Celplus Media

The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, has been named “Outstanding Citizen of the World Year 2017” by Enugu City Centre Rotary District 9142. The District’s President, Mr Okezie Nwanjoku, who made this known in Enugu on Tuesday, said the award would be conferred on Ekweremadu on Dec. 2. Nwanjoku said that deputy senate president was adopted after a vigorous screening of 150 people shortlisted from across the world. According to him, the award is given by a credible committee and not influenced by wealth or other primordial consideration. “If one of the members of the committee vetoed the choice, then there will be no award. The committee was unanimous in its decision,” Nwanjoku said. He pointed out that Chief Arthur Eze won the award in 2015 while the candidates nominated for 2016 were vetoed by members of the committee. The district president also said that the club would also unveil its over N50 million service projects for 2017/2018. Nwanjoku said that

Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed the destruction of over 50 shops after Monday’s fire incident at the Yoruba section of Watt market in Calabar. Mr John Inaku, SEMA Director General, who disclosed this after an assessment visit to the area on Tuesday, said the cause of the fire was still unknown. “Up till now, the cause of the fire is still unknown; over 50 shops were affected during the tragic incident. “I am here on the directives of the State Government to ascertain the cause of the outbreak and to report back so that something can be done to alleviate the plights of the victims. “If you take a critical look at the shops, they are closely located. This makes it easy for the fire to spread quickly from one shop to another. “My advice to shop owners is that they should always put off their appliances after close of business; this would go a long way to prevent disasters like this,’’ he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed state governments to ensure payment of outstanding workers’ salaries in their various states, to enable workers to “smile to banks”, and to happily celebrate the forthcoming Christmas. Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo confirmed this development to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the President in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. He said workers’ issue took the centre stage during the meeting, saying that the president was so much concerned with those who depended on salaries to feed their families, pay school fees and their house rents. He said President Buhari specifically directed the governors to ensure that they kept workers and pensioners happy by paying their outstanding salaries and allowances from the balance of the outstanding Paris Club refund which would soon be paid to them. He said the President was so much concerned with those who depended on salaries to feed their families, pay school fees

The heads of military formations in Lagos on Monday assured the state government of their continued support in the maintenance of peace and security in the state. The top military officers, led by Air Vice-Marshal J’afaru Yahaya, Air Officer Commanding Logistics and Communications, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Yahaya commended the governor for providing vehicles and other logistics support to security agencies. He said that the security agencies would continue to make judicious use of the available resources to ensure continued peace and security in the state. In his response, Ambode thanked the security agencies for their cooperation and promised to continue to provide them necessary support  in the overall interest of residents. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the military delegation included the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major-Gen. Peter Dauke. (NAN)

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday sought the House of Assembly’s approval to present the state’s 2018 budget estimates for its consideration and approval on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The request of the governor was conveyed in a letter dated Nov. 17 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie. The letter, titled “Presentation of the Year 2018 budget” was read by the Clerk of the house, Mr James Omoatamae, during plenary. It stated that the presentation of the budget earlier scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 was, however, now rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29. The Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto, however, urged members to be available for the budget presentation on Wednesday. Obaseki presented an Appropriation Bill of N150b for the fiscal 2017 to the State House of Assembly in Benin on Dec. 19, 2016. NAN

The Independent National  Electoral Commission ( INEC ), on Monday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, commenced three-day training on Information Communication Technology (ICT) for its staff in the state. Prof. Godswill Obioma, the State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who declared the workshop open, said that the initiative was to train and equip the staff with basic knowledge of computer and application of ICT. According to him, the training is part of strategies being put in place to ensure credible, free, fair and efficient conduct of the 2019 general elections. He said that the ICT training was the 5th batch in the series, slated to enhance the capacity of the staff of the commission. He said that 300 staff of the commission at its headquarters in Abakaliki would first undergo the training before it would be stepped down to the staff at the various local government areas. “Election is a process and the training we are organising for our staff is to equip and enhance

Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina says President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, between Tuesday and Wednesday. Adesina, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said the president would participate in working sessions on the summit theme: “Investing in the Youth for a Sustainable Development.” He said that on the margins of the summit, Buhari would meet with a number of African Heads of State and their EU counterparts. The presidential aide said the president would use the occasion of the summit to reiterate Nigeria’s readiness to work with African and European countries to address the challenges affecting both continents, such as peace and security. “The Nigerian leader will attend the official luncheon to be hosted by the government of Cote d’Ivoire in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government and other delegations,’’ he added. According to Adesina, the governors of Akwa Ibom and Bauchi

The police, on Monday, arraigned a 35-year-old man, Bosede Abiodun, at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for alleged theft of cocoyam. The defendant, who is of no fixed address, is standing trial on one count-charge of stealing. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Monica Ikebuilo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Nov. 23 at about 9:00 a.m. at Odo village via Ado-Ekiti. She alleged that the accused stole the cocoyam tubers valued N40,000 in the farm of the complainant, one Ovie Dominic. Ikebuilo said that the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti 2012. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment to enable her study the case file and present her witnesses. The Magistrate, Mrs Omolola Akosile, granted bail to the defendant ‎in the sum of N10, 000 with one surety in like sum. Akosile adjourned the case to January 15 for hearing.  celplusmedia.blogspot.com NAN

