MSME FEST: Increasing MSME's Productivity And Creating Jobs #FreeRegistration

Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises are recognized as key engines of economic growth in both developed and developing countries. MSMEs also play a vital role in the generation of employment opportunities, poverty alleviation and diversification of the economy. Research has shown that MSMEs generate revenues and GDP six times faster and creates jobs four times faster compared to larger businesses. According to studies by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), approximately 96% of Nigerian businesses are MSMEs compared to 53% in the United States with approximately 50% contribution to GDP and employment of over 50% of the working population. In Europe, 65% of businesses are MSMEs with approximately 50% contribution to GDP and employment of over 69.9% of the working population. In Germany, MSMEs represent 99.95% of all companies with an annual turnover of up to EUR 500 million and employ about 68% of the working population.

PROFILE

The total number of enterprises in Nigeria is 37, 067, 416

• Micro: 36,994,578
• Small: 68,168
• Medium: 4,670
• Highest number in Lagos and lowest number in Nassarawa.

EMPLOYMENT

S/N	CATEGORY	EMPLOYMENT
1	Micro Enterprises	Less than 10
2	Small Enterprises	10 to 49
3	Medium Enterprises	50 and above

CHALLENGES

1. Poor financial and credit support system: About 80% of MSMEs are constrained because of poor accessibility to financing.
2. High levels of unskilled staff: Lack of trained manpower and management skills also constitute a major challenge.
3. Inadequate basic infrastructure: Most MSMEs are constraint to growth due to the problem of poor basic infrastructures such as shortage of power supply, inadequate transport systems etc
4. Poor strategic planning: MSMEs lack proper sound planning skills, which hinders their progression.
5. Unstable policy environment: Instability in government policies has caused some MSMEs to collapse.

HISTORY

MSME Fest is a programme that is designed to assist Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises expand their productivity given their potential of providing millions of jobs.  The programme was launched in December 2011 and we have had five successful editions. We have reached over 800 MSMEs in both Abuja and Port Harcourt. Past editions have received sponsorship from Airtel, Access Bank, Visafone and other organizations.

THRUSTS OF THE PROGRAM

 The programme rides on 3 main thrusts:

1. Innovation in Business,
2. Performance Management and
3. Accessing Finance

MSME FEST 2016

Date: 23rd April 2016

Venue: Oriental Hotel, Lagos

Time: 10am

The programme is now in its 6th edition. The main focus of this edition is on Innovation in Business and Accessing Finance. The expected outreach is over 800 MSME owners with a profile of 60% women and 40% men. Experts from chosen areas of focus will deliver the programme sessions. The sessions are geared towards participants with different levels of experience, different positions and different areas of business.

The sessions are designed specifically to promote interactions between participants and the experts.

SESSIONS

The sessions will be held through formal plenary sessions and parallel presentations. The plenary sessions will consist of formal presentations on topics of common interest, which will serve as foundation for subsequent parallel presentations, which will allow opportunities for discussion among participants and speakers. 

LEVERAGING INNOVATION AS A GROWTH STRATEGY FOR MSMEs

The 21st century is racing at an unimaginable speed and Micro Small and Medium-scale Enterprise are faced with meeting the growing challenge of this fast-paced century requirements. MSMEs will have to meet the demand of its growing customers with pace and yet achievement the highest possible quality and standard.

This session will explore various innovative options and strategy that MSMEs can take advantage of to grow their business, increase productivity and create jobs; looking at various options including latest trends in Information and Communication Technology.

Panelists

• The carefully selected panelist for this session include:
• Yemi Saka – Ernst & Young
• Mosun Layode – Executive Director WINBIZ
• Ndidi Edozien  - Founder/Chair, Growing Business Foundation
• Frank Nweke II – Executive Chairman, The Cerebral Lemon Company

ACCELERATING AND OPTIMIZING MSMEs FINANCE PROCESSES FOR GROWTH STIMULATION.

The growing frustration of Micro Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in Nigeria in accessing viable financing option to stimulate the growth of their businesses is becoming ubiquitous.

Despite the various presentations of financing option by banks, about 93 per cent of Nigerians could not access loan in 2012, while about two-thirds of the population had access to informal money lenders and 71 per cent of loans were granted through family networks.

