By Taiye Olayemi

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has urged Nigerians to embrace peace and jettison all tribal, religious and political sentiments.

Its Director-General, Ms Oluwabunmi Amao, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, said it was important to embrace peace at this stage of national development.

Amao said as Nigerians continued to mark the 62nd independence anniversary, everyone must reassess themselves on their contributions to national peace and harmony.

She advised Nigerians to make national peace their hallmark and always champion this cause at all times.

It is the 62nd independence anniversary of our great nation, Nigerians are advised to ignore all forms of religious, political and tribal sentiments which has pulled us apart over the years.

We should see one another as brothers and sisters, our peace should be paramount to us as a nation, she said.

Amao noted that without conscious efforts to imbibe peaceful co-existence and brotherly love, the nation would continue to suffer underdevelopment.

She said individuals regardless of their tribe should engage in cultural integration and diplomacy which would accelerate the development process of the nation.

An Igbo man should consciously take cuisines from the Hausa and Yoruba ethnic group and vice versa; same is applicable to languages, we all should aspire to be multi-lingua, this has lots of benefits for individuals and the nation in general.

Christians should see the Muslims as good neighbours and brothers, we should not give room for religious, political and tribal discord among us, she said.

According to Amao, CBAAC has been working tirelessly in ensuring that the nation remains united with different programmes designed for such purpose.

She said one of the programmes was the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of FESTAC77, slated to hold from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, in Abuja.

She explained that the festival would attract different nations across the globe exhibiting their cultures.

She said this would create more understanding among citizens across nations, thereby fostering peace and harmony. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

By Patience Omoha

(Edited by Msrk Longyen/Emmanuel Yashim)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

A socio-cultural group, Iko Udama,
has appealed to the Federal Government for more intervention as flood submerges Ibaji, Idah and several other local governments of Kogi State.

The Chairman of the group, Mr Amodu Achema, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Iko Udama is a socio-cultural group that provides social net for the needy as well as life insurance for members.

Achema said there was an urgent need to relocate more people from affected communities as well as provide relief materials, adding that the situation had become a national disaster.

The flooding in Kogi State this year is the worst we have witnessed since 2012.

As we speak, several local governments have already been affected and from reports from our members on ground from on-the-spot assessment, the situation is unabating.

What is happening is beyond Kogi State government, it is a national disaster that needs to be given the needed attention.

We commend the Federal Government for its intervention so far.

We, however, plead that more be done to save the lives of hundreds of people rendered homeless in the state.

On our part as a group, we are already on ground in the affected areas offering assistance as much as we can, he said.

Speaking on a permanent solution, Achema said dredging of the River Niger was long overdue.

He said it was worrisome that in spite of promises made by previous administrations, no tangible result had been achieved in that regard.

If the dredging had been done, today we will not be talking about flooding in the area.

It is a recurrent issue that demands concerted effort by government and well meaning individuals for a lasting solution, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Kogi State Governor Alh. Yahaya Bello had appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state in view of the magnitude of the disaster.

Kogi State is located in the North Central of Nigeria and was formed in 1991.

The state, which is popularly called Confluence State, has an area of 11,519 square meters with a population of about three million.

Economically, Kogi State generates revenue largely from agriculture and fishing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Belief in the efficacy of a locally-prepared charm that could stave off gunshots has led to the death of a 12-year-old child in Kaiama in Kwara.

His elder brother shot him dead while testing the efficacy of the charm with which the two of them had just fortified themselves.

Police spokesman in Kwara, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, stated in Ilorin on Monday that upon their return home after procuring the charm, the elder took their fathers hunting Dane gun and shot the deceased to test its efficacy.

The 12-year-old died on the spot from the shot, he stated.

The two of them are sons of one Abubakar Abubakar, a hunter in Dutse Gogo town in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara.

The culprit escaped into the bushes immediately after the act.

Investigation into the matter has started.

