By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has evacuated 152 Nigerians, who are stranded and lived as illegal immigrants in Libya, to Nigeria.

The evacuated Nigerians whose return was facilitated under the FG-IOM Voluntary Repatriation Exercise, arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening.

Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge Daffiares en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The Envoy noted that this was the third exercise the Federal Government and IOM had carried out in 2023, with a successful evacuation of nearly 500 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria already.

Today, we have successfully evacuated another 152 Nigerians stranded in Libya to Nigeria.

Libya is a transit country for irregular migrants to the Western and other parts of the world. Whenever these irregular migrants can no longer continue their journey to expected destinations, they become stranded here.

Because of their status as undocumented immigrants, they become vulnerable to exploitation and degrading treatment, including forced labour and prostitution.

The Federal Government is determined to protect the rights of these migrants and will continue to facilitate their safe and voluntary return home.

This is the third exercise we have conducted this year. We evacuated almost 4,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya in 2022 and we hope to surpass that number this year, Musa said.

Musa appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and IOM for facilitating the exercise.

He also thanked the Libyan authority for their support and cooperation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

==================
Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

Tapshin community in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, has conferred the title of Jagaban Tapshin on Prof. Suleiman Bogoro

By Ephraims Sheyin

The Tapshin community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State has conferred the title of Jagaban Tapshin on Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The honour, according to its traditional ruler, Dauda Godit, is in recognition of his efforts toward national and community development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bogoro was decorated with the regalia and title during the areas 2023 cultural festival held at the Community Secondary School, Tapshin on Tuesday.

Godit eulogised Bogoro for impacting on the lives of the community in the past 20 years.

According to the traditional ruler, the former TETFund boss assisted the community with educational facilities as well as bursaries to its students.

He also initiated other developmental projects even before he was appointed to lead TETFund in 2014, he said.

Godit commended Bogoro for the landmark achievements recorded when he served at TETFund, saying that he lifted tertiary education in Nigeria to its desired position.

The Chief said that almost all public tertiary institutions in the country benefitted from infrastructural developments and capacity building programmes when Bogoro led the agency.

The traditional ruler praised the innovative policies initiated by Bogoro in research and development as a way of contributing to national development.

On social relationships, Godit eulogised Bogoros efforts in bringing together people across tribes and religious divide in Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency.

His focus is always on development and progress. He has done so well, Godit said.

Responding, the recipient noted that it was his deliberate policy to ensure that all ethnic nationalities and religions lived in harmony.

My policy is that if you eat in your house, you should also assist your neighbours to eat because if they are hungry, it means you are also hungry, he said.

Bogoro, who noted that his assistance to Tapshin Community dated back to when he was a senior lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, promised to do even more.

He urged guests invited for the event which featured fund raising for water projects, to assist the community achieve its goals.

The former TETFund boss commended Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for the construction of the Bogoro-Lusa-Mallar and Boi-Tapshin roads, saying that the projects had opened up the communities around the area.

Bogoro urged the people of the state to continue to support the Governor in his efforts to provide development to the state.

The cultural festival, which is tagged Kang Khishi Masur 2023, was graced by a huge crowd that included Prof. Sylvester Shikyil (SAN) of the Law Faculty University of Jos, Dr Justina Deshi, among others.

The event also featured traditional dancers across towns and villages in Tapshin communities as well as Zaar Cultural dancers. (NAN) (nannewsngr.com)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Source: NAN News

By Gregory Mmaduakolam

The Evergreen G6 Club, a Non-Governmental Organisaion (NGO) has donated some food items worth N300,000 to Rachels Home for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Kurudu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bamidele Olujobi, the President of the Club, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Olujobi , represented by the Secretary of the club, Mr Philip Akpa, said that the items donated to the orphanage home included bags of rice, cartons of indomie noodles and cartons of spaghetti

Other food items are yams, toiletries, bags of salt, kegs of groundnut oil, palm oil, bags of beans and beverages.

According to Olujobi, needs of the vulnerable and orphans should not be left for only the governments and the owners of the organisations.

He said God Almighty had blessed the members of the organisation and they were now giving back to the society.

Some of these homes like Rachels Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provided the opportunity for us to give back to the needy and the vulnerable in the society.

Particularly this period every member of this club, who is a Christian, is celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which is Easter and this is the period, where every child will need a touch of a parent and need for somebody to celebrate with them.

So, we said we should come here to celebrate Easter with them in a way they will not feel the absence of their biological parents , as we are standing in as their parents today, he said.