This session will explore the various ways of accelerating and optimizing available financing options and help stimulate the growth of MSMEs in the country especially at a time that support is being drummed up for Nigerian Made goods to increase the proportion of exported to imported goods.

Panelists

The carefully selected panelist for this session include:

• Olumide Lawson – CFA Sahel Capital
• Kehinde Oyeleke – Seedvest Group
• Mr. Kehinde Lawal – Investment Executive, GroFin
• Representative of the African Development Bank

Key Benefits to Participating MSMEs

Representatives from finance firms such as Grofin, Sahel Capital, CBN MSME Funds, African Development Bank, GEM Project of The World Bank, SMEDAN and Bank of Industry will also be present to provide specific information on how MSMEs can access finances effectively.

At the end of the programme, MSMEs will have the opportunity to build new business relationships, access various finance options, get more insight on how to increase productivity in all spheres, and access new products and services that will be beneficial to their growth.

Admission is free.

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Metro: Russian Nanny Beheads Four Year Old; Says Allah Asked Her To

The nanny accused of murdering a child in her care and brandishing the child’s severed head outside a metro station smiled after admitting ‘Allah ordered’ her to carry out the act.

Gulchekhra Bobokulova, a 38-year-old mother of three sons, also replied ‘yes’ when asked if she accepted her guilt as she entered the courtroom in Moscow, Russia.

In scenes that shocked the world yesterday, the hijab-wearing nanny was seen walking the streets of Moscow brandishing the head of Nastya Meshcheryakova for an hour before she was detained by police.

Her appearance in court comes a day after a police source revealed the babysitter had kept her schizophrenia a secret and was ‘kicked on to the streets’ after a divorce.

Bobokulova, who the Russian press has dubbed ‘the bloody nanny’ was asked as she walked towards the court room handcuffed to a police officer why she killed the child, and she replied: ‘Allah ordered me.’

And asked in court if she pleaded guilty, she nodded yes. Questioned if she felt sorry about the girl, she shook her head, evidently meaning no. Inside the court cage, she smiled and waved to journalists.

Speaking in broken Russian from the suspect’s cage, Bobokulova said: ‘Allah is sending a second prophet to give news of peace’ and also complained that she was ‘hungry’, had not been fed and would ‘die in a week’.

‘Hi to everyone,’ she said, waving at the crowd of journalists in the courtroom.

Investigator Olga Lapteva, who was clearly emotional, told the court that Bobokulova was suspected of committing an ‘extremely serious crime’ and that she should face ‘a mandatory prison sentence of considerably more than three years.’

Her appearance comes as pictures emerged showing the inside of the flat where the four-year-old’s headless body was discovered.

It has also emerged today that a mystery boyfriend may have been with her in the apartment at the time the child, Nastya Meshcheryakova, was killed.

Police apparently now believe that she was not the instigator of the crime.

She has confessed to killing the child but

Metro: Dominica Officials Open Up On Diezani's Foreign Citizenship And Diplomatic Passport

Two senior Dominican officials have addressed controversy surrounding the citizenship status of the former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Vince Henderson, Dominica’s permanent representative to the United Nations, and Emmanuel Nanthan said that as a part of Dominica’s Citizenship Programme the country issues the diplomatic passports to non-citizens. This aspect is a vital for the program as it motivates different foreign business leaders to serve as “ambassadors” for the Dominica ; Naij reports. 

Nanthan said, ''In the case of Alison-Madueke, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed her file over to a due diligence agency to perform the background check. You need to remember that when she went through the background check, she had not been charged with any crimes. She was a highly respected individual. Forbes had named her woman of the year, she had been the chairperson of OPEC in the past.” 

While Mr. Henderson added: “She was a public figure who was well known internationally. At the time there was no question about her bona fides nor was there any charge or allegation against her of which we were aware. 

“When a due diligence check is conducted on someone today, it looks at the past. It’s not a predictor of the future. Such criticism is not fair on the government. It’s like having a friend and you do not know they were involved in a criminal activity, that doesn’t make you a bad person. When we heard of the arrest, we immediately suspended our relationship with Alison-Madueke.”

