News
Cuba honours Wole Soyinka with national medal
Miguel Diaz-Canel, president of Cuba, has conferred a national medal of honour on Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate.
The Haydee Santamaria Medal was bestowed on Soyinka at the Casa de las Americas in Havana, Cuba, on August 23.
In a statement issued by the Cuban presidency, Diaz-Canel said Soyinka’s visit to the country is “very significant, it is the visit of a brother who has always fought for just causes”.
The president said awarding Soyinka the medal is an expression of many feelings for Cuba, adding that the Haydee always harped on the importance of culture to revolution.
“With you, we share ideas, dreams, commitment to human improvement,” Diaz-Canel said.
Jorge Fornet, director of the Centre for Literary Research of Casa de las Americas, said awarding Soyinka the Haydee Santamaría Medal, which has been previously received by many of the most outstanding figures of Latin American, Caribbean and other world intellectuals, “is an act of justice that honours us”.
The event also celebrated Soyinka’s 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Cuba.
In his remarks, Soyinka emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between Africa and Cuba, adding that the South American country is also his home.
“Our ties with Cuba are not limited to art and literature, but also to liberation,” Soyinka said.
“I grew up listening to Cuban music, in those days when there were gramophones, when there was no electricity.
“This has been a wonderful way to bring me back and remind me that Cuba is also my home. And it is proof that Yoruba is everywhere here, and that completes the spiritual aspect of people like me.”
The medal is awarded to Cuban and foreign groups and citizens who have contributed to making the objectives of the Casa de las Américas a reality.
The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba also presented Soyinka with the Dulce María Loynaz International Prize.
Omar Valiño, a theatre critic and theorist, described Soyinka as a “consistent man”, saying his intellectual work draws on the ancestral wisdom of Yoruba culture.
Soyinka was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.
News
Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom get new police commissioners
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of four substantive commissioners of police for Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom commands.
In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said the appointment is due to the vacancies created by promotion of some senior officers.
The new commissioners of police are
Isah Danladi Nda, for Abia command; Olarewaju Ishola Olawale for Lagos command; Anthonia Adaku Uche Anya fror Ebonyi command and Miller Gajere Dantawaye for Akwa Ibom command
Speaking on the posting, Hashimu Argungu, PSC chair, urged the new police commissioners to make positive impacts in the security management of their respective states.
Argungu asked the new commissioners to build efficient and effective police commands in their states.
The PSC spokesperson disclosed that the approval has been sent to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, for implementation.
By this development, Dantawaye will replace Waheed Ayilara, the former commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, who died on August 29, 2024.
Ayilara reportedly died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) from prostate cancer complications.
News
FG declares September 16 public holiday for Eid-ul-Maulud celebration
The federal government has declared September 16 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Maulud celebration.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holiday on Friday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry.
The Eid-ul-Maulud celebration is in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims in the country and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.
The minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, urged them to seize the opportunity to pray for lasting peace and a more equitable and prosperous nation.
News
FG offers free CNG conversion for vehicles at six Lagos locations
The Federal Government, through its Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), is offering Lagos residents the chance to convert their vehicles to CNG for free on Friday, September 13, from 3pm to 6pm, at six designated locations as part of Operation First Come, First Serve.
The first 50 vehicles that pass inspection at each of the six locations will be fitted with free CNG conversion kits, allowing owners to refuel at N230 per SCM of CNG at any NIPCO station, leading to significant savings compared to petrol.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, inviting Lagos residents to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to promote cleaner energy, alleviate the financial strain caused by rising fuel prices, and support the transition to more eco-friendly transportation nationwide.
With CNG priced significantly lower than petrol, the conversion offers immediate financial relief for vehicle owners seeking a more affordable and sustainable fuel alternative amidst ongoing fuel price fluctuations.
Selected vehicle CNG conversion centres in Lagos
Below is a list of authorized vehicle CNG conversion centres in Lagos, along with their respective addresses:
- Femadec
Km 42, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Majek Second Gate Stop, Abiju Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos.
- Portland
No. 1, Ojota Interchange Terminal, Bayo Shodipo, Ojota, Lagos.
- Mezovest
KM 23, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah, opposite Kilimanjaro, beside Libmat Motors, by Abraham Adesanya Bus Stop.
- Dana Motors
Dana Motors Ltd Kia Plaza, 117 Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
- MBH Power
Km 5, Ikotun Road, Itamope, Ikorodu, Lagos.
- Autogig
Plot 144b Gbagada Expressway, Gbagada, Lagos.
In addition to the CNG conversion exercise scheduled for Lagos on Friday, the PCNGI’s “Operation First Come, First Serve” initiative will also conduct conversion exercises in four other cities between Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, September 13, CNG conversions will take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Ibadan, Oyo State, from 3 PM to 6 PM.
The following day, Saturday, September 14, similar exercises will be held in Abuja and Kaduna between 3 PM and 6 PM.
It is important to note that the first 50 cars inspected at the designated CNG conversion centres in these cities will be eligible to receive free CNG kits, provided they pass the conversion process.
-
Business1 week ago
CAC threatens to shut down unregistered PoS businesses as September 5 deadline lapses
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Like Tems, Ayra Starr says she has ‘never fallen in love’
-
Entertainment4 days ago
Davido, Lojay, Tyla make Billboard’s ‘Honour Roll’ for chart-topping songs
-
Celebrities1 week ago
‘He doesn’t like me’ — Skales addresses feud with Wizkid
-
Sports1 week ago
Osimhen to earn €6m-a-season as Galatasaray confirm his loan move
-
Politics1 week ago
‘It’s a recipe for crisis’ — PDP demands reversal of petrol price hike
-
Crime1 week ago
Two Nigerians jailed in US for $5m wire fraud
-
Sports1 week ago
Ugandan Olympian set on fire by boyfriend dies