and social infrastructure, slums and a massive housing shortfall, Lagos remained resilient, dynamic and forward looking.” While drawing attention to the intention of his administration to make every community in Lagos economically habitable and curtail rural-urban migration, the governor disclosed that conscious plans have been initiated to deal with most of the key challenges confronting the state.

Urban resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience. And it is undoubtedly a great honour that Lagos made the list of 100 such cities in the entire world. It needs to be stressed that only 11 of such cities are worthy of such recognition in Africa. Common indices used in identifying resilient cities include chronic stresses which weaken the fabric of a city on a daily basis, acute shocks which represent sharp events as flooding, outbreak of diseases and other such natural disasters which threaten a city and resilience and allow them to withstand, respond to, and adapt more readily to shocks and stresses.

Others include being reflective which helps in using past experience to inform future decisions, resourcefulness which enables them to identify alternative ways to effectively use resources and flexibility which refers to willingness and ability to adopt alternative strategies in response to changing circumstances. Another vital indicator of resilient cities is inclusiveness which bothers on prioritising broad consultation to create a sense of shared ownership in decision making.

It is crucial to affirm that the innovative and visionary leadership which Lagos has benefited immensely from in the last few years play decisive role in launching the state into global reckoning. President of 100 RC, Mr. Michael Berkowitz authenticated this stand when he stated that out of the over 1,000 applications received and three rounds of selection process, Lagos was chosen for its innovative leadership, infrastructural strides and influential status not just in Africa but in the world.

It is actually in the area of innovative leadership and infrastructural strides that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has predominantly warmed himself into global reckoning as an insightful leader. Not many actually gave him much chance when he was given the mandate of his party in 2015.

Today, barely 18 months after, his administration has invested incredible vision, innovation, time, energy and resources in setting the pace for good governance in the country.

As a visionary leader, Ambode has built a reputation that embodies qualities such as technocratic competence, commitment to results and above all integrity which Nigerians often complain are lacking in their leaders. Detectable achievements in terms of construction of roads and bridges, environmental regeneration, employment generation, tourism and entertainment development, sports development, health care delivery, youth empowerment through T.H.E.S.E. which is an acronym for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sporting Excellence, upgrading of public infrastructure, among others, have created a sense of relief among Lagosians that they have a government that is proficient in delivering enduring legacy projects.

With the success of the various inventive strategies that were evolved to promote public security in the state, business atmosphere has become predictable and gratifying. Thus, the state now play host to local and foreign investors who continue to provide the necessary impetus for economic growth. The various commitments by these investors are already yielding dividends in terms of creation of job opportunities. The governor further demonstrated his administration’s desire for job creation and poverty eradication, when cheques worth over N1 billion were recently presented to 705 beneficiaries from the State Employment Trust Fund with a charge from Ambode for them to create more jobs, thereby contributing to the growth of the state’s economy.

For any government, innovation is an essential component of governance. Apart from being an indispensable attribute, innovation is a continuous process as it has no finishing line. This is why the state government is taking on a foremost position in advancing science, technology and modernisation as nucleus policy areas that not only hold the key to the state’s future, but could also make it one of Africa’s most productive hubs.

Hence, the Lagos State government is continuously thinking outside the box to improve the lots of the people as evident in the institution of a N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, institution of Disability Trust Fund, production of LAKE Rice, provision and sustenance of street lights across the state, ingenuous tackling of traffic gridlocks across the state among countless others.
• Adeyemi is a permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lfEytD

Sheriff promises to obey court ruling on PDP crisis

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Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff

Factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Modu Ali Sheriff, yesterday said he would abide by the ruling of the Appeal Court.

He spoke this ahead of the Friday, February 17 Appeal Court judgment in Abuja on the leadership tussle in the party.The party is torn between Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State and Senator Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State as to who is the authentic national chairman.

Sheriff, who is on a nationwide tour of PDP states, spoke at a re-scheduled meeting in Agbor, headquarters of Ika North East Local Council of Delta State after security operatives sealed off the original venue of the meeting in Asaba, the state capital.

He said as a law-abiding citizen, he was ready to abide by Friday’s verdict after a series of conflicting judgments by the lower courts.
Sheriff, who maintained that he was the authentic chairman of the party, stated that his intention was to reposition the party for the 2019 election.

so that it can capture power at the centre after the disastrous 2015 general election in which the party not only lost the presidency but also plunged from 29 governors to 12.