Olujobi, said the club had given scholarships to several vulnerable and indigents students up to university level, adding that eight students were recently registered for WAEC and NECO exams by the organisation.

He explained that the club had previously visited the Old Peoples Home in Kardo, FCT and Apo Mechanic Village as well as the orphanage home in Masaka in the Nasarawa State.

He said the club has annual projects it carries out every year in order to assist the vulnerable and the needy and had donated item like braille for the school of blind.

He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention on supervision and monitoring of the orphanage homes and schools for the vulnerable in order to check the incidence of childs trafficking and kidnapping.

Olujobi, also advised the governments to establish vocation facilities such as tailoring, mason, carpentry and barbing salon where these vulnerable and needy children could be trained as well as paying of school fees for them.

He also called on the Federal Government to reduce the issues of banditry and terrorism which always gave rise to orphans and vulnerable children who lost their parents as a result of these factors.

Dr Oladele Oluayinka, Chairman, Project Committee of the club, said the club had 30 financial members who had the passion to help the need and vulnerable, hence they came together to form the club in order to assist them.

Oluayinka, said since the establishment of the club in 2011, it had spent over N5 million in order to provide succour for the needy and vulnerable children.

Earlier, Mr Pedro Odewu, Admin Director, of the orphanage home, thanked the club and expressed satisfaction for the food items it gifted to the home.

He urged the federal and state governments to come to their aid; as they have over 83 children; infants and adolescent who required a lot of monies and personnel to take care of them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Delta

By Kingsley Okoye

Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Delta, has appealed to the election petition tribunal in Asaba to disqualify the Governor -elect, Sheriff Oborevwori over alleged forgery.

He also sought the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege; Labour Party Candidate (LP) Ken Pela; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Mr Great Ogboru, on the ground of violation of the 2022 Electoral Act.

Gbagi, a former Minister of Education, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

The SDP candidate in the March 18 governorship election, had filed a 79-page petition against the governor-elect and the other frontline candidates, seeking for their disqualification .

Gbagi in a certified true copy petition with No. WPT/DL/GOV/2023 to the tribunal, alleged that the candidates, in their attempts to meet the constitutional requirements of eligibility for 2023 governorship election, presented forged documents while filling the INEC forms.

He said the forged documents included multiple sworn statutory declaration of age and affidavits, inconsistency of names of some of the candidates, perjuriously swearing of affidavits.

Other electoral infraction alleged to be committed by the candidates also included lying under oath, claims of possessing and non possession of various academic qualifications and alleged financial impropriety by one of the candidates, among other infractions.

He also hinged his call for their disqualification on the alleged degrees of electoral malpractice at the march 18 poll in Delta.

He listed the alleged malpractice to include over voting, vote buying induced by the candidates.

He said there were situations where the total number of votes recorded and allotted were more than the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected by voters that exceeded the number of registered voters in the polling unit.

Other alleged infractions, according to him, included alteration of some results sheets which did not reflect on the duplicate copies given to party agents, mutilation of form EC8As, polling units without corresponding voting points result sheets, over and under balloting, among others.

I am a candidate, and I am saying, we are candidates of these election, but this people who are candidates ought not to be candidate and the tribunal is the appropriate place.

The SDP candidate, consequently in the petition, urged the tribunal to declare non and void and of no effect, the Certificate of Return issued by INEC to the candidate of PDP as the winner of the governorship election in Delta State.

He further urged the tribunal to withdraw the Certificate of Return and issue a fresh certificate to him as duly qualified and elected governor.

For those of us, who contested and participated, I am the only one on the list that is qualified.

The election has been held, marks were allocated to us, my prayer is that they were not qualified, and I should be declared as the winner of the election because I am the only qualified candidate in the first instance, he said.

He said it was the right time to bring up the matter as records and experience showed that pre election cases most times do not go far.

Go back to the Electoral Act, I could not have raised an objection on issue of a candidate of a party that I am not a member.

Every one who went to pre-election matter, none of them went any where, this is the appropriate time, to raise this issue, he said

Meanwhile, effort to get reaction of the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta Governor -elect, Mr Dennis Otu, was unsuccessful as he didnt respond to the WhatsApp message request for his reaction. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Prof. Roger Delves, TEXEM UK faculty

By Abigael Joshua

In spite of the plethora of challenges in the world at present, African and global leaders have been assured of a myriad of opportunities for those who are well prepared and equipped to face such challenges.

