Pray For Peace, Stability in this Period of Workers’ Day and Id el Fitr Celebration – IPCR To Nigerians

Pray For Peace, Stability in this Period of Workers’ Day and Id el Fitr Celebration – IPCR To Nigerians

Abuja – The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to pray for peace and stability as Nigeria joins the rest of the world in celebrating this year workers’ day and Id el Fitr celebration.

The Apex peace organisation has also asked Nigerians to pray especially in this period of electioneering for a peaceful conduct of 2023 general elections.

The Peace Research Agency which is also a think-tank of the Federal Government on peace and conflict resolution, with the mandate of promoting and building peace, added that what the country needs at this point of our trying moment is uniting against the evil forces that are undermining our peaceful cohesion.

This statement wishes to remind Nigerians that development is a product of peaceful co-existence, therefore, citizens should stand on the side of peace and remain law-abiding in the face of these challenges. As patriotic citizens who truly believe in the destiny of this country, we should rise up to the occasion to take up this civic responsibility in moving the nation forward.

As the nation celebrates Id el Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, Nigerians should take a sober reflection, and connect their hearts to God in the spirit of the season for the restoration of our dear country.

The Institute wishes to further note that it is not unmindful of the security challenges facing the nation, but it is not unsurmountable because President Buhari is already showing the political will to ending the security challenges.

As Nigerians travel across the country to commemorate these festivities, the security agencies have guaranteed their commitment in safeguarding the highways for the safety of commuters.

The IPCR also uses the occasion to salute Nigerians for their patience and resilience in the face of difficulties. The Institute further salutes the courage and selfless service that the military, the police and other security agencies have demonstrated in restoring Nigeria on the dreams and vision of its forebearers.

The Institute assures the gallant security forces of the IPCR’s continued support, and collaboration with them to always provide the soft approach to rid-off Nigeria’s current security challenges and restore it back on the path of sustainable peace and development.

Nigerians are therefore enjoined to use the occasion of these celebrations to pray for peace and development in our country.

Remain Dogged, Unrelenting – Army Chief to Troops

Remain Dogged, Unrelenting – Army Chief to Troops

Abuja – The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Faruk Yahaya has called on troops in the north east to remain dogged and unrelenting as eid- El fitr approaches.

Farouk made the call while on routine operational visit to the JTF OPHK to assess the level of successes recorded thus far.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this via it’s official Twitter handle on Sunday.

The tweets read:

COAS TO TROOPS IN THE NORTH EAST AS  EID-EL-FITR APPROACHES -“Remain Dogged, Unrelenting”…on routine operational visit to the JTF OPHK to assess the level of successes recorded thus far, called on troops to be more decisive in routing the criminal elements from their enclaves.
The COAS General Faruk Yahaya was conducted round on inspection of some combat equipment recently revamped using the Nigerian Army Electrical Mechanical Engineers Corps repair capability. 

Gen Yahaya arrived the theatre of operations in  company of some principal staff officers, where he was given an update on the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY & Operation LAKE SANITY.  He expressed satisfaction with the successes so far, urging them to remain vigilant & proactive.

IWD: Labour Rights Critical To Inclusive Development – NHRC Scribe, Tony Ojukwu

Abuja – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged government at all levels to observe international best practices in handling labour related matters.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Tony Ojukwu SAN stated this as Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2022 international workers day (IWD).

According to the statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Deputy Director Public Affairs, Ojukwu stated that prioritising the rights of workers is critical given that human resources remain the drivers of development in any clime.

He further stated that entrenching good working relations between employers and employees both in government and private sectors in Nigeria will bring about industrial harmony rather than suspicion, tension and strike which all come with their attendant negative tolls on the society.

Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) observed that Nigeria as a Member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), cannot afford to renege on the acceptable standards of relationship with the workforce.

The Chief Human Rights Officer opined that it is interesting to note that Nigeria as a Member of the ILO has always deployed dialogue as a mechanism for addressing disagreements and grievances involving Labour, adding that continuing in that manner will not only portray the nation in good light but also reinforce the confidence of workers in the government.

