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http://ift.tt/2qOoans HRM Pere Stanley Luke Kalanama VIII -HRM Pere S.P. Luke Kalanama VIII, The Pere Of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom Delta State Akugbene-Mein Kingdom is one of the mainland Ijaw territories in Nigeria. The town is situated in Bomadi Local Government Areas of Delta State. The kingdom was established some 700 years ago. Historically, Kalanama kingdom had its origin from the present Benin Kingdom. In 1485, the first ruler of this ancient kingdom, Kalanama The First, went to Benin to obtain permission from the then ruling Oba of Benin, which was granted him to rule over his people, who were living in the Riverine areas of the great Benin Kingdom. Kalanama Kingdom is, therefore, one of the oldest Kingdoms in present day Ijaw land. In this ancient town lives a 51-year-old monarch known as His Royal Majesty Pere S.P. Luke, KALANAMA VIII. He ascended the throne of his forefathers exactly 20 years ago. He is a Geology graduate from the Rivers State University of Science and Tec...

http://ift.tt/2qOj9er As a viable human enterprise, literature has, from time immemorial, derived its engaging and revealing contents from the inexhaustible vortex of human chequered happenings and happenstances. In other words, if we humour the cerebrally feisty Kenyan novelist of consequential renown, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, we may not hum and haw in accepting his well-thought-out view that literature is not a product of vacuum … The variegated events in human communities and societies have thus far formed the very materials with which writers, be they poets, novelists, or playwrights, convene the banquets at which their own imaginative outputs blend beautifully and seamlessly with the remarkable occurrences in human societies. Thus, for any educable mind desirous of knowing what the ancient Greek society’s culture and traditional religion were, they have the imperishable works of Homer, Sophocles, Euripides, amongst a hosts of others, to pore over. Shall we forget the ever green play...

http://ift.tt/2s5dSMN The development has already triggered a ripple effect in the open market, with prices of sandcrete blocks ranging from N180 and N200 for a six inch and nine inch block respectively. These are not the best of times for property developers and prospective homeowners, as prices of building materials, especially cement-based products have hit the roof and substandard products are gaining ground in most popular markets. Cement, which is key component of the building construction has remained high after retail prices increased from N1,600 to N2,700 depending on the location. The development has already triggered a ripple effect in the open market, with prices of sandcrete blocks ranging from N180 and N200 for a six inch and nine inch block respectively. The market leader – Dangote Cement Plc, with factories in Gboko, Benue State; Obajana, Kogi State; and Ibeshe, Ogun State dictate trends in the building materials market. Other manufacturers include Lafarge Cem...

http://ift.tt/2s5lLBC Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, stated that Lagosians living along the plains of the Ogun river had to suffer the hardship brought about by the recurrent flooding of the river. Experts have expressed concern over insufficient yearly financial budgetary support to maintain basic hydrological services and data collection activities in the country. They argued that the situation is putting Nigerians’ lives and infrastructure at risk and limiting the potential for better and informed decision -making. The egg-heads, who expressed their frustrations in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day Stakeholders’ Summit  ‘On the Negative Impacts of Ogun River on Adjoining Towns and Villages in Lagos State, called on relevant government officials to ensure adequate financial budgetary allocations  for hydrological services. They stressed that flood prevention and management efforts can only be...

http://ift.tt/2rwfXEr Nigerian forest cover has been on constant decline owing to deforestation With Nigeria losing about 3.5 per cent of its forest yearly, which is between 350,000 and 400,000 hectares of forestland, the World Bank has been extended Nigeria Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Readiness Programme to Nasarawa and Ondo States. The programme by the United Nations REDD Programme and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has the World Bank as an implementing partner and main vehicle for REDD+ readiness in the country, with an initial priority focus in Cross River State. Under the  $3.8 million FCPF support, the success story is being replicated in two other states of Nasarawa and Ondo. The goal of the programme is to enable Nigeria to contribute to climate change mitigation through improved forest conservation and enhancing sustainable community livelihoods. The programme supports Nigeria to contribute ...

