By Solomon Asowata

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has concluded plans to inaugurate the Advisory Council and Body of Neutrals of the oil and gas industrys Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) in Lagos.

Mr Paul Osu, Head, Public Affairs, DPR, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.

Osu said that the centre would be inaugurated on April 15.

He said that the ADRC was one of the centres in the DPR National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.

According to him, the centre will offer arbitration, mediation and conciliation services for the industry.

The centre will leverage industry technical experts, Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioners and resources of the National Data Repository to provide fair and balanced resolutions of industry-related disputes from an informed position.

The ADRC is structured to adequately resolve disputes in a manner consistent with regulatory and commercial interests of the industry.

This will address suboptimal development of oil and gas assets associated with lingering disputes, he said.

Osu added that this would eliminate the attendant consequences of value erosion in terms of national resource growth, global competitiveness, investment attractiveness and investors profitability. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Bayelsa Government on Monday said that it would ensure that its ongoing infrastructure projects across the state meet world class standards as well as provide value for money.

Mr. Ebiye Tarabina, the Chairman of the Directorate for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, said this while inspecting ongoing projects in the state.

He said that the projects were designed to comply with the highest standards specified in their contracts.

Tarabina advised contractors handling the state governments projects to execute their contracts according to standards and specifications as the directorate would not hesitate to wield the big stick against any erring contractor.

The chairman warned that the era of contractors cutting corners only to deliver substandard jobs was over.

He said that the directorate would spare no effort in ensuring that contractors keep to their contractual agreements.

The chairman, who noted that Gov. Douye Diri remained committed to the completion of all ongoing projects on schedule, charged contractors handling the various projects to expedite action on them.

He said that the projects embarked upon were aimed at upgrading social facilities in Bayelsa to align the state with the league of cities with world class infrastructure , thus making Bayelsa comparable with other developed states.

Tarabina also noted that the gains of the investments being made by the present administration in the provisions of critical infrastructure would soon be positively felt on a large scale in all sectors.

The chairman lauded the firm handling the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road project for the speed of work, noting that the project is strategic and upon completion, would lead to the accelerated development of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road will link Yenagoa to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the largest of the eight LGAs which can only be accessed through the waterways by boats.

Responding at the project site, an indigene of Oporoma community, Mr. Daniel Brazil, stated that the project would impact positively on the socio-economic status of the Oporoma community and Southern Ijaw LGA at large.

He commended the efforts of Gov. Diri for funding the project and expressed his appreciation to the chairman of the directorate for the inspection tour of the project to ensure compliance by contractors.

NAN reports that projects inspected include: the Nembe unity bridge; the Bayelsa Media complex, Ekeki; the Igbogene-Tombia Road and the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road.

The chairman was accompanied on the inspection tour by engineers from the directorate, heads of departments, newsmen and support staff of the directorate. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ezra Musa

An NGO, Bridge that Gap Initiative on Monday commissioned a skill acquisition centre for Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) in Rimau, a community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

Commissioning the centre, Gloria Bulus, Executive Director of the NGO, said the hub was established to empower IDPs.

The centre is expected to provide women in the community with sewing, climate smart agriculture techniques, soap and pomade-making among others.

200 households are expected to benefit indirectly from the centre as soon we unveil the project.

These IDPs have lost their sources of livelihood as a result of the conflicts which have adversely affected their daily economic activities, so a large percentage of women are idle, losing valuable and productive time.

These events have also made the women over-dependent on the male head of the family, while households headed by widowed women due to the unrest become over-burdened.

She said the project will create a skills workspace for women in the community considering the economic vulnerability which has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic breaking the economic chain of most women in the informal sector.

The hub would provide an alternative source of livelihood since the primary source has been altered due to the conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bulus said the project will be handed over to the community to help sustain it, this according to her, would give the women the opportunity to transfer the knowledge to their children and relatives as a way of giving back to the community.

Our aim is to ensure that 30 women, who are starting the project become professionals to train others while the NGO just provides technical support.

With this project, we aim to boost livelihoods to cushion the impact that has heavily dealt with not just the IDPs who have found Rimau as a haven, but the entire community as well.

She said that the project was supported by the World Connect, based in the U.S.

We accelerate the fight against poverty through integrated interventions that ensure equitable access to opportunities, and minimizing losses of livelihoods to the most vulnerable in the society.

