Socioscope News Agency

A solo travelling exhibition on Benin iconography and semiotics, Uhunmwen whe ehinmwen by Princess Theresa Oghogho Iyase-Odozi of Green House Art Empowerment Centre, in collaboration with Crowne Art Gallery will open on October 26 at The Hexagon, Crowne Art Gallery, GRA, Benin City, Edo State. Special guests of honour at the opening are Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie-Ero and Enogie of Evbubanosa/Abudu Prof Gregory I. Akenzua, The exhibition, which is a follow-up to the interactive session held in June in Lagos, was initiated by Princess Theresa Oghogho Iyase-Odozi, and focuses on Benin art, iconography and semiotics. It consists of five main components: mixed-media paintings, art installations, textiles, an empowerment workshop and publication of an art journal. The travelling exhibition will run for four weeks before moving to Lagos and later to Abuja in 2020. According to the artist, one of the main objectives of mounting th...

Darkness blacked out my world on Saturday , September 28 , 2019 when Florence Moriyike Odesola -Adewusi , my younger sister , departed this earthly realm . Grief didn ’t rain on me , it poured . Five days after Florence was snatched by cancer, the elder sister that I never had , Mrs Adefunmilayo Itunuade Abegunde , also succumbed to the nasty grip of indomitable cancer , accompanying Florence into eternity . The loss of my blood sister smashed me beyond smithereens . That of my adopted elder sister filled me with total contempt for life . In my period of absolute grief, truckloads of condolences poured in, trying to sooth and wipe away my misery. In the last couple of weeks , my only feeling was numbness as I neither could read nor write or think . People say experience is the best teacher , but may we not be apprenticed to grief in order to gain experience. I sincerely thank everyone who stood by the Odesola family in our darkest days . Particularly , I thank Evangelist Ebenezer ...

In a bid to curb the poor remittances of power market funds by distribution companies, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is to set up mechanisms to rectify the Discos’ unruly financial behaviours by monitoring the monthly financial inflows into the country’s power market from the power distribution firms, THISDAY learnt at the weekend. According to a source, a new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NERC-driven presidential initiative on power market revenue would be rolled out soon to ensure that the Discos no longer default in their minimum monthly remittances to the market. The source said the CBN was instrumental to NERC’s decision to punish the eight Discos for their poor remittance to the market. The source added that the CBN being the power sector’s largest creditor had insisted that NERC should enforce the regulatory action against the Discos to sanitise the power market ahead of the N600 billion fresh loan it plans to extend to the sector soon. “The pre...

It made the allegation following last week’s order by President Muhammadu Buhari calling for a forensic audit of the commission from 2001 to 2019 . “ With the amount of money that the Federal Government has religiously allocated to the NDDC , we will like to see the results on the ground . Those that are responsible for that have to explain certain issues, ” Buhari said on Thursday when he received a delegation of the state executives led by the governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson. “ The projects said to have been done must be verifiable, ” Buhari said further , adding: “ You just cannot say you spent so much billions and when the place is visited, one cannot see the structures that have been done . The consultants must also prove that they are competent .” Also, briefing reporters after the meeting, Dickson had said : “ We came to have interactions with the president and senior officials of his government on our concerns about developments in the Niger De...

Following torrential rainfall across Lagos State, yesterday, several communities were completely taken over by heavy flood, leaving many residents trapped in their homes. Flood along Ikotun Egbeda road resulting from the heavy downpour on Sunday disrupting flow of traffic. Photo Lamidi Bamidele The rainfall, which started as early as 2 am, Sunday lasted for several hours into the evening leaving most parts of the state flooded with attendant traffic gridlock on the roads. A resident of Discovery Estate, Riverview Wing of Opic, Isheri, Lagos-Ogun States border, Adegbola Babatunde, lamented over the inability of his family to move out of their homes which was heavily flooded due to the release of Ogun Dam which has taken over the entire house. At least three dead in fires amid Chilean riots, flights disrupted Civil Society Organization wants Sylva sacked for IOCS debt claim According to Babatunde, “The Dam release from Ogun Dam has taken over the entire Discovery...

