October 2019

Expert reveals why poverty is rife in Nigeria

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Mallam Ibrahim Shuaibu, recently at the Third Distinguished Public Lecture of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) in Niger state, identified some factors responsible for poverty across the land. Speaking at the main Auditorium of the school, he said exponential population growth, increasing income inequality, reckless public expenditure, Machiavellian government policies, decayed infrastructure, dysfunctional health system and moribund Read More

Fish farmers to benefit from FAO/EU €40m deal

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Fish farmers across Africa are set to benefit from a €40 million deal between the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU). The deal, which is part of the move to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, will kick off in 2020, is a five-year programme with focus on developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Read More

Russia to revive Nigerian steel plant on hold since 1979

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Russia may give a new lease of life to Nigeria’s biggest steel plant after decades of inactivity, Mines & Steel Development Minister Olamilekan Adegbite has said. Construction of Ajaokuta Steel Co. began in 1979 with assistance from the then-Soviet Union, but the facility never started production and has sucked up $8 billion of public money. Repeated attempts to revive the Read More

FG asks U.S. to help fund infrastructure, terror fight

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has asked the United States to help fund power and other infrastructure projects and the fight against an Islamist insurgency, President Muhammadu Buhari said. Buhari met U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at a conference in Riyadh Wednesday and discussed increased funding, the presidency said in a statement emailed Thursday from the capital, Abuja. Nigeria Read More

StampDuty: PoS redundant as customers opt to pay cash

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Point of Sales (PoS) acquired by petrol stations and supermarkets have become mostly redundant as customers now opt to pay cash, avoiding the N50 Stamp Duty imposed by the financial authorities. A number of petrol stations and super markets visited by Blueprint were seen receiving cash payments. On inquiry, operators of the PoS said, customers were beefed that extra Read More

Minister calls for synergy in science, technology devt

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has called for synergy among government, universities and the manufacturing sector for the benefit of the nation. The minister made the call when he visited the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu in his palace recently. Onu also said nations that are leading the world today; utilize science and technology which Read More

Activists petition security chiefs over exercise Atilogu Udo I

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Some groups of activists in the South East geopolitical zone under the auspices of Int’l Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law have asked the Chief of Defence Staff, Army Staff, Inspector General of police and their subordinates to suspend the exercise Atilogu Udo (Peace Dance) I billed to take off on November 1. In Read More

Yobe: Nigerian Army stages religious enlightenment on counter insurgency

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Nigerian Army said insurgency and violent extremism is one of the greatest challenges against the existence of peace and progress of the country. Brigadier General Shehu Garba Mustapha, Director Islamic affairs, Nigerian Army made the disclosure Thursday at a one day seminar with a theme “countering insurgency and violent extremism in Nigeria through authentic religious enlightenment held in Damaturu, the Read More

Ishaku calls for regular provision of funds to security agencies

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Taraba state Governor, Arch. Darius Ishaku on Thursday called on the federal government to always provide regular financial support to security agencies to assist them run their offices and handle security challenges as they arise. Ishaku, who stated this in Jalingo during the occasion of the federal and state security administrator’s meeting said provision of funds to security agencies would Read More

IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu declares readiness to face trial if…

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Thursday, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he was ready to face trial only if his safety would be guaranteed by the court. Kanu gave the hint through his counsel Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Ejiofor therefore requested the court presided by Justice Binta Nyako to grant its application filed Read More

IPPIS: FG’s corruption fight and ASUU’s fears

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is worried that the federal government is planning to force lecturers into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). ASUU’s fears are that the scheme will erode their hard-earned university autonomy, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports. Background The IPPIS is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project initiated by the federal government to improve the effectiveness and Read More

IBB varsity, 15 others sign MoU for degree programme in Cyprus

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL) alongside 15 other Nigerian universities have signed a joint degree programme agreement with Girne American University of Cyprus. The collaborative pact will see undergraduates spending their first two to three years in IBBUL, and thereafter proceed to the foremost academic institution in Cyprus to complete their degree programme. The programme, which is being Read More

KSU VC elects AWAU secretary-general

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The vice chancellor of Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba, Professor Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir, has been elected the secretary-general of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU). Abdulkadir was unanimously elected by all the heads of universities in the West African Sub-region during the 7th Conference and 9th general meeting of the association, held recently at the Univerisite d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), in Read More