On behalf of our donors, partners, and my entire team I wish to express my appreciation to the family of the Late Agwom Adara,for providing this space for the hub, and the good people of Rimau community for embracing this project. She added.

In her remarks, Victoria Galadima, wife of late Agwom, expressed her gratitude to the NGO for the opportunity given to the community to improve their livlihood.

Thank you so much for opening the way for our people, we expect our people to work towards achieving the goals of this project.

Earlier in his remark, District Head of Kufana, Chief Titus Dauda, commended the NGO for their support.

We will continue to support and ensure that this project is secured to achieve all its goals he pledged.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Christian Ogbonna

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Aliyu Garba, confirmed on Monday that gunmen attacked another community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

Garba told newsmen that the gunmen attacked Ebele village, Umuogodo Akpu, Mgbo in the LGA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen attacked five communities in the state Egedege, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali on March 29.

A number of persons were reported killed in that attack.

Garba said: on the effects of Sunday attack, it is yet to be ascertained. We are yet to get any report from there and I have not been around. I am waiting for the report.

Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, also said he was yet to get details of the attack.

They said it was communal crisis, while others said it was herdsmen who carried out the attack, but we do not know the people behind the attack yet.

We cannot say exactly what happened although we heard about the attack this morning (Monday).

Nobody has called to say somebody died or property destroyed, but we shall find out.

Right now, we do not know who is responsible, Emegha said.

Governors in the southeast rose from a meeting in Owerri on Sunday where they deliberated on rising wave of insecurity in the region.

At the end of the meeting, they jointly endorsed the formation of a region-wide security organisation tagged Ebube Agu (fear of a lion).

The governors and heads of security agencies in the region signed a communiqu to maintain the joint security outfit.

The communique read in part: after discussions on the current security challenges in the southeast and with valuable contributions from participants at the security summit in Owerri, it was resolved as follows:

To strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast.

The meeting strongly condemned the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/farmers and herdsmen.

That the political leadership in the southeast has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone.

That the heads of all the security agencies in the southeast have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.

That to fast track crime-busting in the southeast, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the southeast.

That a committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the southeast joint security platform.

The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the southeast, otherwise known as Ebube Agu.

In attendance were governors of Abia, Okezuo Ikpeazu; Anambra, Willie Obiano; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; and the host governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Also in attendance at the security summit was the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor as well as top security chiefs in the zone. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

By Abbas Bamalli

The Senator representing Kano Central, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, on Sunday inaugurated the construction of a road network linking three communities in Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State.

Shekarau said that the construction of the road at Kauran Mata community was to ease the hardship faced by residents plying the road.

He explained that the 1.5 kilometre road was under his constituency project captured in the 2020 budget.

Shekarau said that N200 million was earmarked in the budget for the project.

This is one of the so many projects we have in the pipeline, very soon in the next one or two months, we are hoping that the government will start the release of funds for the 2021 budget for our constituency projects.

The contractor has given the period of about 12 months for the completion of the project, and he has assured that he is going to complete it even before then, he said.

Shekarau also announced plan to establish a Quranic college in memory of his late grandfather, who was an Islamic scholar.

He said the college, which would be constructed in phases, would be a boarding school.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stella Kabruk

The Kaduna State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), on Sunday, announced plans to hold its sports festival annually to get the desired results at national sports competitions.

The NMA Vice-Chairman in the state, Dr Nasiru Saheed, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the associations sports festival in Kaduna.

We intend to make the sports festival an annual event. That is how we can make impact and get the desired results.

I am happy to see doctors from all the 23 local government areas of the state coming together to show interest in sports. This is a sign of unity.

The event has been on hold for a while because the position of Director of Sports had been vacant and we just had someone occupying it, he said.

According to him, this years event is part of efforts to resuscitate the games, ahead of the national festival, scheduled for February 2022 in the state.

All the winners of the event will represent us during the upcoming national event here in our state, he said.

Saheed encouraged other medical doctors to engage themselves in sporting activities to ensure healthy living.

I want to encourage other doctors, who have yet to engage themselves in sporting events, to do so by joining us.

To be a better doctor, you need to involve in sports and physical fitness. It is important for ones health.

We should be practising what we preach to patients by actively getting involved in sports, the NMA vice-chairman said.

NAN reports that Zaria zone won the football competition after security a 4-1 victory over Kaduna zone.

