Tag: 2023

Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) 2023 holds on Saturday

All is now ready for this year’s edition of the Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) 2023, holding this Saturday, October 28, at the BICS Garden and Boat Club, Lekki Waterfront, Lekki, Lagos.

LWFF is organized by Curves Nigeria (local affiliate of Curves International – the world’s largest female fitness franchise), Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), and Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) as the high point of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) which is October, every year.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Curves Nigeria, Mr. Emma Esinnah, who is also the coordinator of LWFF, the Fair “objectives include sensitizing women to the benefits of fitness in fighting common illnesses, especially cancer; encouraging them to make useful lifestyle changes for their health and happiness; and to feature services, products and solutions that support female fitness and healthy lifestyle.

Programs lined up for the Fair include exhibition of fitness industry-related products ranging from fitness equipment to gym wears and healthy foods and drinks; health talks on cancer, fitness and dieting; health screeners and examinations; fitness demos; etc. About 40 exhibitors, consisting mostly of female-managed SMEs in the health and wellness space will be participating.

Last year’s edition was attended by high profile personalities, including the US Consul General, Mr. William B. Stevens and his wife; Ondo State First Lady, who is also the Founder of BRECAN, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Akeredolu; Lagos State First Lady, (Dr. Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented.

The opening ceremony for this year’s event which is at 11 am on Saturday, promises to attract such dignitaries. The Fair will be preceded with an awareness Walk in the Lekki community aimed at drawing attention to the scourge of breast cancer in the society.

October 27, 2023
INEC reveals major concern in conducting Kogi guber poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says one of its major concern in the conduct of the Nov.11 Kogi governorship election is the prevailing security challenge in the state.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, INEC, said this when he visited the Kogi Local Government (LGA) office of the commission, in Kotonkarfe during a visit to the state to monitor mock accreditation in Lokoja on Saturday.

Yakubu said that the commission was working with the security agencies to provide secured environment for peaceful and credible election.

“Wherever you go in Nigeria, you are sure to see two government offices. One is INEC. You will see an INEC office in the LGA headed by an electoral officer, an Electoral Officer (EO). You will also see the police office headed by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for the local government.

“So, we are everywhere working together. And I’m happy that we are working together as we prepare for the elections,“ he said.

Yakubu advised the Electoral Officers (EOs) in the state to follow the standard template for logistics deployment at Registration Area Centres (RACs), as well as work with security agencies, for the election to commence in Polling Units (Pus)at 8.30a.m.

“My advice to you is that you have to use the standard template for this election.

“I am glad to hear that all the non-sensitive materials have been received in your local government. And I’m sure it’s the same story in other local governments as well.

“But it’s not only the receipt of the material that is important. You have to batch them so that they go into the box per polling unit.

“So, on election day, as you move to the super RACs or the RAC centers, you will then move to the polling units,” he said.

Yakubu added: “We are giving our words to Nigerians that we must open polling units at 8.30 am on the dot. Therefore, you must activate the RACs. If you don’t activate the RACs we can’t actulise the commencement of the votes at 8.30 am.

“You must activate the RACs with security and I am happy that you are working in partnership with them.”

He commended all the INEC staff and security agencies in the state.

Earlier speaking, Mr Hassan Musa, the Electoral Officer, Kogi Local Government Area (LGA) office, Kotonkarfe, said that the preparations for the election was in advance stage.

Musa said that the LG office had already received all the non-sensitive materials for the election and was working with security agencies for a peaceful election.

He said that in the next few weeks the commission would round the RACs centres in the LG to monitor the preparations.

“We have received virtually all the non-sensitive materials for the election and we have successful dispatched them to PUs level and we are good to go. We don’t have any shortfall for now.

“What we are waiting for is sensitive materials. As you know sensitive materials come few days close to the election . More so we are having cordial relationship security agencies and they are doing their best to address places that have security challenges.

“We have received virtually all the non-sensitive materials and we have successfully dispatched them to PU levels. And we are good to go, sir. We don’t have any shortfall for now.

“What we are waiting for is the sensitive materials, which normally come a few days before the elections,” he said

He added: “Also, we are having a very cordial relationship with the security personnel. We are meeting with them, as you can see. We even hold a brief meeting with them every day and they are doing their best to crop down places that have security challenges.