-Naij.com

Metro: Man Stripped Self Naked In A Bank To Protest

Recently; an aggrieved bank customer decided the best way to get the attention of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) was to stripped  self down to boxers.

From the 6-minute video posted on Facebook by one Omowunmi Micheal, the young man claimed a sum of N150,000 vanished from his account and all his efforts to get it back proved abortive. After a month and few days, he resorted into pulling off his clothes in the banking hall so his money can be given back to him.

All efforts by the security men and other bank customers to get him together proved abortive as he continued ranting loudly in Yoruba language in the banking hall….saying before he can leave the place, his money must be given to him. Another photo after the cuts...

Nollywood Actress; Tonto Dikeh Is Now A Mother. Congrats!!!

The controversial actress announced the birth of her first child on her official Instagram page a few minutes ago.

At the moment it’s not clear if it’s a boy or girl, and details of where she delivered the child is still very sketchy, but she shared quite an emotional tribute.

Read Below….

‘Today I experienced the Greatest Miracle known to man. I can’t begin to explain the joy I feel, it’s super awesome.
I bless the Lord almighty for his protection/Safety and Strength and the birth of my Baby. My Pregnancy was such a beautiful one (Stress-free, Lovely, Spiritually great, Healthy and safe)’.

‘Please join me in welcoming my Baby into a perfect and loving World that GOD, My KINGKONG and I will create. I am overwhelmed and over joyed, I am a Mother now. Wow, that’s something I never saw coming but God is indeed the master planner of our lives’.

Ondo: Man Jailed For 18 Months Over N50,000 Theft

An Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State on Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old man, Daniel Olatunde, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N50, 000.

The accused, of no fixed occupation and address, who pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of stealing, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
The Magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola, while giving his ruling without an option of fine, said the offence was a criminal one and he wanted it to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ayodeji Omoyeigha, earlier said the accused on Feb. 8 around 12:00 p.m. along the Okitipupa-Erinje Road, entered the shop of one Bolanle Akinmusayo, to steal the N50, 000 from her bag.
Omoyeigha added that the accused committed the offence of stealing which was contrary to and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

EFCC Amends Charges Against Olisa Metuh

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought an amendment charge against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, one week after closing its case.

According to the Prosecuting Counsel, Mister Sylvester Tahir, the new charges will have no material effect on the earlier charges brought against Mr Metuh.

He says it’s an opportunity to effectively prosecute the case and asked the court to compel him to take his plea afresh.

Counsel to Mr. Metuh, Onyechi Ikpeazu did not object to the new charges and when it was time to take his plea, Mr. Metuh pleaded not guilty and also entered a no case submission.

The case has been adjourned to the February 25, 2016 to allow Mr. Metuh defend his no case submission through a written address which will be adopted on that day.

Mr Metuh was on January 28, 2016  released on bail.

Mr Metuh walked out of Kuje Prisons on Thursday afternoon after meeting the bail conditions given to him by the court.

A Federal High Court had on Wednesday, varied the bail conditions given to Mr Olisa Metuh.

Justice Okon Abang, signed his release warrant, upon being satisfied with the verification of the details of the two sureties provided by the accused and the title documents of the property owned by the sureties.

Buhari's Numerous Junketing Are To Correct Nigeria's "Pariah Status" Under Goodluck Jonathan -Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the many foreign trips President Buhari, has embarked upon since he came into office in May 2015, is correct Nigeria's "Pariah status"under Former President Jonathan's administration.

A pariah state is a nation considered to be an outcast in the international community.

Lai Mohammed said before the Buhari administration, many investors feared coming into Nigeria to invest because of Terrorism and Corruption. He said this while speaking to state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday February 17th.

"The personal presence of Mr President in many of this fora is so important and crucial because before now we were almost a pariah state and the two things that have been driving investment away from the country have simply been terrorism and corruption. One thing that nobody can fault this President on is his determination and sense of purpose in fighting this twin-evil. Before now the level of corruption was very high that nobody was ready to risk his investment in Nigeria. The cost of doing business was so high that most international businessmen didn’t want to come here. Who is coming to invest in a country where there is insecurity?”he said

Kano: Inferno Rocks Singa Market (Photos)

A fire outbreak at the popular Singa market in Kano state, destroyed many shops and goods worth millions of Naira this morning. Men of the state fire service are still working to put out the fire. More photos after the cut...

