NEWS

President Buhari Gives N-Power Graduates Extra N4,500

Published

7 years ago

March 16, 2017

President Muhamamdu Buhari has approved an additional N4500/monthly to all the 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries to purchase a computer tablet or i-Pad which would be loaded with different applications that would further enhance their skills.

The payment for the device would be stretched for 20 months, with the subsidy by government covering the repayment in some months.

Bank of Industry, BoI is financing the acquisition of the tablets.

According the Mr. Laolu Akande, the SSA media in the Vice President’s office, each N-Power graduate, after being verified would select his choice of device amongst nine different BOI pre-approved vendors.

Akande made known this new dimension of the N-Power programme while giving an update today.

Repayment ranges between N3,000 to N6,700 monthly.

“Therefore in some cases the N4500 device grant would cover the full monthly deduction cost while in other cases the graduate authorises BOI to deduct the additional differential cost from their monthly stipends depending on the device chosen”, said Akande..

The Vice President’s spokesman also noted that 6 of the 9 BOI pre-approved vendors are indigenous local brands in pursuit of the Buhari administration’s push for Local Content. Also Read; Update N-Power: Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes In Top Gear Across The Nation

He said almost 100,000 graduate N-Power beneficiaries have completed their orders for the devices, adding that the Bank of Industry is in charge of effecting the orders made.

“The plan is to conduct the order of the devices in two batches of 100,000 each, one after the other”, Akande added.

According to Akande, at the last count 149, 669 Nigerian graduates of the 200,000 engaged by the Federal Government under the N-Power Volunteer Corps are now collecting their monthly stipends of N30,000 monthly having been physically verified and deployed across the 36 states and FCT.

He said the beneficiaries on government pay roll have been physically verified and deployed, while their bank accounts have also been matched with the Bank Verification Number.

The SSA said that, in December, about 112,475 of the N-Power graduate beneficiaries received the N30,000 monthly stipends, and the number came close to 150,000, both in January and February meaning about that number are now receiving their up-to-date stipends from the N-Power Volunteer Corps.

Akande also noted that now beneficiaries across the 36 States of the Federation, and the FCT have been verified, totaling the 150,000 figure. He said the balance 50,000 of the 200,000 beneficiaries engaged by the FG are those who so far could not be paid for various reasons.

This includes those who were disqualified during verification on the basis of age-over 35, and inadequate academic qualification. The N-Power is for university, polytechnics and College of Education graduates only. There were also some of the selected 200,000 who were ‘no shows’ meaning they simply did not report for verification at all.

Others who could not be paid were those whose personal information details were faulty, including those whose marital status had changed. There are also those who used different names and differing personal information. And lastly there are also those whose banking information simply do not match with their BVN banking records.

In the case of those whose marital status have changed, Akande explained that their information is now being updated through the various States and FCT Focal Persons and then they would be represented for payment. He also disclosed that those who have sought redeployment to other states are among the 50,000 and in such cases, they will be considered alongside those to be replaced from the N-Power waiting list where necessary.

The process for the replacement of those who did not show up and those disqualified would also resume shortly to bring the number back to 200,000 for the first batch of the 500,000 promised by the Buhari administration.

Youths applying for the Federal Government’s N-power program

SOURCE: NAN

NEWS

Enugu State Governor Names Street After Viral Musician, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Reporter

Enugu State governor names street after Mike Ejeagha | fab.ng

People often hailed Gentleman Mike Ejeagha as the grandfather of Igbo folk music. He has remained an iconic figure in Nigerian music for over six decades. His influence in the genre is unparalleled, and his timeless work continues to resonate with audiences today.

Recently, his 1983 classic, “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche“, experienced a resurgence in popularity when comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter featured it in a viral video. This newfound fame has brought Ejeagha’s work to the attention of a younger generation. Recognizing his immense contributions to music and culture, the Enugu State government honoured the 90-year-old musician by naming a street after him.

On September 2, 2024, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State inaugurated several newly constructed roads. One of these roads was renamed Abakpa Road in honour of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.

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Enugu State officials honoured the legendary musician, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.

The legendary musician hails from Imezi Owa in the Eziagu Local Government Area, for his lasting impact on Igbo folk music and culture. The governor made a special visit to Ejeagha’s residence. Emma Ejeagha and Elizabeth Ugwu warmly welcomed the governor upon his arrival at their father’s residence. They are both the children of the renowned musician. They expressed their gratitude to the governor for fulfilling promises made by previous administrations to honour their father’s legacy.

