Avarine

By Francis Ewherido Last week, Nigeria took the world stage for all the right reasons. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, one of Nigeria’s finest, former minister of finance, former minister of foreign, former managing director of the World Bank and a fellow Deltan (let me also associate, others have been doing so for almost two weeks now), was confirmed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. Her hitherto nemesis, Donald Trump, had been voted out in the US Presidential Election on November 3, 2020, and subsequently left office on January 20 this year. Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence is a triumph for the girl child and further emphasises the need to invest in the girl child to enable her realise her full potentials. While Okonjo-Iweala was making waves for the right reasons, another girl child, Promise Idorenyin, was trending for all the wrong reasons. She was caught by her school principal in school with a locally-made pistol. She allegedly went to school with the pistol after he...

Erdogan Mujdat Gezen’s half-century career as an acclaimed Turkish writer and actor has included awards, a stint as a UN goodwill ambassador and a taste of prison after a 1980 putsch. Now aged 77, the wry-witted comedian and poet with an easy smile and a bad back risks returning to jail on charges of insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is in danger of becoming the latest victim in the Turkish leader’s years-long battle with what he dismissively calls “so-called artists”. “I am even banned from appearing in crossword puzzles,” Gezen quipped. Gezen landed in court with fellow comedian Metin Akpinar, 79, over comments the pair made during a television show they starred in on opposition Halk TV in 2018. In the broadcast, Gezen told Erdogan to “know your place”. “Look Recep Tayyip Erdogan, you cannot test our patriotism. Know your place,” Gezen said on air. His parter Akpinar went one step further, saying that “if we don’t become a (democracy)… the leader might en...

Lateef Jakande Since Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, LKJ, answered the call of mortals, it has been tributes galore. This is not surprising given his life of exemplary leadership that won him the reverence and goodwill of a vast majority of Lagos residents. Babakekere, as he was fondly called, died on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at the ripe age of 91. So, while his death has been described as a great loss to the family and the nation, the rites of passage were also seen as celebration of a life that mirrored simplicity, integrity and outstanding achievements in journalism, politics and service. Jakande touched and transformed many lives through his visionary leadership, selfless and spartan outlook to life. As a journalist, he was a fearless and gifted writer. He rose to the position of Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune and eventually became the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN. In politics a...

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, said on Saturday that the council received 45 cases in January. The State Coordinator of the council, Labaran Kabo, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. Kabo said that out of the 45 cases, 40 were criminal matters, while five were civil cases. According to him, during the period under review, the council completed 15 criminal cases, while 25 are still pending in court. He further explained that the five civil cases are still pending in court. Also read: Ortom to Buhari: Rein in herdsmen before they drag Nigeria into civil war “Some of the criminal cases were on armed robbery, criminal breach of trust, homicide, rape and theft, while the civil cases were on marriage and land disputes, as well as debt recovery”. The coordinator said that the council is giving voice to the voiceless and advised those who could not afford to pay for such services to feel free and contact the council...

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the presence of elected local government administrations, would to a large extent, improve the security situation in the country. Lawan made this known while speaking to journalists in his home town of Gashua, immediately after casting his vote at Katuzu ward during Saturday’s local government election in Yobe State. According to Lawan, the local government councils should be administered by elected representatives whose primary responsibilities are to advance the interest, and ensure the welfare of the people at the grassroots. The Senate President who bemoaned the absence of elected Local Government Councils in some states of the federation, commended the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, for complying with the provisions of the Constitution in recognizing the importance to have local government election in the state. His words: “This election is a very clear testimony that Yobe State Government is compliant with the prov...

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has reiterated the need for regular exercise as a means of promoting longevity. Dr Joe Amodu, Chairman, NMA, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said this at the maiden edition of the “five kilometre mini-marathon and fun run” organised by the association, on Saturday, in Gwagwalada Area council of the FCT. Amodu said that exercise played a major role in achieving healthy living, adding that by exercising regularly, one would remain fit. “It also minimises a lot of disease conditions that can come from not exercising, like diabetes, hypertension and other diseases, that always pop up as a result of sedentary lifestyle. READ ALSO:  Anambra election: I’m running to bring prosperity to S’East – Soludo “Over the past one year we have been scorched with the COVID-19 pandemic and it has led a lot of people to be sedentary, becoming docile and not involved in their health issues”. “As doctors, displaying this marathon is our own way of saying tha...

One of Scenes of the post-election violence in the north By Akpokona Omafuaire, WARRI THE Old Students Association of Anglican Grammar School, Okpara Waterside in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State have warned youths and students to resist the attraction to criminal vices which are capable of ruining their future. This call was made weekend during their inaugural reunion meeting and thanksgiving service at the school. They urged students to emulate good characters and imbibe hard work as the surest way to success in life. This warning was given by the duo of Assitant Commissioner of Police, Victor Erhivwode and Comptroller of Prisons, Ohwofasa Godwin, old students during their various speeches. They said that the wave of crime rate is alarming and the future of youths are being destroyed, they warned against all forms of criminality. They urged youths to acquire education and skills which will prepare them for the future. In his welcome address, Mr Prince Majemite sa...