By Maureen Okon

No fewer than 301 stranded Nigerians returned home from Ukraine amidst Russia attacks on multiple fronts through Budapest.

Thisnis according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Twitter handles: @ NigeriaGov.

#Nigeriansinukraine https://t.co/yKnPRRwlEb stated that the evacuees boarded Flight AZM2351 with AzmanAir from Budapest, Hungary.

It stated that the evacuees arrived the Nnamdi International Airport at 8.50 p.m local time, of which the majority of the returnees are the #SumyStudents from Ukraine.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many Nigerians and other nationals have fled Ukraine into nearby countries since Russia launched a full-scale war on its neighbour on Feb. 24.

The Nigerian government approved the release of 8.5 million dollars for the immediate evacuation of at least 5,000 Nigerians fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict zone to Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Getting the Apo-Karshi Road for economic, social benefit of FCT residents

By Ismail Abdulaziz

The Apo-Karshi stretch road was first awarded at the cost of N6.4 billion to Kakatar Engineering. The road project is aimed at reducing the hardship experienced daily by commuters coming into the Federal Capital City from the AYA-Nyanya-Mararaba-Keffi road in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

Work on the project stopped after the 2015 general election, but on assumption of office as FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, on May 2015, ordered the contractor back to the site to continue with the construction of the Apo-Karshi road project.

Karshi-Apo road contract was awarded to Kakatar by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) at the sum of N6, 355, 609, 124.53, on Jan. 19, 2011, but actual work commenced on March 23, 2011.

An official had revealed that:A substantial part of the road has already been completed. What is happening is that there is about 200 metres not completed because there is a hill of about 50metres high which has to be chopped off otherwise vehicles wont be able to use the road.

After the Federal Executive Council meeting on Feb. 16, 2021, the minister pledged that the Apo- Karshi road would be completed before the rainy season sets in and attributed the delay in completion of the road project to the error of design whereby a huge rock outcrops on the alignment of the road.

That had been the delay in the project seen as a legacy project by residents of FCT because it will ease the daily gridlock, improve productivity of civil servcant as well as open up new site within the territory. Many rural areas would be opened up when the project is completed.

Thousands of people who reside in Karshi, Orozo, Gidan Mangoro, Kurudu, Wasa, Kyami, Takushara, and other communities, would be direct beneficiaries of the road project.

The Coordinator of the FCT Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Mr Francis Ogwuegbu, told NAN that happily the Apo-Karshi road construction projects fund has been paid recently, I think last week. They are on site working.

The staff of the STDD were also on the site overseeing the activities of the contractor during our visit.

In a statement a fortnightago, the contractor handling the project, Kakatar Engineering, announced that work would commence because the Federal Capital Territory Administration has reached an agreement on the various grey areas that had been encumbering the completion.

A statement by MrAzibaola Robert,Chairman/Managing Director of Kakatar Engineering, disclosed that the project would soon be completed and handed over for use by the public.

The issue relating to design has since been taken care of and being implemented on ground, while the issue of review of rates is being tackled with zeal by the authority.

It will be recalled that the Karshi Apo road project was awarded to Kakatar CE in 2011 as an addendum to the Apo Ara project at rates which were poor even at 2011.

In 2022, these rates have become even so unappealing for a contractor to make any margin, and we appreciate the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, the Honourable Minister of State, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, and the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) for their understanding.

It is on this note that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authority has graciously approved the review of the rates of the project for its immediate completion. This has now given us a renewed momentum and the impetus to expedite the completion of the project without further delay.

We are, therefore, grateful for this gesture and assure Abuja residents that this road shall sooner than later be completed and handed over for their use.

Already work has commenced at the site with equipment and staff at work with the Chief Executive of the construction company leading the team himself; the hill that had been an great issue between the contractor and the FCTA had been cut through and vehicles were seen plying the road even though it was still untarred.

The road project, no doubt, would be of great benefit to Nigerians as well as improve the visibility and economic life of people in FCT and those living in the rural areas along the route.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Kano Pillars on Friday defeated Bauchi Nets 77-68 to emerge Group 3 winners in the 2022 Mark D Ball Mens basketball championship in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the result meant that Kano Pillars finished with a 100 percent win record.

They topped the eight-team Phase 1 Group 3 table with 14 points.

In this final game of the group, it all started out as a ding-dong affair at the Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium and with Kano Pillars looking eager to extend their winning run.

But it was the Bauchi Nets who were on the foot right from the jump ball as they dominated the first quarter, taking it 17-15.

However, Kano Pillars quickly bounced back into the game with more strength and vigour as they came from behind to take the second quarter 19-10 for a 34-27 half-time scoreline.

Pillars continued from where they stopped as they mounted more pressure on their opponents and extended their lead in the third quarter 24-19 for a 58-46 scoreline.

Bauchi Nets by now had their work cut out for them, but they rallied to a 22-19 win in the fourth quarter to reduce the gap.

Their late effort was however not enough as Kano Pillars held on for a 77-68 victory.

NAN reports that Bauchi Nets with eight points from seven games played finished at the bottom of the table after managing to win only one game.

In other Match Day 7 fixtures, Delta Force walloped Benue Braves 81-56 to claim second spot with 12 points.

