By Ikuru Lizzy
Rivers State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has restated its commitment to safety as it joined in the United Nations Road Safety Week, tagged Street For Life.

The commands Sector Commander, Corps Commander Salisu Galadunci, stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the state office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Port Harcourt.

Galadunci said the annual global ceremony, which started on Monday, was programmed by the United Nations as part of efforts toward reducing road traffic crashes.

The United Nations (UN) has rolled out this years programme, Street for Life, to effectively promote public enlightenment on safe roads.

As part of the commands contributions we will be visiting public loading bays, motor garages and religious centres to educate the populace on the UN street for life advisory.

The idea behind the street for life campaign is about inter-agency collaboration in promoting urban mobility, aimed at ensuring that drivers drive at a speed of 30km per hour within built-up areas, he said.

The FRSC boss noted that Port Harcourt harboured some very high density areas, hence the need to enlighten drivers on global best practices of driving in such sensitive areas.

This has become necessary to prevent accidents on children, older persons and persons with disabilities living in such areas, he said.

He added that the command, within available means, would mobilise its Special Marshals, the National Youth Service Corps members in the command, Road Safety Officers Wives Association and other partners for the campaign.

These partners in conjunction with officers of the command will visit all central motor garages and loading bays to sensitise drivers, who in course of their routine journey, are bound to cross several cities and towns, hence the need for adherence to this life saving advisory, he added.

Responding, Dr Lawrence Boms, Country Head and Representative of UNITAR, said the institute was very interested in promoting better driving culture through collaboration with the FRSC.

Of course, this is the sixth edition of this programme and the theme, Street for Life is timely. We will ensure that we collaborate with Rivers Command to achieve set goals on better driving culture.

The call to reducing speed to 30km per hour in high density areas is very necessary. If Nigerians obey this advisory, a lot of road accidents will be averted, he said.

The UN country representative, however, expressed concerns over poor consequences for offenders who disobey traffic laws.

He also noted the cordial relationship existing between UNITAR and the FRSC.

Weve in the past conducted lots of training for officers in Lagos; we would, at the state level, love to collaborate with Rivers Command.

We would mop up some funds from within the UN system to support programmes of the FRSC that have direct impact on the people, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to Prof. Felicia Adedoyin, professor of Education and composer of the National Pledge, saying her patriotic fervour will be remembered anytime the national pledge is recited.

The president stated this in a condolence message released by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday,

According to him, the thoughtful and solemn words of the National Pledge by the iconic composer, have become an invocation to every citizen of the country to serve our fatherland with faithfulness, loyalty and honesty.

The president maintained that Nigerians would continue to honour the memory of this legend who in 33 words gave us a timeless promise to keep for the nation.

He extended his commiseration to the Adedoyin family, friends and associates as well as the Government and people of Oyo State on the passing of the academic and writer.

He said Adedoyins immense works would remain indelible in our minds.

The president prayed Almighty God to grant the departed eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Tijjani

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has suspended its five days warning strike against the Kaduna State Government over the disengagement of workers in the state.

The President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba announced the suspension of the strike on Wednesday in Kaduna at a press conference after hours of the days procession.

Wabba said that the suspension was to pave way for negotiation as requested by the Federal Government

As you are aware, we have been in Kaduna for the past four days for our declared protest and industrial action against the sack of workers enmass without following due process as provided by the Labour law.

This action was successful and we tried to maintain procedures of industrial action.

This afternoon an official letter was communicated to the NLC national headquarters signed by the Minister of Labour, he said.

Wabba noted that the Federal Executive Council meeting had earlier called for intervention on the protest, for both parties to discuss the issues at stake.

We will honour the meeting as scheduled for tomorrow at 11:a.m. The labour leaders in Kaduna will also be present because they have the substance of the issues in the state, he said.

Wabba further said that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC would be held at the Labour House in Abuja on May 21, to review the warning action that was prosecuted in Kaduna state and determine further action.

