Cynthia Okonkwo

“Imo Residents Enforce Sit-at-Home order, Leaving Streets and Shops Empty”.

“Imo Residents Enforce Sit-at-Home order, Leaving Streets and Shops Empty”.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

Imo State residents complied with the sit-at-home order, leaving the streets empty.Punch Metro reported that there was no movement throughout the state, with stores closed and no employees visible in transit.One pedestrian, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "As you can see, everywhere is deserted due to the sit-at-home that began today."Everyone has decided to stay indoors and wait for events to unfold out of fear of being attacked by gunmen."To reassure locals that there will be peace and order, the Imo State Police Command and other security forces put on a show of force on Saturday."In response to the alleged threats posed by the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security...

Read More
Kogi Governor Appoints New Local Government Chairmen

Kogi Governor Appoints New Local Government Chairmen

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

The newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 21 local government areas in Kogi State were sworn in by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo on Monday in Lokoja, according to astatement from Ismaila Isah, the governor's special adviser for media and publicity.The swearing-in ceremony took place at the government house in Lokoja, and the governor urged the new chairmen to continue the pace of development at the grassroots level by starting projects and programs that will enhance the lives of the people.In order to improve the lives of the people in their respective localgovernment areas, he tasked the newly appointed chairmen withensuring the safety of people and property as well as implementing the administration's signature programs in the fields of social welfare, health, and agriculture.The governor, who referred to the local government as the most significant level of government and the one closest to the people, also urged the new council chairmen to make sure that the people are included in all of their activities and to encourage the participation of all stakeholders in the decision-making process.Ododo stated, "You must be transparent and accountable in running the affairs of the local government. You must see your election as an opportunity to justify the autonomy of the local government administration by allocating priorities to matters that have a direct positive impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots level."In keeping with hisadministration's aim of bringing governance closer to the people, he stated that the local government administration should not only be visible to the public, but also felt by them.Speaking on behalf of the 21 local government chairmen, Tosin Olokun, the chairman of the Yagba West Local Government Area, responded by promising that his organisation would support the state government's efforts by launching initiatives and programs that would improve the lives of people at the local level.In keeping with the goals of the state administration under Governor Ododo to bring the people of the state together and concentrate more on development, he also pledged to bring them together regardless of political differences.

Read More
“Bandits Kill Two Travellers,others and Kidnap Zamfara Tax Commission Coordinators”.

“Bandits Kill Two Travellers,others and Kidnap Zamfara Tax Commission Coordinators”.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

Along the Funtua-Gusau Road, bandits have killed two travellers and kidnapped Alhaji Bashir Abara Gummi, the Zamfara State Coordinator of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), along with a number of other individuals.According to information received, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, thebandits reportedly blocked the main Funtua-Gusau Road and attacked multiple vehicles, including the coordinator's vehicle.Commissionsources claim that when the event occurred, Alhaji Gummi was en route to Abuja for a formal assignment.Before they abducted the coordinator and numerous other travellers, the robbers killed two people on the spot by shooting at some moving vehicles, according to a security source with knowledge of the situation."Unfortunately, the bandits blocked the road, and some cars were taken by the kidnappers." They shot at the cars and kidnapped a number of passengers," the insider told Daily Trust.It was learnt that Alhaji Abubakar Dan Maliki, the Auditor General of Zamfara State, barely avoided the criminals when he managed to manoeuvre out of the area where the kidnapping occurred.When he saw what was happening to other drivers, the Auditor General, who had arrived at the scene shortly after the robbers had forcibly stopped the first group of vehicles, swiftly turned around.

Read More
“Obasanjo: Current Insecurity in Nigeria Exceeds Levels During My Administration”

“Obasanjo: Current Insecurity in Nigeria Exceeds Levels During My Administration”

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, has voiced his grave concern over Nigeria's escalating insecurity and called for immediate action to resolve the issue. On Sunday,October 20,Obasanjo made the statement while visiting Bauchi State and launching a number of road projects built by Governor Bala Mohammed. Speaking at the palace of Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman-Adamu, the Emir of Bauchi,Obasanjo emphasised that the security situation in Nigeria is farworse now than it was when he was president. He underlined that one of the most importantways to address the growing crime rates is through community policing. "The best form of security is community policing because everyone knows his/her neighbours within the community...

Read More
Nigeria Faces $3 Billion Annual Loss from Imported Ankara Fabrics, Says Minister.