Parents and guardians are advised to monitor activities of their children and avoid doing certain things in their presence to prevent incidents of this nature, Okasanmi stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Abigael Joshua.

Dr Alim Abubakre, a Nigerian British don at Sheffield Hallam University, has prescribed some strategies to make Nigeria retain its economic leadership in Africas era of global uncertainties.

Abubakre, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, said his prescriptions are seven quick wins for national prosperity and superlative comparative advantage post 62nd Independence Anniversary.

He listed the strategies as Harnessing Diasporas and Increasing Exodus of Talent, Vertical Integration of Agriculture and Petroleum, and Building a National Brand.

Others are Harnessing Nigerias Youthful Population, Developing a Sustainable Energy Ecosystem, Taking Advantage of Africas Free Trade Agreement, and Harnessing Diversity as a strength.

Abubakre, who has engaged with over 4,000 executives globally and helped hundreds of organisations win, suggested that the seven areas could fast-track Nigerias sustainable development goal.

The founder of the British firm, TEXEM UK, said being a country endowed with huge potential, Nigeria could achieve prosperity by harnessing diasporans and attracting more investments from compatriots outside the countrys shores.

Specifically, diasporans could be a source of talent and technology transfer.

Technology advancement could be achieved if the country develops special schemes that encourage more Nigerians to return home, at least during their leave.

This suggestion is practicable as some doctors overseas are already doing this for Nigeria, and South Korean and Chinese Engineers do it for their nations, Abubakre said.

He said that actualising the suggestion would make their emigration from Nigeria not a brain drain but a brain gain, just like the Jewish diasporans.

Also, since diasporans are plenipotentiaries overseas, they could also be a source of global soft power.

They could help obtain the outcomes that Nigerians want in world politics if they are actively courted more and treated as strategic assets.

With better connections with their home country and incentives for investment, it becomes easier to foster development and nation-building, the don said.

Speaking on vertical integration, Abubakre said it should entail the Nigerian government and business leaders building more refineries to leverage petrochemicals developmental benefits, especially for the country.

He said that according to the International Energy Agency, petrochemicals are the largest source of demand for crude oil and will account for 50 per cent of crude oil demand by 2050.

Abubakre said petrochemicals are so vital that they could be a source of developing the renewable energy value chain.

For example, petrochemicals could be used to manufacture components of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, thermal insulation and electric vehicles, which is greener, sustainable and will create jobs.

The symbiosis between the petrochemical and agricultural value chain will drive energy and food security in Nigeria.

It could spur the development of the agro-allied industries that could ensure an integrated manufacturing ecosystem, he asserted.

Abubakre said that, arguably, Nigeria could create a meaningful economic impact and promote sustainable growth over the coming years if it builds a vibrant and trusted national brand globally.

He, however, said that first, the country must set its standards high and strive to build trust in Nigerian products and services, especially in agricultural products, fashion, arts and entertainment.

Nigeria can borrow a leaf from Japan, whose Made in Japan goods and services are considered among the top 5 trusted brands globally, Abubakre said.

Also, the don noted, like the Japanese, the Nigerian government should invest in sensitisation programmes that encourage manufacturers to enshrine transparency, authenticity, continuous improvement, innovation and flexibility while producing and exporting their goods and services.

Then, with an excellent national brand, the government and other business leaders can market their products and improve Nigerias balance of payment.

He also said that with one of the largest youthful populations in the world, Nigeria has a tremendous economic asset that, if utilised well, could contribute to its economic growth.

Abubakre said that approximately 70 per cent of the countrys population is young, most of whom are under 30.

Such a high percentage of youthfulness can be harnessed for nation-building, especially in the areas relating to art, entertainment, fashion and technology development, among others.

From Facebook to WordPress, Subway to Dell, Microsoft to Yankee candles, these companies all have a common denominator; young people founded them.

While Europe is ageing and arguably in decline, Nigeria could leverage its young demographys drive, energy and technological capacity in unleashing innovation and optimising its global impact, he said.

