NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Trolling: Minister rallies support for Osimhen, Nigerian athletes
Sports

Trolling: Minister rallies support for Osimhen, Nigerian athletes

195 total views today

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, says he is committed to ensuring Nigerian athletes are accorded due respect and not discriminated against.

The minister said this on Thursday in Abuja against the backdrop of a video on Napoli’s official TikTok which appeared to mock Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen over a penalty miss.

Osimhen had missed a penalty kick during Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Bologna in a recent Serie A match.

Osimhen subsequently threatened to sue Napoli FC for the post, but the post has now been deleted.

The minister said he was saddened by the incident and exploring ways to ensure Nigerian athletes are treated with dignity always.

He said he was committed to rallying support for Osimhen, Tobi Amusan and other Nigerian athletes who might need encouragement.

“Over the past weekend, the developments that came out of Napoli as it pertains Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, saddened me greatly.

“The travails of Tobi Amusan have been no less so. This necessitated why, last week, I made efforts to reach her directly.

“Moreso, my office is making efforts to reach Victor Osimhen directly as well, so as to understand first hand what the issues are.

“We are committed to establishing the facts of the matter,” he said.

Enoh said his office was working closely with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Ambassador to Italy and other stakeholders to find a diplomatic resolution to the issue.

“I am also in touch with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, as well as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Abam.

“Together, we are employing diplomatic avenues with Italy for a more decorous approach in looking into the matter as it is,” he said.

The minister said the Tinubu-led administration would continue to ensure that Nigerian sports men and women were accorded the respect they deserved and not exposed to injustice and discrimination.

“Upon assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear, in words and deeds that the welfare of our athletes, be they home-based or foreign-based, would be our topmost priority, as we create the environment that enables and ensures their continued success,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Artistes need to understand contracts signed with labels – Funke Akindele
Entertainment

Artistes need to understand contracts signed with labels – Funke Akindele

186 total views today

By Oladele Eniola

Lagos, Sept. 28, 2023 (NAN) Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has urged up-and-coming artistes to study and understand the contracts they have with their labels.

Akindele said this on the  sidelines  of the premiere of the Prime Video Five Part Mini Series tilted: ‘She must be Obeyed’, held at Filmhouse, IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the mini series is about the lives of three successful music stars, their rivalries and the backstabbing activities they engage in to outshine one another.

The series which premieres on Sept. 29 on Prime Video, features an ensemble cast led
by Funke Akindele, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime and Akah Anani.

Others are: Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuronye, Rachael Okonkwo amongst others.

She emphasised on the need for young artistes to be educated noting that they must be patient and careful  in their proceedings.

“It is extremely important for young and up-and-coming artistes to ensure that they study their contracts to know the details and know what they are going through.

“We put out a content that affects young artistes and that is why we came up with this series so that when they watch it, they would learn a lot of things and be very careful.

“Young artistes need to be educated and we need to organise a lot of seminars, workshops for them to know that they are important.

“The young talents are very hungry to be seen as they want to showcase their talent but unfortunately, they don’t study their contracts, they don’t get a lawyer or families that are experienced to educate them.

“The series will teach them alot of things that will help them grow and learn the basic things in the industry,” she said.

She noted that the series centres on the competition in the entertainment industry.

“The main character, ’SHE’, is very condescending and a bully, just like in every sector, you have bullies everywhere as along as there is hierarchy.

“You get to see competition, drama, fashion, music and we had to showcase what young talents go through.

“The series is an eye opener for everyone and most importantly, it is very educating as well as entertaining, so, I encourage everyone to watch it.” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

S/Africa, Nigeria top countries consuming podcasts in Africa – Spotify
Entertainment

S/Africa, Nigeria top countries consuming podcasts in Africa – Spotify

331 total views today

By Taiye Olayemi

Spotify, global online streaming platform has revealed South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Angola as the top five countries consuming podcasts in Africa.

Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in commemoration of the International Podcast Day slated for Sept. 30 annually.

According to him, the rise of podcast listenership in Nigeria has been exponential in the past couple of years, increasing by 222 per cent between 2021 and 2022.

“This places Nigeria as the second country consuming podcasts the most in Africa right after South Africa.