It is the commitment of the organs that once we are able to prosecute the first phase, we must then consult the organ to go ahead, he said.

Wabba said that in the course of going further to facilitate dialogue, the NLC had suspended the strike immediately.

He thanked all their members in the state and affiliate unions for giving effect to the decision of the NEC.

He also thanked the citizens of Kaduna state, saying we now have seen their positive comments.

Even those that are hired to protest today were not informed on the reason to protest.

When they realised they were sent to protest against the protest of workers rights, they outrightly stated that that was not the purpose for which they were hired, Wabba said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna State Government saysbandits have killed eight residents and razed buildings in Chikun Local Government Area ofthe state.

The Commissioner forInternal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Aruwan said: Security agencies have reported that bandits attacked Ungwan Gaida community, near Kurmin Kaso, Chikun Local Government Area.

As of the time of this update, eight residents have been confirmed killed in this attack.

According to him, a worship centre was razed by the bandits, along with several houses.

In another development, the Nigerian Navy troops stationed in the Kujama General Area neutralised three bandits and arrested two accomplices after repelling an attack on Wakwodna community, near Kasso village, Chikun Local Government Area.

According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State government, the troops stationed at the Kujama Checkpoint responded to reports of an attack on Wakwodna village, and swiftly deployed for intervention.

He explained that the bandits fled into surrounding bush on sighting the troops and abandoned some rustled cattle, which were rounded up and returned to their rightful owners.

The troops engaged the bandits just before Kaso village and in the gunfight, three bandits were neutralised.

Two locals who were injured in the exchange were evacuated for medical attention, the commissioner said.

Aruwan said: during the operation, the troops arrested a suspected bandits informant, Kapido Halilu and a logistics supplier, Umar Maipashi.

Food and medical supplies meant for the bandits were confiscated. The suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.

The Commissioner said that Gov Nasiru el-Rufai noted the report of the attack on Ungwan Gaida with sadness, and condoled with the families of the slain citizens.

The governor further condemned the attack on the place of worship, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to carry out an urgent assessment of the damage in the area for intervention.

el-Rufai commended the Nigerian Navy troops for their swift response in Wakwodna and the successful operations, Aruwan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday said the state government would partner with the Czech Republic on technology, agriculture, transportation and health among others.

Sanwo-Olu said this during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mr Marek Skolil, and the Deputy Head of Mission, Mrs Hana Trousilova, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

He said that the government would partner Czech Republic on business opportunities that would lead to the growth and development of the state.

According to him, Lagos State Government will create an economy where foreign partners will feel safe and secure with their investment and also enjoy ease of doing business in the state.

We want to create an economy where foreign partners will not only feel safe and secure in Lagos but will also enjoy ease of doing their business.

Whatever we need to do to make your business safe and secure, we will do it. If you also want us to help you reach out to other neighbouring states in term of partnership, we will do it.

We are open for business and we are open to more engagements from your side. Lagos and Czech Republic will look at areas of businesses we can carry out together as sub-national. The market is here and Lagos is open for business, he said.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mr Marek Skolil, said that he came to Lagos with his delegation to discuss business opportunities with business community in the state.

Skolil said that his visit was also to make plans to replace his countrys embassy, which used to be in Lagos.

He said that Czechoslovakia had good relationship with Nigeria and they enjoyed cooperation with the country in the areas of science and development, technology, agriculture mechanisation, energy and security. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South Africa (ONSA), has prayed the countrys court to ensure that justice is served and quick too in the case of its slain 38-year-old member.

Mr Mendis Uzodimma, a youth entrepreneur in South Africa, was murdered in cold blood by a South African family gang in his shop in Rosettenville, Southern Johannesburg.

The Igbo association, an arm of the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), via a statement issued by its Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Tochukwu Ngwoke, on Wednesday said that it would not let up the prosecution.

The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Ngwoke said that Ohanaeze received the news of Uzodimmas gruesome murder on May 13, and urged the authorities to ensure that justice was served to serve as deterrent to others who might want to indulge in similar act.