“We have also met with transportation unions, waiting to sign MoU with them. ”

Yakubu used the opportunity to plant a tree in the premises of the INEC office for peace election, before proceeding to visit some PUs where mock accreditation was held in Lokoja.

October 14, 2023
Kogi 2023: INEC to conduct mock accreditation Saturday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated Saturday for mock accreditation of voters in preparation for the Nov. 11 Governorship Election in the state.

The INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, disclosed this at the Kogi INEC Headquarters in Lokoja during the presentation of official publication/presentation of Register of Voters to the 18 participating political parties in the upcoming governorship election

Yakubu, who was represented by a National Commissioner, Prof. Sani Adam (SAN), said that the exercise would take place in only nine polling units; three each from the three senatorial districts of the state.

The chairman announced that similar excise shall simultaneously take place in Bayelsa and Imo states, whose governorship election shall also hold on Nov. 11.

He called on the residents/voters in the selected polling units to come out en masse to participate in the exercise, which he described as a litmus test to the real election.

According to him, the commission is well prepared for the governorship poll, and appealed to politicians and electorate to abide by the rules of the game for a peaceful, credible and successful conduct of the election.

“We have all it takes in terms of staff and logistics as well as the necessary security support by security operatives to conduct a peaceful and successful election in Kogi.

“As a commission, we expect everyone to eschew any form of violence or crisis to help usher in a leader that will pilot the affairs of the state after Jan. 26, for the desired growth and development,” he advised.

Yakubu said that the publication and presentation of register of voters to the 18 political parties was imperative toward getting fillers from them on the upcoming election.

He said that the total number of registered voters in Kogi for the election is 1,932,654, comprising 953,941 males and 953,941 females.

“A copy of the Register of Voters in PDF will be issued to all the political parties contesting the election.

“The commission will deploy Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in all the 3,508 polling units in Kogi for the election.

“Already, we have trained technical support staff that will be deployed to all the Registration Areas (RAs) and the local Governments to provide technical support for BVAS,” he said.

Responding, the state IPAC Chairman, Mr Ukwenge Musa, commended INEC for its preparations and readiness for the Nov. 11 governorship election.

He assured the commission of the support of the participating political parties to ensure that the election was peaceful and successful.

October 13, 2023
Kogi 2023: Kogi LP records setback as 21 LG chairmen defect to APC

The Labour Party (LP) on Friday suffered a setback as all its 21 Local Government Chairmen defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defected chairmen defected to the ruling APC with scores of their supporters.

They were received by the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, at the Lugard House, Lokoja.

The leader of the defectors, Mr Awe Kayode, said that they decided to collapse their structure into the APC in order to support the party’s Governorship Candidate, Usman Ododo, in the forthcoming Nov. 11 governorship poll.

Kayode also said that their defection became imperative when they realised that the LP was no longer viable in state.

“Another reason for our defection is our conviction that the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, has shown that he is a unifier whose nationalist qualities are needed to consolidate on the achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

“I was in APC before I left to join the Labour Party. I am back today with more people and we are ready to add value. LP got more than 76,000 votes in the last presidential election; we still have the same people that worked to achieve that feat.

“The state belongs to all of us and we have decided to jettison ethnic or religious agenda to support the candidate of APC who promotes the Kogi Agenda.

“Indeed Labour Party structure in the state was a formidable one that delivered massive votes to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, without inducement or support, but we want to do same to APC and Ododo this time around,” he said.

Kayode added that their decision to collapse the LP structure into the APC was to join forces with the progressives to actualise the ‘Kogi Agenda’ which sought to further unite the people and ensure even development across board.

Similarly, the LP Chairman for Bassa LGA, who doubles as the Chairman of LP Chairmen Forum, Jimba Emmanuel, noted that a political party was just a platform to power.

He added that good governance was about individuals passionate about development and attracting dividends of democracy to the people.

He said that the governorship candidate of the LP lacked the required quality, hence their decision to abandon “the sinking ship”.

