FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the remark at the induction and award ceremony of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management of Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja.

Aliyu was represented by Mr Osuji Geoffrey, Director Inspectorate, Planning and Monitoring, Area Councils Services Secretariat.

She assured business owners that the FCT Administration would continue to reward high impact entrepreneurs who had done very well in various businesses under the supervision of the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).

The minister affirmed that the AEA remained the administrations vehicle for entrepreneurial and wealth creation, as encapsulated in the FCT Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy.

She said that the FCT Administration was leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring that MSMEs were not encumbered with business support challenges in the territory.

The minister reiterated that in more than 10 years of supporting businesses in the FCT, the agency had assisted about 73, 450 individuals and businesses.

According to her, 90 per cent of those assisted are women and youths with critical business support such as business clinics, access to finance, workspace, and market linkage amongst others.

She further said the AEA had also supported 31,100 rural entrepreneurs in 160 communities with capacity building trainings, access to finance, provision of equipment and other critical areas.

These are just some of the few achievements the agency has attained over the years, the minister said.

Aliyu commended the institute for representing thousands of sales professionals from every sector of the economy, industry and commerce.

Speaking earlier, Alhaji Awulu Muktari, the President-in-Council, Institute of Sales and Marketing Management of Nigeria, said that since the establishment of the institute by an Act of parliament in 2007, it had been active in its advisory role to government.

Muktari said that advisory role was in policy formulation on trade matters.

Represented by Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, the president said apart from individuals, the institute had also been conducting in-house training for sales and marketing staff of corporate bodies.

He said such personnel were those who wanted to sharpen the skills of their employees to engage them in strategic revenue drive that would increase corporate earnings.

Muktari, therefore, called on corporate bodies and other individuals to leverage the on the Abuja office, for training re-training of employees for professional efficiency. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, says it generated a total of N7.658billion revenue in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Suleiman Pai-Umar, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Kano.

Pai-Umar said that N2.947 billion was generated in January, N2.562 billion in February and while N2.147 in March.

He said that the figure represented more than 100 per cent increase in duty collection, as against the N3.898 billion recorded within the same period in 2020.

Pai-Umar said that the service also made various seizures, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N38 .564 million within the period under review.

He said that the seizures were made through intelligence gathering at different times and locations in his commands area of operation.

The NCS chief listed the seized goods to include: 716 bags of rice, 90 bales of used clothes, 162 cartons of pasta, 85 cartons of macaroni, 240 cartons of soap and two cartons of milk.

He also said that the servicearrested two suspects in connection with the seizures,adding that they would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

It is veryunfortunate and disturbing that despite the awareness on the dire consequences of smuggling activities on economic growth and development, some citizens still perpetuate this criminal actfor their selfish interests.

The NCSs zero tolerance for smuggling is non-negotiable and the service will do everything in its capacity to fight it, he said.

While commending the personnel for their dedication to duty, Pai-Umar lauded other security agencies and community leaders for their support to the service.

The comptroller also urged the media to educate people on the ills of smuggling and the need topromote legitimate trade in the society. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joshua Olomu

Amb. Mariam Katagum, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment says the Federal Government is willing and committed to supporting women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

The minister made this known on Thursday when a delegation of the Federation of Women Associations in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (FEDWIM) led by its National Coordinator, Mr Anne Ugbo, paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The Minister said that Nigerian women entrepreneurs, through their ingenuityhavealways contributedtheir quota to national economy and therefore needed to be encouraged for enhanced contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She reaffirms that Nigerian women formed a very important constituent of the President MuhammaduBuhari-led Federal Government.

Katagum reiterated that women-owned businesses were allocated 45 per cent and five per cent for those with special needs in the Federal Governments MSMEs Survival Fund Scheme to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.

The Federal Government clearly understands the place of women in economic development of our nation and that is why this ministry is doing everything possible to support them.

Among other initiatives, the Federal Government has also flagged off the N50billion Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) on non-oil export businesses thereby safeguarding jobs and creating new jobs.

I use this medium to encourage more women to apply and we also urge associations to mobilise and sensitise their members, she said.

Katagum however advised the delegation of FEDWIN to formally write to the ministry, indicating areas of possible collaboration.

Earlier, Ugbo said the association was in the ministryto brief the minister about its programmes and to solicit support for its members across the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.

She however commended the minister of state for her motherly commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian women through her contributions to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

FEDWIM is established to serve as a platform to create synergy among all women economic empowerment focused groups to provide a single mechanism for coordinated engagement with government and other stakeholders.

This would engender effective supervision and monitoring of participation in the implementation of programmes and feedback for appropriate policy formulation and decision making on matters of economic empowerment and financial inclusion of women.

This would fast track the development and competitiveness of the MSME sector, especially for women who are faced with challenges of poor access to affordable finance, appropriate technology and other challenges, she said.

Ugbo said the association was currently mobilising 50,000 women across sectors and levels of operations to participate in the ongoing process of accessing the Agribusiness and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) loan. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mateen Badru

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State,CP Hakeem Odumosu, has deployed additional 1,000 personnel to check traffic robbery in the state.

The Commands Spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

Adejobi said the Command had given motorcycles to policemen, which made it easier for them to maneuver and track traffic robbers.

One chance as it is popularly called in Lagos state is one of the crimes we record, where passengers are robbed and pushed out of moving commercial vehicles, and the Command is mindful of this.

This is why we have intensified our intelligence and are taking proactivemeasures to make sure the perpetrators are caught in their hideouts before they strike.

What the CP has done again is to deploy additional 1,000 personnel to the traffic division of the state and they were given motorcycles to maneuver and keep traffic robbers in check, Adejobi said.

He added that the Command had deployed policemen to fortify security at flashpoints and along most of the major routes in the states.

Adejobi explained that traffic robbers usually operated on motorcycles or just trek to their victims in a hold up while one chance operators robbed passengers inside vehicles.

He said most times commercial with registration numbers that could be tracked were used to perpetuate the act.

He urged members of the public to assess vehicles properly before boarding and also take note of registration numbers whenever they were not certain.

One chance operators can easily be tracked as long as we have the vehicle registration number. This is what made it possible for LASTMA officers to intercept a vehicle at Aja recently.

All we just need is for people to be mindful of the buses they board. Be sure to assess the kind of people in the bus and dont just enter because you are in haste to get to your destination.

But we are mindful of the two incidents and their modus operandi. We have arrested many of the culprits and we will not relent, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muftau Ogunyemi

The Police Command in Ondo State on Thursday paraded one Emmanuel Akpan, a houseboy, and his accomplice, Goodness Ekpe, for killing his madam, Mrs Febisola Caroline Adebayo.

Mr Bolaji Salami, Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, made this known while parading the suspects along with 25 others before newsmen in Akure.

The CP explained that On March 29, 2021, at about 2300 hours at Ifokanbale Street, Ondo town, Emmanuel Akpan, a house boy killed his madam, late Mrs Febisola Caroline Adedayo, a food canteen operator, in Ondo town with a machete while the woman was sleeping.

According to the CP, the houseboy received information from one Goodness Ekpe, his town boy, who also work at Ondo town, that the late woman had a lot of money and this was why he carried out the dastardly act.

Akpan carted away the sum of N3,500, two phones, some jewelries and generator from the house before he absconded, he said.

The police commissioner, who said that Apkan and Ekpe were arrested at a village in Ogun State, explained that investigation was ongoing and after the investigation the two suspects would be charged to court accordingly.

Last month, we paraded some criminals who were involved in various kinds of crimes, some of whom are cooling their heels in some correctional centres across the state today.

Though, advertising our exploits had never been my style of policing, it sometimes looks inevitable to do so, with the hope that criminals to stay away from crimes.

Within the period under review, my officers and men have maintained high sense of professional competence and this has brought about arrests and parade of the suspects, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The Police Command in Oyo State has debunked the reported kidnapping of 18 passengers along Igboora-Eruwa area of the state on Thursday morning.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some online media had reported that unknown gunmen hijacked an 18-seater bus, kidnapping all its occupants.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, however, refuted the report on Thursday while parading 4 suspected kidnappers and 33 other suspects at the commands headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan.

The suspects were arrested for offences ranging from sodomy, car snatching and pickpocketing.

Onadeko said when the command got the news of the kidnapping, it made efforts to check its authenticity and discovered that nothing of such happened.

I will enjoin people to desist from carrying baseless rumours that will create fear in the society.

Oyo State Command will continue working hard to make sure that lives and property are secure.

People should give us credible information that will enable us nip crime and criminality in the bud in the state, she said.

Onadeko, however, said she believed that the parade of the suspects would send a warning signal to criminals and would help to reduce crime in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Thursday sought for increased participation of girls and women in Information Communication Technology (ICT) field to promote gender equality.

Tallen made the call while addressing students of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Dutse, FCT, in commemoration of the 2021 International Girls in ICT Day.

According to her, the day is set to promote exciting career opportunities for girls and young women in the world fastest growing economy and to empower them access opportunities in ICT.

We are committed to pressing for gender equality by ensuring that no one is left behind in the field of ICT as it is a bedrock to several enabling opportunities and lucrative jobs, she said.

While decrying the under-representation of women in science and technology fields globally, she said the ministry was promoting girl-child education especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Taking up career in STEM will however enable girl children to be problem-solvers and innovators who will address some major challenges confronting our nation, she said.

The minister advised parents teachers and female role models to encourage children, especially the girl-child to engage in STEM education by dismissing the notion that science courses were tough for females.

Dr Chinwe Anyachebelu, the President, Nigeria Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT), Abuja Chapter, renewed commitment towards improving women participation in ICT in line with global demands.

Also, the President and CEO, Digital Bridge Institute (DBG), Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, encouraged women, especially students to develop software and engage actively in the ICT world.

Ajiya said the institute, which was a training arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will ensure 60 per cent of its trainees were women to encourage more girls participation in ICT.

Mrs Wunmi Laolu-Akande, representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), emphasised the critical role ICT plays in aiding their organisation achieve its mandates.

She said the ICT had helped the organisation gather information on Gender Based Violence (GBV), Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and other areas.

The Principal of the school, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed, appealed to the government to continue to support the school improve on access to quality education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some students made a software presentation of a traffic system management approach using a robot to control traffic in congested FCT areas. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja met behind closed door with some governors from the Northwest and North central states suffering from the menace of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The affected governors included Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Bello Matawale of Zamfara, Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Sani Bello of Niger and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa.

Lalong, who spoke to State House correspondents on behalf of his colleagues, at the end of the meeting, said they deliberated on the issue of insecurity in their respective states.

He said: The meeting is in respect of some of the common features of insecurity that we have within our states.

You will recall that in many of the states some of the cases of the insecurity are very similar.

So, within us here we have a lot of them that are similar we put them together to see how we can address those issues and we felt that we must also meet Mr President about it.

The governor assured Nigerians that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, as the President pledged to find a lasting solution to the security challenges across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some states across the northern part of the country have been battling with security challenges like banditry, kidnapping as well as farmer/herder clashes, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The National Economic Council (NEC) says it is committed to the unity of Nigeria amidst rising ethnic-based agitations.

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

Mohammed said he briefed NEC on the outcome of the town hall meeting which was held on April 8 in Kaduna with the theme, Setting Benchmark for Enhanced Security and National Unity.

He said he highlighted the essence and uniqueness of the town hall meeting to the council.

What prompted largely the need for this town hall meeting, as I briefed council, is the fact that we have had various security challenges in the country ranging from herders/farmers crisis to insurgency to banditry to ethno-religious crisis.

It appeared recently that these challenges, of which the government has been doing its best to overcome, have been triggering calls for secession and calls for separation.

So, we felt it was time we come together and try and get a national consensus on the need to remain one indivisible country.

That promoted the town hall meeting which took place on April 8.

Mohammed said that about 18 town hall meetings had been held but the Kaduna meeting was unique in the sense that it was the first all encompassing town hall meeting.

He said that the panelists were drawn from the academia, civil society and the private sector so that government could be fully briefed on the thinking of various strata of the society on national security and unity.

The council resolution today is as follows: NEC welcomes the report and strongly affirms the unity; emphasising that staying as one country remains the best option.

While noting the need to address the problem of agitation which is sometimes fueled by some individuals, council noted that agitations like this are common with countries with huge and diverse population like our own.

We were told that a country like India has about 156 active separatist groups; that is important not to allow minority the mainstream of opinion and cow constitutional authority.

Council also directed states to hold consultations and dialogue on the issues and report back on the next meeting of council so that a firm decision will be taken on the recommendation of the town hall meeting many of which were already welcome, he said.

Mohammed said that it was resolved that state by state consultation would ensure the people have a great stake on the unity of Nigeria and provide a wider view of the general populace. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The National Economic Council (NEC) says it has received an update on Federal Governments interventions in rail infrastructure development.

Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State briefed State House correspondents after the virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Umahi said that the progress and achievement on railway infrastructure was presented by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Council was informed on where the railway development was stalled in the 60s until 1986 when the Federal Government commenced the construction of 326 kilometre standard gauge, which is a 1435 metre rail line phase 1 from Itakpe in Ajeokuta to Warri.

Furthermore, rail infrastructure development halted until the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board and brought to reality the rail modernisation plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria by commencing the implementation of 1367km Lagos-Kano Rail lines.

The outcome of the present Federal Government intervention includes that they completed and made operational the 186km Abuja-Kaduna, a standard gauge rail line, started by President Goodluck Jonathan; it is fully operational now; president Buhari completed it and it is in operation now.

According to him, the present administration also commenced the 185.5km Lagos-Ibadan new double standard gauge rail lines, which is in progress.

He said the project commenced in 2016 and was almost completed.

The present administration also completed and made operational 302 Itakpe to Ajeokuta Standard Gauge Rail Line and connected Apapa Ports by rail while part of Warri Port has been concessioned.

The programme for rail infrastructure in Nigeria is a 25-year Strategic Vision; under this vision the Federal Government in its determination to revive and modernise the railway system in line with the 25-year strategic vision, adopted a systematic dual approach.

This entails the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge lines simultaneously with the development of Standard Gauge lines.

The Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation are vigorously following this vision in developing its short and medium term plans.

He said, however, that there were challenges in the 25-year strategic plan.

Umahi listed the challenges as finance, inadequate funding, operational challenge, insufficient locomotives, coaches and wagons leading to congestion.

Other challenges, he said, were obsolete machinery over the years and workshop equipment, access to only two seaports and none to airports, lack of capacity to recover encroached premises and rental debts from government organisations.

Security is also part of it, which includes porosity of rail corridors and railway crossings, vulnerability of outdoor signaling and telecommunication installations to vandalism.

Of course, there are also legal and legislative impediments.

The Railway Act of 1955 does not encourage PPP unfortunately. Council welcomed the presentation and looked forward to further collaboration with the federal government on this beautiful venture, he said.

On his part, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara said that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made a presentation on the National Aviation Infrastructure Development Plan.

He said that NEC resolved that the minister should make available copies of the presentations to states so that council would have a fuller understanding. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Federal Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment towards industrial property legislation to enhance and promote Nigerias Geographical Indications (GIs).

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Mariam Katagum, said this in her address of welcome at the Capacity Building Workshop on GIs for Public Sector and Policy Makers in Nigeria in Abuja.

The one-day workshop was put together by the IP First Group and Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) with support from European Union Intellectual Property Organisation and others.

According to her, industrial property legislation is a necessity to boost the countrys industry, trade and investment sector as it relates to the agricultural sector of the economy.

She said that the legislation would go a long way to enhancing and promoting President Muhammadu Buharis quest and desire to diversify the economy from oil to agriculture.

Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, said Agriculture was a vital sector of the Nigerian economy, in terms of food and nutrition security, trade and livelihood.

He added that it was also a key driver in the nations economy, which contributed about 21 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product in 2019 and still engages 70 per cent of the active labour force.

The GIs coupled with a well-functioning intellectual property rights set-up, will assist in providing a pull effect that can improve productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.

This can then be used to support sustainable food systems and ultimately our economic diversification efforts.

Identifying and developing these unique products originating from the various regions of the country under the GI initiative will aid in marketing these products within the domestic and international spaces.

This is particularly so, as it serves to signal the consumers that a product has a special quality, reputation or other characteristics by virtue of its geographical location and origin, Nanono said.

He explained that if GIs were properly harnessed, would also support the preservation of our biodiversity that is facing an existential threat from effects of climate change and the attendant destruction of the environment.

He maintained that it could assist in the commercialisation of the products of culture, thus enabling the value chain actors to benefit especially women and youth in the rural space who were mainly involved in production of these products.

GIs can be catalytic in reviving the rural economy as we have seen it happen in the case of some products that have been properly branded such as Ofada Rice, Kilishi, Dudu Osun,etc.

My ministry is ready to collaborate with FMITI, the AfriPI and other partners to enable our people and nation to benefit maximally from our GIs, Nanono said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nanono was represented at the event by Hajiya Sugra Mahmood, the Deputy Director, Irrigation and Crop Development in the ministry.

Speaking, Mr Gregor Schnelder, AfriPI Deputy Team Leader and EU Representative on Geographical Indications said, GIs could be used as an agricultural tool to boost production in Africa.

Schnelder also stressed that GI could promote specific natural resources and reduce the inequality gap in the area of poverty.

Also, Mr John Clarke, the Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission said GI was also good for non-agricultural products.

According to him, GI provides protection for the quality of goods to prevent imitation in the market and also enhances the position of products in the markets.

Nigerian has a great potential for GI. The country has Genger and many other products. We can help in creating the GI, awareness, training and cooperation for better enhancement. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Kebbi State Government has identified the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), initiated by the Federal Government with support from the World Bank, as one of the best projects in the state.

Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG) Alhaji Babale Yauri, stated this when received the National Coordinator of CSDP, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, in Birnin Kebbi

Obaje was represented by Mr Niyi Oduneye, Head Monitoring and Information Management, Federal Project Support Unit, on Thursday in Kebbi State Capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the officials of CSDP were in Kebbi for assessment and to get feedback on the impact of CSDP from the benefiting rural communities.

The SSG said that the government of Kebbi considered the CSDP as one of the best because it touches the lives of the rural populists.

Yauri, who stated that Kebbi was a rural state, added that any project that focused on the lives of rural people was a project that was dear to the state government.

If you go round the state you will find a lot of sign boards indicating different CSDP projects across the state.

In fact, the CSDP project has boosted the morale of an ordinary man in Kebbi who now believes that he can contribute to the development of his locality in particular and state in general.

CSDC is one of the projects that the government of Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State consider as one of the best projects initiated by the Federal Government and in fact it has been completely supported by the governor, he said.

The SSG noted the 10 per cent that was being contributed by the community was very dear to them and it made them protect the project to ensure its sustainability.

Unlike other projects that are completely developed and financed by the Federal, State or Local Government, CSDP was able to mobilise the rural populist and measure their capacity in shouldering and in the leadership of a project.

And, interestingly, CSDP has not degelect the traditional institution completely. That is why it is able to succeed because most members of our traditional institutions, retired civil servants and ex-military officers were enlightened and integrated into the initiative, he said.

Yauri said that in the concept of Gov. Bagudu administration, it was not the elite or the leadership that determined what the people wanted, rather it was the people who decided what kind of projects they needed.

He disclosed that a department was created to sensitise and mobilise people on the benefits of CSDP projects.

According to him, if a community rejects a project no matter how good it is it will not succeed.

Earlier, representative of the national coordinator of CSDP, Mr Niyi Oduneye, said the project had recorded enormous success in hard to reach communities Kebbi since its inception in 2009.

He explained that the mandate of CSDP was to ensure provision of social infrastructure facilities in communities, adding that this approach had been community driven development.

We do not only build infrastructure but we equally build human resources. We engaged in training and retraining of our Community Project Management Committee, who anchored the implementation of our micro projects and other projects in the field, he said.

Also, Alhaji Yakubu Yeldu, the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Kebbi CSDP, said CSDP had spent over N2 billion to finance over 669 micro projects in remote communities in 20 Local Government Areas in the state over the last 10 years.

As we speak all the over 669 micro projects have been completed and people are benefiting from all of them. We dont have a single abandon projects

Right now in our record we have over 300 applications for new community projects and not only that we received phone calls every day, Yeldu said.

He revealed that demands for provision of portal water constituted almost 80 per cent in every micro projects application from most communities in the state.

NAN reports that the CSDP projects assessment and documentary team which began the exercise in Gwandu Local Government of the state, visited Kalgo Youth Skills Acquisition Centre upgraded and equipped by CSDP in 2014.

Coordinator of the centre Zulkiflu Mohammed disclosed that the centre which was affiliated with the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, graduated over 1000 people on different skills in the last 10 years.

Similarly, the team also visited a market where the CSDP rehabilitated four number of open Market stalls and built a Kulbate to control erosion at Lani Maikasuwa community, in Koko Local Government area of state.

The District Head of the Community, Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu thanked the national and state leadership of CSDP for their intervention which had a far reaching impact on the lives of the people of the community. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

IOM

By Oladele Eniola

Mr Franz Celestin, Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on Wednesday, reiterated the organisations commitment to support the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration.

Celestine spoke in Lagos at the launch of a Traveling Awareness Raising Exposition Project and handing over ceremony of a bus to NAPTIP.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the awareness raising exposition project is a collaboration between the Swiss Confederation, IOM and NAPTIP.

He noted that the bus would help in creating awareness in the fight against human trafficking in various communities in the country.

Human trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants are serious crimes and, as such, should not go unpunished. However, impunity is such that it is more profitable for criminals to traffic in human beings than in small arms.

This billion per annum criminal enterprise presents high profits, with low risks do the traffickers, so, scaling up efforts in the criminal justice response is of utmost importance to increase the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions.

We are committed to ensuring that we create and spread awareness of this crime to all communities, especially those at the grassroots level, so this blue bus would go a long way in ensuring that it happens.

The bus would help NAPTIP officials to travel to various communities in the country to raise awareness of the dangers of human trafficking and how to ensure that we eradicate this menace from the society he said.

He explained that the bus was fully equipped with all the tools and machinery needed to help in creating awareness of the people in various communities.

Celestin said that the project would start with communities in Lagos, Edo and Delta before commencing in other states in the country.

Through continuous support and partnership, the IOM purchased and designed an awareness raising travelling exposition bus, fully equipped with audio visual and written information, to address the risks and challenges associated with human trafficking.

The blue bus is a one-stop venue where vulnerable migrants, as well as community members can get information on the risks associated with trafficking in persons, where to report cases and counseling on the spot, he said.

He commended the Federal Government for the framework put in place to effectively manage migration, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

Mr Thomas Schneider, Consul General of Switzerland, in Lagos, noted that creating awareness was imperative in the fight against human trafficking.

We are committed and determined to create awareness of people all over the country, because most of them dont know the consequences of illegal migration.

When people migrate to countries illegally, they think they are going to paradise, but it is always the exact opposite because as an illegal migrant you cant have a normal life and most times, you have to hide.

Creating awareness is vital because most people dont know about all these things, so the traffickers use that weakness to exploit them, he said.

Mr Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Director General, NAPTIP commended the Swiss Government and IOM for the project.

Represented by Mr Hassan Tahir, Director, Legal and Prosecution, NAPTIP, Sulaiman-Ibrahim assured that the officers would use the bus to maximum effect.

The blue bus project would take our messages to all states of the federation, since no state is spared in the crime and also to interact with high risk groups so as to provide them protection, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has criticised the latest killing of tens of people by bandits in Zamfara State, warning that such wanton disregard for life will be brought to an end sooner than later.

The president in a reaction to the incident via statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday said that this insane and persistent violence against innocent people must stop.

These criminals should stop pushing their luck too far by believing that the government lacks the capacity to crush them.

Buhari directed the military, security and intelligence agencies to take immediate steps to close all existing gaps in their operations being exploited by criminals to wreak havoc.

He also expressed hope that the Special Operation launched by the military in the wee hours of Thursday from Maru Local Government area would prove decisive in ridding the state of the frequent and horrifying bandit activities.

The violence against poor villagers who are struggling with poverty and other severe economic challenges is not going to be tolerated by this administration.

He called on the security forces to redouble their efforts in bringing an end to this mindless violence against innocent people.

Lets not give these criminals any opportunity to succeed by taking the war to their own camps and stop them in their tracks before they even have the time to respond under our massive fire power.

The president reassured the people of Zamfara that despite the latest set back in our efforts to protect our citizens, there will be no compromise in our determination to defeat these enemies of humanity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Okordia-Rumekpe 14-inch crude truckline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has discharged some 213 barrels of crude oil into Ikarama community in Bayelsa.

SPDCs Media Relations Manager, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, confirmed the leakage and said that probe into the incident had been concluded.

A Joint Investigative Visits (JIV) report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the incident on Thursday confirmed that the incident occured on April 7, while the investigation was concluded on April 12.

JIV is a statutory probe into the cause of any recorded spill incident involving the oil firm, regulators, host communities and state ministries of environment.

The JIV report concluded that the spill was an operational mishap traced to equipment failure which impacted nearby palm trees and fish ponds.

It recommended remediation of the site.

The report indicated that an estimated 1.34 hectares of land was polluted by the leakage which followed a rupture on the pipeline.

According to the report, out of the 213 barrels of SPDCs bonny light crude stream leak, some 110 barrels are recoverable from the ongoing recovery exercise at the site, leaving an estimated spilled volume at 109.12 barrels.

The JIV report, which anticipated that oil recovery would be concluded before the end of April, also recommended replacement of sections of the pipeline to restore its integrity.

Source: NAN News

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday condemned the violent killing of Chads President Idriss Deby.

Ramaphosas condemnation is contained in a statement released by the Presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received with sadness the disturbing news of the death of His Excellency Marshal Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad.

President Ramaphosa has furthermore expressed the concern of the South African government at developments in the Republic of Chad involving armed groups Chad were worrying, the presidency said.

Ramaphosa called for an end to violence in the Central African country, saying an immediate cessation of violence is necessary to bring peace and stability to the Republic of Chad as part of ending conflict on the continent.

We condemn in the strongest terms the violence that has claimed so many lives, including that of President Deby.

We call for calm and a cessation of fighting, read the statement from the South African presidency. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sudan and France have reiterated the importance of working to achieve stability and security in Chad to consolidate the pillars of stability in the West African sub-region.

Chairman of Sudans Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan said this when he received the French envoy to Sudan Jean-Michel Dumond in Khartoum, according to the council in a statement.

The meeting reviewed the situation in Chad, and the possibility of coordination and common understanding between the two countries for security and stability in Chad and the region generally, Dumond was quoted by the statement as saying.

He also said French President Emmanuel Macron would visit Chads capital NDjamena for the funeral of the late President Idriss Deby.

Macrons visit to Chad would be an opportunity to meet with leaders and heads of state in the region, said Dumond.

On Tuesday, the Chadian army announced that President Idriss Deby died from injuries he received last weekend on the frontline of a fight against rebels.

Battles have been raging for days in Chads western province of Kanem between the government forces and armed rebels, killing hundreds of people.

Meanwhile, the French envoy said he also reviewed with Al-Burhan the arrangements for the Paris Conference for supporting Sudan, initiated by Macron and scheduled for May 17.

My mission here is to prepare for the conference that the French president will organise on May 17 in support of the democratic transition in Sudan, said Dumond following the meeting.

He noted that the conference would mark Sudans reintegration into the international community, encourage the return of investors, bankers and businessmen to Sudan and prepare for the launch of Sudans debt relief process. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is launching a new initiative which aims to halt transmission of malaria in 25 more countries by 2025.

The initiative is to be launched on World Malaria Day on April 25.

Thailand, South Africa and Saudi Arabia are among the countries the WHO aimed to make malaria-free.

The 25 countries would receive specialised support and technical guidance to help eradicate the disease.

Countries in South-East Asias Greater Mekong region have already made great strides: the number of cases in the region comprised of Cambodia, China (Yunnan Province), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam fell by 97 per cent between 2000 and 2020, the WHO said in a statement.

But the Coronavirus crisis has emerged as a serious challenge to malaria responses worldwide. More than one year into the pandemic, substantial disruptions to health services persist across the globe, WHO said.

In many countries, lockdowns and restrictions on the movement of people and goods led to delays in the delivery of insecticide-treated mosquito nets or indoor insecticide spraying campaigns. Malaria diagnosis and treatment services were also interrupted.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.

Globally, 39 countries and territories have been recognised as malaria-free by the WHO. Eleven countries have been certified malaria-free in the last 20 years.

In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409,000 in 2019, according to the WHO. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ikuru Lizzy

Six political parties in Andoni local government area that participated in the recently concluded council polls have lauded the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr Erastus Awortu.

The Accord Party, African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Social Democratic Party and Zenith Labour Party described the victory as the peoples wish.

Chairmanship candidates of the various political parties made their positions known at a joint press conference on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

The parties also reaffirmed their confidence in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), adding that the election was transparent and fair.

For us political stakeholders in Andoni and candidates in the contest, we can clearly state that the election was not lost but won because PDPs victory is our collective victory. We will support the new administration in its positive vision for the people.

Indeed, Erastus Awortu is the man for the job

Awortu, won the recent council poll with a total of 107,658 votes as against the Labour Party candidate who had the second highest votes of 4,702.

Receiving his certificate of return from RISIEC, the chairman-elect said that the certificate was a testimonial to the high level success recorded during the election.

I am impressed with RISIEC for their competence during the election.

I am also impressed with my constituent for creating an enabling atmosphere for the electoral body to conduct a credible process and I assure on my commitment to repositioning the area for growth.

We look forward to addressing our collective concerns bothering on security, infrastructure and poverty in the area, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) says the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) roadmap designed for the nations sugar industry has the capacity to tackle unemployment and socio-economic issues bedevilling the country.

Mr Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Secretary of the NSDC said this while on a familiarisation visit to sugar refineries in Lagos State.

Adedeji, in a statement by Malam Ahmed Waziri, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, NSDC, on Wednesday in Abuja described the BIP roadmap as a major component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

He linked violent crimes and insecurity to rising joblessness amongst the youths.

He noted that that the sugar sector as presently structured could provide direct and indirect jobs for millions of skilled and unskilled Nigerian workers.

The sugar sector is a goldmine that holds numerous potential and opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians.

It is a sector that has provided direct and indirect jobs for thousands of our citizens across disciplines and professions.

We are all concerned about the need to provide job opportunities for our people, especially our youths.

Unemployment is a major contributor to the various social crises facing us today as a country.

This is why President Muhammadu Buharis administration is committed to revamping the sugar industry to enable it to absorb citizens and contribute meaningful to the economy and the country in general, he said.

Adedeji, who assured investors in the sector of governments support, in terms of policy and technical assistance, said Nigeria had done well in the refining of raw sugar.

He called for concerted efforts toward full implementation of the Backward Integration Programme for the sugar industry which was crucial to Nigerias quest to attain self-sufficiency in sugar production.

The federal government is serious and determined to realise its objectives as far as the sugar sector is concerned. We hope to be the largest exporter of sugar in Africa in the nearest future.

To achieve this lofty goal, we must all roll up our sleeves and accord priority to our backward integration programme which is the bedrock of our mission as an agency of government.

Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria said it would soon begin to restrict access to foreign exchange to producers of some commodities in the country, including sugar.

This is clearly an indication that government cannot continue to expend its scarce forex on things that we have all it takes to produce locally.

Let us take this as a challenge and work toward ensuring that the BIP policy succeeds for the benefit of our dear country, he said.

The NSDC boss restated that it must take actions that would make Nigeria a net exporter of sugar thereby saving scarce forex for other purposes.

Let us integrate all that we are doing to a workable and implementable agenda for the smooth operation of the sector, he added.

The familiarisation visit by the new Executive Secretary of NSDC to sugar refineries in Lagos is to enable him to assess the level of compliance with regard to the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.

This is especially as it pertains to the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) undertaken by the trio of Dangote Sugar Refinery, BUA Sugar Refinery and Golden Sugar. (NAN)

Source: NAN News