To ensure rapid socio – economic growth in line with the Change mantra of the present Administration, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, MMSD, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has expressed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with China Railway Investment Group Limited CRIG, in strengthening Mining investment drive through proper harnessing of the versed Mineral deposits across the various States of the Federation.

Speaking when the visiting team of China Railway Investment Group Limited paid him a courtesy call at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, he noted that the Ministry can avail them the opportunities of investment in priority areas of both Mining and Metal Sector once there is genuine expression of interest in the Sector that will facilitate the industrialization and prosperity of the nation.

The Minister canvassed for investment in Mining and processing some of the major minerals, which are readily available such as Gold, Bitumen, Barite, Led, Zinc, cobbalt, Lithium, coalta and coal, and gemstones, among about 44 discovered minerals abounding in the country. This, he said, will satisfy and expand both the local and international markets and ensure the GDP growth of the economy.

Arc. Adegbite hinted that the Ministry is likely to begin auctioning of Bitumen licences by October this year, adding that critical investors should utilise such ample opportunity to immensely contribute to the growth of the Solid Mineral Sector for a viable nation.

He also wooed investors to fully invest in the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, disclosing that about 13 to 14 minerals needed to produce Liquid Steel from the Plant are all available in Nigeria. The only thing remaining for it to kickstart production is the completion of the blast furnace.

He assured that the Ministry will provide them with literatures on the abundant minerals in the country and their usages to enable their investment choices.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegates, Dr. Sunny Okorie, said that their firm, which is a big consortium with over 50, 000 dollars turn over per annum had already invested in many businesses in Nigeria. He said the purpose of their visit was to seek investment opportunities in the Mining Sector for the benefit of the citizenry.

In his remarks the Acting Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT), Mr Yunusa Mohammed, promised the visiting team of the Ministry’s support in providing needed information on the Sector. He stressed that very serious investors are needed to que into this Sector of the economy in order to contribute to economic growth.

Chinwe Ekwugha

Imaginative Fear is one thing that has made a lot of Christians worry and fall out of faith. This has made it impossible for a lot of Christians to have true trust in God forgetting that God said to us, “fear not ” a whole lot of times in the Bible…so why do christians have this imaginative Fear.

Romans 12. 2 encouraged christians to be transformed by renewing of their mind. It is important that we as a Christian must renew and transform out lives in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Imaginative Fear has made a lot of Christians to loose not only trust but patience in the words of God. The imaginative fear has made a lot of Christian not to hear the voice of counsel and advise from people especially their pastors.

In 2nd Corinthian 4: 6 this verse also talked about renewal of spirit and killing the outward man. This renewal comes only when we have conquered the spirit of imaginative fear. Basically be courageous and fear not .

When Moses was dead. God told Joshua in a clear terms to “fear not” people are always afraid these days and this imaginative fear has lead people to do desperate things.

People must know that “fear will kill the person before the actual death ” that is why we are encouraged to eschew and avoid fear in all ramifications. A Christian worth his salt and that knows his value will never fear.

Fear is the main formula of defeat. We must know that for us to fail in life , the main ingredient is fear. So, why should you be afraid. Fear is the basic thing that would a spouse to spy on partners phones etc.

As a parent, don’t put fear in the lives of your children. Try and remove fear from them… We must understand that life is all about risk and challanges it is only the strong willed and courageous people would storm the weather of life . Fearful people can’t make it. So as a Christian face your fear!

I don’t like my maths teacher, you have started facing the fear of maths and for you to be good in maths you must first love the subject. Fear makes one selfish and unreliable. If you want to succeed in life fear must be replaced with faith

In the books of Psalm 37: 5 God said commit thy ways into the hands of God! You must start believing in God and thrusting him and not being afraid. Fear has done so much damage than good in many Christian homes. We must know that there s risk in being fearful and worrying….why worry when you can pray! Imagine the birds of the air. They always survive…this is the truth.

We must think right, our belief system is imperative here. We must start thinking right and start believing in positivity. We must understand that in life there is a time of preparation don’t think that this presentation time is a time that shouldn’t be used to fear but we must understand that it is a growth curve.

In 2nd Corinthian 3: 18, the bible said that what we see would trouble us and when we have a face to behold the glory of God and change to glory to glory. The chapter made it clear that our focus should be on God and that is where we have to derive our strength.

From
Faith Cathedral International Ministry
Egbeda
Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Uyo Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of two bank officials, Daniel Akpan Eno and Mbuk Idongesit before Justice Edem Ita Kufre of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar for conspiracy and theft of funds in the account of a deceased customer of a commercial bank.