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp “didn’t like the menu” Manchester United served up in a 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, according to Jose Mourinho. Marcus Rashford scored at the end of a counterattack to put United ahead in the 36th minute, with the goal controversially upheld by VAR despite Liverpool claiming Victor Lindelof fouled Divock Origi in the build-up. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side continued to frustrate the leaders, who saw a potential equalizer from Sadio Mane ruled out following a video review, but were unable to hold on for a win as Adam Lallana tapped in with five minutes remaining. Former United boss Mourinho felt Solskjaer’s game plan and three-man defence troubled Klopp, with Liverpool unable to match a Premier League record with an 18th win in succession. ANTI-GRAFT WAR: More Former Governors Will Be Jailed Soon — Sagay Full Time: Manchester United 1 – 1 Liverpool “Klopp didn’t like the menu – he wanted meat and got fish,” Mourinho said on Sky Sp...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that women will constitute between 40 and 50 percent of his executive council appointments. He also promised to prioritise road construction and rehabilitation as well as education for the Ogun West Senatorial District, as the 2020 budget is being prepared. Roads in the senatorial district were described as the worst in the state, when the state government held a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders of the zone at Ilaro on Wednesday. “I want to assure you that my cabinet will have, if not 50 percent of women, it will have at least 40 per cent. You voted for me to give you good governance and we will ensure that it cut across the nooks and crannies of the state. We will ensure we give over 100,000 women loan without interest,” he said. The governor promised that the era of non-implementation of budget estimate was over, saying that he would ensure proper implementation of the 2020 budget, when passed into law. Abiodun also ...

The Chairman Senate Committee, Army, Senator Ali Ndume on Thursday said the National Assembly will adjust the defence budget to meet current security challenges in the country. Ndume said in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna that the allocation for the Armed Forces contained in the 2020 budget proposal before the National Assembly was grossly inadequate in view of the current security challenges. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ndume led joint members of the National Assembly on fact-finding mission, needs assessment and oversight to Army formations in Kaduna State. The committee members also paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai at the Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna. Although N100 billion was allocated to the defence sector in the budget, the Senator said the amount, which is less than one per cent of the total budget size, was grossly inadequate. “There is nothing more important than security to Nigerians. Even if half of that budget is to be spent ...

American boxer Patrick Day died Wednesday after suffering a serious brain injury during his knockout defeat to Charles Conwell last weekend , promoter Lou DiBella said in a statement . The 27 - year -old super welterweight had undergone emergency surgery after being knocked out by Conwell on Saturday at Chicago ’s Wintrust Arena . “On behalf of Patrick ’s family, team , and those closest to him , we are grateful for the prayers , expressions of support and outpouring of love for Pat that have been so obvious since his injury , ” DiBella said . Day , who had been in a coma following surgery at Northwestern Memorial hospital, died surrounded by family and friends. The American fighter had been carried unconscious from the ring on a stretcher on Saturday following his 10 th round knockout.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , has said the Federal Government was already perfecting legal instruments to enable it to take over all assets of the Process and Industrial Developments Limited in the country . Mohammed stated this when he led agencies under his ministry ’s supervision to defend their 2020 budgets before the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation. He said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Abubakar Malami , was working towards achieving total confiscation of all P & ID assets in Nigeria . He said , “I am aware that the AGF is also working on registering the judgment in which the Nigerian court ordered the winding up of P & ID Nigeria . “The important thing about it that when this judgment is registered , it means that whatever belongs to P & ID now belongs the property of Nigeria . “I am also aware that we are also working on instituting an action to set aside th...

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investments , Mrs Maryam Uwais , on Thursday , said 80 per cent of payments for social investments come from the recovered looted funds by former Head of State , Sani Abacha . She added that the remaining 20 per cent came from credit from the World Bank . She spoke as a keynote speaker during a training and advocacy programme on tracing and recovery of illicit funds and assets in Abuja . The training was organised by Human Environmental Developmental Agenda supported by MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Initiative for West Africa in collaboration with Kent Law School, The Corner House , Finance Uncovered and Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism. Uwais said the beneficiaries of the fund had been very responsive and productive, adding that they had saved about N567 m . According to her , over 18 ,200 of them had taken loans from the intervention while less than 1 ,000 had defaulted . She said , “The funds ...

