President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero,
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, is to be flown abroad for medical treatment for the injuries he sustained during a protest in Owerri, Imo State.
NLC Publicity Secretary, Benson Upah confirmed the development to the Nation newspaper.
According to him, the NLC president could not be treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, because of the nature of the injuries he sustained during the scuffle. Recall that the NLC president was in Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, to mobilize Imo workers for a protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of the rights and privileges of workers by the state government.
However, following the large turnout of protesters, Ajaero was whisked away by alleged operatives of the Nigeria Police.
He was later released with injuries on his face, revealing that he was brutalised and manhandled by those who kidnapped him momentarily.
The House of Representatives has removed the controversial N5 billion presidential yacht from the 2023 supplementary budget.
The budget was passed on Tuesday by the House after adopting the report submitted by the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Abubakar Bichi from Kano State.
The Committee of Supply considered the recommendations of the Appropriations Committee and passed the bill. Bichi, after the passage of the budget, spoke with journalists and announced that the controversial presidential yacht was removed by the committee.
He stated that the N5 billion was moved to the Student Loans.
It would be recalled that the proposal by President Bola Tinubu had included spending N1.5 billion on vehicles for the office of the First Lady, N5 billion on a presidential yacht, and another N12.5 billion on the presidential air fleet.
There are ongoing campaigns on social media to stop the National Assembly from approving the supplementary budget, however, the bill has been given speedy approval.
Following the passage of the bill, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that the president would sign the bill on Friday.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday, defended the N18bn contained in the proposed supplementary budget for the commission when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
The INEC chairman was among the guests who appeared before the committee. He explained that the N18bn in the supplementary budget is not entirely for the conduct of the Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo governorship elections, but majorly personnel cost.
According to the INEC chair, chairman, N1.6bn would be used to conduct 11 by-elections in constituencies and senatorial districts across the country.
Yakubu said, “The N18bn in the supplementary appropriation is not all for the conduct of elections. Actually, the substantial part of it is about personnel cost.
“You will recall that in April this year, there was a 40 per cent increase in peculiar allowance to public servants. It was not provided for in our 2023 budget because the budget was passed in December last year so it couldn’t have made provision.
“We have one of the largest workforces in the country, over 15,600 staff and it is not easy to find the money to pay in the absence of supplementary appropriation. So, we made a case to the government and we have been included in this supplementary appropriation.
“For the component dealing with 40 per cent peculiar allowance, for the 16,614 staff of INEC, will require N10.6 billion and we have made provision for that”.
Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene launching the Relax City Real Estate office in Sunyani
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Relax City Real Estate, Mr. Emmanuel Sansa, has pledged quality services of the company, which span a wide spectrum, from helping clients find their dream home, or investment property to managing and developing real estate projects.
According to Mr. Sansa, Relax City Real Estate provides assistance in land documentation, property management, land surveying, and demarcation for its clients.
“At Relax City Real Estate, we are a one-stop destination for all your real estate needs,” he said, and added that the next chapter in the company’s journey was one filled with opportunities and possibilities for clients.
Speaking at the launch of the company’s office in Sunyani, Mr. Sansa said what sets Relax City Real Estate apart was not just the services the company offers, but the people behind it.
“Our team is experienced, dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable; and they are here to ensure that your real estate experience is smooth and successful,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Sansa, CEO for Relax City Real Estate
The CEO recognised the public trust in the products and services of the company, and attributed its growth to the enormous support from its clients and partners.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us, our clients, and partners. Your support has been the driving force behind our growth, and we promise to continue serving you with dedication and integrity. Our success is your success, and, together, we will reach new heights,” he said.
Mr. Sansa said his real estate company was currently producing some of Sunyani’s most innovative, livable, and community-focused structures.
He pointed out that his team was fully in charge of land surveys, accurate demarcation, stress-free rental assistance, meticulous land record keeping, efficient property administration, and acquisitions.
“The company takes great pride in its skilled artisans and management who have the expertise to finish any real estate project,” he said.
Mr. Sansa urged players in the private sector to step in to make housing affordable and available to the numerous Ghanaians.