The duo were convicted on Wednesday August 4, 2021 after pleading guilty to separate one count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent transfers. A third defendant, and alleged accomplice, Victor John Okon pleaded “not guilty”. His trial was adjourned till August 10, 2021 for consideration of bail application.

Justice Kufre convicted and sentenced Akpan to three months imprisonment with an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000.00), while Idongesit was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30, 000.00) fine.

The convicts’ journey to prison started on May 23, 2021 when Idongesit (alongside one Utibe George- currently at large) approached Akpan with the burial programme of one Godfried Godwin Osso, a deceased customer of the Bank, whom George(at large) claimed was his step – father, with a plot to steal from the deceased’s account.

On May 24, 2021, George concluded the deal with the convicts and also contacted a Teller (Victor Okon – the 3rd defendant) from another branch of the bank to ease access to the funds in the account of the deceased. A 50% sharing formula was agreed upon by the conspirators and the plot was executed.

The commission waded in following a petition from the bank, alleging suspicious dissipation of monies in the deceased account into the accounts of family members and acquaintances, from where they were diverted to personal use.
Investigation revealed that on June 19, 2019 Victor Okon connived with George Ifiok Utibe (at large) and received the sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1, 500, 000.00). Daniel Akpan also benefited the sum of One Million and Forty Thousand Naira (N1, 040, 000.00) while Godwin Mbuk benefited the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N130, 000.00) only

The judge ordered the convicts remanded at the Nigerian Correctional facility until they pay their fines, while Victor was remanded at the Commission’s detention facility pending the hearing of his bail application.

The Federal Government has vowed to deal decisively with all perpetrators of Rape and other Gender-Based Violence in the country.

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo made this known at the official launch of USAID’s Momentum Country and Global Leadership.

The Vice President who was represented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq said that the declaration by the federal government of Zero Tolerance to Rape and other forms of Gender Based Violence is a step in the right direction in fighting Gender Based Violence in Nigeria.

“Mr. President directed the Inspector-General of Police to deal with all perpetrators further to the declaration of Zero tolerance to Rape and other Gender-Based Violence as well as constant engagement with the Police on the need to promptly address issues of Gender Based Violence.

“This declaration of Zero Tolerance to Rape and other forms of Gender Based Violence, including Harmful Traditional Practices is a giant stride and a step in the right direction in fighting Gender Based Violence in Nigeria”

“It is time we rise up to the challenges posed by this menace and constantly speak out against this evil perpetrated by mindless individuals. As such, I want to join my voice to all the voices gathered here today to say no to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria. It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council on 10th June, 2020 had unanimously declared zero tolerance against Gender-Based Violence in the country in view of the hues and cries that trailed the unacceptable spike in Gender-Based Violence during the Covid-19 pandemic lock-down.

“This resulted in the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Gender-Based Violence Management Committee on 23rd June, 2021 to proffer a synchronized approach to address all forms of violence against women and children in the country,” the minister said.
Umar Farouq noted that violence against women has not only impacted on the society and the economy but also restricted women due to limited access to education, employment and finances.

“As a Nation, we will continue to boldly condemn Gender-Based Violence (GBV), so long as it continues to impact negatively on survivors, victims, families, broader society and economies of Nations.

“From available information, we are more than ever convinced that Gender Based Violence is driven by structural inequalities and unequal power relations that render women subordinate to men due to limited access to education, employment, finances, healthcare and opportunities to contribute to their families, communities and the nation’s economic growth”.

The Minister praised the minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen for her doggedness and advocacy against Gender Based Violence in the country while thanking USAID and other donors. She also called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the course of ending GBV in Nigeria.

The Charge D’Affairs of the US Embassy Kathleen FitzGibbon, Representative of Ebonyi State Governor Chief Emmanuel Umezurike, Representative of the Sokoto state Governor, the Permanent Secretary of the Women Affairs Ministry, Head of USAID Dr. Anne E. Patterson, Country Director of UN, Civil Society Organization, heads of agencies and other dignitaries attended the official launch of the USAID’s Momentum Country and Global Leadership.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE

Silver Medalist Blessing Oborududu and bronze medalist Ese Brume have been rewarded with their cash reward of $10,000 and $7500, respectively in a ceremony held at Grand Prince Hotel, Tokyo Japan on Tuesday.

Oborududu and Brume were presented their cash by the Honourable Minister Sunday Dare.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister Sunday Dare said “There’s no point delaying the reinforcement of these athletes who have made the country proud, that is the reason they were rewarded immediately for their record breaking performance”

Cc: @hmsundaydare @esebrume

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