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BREAKING: President Tinubu Fixes Date To Hold First FEC Meeting

President Bola Tinubu will hold his first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, on Wednesday, August 23.

This would be his first since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The inaugural FEC will hold after the swearing-in of new ministers into his cabinet on Monday.

It was gathered that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume and the cabinet office are working on the focus of the first FEC which will be more like induction, where President Tinubu is expected to share his priorities under Renewed Hope Agenda with the new cabinet.

The FEC meeting may also approve Ministerial retreat, which is expected to hold immediately after, Western Post reports.

Recall that the SGF had in a statement on Wednesday confirmed that the president would on Monday swear in the 45 minister-designates who were confirmed by the Senate after undergoing screening on August 21.

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Makinde Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mark Isese Day

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has declared 20th August of every year as Isese Day in the state.
The Governor gave the approval on Friday.
Recall that traditional religion adherents in the state have in the last few years demanded their own public holiday.
They have asked the state government to declare 20th August as their own public holiday in commemoration of the Isese day.
The governor has now granted the request of the traditional religion adherents by declaring Monday, August 21, 2023 as the maiden public holiday to commemorate the day.
He added that every 20th August would be observed as a public holiday in commemoration of the Isese day in the state.
The governor made the declaration in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo.
The governor urged traditional worshippers in the state to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and stability of the state in particular and the country in general.
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Gov Makinde Approves Car Loan For Oyo Primary School Teachers

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has approved a car loan for primary school teachers across all zones in the State.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the Coordinating Director, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Jacob Dairo.

He said the state government approved the car loan as a form of palliative to the teachers. Dairo explained further that the loan would be disbursed to all Oyo primary school teachers in tranches to cushion the effects of the economic crisis.

The public officeholder said Governor Makinde has since warned that there should be no favouritism in the disbursement of the loan.

The coordinating director advised the beneficiaries to use the loan for the intended purpose. The facility, which is to be granted by financial institutions, is to be redeemed within 40 months, he said.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed, has expressed readiness to work with all stakeholders in the education sector.

The commissioner gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the Directorate of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board on Thursday, Naija News understands.

Abdulwaheed said the state government would, in due course, recruit more teachers into the basic education sub-sector.

He added that the government would ensure the training of staff for all-round success, according to Dairo.

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ASUU Raises Alarm Over Rate Of Teenage Pregnancy At Benue IDP Camps

The Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue.

The urged the Federal government to look into the crisis.

ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, made the call during ASUU’s humanitarian outreach to IDP camps at Abagana in Makurdi, the state capital.

Represented by Profs Ralph Ofokwu and Stellamarris Okey, the ASUU president lamented the inability to safely return the IDPs to their villages and homes now being occupied by armed herdsmen. The ASUU officials also brought food and clothing items to the IDPs.

Since January 2018, internally displaced persons across 12 camps in Benue fled their homes after killer herdsmen attacked the Logo and Guma local government areas, amongst other parts of the state.

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Do Not Marry More Wives After Your Appointment – Adeleke Warns LG Committee Members

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has warned the local government caretaker committee members to be disciplined with their finances.

The governor sent the warning on Wednesday while swearing-in of local government caretaker committee members at the state government Secretariat, Abere.

He told them that it was not a time to marry a second wife.

Adeleke stated that those caught engaging in corrupt practices would face heavy sanctions.

He urged the committee to hit the ground running by developing their respective local government.

According to him, “Very important is the issue of financial discipline. This is not the time to marry a second or third wife. This is a time of financial prudence. Anyone found engaging in corrupt practices will be severely sanctioned.

“Your appointment is part of the process by my administration to kickstart a process that will produce a democratically elected local government system.

“I am directing you to hit the ground running by developing your respective local government areas through developmental initiatives.”

While recalling that his administration came on board at a time of constitutional crisis at the local government level, the Governor lamented that the previous government grossly violated the constitution and the law by conducting local government elections after its defeat.

Insisting that the election was a sham and a waste of billions of taxpayers’ money, Adeleke held that the Oyetola administration did not comply with the specific provisions of the law.

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NDLEA Official Arrested With Illicit Drugs In Lagos

A 50-year-old official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, was intercepted with 4 Kilogrammes of illegal drugs identified as Marsh-Mallow, on the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos.

He was alleged to have confessed to be on his way to sell the substance.

Vanguard gathered that he was arrested by a team of policemen led by Samuel Sunday, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who was on a routine patrol on Saturday, August, 12,2023.

Acting on instinct, the policemen reportedly requested to know what was concealed in the suspect’s bag.

During the search the policemen, as gathered, discovered the illicit drugs, consequent upon which the suspect was arrested.

Police sources hinted that “The team intercepted the suspected drug courier at about 2.50p.m. at Cement Bus Stop.

The suspect identified himself as Kelechi, 50, an indigene of Abia State, attached to NDLEA office, First Gate, Tin Can Island, Lagos.

“During interrogation, he confessed that the four kilogrammes of illicit drugs known as Marsh-Mallow was given to him by his superior whom he identified as Odogwu, to go and sell.”

Sources further hinted that the superior mentioned by the suspect would be invited to clarify the allegation as part of the ongoing investigation.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hudenyin, confirmed the arrest.

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NLC Threatens To Embark On Indefinite Strike If Petrol Price Rises Further

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on another strike if the pump price of petrol increases from the existing N617 naira.

