By George Odok

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has sacked four Commissioners in his cabinet and five Special Advisers.

The sack is contained in a statement by Ayades Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, on Monday in Calabar.

The sacked are Mr Asu Okang, who was the Commissioner for Information and Mr Donatus Etim who headed the Ministry of Climate Change.

Others are Mrs Rita Ayim, who was the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Mr Mike Usibe who was the Commissioner for New Cities Dvelopment.

The affected special advisers are; Mr Leo Inyambe, who was the Special Adviser on Security, Mr John Etim, Oil Palm Development and Mr Orok Duke, Special Adviser on Callywood, Mr Victor Okon and Mr Agbiji Mbeh-Agbiji.

Consequently, they are hereby directed to return government properties and vehicles in their care with immediate effect to the Chief of Staff to the governor.

The governor thanked them for their services to the state and wishes them well in their future endeavours, he stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ByIkennaUwadileke,NewsAgencyofNigeria(NAN)

Rep. Awaji Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives recently sponsored a bill proposing that the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) be scrapped.

The scheme was established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War, designed to promoteReconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation.

The scheme was also set up to bridge ethnic and religious divisions in the country and to foster the spirit of nationalism.

It was mandatory at the initial stage for all graduates of tertiary institutions, but the age was later pegged at 30 years, while holders of National Certificate in Education (NCE) were excluded.

In spite the objectives of the NYSC, many Nigerians think it is high time that the scheme was scrapped, arguing that it has lost its relevance.

Nodoubt,Abiantessuggestiontoscraptheschemeisreinforcingthatargument,

thatthe NYSCsobjectives ought to be reviewedorupdatedtofitthecurrent realitiesofmodernNigeria.

Abiante,inhisexplanatorymemorandumoftheproposal, gave reasonstheNYSC should be scrapped.

He noted that incessant killings due to insecurity and frequent rejection of corps members by some public and private agencies as some of the reasons.

Accordingtothelawmaker,ThebillseekstorepealSection315(5)(a)oftheConstitutionoftheFederalRepublicofNigeria,1999,(asamended)onthefollowinggrounds:

Incessantkillingsofinnocentcorpsmembersinsomepartsofthecountryduetobanditry,religiousextremism,andethnicviolence.

Publicandprivateagencies/departmentsarenolongerrecruitingableandqualifiedNigerianyouths.

Theyrelyheavilyontheavailabilityofcorpsmemberswhoarenotbeingwellremuneratedandgetdiscardedwithimpunityattheendoftheirserviceyear,withoutanyhopeofbeinggainfullyemployed.

Duetoinsecurityacrossthecountry,theNationalYouthServiceCorpsmanagementnowgivesconsiderationtopostingcorpsmemberstotheirgeopoliticalzone.

Availablerecordshowsthatin2011,sevencorpsmemberswerekilledduringthepost-electionviolencethateruptedinsomepartsofthecountryafterthepresidentialelection.

Despitetheseglaringproblems,thequestionastowhetherNYSChasoutliveditsusefulness is debatable.

AccordingtoMrsAutaPrecious,aparent,thesituationathandunderscoresthebeliefthatifnothingisdonedifferently,theNYSCwouldhaveachievedlessinunitingthenation,particularlyinrecenttimes.

Preciousqueriedtherationaleinpostingcorpsmemberstoplacesthatareunderheavysecuritythreats.

Accordingtoher,theschemewhichisdesignedtopromotenationalunityseemstohavelostitsobjective.

Doyounoticethatmanypeopledontwanttoserveinotherareasapartfromwheretheyareconversantwith?

ThesedaysyoucanschoolinAbujaandstillserveinthesamecitywhichwasneverthepracticeunlessinsomespecialcases.

NYSCwasdesignedtomovecorpsmemberstovariouspartsofthecountryoutsidetheirbasetounderstandandappreciateotherpeoplescultureandreligionandindoingsofosternationalunityandnationalintegration,shesaid.
MrsToluShalewa,ateacher,saidthattheschemeispromotingimmoralityamongsomecorpsmembersfollowingtheircontinuedrejectionbyprivateandgovernmentagencies.

Accordingtoher,thisimmoralityisheightenedbecausetheallowancetheyarepaidisnotenoughforhouserent,transportationandfeeding.

One of the corps members, Miss Olaedo Ugochukwu, urged the Federal Government to review and update the NYSC

UgochukwubelievesthatareviewedNYSCshouldfocusontrainingeverygraduateonself- defence,vocationalskillsandentrepreneurship.