How we killed ISIS leader, US releases video

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Pentagon has released footage showing the raid that resulted in the death of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Marine Corps General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, commander of U.S. Central Command, released the footage at a press conference on Wednesday at the Pentagon. McKenzie was the operational commander of the Delta Force raid, which took place Read More

Another tanker guts fire at Onitsha, two weeks after

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Two weeks after a tanker felled into a ditch and gutted fire at major parts of Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Anambra state, another tanker on Wednesday, crashed into a gutter due to break failure. Blueprint reports that the tanker which was conveying PMS to Enugu fell into a ditch along Onitsha/Enugu expressway by Chipex Filling station, close to Army gate Read More

Reps explore options for greater women participation in politics

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The House of Representatives Committee on women in parliament has stated that it would relate with other African legislatures towards ensuring greater women’s participation in politics. Chairman of the Committee Hon. Taiwo Oluga, made the pledge during the Committee’s inaugural meeting where the lawmakers adopted an action plan for the committee. Oluga said the committee would liaise with the Senate Read More

U23 AFCON: Amapakabo floods Olympic Eagles with foreign pros

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Head Coach Imama Amapakabo has named team captain Azubuike Okechukwu, defenders Anthony Izuchukwu, Sincere Seth and Olisah Ndah, midfielders Kelechi Nwakali, Muyiwa Olabiran and Ndifreke Effiong, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Orji Okwonkwo in his final list of 21 players to defend the U23 Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt next month. Nigeria, champions of the second edition of Read More

CAF Confed Cup: Go for victory, Okechi tells Rangers

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Enugu state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Vitus Okechi has charged players of seven time Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C to go for a comprehensive win in the second leg, playoff round of Total/CAF Confederation cup 2019/2020 encounter against visiting Togolese league champions, A.S.C.K. The youthful commissioner gave this charge Wednesday, inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe Read More

Kida, Joe Apu appointed by FIBA Zone 3

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Two Nigerians have been appointed by the FIBA Africa Zone 3 board to serve for the 2019 – 2023 term in office. Engr Musa Kida was nominated to serve in the capacity of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Vice President while Joseph Apu was confirmed as Administrator. The Nigeria Basketball Federation President who was nominated by the federation’s delegates to the Read More

U23 AFCON: Olympics Eagles land in Cairo for title defence

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

The Olympics Eagles Head Coach Imama Amapakabo Thursday led technical officials and 21 players out of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for Egypt ahead of the U-23 AFCON tournament which is also a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The tournament will kick off on November 8, the Olympics Eagles are the defending champions and winners of the 1996 Read More

Top seed Barty reaches WTA Finals semis Bottom of Form

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty reached the semi-finals of the WTA Finals with a straight-set win over Czech sixth seed Petra Kvitova. Barty, 23, won 6-4 6-2 to eliminate the two-time Wimbledon champion from the season-ending event in Shenzhen. Swiss seventh seed Belinda Bencic or Dutch alternate Kiki Bertens, who replaced the injured Naomi Osaka, will also progress from Read More

Barca, Man City keen to sign Bentancur

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Spanish giants, Barcelona and English champions, Manchester City have reportedly indicated interest in Juve midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur. According to Corriere dello Sport, Barca and City are willing to have the player’s signature after falling out of Maurizio Sarri’s first-team choice, making only three starts this season. The Uruguay international turned 22 back in June and has been in Turin since the summer Read More

Korda, Hur share lead in Taiwan LPGA event

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

America’s defending champion Nelly Korda tied with two-time 2019 tournament winner Hur Mi-Jung at six-under-par 66 to lead the LPGA Taiwan Championship by one shot on Thursday. Korda claimed her maiden LPGA Tour victory at this event last year to join her elder sister Jessica as a winner on the circuit, extending a family sporting resume which also boasts a Read More

Carabao Cup: Man Utd host Colchester in q/finals

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Manchester United will welcome League Two side Colchester United to Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, while Liverpool’s trip to Aston Villa is already in doubt due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Colchester, seeking to become the first club from the fourth tier since Bradford City in 2013 to reach the semi-finals, have already slain Read More

Barca offered to restructure salaries to pay for Neymar return

October 31, 2019 Editorial IV 0

Barcelona were so keen to bring Neymar back from Paris St Germain that the players were ready to accept delays to salary payments in order for the club to afford the Brazilian, defender Gerard Pique has revealed. Barca spent the bulk of the last transfer window trying to lure Neymar back from PSG, two years after he left the Catalans Read More