Author: straightnewsng.com

In a bid to enhance port operations, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, has directed shipping firms operating in Nigeria to ensure that ship manifests were electronically transmitted to relevant stakeholders seven days before the arrival of the vessel. Speaking during a meeting with maritime stakeholders over the weekend, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the Council in January came up with a National Action Plan and directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to look at the shipping firms, with a view to reducing dwell time and ultimately reduce cost. Oduwole…

A sexagenarian in Mgbakwu village in Awka North local government area of Anambra State, who was cooking food at 4 p.m. on Saturday, abandoned the food to take her life. It was learnt that Uzoaku walked into her bedroom where she had tied a rope to the burglary-proof bars of the window to allegedly commit suicide, thus sending shock waves down the spines of the villagers. Punch Metroline gathered that the deceased, a mother of two unemployed graduates, complained to some people that she was angry that her two children, who graduated some years back, had not got any job.…

The International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD-sponsored Value Chain Development Programme has created1,504 new jobs for both men and women in Anambra State. The programme is co-financed by the Federal government, the Anambra State government and the five participating local government areas of Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North and Orumba North. Of the number of jobs created, 1087 were permanent engagements, while the rest were non-permanent. Details showed that adult men and women got 767 permanent engagements, while youths got 320 permanent jobs. Presenting the programme’s mid-term review report in Awka when a team from the federal government…

The management of Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited, has constructed and donated an ultra-modern market to the Onne community in Rivers State. Mr. Silvano Bellinato, the General Manager of INTELS Nigeria Limited, while speaking in Onne Friday, said the ultra-modern market was built at the cost of N1.2 billion, saying that the facility was built as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to him, the company’s CSR focuses on critical areas of intervention including creation of employment, empowerment and provision of development projects for host communities. He said INTELS adopts an integrated participatory…

Vladimir Putin won a landslide election victory on Sunday — the fourth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea-extending his presidency by another six years as he easily breezed past a field of minor candidates left by the disqualification of his only credible rival. If Putin serves to the end of his new fourth term, which expires in 2024, he would become the longest-serving leader of Russia since Soviet dictator, Josef Stalin. Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, an outspoken critic of Putin who was considered his strongest potential rival was barred from Sunday’s vote following his conviction on fraud charges that are…

Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, has accused northern Muslim elite of using religion to hold on to political power. Speaking at the burial of Joseph Bagobiri, former Catholic bishop of Kafanchan diocese, Kukah said “It is sad that the northern Muslim elite have used religion to hold on to power to the detriment of even their own people and the larger society,” he said. Kukah lamented that the north is still the “poorest part of the country” despite many Nigerian leaders coming from there. “For despite holding power for all these years, the north is still the poorest…

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, has lost Inam Udoma, his immediate elder brother. The minister, who hails from Ikot Abasi local government area in Akwa Ibom State, has confirmed the death. The sad incident occurred last Tuesday morning, March 13, after a brief illness. Aged 66, Inam was a University of Ibadan trained geologist. A businessman, he had several business interests and served on a number of boards, including that of Linkage Assurance Plc. Son of the pioneer Supreme Court judge in Uganda, the late Dr. Herbert Udo Udoma, he was married with three…

Juan Martin del Potro ended world number one Roger Federer’s 17-match unbeaten run to claim the BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells. The eighth-ranked Argentine beat the Swiss 6-4 5-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-2) in a thrilling encounter. Federer had been searching for a record sixth title in California, but it was Del Potro who powered to his first ATP Masters 1000 title. He is the first player to beat Federer in 2018. Del Potro saved three match points before closing out victory in two hours 42 minutes. The 29-year-old has been hampered by wrist problems in recent years and…

Some big stars in the Nollywood and entertainment industry on Sunday shut down Uyo for the dedication of little Zoe, child of comic actor, Ime Bishop Umoh also known as Okon Lagos. The event held at Insight Bible Church, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo was attended by comedian cum actor AY, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu, Francis Duru, Ibinabo Fibresima, former AGN President; Emeka Rollas, Emeka Rollas, AGN President; Klint d’Drunk, the comedian and a host of other dignitaries. The reception took place at Emerald Events Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. The home-based politicians shuttled between Bishop’s event and the 40th…

Akwa United of Uyo Sunday qualified for round 16 of CAF Confederation Cup after thrashing Al ittilhad of Tripoli by 4-3 goals aggregate. In the first leg played two weeks ago in Tripoli, Libyan capital, Al ittilhad through Abdullah Abdelsala beat Akwa United by 1-0 goal in the 67th minute. But in the second leg played Sunday, March 18 at Godswill Akpabio Internatiional Stadium, Uyo, Aniekeme Asuquo scored the first goal for Akwa United in the 47th minute, bringing the score to 1-1 goal aggregate. Though the match was draw, both teams went into penalty shoot-out after full time. At…