By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commended the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for support in ensuring salaries of NPA members of staff were increased.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, noted that the salary of workers had been stagnated since 2008.

Bello-Koko stated this when he received a letter referenced MWUN/MD/NPA/RFC/23, dated March 6, signed by the Secretary General MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, expressing appreciation to management of the authority for the increment in the salary of its members.

The NPA boss said that breaking the jinx of salary stagnation suffered over a decade by the authority’s employees was made possible by the support of the MWUN.

He noted that the authority remained appreciative of the support by the union.

“This critical support from MWUN has buoyed us to intensify our relentless drive toward continuous improvement in the welfare of our esteemed workers in ways not limited to monthly salary alone.

“We are further delighted by the fact that our own Adeyanju is now the Deputy President of the NLC.

“This gives us the necessary solidarity and backing to push for more benefits for our highly valued human resources,” he said.

It would be recalled that the NPA managing director had in November 2022, been accompanied by Adeyanju to pay an advocacy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to solicit the union’s solidarity toward increase in NPA workers’ salaries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Peter Uwumarogie

The PDP and APC, Gombe chapter have traded words over alleged plot to rig the Governorship and State House of Assembly polls billed for March 18.

The PDP had alleged that it uncovered an orchestrated plot by the ruling APC to rig the governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state.

The APC on the other hand, said the PDP was coming up with falsehood because they knew they would lose at the polls.

Mr Ayuba Aluke, spokesman of the state’s PDP Campaign Management Council said this at a news conference in Gombe on Tuesday.

Aluke alleged that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of the state-led APC had perfected plans to compromise the elections in the state to ensure victory for his party and secure his re-election.

He said the PDP had obtained an audio evidence of the alleged plan and had submitted same to the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other concerned stakeholders for necessary action.

Aluke decried the level of desperation by the APC to “win elections at all cost through vote-buying, intimidation and compromising the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) to get the result that they want.

“We are lucky to stumble on some information and also to scoop intelligence along the line.

“We have authenticated audio evidence where the current governor of Gombe state under the leadership of the APC is discussing and sharing information with some of his cohorts.

“He (the governor) said that he is working and planning toward rigging, manipulating and also out-smarting the BVAS machines and all the electoral laws.

“This is All in a grand attempt and design to make sure that he returns as the governor of Gombe state by any means.

“This is why we are sharing our concerns as a way of alerting security agencies to take measures to address some of these issues or events that are emerging as we are approaching the election day.”

The PDP campaign spokesperson said his party would continue to take all available legal means toward addressing their concerns while urging its supporters to remain calm while coming out on Saturday to vote massively for the PDP.

In a swift reaction on behalf of the APC, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Campaign Council in the state said the PDP was frightened by the sterling performance of Yahaya.

Uba-Misilli said the PDP had resorted to propagating falsehood against the governor, knowing that they stood no chance at the polls, adding that Yahaya remained a man of peace and progress.

“Earlier, I sent a press statement alerting the public of the plan by PDP to smear the name of the governor through some unscrupulous means.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no plan to rig any election so all these are concussions of facts by the PDP knowing full well that they are bound to lose the election and may not have anything to show to the public.”

Uba-Misilli said the PDP was only peddling falsehood to attract goodwill for themselves or to score political points but “I advise them to face their campaign and woo voters.

“Let them stop propagating falsehood against the governor.

“The governor is a man of peace and one who has so much to show to the public and electorate for them to vote for him.

“The electorate are ready to vote for the governor, in fact, they are willing and ever ready to give him a resounding victory come March 18, 2023.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Chioma Ugboma

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday, said that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes remain legal tender till Dec. 31.

According to a statement by Isa AbdulMumin, CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, this is in compliance with the March 3 judgment of the Supreme Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the apex court, had in the said ruling on March 3, ordered the Federal Government to accept the designated demonstrations of Naira notes as legal tender until Dec. 31.

However, neither President Muhammadu Buhari nor the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, reacted to the ruling until when the presidency, in a statement on Monday, absolved the president from non-compliance with the ruling.

According to the statement signed by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Buhari never told Emefiele and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to defy any court order.

“The directive of the president, following the meeting of the Council of State, is that the CBN must make available for circulation all money that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position, ” Shehu said.

AbdulMumin said that the new CBN directive was in compliance with established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the rule of law principle that characterised the Buhari government.

“Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court judgment of March 3.

Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers ‘ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till Dec. 31,” he said.

Reacting to the directive, a financial expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, described it as a welcome development.

Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, however, urged the CBN to reinject the quantity of note withdrawn to address the acute shortage of cash.

“My concern is that except a substantial quantity of already withdrawn notes are reinjected and the cash withdrawal limits eased, the cash scarcity is most likely to persist,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) said it would inaugurate fire stations within the markets across the country.

The Zonal Controller, FFS in charge of Kano and Jigawa, Assistant Controller General (ACG), Ahmed Garba-Karaye, stated this when he visited Singer Market to assess the level of damage caused by fire on Monday in Kano.

He said the service was committed to prevent and control fire.

According to him, investigation, Inspectorate and Enforcement (IIE) will inspect and ensure fire safety compliance in public buildings.

“Rising cases of fire outbreaks in Kano market is as a result of high weather temperature and substandard electric appliances.

“Excessive heat, fuel and oxygen as major catalysts of fire triangle and heat can trigger fire without the presence of fuel, kerosene or diesel,” he said.

The Zonal Controller said shops should be well ventilated as congestion could also escalate heat and cause fire.

He urged market leaders to enlighten business owners through signs and announcements, the importance of switching off electric appliances before closing for business.

Garba-Karaye also called on philanthropists and wealthy individuals to contribute their quota, by providing firefighting equipment as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

He advised traders to always be at alert and conscious of fire. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne/Idris Abdulrahman

By Cecilia Ologungba

The President/Founder of Aspire Women Forum, Mrs Zainab Marwa, has unveiled a book, titled “101 Nigerian Women of Impact” showcasing the inspiring stories of women who have excelled in their fields.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unveiling of the book was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN in commemoration of the International Women’s Day in New York.

The unveiling of the book coincided with the ongoing 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67).

Speaking at the event, Amb. George Edokpa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, said the  Mission was happy to identify with the outstanding achievements and contributions women had made to the society.

“Although, we recognise that women still face many obstacles in their quest for equality, and we must work together to break those barriers and create a more just and equitable world for all.

“The stories of the women in this book serve as a source of inspiration and hope for all of us.

“They have demonstrated that with hard work, determination, and support, women can achieve great things and make significant impact in their communities and the world at large,” he said.

Edokpa said the unveiling of the book in New York set a record that Nigerian women stood as a beam of hope and inspiration to all women globally.

He said selecting New York during the women’s month accompanied with meetings for the commission on the status of women of the UN was most befitting as a global stage.

The Nigerian envoy thanked the author for her dedication and hard work in bringing the book to life.

He said the inexplicable nature of the Nigerian woman and her fight for equality needed to be amplified in every aspect of life, saying, “we celebrate her for creating a platform for Nigerian women .

“We celebrate her for creating a platform for Nigeria women to change the trajectory by sharing their own achievements and accomplishments. It truly remarkable.”

The special guest of honour, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, Former Chairman of Nigerian Governors Wives Forum, in her remarks, said every woman had a story to tell.

Fayemi, a Nigerian-British activist, writer and policy advocate, recalled how she had been advocating for the voices of women to be heard and attending the CSW for 30 years.

She said even then, there were no platforms to document the works women were doing at that time to promote gender equity and women’s rights, commending the author for the initiative.

According to her, generation to come will be inspired by the stories chronicled in the book and the younger generation will be inspired by their success stories.

She also told a story of a woman who went into labour in a marketplace and her fellow women brought out their “wrappers,” formed a ring to protect her privacy and took delivery.

“Everyone here is capable of being a “wrapper” to a fellow woman, to protect her dignity and rights;  the more wrappers you bring out for a woman in need, the more you will get when you are in need,” Fayemi said.

In the same, Amb. Lot Egopija, Consul General of Nigeria in New York, commended the author and assured her that the book would be kept in the consulate’s library.

“We will also publicise your book through our Nigerian platforms and I believe this will encourage you to do more,” he said.

The book, reviewed by Mrs Chioma Hope Uzodimma, wife of Imo State governor, which has 264 pages, was published by AMAB Books in association with the Aspire Women Forum.

The book 101 Nigerian Women of Impact, according to Uzodimma, is a journey through the lives of women who have found themselves in a position to make impact, and those who are not afraid to dare.