Thismaybeforjustamonthortwoanditisimportanttoincreasecorpsmembersallowancesotheycanhavestart-upcapitalstoengageinmeaningfulventuresuponcompletionoftheservice.

Manygraduates, with start-up capitalwillbeginbusinesses anddevelopquickly,Ugochukwusaid.

Onthecontrary,MalamAbdulmajeedNuhu,acorpsmember,insiststhatNYSChasachieveditsobjectiveofpromotingnationalunity.

Theschemehasprovidedtheopportunityforalotofpeopletotraveltodifferentstatesandregionsandinteractedwithpeopleofdifferentethnicgroups.

Becauseofthisscheme,wehavelearnttounderstandotherpeopleswaysofdoingthings.

Though we dont celebrate it, but there are increasing inter ethnic marriages that one should have course to give credit to the NYSC.

IhavespentallmylifeintheWesternpartofNigeria,butafterbeingpostedtotheNorthfortheoneyearnationalservice,Ihavebeenabletotravelacrossdifferentstates.

Thishasprovidedaplatformtomeetandinteractwithvariouscalibreofpeoplefromvariousethnic groups,therebyexpandingmysocialnetwork.

WhatotherschemewillachievethisobjectiveifNYSCisscrapped,Nuhuqueried.

MsLoisJonathan,ajournalist,hailedNYCSscapacitytoexposeNigerianyouthstotheworkenvironment.

Alotofyouthswouldnothavehadanyworkexperienceifnotforthisscheme.

Beingpostedtodifferentplacesofprimaryassignmenthasmadethemmoreresponsible.

Theyareassigneddutiesandtheylearnworkethics,humanrelationshipanddisciplinewhichwillhelpthemevenafterservice.

NYSCisawayofempoweringtheyouthsaftergraduation.

Imagineaftergraduation,nojob,noworkexperience,noexposure,howcananaverageNigerianyouthcope?Buttheschemehasengagedtheseyouthsmeaningfullyforoneyear.

Theallowancemaynotbeenough,butsmartpeoplesavepartofit,gainworkexperience,exploreopportunitiesandexpandtheirnetworkduringtheperiod.

So,evenafterservice,theyhavewheretostartfrom,shesaid.

SheencouragedcorpsmemberstoexploretheskillacquisitionandentrepreneurdevelopmentschemeoftheNYSCtoempowerthemselves.

NYSChasitsflawsbutthebenefitsoutweighthem.Insteadofscrappingthescheme,theyshouldmodifyit,hestressed.

While most young Nigerians on social media appear to agree with Abiante, Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dares position is that the NYSC wont be scrapped.

TheNYSCschemeremainsoneofthegreatesttoolsfornationaldevelopmentforouryouths.ThecommitmentofthegovernmenttosustainingtheNYSCschemeremains.

Dynamicreformsandinitiativestowardscurrentrealitiesareongoing.Nigeriawillstandwithheryouths,Dare, whose ministry oversees the NYSC sharedonTwitter.

Similarly, Brig,-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director General of the NYSC says the scheme is critical to the unity of the country.

According to Ibrahim, the NYSC is not a waste of time, its relevance in integration and national cohesion must not be underestimated.

He said that the NYSC has been a useful tool for the socio-economic development of the country through the deployment of corps members outside their base.

Ibrahimaddedthatcorpsmemberscontributeinmanywaystothelivesofresidentsoftheirhostcommunities.

The bill to scrap the NYSC still has to go through two more readings in the Green Chamber and rounds of debates in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The federal lawmakers should listen to the voices of Nigerians and do the needful. (NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Centre for Research and Democratic Governance has expressed worry that the continuous zoning of the governorship seat in the Delta state is not paving the way for the best candidate to emerge.

Executive Director of the centre, Dr Akpesiri Eghwujovbo, said in a statement on Monday that only the party in power in the state had thrived on the foundations of zoning.

Eghwujovbo pointed out that zoning, going by the way the parties primary elections were conducted, is difficult to give the desired results.

Zoning as a concept often employed by many politicians in both its theoretical and practical categories, is a negative phenomenon that conveys the ideological notion of a hegemonic superstructure.

The very idea of zoning in Delta State therefore conflicts with its known assumed characterisation, as its content is attuned to the realisation of the objectives of a single individual.

It is never designed as a consensus of vested stakeholders who are equally more concerned for an upward mobile development of personnel and infrastructures of Delta State with Asaba as capital.

Construction of a maze of roads for the capital city as well as drainages which should naturally attract governmental intervention for a state capital that shares a similar geographical destiny with Lokoja, a city situated below the river level of the lower Niger, only began with the government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

This obvious indifference to Asaba reflects the idiosyncratic attitude of what the zoning agenda is intended to accomplish, the statement quoted Eghwujovbo as saying.

He frowned at the situation where an ethnic group would continue to preach marginalization where such does not exist.

Ethnicity is the product of actions undertaken by ethnic groups as they shape and reshape their group definition.

It utilizes identity and culture as basic building blocks for both national and sub-national development.

What makes the issue of identity particularly acute, is that it touches not only on politics but also on economics and the organizational capacity for a self-generating and sustainable development from within.

So, more than anything else, ethnicity serves as a dynamic, constantly evolving property of both individual identity and group organization.

He called on those clamouring for zoning to desist from doing so as even the sitting Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa never emerged as a product of a 2015 PDP zoning as clamoured in some quarters. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bosede Olunfunmi

The 2021 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has kicked off on Monday in Kano with about 300 delegates.

Malam Sule Yau-Sule, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

Yau-Sule disclosed that more than 278 had so far registered as against 250 expected by the committee, adding that more participants were being expected before the end of the day.

People are happy with the peaceful atmosphere of the state, that is why the turn out is every impressive, he said.

According to him, the challenges they are facing now is over shooting of expectation and they are able to take care of it.

The LOC chairman described the theme of the convention: The media in COVID -19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities as very apt and timely, and urged media practitioners and journalists to make use of the presentation to their advantage.

NAN reports that the NGE convention would last from May 31 to June 2, 2021.

It is the first to be hosted in Kano. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Dogo

Former President of the Senate, Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, is mourning the late Alhaji Ahmed Gulak and has described his demise as one death too many.

Gulak was a senior aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Anyim said a statement on Monday in Abuja that the news of the gruesome murder of Gulak, his friend and colleague, knocked him down into distress.

He described the deceased as a man of conviction and courage, who was endowed with great intellectual prowess, dedicated nationalist and a faithful friend.

The former Senate President added, May 30, 2021, is no doubt the darkest Sunday of my life.

The news of the gruesome murder of my friend and colleague, Hon. Ahmed Gulak knocked me down into distress and it took me till this morning of 31st May, 2021, to regain my senses from the shock.

Hon. Ahmed Gulak was my colleague in President Goodlucks administration. He was a man of conviction and courage.

He was endowed with great intellectual prowess that enabled him to have unusual clarity of thought and expression; a dedicated nationalist and a faithful friend.

Losing Gulak, like other innocent Nigerians to unknown assailants, is the darkest point in the senseless and mindless violence growing in the country and South-East. This death is one too many.

The security agencies owe humanity the duty to unravel and bring to book those behind this dastardly act. My heart goes to the family of Hon. Gulak.

Anyim prayed God to grant Gulaks soul eternal repose and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The spokesman for the police in Imo, SP Bala Alkana, confirmed the killing of Gulak in Owerri, by suspected bandits on Sunday.

According to Alkana, at about 07.20 hrs on Sunday morning, bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.

He said that Gulak had left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the police or sister security agencies despite the fragile security situation in the South-East and Imo in particular. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will begin to take stock of all privately owned airplanes in the country to ensure strict compliance with all regulations.

The Public Relations Officer of the customs, Mr Joseph Attah disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Attah said this was paramount considering security challenges in the country and reluctant of some highly placed individuals to pay taxes.

He stated that this development would ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations governing importations of such airplanes.

Consequently, Nigeria Customs Service in line with its statutory functions as provided for in part III sections 27, 35, 37, 45, 46, 47, 52, 56, 63 and 64.

Part XI sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 and 164 as well as part XII sections 167, 168, 169, 173 and 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

We hereby invite all the owners of Private Aircrafts in the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification.

The expected documents are aircrafts certificate of registration, NCAAs Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC) and NCAAs Maintenance Compliance Certificate.

And NCAAs Permit for Non Commercial Flights and Temporary Import Permit. All such owners or their representatives are to report to room 305, Tariff and Trade Department, Customs headquarters.

The verification will begin on Monday June 7 to Tuesday July 6, 2021 and it will be from 10.00 a.m. and ends 5.00 p.m. daily he explained.

The spokesperson said the owners of private airplanes were respected individuals whereby the service expected them to comply with this directive.

Attah noted that anyone who refused to comply or turned up for this verification would be sanctioned accordingly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has appealed to Enugu and Lagos Governments to deploy resources to assist traders affected by market fire outbreaks in both states.