Recall that oil marketers had indicated that the cost of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, would rise to between N680/litre and N720/litre in the coming weeks should the dollar continue to trade from N910 to N950 at the parallel market.

The marketers added that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Importers and Exporters’ official window for foreign exchange had remained illiquid and unable to provide the $25m to $30m required for the importation of PMS by dealers.

They also hinted that its members seeking to import petrol were being forced to put the plans on hold due to the scarcity of foreign exchange to import the commodity.

Speaking at the African Trade Union Alliance meeting in Abuja on Monday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero said the union will proceed on total, comprehensive and indefinite nationwide shutdown of the country.

Ajaero also warned the federal government against undermining the demands of the union and the plan to provide palliatives to Nigerians and workers.

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Court Fixes Aug 15 To Hear Case On Emefiele’s Detention

The Federal High Court has fixed August 15 to hear applications regarding the custody of Godwin Emefiele the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The presiding judge, Nicholas Oweibo on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the applications filed by the federal government and counsels to Emefiele.

Emefiele on the 25th of July was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Ikoyi and was granted bail in the sum of N20 million.

The Judge in his ruling ordered that Emefiele be kept in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

However, the Department of State Services (DSS) insisted that Emefiele must return to its custody.

The development led to a face-off between the secret police and prison officials. After the face-off, DSS rearrested Emefiele on the court premises.

The Secret Service proceeded to file an application before a high court of the federal capital territory seeking to further detain Emefiele.

The application was struck out after it was withdrawn by the service over jurisdictional concerns.

The Federal Government on the 3rd of August filed an application before the federal high court in Lagos, seeking leave to appeal the order granting bail to Emefiele.

In the application filed by a deputy director of public prosecutions of the federation, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, the federal government also sought a stay of execution of the order remanding Emefiele in the custody of the NCoS.

The federal government wants the court to remand Emefiele in the custody of the DSS.

In the application filed by Emefiele’s counsels, they asked the court to restrain the federal government from further prosecuting their client.

They said the federal government is in “brazen disobedience” of the subsisting orders of the court granting Emefiele bail on July 25.

During proceedings on Thursday, K.A. Fagbemi, the prosecuting counsel, asked the court to hear the federal government’s application seeking a stay of execution of the court order on Emefiele’s bail.

Fagbemi said the federal government filed its application first and served it on the defence counsels on August 4.

The counsel to Emefiele, Victor Opara in his response said priority should not be given to the federal government based on the time of filing since the court order was disobeyed.

Opara argued that the applications of both parties should be entertained on the same day.

He added that the federal government has nothing to lose since the defendant is in its custody.

After listening to both arguments, the judge ruled that the applications filed by both parties will be heard on August 15.

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Canada Invites Carpenters, Plumbers, Welders From Nigeria, Others

A new immigration pathway for carpenters, plumbers and welders from other countries, including Nigeria, has been unveiled by Canada.

Canada’s express entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to provide permanent residence to skilled workers. It’s the country’s main system for managing skilled worker applications for Canadian immigration.

In a statement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Tuesday, the country announced a streamlined immigration pathway for skilled workers with specific expertise in carpentry, plumbing and welding.

“Canada’s Express Entry (EE) system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in critical fields.

“By prioritising the invitation of skilled newcomers with experience in the trades, the country aims to meet the increasing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement.

“These category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, alongside general invitation rounds, and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.”

According to Marc Miller, Minister of IRCC, it is absolutely critical to address the shortage of skilled trades workers in our country, and part of the solution is helping the construction sector find and maintain the workers it needs.

“This round of category-based selection recognizes these skilled trades’ workers as essential, and I look forward to welcoming more of these talented individuals to Canada,” he said.

There are many different ways for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canada immigration permanent resident visa, according to lawyers at First Immigration Law Firm based in Canada.

The most prominent option is through Express Entry, which is Canada’s main pathway for economic class skilled workers. Your best bet to be eligible under the entry is to meet the requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.

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WhatsApp Introduces Screen-Sharing During Video Calls

WhatsApp has announced a new feature.
WhatsApp introduced a new screen-sharing feature to enhance the video calling experience on its platform.
The announcement was made by Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta on Tuesday via Facebook.
The new feature will allow users to share documents, photos, and even their shopping cart with contacts available on video calls.
 
“We are thrilled to introduce the ability to share your screen during WhatsApp video calls,” Zuckerberg said.
In a statement, AT3 Resources, a consulting firm overseeing Meta’s operations in Nigeria, highlighted the versatility of the feature for both personal and professional contexts.
The company said users can now utilise landscape mode on smartphones during video calls.
The statement added that the new feature will help to enhance the visual and sharing experience and create a more immersive interaction.
 
“This feature is particularly useful for both personal and professional scenarios,” the statement reads.
“Also, WhatsApp users can now enjoy video calls in landscape mode on smartphones.
 
“This enhancement offers a wider and more immersive viewing and sharing experience during video calls.”
The new feature not only positions itself against traditional video conferencing apps like Microsoft Meet, Google Meet, and Zoom but also competes with Apple’s FaceTime.
Last month, WhatsApp introduced an instant video messaging feature.
The chat locking feature was unveiled in June, offering users an additional layer of privacy and security.

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