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Organisers promise added fun, as teams begin quest for honours

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2017 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament Manager, Mr. Bode Makanjuola; NPA Chairman, Mr. Dolapo Akinrele; Senior Manager, Communications and External Affairs, GTB, Mrs. Oyinade Adegite; President, Lagos Polo Club, Mr. Ade Laoye; Captain, Lagos Polo Club, Mr. Ayo Olashoju; and Deputy Tournament Manager, Mr. Seyi Oyinlola, at then unveiling of the tournament in Lagos… yesterday.

Some of the best players in international polo have gathered at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, waiting for the signal to zoom off in search of honours on the many fronts provided by the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament.

The competition gallops off today with Lagos STL and Ibadan Challenge opening hostilities in the Silver Cup. The 11-day event, which has Guaranty Trust Bank as main sponsor, will see teams compete in four main cups namely Silver Cup, Open Cup, Lagos Low Cup and Majekodunmi Cup.

Speaking on the tournament, Lagos Polo Club President, Ade Laoye, revealed that polo enthusiasts would be treated to top-class action in the revamped club, which he described as the new face of polo in Nigeria.

He added that massive infrastructural upgrade has been carried out for proper and efficient polo with all the safety measures.“We will have the usual dignitaries and supporters. WE are refurbishing the club, which administrative block will ne commissioned on Sunday,” he said.

Also speaking on the event, GTBank Head of Corporate Affairs and External Communications, Oyinade Adegite, pledged continued support to the competition, adding, “For GTBank, polo is a special game; a special sport. The uniqueness and the quality of the game endeared us to the sport. The passion and competitiveness of the sport are part of the values that drives our commitment.”

Nigeria Polo Association (NPA) Chairman, Dolapo Akerele expressed confidence on the success of the tournament, saying that Lagos Polo Club has continued to excel and show examples to other clubs. Aside polo, a lot of social activities are on the card for the duration of the tournament.

Deputy Tournament Director, Seyi Oyinlola disclosed that 10 teams would battle for the newly-introduced Silver Cup, which used to be known as Dansa Cup, while four Lagos teams will compete in the Open Cup. He added further that an unprecedented 12 teams would feature in the Low Cup, while three teams will contest for the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, regarded as the most prestigious polo title in Nigeria.

Lagos Centaurs, Lagos Fifth Chukker and Kano Keffi Ponys are the teams competing in the Majekodunmi Cup, he said, adding that there are three select cups, which are Oba of Lagos Cup, Italian Ambassador’s Cup and Independence Cup.

“The Oba of Lagos Cup will feature two Lagos teams and it will come up on Saturday February 18 while the final of the Silver and Open Cups comes up the next day to wind up hostilities for the first week,” he said.

Some of the stars expected at the tournament are Manuel Crespo, a seven-goaler from Argentina; South African Tom De Bruin +7; and Alfredo Bigati, another +7 handicap player from Argentina, who will be making his debut. Other professional players are Santiago Cernadas +6, Santiago Astrada +6, Diego Whyte +5 and Martin Juaregi +5 all of whom are Argentines. South African Leroux Hendriks +5 is not left out.

Middle-rated handicap Nigerian players, among who are Adamu Atta, Babangida Hassan, Bello Buba, Bashir Dantata, Kwame Isa, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Ahmed Umar, Murtala Aliyu and Saidu Umar, will also be on parade.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l6GrGi

Kanu, Babayaro, MTN chiefs, others welcome Arsenal to Nigeria…See full details

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Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Rahul De (left); former Nigerian international and Arsenal legend, Kanu Nwankwo; Chief Operating Officer of the company, Muhammad Siddiqui; and Head of Partner Services, Arsenal FC, Gordon Tannock, during the formal announcement Of The Mtn/Arsenal Partnership Held At Imax Studios, Lagos…At The Weekend. Story on page 43.

Eagles former captain to bring Gunners academy

The setting was the exquisite Imax Cinema tucked inside one of the most serene parts of Lekki. It was a day telecommunications outfit, MTN, chose to announce its marriage to English football club, Arsenal. Before Saturday, February 4, promoters of the deal had hinted that MTN was bringing to Nigeria a partnership that would change the face of the country’s football. And so it was that with so much enthusiasm football enthusiasts trooped to the venue to be part of history. And they were not disappointed by the path to progress spelt out by the partners.