Kada Stars with 11 points settled for the third position after suffering a heavy 107- 72 defeat to The Assist Planet (TAP).

Novena Heartlanders defeated Bayelsa Waves 61-57 to also finish with 11 points but slipped to the fourth spot by virtue of Kada Stars head-to-head superiority.

Also, Bayelsa Waves with 10 points edged out TAP (who also finished with 10 points) from the fifth and last qualification spot by virtue of the formers head-to-head superiority.

The Ogun-based TAP side had to settle for the sixth positionand will now have to wait to see if they stand a chance of making it to the round of 16 as best losers.

This was after winning three out of seven games with a goal difference of 6.

Benue Braves (-73) and Bauchi Nets (-51) with eight points finished seventh and eight respectively after managing to win only one game each.

Both sides have thus been automatically eliminated from the competition

Five teams each are expected to qualify from each of the three (eight-team) groups for the Round of 16, with the best losers completing the line-up.

Mo Heat, Gombe Bulls, Hot Coal Ballers, Nile University Spartans and APA Flames have already qualified from Phase 1 Group 1.

Also, Nigeria Customs, FCT Hardrockers, Kwara Falcons, Suleja Bulldogs and Civil Defenders are the qualified teams from Phase 1 Group 2.

They are now joined by Kano Pillars, Delta Force, Kada Stars, Novena Heartlanders and Bayelsa Waves.

Phase 1 Group 3 final standings

S/N TEAM P W L GF GA PTS GD

1. Kano Pillars 7 7 0 514 376 14 138
2. Delta Force 7 5 2 469 408 12 61
3. Kada Stars 7 4 3 472 486 11 -14
4. Novena Heartlanders 7 4 3 437 463 11 -26
5. Bayelsa Waves734 417 413 10 4
   6.The Assist Planet7 3 4 495489 10 6
6. Benue Braves 7 16 470 543 8 -73
7. Bauchi Nets 7 1 6 441 492 8 -51
   (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Say No Campaign, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) on Friday said fighting corruption through citizens participation remained crucial to achieving accountability in governance.

Convener, Say No Campaign, Ezenwa Nwagwu said this at the Close-Out ceremony of the groups Campaign Project in Abuja.

Nwagwu, said the Say No Campaign-Nigeria project presented an opportunity for its networks at the state level to intensify the anti-corruption movement in the country.

He said that this was because individuals at the local levels were most relevant in driving community development and good governance in their communities.

He, however, said that while communities were complaining about unaccountable leadership, the personal responsibility needed to hold leaders accountable was being ignored by citizens.

This he said was making some leaders to trample on their rights and privileges.

He said that in order to change the narrative, transform communities to enable government work for the people, his organisation designed an accountability movement to be driven by community members.

According to him, the aim is to influence budgets, monitor and score implementation of government projects.

The way the programme is structured is to give it back to the people, we ensure that it is not just going to be our programme.

This is because part of the challenge that we are facing is that people have outsourced the anti-corruption fight to be Muhammadu Buharis anti-corruption fight and there is nothing like that.

Even though the constitution has made it compelling for government to abolish corrupt practices, the people are the ones who suffer the brunt of the consequences of corruption.

Across our country, you will find scattered all over the place abandoned projects in communities, we started thinking about what to do and the MacArthur Foundation gave us the support.

Nwagwu said that the group took the campaign to communities, trained people and engaged them to be able to by themselves begin to see how they could deal with the challenges they face on daily basis.

We started doing this with traditional and religious leaders and went into communities, we engaged labour groups, we had lawyers network against corruption among others.

Mr James Ugochukwu, the Programme Manager, while sharing the reflection of the project said that the groups resolve to engage community members to monitor projects paid off.

Ugochukwu said that by their participation in the process of governance, they identified and articulated their needs, engaged representatives and government institutions, tracked government responses and activities in the interest of accountability.

Over the last four years, say No campaign prioritised deepening anti-corruption awareness, mobilising and harmonising citizens voices against corruption, building citizens capacity to effectively engage governance, and mobilising citizens oversight on government programmes and initiatives.

Say No Campaign inaugurated various citizens groups at grassroots and elite levels in Akwa Ibom, Borno, Enugu, Lagos, Kano, Edo and the FCT.

A representative of MacArthur Foundation, Mr Dayo Olaide , Deputy Director of the Foundation commended Say No Campaign for the work done in the last four years in communities.

Olaide said that the project was a wakeup call to Nigerians who had normalised the problems they face in communities due to failure of leaders every day.

We have become dead to the sensitivity of the issues and that is something that is playing out in our subconscious that we cannot do anything and so the approach that Say No Campaign has done is to counter that logic.

They demonstrated that indeed we can change the situation whether normalised or not, we can change it and create a new normal, what Say No Campaign has done is a project.

It is not a project that will defeat corruption in Nigeria, it is citizens movement that will defeat corruption in Nigeria and so what Say No Campaign has done is to sow a seed for that movement.

Olaide urged a stop of it does not concern me approach to life or the if it does not affect me it does not concern me way of life to begin to show more interest and be more active in changing bad situations around them.

Alhaji Abu Garba ,a traditional leader from Rimba Ebagi, Abaji, thanked Say No Campaign for the imitative, adding that it had availed participants knowledge of how to demand accountability from government.