He prayed the court to ensure quick dispensation of justice to console the family of the deceased.

On May 13, 2021, the leadership of ONSA received a distress call from our people (Igbo people) in Rosettenville, Southern Johannesburg, informing us about the gruesome murder of a young, energetic and vibrant Igbo son, Mr Mendis Uzodimma.

The deceased, a 38-year-old young man, owned a phone shop on Main Street, Rosettenville and hailed from Ohaji Egbema in Imo, Ngwoke said.

Ngwoke stated that ONSA under the leadership of Mr Sunny-Wenike Douglas, had on May 14, stormed Booysens Magistrate Court where the murder suspects were arraigned and waiting to be granted bail.

He said that the congregation of ONSA in court was to show solidarity for its kinsman and ensure that nothing untoward was done by the court to free the murder suspects.

We want to make sure that the slain Uzodimma gets justice.

A witness who spoke to us at the court premises said Mendis was stabbed severally by a South African woman and her husband from Zimbabwe whose daughter sold a phone to Uzodimma.

Apparently, the daughter of the woman, who is alleged to be an online porn artist, sold her phone to our brother who in turn sold it to another person who saw the porn movies where the girl featured and started circulating them.

When the girl got it, she thought it was the person she sold the phone to who circulated it not knowing that he was not the one as he had sold off the phone.

So, it was out of fury that the lady, her mother and her mothers husband stormed Mendiss shop.

Without hearing from him the mother started stabbing him until he slumped and died, Ngwoke said, quoting the witness.

He added that they were there on that day for a peaceful protest outside the court premises demanding that the deceased must get justice.

He noted that besides the show of solidarity the organisation wanted to make sure that Nigerians did not take the law into their hands or act in any manner that might contravene the countrys law.

Ngwoke said that already two witnesses had testified to ensure that justice was served.

The statement said that Douglas thanked the Nigerian community for coming out en masse to show solidarity.

However, he urged them to restrain themselves from doing anything capable of jeopardising or truncating the ongoing investigation.

He equally implored them to shun any act of violence and criminality of any sort, go about their normal business and continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

The statement added that ONSA leadership was on top of the case and would continue to monitor the situation closely as well as not hesitate to report developments to their forum as it unfolded.

The statement also quoted the President of NUSA, Mr Adetola Olubajo, as condemning the killing and assuring to work with Ohanaeze until justice was served. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazam George

Residents of Gwagwalada in the FCT, Abuja have expressed joy over the gradual completion of construction of a section of Abuja-Gwagwalada-Lokoja road, which was a nightmare to them and other road users.

The residents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada, Abuja on Tuesday.

The expressway is the major road that links the Eastern and Southern States with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other Northern States.

NAN reports that the two lanes of the Abuja-Gwagwalada-Lokoja Expressway were merged into one lane to pave way for the construction of the one kilometre portion of the road in Gwagwalada town.

Motorists, commuters and residents of Gwagwalada have groaned in pains over the traffic gridlock on the road emanated due to the construction activity.

NAN reports that the construction of the road, which starts from the popular SDP Junction and terminates at Sidi -Ali Plaza, Gwagwalada, is being undertaken by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company.

Mr Thomson Emmanuel, a resident of Bassa in Gwagwalada, said that the road construction had caused lots of problems including robbery cases and accidents, where many sustained injuries and others lost their lives.

The road construction has led to the death of many and there have been robbery cases. I am grateful that the road construction is coming to an end as the road has been tarred, he said.

Another resident, Mrs Onyebuchi Franca, who is a teacher, said since the road construction began she trekked from her residence in Dagiri to a long-distance before taking a bike to her school.

According to her, the gridlock that occurs makes it difficult for motorbikes to ply on the road and for this, she rather treks than stay in the traffic jam.

I am happy that the road construction will be completed soon so that everyone can go back to the normal way of life, she said.

