By Habibu Harisu

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as a dynamic, talented visionary leader with a constructive mind of ensuring transformation.

Obasanjo made the remark on Sunday in Sokoto when he laid the foundation for the construction of N3.4 billion nine-span Flyover Bridge in Sokoto metropolis.

The former president said he was amazed by the giant strides recorded by Gov. Tambuwal administration in the areas of infrastructure development and uplifting the lives of citizens.

In spite of the present situation with simultaneous and non performing economy, security challenges and effect of COVID-19 pandemic, Tambuwal is still making things go on and good, even with the low state IGR.

I still insist that he is a performing governor not only in the state but within the northwest especially in handling issues of insecurity.

He is wonderfully doing well even among his colleagues and for his party.

I pray God gives him strength, wisdom and ability to do more, Obasanjo said.

He also described Tambuwal as a politician whose love for humanity goes beyond his immediate state.

According to him, the governor is playing great role among Governors in the North West region, especially in restoring security.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to accept the governors invitation to see at first hand the works he is doing.

Within the last 24 hours in the metropolis, I have witnessed the construction of flyovers bridges and I have the opportunity of laying the foundation for one of the flyovers.

A simple summary of assessments indicated that Gov. Tambuwals achievements have outspoken his integrity and people will agree with me that Tambuwal is dynamic and transformational, Obasanjo added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Calm and normalcy returned to Owerri on Sunday after the tension generated by Saturdays attack on Gov. Hope Uzodinmas country home in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news of the attack and speculations about the masterminds sparked off panic among residents of the capital city and other parts of the state.

But the atmosphere on Sunday was peaceful as residents went about their activities, without the fear of any molestation or attack.

Churches, markets and some business centres were open, while commercial vehicle operators were on the road conveying commuters.

However, security reports indicate that human and vehicular movement within Omuma area was still restricted with security personnel keeping water-tight surveillance in the council area.

Meanwhile, some groups, church leaders and party chieftains have continued to react to the incident, saying the spate of insecurity in Imo and other states of the South-East was beginning to assume an alarming proportion.

Speaking in separate interviews with NAN on Sunday, they said the incident further heightened the fear about the growing insecurity in the state.

The Chairman of Imo Chapter of Pentecostal Association Worldwide, Rev. Clement Izuchukwu, described the attack as condemnable and an affront on the government.

Izuchukwu, therefore, charged the state and federal governments to spare no efforts to track down sponsors of the militia group that had continued to cause mayhem in the southeast.

He also urged the police and other security agencies to rise to the challenge, saying that the increasing insecurity in the zone, especially Imo, was becoming unbearable.

Also, a Civil Society Group, known as South-East Watch for Good Governance, decried the attack and killing of innocent security operatives attached to the house.

The Founder of the group, Mr Evans Anyawu, expressed deep sadness over the killing of innocent security guards by the attackers.

We are very sad over the recent developments in the southeast states.

The zone has been known for peace but some group of militiamen appear to have risen in the area, making it unsafe for all.

This trend of insecurity will never be tolerated in the zone. We will all deploy our arsenal to fight it to a standstill, he said.

Anyanwu feared that the attack might be politically motivated and aimed at distracting the governor.

He, therefore, encouraged the governor to remain focussed and not distracted by the development.

The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) also lent its voice to condemn the attack, describing it as barbaric and unwarranted.

In a statement jointly signed by its President and Secretary, Mr Goodluck Ibem and Kanice Igwe, and issued to NAN on Sunday, the group urged southeast youths to boldly challenge the emerging phenomenon in the zone.

The statement read in part, COSEYL, the apex socio-political youth organization in the South East geopolitical zone condemns in strongest term, the vicious attack on Uzodinmas house.

The attack by gunmen wearing black-and-black, which led to the untimely death of security operatives guarding the governors house, is wicked and barbaric.

It is purely the handiwork of aggrieved politicians who are not happy with the governors stance against corruption.

The series of attacks in recent times in the state by gunmen took place around between midnight and 2am and no live was lost.

But in this case, the attackers came in broad daylight to kill and set the governors house ablaze.

The attackers and their sponsors want everyone to know their true identify and we demand the security agencies to immediately move into action and arrest those involved.

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo, Mr Francis Eze, said the identity of the sponsors of the militia group would soon be unveiled.

Eze, a former Owerri West APC Chairman, alleged that the attack was politically motivated.

Imo government must dig deep to find out the route of the attack.

We are no longer comfortable with the trend of attacks in Imo but I assure you that this may be their last, he said.

NAN recalls that a group of unidentified gunmen torched the governors house, killing three security guards.