Security Services in Zimbabwe on Monday warned Zimbabweans to abide by the country’s laws and desist from criminal behaviour following the deposing of former President Robert Mugabe. “Let us all remain united, peaceful and respectful of our national laws and by laws. “Law enforcement agents are already receiving reports of looting and illegal occupation of other people’s properties, particularly farms and houses,” said Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson, Col. Overson Mugwisi during a news conference. “This behavior is criminal and against the spirit of non-vengeful retribution and will be met by the full wrath of the law,” Mugwisi said. Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Charity Charamba said the situation in the country had returned to normal following the inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa as interim president on Nov. 24. She said police were therefore resuming their normal duties after stopping them when the military launched an operation on Nov. 15 that cul

A PDP national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Bode George, has challenged other contestants to an open debate on their vision and agenda for the party. This was contained in a statement issued by his political adviser and media aide, Mr Uthman Fadipe on Sunday. According to the statement, George gave the challenge during his visit to party delegates in Sokoto on Saturday as part of his campaign tour of the country. He said whoever wanted to lead the party should come a debate that would showcase the norms and traditional values of the party. The former PDP Vice-Chairman told the delegates that he was a committed party man who would deliver the best if elected. He also said that the micro-zoning of the national chairmanship to the South West would be in the best interest of the party. George said this was in line with the resolve of the founding fathers to promote equity and balance in the distribution of party offices. He praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abuba

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has dumped FC Ifeanyi Uba of Nnewi for another Nigerian club side. He has yet to disclose the new club. Ezenwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that he took the decision “after making some consultations and putting considerations in place.’’ He said that his new club would be made known soon in grand style. “The new club will be unveiled very soon in an occasion that I will sign a new jersey. “Although my contract with FC Ifeanyi Ifeanyi Uba is over but I have considered leaving them after contract expiration,’’ Ezenwa said. The Super Eagles goalkeeper said he was expecting to do better with the new club. “I am always focused and determined to excel at goal posts which is the secret of my success. Ezenwa has been with FC Ifeanyi Uba as number one goalkeeper.

Strong indications emerged at the weekend that the country may be heading for another season of budget showdown, as the executive and the legislative arms seem to be holding divergent views on the plan to reset the budgetary cycle back to the traditional January to December. President Muhammadu Buhari, on November 7, tabled the N8.6 trillion 2018 spending plan before the National Assembly. Up till this moment, no serious legislative action has been taken by the National Assembly, even though it is barely three weeks to the end of year break. The implication is that the budget re-setting plan billed to come into effect on January 1, 2018 may still remain elusive. In fact, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper  – the baseline and guide for which the budget is anchored is yet to be approved by the legislature, which has not hidden its desire to “frustrate” the budget reset plan on the suspicion that the executive is trying to stampede it

Mr Richard Nwala, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Abia, said on Sunday that the present administration in the state had completed and inaugurated 41 roads since its inception. Nwala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia that the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration had made long strides in road construction in the state. He said that rehabilitation and reconstruction of 74 other roads, including some bridges, were ongoing in different parts of the state. “Not only do the roads have drains built with cement pavement technology on both sides, they also have street light component for aesthetic and security at night.” The permanent secretary said that the roads were evenly distributed across the three senatorial districts of the state and not in accordance with political patronage. He said that the state government placed high premium on road transformation so as to enhance transportation and alleviate the plight of motorists in the state. According to the

At the 2017 graduation of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, in Kuru, Jos, on Saturday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reeled out the various achievements of the Buhari administration, despite scarce financial resources, made more difficult by the squandermania of the Jonathan era. He noted among other things, that despite the fall of revenue  by 60 per cent, the Buhari administration  started a series of bailouts for the States, to enable them pay salaries and pensions. The government was also  able to provide about N1.3trillion for capital expenditure, the largest amount for capital in our nation’s history. “For the first time in five years we saved $500million, and invested another $500million in the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Today our external reserves stands at $35billion the highest in the past four years,”he said. Without necessarily mentioning names, Osinbajo dealt a crushing blow to  government critics and politicians who have never given the administ

The Katsina Police Command says it has arrested a 28-year-old housewife for allegedly killing her 40-day-old step son. The suspect resides in Majoji Village in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bensen Gwana, paraded the suspect before newsmen on Friday in Katsina. “The suspect allegedly poisoned the baby through giving him drinking water. “The mother of the baby suspected foul-play and took the baby to the Mai’adua Hospital and later Daura General Hospital where it was confirmed that the boy was poisoned. “The baby died at the Daura General Hospital when medical experts failed to stop the continuous watery stooling and vomiting,” the police boss said. Reacting to the allegation, the suspect denied that she intentionally killed the baby, saying that she only used her hand to give the baby the drinking water. She said she had used her hand to spread rat poison but

A former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, on Saturday in Lagos dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Obanikoro’s defection at his Lagos Island constituency ended months of speculations about the status of his political allegiance. There were earlier reports that he had settled his differences with the national leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a step to joining the ruling party. Though Mr. Obanikoro acknowledged reconciling with Mr. Tinubu, he neither denied nor confirmed plans to join the APC. He, however, finally gave the hint of his defection during a television interview on Thursday. NAN reports that Mr. Obanikoro defected to the APC along with other PDP bigwigs in the state, including a former aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Modupe Sasore. Others are a national officer of the PDP, Jide Damazio, and another PDP chieftain, Kola Balog