                PMAN logo The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has officially appointed Lafrique Promedia Limited as consultant for progressive development in the music industry. Obi Okwudili Casmir, new PMAN President, said this in a statement signed by Ademola Adetunde, Legal Consultant of Lafrique Promedia Ltd on Wednesday in Lagos. Casmir said that Lafrique Promedia would be responsible for effective distribution of music works in the country. “Lafrique Promedia Limited will provide comprehensive technical and other relevant supportive advices and services to address challenges we are facing. “The services will conduct comprehensive census, enumeration and database collation of practitioners in the entertainment and creative industry in Nigeria, as well as issuance of performing permit to Nigerian and non-Nigeria musicians; ”Negotiating convenient funding structure for music industry with the committee ...

        Rotary Club of Maitama, Abuja, restates commitment to eradicating polio The Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama chapter, has reiterated commitment to eradicating polio in the country. Mrs Eucheria Ekweozoh, President of the chapter, said this in Abuja at an awareness forum which is part of activities leading to the commemoration of the coming World Polio Day on Oct. 24. Ekweozoh said that the chapter was working hard to ensure that the commitment to kick polio out permanently becomes a reality. “Rotary International is at the forefront of eradicating polio, globally. “For three years, we have not had any polio case in Nigeria; we hope that next year, the World Health Organisation willl certify the country polio free. “That is why we are raising awareness about it to ensure that everyone is an advocate of polio free Nigeria. “We also call on the government to ensure that when we are certified polio free, everythingshould be done  to e...

                Mrs Gloria Shoda, NCWS President The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), says it has concluded arrangements to honour female ministers and legislators who were serving as torch bearers for other female politicians in the country. Dr Jumai Ahmadu, an official of the body, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. She said that NCWS President Gloria Laraba Shoda has approved Oct. 24, 2019 as the date to honour seven female ministers, six female senators and 22 female members of the House of Representatives. She revealed that resource persons had been invited to speak on the theme: “Mentorship: A Panacea for Capacity Building of Women In Politics and Governance”, at the event slated to hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. “Though the number of women in politics and governance, both at the state and national levels, falls short of our expectation, we are determined to enco...

THE Senate on Thursday faulted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), insisting that the apex bank was not in the position to implement it. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen Abdullahi Adamu, argued that the Ministry of Agriculture has the primary mandate to implement all national agricultural policies of the country. The chairman who spoke at the 2019 National Agricultural Show and World Food Day celebration in Karu, Nasarawa State, said the Ministry of Agriculture should be allowed to take over the ABP scheme for it to properly reach the intended beneficiaries. According to him, part of the reason the scheme cannot be said to be completely successful is because it is not being operated by the appropriate government agency. He stressed the need to urgently revive the country’s agricultural research institutes, as they play vital role in applied research to enhance production. He said effort t...

 The Federal Government and Organised Labour again failed to reach an agreement on the full implementation of the new minimum wage after it resumed negotiations on the consequential adjustment of salaries for workers on Thursday. After about eight hours meeting that began at 5pm and ended at 2am on Thursday, Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, told journalists that both parties have agreed to adjourn the meeting to 7pm today. Organised Labour was led into Wednesday’s meeting by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, former president of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, NLC Deputy President, Comrade Amaechi Asogwuni, Chairman Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Simon Achaver, NLC’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugbaoja, JNPSNC Secretary, Alade Lawal, President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Ibrahim Khaleel, and JNPSNC member, Lawrence ...

Lionel Messi reportedly wants to become teammates with the next Cristiano Ronaldo in Barcelona. 20-year-old Matthijs de Ligt is arguably the highest-rated defender in soccer today. With a long career ahead of him, there’s a good chance that he will decide to switch clubs in the future. And as early as now, Messi doesn’t want Barcelona to miss out on him. Reports claim that Argentine wants Barcelona to move in for Ronaldo’s Juventus teammate de Ligt as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique. However, Messi is aware that Real Madrid and Florentino Perez might also be interested in de Ligt and wants Barca to act quickly in order to seal the deal, Fox Sports reported. Aside from being a prospect of Barcelona, what makes de Ligt even more interesting is that he is currently being viewed as the next Ronaldo in soccer. Edwin van der Sar, a Manchester United teammate of Ronaldo, has played an integral role in the development of de Ligt. And just recently, van der Sar compared de Ligt ...