“Nigeria is followed by Kenya, Ghana and Angola. These five countries make up the top five African Spotify countries with the most podcast listeners.

“September 30 is International Podcast Day, and we have seen the podcast landscape continually evolve and gain traction in Nigeria.

“The demographic at the forefront of this transformation is Generation Z (Gen Z).

“With its accessibility and diversity of content ranging from storytelling to information sharing and entertainment, podcasting has become a popular choice for Gen Z listeners.

Manzi said that according to Spotify’s data, Nigerian Gen Zs aged between 18 and 24 years constituted a sizable segment of podcast listeners, accounting for 50 per cent of the total streams, for the last 90 days.

He said they were followed by listeners aged 25 to 29 years contributing 21 per cent of the streams.

According to him, in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Gen Z also tops the listenership rate with 39 per cent of the total streams coming from them.

“Gen Z is revolutionising the podcasting landscape, and their appetite for diverse content is shaping the future of audio entertainment in Nigeria.

“We remain committed to elevating podcasting and amplifying the voice of podcasters in Nigeria and beyond.

“The spotlight falls on The HonestBunch Podcast, I Said What I Said, Menisms, So Nigerian and Tea with Tay as the top local podcasts in the hearts of Nigerian listeners.

“Their leading position comes as no surprise, given their widespread popularity among the Gen Z and Millennials.

“This is attributed to their engaging and entertaining content, their keen awareness of trending subjects and their unfiltered and candid conversations,” he said.

On preferred podcast listening times among Nigerians, Manzi noted that Spotify data shows that most listeners tune in to podcasts from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m, possibly while commuting to work, sitting in traffic or getting ready for the day.

He said Spotify had made it easier for anyone to create and grow a podcast, through Spotify for Podcasters.

“It is a one stop shop to upload or record content, add interactive features like Q&A or polls, all while keeping track of a show’s growth through advanced analytics.

“And for the listeners, Spotify is always working to create new ways to make it easier to listen, discover and engage with their favorite podcasts, and are rolling out new tools including auto-generated transcripts, expanding podcasts chapters and updating podcast show pages.

“As podcasting continues to evolve, keeping a close eye on Gen Z’s preferences and behaviours will be crucial for all stakeholders in the podcasting ecosystem in Nigeria.

“Especially, as they lead with 50.9 per cent of the total population in the country,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Imo Governorship: Achonu urges residents to work for LP’s victory
Politics

Imo Governorship: Achonu urges residents to work for LP’s victory

198 total views today

By Angela Atabo

Sen. Athan Achonu, Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Imo, has called on the people of the state to remove all doubts and work for his victory.

Achonu who made the call while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, was reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgment on who the true LP’s candidate was for the Imo governorship election.

NAN reports that the Supreme Court had dismissed an appeal brought before it by Mr Basil Maduka against the LP over its candidate in the Imo state governorship election on the grounds of locus standi.

A panel of five justices led by Justice Iyang Okoro also rebuked the appellant for abusing court process and wasting the time of the courts all through from the lower courts.

Two other respondents in the matter were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Lamidi Apapa-led candidate, Joseph Ukaegbu, alias Ikenga, whose request to seek for a consequential order, was also rejected by the Supreme Court.

Reacting however, Achonu said, “with this, I want to call on the people of Imo to remove all doubt and work for our success.

“I have been concentrating on my campaigns because the people of Imo want change.

“Thank God for the Supreme Court. I urge residents of Imo to come out in their numbers to campaign,” he said.

He also encouraged journalists not to support fake news especially when it was being circulated on social media.

Achonu promised to run a government of the people by the people and for the people when elected and that would be an example for the rest of Nigeria to follow.

Also reacting, the National Legal Adviser of the LP, Mr Kehinde Edun said that all the cases filed by the Apapa-led faction of the LP, have been struck out .

Edun said that Achonu’s candidature was never in doubt because there was no order against him neither was there any order compelling INEC to remove his name.

NAN reports that the justices of the Apex court on Thursday held Achonu won the legally conducted primaries by the lawful leadership of the party under Julius Abure and witnessed by the INEC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Refrain from actions capable of undermining subsisting court orders, FG tells labour
Judiciary

Refrain from actions capable of undermining subsisting court orders, FG tells labour

272 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

The Federal Government has called on labour unions to shelve their proposed strike and refrain from actions capable of undermining the subsisting court orders.

