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FAAN Reopens Lagos Airport Runway After Dana Air Incident

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blacktalker
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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has re-opened the runway 18L/36R at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos for flight operations.

The runway was temporarily closed after a Dana Air plane skidded off it on Tuesday.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah announced this in a statement.

According to her, prompt actions were taken by FAAN’s emergency response team to evacuate and recover the aircraft from the site.

Subsequently, comprehensive clearing operations were conducted to ensure the runway was free of any Foreign Object Debris (FOD) that could impede flight safety.

She added that the FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, had jointly conducted a thorough inspection of the runway surface and deemed it safe for the resumption of operations. Also, an appropriate Notice to Airmen, NOTAM, has been issued in this regard.

“We acknowledge the area affected by the overshoot was significantly muddy.

“A concerted effort was made for the thorough and efficient cleaning of the area to facilitate the swift resumption of operations on Runway 18L/36R.

“FAAN wishes to express its gratitude to the travelling public, our airline partners, and all stakeholders for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the temporary closure.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused.

“FAAN is committed to providing a safe, secure, and efficient air transport environment for all users of our airports,” the statement read in part.

The Dana Air plane with registration number 5N-BKI, overshot the runway during its landing sequence.

 

Nigeria Copyright Commission Names Soyinka’s Birthday As National Reading Day

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blacktalker
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The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC has dedicated this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and named July 13 the National Reading Day to mark the 90th birthday of the literary icon.

Director-General of NCC, John Asein, in a statement, also stressed the importance of allowing individuals to read in their preferred manner and location.

“Our Nobel laureate in Literature, playwright, essayist, literary icon, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Prof Wole Soyinka, will turn 90 on the 13th of July, 2024.

“We are pleased to dedicate this year’s World Book and Copyright Day to him. He is unarguably the tallest living iroko in Nigeria’s rich literary forest and an advocate of books, reading, and copyright.

“Beyond a befitting celebration of the literary icon on his 90th Birthday, the commission is calling on stakeholders in the book industry to recognise July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day to encourage Nigerians to read for pleasure and draw attention to some of the values that he has advanced in the literary world.

“By this recognition, he becomes our first Copyright Change Champion,” the NCC DG announced.

The Commission urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s book industry to recognise July 13 as Nigeria’s National Reading Day, coinciding with the 90th birthday celebration of the literary icon.

The World Book and Copyright Day is set aside every April 23 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to focus on books, celebrate authors, promote reading, encourage non-discriminatory access to knowledge, and raise copyright awareness.

The theme for this year’s World Book and Copyright Day is ‘Read Your Way.’

In his goodwill message to mark the World Book and Copyright Day, on Tuesday, Soyinka stressed the importance of intellectual property rights for authors.

The renowned playwright said the prevalence of pirated copies of authors’ works reflected poorly on society and governments’ understanding of copyright.

To achieve the essence of the day, Soyinka urged concerted efforts to protect intellectual property, highlighting its significance in the global intellectual landscape.

He said, “An author’s encounter with pirated copies of his or her work is not the most inspiring of social responses to the literary occupation.

“It is also a sad reflection on such societies and the slack understanding of governments to the meaning and responsibilities of copyright the fundamental entitlement to intellectual property.

“As we celebrate yet another day dedicated to this product of human enlightenment, we should dedicate ourselves to the protection of this cornerstone in the intellectual edifice of humanity, across nations, races, faiths, cultures, and histories.

“Even where the world persists in its impeccable strides towards a seeming destiny of self-destruction, the still, small voice of humanity refuses to be silenced, nor is its zeal of mission diminished.”

To ensure a broader audience as one of the aims of World Book and Copyright Day, the NCC DG stressed the importance of publishing more books in indigenous languages and leveraging modern technology through digital platforms.

“The real joy of a book is in its reading and this year’s theme reaffirms the need to allow people to read in the way they choose and wherever they are.

“It points to the need to publish more books in indigenous languages and take advantage of modern technology to reach more readers on digital platforms.

“In furtherance of this year’s theme, NCC is today launching its year-long intervention programmes to promote reading for pleasure and build respect for copyright through our ABC Action Plan:

“A is to Adopt measures to make reading more fun for all; B: Bring books closer to more children; and C: Choose change champions for books and copyright,” the Commission said.

Federal Government Lists 50,000 Schools For Safe School Scheme

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blacktalker
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As primary and secondary schools in the country resume for the third term, Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, Hammed Abodunrin, says the centre aims to register 50,000 schools for the Safe Schools Initiative.

Abodunrin, who spoke to newsmen, said the centre would be deploying desk officers to 50,000 schools to conduct physical registration.

The move, he said, became necessary as many schools have failed to embrace electronic registration.

The National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre is an arm of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC established to address the abduction of schoolchildren in the country.

The Federal Government, in March, said schools in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were at risk of attacks by bandits and insurgents.

It listed the states as Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Zamfara and three others.

Abodunrin said as of March 19, only 2,814 primary and secondary schools in the country had registered for the Safe Schools Initiative via its electronic platform: www.nssrcc.gov.ng.

He said, “There will be increased patrols and visits to more schools to create awareness and register them. Leaving the registration in the hands of individual schools appears too slow, even though there is an improvement on the website to make it user-friendly.

“Safe School Desk Officers at various levels will be moving to schools to educate and possibly register them. Besides, stakeholders are meeting for community engagements nationwide. These will involve civil society organisations to give it wider coverage.

“Registering on the school premises is better for the platform for easy coordination. The desk officers will visit 50,000 schools between now and the end of the 2023/24 session.”

Abodunrin said the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, had directed that Safe School Focal/Desk Officers be deployed in all the local governments, NSCDC divisions, and other civil defense formations nationwide.

Abodunrin added that some state governments were responding to safer schools by ensuring appropriate budgeting.

“Improvement in reducing vulnerability is not a shelf-placed item that can suddenly be picked or purchased. Doing so may create more problems. Schools and communities, for instance, cannot hire anyone to provide security for them without proper profiling. That could be counterproductive. Again, fencing is capital-intensive and cannot be done overnight.

“It gladdens my heart to know some states are responding by ensuring appropriate budgeting for safer schools. It is hoped others will prioritise it too as the schools resume.

“In some rural schools, we advocate bio-fencing where fast-growing trees can be used temporarily to demarcate the premises,” he said.

Dangote Announces Another Slash In Prices Of Diesel, Aviation Fuel 

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blacktalker
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S&P Identifies Dangote Refinery as Major Driver of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Tuesday announced a further reduction in the prices of both diesel and aviation fuel to 940 Naira and 980 Naira per litre.

This is coming in the wake of its widely celebrated price reduction to 1,000 Naira barely two weeks ago.

The price change of 940 Naira applies to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery, while the price of N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above.

Speaking on the new development, the Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the new price aligns with the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in Nigeria.

“I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable prices, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri. You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates.”

He also stated that the partnership would be extended to other major oil marketers. “The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices.

“The Dangote Group is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have better welfare and as such, we are happy to announce these new prices and hope that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of economic challenges in the country.

It would be recalled that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a further reduction of the price of diesel from 1200 to 1,000 Naira per litre barely two weeks ago.

This marks the third major reduction in diesel price in less than three weeks when the product was sold at 1,700 to 1,200 Naira and also a further reduction to 1,000 Naira and now 940 Naira for diesel and 980 Naira for aviation fuel per litre.

Nigeria Resumes Prosecution Of Boko Haram Detainees In Kainji 

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blacktalker
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Nigeria has resumed the prosecution of all Boko Haram detainees in Kainji.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, made this known at a 2-day High-level African Counter-terrorism Summit in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria is also gathering intelligence on the activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State–West Africa Province, ISWAP, to tackle the groups headlong.

Ribadu said the summit highlights the strategic commitment of Nigeria to the UN Counter-terrorism agreement, noting that Africa faces threats from diverse terrorist groups who exploit local vulnerabilities.

He added that Nigeria has broadened its approach to counter the evolving security threats posed by activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP, including the use of digital assets.

On his part, the Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, said the success of the United Nations lies in the collaboration of African countries towards providing African-based solutions.

The summit was attended by President Bola Tinubu, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, and the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé. 

Representatives of the Presidents of Chad and Niger are also present, while over four hundred delegates from across the African countries are in attendance.

LASU COMMUNITY CELEBRATES V.C, PROFESSOR IBIYEMI OLATUNJI-BELLO AT 60

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blacktalker
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The Lagos State University, LASU community has celebrated the Amiable, Visionary, Selfless, and Esteemed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, as she clocks 60 today, Tuesday, 23rd April 2024.

In their various messages and birthday cheers, the LASU community also expressed its heartfelt gratitude for her immeasurable contributions to the University and the positive impact she has had on all and sundry.

”As you embark on this new year, we pray that it brings you an abundance of blessings, happiness, and fulfillment in both your career and your family life. May you continue to be blessed with strength and wisdom as you steer the affairs of the best state university in Nigeria, the Lagos State University.”

”Congratulations, Ma, on the remarkable achievements you have brought to the entire university community, Lagos State, and the nation as a whole. We wish you all the best in the coming years and beyond.”

Headstone Church Launches Skill Acquisition Programme Empowering Youths in Ilupeju

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blacktalker
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Headstone Church has announced a new session of its Headstone Skill Acquisition Programme HSAP, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young individuals in the community through practical skill development.