In basketball, Kaduna zone beats its Zaria counterpart by 59-50 points to win the trophy, while in Badminton female category, Drs Amina Jelili and Oluwarotimi Oluwabumi, both from Zaria zone won gold and silver respectively.

Similarly, while Dr Solomon A. Labaran from Kaduna zone clinched the gold medal, Dr Abdulsalam Abdulrazaq from Zaria zone picked the silver medal.

At the end of the two-day event, Zaria emerged the overall winner, with three gold medals and three silver medals, while Kaduna wontwo gold medals and two silver medals. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kemi Akintokun

The Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), on Sunday, said that nine teams would participate in its upcoming National U-12 and U-15 Softball Championships in Badagry, Lagos.

The associations Secretary, Kehinde Laniyan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the championships would hold from April 20 to April 25, at Ibereko barracks in Badagry.

According to him, the teams are made up of six U-12 and three U-15.

Laniyan said that the championship, which would be hosted by Badagry Angels Little League Club, would feature NAOWA Hitters U-12 team,Kwara Sliders U-12 team and Sabo Wuse U-12 team.

Others are: Oluyole Plate Burners U-12 and U-15 teams, Adekalu Bulls U-12 and U-15 teams and Badagry Angels U-12 and U-15 teams.

The event will feature nine teams and it will help to hone the skills of budding talents in the game.

We are happy to have the competition back and this is one of our major developmental programmes for young players to grow and advance in the sport.

Accommodation and feeding will be provided for all registered clubs and only players, who have 12 and 15 as at April 2021 will be eligible to participate, while those who do not fall into these categories will be disqualified, he said.

Laniyan added that NBSA would have Obiakpan John as the chief umpire for the championship.

The chief umpire for the championship has over 20 years experience in the game and has officiated high profile games in the country.

He is known for having passion for the game and he is working selflessly for the development of the sport through impartial officiating, he said.

Laniyan stated that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure that all COVID-19 guidelines were strictly observed during the competition.

NAN reports that NBSA is a recognised body under the World Baseball Softball Confederation, African Baseball and Softball Association, Little League International and Nigerian Olympic Committee. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has assured of his administrations plans to maintain the facilities being used for hosting the ongoing 20National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Edo 2020.

Obaseki this said on Sunday when he teed-off the Edo 2020 golf tournament in Benin, the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obaseki was joined by his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, representative of President of Nigerian Golf Federation, Thaddeus Wilmen, and other golfers.

Addressing newsmen after teeing-off the tournament, Obaseki said: The purpose of the National Sports Festival is to bring men and women together in the spirit of oneness and unity, so that they can have a common purpose.

Our country needs healing, unity and sense of purpose, and that is why we are hosting the sports festival.

It is not necessary that we host and win. For us, we know wehave all it takes but as sports men and women, we will let excellence prevail, he added.

On the maintenance of the sports facilities in the state, which he described as world-class, Obaseki said: There are tremendous changes in Edo today as regards how we maintain the structures and institutions.

It has to do with the people, with capacity building and making sure you have the right processes and procedures.

Through the ongoing hiring and recruitment in the state public and civil service, we are going to put in place, not only the right people but also, the right systems and institutions to sustain what we are doing.

I am assuring the people of the state that the facilities will be kept well. They are owned by you and, therefore, we must have systems in place to ensure that they are maintained.

Obaseki added that it would not be his responsibility alone, but that of the entire people of the state to ensure the facilities were maintained.

We will put in place a system that will ensure that they are maintained, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ishaq Zaki

The Zamfara Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) says it plans to distribute 130 trucks of assorted food items to the less privileged in the state, ahead of Ramadan fast.

Former Gov. Abdulaziz Yari and state APC leader said this at a ceremony to commence the distribution of the items in Gusau on Sunday.

Yari, represented by Sen. Kabiru Marafa(APC-Zamfara) said the items included 54 trucks of 50 kg bags of rice, 32 trucks of 50 kg bags of sugar, 22 trucks of maize and 22 trucks of millet.

He said the items would be distributed across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Each of the 13 LGAs will receive five trucks comprising of two trucks of rice, one truck of sugar, one truck of millet and one truck of maize.

While Gusau LGA will receive 10 trucks making a total of 75 trailers, he said.

Yari said the remaining 55 trucks would be distributed to orphans, people with special needs, security agencies, musicians, journalists and social media frontiers.

According to him, other beneficiaries include party executives and elders.