One of the resource persons at a forthcoming virtual programme organised by TEXEM UK on such challenges, Prof. Roger Delves, gave the assurance while answering questions on the programme coming up on April 15 to May 6 on TEXEMs website (www.texem.co.uk).

The programmes theme is Strategic Leadership For Enduring Impact During Volatile Periods.

Delves said the programme would help challenge assumptions, offer fresh insights and inspire leaders to aspire to do more with less.

He added that it would inspire their teams to develop innovative solutions and achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

Executives should participate in the TEXEM forthcoming programme because it will be an excellent opportunity to network and learn how to unlock scarce value in these turbulent times.

The TEXEM methodology is another reason that participants should attend as this assures quality, and this programme will help leaders and their organisations shore up their core competence and capabilities to thrive, he said.

Delves said the programme would help executives see better and understand their approaches to addressing their contemporary strategic leadership issues.

He also spoke on the programmes outcome, which will be held virtually throughout the four-week duration.

The results of the programme will be very positive and beneficial. We are living in a digital world, and many of the stakeholders that we engage, we do this virtually.

Moreso, for the busy executive, it is easier for them to spend an average of one hour studying every day and three hours every weekend than to travel for four weeks.

Furthermore, the content of this TEXEM programme is useful, pertinent and applicable, Delves explained.

He expressed confidence that if participants applied themselves diligently to the content and with TEXEMs engaging customer support, they would achieve results with which they would be delighted.

Delves is a professor of Leadership and Management Practice with experience that dates back over 44 years in International Advertising Management Development and Education.

Ambassador Charles Crawford, Prof. Paul Griffith and Prof. Rodria Laline are other faculties that will deliver the programme.

TEXEM UK is founded by Nigerian-born British expert Dr Alim Abubakre, and the company has trained over 4,000 leaders and executives from Africa and other parts of the world. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=======
Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

Some members of Oluwa Chieftaincy Family of Lagos and Apapa

By Kazeem Akande

The Oluwa Chieftaincy Family of Lagos and Apapa has announced the appointment of Madam Iyabo Odedairo (Nee Oluwa) of Idewu Ruling House as the Olori Ebi (Head of the Family), pending the appointment of a new Chief Oluwa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointment was concluded at a meeting organised by Alhaji Ganiyu Durojaiye, a prominent member of the Asalu Ruling House, held in Agege on Sunday.

The meeting was to deliberate on the vacuum created by the demise of the former family head, Late Chief Mukaila Oluwa (ODOFIN).

Durojaiye said that the family of Oluwa of Lagos and Apapa had in attendance representatives of four of the five Ruling Houses in the family.

According to him, the principal members of the Adogia (Amore) Ruling House were not in attendance.

We have appointed Madam Iyabo Alake Odedairo (nee Oluwa) of Idewu Ruling House as the Olori Ebi of the family.

The family condemns in strong terms the fact that Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa (Adogia) has been parading himself as Olori Ebi of the family.

He should cease control of the family office at 82, Bale St. Olodo Apapa and along with Adeniyi Lawal (Odofin) and Wale Oluwa (Adogia).

Being dealing in family property, assets and monies when they are unelected, un-appointed, unrepresentative and unauthorised to manage family property assets and monies, Durojaiye said.

Durojaiye added that it was pointed out that in the absence of a Chief Oluwa, the Olori Ebi (in consultation with the principal members of the family) manages family property and assets pending the appointment of a new Chief Oluwa.

He said that by operation law, the eldest family member amongst the five heads of the Ruling houses becomes the Olori Ebi, and that except on account of ill health and fitness for service, the family may appoint a person other than the eldest as the Olori Ebi of the family.

He said that the family, therefore, presented for consideration the three eldest members of the family; namely: Alhaji Samsideen Oluwa, 92 years, in absentia; Alhaja Modina Ibrahim Oluwa (Asalu), 89, and Madam Iyabo Alake Odedairo (nee Oluwa), 87-year-old.

Durojaiye said that having considered the criteria for the appointment of the family head as stated in the rules, Odedairo was unanimously agreed upon as the head of the Oluwa chieftaincy family in Lagos and Apapa.

NAN reports that there are five Ruling Houses in the family namely: Odofin, Idewu, Asalu, Faro and Adogia (Amore). (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese His Grace Ignatius Kaigama , Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen , clerics with Members of the David Osunde Foundation during the blessing and presentation of gifts to the less privileged

By EricJames Ochigbo

No fewer than 1,500 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) were on Monday empowered by Sir David Osunde Foundation.