http://ift.tt/2s5kYAT NCF Director General, Adeniyi Karunwi made the submission at the 2017 Grand finale of energy week organised by the Foundation in partnership with Skangix Development Limited for 31 private and public schools within the Lagos State Education Board District III. To protect the environment and reduce dependence on fossil fuel, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has advocated the promotion of clean energy concept among secondary school students. The group also expressed the  need for unity among stakeholders in encouraging environmental conservation, investment in clean energy and the recognition of the role of children in promoting sustainability agenda. NCF Director General, Adeniyi Karunwi made the submission at the 2017 Grand finale of energy week organised by the Foundation in partnership with Skangix Development Limited for 31 private and public schools within the Lagos State Education Board District III. Speaking on theme: “Energy make i...

http://ift.tt/2rvL6b0 According to them, Nigerian Local Content Act popularly called “NOGICD Act 2010” was a major change agent for engineering design by increasing the domiciliation of engineering to over 55per cent from 5 per cent. Professional engineers have called on government to commit more funds to the nation’s infrastructural development to deepen local participation and job creations. According to them, Nigerian Local Content Act popularly called “NOGICD Act 2010” was a major change agent for engineering design by increasing the domiciliation of engineering to over 55per cent from 5 per cent. Speaking at a forum in Lagos organised by the Victoria Island Chapter of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in collaboration with Deltaafrik Engineering Limited, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Kemela Okara said for additional localised participation to be recorded, particularly in the oil and gas and engineering sector, government must create an enab...

http://ift.tt/2s5jmXG Mr. Samuel Ukpong, who made the call in a press conference to mark NIESV week in Lagos, disclosed that the institution has prepared a bill and has forwarded to the Executive and the State’s House of Assembly. Members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) have reiterated its call for the establishment of the Office of Valuer-General in all the 36 States. They stated that the office would bring its experience to bear in current problems being experienced in land assessment, valuation and documentation in the country. Lagos State Branch Chairman, Mr. Samuel Ukpong, who made the call in a press conference to mark NIESV week in Lagos, disclosed that the institution has prepared a bill and has forwarded to the Executive and the State’s House of Assembly. According to him, estate valuers/surveyors are land economists, who are professionally trained for proper analyses on lands, budgets and other related matters. Ukpong said that...

http://ift.tt/2op41Pm Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade Faced with stiff opposition from law enforcement officers on the introduction of environmental guards, Cross River State Government has renamed the state’s non-armed bearing outfit, the Green Police to Green Sheriff. Governor Ben Ayade also urged residents of the state to ensure cleanliness and sustain greenery initiative or face prosecution. Ayade noted that the new outfit “Green Sheriff” must serve as an environmental neighborhood watch by ensuring that every resident of the state and Calabar in particular keeps his or her environment very clean.” He explained that “the Green Sheriff’s responsibilities will include general sanitation check, nursing and planting of trees, ensuring that refuse bins are evacuated as and when due, report erring wastes evacuation contractors as well as arrest persons who litter the environment.” Other roles the governor enumerated were to stop deforestation, afforestation supervis...

http://ift.tt/2s5h6zI Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu Towards uplifting the standard of living of its citizenry, Kebbi State Government has signed a N2 billion contract for the re-construction of the central market. The agreement with Bilal African Limited Company, a Dubai-based construction firm is for the construction of additional 812 shops, which would be completed in 12 months. The contract involves road network, expansion of fire service unit, and the provision of electrical solar system. Commissioner of Land and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, who signed the agreement on behalf of the state government said, the re-construction of central market was occasioned by the fire outbreak that gutted the market last year. He stressed that the government is ready to provide the alternative for the people to ensure the smooth business. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Benet Sarang assured the project would be completed at the stipulated time. Vía Nigeria N...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J By Muhammad Ajah Here is Ramadan again, the month that true believers strive to acquire as much as possible rewards with the best of their physical and spiritual abilities. Ramadan is not a month of sloth and wickedness. It is the month for the acquisition of spiritual elevation, for the spread of love, mercy and forgiveness, as well as attainment of psychological and socio-economic balancing. The rich feel for the poor and every believing Muslim struggles to achieve the pleasure of his/her Lord and humanity. As we welcome our blessed nonpareil month, I want to remind my Muslim faithful of a few important things that will guide us through it and assist us in receiving the best results in it, In sha Allah with Grade A. Allah has enjoined Muslims to remind themselves and to aid themselves in spreading piety and good deeds, not otherwise in spreading evil and enmity. I wish to sincerely say to all Muslims of Nigeria and the world: “Ramadan kareem!” May Allah make i...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The month of blessings, honour, grace, power, guidance is here. Ramadan, the month like no other  is here again. It is another opportunity, immeasurable grace for blessings, spiritual rebirth, rejuvenation and nearness to Allah. It is time to show more love, kindness, charity and regular supplication in obedience to Allah and for spiritual cleansing.  The Prophet said and Angel Gabriel affirmed that woe betide whoever sees the month of Ramadan and failed to be cleansed of his sins. Therefore, our objective of Ramadan should be an increase in taqwa, forgiveness of sins and blessings. It is only wise to set out time for every activity in the month so as to be able to maximise the reward in this great month. Plan your time and write out every activity you want to engage in in this month. If for example, you have five hours of ibaadah time, you can schedule two hours for Qur’an recitation, an hour of studying Islam and two hours for dua and Dhikr. You can r...