According to him, “I and my colleagues here have agreed to mobilise all our structures across the 21 local government areas to deliver massive votes for the APC candidate come Nov. 11.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, commended the leader of the “Obidient Movement” in Kogi, Awe Kayode, for his doggedness and mobilisation ability.

Jones said that the crowd seen was a testimony of the genuineness of their decision to join the progressives.

He urged the defectors to join forces in canvassing and mobilising for the victory of the APC governorship candidate to ensure sustainability and consolidation of the gains made by the Yahaya Bello’s administration.

Receiving the defectors, the Kogi APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, said “APC is a party that believes in development, equality and has good reward system.”

Bello, assured the new members of enjoying all the privileges as other members of the APC, adding that he was glad that the defectors were passionate and reasonable enough to distinguish between right and wrong.

“Your decision to join the APC shows that you appreciated the developmental efforts of Gov Yahaya Bello and his unwavering commitment to the unity, security and wellbeing of the people of Kogi State.

“Aside from the character and leadership qualities of Usman Ododo, who is a critical member of the New Direction Administration, our governor has further equipped him with the needed knowledge and experience to lead the state and consolidate on his achievements,” he said.

He urged members of the APC to disregard noise makers in opposition parties and go all out to ensure massive victory for the APC candidate.

According to him, as far as the Nov. 11 governorship election is concerned, APC has no rival as victory is sure.

NAN

October 6, 2023
Tribunal set to deliver judgment on Lagos governorship election Monday

The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sent notifications to the public that it would deliver judgment for Lagos State on Monday, September 25.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship flag bearer for the Labour Party, posted on his verified X platform on Saturday, saying that he has been notified that the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will deliver judgment on Monday in Lagos,

His post reads, “We have just been informed that judgement on our election petition at the tribunal will be delivered on Monday, the 25th of September.”

Recall that on April 11, the Peoples Democratic Party Candidate, Mr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, known as Jandor, and the Labour Party candidate, Rhodes-Vivour, separately asked the tribunal to nullify governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s re-election and declare them the winners.

Subsequently, on Wednesday, May 24, the tribunal dismissed the petitions filed by the Allied Peoples’ Movement and the Action Peoples Party against the victory of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, in the March 18 governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu polled 762,134 votes to defeat his closest rival, Rhodes-Vivour, who polled 312,329.

The candidate of the PDP, Adediran, came third with 62,449 votes while the candidate of APM, Funmilayo Kupoluyi, polled 884 and the candidate of APP, Abiola Adeyemi, garnered 259 votes.

The petitions of the APM and APP were dismissed by the Chairman of the three-man Tribunal, Justice Arum Ashom, after the petitioners withdrew them.

September 24, 2023
24 countries seal qualification for 2023 AFCON

All 24 countries that will trade tackles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire have sealed qualification for the tournament.

Five-time AFCON champions Cameroon on Tuesday spanked Burundi 3-O to complete the star studded list of qualified teams.

A breakdown of the qualified countries shows that 12 former AFCON champions, including three-time champions Nigeria will be on parade come January, 2024.

Hosts, Cote d’Ivoire will be leading a strong West African contingent of 11 countries, including holders Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso among others.

Tanzania representing East Africa returns for a second finals after a brave showing in the qualifiers.

The North Africans are represented by seven-time champions Egypt, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.

Egypt will be looking for an eighth unprecedented title, having reached two of the last three finals in 2017 and at the 2021 edition.

There will be no debutants in this edition, as the continent’s football power houses managed to maintain and seal qualification.

The 2023 AFCON will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, after it was postponed from it’s original June, 2023 date.

Full list of 24 qualified countries are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts) and DR Congo.

Others are Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco and Mozambique,

Others are Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal (Title Holders), South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia.

NAN

September 13, 2023
Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) 2023 details announced

Organizers of the Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) have announced that the event will hold on the 28th of October this year at BICS Garden, Lekki, Lagos State.

Now in its third year, LWFF had, in the past, been organized by Curves Nigeria (local affiliate of Curves International – world’s largest female fitness franchise) and Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN). It is usually the high point of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) which is October, every year.