The items were provided by the party considering the current inflation in prices of food items in the country.

We thank the party leadership in the state and members of the party especially with the recent reconciliation, he said.

Sen.Abba Aji, who represented APC National Secretariat, commended the state leaders for the gesture.

I commend Yari and Marafa for their determination and reconciliation for the interest of the party, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mercy Obojeghren

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, declared the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Jude Ogbimi, winner of Saturdays by-election in Isoko North State Constituency of Delta.

The Returning Officer for the election, Christopher Onosemuode, declared the result atOzoro in Isoko council area.

Onosemuode, of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, said Ogbimi scored 29,421 votes to defeat eight other candidates in the by-election.

Hesaid that the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Tabuko, scored 2,543 votes to place second, while Agose Ogagaoghene of Action Democratic Party (ADP), came third with 66 votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that11 political parties participated in the by-election, occasioned by the death of a former House of Assembly Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere.

In his reaction, Ogbimi expressed gratitude to God and the people of the constituency for his victory at the poll, assuring that he would give his constituents the good representation they truly deserved.

He commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his support and commitment to the development of state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

Governors of the South East states have resolved to maintain a joint security outfit for the code named Ebube Agu (Wonderful Tiger).

The governors made the resolution in a communique during the first south east security summit held in Owerri on Sunday.

The communique was presented by Chief Dave Umahi, Chairman of the South East Governors Conference and Ebonyi governor,

The governors conference said the joint security outfit would have its headquarters in Enugu to coordinate the vigilance groups in the zone.

They also resolved to set up a committee comprising security personnel, government officials and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the joint security platform.

During the meeting, the governors also condemned terrorism and banditry in every part of Nigeria particularly in the south east where some security formations were destroyed.

The governors expressed support to the federal government efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.

They also resolved to pool their resources as one united zone to fight crime and terrorism in the zone.

They stressed the need to galvanise all relevant stakeholders, bureaucrats and political class to provide support to security agencies in order to achieve their goals.

They also banned open grazing and urged the security agencies to enforce the ban in the states.

They, however, called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders to enable them to succeed in the fight against criminality.

The meeting was attended by Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Hope Uzodinma of Imo as well as heads of various security agencies in the zone. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Moses Omorogieva

The Police have arrested two women suspected to have hands in the death of a 64-year-old Osita Anwuanwu at Arida area of Ikotun in Lagos State.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos State command, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday.

Adejobi stated that the incident happened on April 8, at about 8.45 p.m.

He said the daughter of the deceased, one Linda Anwuanwu, of Temitope Street, off Governors Road, Ikotun, Lagos reported the case to the Police at Ikotun Division.

He said that the complainant claimed in her reports that she was informed that her father was lying down in a bar at Arida after he had a misunderstanding with the two suspects.

The Police at Ikotun Division raced to the scene and rushed the deceased to the General Hospital, Igando, where he was certified dead.

Preliminary investigation by the Police shows that the deceased had gone to check his lady friend, (one of the suspects), who he had not seen for some times, at the second suspects bar.

There, the deceased engaged the duo in a hot argument and physical assault before he slumped, the statement read.

The two suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for proper investigation.

Similarly, Adejobi said the Police operatives attached to Ikorodu Division arrested a 50-year-old man over the sudden death of his girlfriend, one Enobong Udoh, 38.

He said the incident happened on April 11 at about 10:45 a.m.

The spokesman stated that one Blessing Pius of No. 46, Adegboruwa Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, reported to the Police that the deceased was found dead in her house.

He said upon the report, the Police invited the deceaseds boyfriend for interrogation, where he allegedly confessed that the deceased was pregnant.

Adejobi said the suspected boyfriend claimed that his late lover informed him of being pregnant since February.

The suspect claimed he was in her lovers house on April 10 to check on her at about 5:14 p.m. when the deceased informed him that she had terminated the pregnancy.

The statements and utterances of the suspect revealed that he has some questions to answer.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered that the suspect be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

A total of 704 people from the 34 local government areas of Kano State selected to serve under the community policing initiative, have completed their training.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the squad, trained at the Police College Kaduna, consists of 15 people from each of the 44 local government areas.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on Sunday commissioned the personnel in Kano and congratulated them forsuccessfully completing the training.

He urged them to use what they learned to improve security in their localities.

We do appreciate your instructors in Kaduna who endure to help you, and from the report we had, they said you behaved very well.