NANTS President, Dr Ken Ukaoha, who made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said while seeking intervention, the government should also quickly reconstruct the burnt markets.

Ukaoha urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of the traders who were currently nursing the wounds inflicted by COVID-19, and many of who had yet to see any means of assistance, including COVID-19 palliatives.

He said that government should not allow law-abiding citizens, especially the vulnerable, to remain under such double affliction.

According to him, it is time for the Ministry and Agencies in charge of disaster management to step in immediately and do the needful.

Ukaoha noted that while such necessary intervention was coming, the association expected that investigation to unravel the causes should be conducted.

The Enugu fire outbreak occurred on May 29, in Ogbete Main Market, while that of Lagos occurred on Sunday in Ladipo Spare Parts Market in Oshodi.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that million of naira worth of goods were lost to both fire incidents in Lagos and Enugu.

NANTS is overwhelmed by these tragedies. We deeply sympathise with all our members in these markets who are the victims of the fire incidents.

We call on all our members to remain calm while we seek ways to invite governments urgent attention to these unbearable disasters, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded another attack on its office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo.

The commission said this in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Sunday in Abuja.

Okoye said that the total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 had now risen to 42.

Our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, has reported that our office in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo was set ablaze on May 30.

Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture.

Okoye said that the latest incident had been reported to the Police for investigation.

This attack is coming exactly a week after our office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state was vandalized on May 23.

It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo since the 2019 General Election.

Okoye said that INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment were critical national assets that guaranteed the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation.

Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process, Okoye added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Gov. Yahaya Bello, of Kogi as the chairman of a seven-man committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

This was announced in the letter of appointment signed by the National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The seven-man committee will meet to reconcile aggrieved members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Councils elections.

The letter also named Nasarawa State Gov. Abdullahi Sule, as member of the committee while Mr Olaide Akinremi would serve as its secretary.

Other members of the committee include Sen. Ahmed Yusuf, Dr James Lalu, Mr Cletus Dick and Mr Uche Ogah.

According to the letter, the Yahaya Bello-led committee is expected to reconcile fractions of the party in the FCT in line with the provisions of APC Constitution and template for the reconciliation and mobilisation committee.

Following the processes of nomination of our partys candidates for the forthcoming FCT Area Council Elections.

The National Chairman of the CECPC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, has approved the constitution of a reconciliation committee, the letter said.

It added that the committee was to take practical steps to reconciliate all aggrieved persons and issues on time for a satisfactory outcome in the forthcoming FCT Area Council Elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT council elections is slated for February 2022.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has decried the recent attacks by bandits in three local government areas of Rafi, Wushishi and Lavun where innocent people where abducted and killed.

A statement by Bellos Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, said the the bandit shot one person dead and left one seriously injured during the attack in Tegina community in Rafi local government area.

They also kidnapped an unconfirmed number of Islamiyya students and teachers from Salihu Tanko Islamic School alongside some passenger in a vehicle travelling to Minna.

Bello reiterated his emergency call for help to the federal government for a prompt response to the incessant banditry on various communities in the state recently.

The situation has reached crisis level. Infact, its a war situation that we have to confront without further delay, the governor said.

He disclosed that the state government was still searching and conducting a headcount to ascertain the exact number of children abducted.

Reports also have it that the gunmen, on about 70 Motorcycles, attacked 17 communities in Wushishi Local Government Area where they shot several people while some women and children drowned as they tried to escape across River Kaduna.

More than 10 people are reported to be receiving treatment at the Wushishi General Hospital.

Search is still ongoing for missing persons from Babako, Tashan Girgi, Kwakwagi, Fakara, Ndiga, Buzu, Akare, Kala Kala, Agwa, Anguwan Gizo, Tsamiya and other neighbouring villages attacked by the bandits.

The Governor described the serial attacks as unfortunate and assured that the Joint Military Taskforce have been mobilised and are already tracking the criminals for possible isolation and ambush.

He further appealed for calm and restated the strong resolve of the state government to continue to protect the lives and property of the residents.

Meanwhile, 11 children who were too small and could not walk among the kidnapped Islamiyya Students, were released by the gunmen.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

A Civil Society Organisation, Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative (NESLAI), has threatened to protest at different venues of a scheduled Permanent Secretaries computer based examination, if organisers insist on the test.

The group, in a statement signed by itsExecutive Director, Edwin Olorunfemi,onSunday in Abuja noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the process to select five new permanent secretaries to replace five other retired ones in Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu and Lagos States.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan in a resent statement said that 47 candidates had been cleared to sit for a written examination to fill the five vacancies.