The foundation said at its 31st annual Special Easter Monday Celebration in Abuja that the beneficiaries were drawn from across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed included wheel chairs, crutches, white canes, clothes, foodstuffs and educational grants, among others.

In his speech, the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama, noted that the foundation has been consistent in its support of PWDs irrespective of tribe or religion.

He admonished Nigerians that instead of fighting over religion, tribe or politics, they should channel their energies into building a society where PWDs will feel at home and loved.

Kaigama, who celebrated mass at the event, said instead of thanking God, a lot of able bodied people engaged in crimes like kidnapping and killings of even Internally Displaced Persons.

This is a duty that needs to be done; we sometimes waste so much time on things that do not matter; this foundation is calling our attention today.

We are so concerned about very big projects that are of national and international value, but when it comes to the people who matter, people who just need basic things to survive, we are lacking.

We are invited to a work of love and charity; helping the sick, works of mercy; I am calling on everyone to get engaged, he said.

Kaigama said there are over 1.3 billion PWDs in the world, as such a lot of work needed to be done to support them to be self reliant.

Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, commended the foundation for helping the less privileged for more than 30 years.

We must do all we can to share what God has given us with the disadvantaged, and to touch lives, Tallen said.

Dr Anthony Osunde said apart from the items donated, some of the PWDs were trained on liquid soap production and business logo design, among others.

Osunde called for the setting up of a ministry to cater for people with disabilities in all the states and FCT. (NAN)

=====================

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Gregory Mmaduakolam

The Evergreen G6 Club, a Non-Governmental Organisaion (NGO) has donated some food items worth N300,000 to Rachels Home for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Kurudu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bamidele Olujobi, the President of the Club, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Olujobi , represented by the Secretary of the club, Mr Philip Akpa, said that the items donated to the orphanage home included bags of rice, cartons of indomie noodles and cartons of spaghetti

Other food items are yams, toiletries, bags of salt, kegs of groundnut oil, palm oil, bags of beans and beverages.

According to Olujobi, needs of the vulnerable and orphans should not be left for only the governments and the owners of the organisations.

He said God Almighty had blessed the members of the organisation and they were now giving back to the society.

Some of these homes like Rachels Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provided the opportunity for us to give back to the needy and the vulnerable in the society.

Particularly this period every member of this club, who is a Christian, is celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which is Easter and this is the period, where every child will need a touch of a parent and need for somebody to celebrate with them.

So, we said we should come here to celebrate Easter with them in a way they will not feel the absence of their biological parents , as we are standing in as their parents today, he said.

Olujobi, said the club had given scholarships to several vulnerable and indigents students up to university level, adding that eight students were recently registered for WAEC and NECO exams by the organisation.

He explained that the club had previously visited the Old Peoples Home in Kardo, FCT and Apo Mechanic Village as well as the orphanage home in Masaka in the Nasarawa State.

He said the club has annual projects it carries out every year in order to assist the vulnerable and the needy and had donated item like braille for the school of blind.

He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention on supervision and monitoring of the orphanage homes and schools for the vulnerable in order to check the incidence of childs trafficking and kidnapping.

Olujobi, also advised the governments to establish vocation facilities such as tailoring, mason, carpentry and barbing salon where these vulnerable and needy children could be trained as well as paying of school fees for them.

He also called on the Federal Government to reduce the issues of banditry and terrorism which always gave rise to orphans and vulnerable children who lost their parents as a result of these factors.

Dr Oladele Oluayinka, Chairman, Project Committee of the club, said the club had 30 financial members who had the passion to help the need and vulnerable, hence they came together to form the club in order to assist them.

Oluayinka, said since the establishment of the club in 2011, it had spent over N5 million in order to provide succour for the needy and vulnerable children.

Earlier, Mr Pedro Odewu, Admin Director, of the orphanage home, thanked the club and expressed satisfaction for the food items it gifted to the home.

He urged the federal and state governments to come to their aid; as they have over 83 children; infants and adolescent who required a lot of monies and personnel to take care of them.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

==========

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Justice Bola Ajibola.

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, mourns the demise of a former Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Bola Ajibola.

Ajibola passed on in Abeokuta on Sunday at the age of 89 years.

In a condolence message signed by his media spokesperson, Mr Tunde Rahman, Tinubu sympathised with Ajibolas immediate family, associates and professional colleagues.

