Day: May 1, 2024

The Director of Lagos State Library Board, Mr Oyadipe Amoo, has called on students to make use of public libraries in their localities to explore, learn and have fun with books.

Amoo gave the advice at the Year 2024 World Book Day with the theme ‘Read your way’, held on Tuesday at the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Maryland, Lagos.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education through the Lagos State Library Board, had 150 students from 12 schools across six education districts in the state.

He said that across the state, 13 public libraries had been established under the board, adding that the 2024 theme was centered on ways to help, promote, influence and impact reading culture on youths.

The Director said that the libraries included Henry Carr Public Library, Agege; Epe Divisional Library, Epe; Ikorodu Divisional Library; Borno House Library, Amuwo-Odofin; Igbogbo Bayeku Public Library, Ajegunle; Ipaja, Ilupeju, Isolo, Meiran and Isolo,

According to him, reading for pleasure ha
s many great benefits for students.

‘It helps improve their literacy skills, expand their vocabulary and enhance their creativity.

‘The Lagos State Government is playing a very crucial role in nurturing love for literature by providing access to vast array of books, resources and activities that spark their imagination and curiosity.

‘This year’s World Book Day is more than a celebration of books, writers and authors.

‘It’s a celebration of joy of reading and the State Government is dedicated to create a conducive environment where students can be reading and have individual study’.

Earlier, Mrs Anike Adekanye, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) Education District 2, in her address, described reading as an integral part of journey and a powerful weapon that helps to navigate ways through life.

According to Adekanye, the objective of today’s theme is to make reading an enjoyable experience and to promote its widespread adoption as a healthy habit among students and individuals striving for self im
provement.

‘ `Read your way’ is not just a phrase, but an essential ingredient in shaping and molding our lives; it’s a lifelong journey we embark on to explore and acquire knowledge for us to function productively in our world.

‘Reading helps to rejuvenate our thinking capacity and provide a sound mind for sustainability and improves our communication skills, we must therefore cultivate reading habit,’ she added.

The TG/PS was represented by Mrs Bosede Macaulay, Director of Education, District 11.

In her remark, Oghenekevbe Ogufere, author, Africa Writers Tribe, who urged the students to be ‘Gen Z goody’, a tribe that reads, said that readers are leaders that change the world.

‘Know it today that Lagos State depends on you because you are our future leaders and the future starts now,’she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisers distributed books and school bags to the students.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The House of Representatives has reassured that the long queues at filling stations in the country will soon fizzle out.

Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman, Petroleum Downstream, said this at a joint news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

‘We hereby express our concerns over the temporary presence of fuel queues in petrol stations across the country.

‘However, we are convinced that this is temporary based on our investigation, and in a couple of days, we shall get over it,’ he said.

Flanked by Rep. Henry Okojie, the Chairman, Petroleum Midstream, Ugochinyere said that investigations had revealed that the scarcity was artificial.

‘We have discovered that there is availability of petrol products. We have it on good authority that we have in our storage facilities at least about 1.5 billion liters of petrol,’ he said.

He said that 1.5 billion liters can last for 30 days.

‘We have gotten assurances from the regulators in the distribution value chain that these bottlenecks have been cleared. In the course o
f this public holiday, more grounds will be covered.

‘From our findings, the issues that necessitated the disruptions that led to the appearance of fuel queues in petrol stations have been cleared.

‘They said that it will take a few more days for things to return to normalcy, while calling on Nigerians not to panic over this development.

‘We have gotten assurances from the regulators and the unions that these challenges will be cleared in a few days,’ he said.

Ugochinyere added: ‘It will require more time, like two to three days for products to be distributed to all stations nationwide.

‘As a committee that is charged with downstream and midstream oversight, we have been monitoring this development.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Offa/Oyun Electricity Consumers’ Forum in Kwara has demanded for the establishment of an Offa Business Hub and improved power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

The forum in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr Tajudeen Iwalola, said this had become imperative because of the status of Offa town as the second largest in Kwara.

It also described Offa as the commercial hub of the state with over 15 industries as well as 13 public and private tertiary institutions.

The forum further requested the immediate replacement of the aluminum conductor in the Offa feeder with a 150mm conductor wire to enhance the reliability and capacity of the electricity distribution system.

‘We also need the upgrading of two obsolete 7.5MVA transformers installed since 1963 to improve efficiency and prevent frequent breakdowns.

‘We call for a revision of the electricity distribution schedule to guarantee a minimum of eight hours of uninterrupted power supply daily for all consumers.

‘We deman
d the immediate metering of at least 50 percent of the 26,000 customers in our area between April and December 2024, to promote transparency and accountability in billing,’ it added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has urged employers of labour to use the occasion of the International Labour Day to demonstrate love for Nigerian workers.

The Director-General of NTAC, Dr Yusuf Yakub, said this in a statement signed by Mr Nkem Anyata-Lafia, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity on Wednesday in Abuja.

