About 500 ex-Nigeria Airways staff are to be verified in another round of verification exercise currently going on simultaneously at Lagos and Kano centres. The national vice chairman of the ex-workers union of the Airways, (north), Mr Mohammed Adamu who disclosed this  ​said that most of the eligible workers had been audited and paid 50 per cent of their severance package after the earlier exercise conducted in the six geo-political zones in September 2018.

The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, PICA, this week commenced a week-long mop-up verification for the ex-workers of Nigeria Airways who were not audited during the previous exercise.

The exercise is meant to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries were audited and paid their entitlements Speaking yesterday while inspecting the Lagos centre, the permanent secretary in charge of special duties in the ministry of finance, budget and national planning,

Mr. Mohammed Dikwa, who  was represented by the deputy director of procurement, Mr. Izerebu John, told the ex-workers that the federal government would pay them their entitlements after the audit. He, however, advised the ex-workers to “cooperate with the verification officials by providing all the required documents”.

It would be recalled that Nigeria Airways was liquidated in 2004 without the almost 6,000 workers being paid any entitlements.

However, following continued agitation by the workers, President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 approved 50 per cent severance package for all the audited staff of the airline and about 22.3 billion Naira was approved for the payment.

After much delay after the approval, the money was finally released last September 2018.

Reacting to this latest exercise, the Secretary-General, Nigeria Airways Pensioners Union, Mr Segun Adeleke expressed appreciation to the federal government for taking “this new bold and commendable step”.

ABUJA–THE Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has said the federal government will no longer tolerate bullying in the nation’s schools.

This came as he said  the damage the act does to the mental, social and psychological well-being of victims calls for concern.

Hon. Nwajiuba,according to a statement by Mr Ben Bem Goong,the Deputy Director,Press,of the Ministry of Education, stated this in Abuja,at a training of over 100 young boys and girls on anti-bullying ,organised by a group under the aegis of “I am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative” in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Federal Capital Territory Authority, Nigeria Police Force and the Universal Basic Education Commission ,UBEC.

“The Minister of State said that bullying was capable of stopping children from being productive and responsible members of the society, hence, the need to urgently address the ugly phenomenon in the nation’s secondary schools,” the statement quoted him as saying. The statement read further:”

According to the Minister of State, it is the responsibility of the entire society to ensure that ‘we bring up children who know that every other child is very important. “The wellbeing of every child is our concern’, the Minister reiterated.

Speaking further, the Minister of State said that it is his collective responsibility with Education Minister, Adamu Adamu to ensure that Nigerian children find their school environments conducive for learning and other beneficial activities.

“In their remarks, founders of the Initiative, 15 and 20-year-old Renee and Zara Okocha, also known as the Okocha Sisters, said that the training was necessitated by their drive to kick illiteracy and bullying out of the nation by creating safe learning environments for students.

“According to them, the ‘Kick Out Bullying in our Schools’ program was a great example of young people’s voices and how they can initiate anti bullying programs to make a huge difference on individuals, schools and communities in the country.

“They disclosed that the antibullying programme was developed to teach Nigerian children to respect others as well as ensure that kindness and quality education continue to grow and develop in all schools in the country.

“The Okocha Sisters, who stated that they are young authors of over 20 school children books for first readers, said they look good to do in academics what their uncle (JJ Okocha) has done in football. ”

A former governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, has reportedly escaped being kidnapped on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening, according to one of his aides, Ibrahim Y. Tanko, who posted a video of the incident on his Twitter handle @MrYTanko.

The video was recorded by the ex-governor’s security aides, Tanko said; adding that Dankwambo was travelling to Abuja when the incident happened.

“Time was around 4:35pm on Tuesday and His Excellency was travelling in a convoy to Abuja.

“The kidnappers blocked the Abuja-Kaduna express road, but the security men in our convoy gave them a chase.

“The hoodlums still managed to abduct about seven people, though,” the aide narrated.

Another aide who wished to remain anonymous told journalists that Dankwambo’s convoy ran into the kidnappers while they operated on the highway, and that his security details fired into the air and dispersed the criminals.

He disclosed that the bandits killed three persons in the process.

Other road users who witnessed the incident also said that the gunmen mounted a barricade around Olam Farm, where they carried out the kidnap and killed some travellers who ran into them.