Say No Campaign taught me how to monitor projects, so we followed the Rimba, Ebagi road project across river Gurara that was awarded because our people could not cross the river.

The contract was given for more than eight to nine years and even though all the money was paid, nothing was being done on the roads except when Say No Campaign came.

Garba called on the government to assist the community in connecting to mobile network as well as the fencing of the communitys primary healthcare centre and their primary and secondary schools. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sunday John

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State says civil servants can now access healthcare services in any medical facilities in the state following the official presentation of Nasarawa State Health Insurance Scheme Identity Cards to them.

The governor made the disclosure in Lafia on Friday at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia (DASH) while inaugurating the presentation of the identity cards to civil servants in the state.

He was represented by the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe.

According to Gov. Sule, the leaders of the organised labour had rejected the inclusion of the formal sector in the scheme in 2018 citing none implementation of their promotions as the reason.

He, however, said that it was now history as their demands were since met and enrollment of workers had begun.

Sule used the medium to express gratitude to the organised labour for its understanding and support to ensure the success of the programme.

The health insurance programme can not be complete and successful in the state without the involvement of the formal sector.

Based on the records available, Nasarawa State is one of the leading states in the country as far as Universal Health Coverage is concerned.

We have already started contributing 0.5 per cent of our consolidated revenue into the basic healthcare provision fund.

The Federal Government had, in the last quarter, contributed over N500 million in the basic healthcare provision fund for Nasarawa State and we have so far contributed over N145 million into the fund, Sule added.

The governor, therefore said that the government had concluded an arrangement to commence the payment of its seven per cent contribution to all its employees to complement the three deductions from the civil servants.

On his part, Dr Gaza Gwamna, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, said that enrolment into the scheme had started on December 12, 2019, with the governor and his deputy.

He explained that the programme had suffered setbacks due to refusal by labour to be part of it even though the informal sector were captured at that time.

The governor explained that with the acceptance by the leaders of the organised labour to be included, already over 5,000 workers and their dependents were enrolled and can begin accessing healthcare services henceforth.

He added that under the formal sector, the agency was targeting to enrol about 100, 000 beneficiaries in the next one or two months.

The Executive Secretary said that DASH and all the General Hospitals in the state including Primary Healthcare Centres in the 147 electoral wards of the state as well as private medical facilities were ready to attend to those under the scheme.

After receiving your cards today, civil servants, public servants and political appointees can begin to access healthcare services in any facility across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, Gwamna added.

In his remarks, Dr Ikrama Hassan, Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia (DASH) lauded Gov. Sule for the initiative.

He explained that the insurance scheme would go a long way to tackle challenges that were hitherto leading to health complications and even death because of lack of money to access healthcare.

Hassan, therefore, assured the public that DASH was ready to attend to all that chose the facility.

In his Goodwill message, Comrade Yusuf Iya, Chairman, Nasarawa State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the governor for the initiative aimed at improving the condition of the people.

He pledged the support of the organised labour in the state to the government to ensure the success of the programme. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has urged graduands of Joint Integrated Campaign Planning Course to use the knowledge gained to address the contemporary security challenges in the country.

Irabor made the call in Abuja on Friday, at the closing of the course which was organised by the Defence Headquarters and British military Advisory Training Team (BMATT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were drawn from the services, military institutions, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

NAN also reports that the inclusion of the DSS, police, NSCDC, NCS and NIS personnel on the course was to generate a synergy, promote rapport and understanding in the roles of campaign planning.

Irabor, who was represented by Rear Admiral Chubuike Azike, the Director of Education, Defence Headquarters, said that 45 nominees were expected as participants in the course.

He said but for some reasons, only 40 participated and graduated from the course.

According to him, the course is aimed at developing the capacity of the officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies on joint campaign planning at the operational and strategic level.

Capacity building is a key driver in my leadership focus.

The course is aimed at strengthening joint and integrated campaign planning operations with participants brought together from the services of Armed Forces of Nigeria and security agencies.

The inclusion of other personnel on the course was for a robust synergy to promote rapport and understanding rules of campaign planning particularly now that armed forces of Nigeria is engaged in a asymmetric warfare, he said.

According to him, the course is made to be a precursor to entrenching multi-agency training to enable security agencies develop understanding and expertise in planning.

He said that the synergy would as well execute campaign at either single, joint or multi-agency levels.

I believe that the course will fortify synergy among military and security agencies towards combating the nations contemporary security challenges.

I was told that, a total of 45 nominees from the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other sister security agencies were expected as participants in the course.

However, some of the nominees could not attend the course due to some challenges, he said.

According to him, the graduands were exposed to the concept of joint campaign planning principles and approach to operations as well as military command and strategic direction during the training.

The course curriculum also featured joint integrated operations emphasising structure, roles, functions, and staff ready in joint taskforce Headquarters.

The roles of various joint integrated operations were equally discussed.

It is heartwarming to note that the activities of the course in the last 14 days have been very educative and rewarding as it created a forum for interaction, sharing of experiences, promoted mutual operation and further bonding among the graduands, he added.

The CDS further stated that he had no doubt that the course has achieved its objectives of fashioning out effective planning and robust synergies among military and security agencies.

He said that their efforts would no doubt address contemporary security challenges in the country.