The two-term former governor of Lagos State also extended his condolences to Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and the good people of the state for the loss of a great son of the Gateway state and Nigeria.

While expressing his sympathy, the president-elect also acknowledged Ajibolas important contributions to Nigerias political evolution and nation-building, legal profession and international jurisprudence.

The former Nigerias minister of justice and leader of the Bar was an eminent statesman and legal icon whose contributions to national progress and development will be written in gold.

During his earthly sojourn, Ajibola didnt just serve his country with his gift of extraordinary brilliance as a lawyer, he served the world as a Judge of International Court of Justice in Hague and Member of its Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

As ICJ judge, Ajibola made his mark as one of the brightest legal minds in the world in many decided cases involving state actors across the world.

Through his excellent performance, he brought honour and dignity to Nigeria, he said.

The president-elect stated that the deceased devoted himself to the promotion of Islam and expansion of the frontiers of knowledge.

This, he added, that he did through training and development of cutting-edge manpower for national growth with the establishment of Crescent University in Abeokuta, his home-town.

Tinubu noted that Ajibola would be remembered for his patriotism and love for Nigeria and his countrymen and women regardless of their ethnic origin or religious persuasions.

According to him, we had hoped and prayed that Ajibola willstill be around with us for a little more time to witness the dawn of a new era of renewed hope for our people in a better, stronger, more secure and more prosperous Nigeria,

He, however, thanked Almighty Allah that he lived to an advanced age and left behind important legacies.

He prayed Almighty Allah admit him to Aljanna Fridaus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajibola, Founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1984 to 1985.

He was Nigerias former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

He was the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Sunday in Abuja called on the Sokoto State government and security agencies to stop alleged killings of innocent pastoralists in the state.

Its National Secretary, Malam Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, stated that wanton killing of innocent pastoralists was going on in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of the state.

The killings, which started about a week ago, have continued unabated and more than 16 pastoralists have been killed by members of an outlawed vigilance group.

Reports reaching MACBAN headquarters in Abuja indicate that the killings are continuing around Tsola Bale village and its surrounding areas.

Five pastoralists have been held hostage by the vigilance group in the last one month and all efforts to free them had been resisted, he stated.

He alleged that pastoralist communities were recently attacked by bandits in the area and four pastoralists were killed, making the communities vulnerable to activities of bandits and the vigilantes.

We alert the state government that activities of the vigilantes in the past had only resulted in heightened reprisals from bandits who have been unleashing terror in the surrounding areas.

Security agencies in charge of these areas should do more to protect innocent people who are continuously harassed by the criminal vigilantes or rural bandits.

We believe the security agencies have the wherewithal to put a stop to this dastardly act of cowardice against unarmed civilians, Aliyu-Gotomo added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

Muslim faithful performing the Hajj rites

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the 2023 Hajj carriers to brace ensure quality and timely transportation of intending pilgrims.

Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR national coordinator, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

IHR is a civil society organization that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He said transportation of pilgrims differs from the routine international or local flights by the Airliners especially the new entrants Air Peace, Aero Contractors and Value Jet.

Hajj is tied to the day of Arafat and the day of is not amenable to change like other worldly events that can be delayed or postponed.

Airlift of Pilgrims forms the core aspect of hajj operations because Hajj takes place in Saudi Arabia as such all registered intending pilgrims must be flown to the holy land to performs the spiritual exercise, Muhammed said.

He urged the selected Airliners to realise that delays would amount to denying the intending pilgrims the opportunity to perform rituals of the hajj as and when due.

He called on NAHCON to ensure full implementations of all the service agreements with the airliners, adding that plans should be on ground to replace erring airliners.

NAHCON should understand that Nigerians and Hajj stakeholders will hold them responsible if they failed to act when service providers fail in delivering their assigned responsibilities, he said.

Muhammed also called on the traditional Air Carriers to avoid using one plane in carrying intending pilgrims from two or three countries during hajj operations.

They should know that no one benefits when the order of the day is cutting corners, struggling to ferry Tour Operators pilgrims within the allotted time granted to Hajj participating countries.

He commended NAHCON for increasing the numbers of hajj carriers for states Pilgrims and also adding a different set of airliners to ferry Tour operators pilgrims.

Such move will create an environment for healthy competition that will be in the interests of timely airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2023 hajj exercises.

