N-power is an empowerment scheme that President Muhammadu Buhari floated to cushion the effect of the unemployment rate on members of the public.
To the delight of the beneficiaries, under the N-power scheme, the federal government has floated another N-knowledge.
According to Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, “N-Knowledge is a component of the N-Power Programme focused on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and certification to become competent workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs prepared for both the domestic and global digital job market.”
What you should knowabout N-power and N-knowledge
N-Knowledge is a component of the N-Power Programme
N-knowledge is focused on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and certification to become competent workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs prepared for both the domestic and global digital job market.
N-Power’s N-knowledge programme will upskill 20,000 young Nigerians on the global radar as exporters of world-class services and content in the creative and information technology sectors.
N-knowledge’s component is targeted at developing competencies of the youth in software development and hardware training which will be catalysed to make Nigeria compete in the outsourcing market for software development.
Amongst other things, the new-floated programme will develop the skills and capacities along with the skills set in the value chain of mobile apps and website development, while boosting the talent development effort for the growth of the information technology industry in Nigeria.
N-power is an empowerment scheme President Muhammadu Buhari floated to cushion the effect of Nigeria’s poverty and alarming unemployment rates.
Launched in 2016, with the payoff -‘Empowering Nigerian Youths for Prosperity’, it is a scheme designed specifically for the youths, and it’s expected to improve their social development.
Unmask NG understands that N-power is an initiative under the National Social Investment Program (NSIP); amongst other things, youths would be exposed to life-changing opportunities like gaining relevant skills, which they could explore further for excellence.
What does N-power aim to achieve?
It is a social scheme that was designed to bring on board members of the public for the sake of exposing them to the skills they need, to not only survive but to create wealth.
The programme is committed to ensuring that its beneficiaries are employable by skill enhancement.
Who qualifies for this programme?
It is only for the enrollment of people between the ages of 18 and 35. Anyone below 18, and above 35 should not waste his or her time applying, as they would not be considered.
How much would you be paid as a beneficiary?
Like every other empowerment scheme floated by the federal government, it pays its beneficiaries across the geo-political zones in the country. And each participant is expected to get a monthly stipend of N30,000 after onboarding.
How do you apply for N-Power”
Before you go on to apply, ensure you have a printout or accurate details of your Bank Verification Number or BVN and a recent passport photograph.
On the website click on “Apply for N-Power Volunteer Corps”.
Once you get on the application portal, you will be required to read the terms and conditions of the N-Power Programme and accept that all the information you will provide must be truthful and accurate.
Fill in your 11-digit BVN; then fill in your surname, first name, and middle name in identical terms to your BVN information; followed by details of your active bank account;
If your BVN details are inaccurate, you will not be permitted to go past this interface. If the BVN details are accurate, you will be allowed to proceed to the application portal to fill in all the personal information required and your academic qualification. You will receive a unique N-Power identification number;
Ensure to provide your own telephone number and email so that you can be reached directly;
You will also need to upload your passport photograph in either JPEG or PNG files in no more than 25 kilo bytes.
Before you complete your application, you will be assessed on your knowledge of grammar, general knowledge, and for the programme’s VAIDS, basic numerical concepts.
Categories under N-power
There are several categories, in which beneficiaries are expected to be exposed to four key areas, and they are –N-power Agro, N-power Health, N-power tax, and N-power Teach.
Please note that the aforementioned categories are for the graduate categories.
Now, for non-graduate categories, beneficiaries would be empowered with skills in two key areas, which are –N-power build, and N-power Knowledge.
Popular skit maker Mr Macaroni may have been blacklisted by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, as he was absent from a meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had with his colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Osinbajo, on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, met other Nigerian Instagram comedians under the auspices of Nigeria Skits Industry Awards (NSIA) but left Mr Macaroni out.
This development may not be surprising to many people, as Unmask NG also understands that Mr Macaroni is a strong critic of the incumbent administration.
The comedian, who’s known for his Daddy Wa character in viral social media skits, is known for lending his voice against oppression, especially as it relates to police brutality.
Osinbajo meets Nigerian Instagram comedians
During the #EndSARS protests that shut down the entire country last year (2020), Mr Macaroni led a group of other protesters to the infamous Lekki Tollgate, during which he was arrested and tortured.
While expressing his ordeal in the hands of men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after he was arrested for demonstrating his civil rights, he stated: “If the word was not out that people were already being arrested, people would have died. They were telling us that ‘we’ll shoot you and nothing will happen‘. I’m sure if this was at night, we would have all died.