At the street commissioning ceremony, Governor Mbah delighted residents by joining them in the viral “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance steps.

The viral success of “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” was sparked by Brain Jotter‘s Instagram video on July 5, 2024. This has rekindled widespread interest in Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s life and career. The song features a clever folklore tale about the cunning tortoise (Mbe) and the mighty elephant (Enyi). This is one of the highlife legend’s most notable works.

Listeners cherish Ejeagha’s music for its incorporation of moral teachings, a wealth of proverbs, and insightful social commentary. Yet, they remain an integral part of Nigerian musical heritage, speaking to generations past and present.

NEWS

Ayra Starr Expresses Sentiments Over Murder Of Christiana Idowu

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Reporter

Ayra Starr expresses anger over murder of student | fab.ng

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has expressed her outrage over the abduction and murder of Christiana Idowu by Adeleye Ayomide. Christiana is a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

On September 5, 2024, Ayra Starr took to X, passionately calling for better treatment of women in society and demanding justice for the slain student. Her message emphasized the need for immediate action to address violence against women and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

She wrote, “Stop killing us! Stop raping us! Women deserve better #JusticeForChristianah.”

Stop killing us ! Stop raping us ! Women deserve better #JusticeForChristianah

— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) September 5, 2024

The 300-level student from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Christiana Idowu, was abducted along the Ikorodu-Yaba Road in August 2024.

Christiana Idowu

The kidnappers contacted her parents using her WhatsApp account. This prompted her parents to report her missing on August 19, 2024. They sent pictures of Christiana in captivity through WhatsApp’s “view once” feature, demanding ₦1.5 million in ransom. Her parents managed to raise ₦350,000, which they transferred to a betting account as instructed by the kidnappers.

After receiving the money, the kidnappers asked for a copy of the sender’s bank statement. On August 23, Christiana’s family complied, but the kidnappers cut off all contact shortly after. Investigators traced some of the ransom money to Christiana’s GTB account. Then, someone transferred this money to a Wema Bank account. The account belonged to Adeleye Ayomide, a 200-level student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). Investigators identified Ayomide as the primary suspect.

Adeleye Ayomide, the primary suspect.

On September 3, 2024, police arrested Ayomide, who confessed to killing Christiana and burying her body at his family home.

Get more news updates here.

MUSIC

Fireboy’s “Peru” Gets Diamond Certification In France

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Reporter

'Peru' diamond certification in France | fab.ng

Fireboy‘s “Peru,” released in 2021, quickly became a global sensation, securing a diamond certification in France. The song charted in several countries, including the US, UK, and France. The Afrobeats rhythmic song resonated with audiences worldwide, earning it a commercial success across multiple regions.

Significantly, the song secured the highest certification for a song in France. The remix features British superstar Ed Sheeran, who played a crucial role in propelling the track to international stardom. This version of “Peru” not only charted in over 20 countries but also made a showing on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 53. In the UK, it soared to No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart. Again in France, it reached No. 28, solidifying its status as a global hit.

The success of “Peru” extends beyond just chart performance.

Across both the original and remix versions, the track has amassed over 450 million streams on Spotify alone. It has been awarded a gold plaque in Denmark and achieved double platinum status in the UK. Notably, “Peru” is one of the select Afrobeats songs to earn a platinum certification from the RIAA, further cementing its place in the genre’s history.

Fireboy DML’s “Peru” featuring Ed Sheeran is now certified Diamond in France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/o3Wm75zJS6

— Unorthodox Reviews (@OfficialBlog_UR) September 2, 2024

Featured on Fireboy’s third album, “Playboy”, “Peru” catapulted him to international fame. This success earned him a BET nomination and a coveted performance slot at the 2022 edition of the awards. Fireboy’s ability to fuse Afrobeats with global appeal has established him as one of Nigeria’s leading musical exports.

With its recent diamond certification in France, “Peru” joins the ranks of other Nigerian hits.

This includes Oxlade’s “Kulosa,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” and Rema’s “Calm Down,” all of which have received SNEP diamond certification.

Building on this momentum, Fireboy continues his global ascent with the release of his fourth album, “Adedamola”. The project features collaborations with prominent artists such as Lagbaja, Grammy nominee Seun Kuti, Lojay, and Grammy Album of the Year winner Jon Batiste, showcasing his ever-expanding influence in the music industry.