Therefore, I urged you all to apply the knowledge gained on the course in your respective services and establishment to serve as enablers.

You are encouraged to further build on the friendship you have established during the course to enhance future interactions for national cohesion.

To our technical partners, the British military Adversary Training Team. I cant thank you enough for your collaborative efforts and provision of well experienced resource persons during the training.

On this note, it is my honour to declare the Joint Integrated Campaign Planning Course 2022 closed, Irabor said.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Adelokun Eyitayo, Director, Campaign Planning, Defence Headquarters, said the past 14 days had been educative and impactful to boost general and political works in syndicates.

The aimed of the training is to develop our understanding on the joint integrated approach on issues. To also develop our understanding on the operational level planning process on operational act.

These are in line with the Chief of Defense Staffs leadership focus which is to foster a professional armed forced capable of effective meeting constitutional imperatives.

I am convinced now that the 40 graduands from armed forces, paramilitary and other agencies that took part in the two weeks training are better informed what integration and planning is all about, he said.

On her part, one of the graduands, Ms Sarauniya Binga, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) the only female among the 40 participants, said the course was an interesting one.

Before I came for the training, I didnt know Before going out, we have to plan. But today, we were taught to plan on how to execute the plan to get our targets, audience.

We were able to interact with other security agencies to know the importance of cooperation and we trusted each other now.

We understood their point of view and they understood our point of view too. We know the centre of gravity and know how to operate. The training is worth it, she said.

Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to 40 participants that participated in the 14 days course. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

An International non- governmental organisation, Christian Aid, on Friday said that the strategic engagement of citizens by religious leaders was crucial as part of efforts to tackle COVID-19 in Africa.

Christian Aid and its partners gave the submission while hosting a high-level virtual discussion on COVID-19 vaccine access and uptake in Africa and the role of faith leaders as part of continued focus on ending the pandemic.

According to Jeanne Kamara, the Country Director of Christian Aid in Sierra Leone, Africa has been laid back in accepting the vaccines due to some religious and superstitious beliefs.

Kamara said, the voices of religious leaders is critical in making sure that the narrative is changed, so people can protect themselves and their families against COVID-19.

She said that Christian Aid partners, who are faith leaders from Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe shared their experiences of supporting access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Rev. John Hayab, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna chapter, while sharing the Nigerian experience on hindrances to accepting the COVID-19 vaccine, said that initially, people were skeptical about taking the vaccine.

Hayab said that people questioned the vaccine, adding that fear and the belief that the vaccine was anti-Christ and so it would do more harm than good was partly the reason why people rejected the vaccine.

In Nigeria, only 27.5 million people have taken the vaccine and our population is about 200 million, this means that Nigeria has not gone above 12 per cent in the number of people who have taken the vaccine.

Some hindrances to taking the vaccine include doubt about the vaccine and insecurity.

So, faith-based organisations collaborated with the government and other stakeholders to take the campaign to citizens to encourage people to take the vaccine.

Religious leaders had to take the vaccine in order to convince members that it was not harmful.

We encouraged people to take the vaccine using scriptures to support the claim that God encourages us to take vaccines, he said

Hayab said that the assembling of Christian medical experts was also key to addressing peoples hesitancy in taking the vaccine, likewise effective security was key to motivate people to take the vaccine.

Mr Moses Jorkie, a Sierra Leonean Parliamentarian and Chairman, Committee on Health and Sanitation, said that Africa had yet to meet 70 per cent target of COVID-19 vaccine intake due to some stereotypes.

Jorkie said that in moving forward, there was need to begin to change the negative narrative around COVID-19 vaccines to make people embrace it.

He added that there was need for governments to brace up to improve the economy to cushion the impact of COVID-19.

Rev. Nicola Hakizimana, Senior Pastor, Well of Life Church, Burundi, while sharing the experience from Burundi, said that when the pandemic started, it was strange to Africa, so information sharing on the pandemic was difficult.

Hakizimana said that the church began to carry out campaigns and co-opted faith-based medical personnel to do rapid test for people and detect symptoms.

This eased off the initial fear as people were advised to listen to the governments instructions.

This helped a lot as the country recorded lower number of COVID-19 cases, he said.

Some of the participants, who spoke from Kenya and Zimbabwe, called for a collective action as faith-based organisations to get everyone vaccinated, so the African economy could rise and people become able to live their normal lives.

They said that this was imperative because religious leaders had strong roles for social change and most people needed to hear voices that would convince them to take the vaccine.

They also recommended a coordinated advocacy at the regional level by faith leaders and Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) to engage countries, so Africa could produce its own vaccines.

The participants therefore called for further engagement of faith leaders in mitigating future pandemics. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Abba

Yobe State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency (YODMA), says it constructed six zonal medical warehouses to reduce costs for logistics movement across the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawan Gana, disclosed this while commissioning one of the warehouses in Potiskum on Friday.

Gana said the zonal warehouses were set up to ensure high quality and affordable medication and to reduce costs associated with the logistics of movement.

It is not economically sensible to say that every person will have to travel to Damaturu, the state capital, to get their drugs and consumables, he said.

He explained that the law establishing the agency had provided the establishment of the six zonal facilities across the state.

As we are speaking, we have established that of Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru and Damaturu, soon we are going to have two more warehouses, Gana added.

He added that the agency has upgraded the warehouse in Damaturu in partnership with Multi Sectoral Crises Project.

The commissioner said the ministry is looking up to YODMA and its associates to ensure that the healthcare facilities are adequately available on all medications.

The commissioner, on behalf of Yobe government, commended the entire YODMA team for improving and upgrading healthcare services across the state.

Speaking at the occasion, Abdulaziz Muhammed, the Executive Secretary, YODMA, commended Saving One Million Lives for being supportive.

He also commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni for his efforts to reform the entire health system in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By David Adeoye/ Suleiman Shehu

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the openness and large heart of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Olalekan Balogun, earned him the throne.

Osinbajo, in his remarks in Ibadan at the installation of Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, also prophesised that the reign of the traditional ruler would witness greatness.

He was better prepared for the throne, having been a scholar, former senator and champion of indigenous culture and community empowerment, the vice-president said.

Osinbajo, while congratulating the new Olubadan and Government of Oyo State on the coronation, commended the orderliness and unique steps taken in ascending the throne.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oba Balogun was installed and presented with the Staff and Instrument of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, at exactly 12:32 p.m.

Makinde, in his address, urged the new Ibadan foremost traditional ruler to remain steadfast as the gatekeeper of Ibadan traditional system.

The governor urged the traditional rulers, as custodians of traditional system, not to play politics with the system.

He said that no politician, no matter how highly placed, could destroy any system without the cooperation of members of the system.

Makinde implored Balogun and the Olubadan-In-Council to work toward ensuring that the laws, having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan, remain sacrosanct.

He advised the Olubadan-In- Council to be self-conceived and remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class, if there was going to be any amendment in the laws.

The governor said further that he had always taken a stand for the integrity of traditional systems.

And so, I am, especially delighted that today, Friday, March 11, the sanctity of the emergence of this century-old dynasty, has been restored.

His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, Okumade II, has distinguished himself as an excellent professional.

He has without doubt contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.

He has served both in private and public services and has even represented Oyo State at the senate.

He is indeed a man of many parts and so, we rejoice that His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okumade II, climbed the 22 steps on the Olubadan line, starting from the lowest rung of Jagun Olubadan over a period of 39 years.

We rejoice because His Imperial Majesty having seen how things were when politics became a factor in the ascension to the throne, is in a great position to defend the traditions of our people and ensure that this does not happen again.

And, I want to restate that though, we politicians will come and go, sometimes to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.

But, this is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand preventing us from tinkering with the age-old traditional systems.

So, I join Oyo State Government, sons and daughters of Ibadan and good people of Oyo State to wish the Imperial Majesty a peaceful and successful reign, Makinde said.

Highlights of the event was the traditional homage to the new Olubadan, led by Otun Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, followed by other members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Council of Iyalodes, Mogajis, religious leaders, among others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Youth Mandate Group (NYMG) 2023, a pro-democracy organisation, has commended Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi state for defeating criminality in the state since the inception of his administration.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Abba Abba, made the commendation in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Abba said that the security strategy adopted by Bello has made it impossible for criminals to hibernate in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi really understands the crisis of governance in Nigeria.

The governor has demonstrate ability to handle the security situation in his state which was once a home for criminals.

But now as it stands in Nigeria, Kogi remains one of the safest states where one can do business free without fear of losing his or her investment, Abba said.

Abba expressed the hope that Bello has the capacity to consolidate on the gains recorded on security by President Mohammed Buhari because without security, there would be no development.

The youth leader called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) to unanimously endorse Bello and ensure his emergence as the sole candidate of the party in the 2023 General Elections.

The National Youth Mandate Group (NYMG) 2023, advices APC to give their Presidential ticket to Gov. Bello to ensure the emergence of a young president come 2023.

Nigerian Youth will not support any aspirant above 60 years of age hence Bello is best for the ruling party.

Bello is fearless like the lion when its comes to protection of lives, properties and delivering of dividends of democracy.

Abba called on the Nigerian Youth to support one of its own, who has really empowered the youth of his state in all ramifications.

Bello is a detribalized Nigerian who believes in Nigeria and always ready to give his all in the services of humanity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola

The Lagos State Government has begun publishing details of convicted sex offenders as part of measures to check sexual violence and create public awareness of such misdeeds.

Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), made this known on Thursday in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The DSVA said the publication of the details of the convicted sex offenders was in keeping with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olus zero tolerance to all forms of domestic and sexual violence.

The details to be published would include the name and picture of the sex offender, the nature of the offence as well as the duration of the sentence handed down by the court.

The details of sex convicts would be published periodically on the state governments website, (www.lagosstate.gov.ng), the website of the Ministry of Justice (https://lagosstatemoj.org) and the website of the DSVA (www.dsvrtlagos.org).

According to Vivour-Adeniyi, these publications are in line with Section 42 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law which empowers the DSVA to periodically publish details of sex convicts in Lagos.

Letters of advisory have been issued to local governments and traditional rulers of the communities where the convicts previously resided.

This measure is one amongst many deployed by the state government to end the culture of impunity and also serve as a deterrence to other sex offenders.

To report any case of domestic and sexual violence, residents are to call the toll-free number, 08000333333, she said.

NAN reports that the DSVA has begun the process of publishing the names and details of convicted sex offenders in Lagos.

The details of Basiru Obasekere convicted and sentenced on Dec. 2, and Gbenga Olasukanmi convicted and sentenced on Nov. 30, had so far been published.

The duo were each sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court for the offence of defilement. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Prof. Benard Odo, former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, has said that the Abuja High Court judgement that ousted Gov. Dave Umahi would strengthen the democratic space in the country.

The court had removed Umahi along with his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi-Igwe, for defecting from the PDP on whose platform

they won the election in 2019, to the rival APC.

Also sacked were 17 lawmakers who defected along with the duo.

Odoh, in a statement on Thursday in Abakaliki, declared that the court verdict would enrich the nations adjudicatory system and deepen party democracy in Nigeria.

As someone who has, and will always speak and stand for the Ebonyi masses, I am optimistic that this verdict,whichever way thependulum swings,will indeed help in enriching the Nigerian adjudicatory system on election matter.

He particularly noted that the landmark judgement was the first time aservinggovernor and his deputy were beingsacked by the court over defection to another political party.

There has not been a judicial precedence of this kind since the advent of the Fourth Republic, hence the varied interpretations and reactions the verdict has generated.

However, for reasonable and discerning minds, the prevailing situation, including the varied interpretations,are all within the confines of what democracy permits, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Iyang Ekwo delivered the judgement in a case filed by by Umahis former political platform, the PDP.

He hinged his judgement on the view that votes belong to the political parties and not the individuals flying the tickets.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola

The Lagos State Government has begun publishing details of convicted sex offenders as part of measures to check sexual violence and create public awareness of such misdeeds.

Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), made this known on Thursday in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The DSVA said the publication of the details of the convicted sex offenders was in keeping with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olus zero tolerance to all forms of domestic and sexual violence.

The details to be published would include the name and picture of the sex offender, the nature of the offence as well as the duration of the sentence handed down by the court.

The details of sex convicts would be published periodically on the state governments website, (www.lagosstate.gov.ng), the website of the Ministry of Justice (https://lagosstatemoj.org) and the website of the DSVA (www.dsvrtlagos.org).

According to Vivour-Adeniyi, these publications are in line with Section 42 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law which empowers the DSVA to periodically publish details of sex convicts in Lagos.

Letters of advisory have been issued to local governments and traditional rulers of the communities where the convicts previously resided.

This measure is one amongst many deployed by the state government to end the culture of impunity and also serve as a deterrence to other sex offenders.

To report any case of domestic and sexual violence, residents are to call the toll-free number, 08000333333 , she said.

NAN reports that the DSVA had begun the process of publishing the names and details of convicted sex offenders in Lagos.

The details of Basiru Obasekere convicted and sentenced on Dec. 2, and Gbenga Olasukanmi convicted and sentenced on Nov. 30, had so far been published.

The duo were each sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court for the offence of defilement. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki said he has no regrets defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor stated this while addressing members and supporters of the party during a solidarity rally held at the Udensi Water Fountain Round about in Abakaliki.

Umahi, who appealed for calm, assured APC faithful, supporters and friends of the administration who thronged the venue of the rally to express their love and solidarity that the judgement sacking him as governor would not stand.

He reiterated that he had no regrets dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whom he accused of desperation and bent on distracting his administration.

I have no regrets leaving PDP. The judgement sacking me as your governor will not stand at appeal and I remain the governor as Im still working.

I said the lawyers of PDP are the ones doing forum shopping and Im going to report the lawyers to NBA to discipline them because the judge was misled.

The blame is not on the judge. The blame is on the PDP lawyers who misled the judge.

And Im using the opportunity to appeal for calm and to let Nigerians know that nobody castigated the judge and we will not.

Today, we have appealed the judgement. We have done three things; we have done the appeal at Enugu, and when I say that, we have two judgements, I say that the judgement in Ebonyi, which has equal powers with that of Abuja.

We said that we will obey the judgement in Ebonyi; we will appeal the judgement of Abuja.

We didnt say we will disobey, otherwise we would have not appeal, we are before the Appeal Court in Enugu state and that of Abuja.

We have also filed a stay of execution. So, we are still the governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi, Umahi said.

He said that he has mobilised no fewer than 17 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to Appeal the judgement of the Abuja Federal High Court. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Lawal

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi State Area Command, has impounded an articulated vehicle loaded with donkey skin worth more than N42 million.

The Comptroller, Mr Joseph Attah, who disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, described the act as illegal.

He said it contravened the International Convention on Wildlife of which Nigeria is a signatory.

Attah explained that two suspects, a driver and a passenger, had been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The comptroller said: What you are seeing here today is a product of endangered species. Nigeria as a nation is a signatory to the International Convention on Wildlife.

It means that animals that are globally classified as endangered species are not supposed to be hunted, poached and not to be eaten as meat.

After a thorough searching, we discovered that 1,390 sacks of donkey meat were concealed in the sacks.

In my interactions with one of those who have connection with these items told me that about 1,000 donkeys were slaughtered to be able to gather the quantity of meat concealed in the sacks.

This is illegal, it is not right and it contravened Section 6(b) of the Customs and Excise Act 45 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It also contravened the Convention Treaty which Nigeria is also a signatory to, he said.

Attah explained that the Customs was fully aware that some foreigners were coming to the country to illegally purchase the endangered species for their nations industrial usage and benefits.