Mrs Chinwe Eze, a resident of Dagiri, said that she trekked from her house to her store that was located close to SDP Junction as the road was being constructed.

She said that she did not have any other option than to trek because of the gridlock that could last two hours coupled with the high cost of transportation.

Similarly, Mr Prince Cyrus, a store owner in Gwagwalada, said that it had been very stressful for him but its getting better as the road had been tarred.

He further stated that the gridlock had helped some hawkers made profits as motorists spent at least two hours in traffic.

He also thanked the security agencies for their efforts in ensuring that motorists were properly directed and coordinated.

Speaking with a representative of the construction company, Mr Daniel Simon, stated that the road would be completed before the end of May.

The road is at its finishing point and will be completed and opened in two weeks.

We have been asked to speed up the construction because of the gridlock that happens regularly on the road.

So this is not 100 per cent completion as some many things have not been done such as the construction of drainages and provision road demarcations, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N805.7 million for the purchase equipment to enhance security at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, Abuja.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, briefed State House correspondents after a virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

You will recall that from 2011 upwards, there have been various attacks on Federal Government institutions and even multilateral institutions just like UN headquarters building.

Consequent upon those attacks in 2011, 2014, 2018, the Federal Government set up what is called Vulnerability Assessment Committee to see how we can better protect ministries, departments and agencies.

It is line with that, the EFCC today presented to council, a memo seeking approval for the procurement of four sets of automatic and static anti crash system with automatic scanners and other accessories.

He gave other items as 900 linear metres fence intrusion detection system, human screening equipment, four work flow metal detectors, two hand-held metal scanners, one luggage scanner and three hand-held explosive trace detectors.

All at a value of N805.7 million inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with the completion period of 12 weeks.

Mohammed said that the second memo which the president presented to council for approval was for the procurement of 16 vehicles for the use of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

You know we have 16 members of the FCSC, the chairman and 15 commissioners representing the states and they normally embark on extensive advocacy visits and routine oversight functions to ministries, departments and agencies across the country.

So, they asked for a replacement of the old unserviceable vehicles and council duly approved they purchase one Toyota land cruiser, V8, and 15 Toyota Rush all at a total of N336 million, he said.

He added that the Federal Government was concerned about labour unrest in Kaduna and was working towards amicable resolution of the issues with little loss to productivity and property.

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has advised Army public relations officers to be more proactive and responsive to information and public relations management and practices.

Attahiru gave the advice at the opening of a capacity building/training workshop for public relations officers of the Nigerian Army facilitated by Centre for Crisis Communication on Wednesday in Abuja.

The COAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Ben Ahanotu, said that the workshop, with the theme; Repositioning the Nigerian Army Public Relations Towards Addressing Contemporary Communication Challenges, was timely.

He said that in view of the continuous emergencies and flashpoints across the country, the Nigerian Army, as the linchpin in internal security operations, required effective crisis communication strategy.

Attahiru said that the duty of the military is to neutralise the threats that terrorists, bandits, militants and sundry violent elements posed to peace and stability of the country by ensuring that the adversaries are separated from the population.

He stated that the fight ought to cover the physical, psychological and information domains to be able to achieve a holistic result.

As you all know, the battle field for us in the war against terror and other internal security operations which we are engage is not just in the trenches.

Even more ferocious is the battle in the media where the attritional war of narrative is daily raging.

Bear it in your minds, therefore, that there are elements in the society whose mission is to attack the credibility and professionalism of our institution and operations using the media.

To sustain the necessary momentum of security operations, public relations officers must strive to salvage the credibility of our operations from those who are bent on discrediting our efforts at every stage.

It is our responsibility to counter those who unduly punch holes in our operations and malign our personnel through all kinds of accusations and allegations aimed at diminishing the integrity of officers or the military authorities in military operations, he said.

The army chief expressed concern that the counter-terrorism campaign of the military had been a victim of misconceptions and falsehood that were disseminated and effectively sustained in the public domain through the instrumentality of the media.

He said that there was need to brace up for the antics of those intent on undue fault finding, blame trading and negative story slanting to distract armys mission.

According to him, the Nigerian Army must remain conscious of these responsibilities which must be inspired, driven and built on the fundamentals of good reputation that creates goodwill, respectability and acceptability.

Attahiru stressed that maintaining credibility and respectability with different groups, institutions and personalities for good corporate image was the hallmark of the spokesperson.

He also urged the officers to be conscious of the good reputation needed to create or generate goodwill and acceptability.

He added that personal reputation and integrity, as well as the Nigerian armys image or reputation were both important, urging that delicate balance must be maintained at all times in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said that the workshop was in keeping with Attahirus vision to have a Nigerian army that is repositioned to professionally defeat all adversaries in a joint environment.

Yerima said that the training workshop was aimed at the harnessing the capacity of the participants to surmount the challenges of communicating the activities and operations of the Nigerian Army as public relations officers.

He urged the participants to pay rapt attention to the training, adding that the COAS expected that a more positive reflection of the training would be seen in the participants through their actions.

Executive Secretary, Centre for Crisis Communication, retired Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, said that the Nigerian Army had continued to play a pivotal role towards eliminating the security challenges confronting the nation towards enhancing peace and stability.

Anas said that the event would provide the participants opportunity for frank and robust discussion on contemporary communication challenges facing the Nigerian Army in particular and other security agencies in general.

He said that the centre believed that security matters and issues should not be politicised, adding that some individuals and groups in the country had regularly engaged in castigating the security agencies.

Anas, however, called on leaders at all levels and the public to rally behind the security agencies and encourage them to eradicate most of the current security challenges bedeviling the country.

According to him, the workshop was packaged towards enhancing the capacity of the officers in key areas of contemporary communication challenges, public relations and media management.

Source: NAN News

The New Zealand government has invested 1.4 billion NZ dollars ( billion) in its COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure free vaccination for everyone.

COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, said on Wednesday.

The government confirmed, for the first time, the amount of money it has allocated over two years for vaccines and the vaccination programme, Hipkins said.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is key to securing our economic recovery, he said.

The minister added that effective and ongoing vaccination of the community will unlock economic opportunities and allow the country to safely reopen borders over time.

Our health response has been strong and successful so far, but were taking nothing for granted.

Setting aside 1.4 billion NZ dollars for vaccines and infrastructure means New Zealand is well-placed to meet our COVID-19 challenges head-on.

New Zealand has secured sufficient doses to vaccinate everyone in the country for free and to also support the Pacific neighbours.

Additional vaccines deemed safe and effective can be deferred for later use and further donated to support the regional recovery, he said. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Eleven villagers have died in southern Cambodias Kandal province after consuming locally-made rice wine discovered to have contained a high level of methanol, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Ta Skor village in Lvea Em districts Sarika Keo commune.

The victims drank adulterated rice wine at a funeral of their neighbour on May 10, said Kuoy Bunthoeun, Chief of Kandal Provincial Health Department.

They had died subsequently after consuming the wine, he told Xinhua over the telephone.

The adulterated wines samples had been taken for lab testing at the National Institute of Public Health in Phnom Penh and the results, on Monday, showed that the wine contained high levels of methanol.

The high concentration of methanol in the wine was far in excess of the legal limit of 0.15 per cent, he said.

Bunthoeun added that the department had sought cooperation from local authorities to close all rice wine distilleries and stalls in the district to prevent more deaths.

The authorities have already seized the rice wine from some 20 stalls in the district and advised all vendors to stop selling it temporarily, Lvea Em district chief Kan Sokkay said.

Sokkay added that all rice wine distilleries have also been temporarily shut down.

Rice wine is popular in Cambodias rural areas due to its cheap price.

In November, methanol-laced rice wine also left seven people dead in the central Kampong Chhnang province. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

India on Wednesday recorded 4,529 COVID-19 deaths, making it the highest single-day spike of fatalities anywhere in the world since the beginning of the pandemic, official data showed.

The South Asian country set the grim global record by breaching the previous highest figure of 4,475 in the U.S. on Jan.12, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The health ministry said India saw 267,334 new infections in the past 24 hours, taking its overall caseload to 25.5 million in its latest bulletin. Saying altogether a total of 283,248 people had died of the disease.

India, battling a second deadly wave of the pandemic, had also registered the worlds highest daily tally of 414,188 cases on May 7.

Although the cases had declined since then, the government had warned that only 1.8 per cent of the countrys over 1.3 billion population population contracted the virus so far.

In spite of the high number of cases reported so far, we have been able to contain the spread to fewer than 2 per cent of the population.

We cannot let our guard down, hence continued focus on containment is critical, senior health ministry official Lav Agarwal told reporters.

After the exponential surge in cases overwhelmed hospitals in cities and towns, case numbers were rising rapidly in rural regions where health facilities were ill-equipped as COVID-19 tests were unavailable.

Indias inoculation drive has been floundering and in spite of being a global hub for vaccine manufacturing, only 3 per cent of its population were fully vaccinated. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

A new vaccination study conducted by Thailands Chulalongkorn University has found that Chinas Sinovac vaccine has extremely high efficacy in boosting immune responses against COVID-19, the media reports on Wednesday.

The study run by the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology of the Faculty of Medicine at the university showed that 99.49 per cent of the recipients had developed antibody responses four weeks after their second shots, the Bangkok Post said, quoting the study results.

Three weeks after the first shot, around 66 per cent of the recipients had developed immune responses, the report added.

The number of antibodies against the Coronavirus were measured with Roche Elecsys Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay, a qualitative detection of total antibodies developed against the virus in peoples blood samples before and after the vaccination period, said the research group.

Electrochemiluminescence or electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is a kind of luminescence produced during electrochemical reactions in solutions.

The tests were conducted before injections, three weeks after the first shot and four weeks after the second injection. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Olawale

The Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State, Abisola Olusanya, says the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), on Tuesday commenced a two-day all-inclusive training for 20 youths and women in various value chain.

Olusanyamade this known at the opening ceremony of the training at Oko Oba in Lagos, saying that it was to link the participants up to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)s agribusiness credit facilities.

Olusanya, represented byMrs Aramide Gansallo,Director, Agribusinesss in the ministry, said that the two-day training was first in the series for participants.

She said the training would also enable participants to have access to a single digit loan from the CBNs Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

She said that if eventually accessed, participants should judiciously utilise the funds on the intended purposes, either on an existing agribusiness or a new start-up.

The commissioner also called on the trainees to focus more on marketing of their products, which would in turn ensure profitability and subsequent sustainability of their agribusiness.

One of the major outcomes of this training will be to ensure that trainees of the Ministry of Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development Institute boost their businesses by helping them facilitate loan through the AGSMEIS.

The aim of EDI is to provide a platform for youths and women as well as other SMEs, especially those in agriculture value chain, to have access to credit facilities, she said.

In his remarks, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), commended the Agribusiness Department for successfully organising the training for intending beneficiaries in spite of challenges.

Olakulehin urged participants to embrace the opportunity with all seriousness to learn and get the best out of the training.

The general manager said that 60 per cent of the participants had been trained by LASCODA and practicing the Coconut-Shell based Arts and Crafts.

He said LASCODA fully funded the Coconut-Shell based Arts and Crafts, adding that the practitioners were the first trainees of the agribusiness department. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has restored peace in Kabusa Community after a violent protest by some residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT, ASP Mariam Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that the protest followed agitation by some residents over a suspect who was earlier rescued from an angry mob for knocking down two passengers, leaving them with injuries.

According to her, the suspect, who has been beaten to pulp by the angry mob, fell ill and was rushed to the hospital for treatment where the doctor certified him dead.

In view of the above, some residents of Kabusa, during the protest attempted to overrun the Police Divisional Headquarters but were resisted by a Joint Team of Police Operatives.

Regrettably, in the bid to restore calm one young resident sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical attention, she said.

Yusuf said that the FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Bala Ciroma, extended his sympathy to families of the victims and had ordered discrete investigation into the incident.

The PPRO urged residents to remain calm and pledged commitment of the command to the protection of lives and property within the FCT. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested one Ejike Okeke, who specialises in rail track vandalism, and recovered one locally-made pistol with one live cartridge from him.

Okeke 18, of Nkwubor-Nike Village, Enugu East Local Government Area of the state, identified as a member of a syndicate of rail track vandals, was arrested on May 9 at about 11.am.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the arrest was achieved by police operatives attached to the Enugu Metro Area Command, in conjunction with operatives of the Vigilance group of Nchatancha-Nike in Enugu.

He said that Okeke and others, who ran on sighting the operatives, were found attempting to vandalise rail tracks at Nkwubor rail-line, adding that investigation was ongoing to apprehend the other gang members that fled.

In another development, operatives attached to Awkunanaw Police Division on May 11 at about 7:30 a.m., recovered one custom-coloured Toyota Camry Car with registration number: ENU 556 MH, along Amagugwu Road, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

Preliminary investigation shows that the car was stolen from where it was parked at Abakaliki Road, Enugu, by the criminal gang, who abandoned the vehicle and fled due to intense pressure mounted by operatives.

In the meantime, discreet investigation to fish out the fleeing suspects had commenced, the police said.

Also, on May 7, operatives attached to New Haven Police Division at 4:20a.m. recovered one yellow-coloured Bajaj Tricycle with UWN 468 VJ; MD2A25BY9LWG94183 and AN-101177 as its registration, chassis and engine numbers, respectively.

The tricycle, suspected to have been stolen, was abandoned by its occupants at Chime Avenue, Enugu, after a hot chase by police operatives, he said.

The police spokesman called on the rightful owners of the vehicle and tricycle to visit the respective police divisions, with relevant documents to identify and claim them.

He appealed to residents of the state to remain law-abiding, vigilant and promptly report suspected criminals and their activities to the nearest police station.

Ndukwe said that residents could call the commands emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1, 387 cartons of Tramadol tablets concealed inside 1,000 cartons of ceramic tiles in Rivers.

Mrs Ifeoma Ojukwu, the spokesperson for the Area II Command, Onne Port in Rivers, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

Ojukwu said that the seizure was made possible with help from international partners.

Ojukwu quoted the Area Comptroller, Auwal Mohammed as saying the prohibited items were found in a 140 feet container with registration number MRKU0764717.

The drugs were packed in a 120mg capsule and stored inside 20 sachets per pack, totaling 18 packs per carton.

We discovered that the same carton that is used to package the ceramic tiles was also used to package the tramadol 120mg capsules.

A total of 1, 387 cartons of prohibited tramadol tablets were concealed with 1,000 cartons of ceramic tiles

The drugs were picked through intelligence gathering following a tip-off from an international security network, Mohammed said.

The Comptroller said the importer of the banned substance, agent and their collaborators would soon be prosecuted.

He said the command had begun physical examination of the seized goods to enable investigators conduct a thorough job on the consignment.

According to him, the command will not succumb to any external pressure to hurry its investigation without following the laid down procedures.

Therefore, every importer should know that making unclear or false electronic declarations does not mean they will have an easy way out with their consignment.

All Customs officers under my watch will continue to abide by the law as well as shun any form of compromise, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
The Commandant of Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, on Wednesday said that irregular migration was affecting the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Bashir said this during the Naval War College Course 5 Inter-Agency Cooperation in Maritime Security Operations Seminar held in Calabar with the theme Curbing Irregular Migration through Cooperative Maritime Security.

He said that irregular migration involves skilled citizens like doctors, engineers, technicians and other experts leaving Nigeria with their expertise which would have added value to the countrys economy.

According to him, irregular migration was a serious security breach, adding that many youths were involved in the act because of reasons ranging from economic deprivation, conflict, and political instability among others.

The movement involve trekking in the wilderness, and crossing bodies of waters in unsafe vessels. Some popular routes are the Sahara desert and Mediterranean Sea.

Pertinently, in 2019, over 20,000 youths involved in crossing the Mediterranean Sea were reported to be from Nigeria. Certainly, irregular migration from Nigeria dominate migration to Europe and America.

We hope that the seminar would highlight avenues for cooperation among maritime related agencies in curbing the menace, he said.

The Commandant, who said that the maritime environment was the life line of Nigerias economy, conveying over 85 per cent of the total volume of international trade as well as being a store for living and non-living things, needed the protection of the relevant security agencies.

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Mohammed Babandede, who delivered a lecture on the theme, said that Africa has taken the lead in irregular migration to European countries.

Babandede, who was represented by Mrs Anthonia Opara, Deputy Comptroller General, Migration, said that the rights and privileges of such irregular migrants were abused in whichever country they found themselves.

According to him, there was a need for a sustained and formidable collaboration between maritime agencies with a view to curb the trend.

Most of the irregular migrants perish in the desert while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

They are subjected to all forms of exploitation and torture in their bid to seek for greener pastures.

The NIS has reviewed Nigeria Visa policy to accommodate a wide range of travel reasons by intending Nigerian visitors, he said.

He disclosed that the NIS had also installed the Migrant Information and Data Analysis System at various entry points to capture and store passenger information in a secured data base.

In his goodwill message, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sanusi Ibrahim, said that Nigerias maritime domain offers a plethora of resources to protect and explore.

The Flag Officer, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire, said that activities in the maritime environment were currently hampered by issues of funding, infrastructure and security among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security agencies from the Army, Air Force, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons were at the seminar.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron have committed their two nations to working together to fight insecurity bedeviling the Lake Chad basin area and the entire Sahel.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, said the two leaders made this position known at a bilateral meeting in Paris, France, on Tuesday.

Macron, who hosted the Nigerian leader on the margins of the Financing Africa Summit in Paris, pledged his steadfast support for Nigeria and its people as they confront the security challenges facing the country.

The French government would absolutely be there on the side of Nigeria and it was willing to support with everything to assist the country overcome its security threats, Macron said.

He also pledged to support Nigeria in confronting the challenges faced with COVID-19 vaccines.

At the meeting, Buhari, who outlined the challenges facing the country as well as its neighbours, also spoke about the steps he had taken to reignite response to the situation which, he said, included the appointment of the new Service Chiefs.

The president expressed the willingness of Nigeria to work with France and all its international partners to rein in the security challenges.

He thanked President Macron for agreeing to deepen the existing relations with Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Former Jigawa Chief Judge Aminu Sabo Ringim has died in a lone accident at about 1 p.m., on Tuesday, in Shafar village, Ringim Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Adamu Shehu, the Public Relations Officer, Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse.

The incident happened around 1 p.m. today at Shafar village in Ringim LGA after the deceased, who is driving a Peugeot 206 from Dutse to Ringim, lost control on a sharp bend along Chaichai-Ringim road.

The incident involved two persons, the former Chief Judge and his son, Shehu said.

He said that all the victims were rushed to Ringim General Hospital where the ex-chief judge was confirmed dead.

According to the NSCDC spokesman, the son, who sustained various degrees of injury is currently receiving medical attention at the hospital.

When contacted, the spokesman of the states Ministry of Justice, Hajiya Zainab Baba-Santali, confirmed the incident and promised to issue a statement soon.

The ministry will issue a statement concerning the deceased, immediately the states Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Musa Adamu returned from the burial. (NAN)

Source: NAN News