Hong Kong’s new Chief executive, John Lee, was sworn in on Friday, as part of celebrations marking 25 years since the territory’s return from Britain to China. Lee, the city’s former security chief who was seen as a pro-Beijing hardliner, vowed in his inaugural speech to further Hong Kong’s integration with the mainland. The festivities kicked off with a flag ceremony earlier on Friday. The Hong Kong flag was hoisted alongside the Chinese flag at the ceremony in Victoria Harbour. For the second year in a row, Hong Kong police marched in the Chinese style rather than echoing British drills…
Author: Newsdesk
A group, the Niger-Delta Environment Restoration Coalition (NDERC) has hailed the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for renewed onslaught against crude oil thieves operating in the region. The President of the group, Mr Justice Eselomo, gave the commendation in a statement on Friday in Abuja. Eselomo said apart from saving the country huge amount of money that would have gone into the hands of the criminals, the anti-illegal bunkering operations had helped to save the ‘flora and fauna’ as well as health of the people. He said the synergy between the service and troops of the different operations in the region had…
The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Sen. Baba Tela, says reports on his purported resignation only exists in the writer’s imagination. This is contained in a statement issued by Tella’s Press Secretary, Sani Ilelah on Thursday. “Reports on my purported resignation is not only fake, but also the figment of imagination of the writer. “For the avoidance of doubt, I assure the peace loving and hard-working people of Bauchi State, in particular and the nation in general, that I have not resigned as the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State. “I reiterate my support and loyalty to the state governor, Bala Mohammed.…
By Lauwali Mati Na Alhaji Dauda It is now evident that the worries and lamentations by the Sokoto state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following our defection seem to grow beyond normal proportion. These only show the importance of our action to leave the APC, which is informed by Sen. Aliyu Wamakko’s lies, deceit and selfishness, and whose leadership style is an unknown malady to the people of the state. Achida, the state chairman of the party said during a press conference on Thursday that, “a battle line has been drawn, between the APC and the selfish…
The Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos, has donated wheelchairs to 40 Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Daura, Katsina State. Miss Sandra Yilgwan, the Media and Communications Officer of the centre, said this in a statement on Thursday in Jos. Mr Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Director and Founder of the centre, presented the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries. He said that the gesture was done in collaboration with Mr Douglas Jurdimma, a Corps Member serving at Federal Government College, Daura. Gufwan explained that the gesture was aimed at providing succour to the PWDs, adding that it would ease their movements and enable…
Nigerian government on Thursday in Ogbekor community, Orhionmwon local government area in Edo, unveiled the Duport Midstream Company Ltd. Energy Park, a modular refinery. It is a 10,000 barrels per day refinery expected to begin 2,500 bpd production by July 28. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the facility tour of the refinery, Mr Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said that the refinery was the second to be switched on in July. “Currently, one of our refineries is working with Watersmith modular refinery producing 5,000bpd and serving the Eastern market. “In terms of our modular…
The European Union (EU) says it is committed to supporting Nigeria in tackling issues hindering investment and trade to engender economic integration and diversification. The EU ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Samuela Isopi, gave the assurance at the 8th edition of the EU-Nigeria Business Forum tagged: “Nigeria and the New Economy,” on Thursday in Lagos. Isopi emphasised the need to have a vibrant diversified economy based on a business environment that is attractive to investors. She said the Nigerian economy, like other economies around the world, was faced with challenges caused by the…
A Sokoto state pilgrim has returned a lost pouch containing $700, N70,000 and four Saudi Riyals belonging to a Kaduna state pilgrim in Madinah. The Good Samaritan had found the pouch on the steps of their hotel accommodation where both states pilgrims were lodged. Arzika Bakaya from Tambuwal local government area of Sokoto state says he has no regrets returning the money to its rightful owner. The minimum Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) of pilgrim is around 850 dollars for this year’s Hajj. The pouch was taken to the office of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and received by…
The African Bar Association (AfBA) has frowned at the killing of about 23 African migrants crossing from Morocco to Spain through Melilla, a Spanish island. In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, the President of AfBA, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo, described the killing as a crime against humanity. The statement was signed by AfBA’s Director of Strategic Communication, Mr Douglas Ogbankwa. Uwaifo called for stringent measures against those who caused the deaths. He called on European Union and African stakeholders to urgently and adequately address the situation. The migrants allegedly died during an attempt by about 2,000 people to enter Spain by climbing metal…
Africa No Filter, a donor collaborative working to transform stereotypical narratives of Africa, has launched the Tony Elumelu Storytellers Fund. Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter, in a statement on Thursday said the fund was named after African business leader and philanthropist, Tony Eumelu. Makura said that the fund would award grants to emerging artists and storytellers, whose work shines a light on entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa. He said the $30,000 fund was sponsored by Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life Assurance, the insurance subsidiaries of the Pan-African investment group, Heirs Holdings. According to him, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of…