Abubakre advocated competitive grants to be offered to the youths while mentoring programmes should be extended to young entrepreneurs.

He said if all stakeholders consciously try to create a favourable environment for youths to thrive and blossom, they will channel their passion, talent and energy into building Nigeria, a superpower globally.

Abubakre urged the country to diversify its energy sources to more sustainable and abundant sources.

This will spur industrial transformation that will reduce transactional costs and positively impact the productivity of Nigerias formal and informal sectors, he said.

Dr Alim Abubakre is on the advisory board of the London Business School Africa Club and is the non-executive chair of These Executive Minds (TEXEM, www.texem.co.uk)-An organisation which he founded and has trained over 4,000 executives across multiple continents.

He is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at Sheffield Business School (An AACSB accredited Business School) at Sheffield Hallam University.

Sheffield Hallam was named the University of the Year for Teaching Quality by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Sen. Umaru Al-Makura (APC-Nasarawa South), said on Monday that the APC- led Federal Government recorded tremendous achievements in infrastructure and human capital development in the past seven years.

Al-Makura told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the achievements of APC in the last seven years were empirical and obvious for any one to see.

The lawmaker also said the the party had demonstrated commitment to promoting national cohesion, concern for the downtown and the vulnerable in terms of creating platforms for the change of their conditions.

We have achieved major infrastructure development that had been attempted in the past and failed but with the coming of the APC administration, we have been able to do that.

Few examples can suffice; look at the second Niger Bridge, look at how the airports are taking a new look and become more sophisticated.

Look at the number of airports that President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government is taking ownership from the Governments of Yobe, Nasarawa and recently Gombe.

These are all value addition to the system. While we were growing the most important mode of transportation that was safe, cost effective was railway but before our eyes it collapsed completely.

And it took a vision of APC administration to resuscitate and reconnect those moribund railway lines.

The former two-term governor of Nasarawa State, also said that Nigerias representation in the International Community under APC administration had enhanced tremendously.

We have the Chairman of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a Nigerian, Prof. Tijjani Mohammed-Bande.

During APC administration, we have Dr Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of World Trade Organisation and Amina Mohammed as Deputy Secretary General of the UN.

These are just the few that come to mind but a lot of them in human capital development in the expansion and promotion of Nigerias identity.

I think the APC administration has paid its dues, yes we have our challenges like any other government in the world, even the United States of America, Germany and France that have excelled and are in the first world, have their own challenges.

So when we are assessing the country, lets put everything together not to just isolate those challenges facing the administration. I think APC can be given a very robust pass mark for the efforts it has done.

On the nine years of APC formation, Al-Makura said it was a moment of celebration for all the founding fathers and members of the party.

Its time we beat the drums, blow the trumpets and shout on rooftop that we have made it. Something that was like an experiment has endured for nine years.

When we were consummating the merger of legacies parties, the doubting Thomases of this country never believed it was going to work but at last in 2013 in spite of everything, APC is the party to beat.

I nearly lost my office as the governor of Nasarawa State then, because of the merger, nor sooner had we started the process of the merger than the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to which I had only four members from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) out of 24, initiated the process of impeachment.

They took it the whole hug but as God will have it, the allegations were false and the panel dismissed the case. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

A London conference on Monday told the Nigerian government to upscale its investment in education to pull the West African country out of endemic poverty.

Speaking at a colloquium, marking Nigerias 62nd Independence, the keynote speaker, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, said that Nigeria could only turn the corner if adequate investment was made in education.

Adeagbo is a Chartered Accountant and Chief Executive Officer of the UK charity, IA-Foundation, which is active in Nigeria.

According to her, Nigeria has not been able to fund education adequately over the years, in spite of its position as Africas top economy and crude oil exporter.

She said that in spite of the rich natural endowments of the country, which is also Africas most populous nation, the country had continue to wallow in poverty and underdevelopment after 62 years of independence.

Citing the worrisome statistics released recently by UNESCO that 20.2 million children in Nigeria were currently out of school, Adeagbo said that no magic would make economic development to foster in the country.