A 94-year-old father of over 100 children, Nulu Ssemakula, recently expanded his already bloated household by marrying four new wives in Ruyonza, a largely polygamous village in Uganda. Ssemakula was the first Muslim from Ruyonza to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1977, reports Uganda Monitor. Ssemakula has been successful in expanding his family boasting of more than 19 wives with whom he has had more than 100 children and is still counting. His youngest child is 10 months old now and the youngest wife, who is 24 years old is pregnant. He currently lives with 66 of his young children. While some of his children have grandchildren, the great grandfather says he still hopes to have more children and even marry more women. His grandfather, a one Kashwijuma, a parish chief, was among the first Baganda in colonial era to migrate to Ankole on invitation of the Omugabe of Ankole after signing an agreement for rule with British colonialists. Ssemakula’s father, Juma Tamuzadde, heroic...

Katsina State Police Command has uncovered a rehabilitation centre in Daura, the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari, harbouring no fewer than 300 people chained on their legs and malnourished. This was coming barely two months after police uncovered a house in Rigasa area of Kaduna State containing another 300 children in the same manner. The Katsina centre is located in Nasarawa Quarters of Daura Local Government Area of the state with six rooms accommodating the victims. The victims, who were seriously tortured by their teachers with varying degrees of injuries and profiled by the police, are from Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba and Borno states as well as Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Mali. Among the inhabitants were children who confessed to have been abused homosexually, while the adults said they subjected to daily hard labour and torture “without” recitation of the Holy Qur’an as earlier agreed with their parents. With chains on their legs and scars of injurie...

The Federal Government and labour unions are engaged in a last-minute dialogue, to avert a nationwide strike by workers, slated on Oct. 16. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that labour has resorted to the strike option, following an apparent inability of government and labour to find a way out of the minimum wage logjam. Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the continuation of a conciliatory meeting, the Chief Arbiter and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the meeting was an opportunity for information sharing and an avenue to soften ground for a final meeting, slated for Oct. 15. He told the labour leaders to be open-minded in their dialogue so that both parties could get a way out of the minimum wage logjam. Ngige said he believed that the meeting would bring an end to issues in contention, if both parties agreed and understood each other’s positions. “If we don’t soften the ground bullets will fly and at the end of the day we will come ...

Pope Francis’ main bodyguard, Domenico Giani, has resigned his appointment from the Vatican Security Service. He resigned on Monday following a leak to the media of details of probe into financial wrongdoings in the Catholic hierarchy. According to Reuters, Francis accepted Giani’s resignation while noting he bears no personal responsibility for the leak. In a statement by the Vatican, the Argentine pontiff was furious over the publication of an internal police notice, which featured the photographs of some senior Vatican employees who were targeted in a probe. “This publication was prejudicial to the dignity of the people involved and to the image of the Gendarmerie (police),” the statement read in part. It added the Vatican has opened a probe into the leak. Giani had served three pontiffs and could be seen on papal trips, dressed in a dark suit, standing close to the head of the Catholic Church or running beside the popemobile. The 57-year old began his ca...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has blamed the moribund state of the country ’s refineries on lack of proper maintenance of its facilities over the years . Although the NNPC noted that Nigeria had one of the highest number of technicians in the petroleum sector in the world , it lamented that the experts had not been adequately engaged. The Group Managing Director of NNPC , Mr Melee Kyari, gave this position when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum ( Upstream ) in Abuja on Monday . Answering a question on the technical capacity of the NNPC to properly manage oil exploration, refinery and sales , Kyari admitted that there was enough manpower in the petroleum to develop the industry but that the experts had not been properly engaged. He said , “ The oil industry is a technology - based industry and this technology evolves every day . I can say that in the entire global oil and gas industry , there is nowhere you would have gone that you ...