Police said the assailants carried out the attack with rocket launcher.

The incident, which caused tension and fear among residents of the state, brought to eight the number of similar attacks in Imo, from January to date.

The affected facilities included Police Divisional Stations at Ehime-Mbano, Isiala-Mbano, Obowo and Aboh-Mbaise.

Others were those at Ihite-Uboma and Mbaitoli as well as the Police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo Correctional Centre, Owerri and the governors house.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

Governors of the South-East and opinion leaders in the zone are currently in a closed-door security meeting at the Government House, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that leaders of religious groups, traditional and sociocultural institutions in the area are also part of the meeting.

This is the second security meeting called at the instance of the South-East Governors Forum in the last two weeks and might not be unconnected to the worsening security situation in the area.

Recall that in the latest security breach in the region, hoodlums on Saturday attacked the country home of Imo governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, in Omuma, Orlu, during which part of the building and some vehicles were burnt down.

Already in attendance are Ebonyi governor, Chief David Umahi, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Deputy Governor of Imo, Mr Placid Njoku.

Others are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma.

Others are Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East, former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, elder statesmen, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu among others.

NAN further reports that the governors of the South-East had during a similar meeting held in Owerri on April 11 floated a joint security outfit code-named Ebube Agu. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibas

The Police Command in Rivers says it has launched a manhunt for gunmen who attacked its checkpoints on the Port Harcourt Owerri Road on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the attack which occurred on Ikwerre Local Government Area stretch of the road, reportedly led to the death of some security operatives.

A source who pleaded for anonymity said that several patrol vehicles belonging to the security operatives were set ablaze by gunmen.

The Spokesman of the command, SP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the attack in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said details of the attacks were still sketchy.

Omoni, however, did not disclose the number of casualties in the attacks.

He said: I can confirm the attack on security personnel along the Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road, and details are sketchy.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday, has launched a full scale investigation into the dastardly attack with a view to arresting the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

Meanwhile, the area is now calm with reinforced and increased joint patrols on the stretch of the road and other areas in the state by security agencies.

So far, the state is calm and secure, and no cause for alarm, Omoni stated.

NAN further gathered that the checkpoints attacked by gunmen included checkpoints manned by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) located between Elele, Isiokpo and Omagwa communities in Rivers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna State Government has said one persons was killed and four others abducted in the attack on Haske Baptist Church at Manini village, in Chikun Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gunmen attacked the church at about 9.a.m on Sunday.

The government said Dr Zechariah Dogonyaro was shot dead while Shehu Mainika was injured.

A statement by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said the government condemned the attack in the strongest terms, but did not indicate measures being taken to secure the area.

On its part, the Police command in the state, said apart from those killed and injured, the gunmen abducted four worshippers.

The command spokesman, ASP Mohammed Jalige, in a statement, described the attack as unfortunate.

Preliminary investigation conducted so far revealed that, four persons are missing which arouse a suspicion that they might have been kidnapped by the hoodlums.

Two others sustained gunshot wounds, namely; Dr. Zakariya Doga Yaro, a staff of Kaduna State Ministry of Health attached to the Primary Healthcare Center in Rimi village, Udawa, Chikun LGA and Shehu Haruna.

Unfortunately, Dr. Zakariya Yaro died on the spot while Shehu Haruna is currently receiving medical treatment.

Consequently, normalcy has since been restored; security has been beefed up in the area with a view to forestalling reoccurrence of the dastardly attack while concerted effort is ongoing to locate the missing persons.

The Command is deeply saddened by this unprovoked attack on innocent citizens carrying out their legitimate daily routine and commiserate with the affected families, Jalige stated.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State branch, has condemned the attack and called on government to act fast to prevent citizens from resorting to self help.

A statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by its Secretary, Rev. Caleb Maaji, said government must live up to its responsibility of securing the lives and property of all citizens.

Our hearts are saddened over the sorry security situation in our dear state.

It has grown so unfortunate and on a daily basis, insecurity continues to grow worst with no appreciable resistance given the unholy terrorist who have continued to hold our dear state and nation to ransome.

It said that the attacks was a challenge to government to find ways of guaranteeing the security of lives and property of all citizens.

Our hearts goes to the local church at Manini, the Nigeria Baptist Convention and family members of the deceased.

We are appealing to relevant agencies and praying for the safe release of the abducted members and indeed all others in captivity.

We also enjoin all men and women of Goodwill to wake up and do the needful before we are all consumed by the ongoing evil of banditry and kidnapping that has hijacked our country especially Kaduna state, it added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The Kano State Consumer Protection Council (CPC) on Sunday in Kano, destroyed 402 tons of substandard, fake, adulterated, expired and unwholesome products seized in three months.

Speaking during the destruction of the items, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje said the seizure of such quantity of the items was a clear indication that his administration is succeeding in the fight to safeguard the health of the people.

According to him, his administration will not relent in its efforts towards ensuring that the state is free from such illicit products, and drug abuse among the youths.

We will make sure that the state is not only dropping from the high position in drug abuse in the country, but that its free from drug abuse.

We are working towards the establishment of a law that would ensure that those engaged in selling fake, substandard, adulterated, expired and unwholesome products are brought to book with serious punishment, Ganduje said.

The governor also commended the acting Managing Director of CPC, Mr Baffa Danagundi, who doubles as the MD Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), for his tireless efforts.

In his remarks, Danagundi said the items being destroyed were seized within the past three months when he took the mantle of leadership.

According to him, upon assumption of duty as the acting MD, the governor instructed him to do everything possible to ensure that those products are no longer in existence in the state.

I wish to inform you that these seizures were carried out during our operations within the past three months, and we made seizures on a daily basis.

In the next three months, I have the confidence that we are not going to make such a seizure because the perpetrators know that we are ready for them and we have arrested some of them.

What you are seeing here, we have one over three of it at our warehouse waiting to be destroyed. And those items we seized are so dangerous to health. he said.

Danagundi further commended Ganduje for approving the recruitment of 100 casual staff, with the release of their one year allowances to the CPC.

According to him, When I became the acting MD, I realised that there was never a time the CPC received up to N10 million. but during my stay, the governor has released N50 million for us to carry out our assignment.

The acting MD further commended all security agencies for supporting the council towards achieving its set objectives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

As Ramadan fasting enters the thirteenth day, dealers in fruits and dates say the business is booming as prices increase in Kano.

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday revealed that the period of Ramadan has increased the demand for different fruits in markets in Kano metropolis.

Some of the dealers told NAN that the consumption of fruits had increased since Ramadan fasting started, with increase in patronage.

Malam Bala Idris, an orange seller in Yanlemo market on Zaria road, expressed delight over the turnover in fruit sales since the Ramadan began.

The season had boosted my sales and on daily basis I make N7, 000 before closing for the day, he explained.

He said a bag of prange now sells for between N13,500 and N14,500 as against N12,000 before the Ramadan while a small bag sold for N9,000 as against N8,000.

Sabo Gezawa, another fruit dealer in the same market corroborated Idris claims.

Since the commencement of Ramadan , our sales has doubled and we are very happy for the development, he explained.

He said pineapple which was sold for N500 few weeks ago, now sells for N800 while a medium sized water melon which was sold for between N400 and N500 now sells for N700.

According to Gezawa, a bunch of banana goes for N700 as against N 500 before Ramadan.

Muhammad Sadik, a date seller, also said he was amazed by the rush for the product since the commencement of the Ramadan fast.

Sadik said he sold more than 10 measures of dates daily, as against less than five before Ramadan.

According him, a measure of dried dates now sells for N1,750 as against N1,500 before the Ramadan while a bag sells for N38,000 as against N36,000.

He said the hike in prices was necessitated by seasonal increase in demand for the produce.

Nasir Abbas, a customer, said that he needed to buy fruits for breaking of his fasting, adding that fruits served as appetiser and energizer.

Another consumer, Bala Isa, said he preferred dates to break his fast in line with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, over the death of his elder brother, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar III.

Tinubu, in a condolence message on Sunday in Lagos, prayed for repose of the soul of the late Abubakar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased, until his death, the was the district head of Sokoto North.

Tinubu described the late Abubakar as an excellent community leader and a devoted Muslim, who impacted his people positively.

He contributed immensely towards the propagation of Islam in his domain and beyond.

I express my deepest condolences to His Eminence,Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, over the passing of his elder brother, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar III.

May Almighty Allah console and comfort him and the entire Abubakar family over this loss, Tinubu said.

The former governor of Lagos also prayed that may Almighty Allah give the wife, children and all those he left behind the strength to bear the loss.

May He guide, guard and protect them through this difficult moment.

May Almighty Allah also grant repose of the soul of Alhaji Abubakar. May He admit him toAljanna Firdaus, Tinubu said.

Source: NAN News

By Oluwabukola Akanni

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) says that the high number of preventable malaria-related deaths recorded in the country is unacceptable.

In a statement signed by its national president, Ladi Bala, and national secretary, Helen Udofa, on Sunday, NAWOJ decried the high rate of malaria-related mortalities in the country in the recent past.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Malaria Day is marked annually on April 25.

According to the 2019 World Malaria Report, Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases in 2018 and accounted for the highest number of deaths, NAWOJ noted.

The association said that the figure was alarming and unacceptable.

The body noted that this years theme, Zero Malaria, Draw the Line Against Malaria, was an indication that malaria is preventable and that, therefore, every malaria death is unacceptable.

NAWOJ stated that as a country that bears the brunt of the malaria burden, Nigeria should, therefore, be leading the cause to stamp out malaria by 2030.

If we are aiming for zero malaria by this year, there is the need for a strong primary health care system that must ensure access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

There is a dire and urgent need for the Federal Government to develop a strong political will toward eliminating malaria in the country.

As individuals, we must also take personal responsibility to eliminate malaria in the country, zero malaria begins with every Nigerian, the women journalists said.

The body called on women groups, non governmental organisations and other concerned bodies to intensify advocacy and awareness campaigns toward eliminating malaria in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Dianabasi Effiong

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has strongly condemned the barbaric and dastardly attack on security personnel along Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Wike made this known on Sunday in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, in Port Harcourt.

He said: There is no justification for such a heinous and condemnable attack targeted against innocent security personnel on legitimate duty of protecting life and property in the state.

The Government of Rivers State is saddened by the unwarranted callous attack on security personnel. We offer our sympathies to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the attack.

We condemn this heinous act, share the grief of the security agencies and convey our sincere condolences.

The governor, who charged the security agencies to be vigilant, said that the government and people of Rivers are in solidarity with security agencies at this difficult times of this unwarranted and mindless violence.

The governor also demanded that perpetrators of the attack must be fished out and brought to justice.

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Sunday, donated free urine malaria test kits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the FCT, in commemoration of the World malaria day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Malaria Day is celebrated globally every April 25, to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2019 report shows that 229 million cases of malaria and 409,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded in 87 countries with African Region shouldering 94 per cent of all malaria cases and deaths worldwide.

Speaking, Founder, Barr. Sam Otoboeze Foundation (BSOF), Mr Sam Otoboeze, said the gesture aimed at eradicating malaria and reducing the high rate of deaths caused by malaria in the IDPs camps and the country.

We have a lot of concern on health. If we can kick malaria out, we will significantly have reduced the causes of deaths, he said.

Otoboeze explained that the gesture would enable the less privileged in the camp, who are unable to access hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment, have access to malaria test.

It does not require academic knowledge to do it and can be done anywhere.

So, we feel compelled to contribute to the society by giving it in places where there is prevalence of malaria and when tested, it will be easier to isolate and treat it, he said.

Also, Chairman and CEO of Fyodor Biotechnologies, Dr Eddy Agbo, said the urine malaria test kits was effective and did not require blood sample, reagent, or equipment for diagnosis.

We want to address those areas that need intervention. Mostly the IDPs camp needs a lot of intervention because they dont have a clinic, a laboratory and a lot of their problems is malaria in the camp, he said.

Similarly, Mr Joseph Onus, Founder, Leader Joe 1808 Foundation, stressed the need for all stakeholders to support government efforts at eradicating malaria in the country.

Malaria is a pandemic here, with such technology it will be easier to detect and get accurate results then go for treatment, he said.

On his part, Mr Ikponmosa Success, Executive Director, 360 Childhood and Adult Learning Initiative (360 CAL-Initiative), said the gesture would improve the health status of the people.

He, therefore, stressed the need for a clean environment, clearing of bushes, regular fumigation exercise and availability of antimalarial drugs, to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the country.

Malam Isa Umar, Officer in charge of the Maternal and Child Health Clinic in the camp, expressed appreciation to the organisations for their support, which he said would reduce the cost of seeking malaria diagnosis for the IDPs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the groups had a talk show on malaria awareness, road walk, and sensitisation exercise.

They also distributed malaria test kits to the clinic at the Area one, Durumi IDP camp.

Source: NAN News

By Philip Yatai

The KAD ICT Hub, will provide access to weather data and forecasting models through digital applications, its Chief Executive officer, Mr Yusuf Bashir has said.

Bashir in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday, said the initiative was established to bridge the digital gap and entrench a culture of innovation in Kaduna State.

He said that the efforts would address climate change and provide ICT solutions to public and private enterprises in Nigeria and West Africa.

He explained that the weather data would be provided in partnership with two innovative companies, Copernic Space and Kanda Weather from the U.S. and Canada, using blockchain technology.

He said that the companies had inaugurated a platform that would enable access to live weather for West Africa.

According to him, the blockchain based solution will increase efficiency of African farmers and may become a significant tool to fight climate change and hunger.

He added that the platform would serve not only the agricultural sector but also insurance, governments, research institutions, and more.

He said that the KAD ICT Hub would use the platform and data to offer various solutions to the public and private sectors in the region.

He said that the hub had partnered with the Kaduna State University, Airforce Institute of Technology and other universities in the country to utilise the platform as a research environment for the institutions and students.

Widespread access to real-time satellite data could become one of the most ground-breaking methods of fighting droughts, fires, and other climate change in Africa and across the world.

Access to weather data and forecasting models through convenient digital applications will facilitate decision-making in agriculture and provide direct and democratised access to critical data, he said.

On his part, the CEO of Copernic Space, Grant Blaisdell, said that Copernic Space and Kanda Weather would deliver African weather data for applications in the region.

Blaisdell added that the partnership would also work to build commercial offerings for insurance companies who put a big focus on analysing potential hurricane risks that originate near the African coast.

From the beginning we are looking to show how truly wide the applications and benefits are of such data when provided in an easily accessible manner.

By applying new models and technologies such as blockchain, we can unlock benefits for users around the world, he said.

He said that Copernic Space allows players of all kinds to access and manage space assets such as satellite data, internet protocol and software under one roof while opening the market to millions globally.

Blaisdell said that powered by smart contracts and token models including non-fungible tokens, Copernic Space facilitates transactions along with space asset transfers such as data licenses between users.

He added that the company provides a decentralised system that removes them from being a custodian or intermediary when it comes to data or value.

We are also working with Kanda to structure data into commercial sets that can be acquired or requested on demand on the Copernic Space marketplace by users around the world, he said.

Mr Nicolas Lopez, Kanda Lead Engineer, said that it was great working with Copernic Space and the KAD ICT HUB to teach students how to collect data and develop interfaces for forecasts.

Weve seen a lot of excitement in space technology and climate monitoring, and it is our mission to continue building low-cost solutions that can be applied anywhere in the world, Lopez said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Ahmed

The Kano State Government says its targeting over three million children for malaria chemoprevention, from July to October 2021.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, disclosed this on Sunday in Kano, while addressing newsmen in commemoration of the World Malaria Day.

He said that the targeted number of children would be about 75 per cent coverage for prevention of non-complicated malaria.

Tsanyawa said the state had administered more than three million doses of the malaria chemoprevention drugs (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and Amosiaquine), with a view to prevent deaths due to malaria.

He said that as part of commitment to the seasonal malaria chemoprevention, governent had built the capacity of about 23, 629 community Drug Distributors, 2,710 Town announcers and Lead mothers in the state.

The commissioner also noted that in 2020, outpatient attendance relating to malaria in Kano were 3,712, 354 with 2,349, 596 fever cases screened for malaria.

He added that out of the number, 1, 685,925 were diagnosed for uncomplicated malaria, 1,664,991 were treated with ACT, while 1,079 died from the disease.

For the first quarter of 2021, Tsanyawa said, 355,426 individuals were diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria, 352, 363 were treated with ACT while 155 deaths recorded.

He restated the commitment of the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje -led administration towards prioritising the health sector, thus providing adequate fund for malaria elimination activities in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Malaria Day is celebrated globally on April 25, every year, to create awareness on malaria and discuss ways of preventing the scourge.

The theme for the 2021 commemoration is Zero Malaria- Draw the Line Against Malaria, with the slogan Stand up and take action, aimed at exploring and connecting malaria scourge for elimination. (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Stella Kabruk

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Association for Better Organised Nigerian League, has urged the various league bodies in the country to come up with tight finncial regulations for football clubs.

Coordinator of the association, Vincent Akinbami, while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Kaduna, also said the association wanted a proper check on players contracts and local transfers.

This will help increase the cash movement within the league system and among the clubs.

It will also help eliminate a situation where funds will be entering the pockets of club officials and not the clubs themselves, and will keep them circulation of funds within the system, he said.

Akinbami,nwho is also the Vice President of Osun United Football Club of Osogbo, added that since clubs do not want a change, it becomes imperative that the league boards should force a change.

The clubs will not intentionally want to make a change. The league boards must putin place control measures to regulate the clubs, which will help keep and increase funds within the sector.

He pointed out that there was so much leakages in the football sport, and in the running of the system.

Good financial regulations, corporate governance and proper monitoring of players movement, as well as adherence to players contracts will help build the financial status of the clubs and create more employment in the football sector, Akinbami stated.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olukayode Babalola

Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has charged youth corps members to develop interest in agriculture to enable them be self-reliant.

He stated this at the inauguration of the 2021 Farming season by NYSC Youth Corps members on a 16-hectare farm land secured by the NYSC in Doma local government area of Nasarawa on Saturday.

Ibrahim said since 2012, NYSC had introduced a number of programmes, including Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme, aimed at teaching corp members skills they would need to be self-employed given the scarcity of white collar jobs.

He said one of the trainings offered by SAED is agriculture, a sector capable of lifting many from poverty and employing many young Nigerians.

With demonstrations on this farmland, we want to encourage corps members to show more interest in agriculture and earn their livelihood through it, he said.

Ibrahim thanked the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Onawo, for offering the land to NYSC for agriculture demonstration to corps members, among other uses.

He said that the acquisition of the land and the practical use of it would go a long way to convince corps members to see agriculture as a viable alternative.

We urge other royal fathers and state governments to emulate the good gesture of the Andoma to avail lands to our corps members so that they can showcase their talents and get experience in farming, he said.

Also speaking, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Nasarawa state Deputy Governor, lauded the commitment of the NYSC in pushing the agriculture agenda of the Federal Government to youth corps members with a view to encouraging them to be self-reliant.

Akabe, represented by Prof. Allalana Otaki, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resources, pledged Nasarawa state governments support for the NYSC agriculture initiative.

In a remark, Mr Stephen Dewan, Coordinator of the NYSC in the state, expressed excitement over farming season development.

He promised to ensure that corps members in the state are thoroughly trained and exposed to the numerous opportunities available in the agriculture sector.

In a speech, Mr Johnbenedict Tyoakosu, a youth corper and President, NYSC Nasarawa state Agro Allied Community Development Service (CDS) Group, said the group would commence the farming season with planting of melon seeds.

He said melon seeds mature in three months and two weeks, adding that they would also plant beniseed.

This farm will be used for demonstration purposes for corps members interested in farming to learn the best agronomic practices of the crops that will be cultivated here.

It will enable us to train the beneficiaries not just theoretically but practically, he said.

Tyoakosu noted that the agricultural activities on the Demonstration Farm would contribute to the food security of Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole.

Practical work on Agro based SAED can also be done to equip the corp members with the skills which will make them self-employed and subsequently employers of labour, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Noble Youths Mass Support Association (NYMSA), a social political group, has endorsed Dr Doyin Okupe, a physician and Special Assistant to two former Nigerian Presidents, as a presidential candidate for 2023 general elections.

The group National Coordinator, Mr Godwin Onmonya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that the group had hope in the former National Publicity Secretary of National Republican Convention.

According to Omonya, the group endorsed the former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo as its own preference candidate because he is a reliable and credible choice for the 2023 Presidential race.

He described the former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, as God-sent and capable of turning around the countrys economy, employment the youth, Agricultural innovation and protection of lives and property.

Okupe will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive, restore respect for the rule of law and job opportunities for the development of the country.

Okupe is a Nigerian physician and politician who co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre.

He is a thoroughbred grassroots politician, who understands Nigeria and Nigerians challenges and can provide acceptable solution to them all, he said

During the Second Republic, Okupe was a House of Representatives candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) for the 1983 parliamentary election.

In 2002, he also declared interest to be governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Ogun State, where he squared up as major contender with eventual winner, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Our decision to stand by Okupe is neither unguided nor borne out of sentiments, rather it is as a result of extensive analysis and assessment, he said.

The national coordinator said that the group would deliver more than five million votes for him in 2023 general elections.

He, however, urged the members across the country to ensure they collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in preparation to the general elections.

It is on behalf of the group that I hereby endorse Okupe candidacy and promise to deliver more than five million votes in the country for him and we must all get our PVCs ready.

The task ahead of us is huge but with dedication, hard work and the support of our members in all the states of the federation, we will surely come out victorious, Omonya said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

Governors of the South-East and opinion leaders in the zone are currently in a closed-door security meeting at the Government House, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that leaders of religious groups, traditional and sociocultural institutions in the area are also part of the meeting.

This is the second security meeting called at the instance of the South-East Governors Forum in the last two weeks and might not be unconnected to the worsening security situation in the area.

Recall that in the latest security breach in the region, hoodlums on Saturday attacked the country home of Imo governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, in Omuma, Orlu, during which part of the building and some vehicles were burnt down.

Already in attendance are Ebonyi governor, Chief David Umahi, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Deputy Governor of Imo, Mr Placid Njoku.

Others are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma.

Others are Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East, former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, elder statesmen, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu among others.

NAN further reports that the governors of the South-East had during a similar meeting held in Owerri on April 11 floated a joint security outfit code-named Ebube Agu.

Source: NAN News

CBN and the regulatory role of printing money

By Kadiri Abdulrahman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Governments printing of Naira simply means loans advanced to states to pay salaries and survive; and not the literal interpretation of printing money from the factory and sharing to the public, according to Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It was Emefieles initial reaction to a recent comment by Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo that the CBN printed about N60billion to augment Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) subvention to states in March.

Speaking at the Edo Transition Committee stakeholders engagement, Obaseki had raised concern that the step the apex bank took was an indication that the Nigerian economy was ailing.

The Edo governor said: when we got FAAC for March, the Federal Government printed additional N50billion to N60billion to top-up for us to share.This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15trillion to N16 trillion.

This position by Obaseki elicited varied reactions from cross sections of Nigerians, most of it creating panic.

Economists and financial experts have warned that Nigeria faces the risk of falling off the fiscal cliff if the Federal Government continues its reliance on Ways and Means to fund its widening deficits.

The experts said Obasekis revelation reflects the sad reality of the economy and that the future appears increasingly bleak except the trend is reversed.

However, the National Economic Council (NEC) has affirmed that there was no printing of N60 billion or any other amount to shore up allocation for the month of March.

The council, which is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, took the position during its meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

A statement by Laolu Akande, spokesperson for the Vice President, said that the Council expressed satisfaction with clarifications made by the Nigeria Governors Forum, represented by its Chairman, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Akande said that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and Emefiele also made clarifications on the issue.

Having received presentations from the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank Governor, and the NGF, the NEC has affirmed that there was no printing of N60 billion or any other amount whatsoever to shore up allocation for the month of March as wrongly insinuated recently in the press.

The Council expressed satisfaction with clarifications made by the NGF, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor.

Both the Minister and the CBN Governor stated to the Council that the allegation of the printing of money to augment allocation was outrightly false. The NGF also supported the conclusion and NEC affirmed same as the highest constitutional body tasked with economic affairs in the country, Akande said.

Meanwhile, Emefiele had earlier explained that the apex bank does not just print money and distribute to people.

He warned that the apex bank would take immediate steps to recover all N614 billion credit facilities given to states in budget support and bailouts to enable them pay salaries in the past.

I think it is important for me to put it this way, that in 2015 and 2016, the kind of situation we found ourselves, we did provide a budget support facility to all the states of this country. That loan is still unpaid up till now.

Most countries in the world today are confronted not only by the challenges coming from the COVID-19 pandemic, but other issues causing economic crisis.

What I keep saying is that it will be irresponsible for the CBN or any other federal reserve bank to stand idle and refuse to support its government at this time, he explained.

The Finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, had also countered Obasekis position on the issue.

Speaking to newsmen after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Ahmed said that what was distributed at the monthly FAAC meetings were generated revenue from government institutions available to the public at the ministrys website.

The issue that was raised by the Edo governor for me is very, very sad, because it is not a fact.

What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and in fact distribution of revenue is a public information.

We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true, the minister said.

Some analysts believe that Obaseki was probably drawing attention to the undeniable revenue challenge the Nigerian government presently contends with, and the dire need to accelerate economic diversification to accommodate broader revenue options.

According to Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), central banks of other countries facing similar economic challenges as Nigeria also print money.

Jaiyeola corroborated Emefiele explanation that printing money does not always have to do with physical cash.

He said: When they say printing money, it is not cash. You know how banks create money; it is not only cash.

All the money we have in Nigeria is not in cash. So, the CBN can create N1billion and only about N100million out of it can be in cash.

He urged stakeholders to understand the concept of ways and means to get the issue in proper perspective.

The concept of ways and means is something most of us should understand. If government says this is our budget for the year, these are statements of where they expect income to come from and what expenses they are going to have.

But this income does not come at the time they expect it. So, the central banks as governments bankers are allowed to give some amount of money to the governments pending when they then pay back.

So, the CBN does that through the concept of ways and means. So, when government eventually gets this money, they pay back, he explained.

Shedding more light on the contentious issue, a professor of Economics from the University of Ibadan, Lanre Olaniyan, also said that the idea of printing money mainly relates to the CBN creating money for government.

Olaniyan said that creation of money for government by central banks was normal, adding that cash will only be involved if the cash reserve was extremely low.

He explained that the idea was for the central bank to give loans to government as the lender of last resort.

In elementary economics, we are told that the central bank is the lender of last resort to the government, he said.

He described Seigniorage, the process where the apex bank prints money to fund activities of government is a welcome development in economics when necessary.

He added that a country freshly out of recession, like Nigeria, needed to put money in peoples pockets.

The Federal Government will have to spend enough money that will go round a large percentage of the citizenry to sustain the post-recession economy; it is called quantitative easing, he said.