“This book is transgenerational and transformational; it cuts across socio economic strata and ethnic backgrounds.

“It serves to inspire conversation as it discusses the subject matter of women in Politics, Science Technology Education Mathematics (STEM), Media, entrepreneurship, Education and many other formal and informal sectors.

“The profiles of the women and their beautiful pictures gives us a glimpse into the lives and work of women who have chosen to be impactful in the lives of others,” Uzodimma said.

She said some of the women’s stories chronicled were based on bold political activism, some were based on the agility needed to dominate the campaign ground while others were based on professionalism and intellectual impact.

“The book documents not only the stories of the women who have reached the top of the mountain and planted their flags, but also those that are still on the uphill climb with the potential for making great impact in the future.

“There is a spotlight on the young women breaking barriers because not only does it motivate them and show them that they are seen, it also teaches resilience and determination,” she said.

Giving the citation of the author, Fatima Kakuri, Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said Marwa was a fabolous woman who had contributed to the social-political development across Nigeria.

She described the author, a British-trained lawyer, as a force to reckon with on the Nigerian landscape of young women in politics and advocate for more inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making positions.

Responding, the author said she was inspired to write the book to celebrate the incredible achievements of Nigerian women who had made significant contributions to various sectors of society.

“These women are innovators and trailblazers who have broken down barriers and inspired others to follow in their footsteps.

“Is important to remember that we still have a long way to go in achieving gender equity and women’s rights.

“We must continue to raise our voices and advocate for change, and we must continue to support one another in our quest for equity, equality and representation,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Taiye Agbaje and Edith Nwapi

Mr Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja to declared Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun unqualified to have contested the July 16, 2022 poll in which he emerged as winner over alleged certificate forgery.
Oyetola, whose candidacy in the poll was affirmed by a tribunal, made the prayer in a cross appeal marked: CA/AK/EPT/GOV/03/2023 filed before the three-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1st and 2nd cross appellants in the case are Oyetola and the APC respectively.
In the matter, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adeleke and the PDP are the 1st to 3rd cross respondents respectively.
NAN also reports that Adeleke had, in an appeal marked: CA/AK/EPT/GOV/01/2023, prayed the court to set aside the judgment of the Osun tribunal delivered on Jan. 27 which upturned his victory at the poll.
Adeleke, who dragged Oyetola, APC and INEC before the appellate court as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively, urged the panel to dismiss the tribunal’s judgment.
Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, who was counsel to Adeleke, challenged the decision of the tribunal which nullified the victory of his client in the governorship election.
Ikpeazu, argued that a member of the tribunal, who was also a chief magistrate, did not air her opinion during the judgement delivery.
Rather, he said she only appended her signature and the constitution mandated her to have aired her views about the suit.
But Oyetola’s counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disagreed with Ikpeazu.
The senior lawyer submitted that mere signing of the judgment, and not making any comment could not have rendered the judgment invalid.
He further argued that Justice Terste Kume, who headed the tribunal, in the open court, made a pronouncement while delivering the judgment using the expression, “We, members of the tribunal…,” to imply that the decision was unanimous.
He also argued that there was over-voting in 744 polling units across the state.
Fagbemi urged the court to dismiss Adeleke’s appeal.
Arguing the cross appeal, Akin Olujimi, SAN, who appeared for Oyetola, prayed the court to declare Adeleke unqualified to have contested the election, in the first instance, over allegations bordering on certificate forgery.
NAN reports that INEC had, on July 17, 2022, declared Adeleke the winner of the governorship election conducted on July 16, 2022 after polling a total of 403,371 votes.
He was said to have won in 17 of the 30 local government areas in the state.
But Oyetola and his party, the APC, approached the court to challenge the victory on the grounds that there was over-voting and that Adeleke was not eligible to run at the time.
The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had, on Jan. 27, voided the July 16, 2022 election that produced Adeleke of PDP as the elected governor.
The panel led by Justice Kume, in its judgment, invalidated the election and declared Mr Gboyega Oyetola of APC as the valid winner of the poll.
The tribunal directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Adeleke and his deputy, Kola Adewusi, both of whom had been sworn in.
It, however, directed that the certificate of return should instead be issued to Oyetola.
Justice Kume held that the governorship election was not held in compliance with Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
The tribunal also held that the governorship election was characterised by over-voting.
The tribunal, thus, ordered that Oyetola should be returned as governor of Osun State.
Olujimi, in his argument on Monday, said that that they were able to prove a case of forgery against Adeleke but the tribunal failed to make a consequential order in that regard.
He said the development led to the filing of the cross appeal.
He said Adeleke, who vied for the governorship position, submitted a forged certificate to INEC.
He stated that besides the issue of over-voting established by the tribunal, the cross respondents erroneously thought Adeleke was eligible to contest in the poll even with the controversy surrounding the certificate forgery.
Olujimi argued that having found that the case of forgery was proved by the petitioners (Oyetola and APC) against the 2nd cross respondent (Adeleke) in regard to his Exhibit EC9 and FILE D, the tribunal ought to have held pursuant to Section 182(1)(j) that Adeleke was not qualified to have vied for the July 16, 2022 Osun governorship election.
He also submitted that Adeleke failed to call evidence to disprove a case of forgery against him, saying that “an evidence tendered in one case cannot be relied on in another case.”
He urged the court to uphold the cross appeal.
Counsel to INEC, Paul Ananaba, SAN, said the cross appeal was hollow, praying the court to dismiss it
Also, Adeleke’s lawyer, Ikpeazu, urged the court to dismiss the cross appeal.
He argued that since Oyetola and APC were the petitioners before the tribunal, they ought to have called evidence to prove their case, and not the respondents.
Alex Iziyon, SAN, lawyer to the PDP, also aligned with Ikpeazu’s submission.
After taking arguments from counsel to the parties, Justice Shuaibu reserved judgment in the case. ,(NAN)(www.nanmews.ng)