The candidates were to sit for written and Information Communications Technology (ICT) examinations to select the best five that would fill the vacant posts.

The CSO which commended the head of service for setting up a committee for the process of selection for the accreditation exercise,however, faulted the procedure of sitting for a written and ICT examination as prerequisite for the appointment of permanent secretaries.

The group described the process of subjecting a director to ICT proficiency test in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Application which was expected of the support staff, as laughable.

If anything, it is making a mess of the candidates and the entire civil service.

Our stand still remain that written and ICT examination slated for May 31 and June 3, be dropped.

It is worthy of note that, for a civil servant to rise to the level of director, he/she must have sat for about 10 examinations from Grade level 08 to Grade level 17.

On this backdrop, we are appealing to the Federal Government to drop the idea of written and ICT examination as it is tantamount to waste of time and resources.

However, we request the government to appraise and appoint permanent secretaries on their past contributions as directors to national development.

The written examination and ICT proficiency test of May 31 and June 3, be collapsed into oral interview and interactive session for the 47 successful accredited candidates.

Candidates should be asked on-the-job questions and their achievement so far in their respective positions as directors.

With this, the best three candidates from each state can be recommended to Mr President for the appointment.

Olorunfemi expressed hope that the Federal government would heed to the advice and act accordingly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The FCT Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has bestowed on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi the Torch bearer of Security award.

The award, according to the union, sees Bello emerging as the best governor in ensuring security among his colleagues in the country.

Representatives of the FCT Council of NUJ led by its Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, gave Bello the award on Saturday in Abuja.

Ogbeche lauded Bello for securing the state and the lives of residents as well as commutters passing through the state.

He said as the fourth estate of the realm and watchdog of society, the NUJ had recognised all the efforts of the governor and had deemed it right to honour him.

We are here to recognise your outstanding performance in security.

We remember sometime in February 2017, the primary security agency, the Nigerian Police Force, recognised your performance.

They bestowed on you the award of the best governor in security.

Since then, you have not looked back, you have remained consistent, you have remained coherent in your security strategy.

You are fully aware that Section 22 of the Nigerian constitution says that media will hold anyone accountable to the people and by interpretation, it also means that when those in government have performed well, they ought to be given a pat on the back.

We want to commend you that you have kept faith with one of the primary reasons of being in government which is the security of the people as enshrined in Secton 14 of the constitution, Ogbeche said.

Bello, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdulkareem Asuku, thanked the NUJ for recognising the governor for his achievements in the security sector.

He said that the priority of Bello was securing the lives of Kogi citizens and other Nigerians, adding that this was the reason Nigerians were calling on him to run for president in 2023.

Security is the number one responsibility of any responsible government. Without security, no matter the infrastructure or economic achievement of any government it will all amount to nothing.

That is why his Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello upon assumption of office in 2016 decided to take the security of the people of Kogi State as his number one priority in his agenda.

That is why the good people of this country who know that for Nigeria to survive beyond 2023, we just have to take it from where we are now in security to where we can raise our heads high and be proud of our nation.

But for us to move from this situation to something better the good citizens of this country have resolved and are calling on his Excellency to present himself to salvage the situation in the country.

I want to specifically appreciate NUJ Abuja chapter for recognising his Excellency to be fit and able in that capacity to serve.

Because it is one thing to achieve and another thing to be recognised. Not just by anybody but the mouth piece of the nation which is the NUJ.

For you to deem in fit to recognise the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello in security is a big one and we appreciate you, Asuku said.

He also urged the NUJ to keep doing its best in upholding the unity of the country through credible reportage. (NANl)

Source: NAN News

By Moji Eniola/ Funmilola Gboteku

Joy, excitement and calmness on Winners Liberation Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos, were on Sunday disrupted as Mrs Tomisin Erogbogbo, a 34-year-old judiciary correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was laid to rest.

Tears flowed, sorrow expressed and regrets made, as Erogbogbos family members, colleagues, friends and neighbours could not come to terms with her death.

She was buried at 4.30p.m. at the Ikorodu North Cemetery, Isiu.

NAN reports that Erogbogbo, a Senior Correspondent of NAN, passed away on Thursday (May 27) in Lagos, during a surgical procedure.

The burial ceremony was organised by the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Erogbogbos family, friends, colleagues and others paid tributes to her, describing her death as heartbreaking.

In a sermon at Erogbogbos funeral service at her residence before the burial, Pastor Dennis Esebagbon of the Living Faith Church said that how long one lived did not matter but how well.