It made the call in a letter signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and addressed to Falana’s law firm, counsel to the labour unions.

The letter was copied to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Of Staff to the President, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General, State Security Services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Industrial Court had on June 5 restrained NLC and the TUC, from embarking on any industrial action over the removal of fuel subsidy.

The minister argued that the plan by both labour unions would violate the subsisting order of the court if they embark on the indefinite strike from October 3.

He told the unions to respect the order of the court and allow room for ongoing negotiations between them and the Federal Government.

“These are undoubtedly issues that have been submitted to the National Industrial Court for adjudication.

“Therefore, the proposed strike action is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on June 5 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice.

“We wish to reiterate that a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside”.

Fagbemi noted that it is the expectation of the public that the labour unions would lead in obedience and observance of court orders and not in its breach.

“It is, therefore, the earnest expectation of this office that your distinguished law firm will advise the labour unions on the need to protect the integrity of courts and observe the sanctity of court orders.

“Consequently, you are kindly requested to impress upon the organized labour unions to note the fact that their proposed strike action is in gross breach of the subsisting court order, as well as the appropriateness of addressing their grievances/demands within the ambit of the law.

“Hence, the need for them to be more accommodating and show greater appreciation of the effect of the order of the court, by shelving the strike action.

“The foregoing will afford parties more room for further mutual engagements, for a holistic and sustainable resolution of all outstanding issues on this matter in the overall national interest,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Institute collaborates with Lagos govt to reduce building collapse
General News

Institute collaborates with Lagos govt to reduce building collapse

118 total views today

By Grace Alegba

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) says is collaborating with the Lagos State government to reduce building collapse in the state.

Mr Lucky Isename, Chairman, NIOB, Lagos State Chapter, said this at a press conference on Thursday in Lagos.

He said the 32nd Lagos Builder’s conference and Annual General Meeting slated for  Oct. 11 to 12th, would X-ray issues of sustainability in construction to mitigate building collapse.

He said the theme: “Safe And Sustainable Building Production Management In Nigeria” was chosen to correct errors and x-ray how far the neglect of the law had affected construction in Lagos State.

According to him, Lagos State has beautiful laws that need implementation, hence NIOB’s collaboration with the government towards implementing and enforcing the Lagos State Development Planning Law, 2019.

He said experts would discuss functions of registered builders, expectations, ethics, rights of clients, government regulation and other vital issues that would nip building collapse in the bud.

“The collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is to make sure that the Lagos State Physical Development Planning Law 2019, is fully enforced to mitigate building collapse in the state.

“The construction industry through safe and sustainable building production management plays a vital role in the development and growth of the nation.

“However, it is imperative that we focus not only on the speed and efficiency of construction but also on the safety and sustainability of our built environment.

“We cannot discuss construction and building without touching Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

He said panelist would discuss safe and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the progress made to meet the deadline of achieving the sustainable goals as it affected the building construction sector in Lagos State.

He said the event would start with the opening ceremony, which would be followed by discussions, adding that the second day would be for AGM and gala night.

The Honourary Secretary, NIOB, Mr Abiodun Ogundare, said the theme was in line with Goal 17 of the SDG, which advocated sustainability in construction, hence the emphasis on use of registered builders.

The Vice Chairman, NIOB, Mr Adeoye Thomas, said a building could be safe for a short time but engaging professionals would help it last longer.

He said all stakeholders in the construction value chain including

manufacturers, the professional builders, artisans, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others, must begin self assessment on doing things right.

“We need to come together to reduce this issue of building collapse. With this I believe we will reduce it to the barest minimum,” he said.

Immidate past chairman of the Lagos Chapter of NIOB, Mr Sunday Wusu, said the sub-themes of the conference were carefully selected to cover a wide range of topics and issues causing building collapse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Business owners, residents groan over power outage in Nasarawa
Community , General News

Business owners, residents groan over power outage in Nasarawa

194 total views today

By Favour Rotimi

Business owners and residents in Masaka, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State on Thursday urged the Federal Government to intervene in the continued power outage in the area in the last two months.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that the situation had brought losses to their businesses.