“The gunmen blocked the expressway and shot at passing drivers.

“They kidnapped many people and ran into the forest with them,” the eyewitness, a commercial bus driver said.

He added that there were three dead bodies on the road, while fleeing drivers and other road users left their vehicles on the road.

The encounter lasted about 30 minutes, the driver said, adding that it was a narrow escape for him and his passengers.

“I was among the drivers that narrowly escaped the attack while driving with my passengers from Abuja to Kaduna,” the driver, who identified himself as Sani, added.

See the video posted by one of the ex-governor’s aides on the incident:

KD-Abuja road is still a danger zone. kidnappers blocked the road and were in the process of kidnapping passengers when Former Gombe Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo's convoy arrived the scene but they went away with seven people. A video from one of his security. pic.twitter.com/DFtysYmqz1

— Ibrahim Y. Tanko (@MrYTanko) August 27, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, over the death of his mother, Mama Janet Olukoya, aged 95.

A statement by President’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari joined the General Overseer, his family members and all worshipers at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in mourning with the devout Christian and prayer warrior.

The President believed that Mama Janet, who would be interred on Thursday, August 29, loved God and lived according to His precepts which was clearly reflected in the way she raised her children.

He urged all family members to find solace in her devoutness and service to humanity.

The President prayed that Mama Janet’s soul would find rest in the Lord.

Serena Williams withstood a “rough and rowdy” challenge from 17-year-old American wildcard Caty McNally at the US Open on Wednesday to keep her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title intact.

Williams, a six-time champion in New York, recovered from dropping the opening set to prevail 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 and set up a third-round showdown with either 29th seed Hsieh Su-Wei or Karolina Muchova.

“I had to stop making errors. I made so many errors in the first two sets. I was just too many. You can’t win tournaments making that many errors. I knew I had to play better, and I knew I could,” Williams said.

“I want to be able to win matches where I’m not playing my best, play players who are playing great, be able to come through. I need to be tested, I guess.”

McNally, who hadn’t been born when Williams won her first Slam at the 1999 US Open, threatened a struggling Williams from the start before the 37-year-old won nine of the last 11 games to escape under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I survived tonight. I’m not too pleased with the way I played at all,” Williams said.

“I’d rather not be tested in every match. But that doesn’t happen, so it’s important for me to have those, like, really rough, rowdy matches. That helps a lot.”

Eighth seed Williams is seeking to match Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam crowns and needed to gather her thoughts after a first set littered with 15 unforced errors.

“I definitely treasure it because it’s important to have,” Williams said of her ability to regroup. “I’ve won so many Grand Slams because of it.

“Obviously I would be so lying if I said I enjoy the tough matches more. But I think looking back years later, I enjoy the tough matches more. But at the moment, in the weeks after, it’s definitely a different feeling.”

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria has very attractive investment opportunities with some of the highest “Returns-on-Investment’’.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity in a statement said President Buhari stated this at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7), in Yokohama, Japan on Thursday.

The President said he looked forward to prospective investors making inroads “in the following priority sectors in Nigeria, namely, power and renewable energy, petrochemical and gas, maritime (shipping and ports), automobiles, mining, agribusiness, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, ICT and railway.”

President Buhari, who presented Nigeria’s Statement at Plenary Session Three on “Public-Private Business Dialogue” at the seventh TICAD7, assured potential investors of good returns as a result of ongoing reform measures taken by his administration.

He said: “I have also established a Presidential Committee on Enabling Business Environment, which is made up of key Ministries and prominent businessmen to promote the Ease of Doing Business and make Nigeria more attractive and competitive for investment.

“Nigeria is committed to removing all impediments to private sector participation in these sectors by creating policies that will ensure consistency, predictability and a level playing field for all.’’

He identified power, transportation, infrastructure, maritime/shipping, agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, petrochemicals, food processing and textiles among others, as “key drivers to the diversification” of the Nigerian economy as well as “priority areas that will drive our Economic Agenda.”

The President, therefore, maintained that he looked forward to “welcoming prospective investors to Nigeria.”

A police officer attached to the Anti-Robbery Squad of the Aba Area Command, Abia State, Anyanime Udobat, lost his life during a shootout with an alleged kidnapper on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the incident happened in the Aro Ngwa community in the Osisioma Local Government Area of the state.

The identity of the kidnapper, who was also killed, had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filling this report.

The state Commissioner of Police, Awosola Awotinde, told PUNCH Metro that the police squad was trying to gain entrance into the house of the suspect to effect his arrest when he started firing at them.

According to the CP, the police officer was shot at close range and died on the spot, adding that the suspect was also killed in the crossfire.

Udobat, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was the driver of the squad that went after the notorious kidnapper following a tip-off.

A source described the fallen cop as a gallant officer, who was loved by the people in and around the police barracks, adding that members of Udobat’s squad fought hard to keep him alive, but he died due to excess loss of blood.

At the Aba Area Command, the sight was that of mourning as his colleagues were seen discussing the death of the officer, who was described as a good man.

It was also gathered that Udobat, who was survived by his wife and four children, recently dedicated his newborn baby before his untimely death.

The Ebonyi government says it will provide security to travellers using the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, following the closure of the Akanu Ibiam international Airport, Enugu.

Mr. Obasi Abara, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, announced this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen.

He stated that the measure would last for two weeks.

Abara said that with the closure of the airport for repairs, the government agreed that citizens travelling by air should use the airport in Owerri.

“The government has decided to take responsibility for the travelers’ transportation and security to and from the airport.

“Government will provide two buses for such journeys with security operatives attached to the hilux vans for the travellers.

“Details of this arrangement will soon be made public as the government enjoins the publc to reduce frequency of travelling,” he said.

Reigning Commonwealth champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye has assured Nigerians that the female team will not disappoint the country as they begin their quest for medals in the female event at the 12th African Games in Morocco.

The Ondo State-born wrestler will lead the female team including nine-time African champion, Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), Aminat Adeniyi (62kg), Blessing Onyebuchi (76kg), Mercy Genesis (50kg) and Bose Samuel (53kg).

The World wrestling silver medallist, who won gold at Brazzaville 2015 and will be campaigning in the 57kg category, said the team is ready to do the country proud once again.

“I don’t have much to say other than to assure Nigerians that we will not disappoint them. They should continue to pray for us as we also pray for an injury-free event. We are good to go,” she said

Other entries in the 57kg includes: Houfaf Rayane (Algeria), Niyomukiza Rachelle (Burundi), Zara Issa Fanfina (Chad), Noelle Mandzo (Congo, Republic of the Congo), Ebrahim Eman (Egypt), Ayieta Omutichio (Kenya), Rasendrasoa Julienne (Madagascar), Manga Thérése (Senegal) and Bousetta Siwar (Tunisia).

The female wrestling team won a total of 8 medals (5gold and 3silver) out of the 19 medals (9 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze) won by Team Nigeria wrestling at the last edition held in 2015 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

THE Federal University at Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has announced plans to honour Abubakar Abdullahi, the Imam who saved 262 Berom Christians from gunmen who attacked their village in Plateau States in June last year.

The conferment of the honour will hold during the university’s second convocation on Saturday.

FUOYE Vice Chancellor Prof Kayode Soremekun announced this at a media briefing ahead of the convocation.

He said Imam Abdullahi would be conferred with a doctoral degree alongside two others, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaiye and an American septuagenarian, Guy Gargiulo, a former head teacher in Akoko, Ondo State.

Soremekun said the trio deserve the honour because of their contributions to humanity.

He said: “As you would have noticed, the choice of these outstanding gentlemen was done without any bias for materialism, favouritism or nepotism or some selfish desires. We have allowed integrity, patriotism, selflessness to guide our sense of judgment in giving the honorary awards.

“This the university is doing by honouring three outstanding personalities, including 86-year-old Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who saved 262 Christians that would have been killed by insurgents in northern Nigeria; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaiye and an American septuagenarian, Guy Gargiuilo, a school principal, who dedicated over 60 years of his live teaching and moulding destinies of Nigerian youngsters in Akoko, Ondo State.” The vice chancellor said 1,000 students will graduate during the convocation.

He said among them are 35 students who made First Class in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic sessions.

In all, 366 made Second Class Upper degrees; 472 had Second Class Lower degrees; 119 had Third Class degrees, while eight made Pass.

The convocation will also feature a public lecture, titled: Anticipating the Birthday Boy, Options and Possibilities for a Besieged Nation at 60, to be delivered today by Prof Tony Afejuku, a Public Affairs analyst and Professor of English language at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State.