We have 20.2 million children who are not in school in Nigeria, ranking among India and Pakistan how can our economy grow? Education and economic development go hand-in-hand.

The huge number of out-of-school children in Nigeria is negatively impacting the nations economy and the standard of living of the people, she added.

The childs rights advocate argued that the high rate of children who cannot access quality education is also responsible for the festering insecurity in the country.

According to her, insecurity in the country has been hampering economic development and pushing many people in the vast nation into desperate want and poverty.

She charged the Federal Government to rise to the challenge of getting its citizens to embrace quality education because the more educated people are the better their chances of building the economy.

Adeagbo decried what she described as the prevailing poor state of Nigerias education system, saying that it was characterized by distorted learning, poor infrastructure, unqualified teachers and incessant strikes.

The IA-Foundation founder argued that the way out was for Nigeria to increase its budgetary allocation to education year-on-year and also introduce policies that would make education attractive to citizens.

Parents, who fail to send their children to school should be punished to make everyone to benefit from the education opportunities offered by the government, she stated.

According to her, Nigeria needs to invest in human capital development through formal and informal education and ensure that education takes its pride of place.

Adeagbo said that IA-Foundation, had been doing its utmost to be part of the solution of the crisis in the education sector in Nigeria through street campaigns to bring children back to classrooms.

We currently have many children that we have taken off the streets in Lagos, Abuja, Kwara, Delta, Oyo State and Ogun.

We have been to IDP camps and schools of the blind and disabled to distribute learning materials and we are doing our best to ensure that we remove the barriers to accessing quality education, she said.

Other dignitaries at the event include Amb. Sarafa Ishola, Nigerias High Commissioner to the UK and Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Others are Hon. Abike Dabiri, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission and Mr Olusegun Awolowo, a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has urged all relevant stakeholders to intensify effort on improving access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), as it will bring open defecation in the country to an end.

The Minister of Water Resources, Malam Suleiman Adamu, made the call on Sunday when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

Adamu said that efforts by states, local governments and other stakeholders would arrest the development of open defecation practice.

He said that the Federal Government would promote a sustainable access to good WASH at all levels of government.

Adamu said that his ministry had trained about 100 volunteers from the 36 states on advocacy to improve sanitation in various communities.

The ministry sent the volunteers out to various communities to engage in awareness on how the communities can improve on WASH and they have done relatively good work.

At least you can see even the reduced incidences of COVID-19 pandemic will probably be supported and there is a lot of awareness going on, on how to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

But for us, what is most important is that these 100 volunteers per local government are vanguards for the continued advocacy to improve WASH in our communities, he said.

The minister expressed hope that some states that had taken the initiative would build on the legacy, though some had not commenced.

As you know, we dont all progress at the same speed, however, the Federal Government has made available, resources for advocacy.

It is a volunteer service. The only thing is that we gave them a stipend of N20,000 each every month for transportation and I have advised the state commissioners to harness Federal Government effort, he said.

Adamu said that he had a meeting with all the state commissioners, adding that the effort was to ensure that open defecation practice was eradicated, through a strong campaign on access to WASH.

He said that the campaign could not just end in the FCT alone, adding that it must be something all Nigerians should be engaged in.

Adamu said that the ministry had set up a National WASH Committee on Response to COVID-19, during the pandemic with all the state commissioners, adding that the essence was to improve on access to WASH.

According to him, the campaign is something that is top-down, down-up and horizontal adding that everybody should be involved.

So, we should not be looking at it as, where is the Federal Minister of Water Resources?

No, I think by now the question we should start asking state chief executives is, what are the states and local governments doing, to ensure that the campaign on open defecation practice is effective.

Every year we have the WASH national outline routine mapping that we do. It is a survey that we do, Adamu said.

He said that in doing the survey, the ministry gave every state data on the progress they had made on sanitation, hygiene and water supply and they could see these in relation to what other states were doing.

This is evidence, because if you have the evidence, then it should be able to help you to redirect your policies to see where you need to change your source.

So, at the federal level we have done everything we need to do to support the states and it is up to the local governments and the individuals to adequately make their contributions.

These are part of the effort that we are making to ensure that open defecation practice ends in the country, Adamu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

At least 15 million Nigerians are benefitting from water supply projects in different parts of the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Malam Suleiman Adamu, made this known on Sunday while answering questions on Sunday, as a guest on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja.

Adamu said that the present administration inherited many uncompleted projects when it came into power in 2015.

According to him, the Federal Government alone provides water for more than 15 million people in the last few years.

So, let me say this based on the rational report that weve done on Federal Governments intervention alone.

Because we inherited a lot of uncompleted projects like water supply, Zungeru-Wushishi water supply, Zobe water supply. Zobe project for instance, started in 1992.

It was never finished then. But we finished it under this administration.

We are almost likely to finish also Otta, which the project started in either 2003 or 2004. Were working on it too.

There are many others like Takum, Mangu, and a host of other projects. So weve been working with all those projects to ensure they are completed, Adamu said.

The minister said that in the rational report, the present administration found out that 30 per cent of the population were enjoying pipe borne water.

Adamu alleged that the previous administration the government took over from left the country in a bad situation, adding that the present administration was making every effort to ensure that Nigeria recorded progress.

Where the world is going forward, we should also be making progress, we actually met the situation retrogressing.

As soon as we came on board, in 2015, we changed the theme of our National Council on Water Resources to address the issues of urban water.

Then the President declared a state of emergency in November 2018 on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and we launched a new National WASH Action Plan, he said.

Adamu said in the action plan, responsibilities were shared among federal, states and local government levels.

Now, this is what the federal should do. This is what the states should do, and this is what the local governments should do, he said.

Adamu said that the ministry also launched the Clean Nigeria Campaign, followed by an executive order, thereby, giving strength to the campaign.

He said that the ministry introduced the concept of a WASH fund in the Natural Water Resources Bill.

Adamu added that the fund was not for the federal, but for the states and local levels, to enable them improve on water projects.

The minister said that there were other interventions by the ministry, such as Small Towns Water Supply Programme, National Urban Water Sector Reform Programme, among others.

He said that the World Bank supported the ministry in the implementation of the programmes.

Adamu said that the World Bank also provided 700 million dollars to the Federal Government to support urban, natural water supply and sanitation in the country.

Seven states will be enjoying million. This is going to our campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene in the country.

So, everything that we need to do at the federal level to support improvement of sanitation, hygiene and water supply in this country, we have done that, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

Big Brother Naija Season 7 came to an end on Sunday and saw fan favourite, Josephina Otabor, known as Phyna, emerge winner of the show.

This years season tagged Level Up saw 28 housemates compete for the grand prize worth N100 million.

Phyna edged out the five other finalists Bryann, Bella, Adekunle, Chichi and Daniella to clinch the coveted status of winner.

As winner, the 25-year-old Phyna gets N50 million cash prize, a new SUV from Innosons Motors, a Dubai trip for two, a year supply of Pepsi, new techno phone-Camon 19, supply of Unik soap and supply of home appliances from Nexus among other mouth-watering prizes.

The Edo born actress who was elated screamed upon announcement of her victory by the host of the show, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

Before the announcement, Phyna said the journey had been an amazing and splendid one as she waits to embrace everything great.

The show which began July 23 and July 24 had 28 housemates who were evicted at different points of the show while six housemates made it to the grand finale.

Each of the housemates won prizes from different sponsors in the course of the show.

After spending 72 days in the Big Brother House, Bryann emerged the first runner-up while Bella was declared the second runner-up.

Adekunle emerged the third runner-up with Chichi and Daniella as fourth and fifth respectively.

The fans of the show were thrilled at the grand finale with performances from Nigerian artistes MI, Falz and Pheelz. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News