“Relax City Real Estate has responded to the urgent call to make housing units affordable to all classes of people in the Bono region and across the country and we would like to urge other private sector players to step because despite the extreme economic difficulties facing the country, housing is essential to human survival,” he said.
The Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, who was the Special Guest of Honour, commended the company for setting up in Sunyani, and pledged the support of the Bono Regional Coordinating Council in achieving its goals.
She urged the company to conduct credible research before making any moves. The Regional Minister said the company needed to devote a lot of time to research. “This entails the sourcing of a potential site to determine its viability, the type of developments to undertake, and how best to implement the concept while fully exploiting available resources.”
“With real estate, it’s very important to get it right before putting in any resources because it will save you from low uptake and mitigate market dynamics,” the Regional Minister added.
Madam Owusu-Banahene also said it was very important for the company to involve qualified architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors throughout the whole design and construction period.
“Putting up a house might seem pretty straightforward until you are in the middle of a project and everything starts to go wrong. A good project team will assist in managing the risks associated with the project and also ensure the project is properly executed within the desired time and cost,” she said.
Project quality
Madam Owusu-Banahene observed that throughout the project life, there would be instances when the company would have to cut back on some expenses and revise its costs.
She, however, cautioned that while some changes might seem favourable for the short term, they could have far-reaching repercussions later in the project. “Whatever adjustments you make must not compromise on the quality of the project,” she emphasised.
Statutory approvals
The Regional Minister appealed to the company to follow laid down processes in the real estate development sector, including approvals and certifications. “Whenever any of these is skipped, it places the whole development at risk of contravening the law. This might result in the demolition of project or delays in construction, which could lead to loss of investment.”
Play space
Madam Owusu-Banahene urged the company to consider including play spaces for clients’ kids of clients when constructing two-and three-bedroom homes which are now in high demand by most people.
According to the minister, children’s social and cultural development will be enhanced by this provision created by developers.
She observed that these days, some people want to build massive houses without considering the playgrounds of their kids which does not help in their overall development.
She further appealed to the company to make use of more local labour to improve the local economy of the region and consider opening up branches in the 12 districts of the region to increase jobs opportunities.
Green environment
Madam Owusu-Banahene reminded estate developers to include tree planting around homes and other commercial properties to protect and beautify the environment.
The General Manager of Relax City Real Estate, Mr. Miracle Owusu Ansah declared that Relax City Real Estate gave assurance that the operations of the company would benefit the entire Bono region and beyond.
He urged clients to keep faith with the company for all of their home needs.
“I have to admit that one of our biggest ambitions has come to pass today. I am confident in my highly qualified personnel, and I know we will fulfill the desires of our customers in the Bono region,” he said.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was born on 7 October 1963 in Tamale, Ghana. He is 59 years old. His father, the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, was the former Chairman of the Council of State from 1992 to 2000. Dr Mahamudu’s mother is called Hajia Mariama Bawumia. She passed away in September 2021 at the age of 81.
The vice president is the second of his mother’s five children and the 12th of his father’s 18 children. He attended Sakasaka Primary School and later enrolled at Tamale Secondary School in 1975.
He moved to the UK after completing his secondary education, where he earned the Chartered Institute of Bankers Diploma (ACIB) qualification. He continued his undergraduate studies at Buckingham University, graduating with first-class honours in 1987. He also earned a master’s degree in Economics from Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1988 and a doctorate in economics from Simon Fraser University in Canada in 1995.
In 2000, he returned to Ghana to work as an economist at the Bank of Ghana. He progressed from a senior economist to the governor of the bank. In June 2006, President J.A. Kufuor named him deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana. In the 2008 elections, when he was only 45, Dr. Bawumia was chosen as the running mate of the New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is Ghana’s 7th Vice President, where he chairs the country’s Economic Management Team and oversees the implementation of several innovative policies and programs, among other operations.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong was born 16 June 1960 to Francis Ohene Kofi Agyapong and Mrs. Mary Nsiah at Assin Dompim in the Central Region of Ghana. He had his secondary education at Adisadel College in the Central Region. Agyapong holds a GCE A-Level and studied at the Fordham University, New York, USA. He is a farmer and businessman, director of Assin Farms, Supercare Group of Companies and Hollywood Shopping Centre.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Ohene Agyapong entered politics when he represented Assin Central in parliament for the New Patriotic Party in the year 2000. He retained his seat in the year 2004and 2008 parliamentary elections. In 2012, he was elected in the new seat of Assin Central and was re-elected in 2016. He also retained his seat in the 2020 general elections. He is currently the Chairman of the Parliament’s Defense and Interior Committee.