Citing a Bible passage (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), the cleric said: There is a time for everything under the sun.

It is not the number of years on earth that determines who you are but how your life impacts people.

It is better to spend a day on earth and make heaven than spend 200 years on earth and go to hell.

Let us not weep for her, it is time for us to realign and think about the kind of life we are living.

He said that testimonies about the deceased showed that she lived a worthy life.

The owner of her soul has taken her home, none of us has the right to question God, he said.

The cleric prayed God to comfort Erogbogbos husband, Mr Sam Ojonimi, her parents, siblings and other members of her family.

In a tribute, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NAN Chapel, Mr Yunus Yusuf, said that Erogbogbos death was sudden, shocking and devastating.

Yunus described her as a friendly and committed colleague.

He added that she was full of life and respected both her older and younger colleagues.

She will be greatly missed. It is indeed a very sad development.

I pray for repose of her soul. May the Almighty God continue to protect every member of NUJ, NAN Chapel.

Mrs Adeola Ekine, the Chairperson of Lagos Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, described Erogbogbos death as a huge loss to the association.

Losing one of our female journalists is very touching, my heart goes out to the staff and management of NAN and NUJ.

I pray that this kind of thing will never happen in our midst again; I pray that we increase and not decrease, she said.

The Head of Judiciary Desk of NAN, Lagos Office, Mrs Ijeoma Popoola, described Erogbogbo who covered the Tinubu Magistrates Court, as a dedicated news reporter.

She was warm, pleasant, hardworking, resilient and trustworthy. She will be missed.

May her soul rest in peace, she said

The only sister of the deceased, Mrs Bolajoko Thomas, said that the death was devastating for the family.

I cannot believe that my sister is gone but God knows everything. I will miss her so much, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hassana Yakubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concern at the number of reported cases of mass killings it has received from Benue of recent.

The National Publicity Secretary (ACF) Mr Emmanuel Yawe, said that the forum was concerned over the most recent gruesome killing that happened last week Thursday morning, in which about forty people were allegedly murdered in one day.

He also decried the dislodgement of another large number of people from their homes at Shikaan village in Mbamena ward, in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that the country home of a retired senior naval Commodore Iyortyer Afeah, who is from the village, was completely burnt down with the four people who were inside.

Other prominent indigenes of the village whose houses were burnt are, the late wife of Justice Katsina Alu, Mrs Victoria Alu, former Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, and a retired Deputy Controller- General of Immigration, Mr Denen Akaa.

Yawe said that apart from those killed during the attack, many were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

He said further that from what the victims told the ACF, the attack was organised by some bandits from a neighbouring Shitile/Tiv community.

We at the ACF are worried about the rampant loss of lives in Benue and call on security agents to give accurate accounts of security situation as at when due.

We condemn the incessant killings of innocent people of Benue and urge security agencies to investigate properly and ensure that justice was served. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed outrage and disgust over what he called the heinous murder of Adamawa politician Ahmed Gulak in Owerri by yet to be identified gunmen.

The president reacted on Sunday in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

I am repulsed by such premeditated and gruesome murder of Gulak by evil people who are determined to undermine the peace, unity and territorial integrity of our country.

Let me warn, however, that nobody or group of people who engages in such despicable act should expect to go free.

We will deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that such callous and criminal elements are brought to justice, the president was quoted as saying.

Buhari expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, the people and government of Adamawa, as well as Gulaks friends and associates across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Lawal

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says 81 bodies have so far been recovered from Wednesdays boat mishap in Warrah, Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.

Bagudu disclosed this on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi when he received Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who was on a condolence visit to the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a boat from Lokon Minna, Niger State conveying traders, artisanal miners and other passengers capsized at Warrah and claimed over 100 lives.

While appreciating the governor and his entourage for the visit, Bagudu prayed that the continues harmonious relationship between the two states would ever be sustained.

Recalling the incident, Bagudu said the mishap happened in Warrah, adding that the town was by the side of River Niger close to Kainji dam.

This area remains a route for marine transportation, as it witnesses a lot of activities of canoes and boats on daily basis.

There are some boats that can carry and covey three long-trucks of goods at a time and there are some boats that travel as far as Mali from there.

But this boat was conveying over 170 people incidentally capsised at Warrah, where only 22 persons were rescued, and as at now, 81 bodies have been recovered and buried and rescue and search is still ongoing.

Warrah is a route where many people travel to Lokon Minna in Niger State for gold mining apart from women who go there to sell food.