On the current strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and three other labour unions, the NHRC Boss enjoined the federal government to expedite action to resolve the current impasse with ASUU so as not to further endanger the right to education of the university students who have lost an academic year as a result of the unfortunate strike.

“Incessant ASUU strike has continued to constitute a major threat to the right to Education of students of our tertiary institutions especially the public Universities where the grater population of our youth attend”.

The human rights Czar regretted that the University strikes deform qualitative and productive education for the Nigerian youth and consequently, “education which is regarded as the fulcrum for national development is truncated” he lamented.

He said the ongoing ASUU strike has also taken an ugly toll on the lives and livelihood of family members of the affected lecturers as most of them reportedly find it difficult to cope with the basic responsibilities of taking care of their families.

The Executive Secretary is therefore using the opportunity of the IWD to call on the government to call the ASUU back to the negotiation table, pointing out that while the union cannot have all their demands met at once, the government could intervene to urgently take care of the most disturbing demands, pending when more resources are available to do more.

According to the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, it is not in doubt that most of the demand being made by ASUU are genuine, saying that merited allowances, improved facilities and infrastructures are not in any way bogus expectations that cannot be taken care of, considering the positive effects these will have on our universities.

He stated that the preference of University Transparent Accountability Solution (UTAS) to IPPIS by ASUU is something that the government could look into with a view to possibly making some necessary adjustments that will be favourable to both parties.

He called on all the parties to use the opportunity of this year’s IWD to resolve all issues outstanding on the strike and get the students back to schools and stop the further violation of right to education and development of the students.

Marcelo Make Exceptional History with Madrid

Real Madrid fullback, Marcelo Vieira has made history by becoming the most decorated player in the history of the Spanish club.

The Brazilian won his 24th major trophy on Saturday as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-0 to win the LaLiga title for the 35th time.

This was Marcelo’s 6th Spanish league crown, following titles won in 2007, 2008, 2012, 2017 and 2020.

The 33-year-old has also won four FIFA Club World Cups, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa del Rey, five Spanish Super Cups and three UEFA Super Cups.

Wolfsburg End Barcelona Winning Streak at UEFA Champions League

Wolfsberg women team earned a 2-0 win against title holders, FC Barcelona Femeni in the return leg of the 2021/2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) semi-final on Saturday.

FC Barcelona had to sit back and rely on its 1-5 first-leg win to scale through Wolfsburg hurdle.

After a goalless first half, Wolfsburg found the breakthrough from Tabea Wasamuth’s 47th-minute strike, while Jill Roord doubled Wolfsburg’s lead in the 59th minute.

However FC Barcelona Femeni held on to qualify for its third Champions League final with a 5-3 win on aggregate.

The defeat was the first for Barcelona in over 45 games in all competitions. They will play their third Champions League final where the team will face Lyon.

The final will take place on May 21, at the Allianz Stadium, Turin, where the most successful team in the UWCL, Lyon will face title holders, FC Barcelona.

Ancelloti Recorded a Grand Slam as Real Madrid Lifts La Liga Title

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager to win the league in all five of Europe’s major leagues as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-0 to win at home against Espanyol on Saturday, to officially clinched the 2021-22 La Liga season title.

Two goals from Rodrygo and strikes from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema confirmed Real’s 35th Spanish title.

The day before the match, manager Ancelotti had expressed his desire to close it out: “We’re on match point and when the best tennis players get there, they make sure they win it.”

Now sitting 17 points above second-placed Sevilla and 18 above Barcelona, with four matches to play, there are not enough points available for any of the chasers to catch up with the Los Blancos at this point.


Super Agent Mino Raiola Dies at 54

One of the most influential agents in football Mino Raiola,who represented the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland, has died aged 54.

A statement shared by Raiola’s family on his Twitter account read: “In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was.

“Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it.

“Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed. Mino’s mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.

“We thank everybody for the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect to the privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief.”

Raiola’s account tweeted in January to say he was undergoing “ordinary” medical checks and that he had not required “emergency intervention”.

According to Sky Sports the confirmation from Raiola’s family came two days after incorrect reports of his death spread. Alberto Zangrillo, head of the anaesthesia and intensive care unit of San Raffaele hospital in Milan, where Raiola was being treated said: “I am outraged by the phone calls from pseudo-journalists who speculate on the life of a man who is fighting.”

Raiola rose to prominence in the Netherlands and Italy in the 1990s and was involved in the deals that saw Dennis Bergkamp and Pavel Nedved move to Serie A.

More recently, Raiola helped to broker Paul Pogba’s then-world record transfer to Manchester United from Juventus, as well as Erling Haaland’s move from Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund.

May his soul rest in peace.

Fast Rising Fashion Designer Yvonne Yvette Assists Girl Child

Fast Rising Fashion Designer Yvonne Yvette Assists Girl Child

BOUYED by her phenomenal success in the fashion industry on the international stage, United Kingdom-based fashion designer and girl-child advocate, Yvonne Gambe, who is popularly known as Yvonne Yvette, has been busy fundraising for poverty-stricken young girls in her home country.

The designer, whose label is called Yvonne Yvette (YY), told Zim Community News yesterday that yesterday she donated sewing machines and accessories to the girl-child in Murewa accompanied by the Ekenia Chifamba-led girl-child empowerment organisation Shamwari YeMwanasikana.

“The aim was to raise awareness about period-poverty facing the girls in the rural areas…so I am here to do the handover to Ekenia and her team.

“We donated five sewing machines, at least 100 metres of fabrics, sewing accessories for girls to make their own re-usable pads as well as making enough pads to sell and make money with the project.

“We also donated six bags of pigfeed to Shamwari YeMwanasikana as they have a piggery project they are running at the centre.”

The designer, whose label is called Yvonne Yvette(YY), added that as a fashion designer, she was also looking to bring her brand back home.

“The marvellous results of my work come from the pride I have of my life experiences, from growing up in the humble yet fashionable streets of Africa to living in bustling and trendy Europe in my adult life.

She said such exposure had allowed her to make a double impact on the fashion scene by innovatively fusing African print fabrics with fabrics from other parts of the world to create world class designs.

“However, my work is not limited to that, I also use a broad array of other approaches to designing such as those seen in my diverse 2017 Bow Collection.”

Although very young, the YY African-inspired brand has made a huge impact in a number of communities, with several of its designs, created between 2014 and now, having been worn by many happy clients and models of various ages across the world and yet all-inclusive brands of this current generation.

This includes formal wear, casual wear and even swimwear.

“The value of my brand lies in the attention I pay to the details of the client’s needs and the thorough work that I undertake in tailoring their bespoke clothing. Furthermore, the Yvonne Yvette brand is highly trusted on both delivery and quality.

Fashion has always been a part of her life as her father worked in a clothing retail shop while her mother subsidised her family’s income through her sewing business.

Before launching her brand, she attained a BA Honours degree in Accounting and Information Systems.

Following the successful launch of the YY brand, she resigned from her job at a major Swedish Bank, in early 2017 and has never looked back ever since.
Source:ZC News