Lokoja: Kogi Speaker, Lawal Impeached

Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Momoh Jimoh Lawal has been impeached.

Also said to be impeached along the Speaker were the Majority Leader, Kolawole Matthew, Deputy Speaker, Alih Ajuh.

“New” Majority Leader of the House, Friday Sani said Lawal was impeached because he was running the House like a sole proprietor.

However, embattled Speaker, Momohjimoh Lawal whose two previous impeachment has remained inconclusive said the development is a ‘Kangaroo’ arrangement that can not pass under a sane atmosphere.

Details later...

Buhari Sacked The 26 Heads Of Parastatals Because They Are Saboteurs -APC John Oyegun

The National chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun has said that the 26 government agencies and parastatals whose Heads were sacked on Monday by president Mohammadu Buhari have been compromised.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after a meeting with president Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday, Oyegun who led members of the National Working Committee, NWC of APC said that the party was not particularly interested in filling the positions but was concerned with the “internal sabotage” that is pervasive in the institutions.

He however stated APC has not apologies for the gale of sack.

He said: “APC members were not concerned about the positions. We are concerned about the internal sabotage that is going on in a lot of the PDP filled positions which are critical to our national growth and development.

“It is happening in INEC, it is happening in a lot of other institutions and that is what the concern of the party is, not necessarily taking over, we should take over and they should be people who believe in the change agenda. We have no apologies for that at all, that is it.”

Asked how soon the positions could be filled up, Oyegun said “That is Mr. President’s discretion”.

Boko Haram: UN Releases $58million To Assist Internally Displaced Persons

The United Nations has released 58 million U.S. dollars to assist 2.4 million people affected by Boko Haram-related violence in 2015.

A document made available to the News Agency of Nigeria by an official of the Public Information in the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Kate Pond, said the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated the said amount from March 2015 to February 4, 2016.

“Since 2015, the Emergency Relief Coordinator has released more than 58 million U.S. dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for life-saving assistance in response to Boko Haram-related violence.

“The sum of 27.2 million U.S. dollars was allocated in March 2015 to assist more than 1.6 million internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees and host communities from Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

“An additional 31 million U.S. dollars was provided in late 2015 and early 2016 for life-saving humanitarian response for more than 700,000 affected people in the Lake Chad Basin region,” it said.

It also explained that with the support of CERF’s rapid response funds, humanitarian partners had been providing life-saving assistance and protection for the most vulnerable people.

Lagos: 5 Factory Workers Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing 'Ponmo' Worth N2.8m

Five factory workers were on Tuesday docked at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing their employer’s hides and skin (pomo) valued at N2.8 million.

The accused are three security guards — Nathaniel Ojo, 33; Olokwu Daniel, 30; and Jude Thomas, 25.

Others are Richard Daniel, 36, and Micheal Adejo, 23, both workers at Rainbow Network Ltd, Lagos.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime between November 2015 and Feb. 6 at No. 1, Kosemani St., Iju Ishaga, a Lagos suburb.

Ogu said the accused committed the offence while working as staff of Rainbow Network Ltd which specialises in the production of hides and skin (Pomo).

“The manager of the company, Mr Gbenga Ayodele, discovered that some sacks of `pomo’ valued at N2.8 million were missing from the warehouse.

As a result of this, the company sacked Thomas, the security guard on duty the day the theft was committed.’’

Ooni Of Ife Visits Buhari, Osinbajo At The State House

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, visited President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the state house today February 16th. See more photos after the cut...

I Go Dye Set To Celebrate 20 Years On Stage With World Tour For Charity

After two decades of thrilling his teeming fans with his rib cracking joke, popular comedian and united nation ambassador, Amb.Francis Agoda a.k.a I Go Dye will be embarking on a world tour.
We also gathered that the ace comedian will be taking his brand I Go Dye Standing to other European cities also to America,Canada and Asia. 


This year the comedian has decided to embark on his world tour to thank his fans for the love and support since the past two decades.