Miss Rachel Obole, Secretary, Ehis Table water, said the power outage had caused the company a lot of expenses than expected in the last few months.

Obole said the high demand for cold water had been a challenge and it had made the factory owner to run the business on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to meet customers` demand.

According to her, the price of a bag of sachet water is different when production is on electricity and generator.

“When there is power supply, the company earns over N32,500 daily but with generator, we make little or no profit,” she said.

A bar owner, Mr Tobechi Ona, said that the effect of the shortage of power supply was taking a toll on members of the community.

“We hardly make sales now because customers are complaining of hot drinks which make them not to enjoy their time.

“I lost over N20, 000 every day because of the power outage which reduced the level of patronage from residents,” he said.

Meanwhile the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company while apologising to members of the community had promised to rectify the problem soonest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

GOC inaugurates ultra-modern library for NAOWA school in Benin
General News

GOC inaugurates ultra-modern library for NAOWA school in Benin

199 total views today

By Usman Aliyu

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, on Thursday inaugurated an ultra-modern library for use at the NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the library was facilitated by Mrs Hassina Ndahi, Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 4 Brigade chapter, Benin.

In his address, Maj.-Gen. Alabi, who described the project as laudable, expressed delight that the event was lined up for his visit to the brigade.

According to him, the facility will help to inculcate building culture among the pupils in the school and expose them to the world.

“Anybody that thinks of contributing to education, definitely, dreams for a great and bright future.

“A library project is indeed a laudable one and it’s highly appreciated.

“I want to thank Ndahi for the initiative. I also want to thank those that have supported this project.

“I urge the school management to ensure the sustenance of this library. I also urge the pupils to make use of the library as a matter of routine. They need to build a reading culture right now so that the objective of having a library will be achieved,” he said.

Alabi announced a donation of N1 million to help improve the facility and add up to the books on the shelves.

Earlier in her address of welcome, Mrs Ndahi, wife of Brig.-Gen. Danladi Ndahi, Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin, said the prevailing economic reality, which could make it difficult for some pupils to procure books necessitated the project.

“I needed to throw myself into this project, because education is not preparation for life; but life itself.

“The library project that is being commissioned today is the result of an effort that has lasted a couple of days,” she said.

The coordinator, however, commended senior officers who donated books to equip the facility.

In her remark, Mrs Sikira Alabi, Chairperson, 2 Division, NAOWA, said the library would definitely aid the teaching and learning system in the school.

Mrs Alabi, who was represented by Mrs Adejoke Fakokunde, however, urged the management to extend the use of the library to pupils from outside the school. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Nigerian men make inroads into women-dominated jobs
Community , General News

Nigerian men make inroads into women-dominated jobs

292 total views today

By Alice A Afolayan

A number of Nigerian men are gradually pushing for spaces in jobs hitherto dominated by women across the country, a check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals.

NAN reports that men in the country are visibly operating eateries, hair dressing salons, makeup shops, fixing nails and eyelashes.

Some are into formal jobs such as nursing, flight attendant and secretarial duties among others, which were hitherto exclusively for women.

A cross section of those interviewed by NAN on Thursday in Abuja attributed the gender `breach’ to the high level of unemployment in the country.

They said people now no longer choose jobs, and those with skills in any area go for it irrespective of whether they would be viewed as encroaching into women’s territory.

“Unemployment is pushing most men to take up jobs long viewed exclusively as female dominated jobs in Nigeria,” Mr Jacob Tivkaa, an Uber Driver said.

He however said some of the trades such as hairstyling “are well paid jobs and men venture into them and even take it up as full time career”.

Mr Samuel Okai, a cosmetologist in Gwagwalada, said that he ventured into this line of career because of the harsh economic situation he found himself.

“I am not a lazy person, so when I could not find a job, I decided to make good use of myself by becoming a cosmetologist.

“I have been in this line of business for 10 years and I am glad that I started. I am now an employee of labour. I have about six staff and seven trainees under me.

“I make averagely about N60,000 daily and I pay my staff much more than the national minimum wage. In our line of business, we pay the staff members per hour, so I pay my staff five thousand per hour,” he said.

A resident of Garki, Mrs Victoria Folowosele, said the male hairstylists she patronise were very good at their job.