Among the heavyweights of Nigerian football and the telecommunications industry present to witness the event were former Arsenal striker, Nwankwo Kanu, his younger brother, Ogbonna, who played for Ajax Amsterdam, former Chelsea defender, Celestine Babayaro and Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Paschal Dozie, who promised that the relationship between his company and the English club has come to stay.

Chief Executive officer of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyeama, led a group that included Managing Director of Metropolitan Motors, Olutoyin Okeowo, Beat FM boss, Chris Ubosi, Lagos socialite, Gabby Yadua, MTN directors, Tunde Folawiyo and Gbenga Oyebode.

Also present at the event were MTN Chief Operating Officer, Muhammad Ziaullah Siddiqui, the firm’s General Manager, Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, as well as the Arsenal team led by its Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Tannock.

Tannock set the ball rolling by assuring all present that the deal is a win, win situation for coaches, subscribers and other Nigerians.Among the benefits expected to accrue to Nigeria are coaching clinics that could even bring legendary Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger to run workshops in Nigeria, exclusive assess to Arsenal players for subscribers and trips to watch top EPL games, which Tannock affirmed were already in the pipeline.

Tannock reiterated Arsenal’s desire to partner with MTN and indeed Nigerian football for greater heights.Explaining the rational for the deal, MTN Nigeria Chairman, Paschal Dozie, said it was totally aimed at Nigerian football and it’s huge fan base with Arsenal. 

“We shall ensure that this partnership benefits not only our subscribers but most importantly footballers as Arsenal has already set in place necessary mechanism to churn out talents from the Nigerian football system,” he said.

The deal, he added, will replace the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Alex Iwobi, and Chuba Akpom in the Gunners. He said: “You can see what the little lad Kelechi Nwakali is already doing with Arsenal. That is part of the benefits that Nigerians will see soon with this partnership.”

To Iweanoge, the mere fact that top Arsenal officials were in the country to concretise the deal is a sign of the best things that are coming for Nigerian football.

He advised subscribers to visit the MTN site to avail themselves of the huge benefits the deal has for them both locally and internationally. Also speaking at the event, Nigeria and Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu, said the deal by his former club and MTN has challenged him to work towards ensuring the London side built a reputable academy in the country.

Kanu, who also featured for such great clubs as Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan, said, “I have been thinking of what Arsenal can do for Nigeria and Nigerians… now I think MTN has given me a clue and it’s time to act and bring an academy from my former club here.  I am sure they will listen to me.”

He thanked MTN for the partnership with Arsenal and declared that all Nigerians were already beneficiaries of the deal going by the assurances he got from Arsenal officials present at the event.

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‘Senate working to reposition transport sector’ (Read full details)

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Bukola Saraki, Senate President.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the Senate is presently working on critical legislation to reposition the nation’s transportation sector.

Saraki disclosed this when the National Executive Committee of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), led by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq visited him in Abuja.

The Senate President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the association by Sadiq, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, stated that the National Assembly, under his leadership, would spare no effort to ensure that the transport sector is working effectively.

“In the Senate already, our main focus is to see how we can encourage more private sector participation in the transport sector and that is why we have about six different bills in the transportation sector.

“They include the Transport Commission Bill, Federal Roads Authority Bill, Roads Fund Bill, Ports and Harbour Bill and the Railway Bill. All these are meant to improve the Transport sector and help businesses in the country,” he said.

He said that the National Assembly would continue to encourage entrepreneurs to manufacture cars locally at affordable prices.

“We still believe that we can provide the enabling environment that will make the price of new vehicles almost the same as some of the second hand cars that are being imported to check the idea where vehicles that have been condemned in other parts of the world are brought here,” he said.

He called on the warring factions within RTEAN to sheathe their swords and work together to provide better services to Nigerians even as he promised to intervene to see that peace returns to the union.

“I want to appeal to the two factions of your association to come together under one umbrella. I think it is very important,” he said.

“I made a special exception in seeing your association today because generally we have a procedure here that we do not see one faction or the other. But we will try and encourage you to come together.

“I hope by the next time you will be here you will come as one united body. We will play our own role in ensuring that that happens because we know that keeping your association going keeps the transport sector going, provide better opportunities in jobs and ease the burdens in travel for our people,” he added.

Earlier, Sadiq urged the Senate President to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking the association in order to bring about a united union.

He said the visit was meant to interface with the Senate on the plight of the association and to partner with the National Assembly in the struggle to end the present economic recession and its adverse effect on the transport sector.

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