According to him, Nigeria as a responsible member of the global community cannot afford to be silent on things that can raise questions on its integrity.

Our country is a responsible member of the international community. We have the capacity and we are out to protect these animals.

We cannot allow our nation to be used as conduit pipe for the passage of illegal trade on wildlife. We are aware that some foreigners do come to African countries with money and poke our endangered animals for their industrial needs.

This is not in our interest as a people and as Nigerians, we have the responsibility to say to this kind of illegality.

Kebbi Area Command is determined to fight all forms of smuggling. We are determined to stop all forms of illegal business, he said.

Attah promised to ensure that those who engaged in such illegal trade were arrested, thereby making it unprofitable for them.

He said such culprits could end up in a correctional centre.

We shall continue to do that. This huge quantity of illegal items is valued about over N42 million and it is going to be destroyed to serve as a good example to others. All the suspects will face the wrath of the law, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has set a target for sector commands to ensure reduction of road crashes by 15 per cent nationwide in 2022.

The Zonal Commanding officer in charge of FCT and Niger State, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Shehu Mohammed, said this at the 1st Quarter Sector Operators Meeting/Retreat on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed said the command was committed to achieving the goal and surpassing the target through adequate training of personnel on strategies for optimal performance.

He said the retreat was organised to train and retrain personnel to be abreast with the current reality of reducing road traffic crashes to the barest minimum.

What we are doing today is to improve the knowledge of the personnel. What drives the economy today is knowledge and FRSC is also striving to be a knowledge-based organisation.

The expectation is that they have added knowledge and they have equally heard our target reiterated several times.

When they go back, they would use what they have learnt from the retreat to focus on those offences that may not make us to achieve the 15 per cent, he said.

Mohammed also urged the unit commanders to do more of partnership and collaboration by adopting squad patrol, instead of unit patrol, to achieve effectiveness.

He said the squad patrol embraced enforcement, public awareness, sensitisation and advocacy, saying the strategy would help them to achieve the 15 per cent target.

The Commanding officer commended FCT command for outstanding performance in 2021, urging them to redouble effort towards achieving more this year.

He urged them to ensure effective management of command resources at their disposal for optimum performance.

Meanwhile, the FCT Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr Samuel Ochi, said the retreat was convened to appraise the performance of the sector in the previous year and strategise for the current year.

Ochi assured the zonal commanding officer of the sectors readiness and commitment to working with him to actualise the 15 per cent target.

Similarly, the Unit Commander, Nyanya, Assistant Corp Commander, Sabena Musa, said the retreat would reposition the commanders for optimal performance in their efforts to keep the roads safe and free from crashes.

Musa said the retreat was an eye-opener to think outside the box to ensure that goals were met and to be able to manage the available scarce resources to ensure that the roads were free of traffic.

On his part, Unit Commander, R7.18 Lugbe FCT, Assistant Corp Commander Osondu Oheari, said the retreat was a special platform for commanders to do stocktaking and to rejig their consciousness as commanding officers in the FCT.

Oheari said the retreat would help them to put in their best and widened their horizon in discharging their duties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

Girls Voices Initiative, an NGO, has described the 2022 International Womens
Day (IWD) hashtag #BreakTheBias, as symbol of the enduring barriers faced by women in workplaces and other areas.

The groups Creative Director, Mrs Carolyn Seaman, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
on Tuesday in Abuja, on the sidelines of the Womens International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFFEN 2022) award.

The 2022 IWD celebration, which has Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow, has #BreakTheBias as its hashtag.

The award was organised by the NGOs Nation Academy, in partnership with the French Embassys PISCCA Programme
and other partners.

Seaman said the premier WIFFEN award was in commemoration of the 2022 IWD, annually observed on March 8
to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women across the globe.

She added that gender inequality and bias had led to women and girls in the country having uneven access to
healthcare, education and other basic needs.

This is why we are honouring deserving women in the film industry, in partnership with the French Embassys
PISCCA Programme.

The honour is part of efforts to recognise and celebrate the immense contributions of women to the film industry.

The 2022 IWD celebration aims to project a world that will be free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

Seaman explained that like International Womens Day, the WIFFEN 2022 focused on encouraging female filmmakers
across the country and to be at their best in their chosen profession.

She added that on this IWD, I just want to wish for more love and kindness in the world and the divine female energy
in each of us, male or female, to shine bright through our hearts. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Augusta Uchediunor

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines on abortion care in a bid to protect the health of women and girls across the world.

The global health body said in a statement on Wednesday that the new guidelines would also help prevent over 25 million unsafe abortions that currently occur each year.

According to WHO, based on the latest scientific evidence, these consolidated guidelines bring together over 50 recommendations spanning clinical practice, health service delivery, and legal and policy interventions to support quality abortion care.

Craig Lissner, Acting Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, said: Nearly every death and injury that results from unsafe abortion is entirely preventable.

Thats why we recommend women and girls can access abortion and family planning services when they need them.

WHO said that when abortion is carried out using a method recommended by WHO, appropriate to the duration of the pregnancy and assisted by someone with the necessary information or skills, it is a simple and extremely safe procedure.

However, it noted that only around half of all abortions take place under such conditions, with unsafe abortions causing around 39,000 deaths every year and resulting in millions more women hospitalized with complications.

Most of these deaths are concentrated in lower-income countries with over 60 per cent in Africa and 30 per cent in Asia and among those living in the most vulnerable situations.

The guideline includes recommendations on many simple primary care level interventions that improve the quality of abortion care provided to women and girls.

These include task sharing by a wider range of health workers; ensuring access to medical abortion pills, which mean more women can obtain safe abortion services, and making sure that accurate information on care is available to all those who need it, WHO said.

For the first time, the guidelines also include recommendations for use where appropriate of telemedicine, which helped support access to abortion and family planning services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines also highlighted the need to remove unnecessary policy barriers that facilitate access to safe abortion.

Alongside the clinical and service delivery recommendations, the guidelines recommend removing medically unnecessary policy barriers to safe abortion.

Such as criminalisation, mandatory waiting times, the requirement that approval must be given by other people (e.g., partners or family members) or institutions, and limits on when during pregnancy an abortion can take place.

Such barriers can lead to critical delays in accessing treatment and put women and girls at greater risk of unsafe abortion, stigmatisation, and health complications.

It can also increase disruptions to education and their ability to work, the WHO said.

The statement quoted Dr Bela Ganatra, Head of WHOs Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Unit, as saying, it is vital that an abortion is safe in medical terms.

But thats not enough on its own.

As with any other health services, abortion care needs to respect the decisions and needs of women and girls, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and without stigma or judgment.

No one should be exposed to abuse or harms like being reported to the police or put in jail because they have sought or provided abortion care.

The evidence is clear if you want to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, you need to provide women and girls with a comprehensive package of sexuality education, accurate family planning information and services, and access to quality abortion care.

WHO said it would support countries to implement these new guidelines and strengthen national policies and programmes related to contraception, family planning and abortion services, helping them provide the highest standard of care for women and girls. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibukun Emiola

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Oyo State chapter, has expressed fears that prices of food may rise in 2022, given the exorbitant prices of farming inputs.

Chairman of AFAN in the state, Mr John Olateru, expressed the fears in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Olateru, who stated that farmers were gearing up for the 2022 planting season, however, decried the cost of inputs, saying that this might affect the operations of farmers and the prices of their outputs.

Prices of chemicals are now more than triple of what they used to be; the same for fertilisers, while land preparation has gone from N5,000 to between N12,000 and N15,000 per hectare, he said.

Olateru said that the cost of farming inputs and other associated factors might drive up the cost of food.

The cost of cultivating farmlands has gone out of control and this will affect the prices of the items that will be planted, he said.

The AFAN chairman also lamented what he called cumbersome procedures of accessing exchange rate by farmers and sometimes, non-availability of foreign exchange for importing farming inputs.

Another problem is that on everything you import, there is 7.5 per cent VAT that you have to pay. There is also the five per cent minimum duty that you must pay on importation of tractors and other things.

If you add 7.5 per cent with five per cent, that gives you 12.5 per cent duty on what you are importing, while the official forex is not available.

All these will have multiplier effects on the prices of farmers outputs.

When people are complaining about high prices of food commodities, they may not know the factors that are driving the costs, he said.

On climate change, Olateru said on the side of farmers, going back to the farm was looking good, with favourable weather forecast, unlike what obtained in 2021.

It looks like the weather will favour us this year. I can see NIMET encouraging farmers to start planting now, unlike what obtained last year.

According to him, farming has become a profitable venture, compared with other aspects of agriculture, particularly livestock, which is now running at a loss. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has reiterated the need for women to be included in politics and governance as key for ensuring a sustainable future.

Maina, in a statement to mark the 2022 International Womens Day, on Tuesday in Abuja, said women in Nigeria were greatly marginalised.

She said this years theme Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow was apt but unfortunately not practiced in Nigeria.

Without gender equality there can be no sustainable tomorrow. As the stronger gender we perform far higher natural roles that men can ever perform.

Yet, in politics and governance we are excluded. Therefore, today I cross my two hands across my heart to join other women all over the country to say Please Break the Bias.

Nation building is a task that requires the contributions of all citizens regardless of their gender, she said.

Maina said that to perpetually shut out a significant population of a country from political participation and governance processes was to deny the country full potential for a sustainable tomorrow.

Women suffer deprivations in many spheres of our national life, yet when we ask for equity, we are pushed back by an entrenched patriarchy.

We are not asking for equality because we want to take over the roles of our men, we are asking for gender equality because that is the only guarantee of a sustainable tomorrow, she said.

According to her, the recent position taken by members of the National Assembly in the constitutional amendment process sends a bold signal to Nigerian women to wake up and organise affairs.

The former minister said it was time for the Nigerian women to rise and challenge the status quo.

She said: since politics is a game of numbers, we must come together and use our superior numbers to demand for a fairer deal.

The minimum we should demand for in the 2023 election circle is the Vice-President of the Federal republic of Nigeria and half the candidates in all elective positions. With our numbers we can do it, she said.

Maina, therefore, called on all Nigerian women to rise up to the challenge of ending the bias and enthroning equity in politics and governance.

I challenge Nigerian men to see reason in ensuring equity and inclusion in our national life; this is indeed a task for all of us; Happy International Womens Day 2022,she added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News