Kwara State Government has again shut 10 schools, where the use of hijab is disputed. The Ministry of Education in the state announced this in a statement on Monday, citing safety reasons. According to the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Kemi Adeosun, the schools earlier told to reopen on Monday, will remain shut. “The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development wishes to inform members of the public that the 10 government schools where the use of Hijab is disputed will remain shut until a later date. “This decision has been taken...

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced its SME specific accounts designed to reinforce the Bank’s role in putting SME’s at an advantage whilst contributing to national growth and development. The SME accounts – which are in two variants – FirstSME Classic and FirstSME Deluxe – are offered to SMEs, irrespective of industry, and tailored to have SMEs exposed to a wide range of services and opportunities that are essential for their continued growth and role in contributing to national development. The...

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has described the just opened 1.4km Agege-Pen Cinema flyover as the result of the robust relationship that exists between the executive and the legislative arms of government. The bridge was opened by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at an event attended by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leaders of the party and top government officials. Speaking at the event, Obasa recalled how he first moved motion on the floor of...

The Non-Interest Financial Institutions Association of Nigeria (NIFIAN), yesterday in Abuja elected the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc. Hassan Usman as its pioneer President. Usman was inaugurated alongside other six EXCO members to steer the affairs of the umbrella body of all corporate organisations offering non-interest financial and related services in the country for a first term of 2 years. Those elected includes Hajara Adeola, Managing Director/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited as Vice-President; Norfadelizan Abdulrahman, Managing Director/CEO of TAJBank Limited as Treasurer; and Fatai Ola Bakare, an astute in-house legal...

Women in Africa are less likely to die from Covid-19 than men, but more likely to succumb to maternal complications due to limited access to reproductive services since the pandemic started, the UN said Thursday citing reports. A study of 28 African countries including Guinea, Mauritius and Uganda showed that on average women accounted for a slightly smaller proportion of coronavirus infections and deaths compared to men. Overall around 41 percent of reported Covid-19 cases were women, although the figures ranged widely from 31 percent in Niger to more than...

Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, has ordered Aisha Alkali Wakil alias “Mama Boko Haram” to testify orally in her defence rather than through writing. It will be recalled that the EFCC closed its case against Wakil and her co-defendants on February 11, 2021, while the matter was adjourned to March 1, 2021 for the defendants to open their defense. However, rather than open their defense on March 1, 2021, Wakil filed an application seeking the leave of the Court to enter her defence in writing,...

In the name of the Almighty, the Beneficent the Merciful Woe to every slanderer and defamer, who amasses wealth and keeps on counting It; He thinks that his wealth will insure his status forever!; By no means! He shall be thrown into hell of Hutamah…(Q104:1-9) Make no mistake about this- Islam does not abhor prosperity. It does not anathemize success. They were multi-millionaires – Khadijah bnt Khuwaylid, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Uthman bn Affan, Abdul Rahman bn ‘Awf etc. These companions of the Prophet were women and men of prosperity. They...

The Lagos State government has signed a joint venture deal with Chinese firm, CIG Motors, for a Vehicle Assembly Plant. The deal will open a new channel of investment into the state and is also expected to revive industrialisation within the state. According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Vehicle Assembly Plant will start producing vehicles within the next 12 to 18 months. The deal was signed by Sanwo-olu and Group Chairman of CIG Motors Ltd, Diana Chen and Vice Chairman, CIG Motors, Linus Idahosa, on Thursday. Lagos to compete with...

Oyo State Muslim community has urged the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to stop the alleged discrimination against Muslims in the state, particularly in the education sector. The group, in an open letter to the governor, alleged that Oyo State Government officials have continued to trample on rights of Muslims in all sectors, with reckless abandon. They asked that, “Muslims should not be treated as second-class citizens in their state, because Oyo State is not a Christian Republic.” The letter reads: “We have watched silently as Oyo State Government officials...

Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, has urged intending pilgrims for 2021 Hajj exercise to endeavour to take the COVID-19 vaccine whenever it arrives the country. Elegushi gave the admonition during a special meeting with the league of Ulamahs. His advice came just as Saudi Arabia’s health ministry revealed that only people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 would be allowed to attend the Hajj exercise this year. The Commissioner urged intending pilgrims, Ulamahs and other stakeholders in the Hajj operations not to give room for...