HSAP is designed to address the needs of unemployed youths, housewives, and recent school leavers by providing them with the opportunity to learn valuable skills, market their skills, and enhance their employability. The program offers a diverse range of courses, including makeup artistry, finger food preparation, digital marketing, photography, cinematography, tailoring, shoe-making, cocktail mixing, and much more.

“We are excited to launch the Headstone Skill Acquisition Program as part of our commitment to community development and youth empowerment,” said HSAP Director at Headstone Church, Pastor Sunday Olusiku.

“In today’s rapidly changing world, acquiring practical skills is essential for personal and professional growth. HSAP aims to equip participants with the knowledge and expertise they need to succeed in their chosen fields.”

This FREE skill acquisition programme will run for 4 weeks, starting on May 6, 2024, at 7B Afolabi Lesi Street, Off Babatunde Oki Street, Ilupeju Lagos, with both practical and theoretical sessions facilitated by leading industry experts. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate and internship opportunities.

“We believe that investing in the skills and talents of our youth is crucial for building a thriving and sustainable community.

“Through HSAP, we hope to empower young individuals to unlock their full potential and pursue meaningful opportunities”, added Pastor Sunday.

HSAP is one of the many outreach programs of Headstone Church, dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Interested individuals can register for the program for free at www.bit.ly/hsap24.

For more information about the Headstone Skill Acquisition Program and how to enroll, please call 08179090000 or send a WhatsApp message to 09084434401.

NDLEA Warns Travellers Not Accept Luggage Without Knowing Its Content 

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blacktalker
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has warned travellers against accepting to take luggage from anyone while travelling without knowing its content.

The Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, gave the warning via his X handle on Sunday.

He disclosed that two students, including a PhD student, ran into trouble when bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in the luggage they were carrying for a female friend studying abroad.

He wrote: “A PhD student and another student studying abroad got into custody because bottles of codeine syrup were found in the luggage they picked for their female friend abroad.

“They’d have been in jail if @ndlea_nigeria had not worked hard to ensure the owner was put on the next flight home.

“Reason why we warn you not to take any luggage you don’t know its content from anyone.

He also shared a video showing how bags of opioids were concealed among spare parts coming from Onitsha heading to Mubi in Adamawa.

President Tinubu To Declare Open African Counter-Terrorism Summit In Abuja

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blacktalker
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President Bola Tinubu will on Monday declare open the African Counter-terrorism Summit in Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

He noted that Nigeria, with the support of the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, UNOCT, is organising a high-level African counter-terrorism summit under the theme, ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism’, in Abuja, from April 22 to April 23.

The objective of the summit, according to Ngelale, is to enhance multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and reshape the international community’s collective response to terrorism in Africa, while emphasizing the importance of African-led and African-owned solutions.

The summit, he said, will provide a platform to review the nature and severity of the threat of terrorism on the continent, and to agree on concrete strategic priorities and measures to address this scourge.

It will also foster deeper regional collaboration, enhancing the institutional capacity of member states and facilitating the exchange of best practices and knowledge to combat the multifaceted threat of terrorism in Africa.

Heads of state and government and high-level government officials across Africa, representatives of international organizations and multilateral institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of civil society groups are expected to attend the summit.

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, will attend the event while National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Under-Secretary-General for Counterterrorism, UNOCT, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, will deliver the concluding remarks at the end of the summit.

Farmers, Herders Sign Peace Pact To End Clashes in South West

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blacktalker
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Farmers and herders in the South-West region of Nigeria have signed a peace pact to permanently end clashes between the two warring groups and promote food security for the benefit of all and sundry.

The coordinator of Commodities Farmers Organisation in South-West, Segun Dasaolu, and the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Othman Ngelzarma, signed the peace pact on behalf of the two groups at a summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking separately while signing the agreement, Dasaolu and Ngelzarma said the step became necessary to ensure peace reigns in the zone in particular and Nigeria at large.

Dasaolu said, “The summit focuses on ensuring that the South-West farmers return to the farm, and also to promote food security in the country. This summit brings together farmers and herders across the six states in this region.

“This is to allow them to proffer solutions to challenges faced by both groups and the need for government to carry us along in providing support, policy formulation, and assistance.

“We have signed the peace pact to put a stop to farmers/herders clashes. And the first step we are going to take is to identify who are genuine herders in the South-West. We have also agreed together to collect or collate data in that regard.”

Also, the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ngelzarma said, “Nothing works when there is no peace. So, we will work with farmers to promote food security in Nigeria. We will also work in collaboration with them to fish out kidnappers in the South-West zone in particular and Nigeria in general.”

Former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, and the Iyaloja General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo were among notable Nigerians who witnessed the signing of the pact.

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