And you did very well, and they are expecting you to do more now that you are working for the society.

There is no doubt that security is a serious challenge in Nigeria, and Kano State is not spared in that.

Therefore, we have designed a number of programmes and projects to ensure that our state is secured.

We have to thank God for protecting us and for making us one of the safest and most peaceful state in the federation.

We have to continue praying to God and at the same time we have to follow our own policies that are meant to protect our people, he said.

Ganduje said community policing has become part of the countrys security architecture, adding that his government had taken the initiative seriously.

Security is the business of everybody, it is not only the business of police or other security agents, and that is what we meant by community policing.

So, we congratulate you, and now you are going into full community policing in Kano State.

We have already informed you of the structure of community policing; we have a village committee headed by the most senior village head, we have the ward committee headed by the most senior village head of that ward.

We also have the local government committee, headed by the district head and then the Emirate committee headed by the respective emirs of those emirates.

And we have the state committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government.

We assure that there would be a flow of security information, a flow of intelligence from one level to another.

The governor also pledged to provide necessary assistance to ensure the success of the initiative.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shuaib Ismail-Dikko, said community policing involves collaboration between communities and police to tackle security problems as they emerged.

He recalled that the governor had recently commissioned 100 special police constabularies deployed to traffic control duties.

The police commissioner appreciated the state government for its various interventions, including the provision of logistics, equipment and CCTV cameras to beef up security in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

The Police Commissioner in Imo, Nassiru Mohammed, says he has activated tactical units of the command to rescue Rev. Fr. Marcel Onyeocha and arrest his kidnappers.

The police commissioner, in a statement issued on Sunday by the commands Spokesman, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, called for calm, assuring that the priest would be rescued.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onyeocha, of Mother Theresa of Goldgotha Catholic Church, World Bank, Owerri was kidnapped around Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state on April 10.

The statement read: One Bissong Atugu reported that on April 10, at about 7:45 p.m., while driving from Enugu to Owerri with a NissanExterra SUV, in company of one Rev. Fr. Marcel Onyeocha, the vehicledeveloped fault aroundIhube in Okigwe LGA.

As they step down to check the vehicle, a groupof people, believed tobe Fulaniherdsmen, emerged from thebush and inflicted injuries on him, while the priest waskidnappedand taken toan unknown destination.

Sequel to the above, the CP has activatedall the tacticalteams of the command, with a view to rescuing the priest and possibly arresting the culprits.

He assured that the command would do everything possibleto ensurethe rescue ofthe priest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yunus Yusuf

Arik Air said on Sunday it had donated sundry items to Old Peoples Homes, Orphanages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country.

Mr Adebanji Ola, its Public Relations and Communications Manager, in a statement in Lagos, said that the gesture was part of the airlines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The items donated included rice, beans, noodles, spaghetti, beverages, detergents and bed sheets, the statement said.

It listed the beneficiaries to include Holy Family Home for the Elderly, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin, Lagos, and the Amazing Grace Foundation Old Peoples Home, Kado, Abuja.

Others are Jesus Orphanage and Widows Home, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt; Hope Motherless Babies Home, Idofian, Kwara State; Malkohi IDPs camp, Yola, and Uhogua IDPs camp, Benin City.

Ola, who personally led the airlines team on the visits to the benefitting outfits, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the gesture was the carriers little way of showing love to the less privileged when the world was celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It has become a tradition for Arik Air to render assistance to the needy, especially during festive periods, he said, urging governments at all levels and other well-meaning Nigerians to extend similar hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society.

He said that at the Amazing Grace Foundation Old Peoples Home, the founder, Mrs Ifeyinwa Obegolu, thanked Arik Air for sowing into the lives of the elderly people, widows and traumatised victims of domestic living in the facility.

At the Jesus Orphanage Home, Port Harcourt, the children were full of excitement and prayed for the well-being of both the staff and management of Arik Air, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Participants at the Grow Nigeria Conversation (GNC) have advised the Federal Government to acquire and deploy necessary surveillance technology to tackle the menace of kidnapping in the country.

The participants gave the advice in a communique issued on Sunday in Abuja after a webinar conference, titled

Reversing the flourishing economy of kidnapping and banditry: Immediate and long-term solutions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GNC is a nonpartisan, solution-driven, real-time dialogue series set up to discuss possible people-centric solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting different sectors in Nigeria.

The webinar convened by former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was organised and hosted by the Africa Politeia Institute (TAPI) and the Adopt a Goal for Development Initiative (AAGI).

The conversation, according to the communique, featured key speakers including Amb. John Campbell, Matthew Page, Tanwa Ashiru, Kabir Adamu, Nnamdi Obasi, Nabilah Usman, and Cheta Nwanze.

The speakers during the online session noted that Nigerias large ungoverned spaces were increasingly being occupied by criminal gangs as bases from which to act.

As a solution to the problem, the speakers urged the Federal Government to acquire surveillance technology such as drones, satellite imagery and the likes to allow aerial monitoring of these spaces, mobile phone tracking and tracing, and thus make it possible to follow the movements of miscreants.

The group stressed the need to promote international cooperation in terms of training, technological fit-out and back-up for Nigeria security agencies to enhance their operational efficacy against the menace.

It noted that while the problem of kidnapping and banditry were not peculiar to Nigeria, some countries including Pakistan had recorded varying degrees of success in tackling it.

The webinar discussants advised the Nigerian government to reach out to such countries for lessons and solutions to the burgeoning problem.

The communique also called on states to adopt legislation outlawing the payment of ransoms for kidnapping.

The participants stated that there is a need to disincentive kidnappers and bandits, by ensuring that the risk they face is higher than at present, and the reward is lower.

One solution discussed was to lower the maximum sum allowed in cash remittances as a means for making it impossible for cash from ransoms to be used easily.

The participants, however called for urgent reform of justice system to ensure swift administration of justice in cases of kidnapping and banditry, saying the news of quick court sentences will serve as a deterrent.

They also recommended the decentralisation of the Nigerian Police Force, and the need for the security forces to regain the trust of the Nigerian public.

The lack of public trust in the countrys various security agencies has been to the detriment of the fight against banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, they noted.

They added that the security forces also needed better training and more boots on the ground, if they were to be effective.

The communique also called for transparency in security spending, specifically Armed Forces budgets and security votes, adding that lack of transparency encouraged corruption.

Transparency here would promote a more effective security architecture as it would allow costs to be weighed up against benefits.

Likewise better accountability would help achieve the same goal, the communique stated.

It added that curbing kidnapping always required the accurate use of local intelligence, thus communications structures between the various arms of the security forces must be improved on.

The participants, who linked the increasing insecurity in the country to high level of poverty, high unemployment rates among young people under 35 years, called for job creation for youths.

There is a clear correlation between highest unemployment rates and kidnapping/banditry hotspots.

Therefore, while the above short-term measures might mitigate the situation, solving it requires strong efforts in the form of clear-cut policies geared towards tackling poverty and unemployment in the country.

Since jobs are primarily created by the private sector, it follows that incentivizing the latter and facilitating business are key in this context.

Moreover, upskilling under-educated persons is also necessary in order to enable them to have future opportunities.

Other participans in the conversation were youth representatives: Jude Feranmi, Hadiza Shehu, Ayobami Adekojo and directors of TAPI.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Raji Rasak

Mr Joseph Agoro, a Chieftain of the All Progressive Party (APC) in Badagry, Lagos State, on Sunday urged political leaders to support Federal Government to urgently tackle the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

Agoro gave the advice while speaking with journalists at the celebration of his 70th birthday in Badagry.

According to him, this is not Nigeria of our dreams; I am a member of the ruling APC, honestly, the country should be better than this.

The responsibility of every government is security of lives and property.

Whatever you want to become in life., security is number one. When you want a business to grow, there must be security, and if there is no security, you cant have a business.

I want to appeal to our leaders to fix all the security challenges the country is facing currently, he said.

Agoro, also a former Executive Secretary, Badagry Local Government area, recalled how he was able to secure the council in the 90s when he was in charge of the councils administration.

Our leaders have to look at the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria and put a stop to it.

All that is happening today in the country can be arrested within 72 hours, if our leaders are serious and sincere to tackle it, he said.

Agoro insisted that all leaders, from the Governor to council chairmen, Obas and traditional chiefs, were aware of insecurity challenges in the country, and should as result jointly find ways of addressing it.

On his 70th birthday celebration, the APC chieftain said he dedicated his life to God and his community.

I am happy and fulfilled, I give glory to God. God has done wonderfully well for me. He has has blessed me, my children, wife and family, he said.