“They took us to Adeniji where we were beaten and stripped naked. Everyone was beaten. These people didn’t care about anyone. They beat me, saying I’ll have a sense by force. They also destroyed my phone.
“So, we’re in a serious shame but it’s not to silence our voices. They cannot continue to oppress. Those of us that have the voice will continue to talk.
“Have we gotten justice for what happened last year? Is opening the tollgate the next line of action?” Mr Macaroni queried.
Receiving other Nigerian Instagram comedians like –Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taooma; Josh Alfred (Josh2funny); Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba); Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr. Hyenana), Adeoye Adeyemi Elesho (Yemi Elesho), among others, Osinbajo charged them all to create content that would enhance nation-building.
“Why I think this engagement (with skit comedians) is important is because this is the way to go. Let us sit down and look at all the issues and come out with realistic positions that can then become policies, and what sort of support will be required,” Osinbajo stated.
Meanwhile, Mr Macaroni had explained why he was absent from the meeting, saying he had to decline the invite because he’s not happy with the leadership of the country.
According to him, the meeting was baseless considering the fact that the government knows the grief of the Nigerian citizenry.
His statement read: “First, I do not think there is an association of skit makers. If there is, then I don’t know anything about it. And that would be fine because I am an actor/thespian first before the tag ‘skit maker’.
“So I don’t think those that went to see the VP without me or anyone else meant to sideline me. I want to believe they were invited to see the VP by the organisers of an award ceremony the same way I was invited. The only difference is that I declined the invitation.
“The reason I declined is simple. As a citizen, I’m not happy with our leaders and I do not want to associate with them. It’s okay if others believe that sitting with the government will change certain things and decide to try it out. I don’t think they should be crucified for that.
“I have just seen too much to know that the government sees and hears everything. They and their workers are always on the Internet. They know what we cry and complain about and they do nothing about it. So, what will sitting down with them to tell them what they already know change?
“When politicians say they want to engage me, I always tell them to pick a public place, where all members of the press will be present. So that I can say my mind as I see it. When they are begging for votes, they come to us publicly. So, why do you want to see me privately?’’
Mr Macaroni, however, maintained that he keenly desires a better Nigeria for everyone, including himself.
“I am no hero or saint. I am not perfect. I am only a concerned citizen who wants a better nation for myself and for every other Nigerian. I use my voice, my craft, and my platform to do this and I have been greatly persecuted for it.
“This is who I am. It is who I have always been, even before fame. I have suffered so much for it and sometimes I ask myself why I am the way I am. But anytime I remember how many lives I have been able to impact positively, I am at peace with myself,” the comedian added.
Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote Cement Plc has announced improvements in performance measurement indices for the nine months ended Thursday, September 30, 2021.
This is as even the Group sales hit 22.2 million tonnes. Sales volume in Nigeria remained strong and accounted for 14.1 million tonnes despite heavy rains in the third quarter. Pan-African operations accounted for the balance of 8.2 million tonnes.
A look into the results, released yesterday, indicated that the cement group posted revenues of N1,022.2 billion, while profit before tax was N405.5 billion while Profit after tax was N278.3billion. The company recorded a tax charge of N127.24 billion for the period under review.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos, in his comments, said “We are pleased to report a solid set of the results for the first nine months of the year. Group volumes for the nine months were up 15.4 percent compared to the first nine months of 2020. Given the strong rebound in Q3 2020 following the impact of COVID-19 in the first half of the year, volumes in Q3 2021 were slightly lower than Q3 2020, as anticipated though worsened by heavier rains.”
“However, the overall growth trend continues, supported by our ability to meet the strong market demand across all our countries of operation. The economic performance and efficiency initiatives across the Group, enabled the offsetting of inflationary pressures on some of our cost lines.
“Our Nigerian business recorded volume growth of 18.7% in 9M 2021 at 14.1Mt and despite operating in a complex, challenging, and fast-moving environment, Dangote Cement is consistently delivering superior profitability and returns to the shareholders.
“ Our alternative Fuel Project is at an advanced stage which aims to leverage waste management solutions, reducing CO2 emissions and sourcing material locally,” he added.
Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with nearly 48.6Mta capacity across Africa. A fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, we have a production capacity of 32.25Mta in our home market, Nigeria. Our Obajana plant in Kogi State, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 16.25Mta of capacity across five lines; our Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta and our Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta.
Through its added investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement serving neighbouring countries.
In addition, it has operations in Cameroon (1.5Mta clinker grinding), Congo (1.5Mta), Ghana (1.5Mta import), Ethiopia (2.5Mta), Senegal (1.5Mta), Sierra Leone (0.5Mta import), South Africa (2.8Mta), Tanzania (3.0Mta), Zambia (1.5Mta).
Fidelity Bank, and other Nigerian financial institutions, would stop accepting old £20, and £50 notes.
In a message addressed to its customers, Fidelity Bank stated that they all have up to Friday, December 31, 2021, to transact with their old £20, and £50 notes, as they would no longer be acceptable going forward.
According to the financial institution, the development was pertinent as Bank of England, which produces the notes, is aiming to conclude its cash evacuation policy.
“The Bank of England has announced the withdrawal of paper £20 and £50 notes after September 30, 2022. A year’s notice has been provided to customers and the global banking community.
“In view of this, Fidelity Bank, alongside other Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria, has issued a deadline of December 31, 2021, for acceptance of the stated denominations from the public to enable proper conclusion of cash evacuation.
“Thus, we advise you to use or deposit your paper GBP notes into your Fidelity Bank domiciliary account by December 31, 2021, to avoid a loss in the value of your money,” Fidelity Bank stated as it alerted its customers.
This is why…
Unmask NG understands that the UK government’s apex bank is aiming at the proper conclusion of its cash evacuation policy, to reduce COVID-19 risks, and that of other related transmittable diseases.
Having conducted a research to understand if cash is still as relevant as it used to be prior to the pandemic, the Bank of England concluded on the following:
Over the past decade, the fall in transactional use of cash in the UK has been accompanied by an increase in the value of notes in circulation. Covid has intensified this trend.
Both shopping and payment behaviours have changed in response to the virus, with more online shopping and more contactless transactions.
Although the bank’s research to understand better how the virus behaves on banknotes, indicates that the risk of transmission via banknotes is low.
However, the barriers to alternative payment adoption may have been permanently broken by COVID-19.
As Ikoyi building collapse continues to make news headlines across the country, the names and ages of the incident’s survivors have been released.
It would be recalled that on Monday, November 1, 2021, a 21-storey building situated at Gerrard Road, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, collapsed.
While no less than 20 people have already been confirmed dead, several other persons were believed to still be trapped in the rubble, including the Managing Director, Fourscore Heights Limited, Femi Osibona.
Unmask NG understands that Osibona’s Fourscore Heights Limited is the company developing the giant structure.
But providing update on the building collapse on Wednesday, November 3, during his second visit to the incident’s scene, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, said, so far, there are only nine survivors.
According to the governor, while three of the survivors have been discharged, nine others are still receiving treatment at the Lagos Marina Hospital.
See below the names and ages of the survivors of Ikoyi building collapse
1. Odutan Timileyin, 26-year-old man.
2. Ahmed Kenleku, a 19-year-old man from Cotonou, Benin Republic.
3. Sunday Monday, a 21-year-old man who suffered a leg fracture.
4. Adeniran Mayowa, a 37-year-old man who suffered a hip injury.
5. Shola Bade Nurudeen, 33-years old man, who has a pelvic injury.
6. Waliu Lateef, 32-year-old.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu had suspended Gbolahan Oki, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
His suspension came on the heels of a statement he made that the agency he headed only approved a 15-storey building for Fourscore Heights, and not the 21-storey structure that later collapsed.
The statement was quickly tackled by Femi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, who stated that LASBCA under Oki’s watch approved the 21-storey building.
In a statement obtained by Unmask NG, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Oki would have to go on an indefinite suspension, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation on the Ikoyi building collapse.
“The government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted. The governor, as a first step, has directed that the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension is indefinite,” Gbenga Omotosho, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, quoted Sanwo-Olu as saying in the statement.
There is panic in Computer Village, Ikeja area of Lagos State, and its environs, as gas leaks on Wednesday, October 3, 2021.
Unmask NG learnt that the incident started in the early hours of the day around Computer Village, Awolowo Rd, Oba Akran, Medical Road, Anifowoshe, Ikeja.
Confirming this development on a TV programme monitored live by this publication, Ibrahim Farinloye, the acting coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) therefore advised Lagosians to seek alternative routes and avoid the area pending the time the issue is resolved.