However, NAHCON, States Muslim Pilgrims Boards and Hajj and Umrah Operators should work together in order to streamline the airlift operations to avoid the confused mode of airlift witnessed in 2022 hajj, he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DD/Website

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called on Nigerians to disregard recruitment notice circulating online.

The NCS Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Maiwada described the notice as fake, noting that the NCS was not recruiting at the moment.

The notice is the handiwork of unscrupulous element and an attempt to defraud Nigerians.

The recruitment notice with the link https://recruitmentfile.net/nigeria-customs-recruitment/ is fake and should be disregarded.

There are lots of indices to show that the notice is not from Customs, particularly the domain.

Our Website is www.customs.gov.ng. We do not use .net, so it is totally fake.

Customs is currently not recruiting and if it is doing so, it will be on the official website only, he said.

The spokesperson said that those involved in such act should desist, adding that it was evil. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

=================
Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II

By Imelda Osayande

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II on Friday in Benin felicitated with Christians on the celebration of the 2023 Easter season.

He urged Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ and pray for forgiveness of sins and also pray for the country.

I pray that the Grace and the goodness of God be upon our dear country, Nigeria, the oba said in a statement issued by the palace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government has called on authors and publishers to produce born accessible books to accommodate visually impaired persons.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu, gave the task at a news conference in Abuja.

Lalu spoke on the domestication (signing of the Copyright Act) and initiation of the the implementation process of the Marrakesh Treaty.

He noted the challenges faced by the blind, people with low vision and print disabled, calling for the production of books in worldwide accessible formats such as braille, audio, e-text and large print to address their challenges.

We cannot talk about inclusive education without providing learning materials in accessible formats. In our determination and commitment, we will make sure we make it accessible for the blind community, he said.

According to him, the commission has a mini printing press to produce any braille educational materials for free to ensure an inclusive environment for all persons regardless of their disabilities.

He said: We are inviting the public to make sure they use this printing press and every services they will get are absolutely free.

We call on all organisations that any programe that you are doing and will be inviting PWDs, make sure you provide them at an accessible formats because we are here at your service and will provide it for free.

He added that plans were on ground by the commission to revive the existing braille printing press in Lagos for the production and distribution of free braille school books for pupils in primary and secondary schools.

The Executive Secretary also called on prospective investors to establish braille printing press to carter to the needs of visually impaired persons.

We are calling on the general public, anyone interested in establishing a braille printing press, the NCPWD will provide appropriate license for the printing press.

And we will work closely with them to ensure that we maintain the standard and quality of documents to be produced to improve service delivery for our pupils to ensure education is accessible for disability community, the blind community.

Dr John Asein, the Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC), stressed the need for accessible educational materials for visually impaired to reduce rates of blind beggars on the street.

When you tell blind children to leave the street and go to school, and they get to schools and dont find their own books in those schools, they will go back to the streets.

Books should be made available to everyone in the manner, way and platform that can be used to learn.

And for the blind, that means providing the books in accessible formats and copies, he said.

Asein added that as strategy to implement the Marrakesh Treaty, NCC would collaborate with other stakeholders to make the Copyright Act, other funded government books in braille and other accessible formats.

Everytime government sponsors or funds the production of any book, it will be available in accessible formats because tax payers include both the blind and the sighted, as the blind are part of this nation, so should reap from the national resource, he said.

Mr Adamu Ishiyaku, the National President, Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), said the implementation of the National Copyright bill into law will ensure access to printed materials for visually impaired persons.

We urge all these partners to continue to partner with NAB and other stakeholders to ensure implementation of this act.

Particularly Section 26 of the National Copyright Law is successful and realistic for the visually impaired and otherwise print disabled, he said.

On his part, Mr David Okon, thevChairman, Education Committee for the Blind, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the copyright act and other policies affecting PWDs in Nigeria.

Okon, however, urged incoming governments to implement the Act to enable PWD gain necessary knowledge and literacy that will enable them contribute to national development.

He said: We should not go into retrospect, but we should progress. We are appealing that the new administration should take it up from there.

They should implement this act and other provisions that will make equality and equitability in the Nigerian society for PWDs. We want equal rights and equity.

Sightsavers Country Director, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, said the signing into law of the copyright act, 2022, and implementation of the Marrakesh treaty would promote greater cultural participation, education and social inclusion for PWDs.

Isiyaku, represented by Ms Esther Angulu, the Programme Manager, Social Inclusion, said: It is not enough for us to keep talking if we are not out there pushing and ensuring that this is done.

