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AGN to Organise Befitting Burial for Rachel Oniga, Raises Fund for Family
By Theresa Moses
Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), an umbrella union that regulates and represents the affairs of film actors in Nigeria and abroad is raising funds to give Veteran Actress, Chief Rachel Etabuno Oniga a befitting burial and support her immediate family.
As a result, the national body has set up a Committee to raise funds, championed by the Vice President, Southwest, Chief Femi Branch, who doubles as an active member of Lagos state Chapter.
It was revealed that donation should be paid to *Account Number: 0231171925; Account Name: SLEEK INITIATIVE with GT BANK.*
A subtle statement by the Chairman appeals to all actors to contribute at least #1,000 (One thousand naira) which is a constitutional obligation to all members to “support our veteran’s burial.
“Those who can contribute more please, don’t hesitate. God always blesses a cheerful giver. Let us show love to our departed legend by paying up our levy. It’s Mama Rachael Oniga today; no one knows the hour it will happen to anyone else. Let us be prepared by doing the right thing and making up with our God at all times,” he reiterated.
The Actors who are also organising a “Nite of Tribute” for the late iconic actress, according Femi Branch, calls on all members to attend the Nollywood Nite of Tributes for Chief Rachel Etabuno Oniga on Saturday, 21st August, 2021 at Blue Roof Top, LTV Premises, Agidingbi Road, Coca-Cola Bus stop, Ikeja, Lagos, by 3:00 pm with the Dress Code: “All White.
“With support from Lagos State Ministry of Information, Lagos State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, all Nollywood Guilds and Associations and Committee of Friends are fully involved.
Branch reminded members to always stay safe at all times by maintaining maximum health consciousness and observing the Covid-19 guidelines to the latter. The battle is far from being over as the world is experiencing the third and most deadly wave in the history of the pandemic.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications (State House).
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement, on Thursday.
A former aide of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Bwala worked actively for his former principal who lost to Tinubu.
However, after the elections, he worked his way into the camp of Tinubu, sparking controversy.
Onanuga also announced the appointments of three directors-general of various agencies.
They are:
(1) Mr. Olawale Olopade — Director-General, National Sports Commission
(2) Dr. Abisoye Fagade — Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism
(3) Dr. Adebowale Adedokun — Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement
Olopade, the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector.
He served as commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun state and was chairman of the local organising committee of the 2024 National Sports Festival.
The new Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions.
Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of Research/Training and Strategic Planning at the bureau before his appointment.
Daily Trust
Globacom has received commendation from the Vice Chancellor of BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State, Professor Jonathan Oyebamiji Babalola, for consistently delivering digital services to the university over the years.
This acclamation was made by Professor Babalola during a business meeting in his office at the University of Iwo in Osun State, when he hosted a team from Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group.
The VC conveyed how much he enjoyed working with Globacom and encouraged the company to keep up its uninterrupted services to the academic community.
In order to help the university fulfill its mission of creating better products and advance the frontiers of academic development, he also asked Globacom to support BOWEN University through a number of CSR initiatives.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeniyi Odejobi, the Enterprise Business Lead, Globacom, said that the company has been a major telecommunications service provider in Nigeria, providing telephony and digital solution services for millions of people across the country as well as enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, public sector organizations, and universities. It is also a digital solutions company.
According to Adeniyi, Glo has been at the forefront of revolutionary changes in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector for more than 20 years and is largely to be commended for democratizing the use of telephones and telephony services across the country over the years. “Because of Globacom, every Nigerian today can afford a telephone line”, he noted.
According to Adeniyi, Globacom also evolved a good number of innovations that have aided revolutionary developments in the Nigerian telecom sector, such as Globacom’s fully owned international submarine cable, Glo 1.
In order to advance the university, Adeniyi urged it to deepen its collaboration with Glo in order to offer digital services such as Glo LMS, Toll-Free Data, and Mobility services.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has alleged that the depth of corruption in the power sector would make anyone weep for Nigeria.
He said: “As we speak, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears.
“People were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment. Instead of using what they call 9.0 guage, they will go and buy 5.0.
“Every time you see the thing tripping off, the thing gets burnt, and all of that, it falters and it collapses. It’s part of our problems.”
Olukoyede made the revelation during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between the Commission and lawmakers to combat financial crimes effectively.
One of the key areas of concern, according to Olukoyede, is the power sector, where corrupt practices have been undermining the country’s infrastructure.
It was at this point that the EFCC boss revealed that some contractors awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment were cutting corners.
He said they were using substandard materials that have contributed to the frequent power outages and system failures.
This, he said, is one of the many examples of how corruption in critical sectors is holding back the country’s development.
Olukoyede also discussed the EFCC’s new strategic focus on asset tracing and recovery, which he credited for the agency’s successes over the past year.
Furthermore, he revealed that “For every N10 recovered, perhaps N30 or N40 Naira may have been stolen.
“If we recover about N440 billion and several billions of dollars in a year, imagine the total amount siphoned from our system. That’s the unfortunate reality.
“Thus, we are focusing on prevention. Over the last year, we have established a new directorate for risk assessment and control.
“To recover 10 Naira, you may spend between 4 and 5 Naira. But to prevent 10 Naira from being stolen, you spend less than 1 Naira, based on our research and experience.
“Prevention is, therefore, the more effective way to combat corruption.
“We need more resources to carry out our mandate effectively. Our staff are underpaid, and we need to improve their welfare.”
Reacting, Ginger Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, expressed the committee’s readiness to support the EFCC through legislation and improved budget allocations.
Onwusibe also urged the Commission to enhance its operational capacity and strengthen collaborations with other agencies and development partners to improve accountability and efficiency in the fight against corruption.”