In May 2022, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong announced his candidacy for the flagbearer position within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). He emphasized that his decision is resolute and final. The MP for Assin Central, revealed his intention to compete in the upcoming NPP presidential primaries for the 2024 general elections. According to a report from classfmonline.com, Kennedy Agyapong made this announcement on his television network on Monday, May 16, 2022.
He is a Christian and married with 22 children.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto holds M.Sc. and PhD degrees in Agricultural Economics from the University of Cambridge, England. He worked as an Economist, Senior Economist, Principal Economist, and Chief Economic Advisor over a period of 18 years at the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in London, England.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
He has also worked as a consultant to the World Bank and the United Nations on Soft Commodities (Cocoa, Coffee, Sugar). Between 1995 and 2007, he was the CEO of two international commodity companies, Goldcrest Commodities Limited and Plantation Resources Limited both based in Ghana.
In 2008 he was elected to the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. He spent two terms as Member of Parliament for Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. In Parliament, he held the positions of Deputy Ranking Member and subsequently the substantive Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs until 2017.
In 2017 he was appointed the Minister for Food and Agriculture. In this role he has spearheaded the design and implementation of the Government of Ghana’s popular and transformational agricultural flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
He was born in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, a Christian married with 8 children.
Francis Addai-Nimoh
Born March 23, 1965, Francis Kwabena Addai-Nimoh is a Christian and married with three children. The indigene of Mampong-Nyampong in the Ashanti Region, studied Civil Engineering, obtaining his BSc Honours from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 1993.
Francis Addai-Nimoh
After his first-degree he worked for a few engineering firms, gaining experience in data collection, road design, contract specification and construction supervision.
He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers, and also holds an Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (2009).
Previously, he had acquired knowledge and skills in International Procurement from the International Law Institute, Washington in 2004, also a learning Programme and Project Management at RIPA, in 2006 in London, and enhancing his Negotiation Skills, Contract Management and Administration at the Ghana Institution of Engineers in 2005.
In 2008, Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh entered into the country’s political space. His first election campaign saw him winning a seat as Member of Parliament for the Mampong Constituency in the Ashanti region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party until 2017.
He served as the Ranking Member of Parliament on the Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology from 2013-2017. Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh, took leave from Parliament in 2017.
Mzbel has revealed that her son, Aaron Adepa Amoah, popularly known as Okomfo Black, whose viral interview about religion sparked controversy on social media is facing isolation at school due to his recent comments about the existence of God.
In expressing his disbelief about the existence of God, Okomfo Black said his mother is his creator since she the one he sees and provides for him and not an unseen being.
A Facebook post by a user said that some Christian parents might advise their children not to befriend Mzbel’s son after his interview.
In reaction to this, Mzbel shared the post with a caption, “Yes, it’s already happening at his school.”
In the interview, the 10-year-old Okomfo Black shared unconventional views about God, emphasizing that he does not perceive God as a parental figure. He asserted that his mother is the one who cares for him and provides for his needs, while God does not do anything for him.
The interview sparked criticism regarding Mzbel’s parenting choices and allowing her children to discuss sensitive topics in public.
In defense of her son, Mzbel explained in an Instagram post that they do not believe in the existence of an almighty God. Instead, they view everything with life as a god, including the importance of honoring their ancestors.
Mzbel emphasized that they acknowledge and honor all forms of life during their libation ceremonies, and they pay tribute to their ancestors whose blood and spirit run through them.
