By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday in Abuja, said it would not allow some persons and interests to turn Imo to a killing field.

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement while condemning the attacks on lives and property in Imo.

He said the APC had closely monitored developments in the state which culminated in Saturdays brazen and gruesome attack on the residence of Gov. Hope Uzodimma.

Akpanudoedehe said the attack on the country home of Uzodimma was an attack on democracy and constituted authority.

He added that the party had since learnt that there were fatalities with others injured and maimed during the attack.

He further added that while the APC was still in shock over the ugly turn of events in the state, it sympathised with Uzodimma and all those affected by the attack.

The party and indeed our security services will definitely not watch helplessly as some persons and interests attempt to turn Imo to a killing field.

The party equally condemns the wanton attacks on police personnel and formations in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers.

We stand with the Nigeria Police Force and families of the victims in this difficult time as we mourn the deaths of innocent and dedicated security personnel carrying out their duties of protecting lives and property.

In Imo, the attack on the governors residence is an attack on democracy and constituted authority, serving the interest of the good people of Imo, he said.

Akpanudoedehe, however, called on the good people of Imo to go about their legal activities without fear and to resist the enemies of the state.

He said security services must fish out the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law.

This, he said, was critical to restoring dignity to the citizenry and confidence in the system, particularly democratic and security structures. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has disclosed that Boko Haram members were responsible for the attacks on communities in the state.

The governor told newsmen that the Boko Haram elements had taken over Kaure axis in Shiroro Local Government Area in the state.

Bello spoke to newsmen when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at IBB Primary School in Minna on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 3,000 IDPs from Kuchi, Kabula, Kazai Guni, Gini, Fuka Dan Daudu and Chiri in Munya and Shiroro local governments areas are taking refuge in the camp.

Bello said Boko Haram elements had hoisted their flag over Kaure axis, forcing women from communities around the areas to be members of the terrorist group.

The implication of that is that the territory now belongs to them, he added.

The governor said action must be taken to dislodge the insurgents otherwise with the way things are going, not even Abuja is safe.

We have been saying this and no action has been taken, the boko haram element are trying to see this place as their home, just like they did in Sambisa.

Kauri is less than two hours drive to Abuja, nobody is safe not even Abuja, he said.

According to the governor, he had engaged the Federal Government several times, but no action was taken to address the insecurity challenges bedeviling the state.

He expressed optimism that the resurgence of banditry would lead to coordinated military action to confront the severe and very serious situation.

He directed the IDPs who abandoned their communities out of fear to return to their homes, while those who were attacked should remain in the camp.

One of the IDPs, Mr Bulus Yusuf, from Kuchi in Munya LGA, said communities around Kuchi have witnessed several attacks and abduction of their women, with the whereabouts of many still unknown.

These bandits attack us, take away all our belongings including our women. Some of our women were raped, and abducted and we had to pay ransoms amounting to millions for their release, he said.

He called on the Federal and state governments to deploy a strong military presence to the area to dislodge the insurgents, so that they could return home.

Another victim, Mary Dauda, also said the bandits had invaded their community on several occasions.

At first, when they came, we thought they will not come back, but the attacks became a daily affair which forced us to run for our lives, she told the governor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Government says it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on the fight against human trafficking.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State gave the assurance on Monday, when NAPTIPs Director-General, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, led members of the management team on a courtesy visit to the State House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said that the unabated trafficking in persons presented a threat to the country, hence, the state would lend more support to NAPTIP to rehabilitate victims and prosecute traffickers.

He said the state would be reaching out to the agency for support in human capital requirements and operation space to boost the agencys response to the crime.

The governor said that the government had strengthened social awareness in communities to discourage trafficking and other forms of human rights abuses.

According to him, Lagos has raised its investment in attending to psychosocial needs of victims of abuses and granting them protection from their abusers.

Human trafficking indeed presents a deadly trend in our society and we need to protect our citizens, especially the vulnerable in our communities. For those who have fallen victims, we must stand up and protect them.

The support and collaboration which the NAPTIP has enjoyed from Lagos State government can be strengthened. through the Ministry of Woman Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

We have rendered support to NAPTIP in terms of human and material requirements for your zonal office, he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos was ready to boost its collaboration with the agency in other areas of support, adding that the state government would work closely with NAPTIP to rehabilitate victims and equip them with skills that would make them self reliant.

Earlier, Suleiman-Ibrahim said that Lagos state remained strategic to the fight against human traffickers, because of its proximity to international borders, which made the state prone to trafficking activities.

She said that Nigeria remained a fertile ground for recruitment of trafficked persons, adding that victims had been turned to commodities.

We cannot fight traffickers from skeletal locations; this is why we are deepening our engagement with states to stop trafficking and those behind the dehumanising trade, Suleiman-Ibrahim said.

The NAPTIP director-general said that in spite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 300 people were rescued from being trafficked, with about 50 cases still pending in court. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) has launched a new capacity building programme for correctional officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The programme targeted at rehabilitating and possibly reintegrating alleged Boko Haram insurgents who are being remanded in NCoS facilities is sponsored by the German government.

Speaking at the launch on Monday in Abuja, Dr Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria said that the move became even more necessary in view of the number of inmates held since 2016 for alleged links to the insurgents.

According to him, the newly launched programme which will be executed through the NCoS will focus on providing detainees with social reintegration support including education, vocational training and other constructive activities.

New Partnership forged with the Nigerian Correctional Service and the government of Germany in close coordination with other relevant stakeholders.

We are gathering to launch a new programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of the NCoS to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners held for alleged association with Boko Haram.

Based on our extensive experience in the field of prison reform, UNODC will seek to improve prison conditions while providing detainees with social reintegration support including education, vocational training and other constructive activities.

We will be doing so not directly but through the Nigerian Correctional Service.

This type of support will be embedded in capacity building aimed specifically at the correctional staff to further strengthen compliance with prison management in line with international standards, he said.

He pointed out that a visit by the UNODC to the Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison showed that there were over 1,200 people including 12 females, held for alleged involvement with Boko Haram.

He said that of the number, only a handful had been tried while a vast majority of them were just being held on remand.

Stolpe therefore stressed that the new programme will also strife to advance the de-radicalisation drive of the NCoS while ensuring that the prisoners were treated with human dignity.

Through the de-radicalisation programme of the NCoS, there has been measures introduced to facilitate the treatment of violent extremists in Nigeria.

While many of the detainees may be eventually discharged, the need for social integration and support is obvious in light of the extended time period of detention and their poor economic social background.

The stigma of having allegedly been associated with Boko Haram further aggravates the obstacles they will face in rebuilding their lives after their release.

It is exactly on this point that this new partnership is focused on, he said.

For the Acting Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, John Mrabure, he said that support from the UNODC backed by the German government was indeed commendable.

He said that coming at a time when the nation was grappling with diverse security challenges; the programme would indeed enhance the capacity of the correctional officers.

At this sad period in our history any assistance that comes with genuine intentions to ameliorate any form of insecurity is a step in the right direction and deserves commendation.

NCoS by virtue of its mandate and mode of operation is designated as the lead agency for the de-radicalisation of violent extremist offenders, a programme which has recorded success.

It is heart warming that this support is geared towards strengthening the capacity of the NCoS to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders.

This intervention will go a long way in enhancing the technical depth of the de-radicalisation programme, he said.

Explaining the cause of delay in trying the alleged insurgents, Justice Ishaku Bello, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Correctional Reform Decongestion said that a lot of hitches were being experienced.

He said that to on the issues were that family members were unwilling to be associated with the detainees, therefore leaving the buck of legal representation with the Legal Aid Council.

He added that even witnesses refuse to come forward despite assurances of witness protection while judges are also overwhelmed.

As a solution, he called for the donation of judicial competence to other high courts to facilitate trial of the allrged insurgents.

He also called for the construction of more Juvenile facilities across the country for proper remand of juvenile offenders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed door with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the meeting was part of the ongoing strategic engagements of the president with relevant stakeholders aimed at finding solutions to the nations security and socio-economic challenges.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting with the president, Gbajabiamila reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to continue to assist President Buhari as he works hard to find a lasting solution to the present security challenges confronting the nation.

He explained that his discussion with the president centred on security and other matters related to the development of the country.

He said: We always speak about the state of security because that is number one; we spoke about the economy; we spoke about the politics of it all. At least he has a listening ear.

We proffer ideas and he tells us his own views and we come to some consensus one way or the other.

Some of these things, you cannot be privy to them for now. We are still working on a way out and all I will always say is, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

According to the speaker, the president is very passionate about finding a solution to the problem.

The President is dealing with a very difficult situation and he is as passionate as anybody else, to bring it to a closure and we are here to help him achieve that, he added.

He revealed that the House of Representatives had since set up a special committee that would offer solution to the nations security challenges.

You are aware that the House of Representatives sometimes passed a resolution where we set up a special ad-hoc committee, which involves all Principal Officers and 30 other members of the House.

We are going to start that process by looking at different solutions and we would be bringing the report to the President.

He is fully aware of it and he is open to any and everything that would help us in coming to a resolution in this security matter, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of Hajiya Amina Muhammad as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Transport.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Kano by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar.

According to the statement, the governor also approved the redeployment of four permanent secretaries.

The Permanent Secretaries are; Engr Muhammad Adamu-Musa from Due Process Bureau to Civil Service Commission, Sani Abdullahi from Ministry for Rural and Community Development to Ministry of Planning and Budget.

Abba Mustapha-Dambatta from the Ministry of Planning and Budget to the Due Process Bureau, while Salisu M. Gabasawa moves from the Civil Service Commission to the Ministry for Rural and Community Development.

The appointment and the redeployment was to further consolidate effort in taking the state civil service to greater heights, in tandem with the global best practice, it added.

The statement also said the development was a routine process in the civil service anddirected those affected to offer quality leadership and be more committed to their duties.

It is your leadership style that navigates our strong public service to keep on moving in a positive direction, it quoted the governor as saying.

Ganduje urged them touse IT-based initiatives in the discharge of their responsibilities.

In this world of technology and scientific advancement, your knowledge and use of modern ideas are always welcomed, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Nigeria and the Inter Regional Coordination Centre (ICC) Yaound have formed a forum to galvanise regional and international efforts to ensure security in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).

The Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (GOG-MCF/SHADE) was floated after meetings between the Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, representing Nigeria, and Executive Director of ICC Yaound, Admiral Narciso Fastudo Jr.

A joint statement by NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and ICC Yaound on Monday said that the GOG-MCF/SHADE, which was purposed to facilitate shared awareness and deconfliction of activities in the Gulf of Guinea, would be open to all GOG countries with similar capacities to join on a voluntary basis.

The statement said: GOG-MCF/SHADE will focus on counter-piracy and armed robbery by bringing together regional, international, industry and NGO partners.

This is to advance and coordinate near term maritime activities with a view to working toward a set of common operational objectives in order to protect seafarers and ships operating off the coast of West and Central Africa, it said.

Jamoh and Fastudo agreed to hold the first virtual meeting of GOG-MCF/SHADE as soon as practicable, noting that modalities would be announced later.

They said that due to its complementary nature, the G7 Group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (G7 FOGG) would support the creation of GOG-MCF/SHADE, which would comprise an open plenary session, working group meetings, working group chairs, coordination meeting, and a plenary session report.

Jamoh said: The new maritime security framework speaks to our own integrated approach to security in the countrys waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

We have always believed in bringing all maritime stakeholders on board in the search for security, and we have proffered that as a solution at various forums with our regional and international partners.

I am confident that cooperative efforts and shared capabilities are the best approach to success in our collective quest for maritime security.

GOG-MCF/SHADE is coming as a powerful new force for security in the Gulf of Guinea, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

The Oyo State Government has paid the sum of N1.38 billion as gratuity to 465 retired primary school teachers and local government staff.

The cheques were distributed on Monday at the lobby of Water Corporation Building, Secretariat in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gratuity, paid to both the living and dead staff, was the sixth tranche since inception of the Gov Seyi Makinde-led administration.

Alhaji Bayo Titilola-Sodo, the Special Adviser to Makinde on Labour Matters,
appreciated God for giving the governor the required wisdom, strength and strong will to withstand criticism from the opposition as well as pessimists.

You will all recall that Gov. Makinde has been so passionate about the pensioners, thats why their welfare has been so paramount to him.

He does not joke with issues bordering on both the serving and retired personnel at all.

This kind gesture of our dear governor was however reciprocated by the national body of pensioners with an award just recently, the special adviser said.

He said that Makinde was doing everything humanly possible towards ensuring all the gratuity debts were cleared during his time, notwithstanding the economic situationacross the country.

Prince Adebayo Adeyemi, the Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, expressed gratitude to God and thanked Makinde for displaying interest in the welfare of the downtrodden.

He commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of senior citizens who had contributed immensely toward the development of their beloved fatherland.

Most often, when we consider the multifaceted challenges confronting the State in the art of governance, one is marvelled by the governors efforts in tackling the issue headlong, even in the face of the present economic downturn and ever increasing obligations to attend to, Adeyemi said.

The board chairman said that 465 retirees benefitted from the N1.38 billion earmarked for the 6th tranche of cheque distribution.

Earlier, Dr. Ayodele Busari, the Board Secretary, appreciated Makinde for giving the pension board staff a conducive atmosphere to operate.

He also thanked members of staff for working hard to make the payment a huge success.

Pastor Samuel Awobode, the representative of Auditor-General for Local Government and Mr Segun Abatan, the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), appreciated the governor for his effort.

The duo in their separate remarks, applauded the state government for rising to the challenge of regular payment of gratuity/pensions, admonishing the retirees on judicious use of the entitlements.

Mr Akin Funmilayo, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Local Government Service Commission; executive members of NUP, management staff of Pension Board and other important dignitaries were present at the event. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has condemned Saturdays fire that gutted the house of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Sunday, described it as criminality taken too far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Uzodinmas country home in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area (LGA), of Imo, was on Saturday destroyed by fire.

Fayemi sympathised with Uzodinma and commiserated with all those who were injured, maimed or killed as a result of the incident.

He called on all good citizens to cooperate with security forces and the government. in the efforts to build a civil, safe and secure environment for the citizens.

For those behind these crimes, they must understand that they do not have the monopoly of violence.

This is taking criminality to reckless and irresponsible heights.

All hands must be on deck to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act, as in our view, they constitute a small league of persons trying to harm the corporate existence of our beloved country, Nigeria.

The mantra for every Nigerian at such a challenging time in our history must be how to forge peace and unity across the nations divides, and to shun violence and wanton destruction.

Only then can we have a country to call our own, Fayemi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it is concluding the Extraordinary Tariff Review process for the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

NERC, which is the regulator of Nigerias power sector, made this known on Monday in a notice to the general public and industry stakeholders posted on its website.

The commission said the review was pursuant to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA).

According to NERC, extraordinary tariff reviews are carried out in instances where industry parameters have changed from those used in the operating tariffs to such an extent that a review is urgently required to maintain the viability of the industry.

The commission said it would also commence the processes for the July 2021 Minor Review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO-2020), which is done every six months.

NERC said the reviews would put into consideration changes in inflation, foreign exchange, gas prices and available generation capacity.

The commission said it would also consider Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) required to evacuate and distribute the said available generation capacity in accordance with EPSRA and other extant industry rules.

Further to the above, the commission held series of public hearings and stakeholder consultations in the first quarter of 2020 on the Extraordinary Tariff Review Applications of the 11 DisCos to consider their respective five-year Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).

However, the evaluation of the DisCos requests for review of the CAPEX proposed in their PIPs could not be concluded for the consideration of the commission during the Minor Reviews undertaken in 2020.

Specifically, Section 21 of the MYTO 2020 Order provides for consideration of DisCos CAPEX application upon further scrutiny and evaluation of the investment proposals, it said.

NERC said the notice was being issued in compliance with the provisions of EPSRA, the Business Rules of the commission and the Regulations on Procedures for Electricity Tariff Reviews in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

The commission said it was aimed at soliciting for comments from the general public and stakeholders on the proposed reviews and advised them to send their comments to NERCs headquarters in Abuja within the next 21 days. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

The Imo Police Command has confirmed Sundays robbery attack on motorists in Orji area of Owerri, which left four persons with bullet injuries.

The commands Spokesperson, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri.

Orlando said the victims of the attack had been taken to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri for treatment.

NAN reports that the incident took place near the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters on Owerri-Okigwe Road around 10.30pm.

It was learnt that the hoodlums, who were trailing an unmarked security vehicle, double-crossed it at Orji and opened fire on the driver.

Eyewitness account said the gunmen also robbed other motorists and commuters in commercial vehicles at the same spot.

The account further said the robbers shot sporadically after the operation to scare away people, before making their escape.

It was during the sporadic shooting that three more persons around area were hit by bullet, the eyewitness said on the condition of anonymity.

The incident caused tension and panic in the area, forcing residents and passersby to run helter skelter for their lives.

NAN reports that the robbery, which came barely one day after the attack on Gov. Hope Uzodinmas country home in Omuma, had further heightened the fear of insecurity in the state.

In another development, the police spokesman has debunked the report of alleged attack on the Imo House of Assembly.

In a statement made available to NAN, he described the online video, showing the assembly complex under fire, as false.

According to him, the building, which was on fire in a social media, was neither the state house of assembly nor any building in Imo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mustapha Sumaila
The Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), a group known for peace and conflict resolution, has suggested ways to resolve the countrys security challenges.

The Secretary-General of the group, Dr Adeola Adams, gave the suggestions in a virtual lecture delivered in Abuja on Monday.

The SPSP is an assembly of the countrys top certified academics, specialising in peace and security studies.

Adams said that the role of every stratum of the society was needed in solving Nigerias multifaceted problems.

He said if each constituency played its role accordingly, the country would be able to reverse the security situation.

The SPSP scribe noted that governments effort alone could not guarantee peace, adding that there was need to bring all necessary stakeholders on board to resolving these challenges.

He added that this was paramount because of the emergence of powerful none state actors like the multinationals and others that help democratise peace process.

Adams underscored the role of government in the realm of policymaking and implementation, official diplomacy, law making and enforcement in addressing security problems.

He said that other stakeholders should equally play critical roles in peace building to complement the political stratum.

The role of Non-governmental professionals like Local or International NGOs, professional bodies like SPSP, NBA, NLC, providing relief materials to victims of conflict, expertise on specific area of intervention will help and sponsoring advocacy cum awareness programmes also necessary.

Interventions by businessmen and companies like the Dangote Group through job creation and creation of other economic opportunities can help reduce the countrys social friction, he explained.

He, therefore, called for the facilitation of Citizen Diplomacy through individual efforts to peace building and the establishment of mediation centres across the country.

According to him, other critical areas that need to be contributed to the peace efforts are researches in peace studies.

He said the implementation of the outcome of research works would support the entrenchment of rule of law, human rights, the role of faith based diplomacy, funding and media.

The lecture was titled: Multi-Track Diplomacy: A System Approach to Peace in Nigeria.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has called on the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Maritime Police to always maintain a steady presence at sea to enhance security in the state.

Obi made the call on Monday when the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Amphibious Training School, Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Joshua Nimmyel, paid her a courtesy call in her office in Calabar.

The VC explained that steady presence of security personnel along the Calabar channel would prevent hoodlums from using the river to get entrance into the University.

She lamented that the porous nature of the river beside the University had continue to pose a security challenge to the University community.

According to her, most of the suspected kidnappers that have gain entrance into the institution to either kidnap or rob staff came through the river side.

As an institution, we are ready to collaborate with relevant security agencies that are patrolling the waterways.

The University of Calabar is situated beside the river side and this is our biggest challenge because suspected kidnappers now gain entrance through the river side to get into the University and commit all sort of crime.

I want to plead with you to always use the river side beside the University for your practical and training with a view to scare these suspected kidnappers and hoodlums that are terrorising the peace of the University.

We are looking forward to see that a policy is formulated that will constantly mandate security agencies to always patrol the waterways, she said.

The VC told the Commandant that they can also partner in the area of research and training for their personnel where necessary.

She commended the Commandant for contributing largely to the security provision in the state, pleading that such gesture should also be extended to the Universitys community.

Earlier, the Commandant said that the aim of the call was to create a synergy between the military training institution and the University.

According to him, the Amphibious Training School was saddled with the responsibility of training military and paramilitary officers on amphibious and riverine security and policing.

He said that such collaboration would foster security provision, training and research for both the University and the Amphibious Training School.

He congratulated Obi for emerging as the first female VC of the 46-year old institution, describing her emergence as historic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kola Adeyemi

The Police Command in Kogi has stormed a kidnappers den and rescued a man abducted on April 25 at PYN junction on Ajaokuta-Lokoja road.

The command spokesman, DSP William Aya, said in a statement issued in Lokoja on Monday, that two AK-47 rifles and 29 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

According to him, the man was abducted by four gunmen at about 3:30pm on April 25, and forced into the bush by the gunmen.

On receiving the report, a team of policemen led by Ajaokuta Divisional Police Officer, CSP Shola Night immediately embarked on a search and rescue operation.

The effort eventually paid off when policemen traced the kidnappers to their hideout at about 8pm and engaged them in a gun duel.

Aya said that the suspects succumbed to the superior fire power of the police and were forced to flee with bullet wounds.

The victim was rescued unhurt and two AK-47 rifles with 29 rounds of ammunition were recovered, he added.

The command spokesman said the state commissioner of police, Mr Ede Ayuba had directed hospitals and members of the public to report anybody with bullet wounds to the nearest police station. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The French energy company Total on Monday announced it would completely withdraw its employees from a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique in view of the tense security situation.

According to earlier reports, about 1,000 employees are directly affected, but Total did not give a number.

Agostinho Vuma, the president of Mozambiques business association earlier estimated the total damage to the economy by the looming production stop at around 90 million dollars.

According to his preliminary estimates, about 410 companies involved in the gas production project in Cabo Delgado from suppliers to security services to lodge owners will have to shut down their operations.

Around 56,000 people would become unemployed as a result.

Mozambiques government confirmed the indefinite halt of the project as well as the cancellation of numerous contracts with supplier companies.

The town of Palma in the north of the south-east African country was attacked by Islamist rebels on March 24. Total is involved in an over-20-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas project in the region.

In view of the circumstances, Total is now using the legal term force majeure, which refers to unforeseeable circumstances that prevent a party from fulfilling a contract.

The company hopes that the countrys government and international partners would succeed in restoring security, according to a statement.

If the uncertainty in the region persists, however, further lay-offs are to be expected, it said.

The planned gas extraction was linked to high hopes in Mozambique for a sustainable development boost.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has already warned of a worsening crisis in the conflict province of Cabo Delgado.

Thousands of people are fleeing due to the recurring violence and almost one million people are currently affected by severe hunger. Some 50,000 people have fled after the attack in Palma. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

Dr Solomon Chollom, spokesman, Plateau Inter-professional Health Committee on COVID-19 Response, has called for transparency in vaccine development and outcomes of clinical trials.

Chollom, a virologist, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja on the side-line of the 2021 World Immunisation Week.

Celebration of the 2021 World Immunisation Week, which has Vaccines Bring Us Closer, as its theme, began on April 24 and would end on April 30.

Key stakeholders in vaccine research, production, administration and marketing set the week aside annually to review progress and challenges bordering on vaccines, vaccination and immunisation to increase vaccine access through advocacy.

Chollom said vaccine trials must cover population groups and climes and get the buy-in of recipients to reduce hesitancy and resistance

This years celebration focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic and how safety protocols like quarantine, isolation, social distancing and lockdown had kept us apart.

To restore and resume normal life and living, safe and effective vaccines must be introduced to bring us closer to one another since vaccines protect us and eradicate diseases.

Eradication of the pandemic through immunisation is achievable.

Our memory is fresh on how vaccines played key roles in rolling back pandemics like bubonic plague, influenza, small pox and most recently, polio, to mention a few, he said.

The virologist enjoined all stakeholders to look deeper and objectively at feedbacks generated by vaccines introduction and administration, especially with the COVID-19 vaccine.

He said every concern raised must be scientifically investigated and stakeholders must meticulously address the concerns as public perception and confidence on vaccines hangs on a delicate balance.

The concerns, he said, could be those bordering on safety or efficacy or availability.

Chollom stressed the need for effective and strategic communication to precede the introduction of new vaccines to keep the public enlightened and well-informed.

He noted that such communications must be based on verifiable data that addressed safety and efficacy to scale down the possibility of negative build-up against vaccine introduction.

Health professionals must be ahead of the times in research and development to ensure that the world does not get caught in another round of pandemic that cripple economies and disrupt human activities, he emphasised.

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website last Saturday that a year ago, there were 26 dangerous diseases for which there were safe and effective vaccines to prevent and control.

Today, we add COVID-19 to the list of vaccine-preventable diseases as four vaccines are currently being deployed under emergency use to save lives and livelihoods from the grip of the pandemic.

As of April 2021, almost 70 preventive immunisation campaigns in over 60 countries remain postponed due to COVID-19, and routine immunisation coverage is down globally, including in the United States.

Tracing the origins of vaccines, Baylor University Medical Centre in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A, cited the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institute of Health as recalling that the first grand effort on the first vaccine was by Edward Jenner in 1796.

Jenner took cowpox swab from a dairymaid, Sarah Nelms, who had fresh lesions on her hands and arms and inoculated an eight-year-old boy, James Phipps with it since it had been observed that those who suffered from cowpox never contracted small pox.

Subsequently, the boy developed mild fever and discomfort in his armpit.

Nine days after the procedure he felt cold and had lost his appetite, but on the next day he was much better.

In July 1796, Jenner inoculated the boy again, this time with matter from a fresh smallpox lesion. No disease developed, and Jenner concluded that protection was complete.

His efforts later became part of the global trend in vaccine production. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

TheEuropean Commission has started legal action against British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca due to breaches of its COVID-19 vaccine supply contract.

The EU executive branch began the process on Friday because some terms of the contract have not been respected, commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaecker said on Monday.

Furthermore, the company has not been in a position to come up with a reliable strategy to ensure the timely delivery of doses, the spokesperson told reporters in Brussels.

We want to make sure that there is a speedy delivery of a sufficient number of doses that European citizens are entitled to, and which have been promised on the basis of the contract, he added.

The 27 EU member states support the move, according to De Keersmaecker.

The case is to be heard in Belgian courts.

After repeatedly revising downward the amount of doses it was expected to deliver, AstraZeneca is now aiming to deliver 70 million doses in the second quarter of the year, according to the EUexecutive.

This is significantly less than the 180 million the commission says the company was aiming to deliver in that period, with the entire contract covering 300 million doses.

According to theEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Controls vaccine tracker, only 31 million doses have been distributed to the European Union and European Economic Area since deliveries began.

The row about delivery shortfalls has been running since January, when AstraZeneca announced production hiccups were affecting their EU supply chain.

Brussels was particularly frustrated that neighbouring Britains supply of AstraZeneca shots remained unaffected, inspite of the both purchase contracts dating from August 2020.

The bloc even halted the export of 250,000 of the companys vaccine doses fromItaly to Australia, arguing it must first honour its contractual obligations to the EuropeanUnion.

As a first step, the EU executive branch launched a dispute resolution process with AstraZeneca in March.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Yussuf

15-year-old Amina Hassan, from Pataki Local Government Area of Niger was forced to marry a 50 year-old man with children. She is the first of seven girls from her parents and she was not given the opportunity to go to school.

Life became miserable for Amina as she was always beaten up anytime she refuses her husbands sexual advances.

Amina eventually ran away, while her case was taken up by Reproductive Rights Advocacy Safe Space and Empowerment (RAISE).

A 38-year-old woman (name with held), who lives in Benin, narrated her bitter experiences in her 17-year-old marriage.

She said that her husband always beat her for not giving birth to a male child.

He insists I must deliver a boy for him after having two girls; he beats me up with no just cause.

In fact, there were many occasions he almost killed me; especially at night as he always come back drunk and forced himself on me.

I have contemplated killing myself more than twice, but God intervened, she said.

Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), like that of Amina and the Benin-based 38-year-old housewife have been on the increase in recent times.

With the advent of COVID-19, the situation worsened as families had to stay at home during the lockdown period.

Available records showed increased incidences of rapes, especially on minors, spousal batteries, among others, during the lockdown period.

To stem gender based-violence and give succour to the victims, ActionAid Nigeria, partnered three Womens Rights Organisations (WROs) in Adamawa, Edo and Niger states on Women-led Integrated Protection Action Against Violence (WIPe-GBV).

The WIPe-GBV project, which was aimed at protecting the rights of women and girls from GBV exacerbated by conflicts and COVID-19 in these states, was funded by Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK Government.

At a recent meeting in Abuja, women and gender-sensitive men x-rayed the challenges of GBV and how the project has been able to address the plights of victims.

Mrs Ene Obi, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, called for unity of Nigerian women to end the menace in the country.

Obi expressed worry over the culture of silence by women toward GBV cases, saying the society is not protecting its citizens.

She lamented the pace at which GBV cases were withdrawn from the courts and called on stakeholders to rise above GBV in the country.

On Dec. 8, 2020, ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), officially launched a five-month project targeted at protecting the rights of women and girls from GBV exacerbated by COVID-19 in Edo, Niger and Adamawa states.

The implementation of this project gave us better insight into the unique context of addressing violence against women and girls amidst pandemic, especially in conflict settings.

We have been able to get to the communities and bring out a lot of cases on SGBV. It is an overwhelming episode this time because of the increase in violence occasion by COVID-19.

There is a lot of mobilisation in some of these communities and more cases are being held while some of the cases are being done.

What is of concern to us is the culture of silence. The society is not protecting its citizens because we are not very happy that some cases were withdrawn from the courts, she said.

Obi called on women to rise up as the 2023 election draws nearer in order to take their rightful position to boost complete eradication of SGBV in the country.

In the same vein, Dr Ranatu Hassan, great granddaughter of Queen Amina of Zaria, commended ActionAid for taking the lead in the fight against eradication of GBV across the country.

She, however, frowned at some parents who were not forceful to fight for justice for victims of GBV.

She appealed for the extension of the project to accommodate many other girls and women experiencing GBV, whose voices were not being heard.

To also tackle GBV, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, recently inaugurated a Strategic Knowledge Management National Technical Working Group on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.

The working group is a joint EU-UN Spotlight initiative, structured to advise the Ministry of Women Affairs in the multi-sectoral SGBV national response and bring together technical expertise, donors, development partners and civil society organisations.

According to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, the ministry has established an inter-ministerial committee to address issues around SGBV.

Tallen decried absence of adequate data on SGBV, describing it as a major challenge in addressing the scourge.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the violence against women. Now we have a pandemic within a pandemic.

I appeal to the justice system to ensure that justice against the perpetrators is no longer delayed because justice delayed is justice denied.

Our children and women need justice and we cannot sweep such bad cases under the carpet. They must be adequately tried and brought to book, she said.

Tallen said that President Muhammadu Buhari had declaredzero-tolerance to SGBV, which led to the development of Gender-based Violence Data Situation Room and Dashboard on May 15, 2020.

The minister appealed to all states that had not domesticated the Child Rights Act to do so.

Available data on GBV covering 2019 to 2020, showed that over 3,000 cases were reported, 171 cases were fatal, 188 cases closed, while only 11 cases were persecuted.

All in all, stakeholders have identified inadequate data and refusal of GBV victims to speak up for fear of stigmatisation as challenges facing tackling the scourge.

They believe that awareness creation and collation of adequate data on all forms of violence against women and girls will go a long way to tackling the scourge.

They say that attention should be focussed on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence, harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human persons, sexual and economic exploitation, among others.

They also advocated speedy prosecution of perpetrators of GBV as well as ensure protection for survivors, as fear of physical assault on them and their family members is a hindrance to reporting cases of SGBV in the country.(NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode whipped Sunshine Queens of Akure 4-0 in their final game at the 2020/2021 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both sides final game, which was the last match of the competition, was played at the main bowl of the Dipo Dina Stadium.

Oghenebrume Ikehua scored in the games second minute, before Vivian Ikechukwu extended their lead in the 44th minute to put the Port Harcourt-based side in the drivers seat.

Alice Ogebe scores in the 63rd minute, while Maryann Ezeanagus 79th minute effort ensured that Rivers Angels retained the league title which they won in 2019.

Rivers Uniteds Head Coach, Edwin Okon, said he was happy to have retained the title.

Okon said the competition showed that they were worthy champions of the competition.

Also, the Head Coach of Sunshine Queens, Wemimo Mathew, praised the resilience of her players in spite of having several players injured before the competition.

The early goal, that first goal, affected my players. Also, it was not easy for them to play five matches in less than a week.

But its a game of football, and you win some, you lose some, she said.

NAN also reports that Rivers Angels, with 11 points from five matches, will alongside Delta Queens represent Nigeria at the WAFU Qualifiers for the inaugural CAF Womens Champions League.

Delta Queens finished in the second position after Chiamaka Okwuchukwus 87th minute goal canceled out Taiwo Lawals goal for them to draw 1-1 with FC Robo Queens.

In the first game of the day, Bayelsa Queens defeated Edo Queens 3-0.

Lagos-based FC Robo Queens finished third in the competition, while Sunshine Queens, Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens ended the Super Six in fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.

The Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare, and the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, were among guests at the competitions closing ceremony. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Omega Power Ministries (OPM) has reopened its farm located in Rivers for repentant militants going through reintegration process at the Church rehabilitation centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

General Overseer of the church, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the farm produce would be used to feed the repentant militants and their family members.

Chinyere also said that the move was to make the repentant militants as well as repentant commercial sex workers to be self-reliant as far as food production was concerned.

He said that the farm land which occupied about 150 plots would be used for the cultivation of tomatoes, yam, onions and so on.

He also said that no fewer than 500 ex-militants and ex-kidnappers would benefit from the project.

We have already acquired modern farm implements for this project which started in early 2020 when COVID-19 led to the shutting down of churches and other activities and as such funds were not coming as expected.

So, we created this as alternative source of income to help sustain the OPM rehabilitation centre.

In fact, the okro I eat is from the farm. The harvests are bountiful, so they bring some for me to cook and they sell the rest; bananas, vegetables are among what they harvest.

They also bring eggs to me because they also do poultry farming especially chickens, Chinyere said.

According to Apostle Chinyere, a consultant who is the number one farmer in Abia, has been engaged to train the ex-militants and ex-commercial sex workers on the use of modern farm implements for easy farming.

Most of these people are selling and making money and that has also reduced for the church the cost of feeding them.

The church has large expanse of land so we gave about one plot to each individual to farm and make money; we also provide all they need to do the farming.

So going forward, I engaged a consultant who is the number farmer in Abia State to teach them how to farm because farming is not just about bending down and putting something in the soil.

The consultant taught them how to plant, apply fertiliser and weeding, and most of them are doing well, harvesting and selling the proceeds.

This is another skill they have learnt in addition to other skills such as carpentry, pipeline welding, scaffolding and so on.

The consultant is 77-year-old and he schooled in Russia and sometime the Vice President visited his farm in Abia.

I dont collect any of the proceeds from the farm; they sell them and keep the money, Chinyere added.

The OPM General Overseer said that his target was to have the farming initiative duplicated in every state of the federation especially now that the current government paid more attention to agriculture.

Chinyere also said that the church had used farming as a means of empowering the youth, to ensure that those that were idle were well engaged.

You know that an idle man is the devils workshop.

NAN reports that the repented militants and their family members had been living in OPM free estate, while Apostle Chinyere took over their feeding which was funded from tithes and offerings from church members.

Apart from being farmers, some of the repentant militants have been enrolled in OPM free skills acquisition centre to learn various skills in oil and gas, welding and tailoring.

The church also has about 15 schools located in Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Lagos States, where the children of less privileged are trained. (NAN)

Source: NAN News