This year, Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) is coming in as a partner. According to Chief Executive Officer of Curves Nigeria, Mr. Emma Esinnah, “the partners are delighted that the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, which has been doing great work in promoting health and wellbeing, has graciously accepted to work with us on the Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) project”

According to him, breast cancer awareness is the pivot of Curves corporate social responsibility, worldwide. That is why Curves Nigeria works with Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) in spreading awareness about the scourge of breast cancer and other aspects of female health and wellbeing. Mr. Esinnah explained that Lagos Women Fitness Fair ‘objectives include sensitizing women to the benefits of fitness in fighting common illnesses, especially cancer; encouraging them to make useful lifestyle changes for their health and happiness; and to feature services, products and solutions that support female fitness and healthy lifestyle.”

In order to achieve these goals this year, a number of programs have been lined up which include exhibition of fitness industry-related products, from gym equipment to wears and healthy foods and drinks; health talks, majorly lectures on fitness and dieting; health screeners and examinations; fitness demos; demos on self-managed quick exercises for professional women.

Curves and BRECAN, together with other partners, organized the first and highly successful Lagos Women Fitness Fair (LWFF) in 2019. The second edition of LWFF held on November 5, 2022, recorded even greater success with over 30 exhibitors, consisting of mostly female-managed SMEs in the health and wellness space. Lagos Women Fitness Fair has now become an annual event.

The 2022 LWFF was attended by high profile personalities, including the US Consul General, Mr. William B. Stevens and his wife; Ondo State First Lady, who is also the Founder of BRECAN, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Akeredolu; Lagos State First Lady, (Dr. Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented.

Concerning LWFF 2023, the Executive Secretary of Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Dr Olalekan Makinde, said that the Foundation is delighted to support female wellbeing by partnering with Curves and BRECAN on the LWFF project. Dr Makinde stated that he had worked closely with BRECAN in the past and is glad for the opportunity to work with them again and to further support women in their wellness journey.

In her own remarks, the National President of BRECAN Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, expressed delight that the Fitness Fair has become a major event in the BRECAN yearly calendar and now part of the highpoint of the BCAM. She heartily welcomed OOF and called it a “strong partnership in the fight against breast cancer and for enlightenment about female wellbeing”.

September 1, 2023
Nigeria has paid AU 2023 financial obligations

Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023.

The confirmation was made on Saturday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Press, State House on Saturday in Abuja.

Lamuwa explained that the payment demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for living up to expectations not only as the Chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a President who emphasises prompt payment of financial assessments.

During the Executive Council meeting, the Permanent Secretary shared Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU.

He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.

‘‘Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication.

‘‘Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfill their financial obligations,’’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary called for synergy among AU organs and departments and requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

He also stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on Sunday in Nairobi, where discussions on other significant matters will take place.

Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024.

He noted that this aligned with Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.

Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the AU, alongside four other member-states.

The AU’s 2023 budget of $654.8 million US dollars is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners, as well as other miscellaneous income.

Development partners play a crucial role in supporting the AU’s budget, covering at least 67 per cent of the total amount while Member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the Executive Council.

July 15, 2023
Hajj: FCT loses female pilgrim in Makkah

A female pilgrim from the FCT, Hajiya Amina Yunusa, passed away in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Malam Abubakar Evuti, the Director of the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the sad incident on Friday in Makkah.

”With total submission to Allah, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board MPWB hereby announce the death of Yunusa.

”May Allah forgive her shortcomings, accept her act of worship and grant her Aljannat.”

The director, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, advised them to accept her death as the will of Allah.

”We should take solace in the fact that she passed on in the holy city of Makkah after performing Hajj Mabroor(acceptable hajj), which has the reward of Aljannatul Firdausi, as related in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

June 30, 2023
Just In: FG stops funding of professional bodies effective 2026

The Federal Government will effective December 31, 2026, stop funding professional bodies in Nigeria.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a circular dated June 26th and signed by the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.

In the circular, it was expressly stated that the letter is simply to inform professional bodies that funding will no longer be captured in subsequent budgets for them.

The letter partly read: “I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, at its 13th meeting, approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective December 31, 2026.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make: budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above-stated date, and you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective December 31, 2026, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures.

“Please accept the assurance of my best regards,” the letter concluded.

See circular below:

June 28, 2023