In his remarks, Oba Adekanmbi Oyekan Possi III, the Alapa of Apa of Egun Awori, Apa Kingdom, described Agoro as a peaceful and loving personality.

According to the monarch, I thank God for his life, Im happy with what I see here today.

When you are nice, many people will gather round you. Today isAgoro at 70.At 70, he is looking younger than his age, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ariwodola Idowu

The Agbajowo Advocacy for Yoruba Peoples Rights (AAYPR), a Pan Yoruba socio/cultural organisation, has rejected current secession clamours by some sections of the country.

The group, which particularly condemned call for the break up of the country and secession of the Yoruba from Nigeria, made this known in a communique issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti at the end of its monthly meeting.

The communique, jointly signed by its National President and the Director of Media and Publicity, Otunba Muyideen Olamoyegunand Oluwasola Ibukun, respectively,warned that division of the country would complicate issues.

Rather, the Yoruba group canvassed need for continued unity amongst people of Yoruba extraction and Nigerians generally.

The group explained that it was more concerned about cementing the age long bond of relationship that existed between tribes towards engendering progress and cohesion of the country.

It urged Nigerians not to be distracted by the call by some Elders among the Yoruba race for the breakaway, noting that there is no time generality of Yoruba leaders met and discussed anything about breaking away from the current Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The pan-Yoruba socio/cultural group suggested that it was better to insist on the need to restructure the country in all its ramifications instead of disintegration.

To be sincere with ourselves, the current clamouring for secession will not yield any positive result.

What the country needs to do at this time is to agitate for restructuring, tackle the current rise in crimes, the rise in prices of food commodities, unemployment among youths and the epileptic power supply in the country, among many others

It is pathetic at this point that some elders in South West are in the forefront of those championing the division, forgetting that we have five other geo-political zones in this country.

It is unwise for Yoruba people to join any clamour for the division of the country at this historical moment, the communique read in part.

It stressed the need for the Yoruba race to remain monolithic within the Nigerian nation so as not to be sidelined midway and left behind in the scheme of things.

Drawing inference from the recent quit notice allegedly issued by the Arewa youths in the northern part of the country to the people of Yoruba living in their land as another big lesson to the Yoruba, it said the time had come for Nigerians to be mindful of their utterances and actions.

The group lamented what it described as the formation of several splinter associations within the Yoruba race, as against the popular Afenifere and AAYPR groups which, according to it, were the only recognised voices of the Yoruba race during the period of the Action Group of the defunct Western region.

The AAYPPR said the formation of the groups with each claiming its own identity and drawing followership along political lines and showing allegiance to individuals rather than the collective benefits of the race could portend great danger for the Yoruba.

We think the time has come for all Yoruba leaders who have the interest of the people of the race to come together as one so as to move the people forward.

The present situation where we have several associations being formed and are seen to be divided along political and group ideology is not healthy for the progress of our people.

Since the demise of our highly revered sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Chief Adekunle Ajasin, it has become almost impossible to get another person that will command the kind of respect the duo had when they were alive.

Although, some of our leaders have attempted filling the vacuum left behind by these two leaders, the process has become almost impossible due to the influence of some politicians who infiltrated their ranks thereby truncating the vision of our past leaders.

However, since the Yoruba race cannot continue to move like a ship without a captain, it has become important for all leaders of the race who meant well for the people to come together and form a common front while jettisoning their political affiliations, the communique advised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to discuss issues concerning the implementation of the financial technology roadmap in the market in its forth-coming committee meeting.

A statement by the commission in Abuja on Sunday says the 2021 Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting would also discuss the 10-year market master plan.

The commission said the virtual meeting is scheduled for April 15 and April 16.

It added participants would include Chief Executive Officers of all registered capital market firms like broker/dealers, investment advisers and custodians.

Other participants are fund/portfolio managers, receiving banks, issuing houses, rating agencies, registrars, reporting accountants, trustees, and Capital Market Consultants.

The CMC was primarily established to serve as a medium for exchange of ideas among market stakeholders.

It is also an avenue for providing feedback to the SEC on how to continuously address challenges, improve market operations and enhance the regulatory framework.

It is an industry-wide committee comprising members of the SEC, representatives of capital market operators and trade groups and other stakeholders, it said.

SEC had unveiled the 10-year plan in 2014 and had continued to implement the initiatives designed to reposition the countrys capital market as an attractive investment destination. (NAN)

Source: NAN News