Month: April 2024

The Lagos State Government has directed the suspension of commercial activities at Dosumu Street and its environ.

The closure was as a result of a fire incident which engulfed four buildings in the area leading to collapse of buildings

 

Special Adviser to the state Governor on Central Business Distress, CBD, Mrs. Bola Olumegbon Lawal, announced the closure and suspension of immediate business activities in the market and environ, when she led a delegation to the scene for the spot assessment of the situation.

According to Lawal, measure has become necessary in order to prevent possible loss of life, as well as maintain peace and order in the area.

She however, appealed to market women and men in the area to pave way for emergency respondents who have timely responded to the incident to effectively perform their duties throughout the rescue operations as required.

 

The fire which started about noon on Tuesday, witnessed collapsed of two buildings while effort was on going to stop the ranging fire as of press time, 5pm.

 

Suspended markets

 

Lawal listed the markets affected by the closure to include: Dosumu, Nnamdi Azikwe, Moshalashi, Woro Pedro, Obanikoro Streets.

 

Others are: Ago Tawa, Idumagbo Avenue, Idumagbo , Ido – Oluwo and Oju Olobun Streets.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday.

 

This decision was disclosed through a statement issued by Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, on Tuesday.

The announcement, which was shared via the ministry’s official communication channel, highlighted the importance of recognizing Eid-El-Fitr and providing an opportunity for citizens to commemorate the religious occasion.

The statement said, “The Federal Government has approved Thursday, April 11, 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.

 

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation, reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”

 

Saudi Arabia, on Monday, said the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted, indicating that the fasting will continue on Tuesday.

 

It also added that the Eid-El-Fitr would hold on Wednesday, April 10 to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.

 

Vanguard had earlier Sunday published that FG declared Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, 2024, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Also, on Monday, His eminence Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and president General Nigeria Supreme council for Islamic affairs (NSCIA) declared Wednesday the 10th of April 2024 as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH (Eid el Fitr Day) as moon is not sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

 

Sultan made the statement shortly after receiving the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee in Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee.

The committee in their report stated that it had not received any report from various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday 8th April 2024 which was the 30th day of Ramadan 1445AH.

 

EFCC

Eid el Fitr, which means the holiday of breaking the fast, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

 

 

Stakeholders at an online platform have advised Nigerians, especially the youths travelling outside the country, to be more patriotic and travel legitimately for self and national development.

 

NIDCOM spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in a statement issued on Monday said this was one of the highlights of the lecture delivered by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) on “Pros and Cons of Japa” at No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI), an online platform for Muslim Elites and Professionals.

 

Dabiri-Erewa, who was the Special Guest of Honour, discussed the phenomenon of irregular migration, its negative impacts, and potential ways to mitigate its effects, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria’s medical personnel and the issue of Nigerians being trafficked to Libya and other countries.

 

The NIDCOM boss confirmed the mass exodus of Nigerian youths under the guise of looking for better opportunities elsewhere without having the intention of returning back to the country to give back.

 

She said that though the country is passing through some challenges which is global and been faced by the countries where some of them are running into

 

She, however, said migration is the fundamental rights of an individual but such movement must be justified and evaluated before embarking on it.

 

Dabiri-Erewa recalled how the Commission alongside other agencies of government have facilitated the return of over 10,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya alone, as well as from Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Lebanon, Germany among others.

 

She said some of them have subjected themselves to menial jobs that they cannot do in Nigeria, some lost their lives in the process while others have sold their family inheritance just because they want to migrate (Japa ).

 

She implored the Nigerian professionals to increase awareness and education about the negative effects of irregular migration and the importance of seeking employment within Nigeria.

 

On the side of the Federal Government of Nigeria, she assured that the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will implement reforms to create more job opportunities and improve the economy, aiming to reduce the need for migration.

reiterated the resolve of her Commission to work on strategies to prevent Nigerians from being trapped in situations like those in Libya, ensuring safe return for those who have already been affected through aggressive advocacy and partnership with relevant agencies of government.

 

In his contribution, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) who also doubles as Secretary-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) also explored the reasons for migration from an Islamic perspective, the need for economic advancement and knowledge transfer within their community, and the potential of harnessing the diaspora to improve the country’s economy and security.