TOA/NEO

By Stephen Adeleye

The officials of Kogi Government and Stakeholders in the financial sectors, have sensitised Kogi residents on the need to accept the old naira notes in line with the Supreme Court judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Supreme Court on March 3, ruled that the new and old naira notes should co-exist as legal tender in Nigeria till Dec. 31.

Addressing a large crowd at the newly constructed Ganaja Flyover on Monday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, congratulated Nigerians on the Supreme Court judgment.

Fanwo said the people could now use both the old and new naira notes together till Dec. 31, 2023.

“We have met with the banks and they have agreed that they will accept old naira notes as deposits.

”So, we urge all commercial motorcycle riders, Keke riders and market men and women to accept the old naira notes.

“The state government is grateful to the banks for their cooperation and commitment to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

”It is criminal to reject old naira notes after the judgment,” Fanwo said.

He assured that the state government would monitor the compliance strictly.

Also speaking, the State Security Adviser, Cmdr. Jerry Omodara (rtd.) harped on the need for residents to cooperate with the state government in its bids to ease the current financial strains occasioned by the current cash policy.

Omodara said his office would work with security agencies to ensure compliance.

In his remarks, Mr Idris Asiru, the Kogi Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, said the banks were already accepting old naira notes as deposits.

Asiru urged the people to take advantage of the cooperation of the banks.

He said that he had already gotten the commitment of the banks to load their ATMs with old and new naira notes to ease the cash scarcity in the state.

The representatives of the major banks in Lokoja also assured the people of the readiness of the banks to accept old naira notes as deposits.

They said the directive took effect from Monday morning, urging customers to freely accept the old naira notes.

NAN reports that the sensitisation train visited all transport unions, fuel stations and major markets in Lokoja.

The stakeholders assured Kogi people of sustained sensitisation on radio and other media of communication. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Joan Nwagwu

NLC plans to order workers to sit at home if in seven days the Federal Government fails to address current cash crunch.

Its President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the declaration on Monday in Abuja at the end of an emergency meeting of the Central Working Committee of the NLC.

He noted that Nigerians had suffered enough from the cashless policy of the CBN.

“The NLC is giving the Federal Government and agencies under it, including the CBN and other banking institutions seven working days to address the cash crunch.

“If they fail to do so at the expiration of the seven working days, the Congress is directing all workers in the country to stay at home.

“This is because it has become very difficult to access even one naira, especially by traders who do not have bank accounts.

“We have also discovered that even when banks give out old currencies, they cannot be spent. Even when you take them back to the same banks, they do not accept them.

“We have been frustrated to a level that we can no longer keep quiet,” Ajaero said.

The NLC president also lamented difficulties being experienced at petrol stations.

“At fuel stations where there is petrol, it sells for as much as N350 a litre in some parts of the country.

