Category: General

Havilla University (HUNI), a privately-owned institution, has partnered New Horizons, an information technology training company, to expand Information and Communications Technology (ICT) related programmes in the school.

The Chancellor of Havilla University, Mr Jones Tangban, made the announcement during a ceremony held to induct the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, Mr Tim Akano, as a member of the institution’s Governing Council in Lagos.

Tangban said: “We want to leverage on the expertise and resources of New Horizon to establish strategic partnership to enhance the university infrastructure.

“This collaboration will help us update and expand ICT related courses and programmes by ensuring that they remain relevant and aligned with industry best practices,” Tangban said.

He added that it would facilitate scholarship and internship opportunities for Havilla University students at New Horizons Nigeria and provide them with practical experience in the ICT field.

Speaking on Akano’s as a member of the institution’s governing council, he said the Information Technology education expert had been playing a vital role in the lives of many Nigerians, especially youths.

“Akano has shown capacity in giving the best to mankind, particularly the young ones who are thirsty to be the best of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

“We believe in the parameters that qualify you to be a member of Havilla University, and we wish to let the world know that you are now an exquisite member of the institution’s governing council.

”As a man who has engineered the training of hundreds of thousands of Nigerian youths and professionals, we are confident that making this caliber and rare person to be a member of the Governing Council of the university is a privilege,” Tangban said.

In her presentation of Letter of Appointment, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, who was represented by Prof. Peter Okafor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (HUNI), urged the recipient Akano to reciprocate the trust extended to him by Havilla University.

“Going by your antecedents, we strongly believe that your wealth of knowledge and passion will be significantly felt in the institution’s operations. We trust your track record,” she noted.

In his speech, Akano expressed gratitude to Havilla University for the privilege given to him to serve as a Members of Council.

“When I reflected over this call to service, I concluded that this is another opportunity for me to do what I have been doing for the past 20 years- which is about youth mentorship.

“I believe that together with the council will take Havilla University to the next level in Cross River; and the whole world will come to recognise the institution,” Akano said.

Other dignitaries present at the event include Dr John Adeniyi, Board of Trustee member (HUNI); Pastor Gbenga Olufisayo, General Overseer, Fresh Oil Global Impact Church /Secretary, Board of Trustees (HUNI) among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Havilla University popularly known as HUNI was established on Nov. 6, 2021 at Nde-Ikom in Cross River State.

The university is known for its dynamic system of teaching and research in a serene environment, aided by cutting-edge equipment, facilities, and structures to aid in the development of world-class graduates who will be competitive in content and character.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa says its Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), abducted on Friday, has regained his freedom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SPO was abducted by gunmen on his way to the Registration Area Centre – 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama Local Government Area.

The Head of Voter Education and Publicity of the state INEC in Yenagoa, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, confirmed the cheering news in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday.

According to Ifogah, the officer is hale and hearty.

NAN reports that the officer, whose name was not disclosed, was abducted while waiting at Amassoma Jetty to board a boat to his place of deployment.

The Spokesman for the Police Command in the state, CSP Asinim Butswat, could not be reached for comments.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended election in nine Registration Area (RAs) in Kogi over of incidences of electoral malpractices.

The commission confirmed this in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, on Saturday.

Haruna said that INEC received reports from its officials in Kogi on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.

“Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.

“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted.

“The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended,” he said.

Haruna said that the incidences in the other local government areas were being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, would be announced in the next 24 hours.

“Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process.

“We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary, “he said.

Haruna assured voters in Kogi that their votes were protected and their wishes would be respected.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 14 suspected vote buyers in Otueke, Adawari playgrounds in Bayelsa and at various polling units in Imo and Kogi.

EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, the suspects were arrested on Saturday in intelligence-driven operations that commenced several days before the ongoing governorship elections in the three states.

“Also, a total sum of N11,040,000, comprising N9,310,00 intercepted from suspected vote buyers and sellers in Bayelsa, and N1,730,000 intercepted from electoral fraud suspects across Imo State, were recovered from them.

“Also, two vehicles were intercepted from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had earlier deployed its personnel to monitor the Saturday’s governorship elections in the three states.

Oyewale had said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the aim of the deployment was to prevent politicians and their agents from engaging in vote buying during the elections.

He explained that the exercise was part of the commission’s drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The uploading of results from polling units for Saturday’s governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo is in progress.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at 5:55pm, 1,417 polling units results for Bayelsa, representing 63.15 per cent of the 2,244 expected polling units results, had been uploaded by INEC.

NAN reports that the results were uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) designated portal.

For Imo, 2,899 out of 4,720 expected polling units results, representing 60.93 per cent, were so far uploaded.

Also, 1,914 out of 3,508 polling units results, representing 54.56 per cent of the governorship election results for Kogi, had been uploaded on the INEC portal.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Friends and well wishers of Malam Ali M. Ali, the newly appointed Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), on Friday hosted him to a dinner to celebrate his appointment to lead Africa’s largest news agency.

The dinner, which was put together by the “Majalisar Kakumi” group, attracted top government functionaries, politicians and leaders of many government media organisations.

Among the dignitaries were the Directors-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Abdulhamid Dembo, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mohammed Bulama and Jibrin Ndache of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Also at the event were Dr Abdullahi Shehu, Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Centres, Jibril Zakirai, lecturer and writer, Malam Halilu Fagge, and many others.

In a brief remark, Alhaji Sadiq, who spoke on behalf of the organisers, said that “Majalisar Kakumi” is a platform formed by friends of like minds and had served as a meeting point for steady interactions.

He reminded Ali that leading NAN was not an easy task, but expressed confidence that he was equal to the challenge “in view of what we all know of him”.

Sadik prayed to God to guard and guide the NAN helmsman to do justice to those placed under his leadership.

He congratulated NAN for getting a thorough professional as a leader, and challenged its workers to give him all the support he would require to excel in the new task.

Alhaji Halilu Fagge, a long-standing friend of Ali’s, described him as a brilliant man and excellent strategist who easily shapes perspectives with his quick and smart ideas.

In his remarks, Ndace of VON emphasised the need for young leaders to always respect their seniors.

“No matter the level of one’s successes and accomplishments, do not forget those that mentored you. Never forget the role they played on your path to greatness,” he said.

He thanked Ali for sharing his good leadership qualities with others, pointing out that the sharing of thoughts and ideas is always crucial to success.

Also speaking, Dembo of NTA, described Ali as hardworking, and thanked God for making him the managing director of NAN.

“We shall keep working together. We shall keep sharing ideas and comparing notes as we lead federal government media agencies,” he said.

In his remarks, Bulama of FRCN said that Ali had been a close friend and professional partner for a very long time.

“We have been together for a very long time. Ali is an excellent communicator, thorough professional and very articulate. NAN is lucky to have him.

“I am sure he will do a lot in NAN. At the end of his first tenure, he would not only be pushed for a second term, but shall be lifted to much higher responsibilities,” he said.

He told NAN workers to brace up for the challenge of working with a workaholic as Ali was sure to drive them very hard.

In his response, Ali said he was deeply touched by the moving messages and thanked the organisers for finding him worthy of being celebrated.

He said journalism was his choice “right from the beginning”, and would always be happy practising it.

“From the beginning, I wanted to be a journalist. A great one. In the course of this job, I have moved across various newsrooms.

“I also handled tasks of reputation management and worked in two state government houses. There is no doubt that the lure of the newsroom will always be my calling.

“I have met many people in the course of journalism. What I tell younger colleagues is that you cannot be a good leader if you’re not a good follower. Good leaders must be good followers,” he said

Ali said that NAN had always been a great news organisations and one of the very few recognised by the United Nations.

“It has the largest workforce and has risen to the top before its fortunes started dwindling, but we are determined to restore those glorious days of greatness. Our job is enormous, but we are determined to do it,” he said.

Alhaji Abdulhadi Khaliel, Director, Administration and Human Resources Management in NAN, described Ali as a workaholic who was driving the workers hard so as to get the best out of them.

“He has not allowed us to rest. We now work literary round-the-clock. He has told us to shape up or ship out. I can confirm to you that he is always ready to work and ready to listen,” he said.

Khaliel assured Ali’s friends and colleagues that NAN would give him all the support required to succeed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria