Curator

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Government of Edo State has revealed that it would collaborate with the management of Okomu Natural Park to ensure the preservation and protection of the rain forest park and its wildlife, while also assuring the management of the establishment that the state would monitor logging activities and encroachment into the park. This was on Tuesday at the Edo State Government House, where the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, urged the management to furnish the state government with information on illegal activities in the park. Noting that the park was a heritage in the state and its conservation was paramount to promote its ecotourism potentials and artistic value, the governor reiterated that his administration was committed to baulking environmental degradation and deforestation within the rain forest zones in the state. He said: “It is in our interest to work with you and you should work with us so that we can re-own our park. We will do what we have to do...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Presidency says the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMAN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is not being detained in prison as being speculated but rather being kept by government in public interest, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, stated this while reacting to questions on human rights records of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in Abuja on Tuesday. Shehu addressed State House correspondents alongside other presidential media aides, Mr Femi Adesina and Mr Laolu Akande, on the achievements of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government at a midterm media chat. The media chat was part of activities to mark two years of the Buhari-led administration. According to Shehu, the `detention’ of the Shi’ite leader is also in his own interest, saying it is duty bound on government to ensure the safety of all its citizens. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Justice Gabr...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Mr Muhammed Bello, Minister, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), has suspended all chieftaincy related appointments in traditional institutions in the territory. According to a statement on Sunday in Abuja, the suspension was contained in a recent circular released by the Office of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye. Ajakaiye added that the suspension was as a result of complaints, petitions and legal tussles among interested parties. The administration lamented that issues relating to appointment and installation into traditional positions in the FCT has sometimes led to situations that were inimical to peaceful coexistence in some of these communities. “It had become pertinent to emphasize the provision of the FCT Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Act, 2007, which states that “upon the death, resignation or deposition of any Chief or Traditional Ruler, of a kind referred in sub-section (1) of this section. “The Minister may approve ...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday warned that South Africa must not become a “mafia state”, admitting that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had become associated with corruption. Ramaphosa’s comments were among the strongest he has made on governance as the race heats up to replace President Jacob Zuma, whose administration has been hit by scandals and missteps, prompting street protests and calls for him to resign or be removed. In televised remarks at an event in the platinum mining town of Rustenburg organised by the South African Communist Party (SACP), Ramaphosa responded to a warning this week from the influential South African Council of Churches that graft is turning South Africa into a mafia state. “If we as the ANC are to counter this grave threat, if the ANC is to recover its leadership role in society, then it is absolutely imperative that we act with urgency and purpose and make sure that we never become a mafia state,” Ramaphos...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has urged clerics to offer special prayers for good health for President Muhammadu Buhari. He made the call at the launch of an appeal fund ahead of the Muslim Ramadan fast by the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’ikamatu Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Birnin Kebbi. The governor also urged clerics to sustain prayers for peace, unity and economic advancement of the country. A statement by the Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Mu’azu Dakingari, on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi said the governor donated N5 million, a Coaster Bus and Hilux Van to the group. The governor, who also attended the foundation of the Tijjaniya Islamiyya Mosque and school in Jega Local Government Area of the state, reaffirmed his resolve to uplift religious education and pledged financial support to religious groups. The leader of the Tijjaniya movement, Khalifah Ahmadu Tijjani, performed the foundation laying for the Mosque and school.   The post Pray for Presiden...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned members of the public against letters of contracts purportedly awarded by the commission in circulation, saying they are fake. The commission said in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, that its attention had been drawn to the circulation of letters of award of various contracts purportedly written by its Secretary. “The commission wishes to categorically state that these letters were not issued by the commission. “When contracts are to be awarded by the commission, adverts are published in various newspapers, the Federal Tenders Journal and our websites. “The procurement process adopted by the Commission is always transparent and can be duly verified. “The general public and corporate organisations are advised not to transact business with the unscrupulous persons issuing these fake letters,’’ it said. The telecommunications regulator urge members of the public to ensure that thorough diligence was co...