“I want to assure everyone that all necessary agencies are on ground to ensure safety at the site. We want to implore people to stay away from the scene,” he added.
Some customers are worried and have lost their confidence in Sterling Bank, after its former manager was convicted for stealing N219 million.
Unmask NG learnt that customers of Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited in Enugu State kept the money in a fixed deposit account with Sterling Bank Plc, its corresponding bank, but Anidiobi Chukwuka, who headed the latter’s branch in Market Road area of the state, converted it into his personal account.
On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Justice Cyprian Ajah of an Enugu State High Court, sentenced Chukwuka to eight years’ imprisonment for stealing and fraud.
The trial judge convicted Chukwuma of all the 32 counts levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Former Sterling Bank manager, Anidiobi Chukwuka
Briefing journalists on the matter, including this publication, Counsel for Ohha Microfinance Bank, Olu Omotayo said Chukwuka committed the offence between August 15, 2014, and November 16, 2017.
According to Omotayo, his client first reported the case to EFCC in a petition dated January 2018, and since that time, the Enugu zonal office of the anti-graft agency had commenced an investigation.
“The case was further referred for thorough investigation by the chairman of the commission based on a further petition we wrote on behalf of our client, dated July 4, 2018.
“Sequel to the outcome of further investigations, EFCC, through its prosecuting counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Michael Ani, filed a 32 count charge of stealing by conversion, obtaining by false pretences and forgery against the suspect (now convict) and was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ajah on May 7, 2019.
“The accused was represented during the trial by Chief O.A.U. Onyema, while Olu Omotayo held watching brief for the nominal complainant, Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited, throughout the trial,” he added.
Sterling Bank customers express fear over Chukwuma’s case
This development had resulted in panic among the customers of Sterling Bank, with many of them expressing their skepticism as it relates to trusting the staff of the financial institutions.
A customer who spoke to Unmask NG on a condition of anonymity stated: “It is an open secret that the country is hard, and imagine losing your money at the bank to a staff whom you entrusted to safelock it, is best imagined.“
Another customer, Rukayat Jimoh said her confidence in Sterling Bank has reduced even though Chukwuka had been convicted.
“A lot of stress would go into the recovery of money that was misappropriated or embezzled. It takes God and luck to get your money back when things like this happen to you. So, it is not a good thing for Sterling Bank, and I honestly would not want to put much money in my account with them,” she added.
Last night (Monday, November 1, 2021), the news of socialite Obi Cubana‘s arrest quickly spread like wildfire, such that Unmask NG published it among other mainstream news platforms.
About 24 hours after Obi Cubana, whose real name is Obinna Iyiegbu, was taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he regained his freedom, and some hours later, he reunited with his friends, and family.
Confirming his freedom from the EFCC custody, a source in the anti-graft agency, stated that Obi Cubana was only released on administrative bail.
“Yes, he has been granted bail but he is yet to meet the conditions for his release,” Vanguard quoted the EFCC official as saying.
How Obi Cubana caught public attention
In July 2021, Obi Cubana, who’s known for his showbiz and hospitality business, caught attention from members of the public, after he hosted celebrities, politicians, socialites alike, amongst other societal stakeholders, to a treat for the burial of his mother.
Unmask NG understands that it was an extravagant burial ceremony, during which no less than 200 cows were slaughtered.
The star-studded event set tongues wagging on social media, with many of them questioning Obi Cubana’s source of wealth.
According to the data at the FMDQ Security Exchange where forex is traded officially, dollar to naira exchange rate at N414.26/$1 on Tuesday, and closed at N415.02 on the same day.
This development represented a drop as dollar to naira opened at N414.12 on Monday, November 1, after it closed at N414.49/$1, on Friday, October 29.
How much is the exchange rate of dollar to naira at black market?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at the Parallel Market (Black Market) as of today (Tuesday, November 2) sells at N572/1$. This is was according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC) in Lagos.
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognise the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in forex to approach their respective banks.
President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has been conferred with the prestigious award of the National Order of the Lion by President Macky...
The Federal Government has commended the leading roles being played by the Dangote Group to complement the government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s economy...
Customers and distributors of Dangote Cement Plc have hailed the magnanimity of the Founder and Chairman of the company and Africa’s largest conglomerate, Aliko...
Dangote Industries Limited has emerged as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year. This achievement was confirmed by the brand and marketing firm,...
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