“So far, Daddy has undergone five successful surgeries, and he is still recovering in the ICU. Daddy is immensely grateful, and we are thankful to the general public during this phase of our lives. We appreciate all the donations made to this account, 1685687982, John I Okafor, Access Bank” the family of the ailing Nollywood Actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has given an update on his health status.
“Thank you, and as soon as Daddy is better, he will personally acknowledge all donations!
We are still counting on all your prayers and unwavering support as we pray he gets stabilised quickly to enable us to fly him abroad for further advanced treatment. The John Okafor family is grateful to all Nigerians,” the family concluded.
This comes after the comic Actor went public about his ailment, on October 18, when he made a passionate appeal and announced a fundraiser to offset his medical bills at a Lagos hospital.
He said he had been hospitalised for two weeks because of a “strange and dangerous illness”. The Actor, who turned 62 in October, also said the doctor had hinted that his legs might be amputated.
In the video, Mr Ibu, who lay on the hospital bed in the company of his wife and daughter, said, “ As I speak to you, I am still lying down in the hospital; the medical director of this hospital said that the best solution is that, in case his new idea didn’t work, the best idea is to cut off my leg.
“Just see me; if they cut off my leg, where do I go from here? Please pray for me, talk to God Almighty, and I don’t want my legs to be cut off. Thank you so much. God bless you.”
Following his public outcry, the Bukola Saraki Foundation later announced that they had offset his hospital bills. The announcement caused a setback because his fans stopped contributing to the lifeline, thinking the Foundation had cleared all his accounts.
“My Heart Will Go On” singer, Celine Dion made her first public appearance in nearly four years on Monday night, attending an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The singer was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in December 2022.
Despite her health challenges, the 55-year-old internationally acclaimed singer appeared in good spirits as she posed for photos with fans and players, and engaged in a lively post-game chat with the Montreal Canadiens players in their locker room.
She attended the game with her son René-Charles and twins, Eddy and Nelson.
Dion’s stiff person syndrome diagnosis forced her to cancel her Courage World Tour in March 2020.
The disorder is rare and progressive, causing stiff muscles in the torso, arms, and legs. There is no definitive cure.
In August, Dion’s sister Claudette Dion publicly shared her sister’s ongoing struggle with the ailment. She expressed support for Celine’s decision to cancel her tour, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s body and taking the necessary time to rest.
US Singer, Britney Spears memoir ‘The Woman in Me’ has officially been out for just over a week and has sold 1.1 million copies.
In a release Wednesday from Simon and Schuster’s Gallery Books, Spears said, “I poured my heart and soul into my memoir, and I am grateful to my fans and readers around the world for their unwavering support.”
The release reveals ‘The Woman in Me’ sold 1.1 million copies in the United States — that’s including print, pre-sales, e-books and audibooks.
While Britney’s figures may seem staggering, Prince Harry’s book, ‘Spare’ sold 1.6 million copies in the United States in the first week.
However, Britney barely did any press to promote her book so the number is impressive regardless.
Her email exchange interview with People Magazine was the only one-on-one she did about the book and the rest was up to her social media posts.
The book itself came with plenty of headlines though, including bombshells about her relationship with Justin Timberlake and his pushing her to get an abortion as well as allegations about her family and her time in the conservatorship.
It is not clear whether Edgar Lungu will lose immunity from prosecution
Zambia’s government has withdrawn retirement benefits and privileges from former President Edgar Lungu following his decision to return to active politics.
Mr Lungu lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, after which he announced his retirement.
After six years in office he left the country facing serious economic issues as Africa’s most indebted nation.
His return to politics sets a stage for a bruising 2026 presidential race.
The former president has already been notified about the immediate withdrawal of his retirement benefits and privileges, according to government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa.
He said it was clearly stated in the law that former presidents who returned to politics would lose their benefits.
As a retired president, Mr Lungu was entitled to three security officers, a diplomatic passport, three state cars, a furnished house, medical insurance and funeral expenses on his death.
He also enjoyed immunity from prosecution.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Mweetwa said the former leader would now be treated with “equality of the law”, just like any other senior citizen of the country.
Mr Lungu is aiming to capitalise on growing dissatisfaction with the continued economic hardships in the country under his successor.