Illegal refinery: Senate mourns death of 110 persons at explosion site in Imo 

Illegal refinery: Senate mourns death of 110 persons at explosion site in Imo 

…As Lawan urges FG to take immediate action to end looming disaster 

Abuja – The Senate, Wednesday, mourned the deaths of those killed by an explosion at the site of an illegal refinery in Abaezi community, Ohagi-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday, April 22, 2022.
The decision to do so was reached sequel to a point of order raised by Senator Rochas Okorocha representing Imo West Senatorial District. 
Okorocha, while relying on order 42 of the Senate Standing Order, 2022 as amended, informed his colleagues during plenary that the incident led to the death of 110 persons.
According to him, the tragic incident has thrown the state into mourning. 
He disclosed that the explosion was caused as a result of illegal refining.
The lawmaker, called on the Federal Government to consider a legislation to provide for local technology for artisanal and modular refinery considering the gap in Nigeria’s refining capacity. 
Commenting on the incident, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, underscored the need for local refining of petroleum products to boost the nation’s revenue.
He, however, called on the federal government to take prompt action through the introduction of regulatory policies to prevent disasters associated with the illegal refining of crude oil in Nigeria.
Lawan said, “We cannot in any true sense benefit in a practical way from the oil and gas resources we have in Nigeria if we don’t add the value of refining it.
“Of course, we know what it means as at today, even though crude oil sells for higher, but because we have to import the refined products, the increase in price at the international market does not seem to confer any advantage to our country.
“So, that speaks volumes that we have to refine our petroleum products in Nigeria if we would have to enjoy the benefits of an endowment like that.
“[And] for Nigerians who get engaged and involved in this kind of illegal refining activities, I think government will have to take action.
“It is for government to come to decision on how we should be able to deal with this illegal activities. 
“On one hand, we may encourage private participation, in fact, that is the best way to go. But illegal refining again, at the moment, is causing a lot of damage to our country.
“So, it is a very dicey situation, but we have to utilise the ingenuity of our citizens who are creative and innovative, but in a much regulated way, so that we don’t experience these kind of disasters.”
The Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence to mourn the victims of the explosion in Imo State. 

Senate amends Terrorism Act, prohibits payment of ransom to kidnappers

…adjourns plenary till May 10

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013, and to prohibit the payment of ransom to kidnappers in Nigeria. 
The passage of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The report was laid by the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), before consideration.

Bamidele, in his presentation, said the bill seeks to outlaw the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers and terrorist for release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped. 

According to the lawmaker, “the overall import of this bill is to discourage the rising spate of kidnapping and abduction for ransom In Nigeria, which is fast spreading across the country.”

He disclosed that in the memoranda presented to the Committee, plethora of issues relating to the subject matter of terrorism and terrorism financing in line with global best practices were raised. 

He assured that the amendment to the Terrorism Act would set standards and regulatory system intended to prevent terrorist groups from laundering money through the banking system and other financial networks.

He added that, “having policies in place to combat financing of terrorism will surely reduce or eliminate privacy and anonymity in financial and other sundry transactions as it relates to the subject in our society.” 

He explained further that the need to comprehensively review the Terrorism Prevention Act arose from the unfavorable ratings of Financial Act Task Force (FATF) recommendations of Nigeria’s Mutual Evaluation Report and consequent placement of Nigeria in FATF’S International Cooperation and Review Group Process with its impending sanctions on Nigeria’s economy.

He stated that the National Task Force on improving Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime in Nigeria, proposed improvement on the Act in order to address the deficiencies noted in its provisions so as to align with the required standard as obtainable in other jurisdictions.

He emphasised that the proposed repeal and enactment Bill was geared towards improving the effectiveness of countermeasures against terrorism, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

The lawmaker noted that the repeal is aimed at providing adequate framework for improved international collaboration, inter-agency cooperation and freezing of terrorist funds/assets. 

Bamidele said that, “the passage of this Bill will save Nigeria from being included among countries in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List with its attendant negative consequences, which might ultimately result to international sanctions that would affect the image of the country in the comity of nations.”

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks after the bill was passed, said the bill would compliment the federal government’s efforts in the fight against insecurity when signed into law by the President. 

He said, “It is our belief here in the Senate, that this bill, by the time signed into an Act by Mr. President, will enhance the efforts of this government in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other associated and related vices.

“This is one piece of legislation that can turn around not only the security situation in Nigeria, but even the economic fortunes of our country.

“We have done so much as a government, in terms of infrastructural development across all parts of this country, but because security situation is not the kind of situation that we all want, this tends to overshadow all the tremendous and massive developments in our country. 

“I believe that the Executive will waste no time in signing this bill into law, and it is our hope that this additional piece of legislation will achieve the purpose for which it has been worked upon by the Senate, and, indeed, the National Assembly and, for the reason for which it would also be signed by Mr. President. 

“Let me make it very clear here, that the fight against insecurity, whether it is kidnapping, terrorism or whatsoever, is not the sole role of a government.

“The contribution and support by citizens is essential, because our security agencies need vital and critical information against terrorism and other things that make life difficult for us.”

The bill was passed by the chamber after it scaled third reading on the floor.

The Senate, thereafter, adjourned plenary session till May 10, 2022, for the Sallah break.