It will be remarkable on 28th March 2016 Easter Monday ‘BANK HOLIDAY’ An event for fun, comedy and music lovers, as I Go Dye will be standing on a “Diplomatic Mission,”. 

This event will be hosted by American star, Michael Blackson, also performing: Aphrican ape, Chris Mapane, IamDulo all the way from America, Timaya, I Go Save, 

This show is unveiled as one of his world tour starting with the UK tour at theindigo, O2 London, UK according to the UK event promoters Akinlolu JEKINS & Co/Cococure APP. 

This tour includes Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.
Watch video on YouTube: 
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2016 Budget: Business Analyst Advises Buhari To Improve Team Synergy

Business Market Analyst, Bayo Rotimi, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to always have internal discussions with his team and meet with them regularly.

He noted that the President and his team need to have a vision drive and a purpose to have one direction and ensure everyone has a matching order.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, the business analyst stated that one of the contributing factors to the issues facing the 2016 budget is the late swearing in of ministers, as “everything (about the budget) had to be done in a rush”.

Mr Rotimi criticized the controversies surrounding the budget as disappointing. He said that the government is supposed to be in continuity whether a new government has come in or not.

2016 Grammys: Selena Gomez Freaks Out As Taylor Swift Wins Best Music Video

Beating out big names like Pharrell Williams and Wiz Khalifa, the 26-year-old Taylor Swift just won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Music Video, thanks to her highly-talked about video for "Bad Blood," which featured all of her closest friends in the industry, including Selena Gomez.

See Selena Gomez's reaction...
See Selena Gomez's reaction:

3 Year Old Boy Died After His Learner Driver Mum Ran Him Over As She Parked Her Car

​3 year old Liam Turner was playing with his six year old sister on the passenger side of the car when inexperienced mum Lyndsay Turner, 34, got behind the wheel. She was trying to reverse the car into a parking bay, but she lost control and the vehicle shot forward and hit Liam.

Lyndsay who...

Continue reading...

Photo From The Special Remembrance Of Kid Actor, Olamide David

​Activist Dr. Joe Odumakin was a special guest who also gave a speech at a special remembrance event for late Nigerian kid actor Olamide David‎, who died last month. With her above are the parents of the boy Mr Adekunle and Bukola David. The event which is in commemoration of the life and time...

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Confusion Over Sacking Of 26 Heads Of Agencies, Commissions

THERE was considerable confusion following President Mohammadu Buhari’s order sacking the heads of 26 government agencies, parastatals and commissions .

The workings of government machinery were thrown into confusion in Abuja as soon as the news of the mass sacking was broken In Abuja, the nation’s capital where most of the chief executive officers operate, operations were temporarily suspended as it was not so easy to identify who to hand over to.

In a massive re-organisation announced through a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) David Babachir Lawal, the president directed those affected, mostly directors general to hand over to their most senior officers who are to begin acting with immediate effect pending the appointment of substantive chief executive officers (CEO).

The SGF’s statement reads in part: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate disengagement of the following chief executive officers of the under-listed parastatals, agencies and commissions.
“He has also approved that the most senior officers in the parastatals, agencies and councils oversee the activities of the organisations pending the appointment of substantive chief executive officers”.

Former President Obasanjo Awarded Abuja Rail Project Without Designs, MOUs; Senate Panel Finds

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded the Abuja Rail Project in 2007 with neither a design nor a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The then Minister of FCT and current governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, was said to have signed the contract based on an uncalculated estimate.

The revelation came as the committee discovered the contract, which stood at 60.67 kilometres, was inflated by $10 million (about N2 billion at N200 per dollar) per kilometre even as the length was later reduced to 45 kilometres without the refund of the cost for the 15.67 kilometres dropped.

To this end, the Senate committee, led by Dino Melaye has demanded the refund of the of $195,878,296.74 ( about N392 billion at N200 per dollar) being the amount for the 15.67 kilometres cut out from the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), handling the project.

Lagos: Nigerian Police Got The Worst Valentine Gift

Tragedy struck the Nigeria Police Force community yesterday as the Area Commander in charge of Area K Police Command, Morogbo, Mr. Osung Ekpo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) dies mysteriously while swimming in an undisclosed hotel in the city.