“We will no longer be quiet about this issue of perennial fuel scarcity and arbitrary increase in prices,’’ he said.

On the on-going state council elections of the NLC, Ajaero said some state governors were interfering with the process.

“Some state governors now dictate to the NLC through the chairmen in those states,” he said.

He alleged that a governor in one of the states in the Southeast openly campaigned that NLC members should vote for a particular candidate.

He explained that NLC’s attempt to resist the approach was met with the manhandling of its officers by hoodlums engaged by the state government.

“They disrupted our election in that state. Our state secretariat has been destroyed by thugs sent by the governor.

“The thugs took over that place for three months. The state chairman of the NLC was driven out of the state,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army says its officers and men were firm and resolute in providing security support during the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu dismissed smear campaign in the social media and other fora against some senior commanders and officers, as sheer mischief.

He said that the Army’s firm and resolute stance in providing security support for the elections “effectively curbed and prevented ill-intentioned groups from violently interfering with the process.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians are excited at this responsible posture and the democratic opportunity it offered them.

“However, some interest groups that were effectively prevented from hatching their nefarious plots to influence the course of the elections through violence, are understandably piqued by this assertiveness of the Nigerian army.”

The Army spokesman said the Nigerian army was nationalistic in its make-up and organisation, drawing strength from the nation’s diversities as constitutionally conceived.

He explained that the responsibilities of the army in elections was to support primary law enforcement and election stakeholders, to ensure that Nigerians choose their leaders and representatives in a peaceful manner.

This goal, according to him, remains army’s only focus and one it will continue to pursue, mindful that the average citizen expects nothing less from it.

Nwachukwu assured the public that any misconduct against any personnel would be responsibly investigated.

He added that any personnel found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with established practices and extant laws.

Nwachukwu however warned that the Army would not allow the character and reputation of any senior officer, earned over three decades of meritorious service, to be destroyed by misguided elements through mere speculations.

“The resort to the sentiments of ethnic and religious colourations would not also diminish the Nigerian army’s resolve to carry on its roles professionally.

“The Nigerian Army, therefore, urges all Nigerians to ignore the mischief being propagated by ill-intentioned individuals and groups and continue to go about their civic responsibilities without any fear of molestation.

“We would continue to work with sister Services and other Security Agencies to meet all security-related expectations of citizens as enshrined in the laws of the Federation,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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By Thompson Yamput

The Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) on Monday in Lokoja inaugurated its operational office in Kogi.

The office was donated to the commission by the Kogi Government to assist HYPPADEC to execute its assignment to the 10 flood proned local government areas in the state.

Inaugurating the facility, Representative of the commission’s Governing Board, from Kogi, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, described the occasion as laudable and heartwarming to the entire people of Kogi.

“What we’re doing here today is facilitating capacity building and to enhance communication between the commission and the people of Kogi.

“What HYPPADEC is doing across the six benefiting states across the country is serving humanity as many lives, particularly the poor masses, are being touched and uplifted.

“Thanks be to God for the man behind the Commission’s success story in the person of Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, the Managing Director, who is a genius in service to humanity,’’ he said.

Yelwa, in his speech, thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration for providing the operational office for the commission, describing it as an encouraging gesture that can create the enabling environment for better service.

The HYPPADEC boss said that the commission would use the edifice for five years after which it was expected to build and move into its own permanent office.

“As we appreciate this government for this gesture, as Oliver Twist, we are asking for a piece of land on which we can build our permanent office in the state.

“In the area of health, we intend to carry out another round of medical outreach programmes for the benefiting 10 flood affected LGAs in the state immediately after the Ramadan fasting.

“We have got approval from the governing board to provide electricity to over 200 communities in conjunction with the state government,’’ he said.

Yelwa said that the commission would do more for the youths in the areas of empowerment, scholarship and capacity building as they are “our future leaders and deserved to be assisted to fulfill their destiny”.

Bello described HYPPADEC as a household name in Kogi considering the quantum of assistance it had rendered to the people of the state.

Represented by the State Environment Commissioner, Mr Victor Omofayle, the governor promised to continue to partner the commission to ensure that lives of people of Kogi were improved.

NAN reports that youths from the 10 benefiting LGAs, who were in the venue with placards of various inscriptions of praises, honoured the managing director with an award for his outstanding performance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola