By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Public Administration and Social Development Consult a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for collective efforts of stakeholders in enhancing social justice in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Consult, which is committed to promoting social justice, Mrs Margaret Ibeku, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.

Ibeku identified lack of awareness and slow dispensation of justice as some of the major factors affecting Nigeria social justice system.

One of the first challenges of social justice in Nigeria is awareness.

Most Nigerians dont even know organisations to go to for redress if there is any infringement on their rights or they are lagging in the opportunities that ought to be available to them.

Slow justice system has made it seemed to be that offenders who infringed on the rights of the common man did not have consequences for their actions, Ibeku said.

She said that in the light of the above, the organisation would partner with the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to organise a maiden Social Justice Conference and Award event on Oct. 27 in Abuja.

Ibeku, who is the Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the Social Justice Conference and Awards, said that the maiden event is aimed at promoting awareness on citizens rights, identifying vacuum and bridging the gap to promote Nigerian social justice system,

This conference will bring together academia, technocrats, civil society, public servants, interest group, students, cultural interest and religious groups, researchers and private organizations to interact and x-ray topical issues that borders on Social Justice and Good Governance.

Ibeku said that the conference also cover issue of oil and gas, Internally displaced persons, housing sector and so many other sectors of the economy.

She said while the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, would be presenting a keynote address at the conference, other stakeholders including politicians would be invited for discussion on the 2023 general elections.

She said the body would thereafter present its white paper on recommendations to government and other stakeholders to promote social justice in Nigeria.

Ibeku said highlights of the occasion would include presentation of awards to Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government private organisations and individuals who had put in so much into delivering social justice in Nigeria.

She urged Nigerians to visit its websiteto nominate recipients for various categories of awards to be given on that day.

We are aware that some individuals, organizations, with or without support have been trying their best in the area of social justice, human rights, fairness and equity.

These bodies will be recognised and it is going to be a very transparent process.

We are calling on all Nigerians to be a part of recognising these individuals and celebrating them in the way to encourage them to do better.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen has urged mothers of school age children to invest their time in ensuring good moral upbringing of their children.

Tallen gave the advice at the 13th Anniversary of Betneely Charity Foundation, Childrens Club Inauguration and Awards to NGOs working in communities, held on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said that the greatest investment any parent could give to his or her child was good moral upbringing.

Children are our last hope. They are the future of this nation and thats why I keep calling on mothers, particularly young mothers of school age children to give more attention to their children.

The Bible tells us bring up your child so that when they grows up they will not depart from it.

We must invest in bringing up of our children well. We must invest in paying more attention to their friends, the company they keep, so that we can have better leaders and better well groomed children that will stand in the gap for us.

We need well behaved children to take care of us in our old age. To take care of the needs of the family and the society at large.

And without us paying the necessary attention to this children all our efforts and investment will be in vain, she said.

The minister commended the President, Betneely Charity Foundation, Mrs Betty Olutunde, for the great work she had done and her service to humanity.

Not just service to humanity but given more focus to children who are the future hope of our nation.

I therefore want to specially congratulate my sister Betty for the charity work you are doing.

Touching lives, given hope to the hopeless and investing more in this children in order to groom them well to bring them to be better leaders of tomorrow.

Tallen, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians both men and women of goodwill to follow the good step of Betty and give hope to the hopeless, put smiles on the downtrodden, and to make the society a better place.

Earlier, the President of the foundation, Olutunde, said taking care of children was everybodys business, saying we must show love to children in our neighborhood and worship centres.

I am a member of the National Council of Child Rights Advocates. I go round advocating that everyone should enroll their children in schools.

We have this school programmewe call Community In-house Programme, where we talk to the District Heads to do homes school. Once a child is educated it reduces poverty in the society.

Joy brings peace, poverty brings war. So, we will rather go for peace, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the cutting of the foundations 13th Anniversary cake and inauguration of the Childrens Club by the Minister of Women Affairs, Tallen. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Victor Nwachukwu

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says 50 unemployed Imo youths are to undergo a one-week intensive training in goat production value chain.

The Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo said this on Thursday in Owerri, while declaring the training open.

Nuhu-Fikpo said that the programme was organised by the agencys Department of Rural Employment Promotion (REP).

He said the choice of goat production was informed by the consideration for the great potentials associated with goat business.

The NDE boss, represented by the Imo Coordinator of the agency, Mrs Chisara Egwim-Chima, listed the potentials to include production of meat, milk, hide, skin andmanure.

Others are the generation of income to improve the livelihood of rural dwellers, job creation, reduction in rural-urban migration and enhanced the peoples protein intake.

He said that the trainees would be trained in modern goat production technology, using the revolving model of empowerment.

He said that the Federal Government was interested in poverty reduction through job creation, socio-economic and environmental benefits, using the Small Stock (Goat) Production training scheme.

I want you, dear trainees to note that the NDE has other job creation programmes that youths can take advantage of and become gainfully employed, Nuhu-Fikpo said.

Also, the Director of the REP Department, Mr Edem Duke, advised the beneficiaries to use the training to improve their livelihood.

Duke, represented by a senior official of the department, Mrs Chikaodi Okereke, also said that the beneficiaries would be exposed to the best breed of goats and their available markets.

He further said that thebeneficiaries would receive start-up grants atthe end of the training.

He urged them to make judicious use of the empowerment grant.

One of the beneficiaries from Oru East Council Area, Mr Evaristus Ekene, thanked the agency for the rare opportunity.

Ekene, who spoke on behalf of the other trainees, promised that they would justify the confidence reposed in them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sam Oditah

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2022 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya is set to interact with principal staff officers, commanding officers and field commanders at the COAS Third Quarter Conference 2022.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Friday, said the conference was scheduled to hold from Sept. 13 to Sept. 16 in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the conference would provide a platform for the Nigerian Army to appraise its performance in the third quarter and consolidate on its gains.

He said the interaction was part of an effort to provide strategic guidance towards enhancing army operations and administration.

Additionally, the conference will retrospectively and holistically evaluate all ongoing operational engagements of the Nigerian Army with a view to effectively projecting into the future.

Expectedly, the COAS, who is the conference convener, will declare it open on Sept. 13 followed by a review of synopsis of major decisions taken at the Second Quarter Conference.

It will also feature briefs and updates on ongoing army operations and training activities, amongst others.

The COAS wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate the resolve and commitment of the Nigerian Army to continue to discharge its duties professionally and proficiently, within its constitutional mandate, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Priscilla Osaje

A cross section of FCT residents on Friday expressed divergent views on why they patronised roadside food vendors popularly known as mama put.

The residents in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said they patronised mama put food outlets because they were affordable and had unique tastes.

Mr Amos Ebube, a mechanic, said the reason why he patronised roadside food vendors most time was because of the varieties and the unique tastes of the food.

According to him, variety is the spice of life and the best place for me to get my food is at mama put with quality food.

With the recent hardship in the country, it is much cheaper to buy food from mama put, with little money, you will get satisfied in a day.

Mrs Chioma Jude, a nurse, who described herself as a regular customer at the one of the outlets said, there is a lot of difference between mama put and some food outlets in terms of purchasing power.

It is much cheaper and more delicious compared to restaurant.

Jude added that mama put food tasted so delicious due the method and technique some of them applied in preparing the meal, coupled with the ingredients they used as well.

Some Nigerians cannot afford going to restaurants because the meals there are expensive, in some restaurants.

Food in some fast food joints costs much while in mama put, you can still get a plate of food for between N300 to N400, she said.

Mr Vincent Onyibe, a businessman, said food vendors were a source of help to bachelors, especially the ones that cant cook.

According to him, why stress yourself to cook when mama put is at your beck and call?

Most men prefer to patronise mama put rather than pass through the stress of cooking.

One good thing about mama put is that they never fail to deliver by giving you what you asked for and what you dont ask for.

Mama put also rescue most men that cannot eat the food their wives cook at home.

Mama puts are playing vital role in rescuing the stomach from hunger and providing income for many, he said.

Meanwhile, some food vendors that spoke with NAN decried the hike in the prices of food stuffs, adding that the development was seriously affecting patronage.

Mrs Bosede Oluwafemi, a food vendor, told NAN that mama put business used to be lucrative years back, compared to the recent times due to high cost of food items.

Oluwafemi said high cost of cooking ingredients in the market was becoming worrisome, because it had taken a negative toll on the business of mama.

What I spend in buying food items has doubled and as a result my consumers are no longer enjoying the quantity of food I used to dish for them.

In this our axis, previously, a plate of rice with meat was N300 but now it is N400 , while a plate of rice with fish was N400, but now it is N500.

The quantity expected by customers is not encouraging and had really affected patronage.

Another food vendor, Mrs Agnes Oni, popularly called mama Araha said that many customers understood the plight of the food vendors and the situation of things in the country, as regard to high cost of food items.

The truth is that things are very expensive, food vendors are not enjoying the increase in the prices of goods, not even our customers.

They called me Mama Araha because of the way I used to dish food for my customer when food stuffs were much affordable.

But now the name mama Araha is not working because of high cost of food items.

A lot of Nigerians are finding it difficult to buy things or eat to their satisfaction, unlike some years back.

In this area, it is a bit cheaper when it comes to the prices of food but not the same in other places, she noted.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PO/DE/BRM

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, Sept.8, 2022(NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says its personnel will enforce strict parking of articulated vehicles during the ember months and beyond.

The Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said this on Thursday in Abuja while inspecting the Rest Area provided by the University of Abuja to park Heavy duty and other articulated Vehicles.

According to the strict enforcement is to avert or reduce road traffic crashes across the country during the ember months.

He disclosed that in view of this, the corps would deploy Special Patrol Team to ensure proper parking of heavy duty trucks, and other articulated vehicles.

He added that the team would work with articulated transport union officials to enforce strict parking of vehicles at the designated areas.

He stressed that this would aid in effective traffic management along Giri Gwagwalada Kwali Lokoja highway way.

He noted that the FRSC was working with all stakeholders in the transport sector to ensure free flow of traffic in all high volume identified areas across the country.

He said that there was need to interact with the union members and leaders to see how the problem could be resolved in ensuring free flow of movement.

He commended the union for working with private developers in executing the Gwagwalada Heavy Truck Rest Area to end the incessant gridlock in the area.

According to him, of recent, we got series of reports and complains from road users and motorists on the interchange of flyover at Gwagwalada.

This is where trailers and tankers park and eventually block the road, preventing free flow of traffic and this is the reason why I came here personally to see things myself.

However, the Corps will ensure that no road users sleep on the road as a result of gridlock in all the identified black spots during the Ember Months.

We are going to deploy a special patrol team to that spot to assist them to park properly. In a week or two, the committee will be set up, he said.

Also, the Chairman, Heavy Duty Truck Union, Gwagwalada Mr Zakari Adamu, said that all farmers using the allotted land had been directed to harvest their produce by October.

Adamu said that the project which was Public Private initiative, would bring lasting solutions to traffic jams along the route.

He however, gave assurance to members that adequate security would be in place to protect lives and property at the Gwagwalada rest area for articulated vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 53 hectares of land were given to them by the University of Abuja. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

British royal residence Clarence House has confirmed that Charles will be known as King Charles III following the death of Elizabeth II.

Earlier, British Prime Minister Liz Truss had used the title in remarks outside 10 Downing Street: Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III.

Britains former prime minister Boris Johnson as much as confirmed that when he said the Queen had modernised the constitutional monarchy and produced an heir to the throne who will amply do justice to her legacy.

Though our voices may still be choked with sadness, we can say with confidence the words not heard in this country for more than seven decades: God save the King.(PA Media/dpa/NAN)

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says the actual daily truck-out of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from January to July 31, stands at 66.89 million litres.

The NMDPRA disclosed this on Thursday in its statement clarifying the 2022 average daily truck-out figure.

The authority said during a recent interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, the media had quoted 62.9 million litres as the 2022 baseline daily truck out projection.

It said for clarity, the figure provided was used in 2021 solely to forecast the expected revenue for 2022 and did not in any way translate to the actual truck out volume for this year.

In line with NMDPA mandate as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act to ensure transparency in the oil and gas industry, the authority publishes on its website (www.nmdpra.gov.ng/daily-truckout) the actual daily truck-out.

As can be verified from the website, the actual daily truck-out from January to July, 2022 stands at 66.89 million litres, it said.

According to the authority, the Federal Government Medium Term Expenditure and Revenue Framework (MTERF) which is a three-year forward looking budgetary tool, comprises contributions from various agencies.

It added that the authority and its legacy agencies annually provided truck-out forecasts for the planning purpose.

The Authority assured the general public that it was committed to providing credible and transparent data on the supply and distribution of petroleum products. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Jane-Frances Oraka

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says the resignation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sen. Walid Jubrin is a distraction.

Wike who made the remark at Ahoada on Thursday described it as charade.

Jubrin who resigned his position earlier in the day said that his resignation was to ensure the victory of the party at the 2023 general election.

However, the Rivers governor said the current hierarchy of the PDP leadership was against the constitution of the party.

He said that a situation where the North held the presidential ticket and the national chairman position at the same time was a gross injustice to the South.

According to him, the current hierarchyof the PDP does not give room for the interest of the south, particularlywhen decisions were to be taken.

Wike said PDP national chairman, Sen. Iyachu Ayu had earlier promised that if its presidential candidate came from the north, he would resign after the party convention to give way for a chairman from the south.

He claimed that Ayu made the pledge both in the house of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and at the PDP Senate Caucus meeting.

Wike added that the the partys Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also told him after the convention that Ayu would resign.

He then challenged Atiku to implement what he said, adding, it is nothing to do with Wike; it has to do with integrity.

This is what he told me; I challenge the presidential candidate to deny this.

If he denies it, I will go further to say so many things to Nigerians because enough is enough; we cant continue this way.

He described as erroneous, the belief in some quarters that he was bent on destroying the party and stated that he was only calling for justice and equity.

According to him, we have finished the presidential primaries; it is over. So, when people say you want to destroy the party because you didnt win primary, I think theyre sick.

Wike is not causing problem, Wike is bringing peace to this country, Wike is advocating for justice, Wike is advocating for equity, Wike is advocating for development, the governor added.

He, however, said he would sustain the fight for a return to healthy party structure to allow for an even representation of the interest of the north and south in the national leadership of the party. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

========
Edited by Ejike Obeta

Source: NAN News

The By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says its personnel will enforce strict parking of articulated vehicles during the ember months and beyond.

The Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said this on Thursday in Abuja while inspecting the Rest Area provided by the University of Abuja to park Heavy duty and other articulated Vehicles.

According to the strict enforcement is to avert or reduce road traffic crashes across the country during the ember months.

He disclosed that in view of this, the corps would deploy Special Patrol Team to ensure proper parking of heavy duty trucks, and other articulated vehicles.

He added that the team would work with articulated transport union officials to enforce strict parking of vehicles at the designated areas.

He stressed that this would aid in effective traffic management along Giri Gwagwalada Kwali Lokoja highway way.

He noted that the FRSC was working with all stakeholders in the transport sector to ensure free flow of traffic in all high volume identified areas across the country.

He said that there was need to interact with the union members and leaders to see how the problem could be resolved in ensuring free flow of movement.

He commended the union for working with private developers in executing the Gwagwalada Heavy Truck Rest Area to end the incessant gridlock in the area.

According to him, of recent, we got series of reports and complains from road users and motorists on the interchange of flyover at Gwagwalada.

This is where trailers and tankers park and eventually block the road, preventing free flow of traffic and this is the reason why I came here personally to see things myself.

However, the Corps will ensure that no road users sleep on the road as a result of gridlock in all the identified black spots during the Ember Months.

We are going to deploy a special patrol team to that spot to assist them to park properly. In a week or two, the committee will be set up, he said.

Also, the Chairman, Heavy Duty Truck Union, Gwagwalada Mr Zakari Adamu, said that all farmers using the allotted land had been directed to harvest their produce by October.

Adamu said that the project which was Public Private initiative, would bring lasting solutions to traffic jams along the route.

He however, gave assurance to members that adequate security would be in place to protect lives and property at the Gwagwalada rest area for articulated vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 53 hectares of land were given to them by the University of Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News