However, a breakdown of details of the February revenues which were shared by the three tiers of government in March listed VAT as contributing a total of N157.327 billion; the largest revenue shared.

This was followed by petroleum profit tax of N137.583 billion, and remittances by the Department of Petroleum Resources of a total of N133.583 billion.

Nigeria Customs Service contributed N89.350 billion; company income tax, and related taxes, N66.356 billion; the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, N64.161 billion; and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development provided N976 million.

The breakdown shows a gross income of N649.336 billion, but when the cost of revenue collection as well as the 13 per cent derivation payment to oil-producing states were deducted, the total came to N596.944 billion.

N8.645 billion was taken from the Forex Equalisation Fund Account to augment the allocations, making it a total of N605.589 that was shared by the three tiers of government.

The document shows that the federal government got N205.160 billion as its share, while the 36 states received N166.085 billion and the 774 councils got N122.853 billion.

Oil-producing states shared an additional N37.143 billion as derivation payment.

There is no entry to indicate that N60 billion was added from any source.

An economist, Mr Tope Fasua, believes that printing of money is an integral part of the functions of the CBN.

Fasua said that the apex bank performs that function through the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, where it is the largest shareholder.

He added that the reason why the CBN will want to print money ranges from the routine to the emergency.

Routine because the CBN has to ensure that banks are always liquid in terms of cash, and emergency for the purpose of economic intervention.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, also waded into the controversy.

Bugudu explained that due to the shortfall in revenues by N43.34 billion compared to the previous month, an augmentation was made in the sum of N8.65 billion from the Forex Equalization Fund Account.

He said that this brought the total distributable revenue to N605.59 billion.

He added that revenues distributed monthly primarily consisted of mineral revenues from the sales of oil and gas, as well as non-mineral revenues from customs and excise duties, company income tax and value added tax.(NAN)
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Ltd. (NPDC) on Saturday said more than 10,000 indigent students from its host communities benefited from its scholarship programmes since year 2000.

Mr Dahiru Abubakar, the Manager, Community Relations Department, NPDC, made this known during the conduct of the year 2019/2020 scholarship examination in Warri, Delta.

Abubakar noted that about 379 students were invited for Saturdays examination from all the NPDC host communities.

Represented by the team leader of the Warri examination centre, Mr Noble Imabibo, Abubakar revealed the examination was being conducted simultaneously in three centres at Warri in Delta , Egbema in Imo and Port Harcourt, Rivers.

We are here to basically conduct NPDC yearly scholarship examination. This exercise is for year 2019/2020 and the process is going on smoothly.

Basically, this is a tertiary scholarship exams, what we do is to send invitation to our host communities asking them to nominate four candidates to compete for one slot per community.

The Warri venue has about 179 candidates, while Egbema and Port Harcourt centres have 100 candidates each.

In total, we have 379 candidates sitting for the exam out of which about 160 successful candidates would be awarded the scholarships.

The NPDC Scholarship Programme started in the year 2000, and since then about 10,000 students have enjoyed and still enjoying the programme, he said.

According to him, the effort is part of NPDC corporate social responsibilities to its host communities aimed at promoting human capital development.

Abubakar further stated that to ensure transparency in the process, NPDC engaged the management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) as consultant to conduct the examination.

The whole idea is to make the examination highly competitive and transparent in line with the TAPE agenda of the NNPC administration, he added.

Also speaking, Professor Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, Coordinator of the NPDC Scholarship Examination, (FUPRE) thanked NPDC for the privilege given to the students.

Tawari-Fufeyin urged other corporate organisations to emulate NPDC by coming up with people oriented programmes.

We are acting as consultants to NPDC to conduct the exams, she said.

She advised the students to always prepare well for the examination, adding that performance in the past few years had reduced.

Miss Utohware Oghale, an ND-II student of Ozoro Polytechnic, Delta, said the scholarship if awarded to her would be used to pay school fees and buy books.

Mark Mane, a 200 level Physics student of University of Abuja expressed satisfaction in the process.

According to Mane, it is the first time he is writing this kind of scholarship examination and he hopes to pass and get the scholarship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the examination was conducted in full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols .

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Hajiya Maryam Ado-Bayero, mother of the Emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, has died at the age of 80 years after a protracted illness.

Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani, the Madakin Kano, confirmed the death in a statement on Saturday in Kano.

He said that the deceased, who was the eldest surviving widow of Late Ado Bayero, died early Saturday in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt.

Nabahani, who is also the Chairman, Kano emirate kingmakers, prayed to God to grant her mercy and abode in Aljannah Firdaus and urged the public to pray for the deceased.

He said that the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased was a princess and elder sister to the present emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Source: NAN News