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Gowon, UBA GMD, Akinwunmi, Others Receive Leadership Awards

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Former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, Group Managing Director and CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Phillips Oduoza, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina were among many other credible and distinguished Nigerians honoured yesterday at the annual LEADERSHIP Annual Conference and Awards held at the ThisDay Dome, Abuja.

The awards had in attendance top dignitaries from all walks of life including politicians, businessmen and members of the public.

General Yakubu Gowon, who will be 80 years on Sunday, October 19, 2014 received award as the LEADERSHIP “Person of the Year” in 2013 for being the voice moderation in an increasingly fractured political environment.

Phillips Oduoza, the GMD/CEO of United Bank for Africa Plc received an award as Leadership “Banker of the Year.” In a citation at the awards, the organizers said that he was being honoured “for deepening UBA’s value as Africa’s global bank, skillfully guiding big ticket investments that significantly improved shareholder value while expanding the bank’s product offering and elevating customer service”

Also, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Education was named “Leadership Public Officer of the Year” for “aggressively implementing bold policy reforms, tackling decades of corruption in the fertiliser sector and pursuing innovative agricultural investment programmes to expand opportunities for the private sector to add value to crops produced in Nigeria

The Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, also emerged Governor of the Year “for his vision of a state beyond oil, and for building bridges of peace across one of Nigeria’s most disparate communities, massively building and renewing infrastructure and placing the economy of Delta State on solid footing”

The award presentation was preceded by a lecture entitled, “Rebuilding A Nation: Lessons From Other Lands”, by Lagos State governor Babatunde Raji Fashola while the event was chaired by Vanguard publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka.

Also honoured at the ceremony were; the vice chairman of Ocean Marine Security, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni, as the Business Person of the Year, Simdul Shagaya (CEO Of the Year); the former minister of the FCT, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai, is the Author of the Year; and Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, is the Sports Person of the Year. Others include Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (Agency of the Year), Nagari Farm Yoghurt (Product of the Year), Chi Limited (Company of the Year), LAPO Micro Finance Bank Ltd (Micro Finance Bank of the Year), Swift Network Ltd (Telecom Company of the Year), Jumia (ICT Of the Year), SAMSUNG (Brand of the Year), Ice Prince (Artist of the Year) and the Golden Eaglets (Young Persons of the Year).

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FULL LIST: Japa, agbero, eba, 17 other Nigerian words added to Updated Oxford Dictionary…

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The Oxford English Dictionary has expanded its lexicon with 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.

 

The newly added entries include popular terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” among others.

 

These words, deeply rooted in the everyday lives of Nigerians, highlight the influence of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are increasingly gaining global recognition.

 

Notably, some of the words, such as “japa” and “jand,” appear as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary.

 

 

Pronunciation guides have also been provided to assist non-Nigerians in accurately articulating the words.

 

A Nigerian English consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, announced the update on LinkedIn on Tuesday.

 

He expressed excitement over his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.

 

 

Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.

 

“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life.”

 

Among the entries, “japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (esp. those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”

 

 

“Agbero” is described as “a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles. ”

 

The term “419,” widely known in Nigeria, is defined as, “Fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given. Frequently as a modifier, as in 419 email, 419 scam, etc. Cf. yahoo n.2”

 

Here is the complete list of Nigerian words added to the OED:

 

1. 419

 

2. . abi

 

3. adire

 

4. agbero

 

5. area boy

 

6. cross-carpet

 

7. cross-carpeting

 

8. eba

 

9. Edo

 

10. gele

 

11. jand (noun, verb)

 

12. janded (adjective)

 

13. Japa (noun, verb)

 

14. Kanuri

 

15. Kobo

 

 

16. Naija

 

17. suya

 

18. Yahoo

 

19. yahoo boy

 

20. Yarn Dust

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Viral Video: Teacher arrested for physically abusing three-year-old boy

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The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed the arrest of a teacher following a viral video showing the suspect allegedly physically abusing a three-year-old boy at a school in Ikorodu.

 

The announcement was made in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

 

The video, shared by Oyindamola, who identifies as #dammiedammie35, captured a female teacher slapping the child’s face.

 

The video was captioned, “Footage from Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu, a teacher named Stella Nwadigo was witnessed mistreating and physically abusing a three-year-old boy, Abayomi Micheal.

 

 

The footage has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of our little ones in school.”

 

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos DSVA issued a statement expressing gratitude to those who brought the video to their attention.

 

The statement reads, “We appreciate everyone who brought the disturbing incident of a teacher who was recorded physically abusing a 3-year-old boy to our attention.

 

 

We are pleased to inform the public that the teacher in question has been arrested by Owutu FSU, and an investigation has commenced in earnest.

 

The agency reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting children, emphasizing that schools must be safe and nurturing spaces.

 

The statement added, “Indeed, institutions of learning should be safe, warm, and protective environments for all children in their care.

 

The State Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every child by enforcing strict regulations, holding offenders accountable, and working with stakeholders to promote a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in any form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DHQ confirms death of six soldiers, 34 terrorists in Borno clash

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The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday said over 34 terrorists and six troops lost their lives during a fierce encounter in Sabon Gari village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on January 4, 2025.

According to a statement by the Director, of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Islamic State of West Africa Province and Boko Haram terrorists, had launched an attack on troops stationed in the area to retaliate against the recent killing of their commanders and other combatants by troops.

Buba said the insurgents, riding on motorcycles and gun trucks, were met with stiff resistance when a patrol team returning to base foiled their planned ambush.

He said, “On January 4, 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and Gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight. The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate against the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops.

Recall that PUNCH Online reported that terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province killed six soldiers in a raid on the Forward Operating Base located in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, two military officers told AFP on Monday.

“The terrorists were taken unaware when troops fighting a patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced. Additionally, the troop’s reinforcement team comprising elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes as well and hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.

“Furthermore, although troops’ reinforcement team encountered an Improvised Explosive Device injuring the Vigilante Commander. The reinforcement team arrived in time to decimate the fleeing terrorist. “

Buba added that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdictions on the fleeing terrorists, noting that a battle damage assessment carried out confirmed the elimination of 34 terrorists and the recovery of 23 AK-47 rifles, over 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and other weapons.

Buba said, “Furthermore, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorist. Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.

“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons were recovered. Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, six personnel were killed in action.”

He, however, said the names of the deceased troops have been withheld pending the notification of their next of kin, urging the media to cooperate with them as regards this.

“Kindly note that the names of killed in-action personnel are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin to be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect the process, please,” Buba said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation, stating that troops remain resolute in their mission to defeat the terrorists

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