Earlier, Masari said the visit was to sympathise with government and people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident.

He said: We are here to condole with the people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident and to sympathise with our brother and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, His Excellency, Gov. Atiku Bagudu.

This tragedy affects all of us, because in a situation where over 100 persons lost their lives is not an easy task, as you can see in other countries when one or two people loss their lives, leaders become highly emotional and offset.

This is because, the essence of government right from onset is to protect lives, wellbeing and property of the citizens. However, when something contrary happened, the leaders felt bad more than any other person.

Masari observed that the death of over 100 people may affect thousands of people, considering the fact that many people rely on some of these deceased for a living.

He lamented that the tragic incident was highly devastating and sad, praying that God Almighty would avert the recurrence of similar accident in future. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government in collaboration with UN in Nigeria Wednesday inaugurated POWERFUL H.A.N.D.S campaign to develop, change and sustain long term preventive behaviour to eliminate spread of COVID-19 pandemic amongst citizens.

The project is to be implemented by Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), an NGO with technical support from UNICEF and funding from the European Union (EU) to prevent spread of COVID-19 and other similar diseases

The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, at the inauguration in Abuja, said that the campaign would create more awareness on the pandemic and improve the practice of preventive behaviours.

Ihekweazu said that Nigeria recorded over 165,000 confirmed cases and about 200 deaths arising from COVID-19 with over 150,000 recovery cases successfully managed and discharged from hospital.

He explained that the emerging variants of the COVID-19 threatened the achievement made so far in curtailing the disease, hence the need for more efforts to eliminate it in totality.

Our behaviour continues to be very important and in as much as we appreciate the advancement, we must recognise that the future of this outbreak still lies in our hands.

Medications relieve us of symptoms, vaccines can build our immunity but our behavior is more important than any of that especially with the respiratory virus like this one, he said.

He urged Nigerians not to let down their guards due to the record of the decline in COVID-19 cases, but rather make conscientious efforts towards adhering to the guidelines of preventing COVID-19 and behavioural change.

The Executive-Director, CCSI, Mrs Babafunke Fagbemi, said that the project time frame was four months and its focus would be in Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, and Rivers, which recoded high cases of COVID-19.

We need to revive a sense of apathy, seeming hopelessness in communities by injecting fresh messages that will give hope and let people have more confidence and build their efficacies to be able to do something and the messages are easy to recall.

Social and behaviour change is the bedrock in sustainable gains in improving the health and wellbeing of society and family. And once you get these pillar rights, of changing behavior, it is easy to build up the other components of the campaign, she said.

She also said the nationwide campaign will entail mass media, digital media (also suitable for visually and hearing impaired) and targeted community/school engagement activities.

CCSI will be collaborating with the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) pillars in the target states to engage prominent stakeholders in two hot spot LGAs to promote the key behaviours of the campaign to prevent further transmission of the COVID-19.

Head, EU Delegation in Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said that the EU and its member states in Europe had mobilised 38.5 billion euros in response to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

Karlsen, represented by Head of Partnership, EU, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said the union had also supported Nigeria with over four million doses of vaccines and allocated 50 million euros to complement government efforts in addressing COVID-19.

Representative of the five joint UN agencies in Nigeria, Country Representative, UNICEF, Mr Peter Hawkins, urged the media to amplify their voices in the campaign towards eliminating COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawkins, highlighted the three elements in the campaign, which include: mass media on enforcing the messages, educating schools education and community engagement on COVID-19 as the focal points in the campaign.

Also, representing Commissioners of Health in the implementing states, the Ag Sec., Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Mohammed Kawu, pledged their support towards curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, also stressed the need for social behaviour change to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abari, while urging the media to create more awareness on the pandemic, encouraged Nigerians to access only credible information on COVID-19 from reliable sources.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration and unveiling of the project was done by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by the DG, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Other highlights of the events included the inauguration of an educational entertainment campaign by Nigeria music artists, Teni and a presentation by students of LightForce Scholars Academy International, Abuja.

Also, the campaign is also featuring a unique Super Hero, Captain Bubbles for young children to promote the habit of hand washing and other key hygiene practices with an animated video and theme song. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Liverpools late-season charge continued as they moved into the English Premier Leagues top four thanks to a 3-0 win away at Burnley.

The Reds claimed a fourth successive win to further boost their hopes of sealing UEFA Champions League qualification.

Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Phillips got goals either side of halt-time atTurf Moor to set them on the road to victory.

Jurgen Klopps side had needed a last-gaspwinner from goalkeeper Alisson to beat West Brom on Sunday.