The former lawmaker, said Nigerian workers should be appreciated for their contributions to national development.

‘On May 1 every year, the entire world recognises the central role workers play in harnessing the productive capacities available to different workforces across endeavours, and countries.

‘The efforts are to ensure that the global economy is sustained and that the place of man as the centrepiece of global activities is preserved.

‘We choose to pause for a day to honour those whose hands fertilises the earth, whose brains birth grand ideas that rule our world and whose efforts power the wheels of daily living and activities across countries ,homes, professions and
the like.

‘This year’s May day is no different from the others gone by,’ he said.

Yakub added: ‘It is however, another opportunity to celebrate our workers, to wish them well, to show that we care and to give them a soothing pat on the back for the days they stay out when others are home.

‘For the times they lose sleep when others are in bed and for the efforts they make daily to ensure that the machine of daily life and living does not grind to a sudden halt!

‘Today offers us the rare opportunity to bring to the front burner, issues concerning our workers, their welfare and their general well-being.

‘As we join other parts of the world to celebrate May Day as a nation, the celebration offers us the opportunity to, in all honesty.’

‘Review issues concerning the Nigerian worker and appreciate the sacrifice and commitment he/she makes to national progress and development.

‘ I wish to congratulate our leaders and the Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2024 workers’ day celebration’.

Source: News Ag
ency of Nigeria

Filling stations in Abuja and its environs have unofficially increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as fuel as scarcity of the product bites harder.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday reports that the fuel stations that had products were selling between N850 and N1,000 per litre, while the black marketers are selling at N1,300 and N1,400 per litre.

NAN reports that in spite of the adjustment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) maintained its price of N617.

The development has caused long queues at NNPC Ltd. retail outlets at Zone 1, Mega station near Church Gate, Jahi and others along Kubwa express.

It would be recalled that long queues surfaced in the FCT following low distribution of fuel to different stations due to logistics.

NNPC Ltd. had said in a statement on Thursday that the cause of the scarcity, which they described as ‘tightness in fuel supply’, had been resolved.

However, along Karshi-Jukwoyi road, Fuel Smart, Mobil
, NIPCO and many other independent marketers are selling the product in their fuelling stations between N850 and N1,000.

Conoil and TotalEnergies opposite NNPC Ltd. Towers sell at N660 but with long queues.

At Kubwa, majority of the fuelling stations are closed because of lack of the product.

Eterna and Ammasco at the Kubwa second gate, along the Kubwa-Zuba expressway are yet to be supplied with the product.

Only NIPCO fuelling station opposite the Eterna station has fuel but with long queue.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United Kingdom based leadership development organisation TEXEM UK, has applauded one of its alumnus, Dr Usman Jankara, on his appointment as Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Finance and Administration) at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

In a statement on its website www.texem.co.uk, TEXEM’s Director Special Projects, Caroline Lucas said Jankara’s journey stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Lucas said that having participated in the TEXEM programme titled ‘Strategic Leadership for Success in an Unknown Tomorrow’ in August 2021; Jankara has demonstrated a profound commitment to continuous learning and development.

‘His expertise in strategic leadership will undoubtedly propel NAICOM towards unprecedented success as it navigates the dynamic landscape of the insurance industry.

‘With a tenure spanning over eight years and four months at NAICOM, Dr. Jankara brings a wealth of experience and insight to his new role.

‘As the former Assistant Director of Corporate Strategy and Special Duties, he played a pivotal role in shaping the commission’s strategic direction and enhancing its operational efficiency,’ she said.

Lucas recalled that prior to his new appointment, Jankara held various esteemed positions, including his tenure as the Assistant Director/Head of Corporate Strategy and Special Duties.

‘His extensive background in general administration and executive assistance underscores his versatile skill set and multifaceted approach to problem-solving.

‘As the former Assistant Director of Corporate Strategy and Special Duties, he played a pivotal role in shaping NAICOM’s strategic direction and enhancing its operational efficiency.

‘As Dr. Jankara assumes his new role as the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Finance and Administration), he stands at the precipice of a transformative era in the Nigerian insurance industry,’ she said.

Lucas added that Jankara’s visionary leadership, coupled with his unparalleled exper
tise and unwavering dedication, will undoubtedly chart a course towards greater innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability within the Nigerian insurance sector.

‘In the helm of strategic leadership, Dr. Usman Jankara illuminates the path towards a brighter, more inclusive future for Nigeria’s insurance sector,’ the director said.

In his own statement, TEXEM’s founder, Dr Alim Abubakre said Jankara’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders across the globe, reaffirming the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose in driving meaningful change.

‘He has honed his expertise as an astute insurance regulator committed to upholding the highest standards of market conduct supervision and ensuring the safety and soundness of the Nigerian insurance industry.

‘TEXEM UK extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Usman Jankara on his well-deserved appointment and wishes him continued success in his endeavours to reshape the future of insurance leadership in Nigeria,’ Abubakre said.

Source: News Agenc
y of Nigeria