We will continue to support with the work NAB have started and also support to ensure that the bill is implemented.

He reiterated their commitment to partner stakeholders in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the society, including education, employment and community life. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

By Bolanle Lawal

The Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) has called for 35 per cent affirmative action in political appointments at all levels of governance in Nigeria.

Its Executive Director, Ms Oluwatumininu Adedeji, made the call in the foundations request for 35 affirmative action in the political appointments in Ekiti, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji.

Adedeji said that with the 35 per cent affirmative action the country would be able to get it right on Womens Political and Administrative Rights.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a letter titled: REQUEST FOR 35% AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS IN EKITI, was presented to the newly constituted political appointment committee in Ekiti.

A copy of the letter was also addressed to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji and other stakeholders in the political sector in the state.

Adedeji recalled that BIGIF had, through its campaign, secured the commitment of all candidates at the election to fully implement the Ekiti Women Agenda when elected, which Mr Governor, who was the then candidate of the ruling party, subscribed to.

She said: For our emerging democracy in Nigeria to be sustainable, all groups within the population must be actively involved in the governance process and their voices must be heard.

And, their experiences and expertise must be utilised for optimal growth and development of the country.

We must rise to break the bias that hitherto limit womens participation in politics and governance process.

The letter read in parts: In August 2022, BIGIF presented the Agenda to the transition committee on invitation and the Governor, in his inaugural speech, clearly committed to women empowerment, gender equality and inclusive governance.

Since inauguration, the Governor has not relented in the pursuit of his promises, particularly by enlisting qualified women into the service of the state through appointments.

We welcome the constitution of your committee as a single largest and right opportunity to achieve 35 per cent of political appointments for women in Ekiti.

In line with our mandate to promote womens rights, we are calling on the committee on political appointments to priotise and facilitate the reservation of a minimum of 35 per cent of political appointments in Ekiti State for women as the Governor has charged during the committees maiden meeting.

This is in consonance with the Governors electioneering and inauguration promises and to further implement the existing legal frameworks for gender equalit.

The executive director said that with this, Ekiti would further set an unprecedented feat, far ahead of other sub-national governments.

According to her, this is after recording another first in women political representation at the House of Assembly election of March 18 where Ekiti emerged with the highest number of female elected lawmakers in Nigeria.

NAN reports that BIGIF is a registered woman-led non-governmental organisation that focusses on enhancing healthy living and promoting the rights of women, youths and children.

It is also a frontline organisation in the advancement of human rights, promotion of women participation in politics and the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria committed to partnering with the government for development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Remi Koleoso/ Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

Sir David Osunde Foundation, says no fewer than 1,500 Persons With Disability (PWD), drawn from across the country, will be empowered at its 31st Edition of Special Easter Monday celebration.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that there would be skills acquisition programmes, scholarships and support materials like wheelchairs and crutches among others for PWDs.

The chairman said that the aim is to impact them spiritually, materially and meet their basic welfare.

The six-hour event will hold on April 10 at the Holy Family Society National Pilgrimage Centre at Gosa, Sabin-Lugbe in Abuja at noon.

The event will begin with a mass, to be celebrated by the Arch Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Bishop Ignatious Kaigama, and John Cardinal John Onayiekan.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, is the guest of honour and Mrs Geogiana Ogbutor is Mother of the Day, he said.

The Organising Secretary, Mr Mallam Muazu, said that the foundation is not a Christian institution.

He said though Easter is a Christian event, the celebration cuts across all religions, saying that 90 per cent of the beneficiaries are Muslims.

Muazu said that what has kept the foundation going in the past 31 years was consistency, truthfulness and togetherness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba and Joan Odafe

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said that the proposed jetty project in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government (AOLG) area would create several opportunities when actualised.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Gaji Omobolaji, said this at a meeting with stakeholders on the proposed construction of a Barge Jetty and Stacking Bay at Beachland Estate in Amuwo-Odofin.

He said the Barge/ Container Terminal would improve connectivity, create jobs, enhance commerce, decongest existing ports, increase government revenue and boost infrastructure development in the area.

The permanent secretary, represented by Mr Lasisi Adedoyin, a Deputy Director, said the project being handled by Beachland Consilium Ltd was to develop a Barge/Bonded Container Terminal at Beachland Estate, Ibafon.

He said an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted and the meeting was to seek the input and support of the community toward the project.

Omobolaji said the meeting was organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to create awareness on the EIA report and encourage participation of the host community and the public on location of the project.