Nigeria Faces $3 Billion Annual Loss from Imported Ankara Fabrics, Says Minister.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

Nigeria loses almost $3 billion annually to foreign producers of ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa, according to Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. Speaking at last week's Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024 in Algiers, Musawa made this claim. Musawa emphasised the need to strengthen Africa's fashion and textile sector in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze. She noted that textiles like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara symbolise Africa's history, pride, and identity. "Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are...

Read More
Philippine Court Sentences 17 Militants to Life Imprisonment for 2001 Resort Kidnappings

Philippine Court Sentences 17 Militants to Life Imprisonment for 2001 Resort Kidnappings

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

The Philippine Department of Justice said on Monday, October 21, that 17 members of a militant group with ties to the Islamic State were given life sentences for their roles in the kidnapping of Filipino and foreign nationals in Malaysia about 25 years ago. The Islamist extremist group Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 21 guests from a vacation resort on the Malaysian islandofSipadan in April 2000 and held them at gunpoint. In the jungles of Jolo, a secluded regionaround 955 kilometres (515 miles) south of Manila, the hostages—who included citizens of the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Lebanon, Malaysia, and South Africawere held captive for months. After millions of dollars were paid in ransom, theywere finally released.According to a 157-page court ruling seen by AFP, the 17 convicted were found guilty on October 16 of 21 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, and each count carried a life sentence. The Department of Justice said in a statement,“This conviction is a reflection of the unwavering efforts...

Read More

Nigeria Faces $3 Billion Annual Loss from Imported Ankara Fabrics, Says Minister.Nigeria loses almost $3 billion annually to foreign producers of ankara, a popular wax print in West and Central Africa, according to Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. Speaking at last week’s Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024 in Algiers, Musawa made this claim.Musawa emphasised the need to strengthen Africa’s fashion and textile sector in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze. She noted that textiles like adire, kente, bogolan, and ankara symbolise Africa’s history, pride, and identity.”Despite this heritage, it is deeply ironic that many of the fabrics we cherish, such as ankara, are predominantly produced outside Africa,” Musawa stated. “Nearly 90 percent of the ankara consumed on our continent is imported, leading to an annual loss of approximately $3 billion to foreign manufacturers. We must change this.” In order to recover Africa’s fashion narrative, the minister underlined the significance of boosting local production capacities.”We must reclaim our fashion narrative by strengthening local production capacities and ensuring that the benefits of this vibrant industry remain within our borders,” she stated.Musawa called for action to solve structural issues that impede local production, pointing out that the fashion business in Africa is expected to reach $15.5 billion by 2025. “Fashion is far more than a form of expression,” she said, highlighting the fashion industry’s economic potential. It is a major force in the economy. The estimated worth of the global fashion sector is $2.5 trillion. The fashion industry in Nigeria alone generates over $6.1 billion in GDP, while the textile industry in South Africa employs more than 140,000 people, indicating the industry’s potential to create jobs.She also underlined that fashion investments have the potential to create millions of employment, particularly for young people and women.”By expanding local production, we will not only add value within our borders but also position Africa as a global hub for fashion,” Musawa stated.Under the Design Nexus and Destination 2030 initiative, the minister also described the government’s efforts to support the sector, including the creation of manufacturing hubs and training programs for artisans. Musawa claims that the goal of these initiatives is to elevate Nigeria’s creative economy, arts, and culture to a position of international prominence.

Cynthia Okonkwo October 21, 2024

You may have missed

yakubu

Dogara explains how Wike aided the Bauchi government in winning the election

Iheanacho Confidence January 28, 2025 0
rwanda

“No longer safe”: Congolese Relocate to Rwanda to Avoid Violence

Iheanacho Confidence January 28, 2025 0
Atiku Abubaka

Atiku Abubakar Warns Nigeria Risks Losing Democracy

Cynthia Okonkwo January 28, 2025 0
He will get the best out of the Super Eagles ~ Ikpeba Speaks About Chelle.

He will get the best out of the Super Eagles ~ Ikpeba Speaks About Chelle.

Cynthia Okonkwo January 28, 2025 0
Former vice president professor Yemi Osinbajo meet in Tanzania with  President Tinubu.

Former vice president professor Yemi Osinbajo meet in Tanzania with  President Tinubu.

Cynthia Okonkwo January 28, 2025 0