Making Amends

An indigenous firm, Zeepro International Ltd., on Tuesday donated sports equipment to the Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation (NMPF) in Lagos. Zepro donated fencing uniforms and helmets, Olympic table, two laser guns, water dispenser and microwave. Pentagon is an Olympic sport that comprises five events. They are fencing, 200m free style, swimming, show jumping with horse and a final combined event of pistol shooting and a 3200m cross country run. Zephrynus Ikeh, the CEO of the firm, who described himself as sport enthusiast, said he was delighted to contribute to sports development.

In the lead up to the March 28, 2015 presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari made some campaign promises on certain issues such as security, corruption and economy, among others. One year after, observers, while assessing Buhari’s achievements, note that he has performed creditably while some think one year hasnt pulled out any result. Analysts insist that in spite the falling oil price in the international and its attendant effect on the nation’s economy, the Buhari-led Federal Government is prudently wading through the storm. They say the menace of Boko Haram insurgency, which has significantly hampered nation-building efforts, has been appreciably contained; while the residents of the north-eastern parts of the country – the main theatre of the insurgency -- are now having some respite. More so, the analysts argue that pervasive corruption, which has hitherto bedevilled the country, is being tackled headlong, even as Nigeria’s external image in terms of anti-cor

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, says the World Bank is working closely with the Federal Government to review the country’s privatised mining enterprises. Fayemi, who made this known in an interview with Newsmen said the collaboration was with a view to making the privatised enterprises functional. He said the bank would also help Nigeria exploit its minerals to achieve its planned diversification of the economy. Fayemi said the ministry had developed a road map, according to the diversification task given to it by the Federal Government. He said the road map for the sector stated the vision, focus and the strategies that could be used to grow the solid minerals sector. The minister said the committee set up to produce the road map came up with a robust document, which outlined priority areas and how to mine in commercial quantity. Fayemi said mining was about exploration, adding: ``you can say you have 200 minerals; it doesn’t mean much, if yo

Three hostages being held by militants in the Philippines have appeared in a video pleading for their governments to meet the captors' demands. The Canadian, Norwegian and Filipino men are being held by Abu Sayyaf, the Islamist militant separatists who last week beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel. In the video, the hostages say if the demands are not met "we will be executed like our friend John". Abu Sayyaf has previously demanded a multi-million dollar ransom. The Philippines and Canadian government have said they will not give in to ransom demands. The Philippines has also launched a military operation against the militant group.