He said that the meeting was also to document concerns and observations of the communities and relevant stakeholders.

This is to assess the potential impacts of the project and to put in place measures to mitigate them as a way of ensuring that the project is implemented in a sustainable manner, he said.

The permanent secretary said the site is bordered to the west by Kirikiri Creek while to the south are Rhamaniya storage facility and Lagos Lagoon, and the project will occupy 342 hectares of land.

He said the project would ensure faster evacuation, storage, transfer of imports, exports and also act as an empty return holding bay for containers to/fro the Lagos Lagoon while also listing anticipated negative consequences.

The proposed Beachland barge terminal/integrated logistics park when operational will help minimise use of road transportation and decongest the existing Apapa roads by making use of inland waterways which offers faster delivery time to the various industrial and commercial hubs in Alaba, Tradefair complex and Agbara, he said.

The Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mr Valentine Buraimoh, said the terminal would boost development and help decongest the roads within the community.

Buraimoh, who was represented by the Chief of Staff of the Council, Mr Segun Idris, said the project would also help reduce security risks in the community.

It will reduce the congestion on our roads and the lifespan will be increased.

We are not happy with the issue of tank farm; so if there is another way to convey petrol to various fuelling stations, we are happy with it, he said.

Mr Ajasa Oluwa, a representative of the Oluwa family landowners of the area where the terminal will be situated said the project was a welcome development to the community.

He, however urged the ministry of environment to ensure that members of the community got a good representation when staff were being recruited during and after the project.

Oluwa also urged the ministry to put the traders along the route of the project into consideration, so they dont lose their source of livelihood.

Another member of the family, Mr Oyebowale Oluwa, said the family would welcome the terminal, as long as the ministry followed through all proper and legal steps necessary for the project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

DD/Website

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has called on Christian faithful and Nigerians to take the opportunity of the Easter celebrations to pursue peace with one another.

Agba, in a goodwill message on Good Friday in Abuja, also urged Nigerians to love one another.

He pointed out that Christs love, which made Him surrender His life on the cross at Calvary for the remission of sin of man, was the essence of the season.

He said it was only in the atmosphere of peace and love, which the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ represented that we can unleash our creative potential for the development of our nation.

Agba urged Nigerians to focus more on issues that unite rather than divide us as a nation.

According to him, there is no limit to the amount of collective good that can accrue to a united nation. I urge us to be united in focus and in pupose.

I wish all of us a momentous Good Friday and celebratory Easter Sunday and Monday in the abundance of love, peace, and unity.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DD/Website

Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr Yusuf Maina-Bukar with the agencys staff members and friends, during his first anniversary in office in Abuja

Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr Yusuf Maina-Bukar with the agencys staff members and friends, in Abuja on Monday.

By Abigael Joshua

The Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, has pledged more commitments to afforestation activities to curb the challenges of climate change in Nigeria.

Maina-Bukar gave the pledge while addressing newsmen to mark his first anniversary in office, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Since the inception of the agency, afforestation and restoration activities have been at the heart of its activities.

We have, therefore, focused on implementing afforestation and reforestation activities as well as land restoration and sustainable land management practices, and we have made notable achievements, he said.

Maina-Bukar listed some of the achievements to include: establishment of shelter belts, woodlots, orchards and more recently, institutional planting, social forestry and farm forestry.

Others, he said, were marketable gardens and large-scale restoration of degraded lands to ameliorate the challenges of the environment in the affected communities.

At the core of the Nigerian component of the Great Green Wall initiative is reversing desertification, degradation of land and the mitigation of the effects of climate change in the 11 frontline communities, he said.

According to the director-general, the communities were in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa States.

He said that during his one year in office, the agency had been able to provide job opportunities for youths and women in rural communities, especially in the areas of training on land management technique and forest planting, among others.

The Acting Director, Department of Planning Policy and Coordination, NAGGW, Mrs Habibah Ibrahim, commended the director-general for his support to the staff members of the agency.

This has made our jobs easier and I urge him to continue to listen to us.

She also commended Maina-Bukar for his passion for the assignment before him, saying that this could help in driving the nations economy to success.

Mr Sotade Olayinka, Convener, Initiative for Ethics and Value Reorientation, a civil society organisation (CSO), lauded his organisations partnership with the agency, under the leadership of the director-general.

He urged the director-general to continue to operate an open door policy, assuring of more successes in his assignment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Wale Sadeeq

Source: NAN News