“Most male hairstylists are really good in some specific hair do and nail treatment than some females.

“The world is changing, I remember back in the days when we look at male stylists as gay, but this is not the situation now.

“Sometimes when they fix your hair, you’ll think you’re wearing a wig because the weavings underneath isn’t pronounced, and when you pack the hair upward, the whole thing just looks real.

“I think these guys have studied hair making after seen where female hairstylists are missing it,” she said.
Mr Victor Oloruntoba, a confidential secretary, said he was comfortable with his job.

“I don’t believe that there are specific jobs for women and males. My belief is that as long as you are good and okay in a job, and that the job gives you the money you need, then do it; I am okay with my job,” he said.

Mrs Rejoice Ukoh, a civil servant, said she was comfortable with male nurses ”because they are more caring in carrying out their duties, while some of the female nurses are often harsh and hard to deal with”.

Also, Mr Layi Bakare, a businessman, however said he finds it queer for men to engage in trades that were largely reserved for women, such as cosmetology, secretarial jobs and as flight attendants.

“I look at them as if they are gay; I don’t support men in this line of jobs at all,” Bakare added. (NAN)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Maharazu Ahmed

Dangote Refinery: Firm completes installation of 18 ultrasonic flare gas metres
Oil & Gas

Dangote Refinery: Firm completes installation of 18 ultrasonic flare gas metres

296 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

Fluenta, a global leader in ultrasonic sensing technology for measurement of flare gas says it has completed installation of 18 ultrasonic flare gas meters on large pipelines around the Dangote Refinery Plant in Nigeria.

Mr Radek Kurkowski, a Director at Fluenta, said on Thursday that it spent more than four months working with its exclusive Nigerian representative, Daptem Engineering, and the Dangote project team to deliver a workable, accurate and reliable flare measurement solution.

Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery inaugurated in May 2023 has the capacity of refining 650,000 barrels of oil per day, enough to meet Nigeria’s daily fuel supply requirements, with a daily surplus of 38 million litres of refined products, already earmarked for export.

Kurkowski in a statement said that the team implemented a multitude of innovative and bespoke solutions considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure accuracy of the system.

“Under current Nigerian law, companies refining oil and gas must pay a ‘tax’ for flared gas, to encourage an overall reduction in flaring, underlining the importance of Fluenta’s accurate, trustworthy flare measurement and management.

“Flare gas measurement and control is vital to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to help identify potential safety hazards.

“This is especially true at a plant on this never-before-seen scale and with the world’s largest flare pipe.

“Delivering this solution meant some close work with our local partner and the client project team, and we are delighted with the end result – which will support bringing energy security to Nigeria and the wider Africa region.

“Our team used a range of state-of-the-art technology, adapted meter software and special pipe gaskets and ball valves to deliver the pipe flare gas measurement solution,” he said.

He said Fluenta’s work stood as testament to the power of innovation, creative teamwork and a desire to always meet the client’s needs, adding that it was proud to support the domestic security of energy supply in Nigeria.

According to him, Fluenta has deep experience of working in Africa. In 2017, the company was approached by an International Oil Company (IOC) working in Nigeria, which was looking for a reliable flare measurement solution.

He said it developed bespoke solutions in response to the IOC’s requirements, which were installed in 2019 and since then, the IOC had ordered an additional 32 Fluenta flare measurement meters.

He said Fluenta would be speaking further on the challenges of combustion efficiency and industry challenges to track methane emissions from flaring at Nigeria Hydrocarbon Measurement Conference (NiHMEC), taking place in Lagos, from Oct. 4 to Oct. 5, 2023.

He further said that Nigerian authorities were leading the charge in the control and regulation of flaring gas, looking towards eliminating the need for routine flaring over the next few years.

However, he said, a key component in that challenge was accurate measurement.

Nigeria is positioning itself as a world-leader when it comes to reducing its emissions, and flaring – the controlled burning or combustion of excess or waste gases that cannot be processed or captured for productive use.

This is a safety and environmental practice employed in the petroleum industry to prevent release of potentially harmful or combustible gases into the atmosphere.

Flare measurement in a refinery is essential, from a regulatory and environmental law compliance perspective, and for accurate emissions monitoring. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

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