http://ift.tt/2pPqaHB A member of IPMAN’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Yahaya Alhassan said conducting elections in the region has been most challenging after several attempts to conduct the election in Kaduna ended inconclusively The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Suleja-Abuja depot has elected Salihu Abdullahi Butu and Emeka Ekwesili as chairman and vice chairman respectively to pilot the affairs of the association in the next five years. Secretary and Treasurer, Isiaka Bello and Gobir Baba Ndaba emerged unopposed. Butu polled 292 votes to defeat Yahaya Alhassan who scored 60 votes while Ekwesili defeated Nura Kabir with 237 votes as against 119 votes. During the elections in which only the chairman, vice chairman and chief whip were contested for, Ahmadu Danmagani defeated Nurudeen Mohammed and Isa Mohammed Saba to emerge the Chief Whip. Also, eight other positions that formed part of the current Suleja-Abuja depot IPMAN leadership including Trea...

http://ift.tt/2raWg4h Issa Aremu The welfare of employees at the workplace has been described as critical to the growth of any organisation and the productivity of its workforce. Industriall Global Union said an enhanced welfare package for workers serves as a natural boost for employee effectiveness and productivity. Meanwhile, a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) noted that organisations that do not invest in the wellbeing of their staff usually lose their good hands and talent, stressing that studies have shown that a healthy workplace and sense of wellbeing increases productivity and innovation. Recent research carried out by the CIPD showed that one in every six workers in the United Kingdom (UK) experience depression, anxiety or stress in their lifetime and in England alone, 16 million sick days per year have been attributed to mental ill health. This is the most important factor new hires between ages 18-34 look for when considering jo...

http://ift.tt/2pPC580 The 2017 budget passed by the National Assembly has dwarfed the 2016 budget that was thought to be a super budget. That budget of N6.08 trillion has been outstripped by the 2017 appropriation of N7.441 trillion, which again is another super budget. The idea is to infuse enough money to leverage an economy in recession. The Buhari administration has turned out to be trading on high stakes that require huge financial outlay. Actually, the huge budgets are not unconnected with the precarious economic situation that has manifested in recession. The most effective way to tackle recession, according to experts, is to plough huge money into the economy for productive ventures. Ordinarily, some may think that the budget ought to have towed a low profile in view of the prevailing economic downturn. The optimism in the budget is expected if the country must come out of the biting recession. It underscores a move towards building a new Nigeria, borne out of ingenuity and...

http://ift.tt/2raDwSy Abdulwaheed Odusile Last weekend, Nigeria Union of Journalist reviewed its cooperation with its Chinese counterpart – All China Journalists Association (ACJA), with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding in skills and knowledge exchange. The event, which held at the premises of Leadership newspapers, Abuja, brought together the management of NUJ leadership and a number of journalists from China. While the NUJ’s chairman, Abdulwaheed Odusile, signed on behalf of the body, ACJA was represented by the Editor, China News Service, Zhang Mingxin, and supported by the Press Attache, Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Huang Shuming. In his remarks, Odusile noted that the earlier cooperation, which was initiated between 2000 and 2001, could not be sustained due to what he described as “teething problems encountered along the line. It is, therefore, a happy moment for me that I have this singular honour of superintending over this reawakening.” According to him, th...