 

Oloyede who shared his expriences in interaction with some Nigerians who travelled outside the country, canvassed for more collaboration with government agencies to stem the tide of irregular migration and thus reducing brain drain and encourage Nigerian diaspora to invest in Nigeria’s economy.

 

The JAMB Registrar expressed his willingness to work with the Minister of State for Health, who is in charge of Nigeria Medicals in the diaspora, to implement recommendations for improving the health sector in Nigeria .

Prof Is-haq Oloyede shared his recent experience of trying to import medical equipment for the use of teaching hospitals in Nigeria which attracted huge custom duties, capable of discouraging donors thus highlighted the need for a standing committee to scrutinize new equipment and ensure its authenticity.

 

Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, detested how some of his colleagues refused to return to Nigeria after studying abroad to apply their acquired knowledge and skills.

 

He argued that India, China and Singapore utilised the experiences of their returned diaspora for national development thus proposing utilising the experiences of Nigerians who have returned from abroad as advocates and taking advocacy messages to religious houses.

 

Participants at the webinar also discussed the potential of harnessing the diaspora to improve the country’s economy and security, while acknowledging the challenges of changing mindset and promoting their message.

 

The participants expressed determination to continue their efforts towards improving the situation thus urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to support the returnees by providing enabling environment for them to thrive.

 

Similarly, participants highlighted the difficulties faced by professionals trying to bring in their expertise into the country, including financial and bureaucratic hurdles which should be removed by the government as an incentive for investors in the country.

 

Above all, the participants emphasised the importance of patriotism and community involvement in social development, particularly through a cultural renaissance as well as advocated for a stronger social security system to assist the unemployed, and encouraged greater volunteer service to strengthen the country’s fabric.

 

They equally proposed to the government that the Japa team, which consists of Nigerians working abroad, could act as agents to assist their fellow citizens seeking employment overseas, thereby contributing to the country’s national development.

 

It was also recommended that those migrating outside the country based on frustrations about the difficulties graduates face in Nigeria, should explore legal requirements for job legitimacy.

 

Earlier in his welcome speech, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Coordinator of NDMI said the platform is for Muslim Elites and Professionals across the globe championing issues of national cohesion and development through its regular online lectures where the resolutions are passed to relevant agencies for execution.

 

By Flowerbudnews

A sports administrator, Ebere Amaraizu, has called for the optimal harness of the power of sports to enhance community peace and social inclusion.

 

Amaraizu, who is former Board Member and Director Nationwide League One (NLO) in-charge South-East, made the call on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Monday.

 

He spoke on the sidelines of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace (IDSDP), which is celebrated every April 6 as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

 

The administrator noted that since sports is for everybody and appeals to everybody irrespective of one’s religious inclinations, academic and social statutes; it means it is a socially acceptable tool for human engineering and change.

 

According to him, indeed the importance of sports and what it can bring to the community in terms of peaceful and inclusive societies cannot be overemphasized.

 

He said: “Sports as a tool of social engineering focuses on the right direction of human and societal development.

 

“This right direction is towards shaping the public awareness and advocacy with relevant policies that will help to promote the realization of peaceful and inclusive societies.

 

“The theme for the 2024 International Day for Sports, which is: ‘Sports for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies’, is a profound confirmation of the positive influence of sports in our society.

 

“The power inherent in sports has the power to align many people’s passion, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be nurtured and trust can be regained.”

 

Amaraizu, who is the Chairman, Enugu State Taekwondo Association, said that it is in the collective interest of the nation to harness the tremendous power of sports to help build a better and more sustainable future for Nigerians.

 

He also called for deliberate efforts by government and non-governmental bodies to enshrine a well-structured and implementable sports policy that would encourage development of high performance community sports centres in communities and council areas.

 

“High performance community sports centres will definitely aid in the realization of rapid development of budding sports talents, achievement of positive changes, promotion of peace and inclusive for all genders,” he noted.

The moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia declared that the Shawwal crescent could not be sighted in the Kingdom today.

 

As a result, the holy month of Ramadan will continue until April 9, lasting 30 days.

 

Eid Al Fitr will, therefore, be observed on April 10.

 

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia had called on all Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the Shawwal crescent on the evening of Monday, Ramadan 29.

 

The sighting of the Shawwal moon marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr.

 

Earlier, the International Astronomical Center had said that some countries that marked the beginning of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, would expect a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting might be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, leading to a conjunction occurring after sunset.