A Police source told reporters that the incident ‘was the worst valentine gift for the police’.

The Area Commander allegedly died in a swimming pool at a popular hotel in the Ajah area of Lagos.

It was gathered that Ekpo who was in company of his friends, had gone to celebrate St Valentine’s Day when he decided to swim and was drowned.

Eye witnesses said that he was rescued from the pool and was taken to the hospital but died few minutes later.

But Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police told The Guardian that the ACP had gone for a swimming exercise when the sad incident occurred.

Her words: “Yes, we lost ACP Ekpo, the Area Commander, Area K Command. He was exercising in a swimming pool when he died. I am preparing a press release, which I would send to you soon. “

Diplomatic: Iran Is Meddling In Nigeria's Affairs; Rights Group Alleges

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has petitioned the United States Embassy, alleging attempts by the Iranian Government to promote insurgency and undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria by its support for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the Shi’ites.

CESJET, in the petition at the weekend said the Shi’ite group has constituted itself into a parallel authority, with no regards for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The organisation, through its Diplomatic Affairs Representative, Philip Agbese, said the actions of the Iranian Government have been targeted at promoting insurgency and encouraging the breach of peace just to bring Nigeria to her kneels.

Lagos: Produce The Clients Of Rickey Tarfa (SAN); Court Orders EFCC

Justice Toyin Taiwo of the Lagos High Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce Gnanhoue Sourou Nazaire and Senou Modeste Finagnon, two foreign clients of a senior advocate of Nigeria, Rickey Tarfa, who were arrested ten days ago at the court premises.

The detained two Beninoise were arrested for alleged stealing by the anti-graft agency but failed to produce them in court yesterday, hence the order for production was issued.

The request for warrant of production was made by their counsel, Tarfa, who led John Olusegun Odubela, Abubakar Shamsudeen, Mumini Bamidele and Grant Onwuka.

Subsequently, Justice Taiwo issued warrant of production on EFCC to the effect that the anti-graft agency should bring them to court on Wednesday February 17, 2016.

In a commando-style, the accused were allegedly arrested inside the court room of a Lagos High Court along with Tarfa on February 5, 2016. They were alleged to have stolen some money which belong to Rana Prestige Manufacturer Industries Nigeria Limited, contrary to sections 285 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17 Vol. 2 of the Laws of Lagos State.

Health: Govt Begins Review Of National Health Policy To Align With UN Goals Under SDGs

A review of the national health policy to align it with the targets and goals of member states of the United Nations under the newly launched Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has begun, the Federal Ministry of Health has said.

The Head of Child Health at the Ministry, Dr. Bose Adediran, disclosed this at an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).

Adediran, who described the national health policy as Nigeria’s overall policy in healthcare delivery, also spoke of a new guideline developed by the Ministry to determine, among others, the causes of death in women. This, according to her, is to ensure prevention and better delivery of service.

2016 Grammy Awards: Full List Of Winners

The 58th edition of Grammy awards has just kicked-off. While all the action's going down, see below for a full list of 2016 Grammy Awards winners:

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern

Best Pop Solo Performance: Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

Best Rap Song: Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

Best Rap Performance: Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat, "These Walls"

Best Alternative Music Album: Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color

Best Rock Album: Muse, Drones

FIFA Presidency: CAF Dumps African Candidate, ‘Unanimously’ Backs Sheikh Salman

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Friday it was backing Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa as its candidate for the presidency of FIFA.

“The executive committee decided that CAF will give full support to Sheikh Salman with his candidacy for FIFA presidency,” CAF first vice-president Suketu Patel told reporters.

CAF second vice-president Almamy Kabele Camara said the decision was taken “unanimously”.

CAF has 54 votes at the disposal, the most of any of the world’s regional governing bodies, and four of the five contenders came to Rwanda’s capital to find out who Africa wants as its standard-bearer.

CAF chiefs meet on the sidelines of the African Nations Championship tournament being played in Kigali.

Sheikh Salman, from Bahrain, is the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

He faces UEFA’s number two Gianni Infantino, South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, Jerome Champagne, a former assistant secretary-general of FIFA, and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan. The vote for football’s top job is on February 26.