But there was no need for any late drama this time, with substituteAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain firing in a late third.

The hard-fought result sees them leapfrog Leicester City on goal difference.

It then means victory on the final dayat Anfield on Sunday against Crystal Palace will see them in Europes premier club competition next season.

Liverpool had been wasteful in a first half that appeared set to end scoreless until Firmino popped up in the 43rd minute, providing the finishing touch to Andy Robertsons cut-back cross.

The Brazilian was one of those to miss a clear opportunity as the visitors too often failed to trouble full debutant Will Norris in the Burnley goal.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were also guilty of failing to hit the target, while Thiago Alcantara dragged wide.

Phillips had seemingly missed his chance to score a maiden goal for the club when blazing over before the break.

But he made no mistake when getting his head on the end of Manes inviting cross seven minutes into the second half.

The defender used his head to good effect inside his own penalty area as Burnley pushed hard for a response, retreating onto the line to prevent James Tarkowskis set-piece header going in.

Instead, it was Liverpool who grabbed the third goal of the game.

Oxlade-Chamberlain thrashed in a left-footed drive just seven minutes after coming on as Norris was beaten at the near post.

Source: NAN News

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) retained their Coupe de France crown as Kylian Mbappe turned in a star display in a 2-0 win over Monacoat the Stade de France.

Without the suspended Neymar, PSG relied on Mbappe in Paris and the former Monaco prodigy delivered with an assist for Mauro Icardis opener before rounding off the win himself late on.

Trailing from the 19th minute, Monaco huffed and puffed, but the closest Niko Kovacs team came to an equaliser was when Gelson Martins deflected cross clipped the crossbar.

Monacos defeat in their first appearance in a Coupe de France final in 11 years was sealedwith nine minutes remaining, Mbappe dinking home to seal PSGs 14thtriumph in the competition.

Neymar may have been missing for Mauricio Pochettinos side, but PSGs other key manwas at the heart of theiropener.

Having pounced on Axel Disasis heavy touch following a goal-kick, Mbappe kept his cool to teeup Icardi for a simple finish into an empty net.

Alessandro Florenzi drew a save out ofRadoslaw Majecki as PSG pressed for a second, though Keylor Navas had to smother Kevin Vollands headerat the other end.

Wissam Ben Yedder will be at Euro 2020 after another excellent season, but the France forward - and Monacos talisman - was replaced after an hour.

This was without him having registered a shot as PSG continued to keep Kovacs men at arms length.

Fortune was on PSGs side with 20 minutes remaining - Gelsons cross, which took a deflection, hitting the woodworkafter looping over Navas.

Krepin Diatta snatched at an effort from inside the area, though Monaco looked short of ideas.

Moments after striking the bar with a long-range chip, Mbappe made sure of the win when he raced onto Angel Di Marias pass and lofted in a neatfinish.

Source: NAN News

By Hussaina Yakubu

Gov. Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has identified taxation as one of the ways to raise revenue to effectively run government and provide social services to the people.

El Rufai who made this known at the Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation on Wednesday, also raised ideas for efficient tax collection in Nigeria.

He lamented that Nigerias Tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is something in the region of 6 per cent to 7 per cent; one of the lowest in the world, compared to countries that collect up to 20 per cent of GDP.

In Kaduna state with a GDP of about N2 trillion, we should be collecting about N400 billion per annum as taxation.

Unfortunately last year, we collected slightly above N50 billion, 1/8th of what we should be collecting. That means that there is a lot of work to be done, he said.

El Rufai pointed out that the situation in Kaduna state is similar to the rest of the country, adding that it is worse in most states.

The governor urged the institute to help resolve the issue of revenue collection through taxation, considering dwindling oil revenue.

Most countries are planning for a green economy in which oil will not be used at all.

So, we must begin to move away from oil. Oil is neither the answer nor the question that will solve our problems.

The real solution to our problems is better and efficient taxation of goods and services.

In the light of the fact that 75 per cent of Nigerias economy is informal, how do we scale up the taxation of the informal sector? I think some progress has been made with Presumptive Taxation, but it is not enough.

Agriculture accounts for a large proportion of our GDP. Here in Kaduna state, like any state in the federation, agriculture is the largest employer of labour and the largest contributor to GDP, but it is incapable of being taxed at the farm gate.

How do we tax agricultural production at the farm gate, not at the value-added and processing stage, so that we will be able to widen and broaden our tax net as well as proceeds, he said.

He urged government to scale up its tax identification records so as to capture every adult in Nigeria for the purpose of taxation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News