By Funmilola Gboteku

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says his administration will continue to support the Lagos City Marathon to sustain healthy living among residents of the state.

The governor made this known on Saturday during the 2021 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the Marathon should be encouraged as it was a way of keeping healthy.

He noted that the marathon started six years ago and had helped in promoting tourism and state development, adding that the Lagos City Marathon was important to everyone and there was need to continue.

The governor urged the people of Lagos to aspire to do better in the course of the race, as participating in the marathon required a lot of dedication.

While assessing the marathons compliance to the COVID-19 protocol, Sanwo-Olu said the event was a success, noting that the event should have taken place before now.

The race which started at 6:30 a.m. from the National Stadium, Surulere and finishing point at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island Lagos, had 300 expected participants, 85 International Elites and 105 Nigerian Elites.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the marathon was the emergence of Emmanuel Naibei, a Kenyan at first position, while Daresa Geleta and Demiso Legese Gudeta both Ethiopians, taking second and third positions, respectively, in the male category.

In the female category, Meseret Dinke an Ethiopian emerged as first, with Istifanus Peter Mahan emerging as the first Nigerian to finish the race.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Mr Herbert Wigwe, said the Lagos City Marathon had witnessed over 50,000 participants from different African countries annually.

He noted that in comparison to other years, the 2021 edition of the marathon had the lowest turnout of 300 participants.

Wigwe said the low turnout was not because of reduced interest but the need to follow strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety of all attendees.

We are compelled to maintain the social distancing regulations in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

Wigwe said the current breakthrough in science had made the organisation hopeful, adding that 2022 would have more people returning to the tracks.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Stella Kingsley of Rivers has won three gold medals in women weightlifting 49kg at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival in Benin.

Kingsley stunned her competitors on Saturday by coming top in the snatch and clean and jack events.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the power lifter recorded 179 points in both events which guaranteed her another gold medal, making three.

She currently leads her colleagues in the total points.

A very confident Kingsley, who began weightlifting in 2013, told NAN that she was excited with the victory.

I thank God for what he has done for me; for giving me three gold medals in this festival.

My career has not been easy, it has been God all the way and I thank my coach for his effort and support .

I am working hard to feature in the future Olympics and win a gold medal, she said.

The athlete also appealed to her State Government for support in her career growth. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Kado

The UNwomen Spotlight Initiative has trained no fewer than 120 persons in Adamawa to advocate, improve reportage and for documentation of cases of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Mrs Oluwayemisi Nathaniel, the Project Coordinator of Womens Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the training in Yola on Saturday.

She said that the Spotlight Initiative responds to all forms of VAWG, with particular focus on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SBBV) and harmful practices.

According to her, WRAPA is focusing its attention on Abuja, Adamawa and Sokoto States.

The major aim of Spotlight Initiative is to support the transformative change on the ground aimed at ending violence against women and girls as well as putting an end to harmful traditional practices in several countries across the globe.

The intervention focused on building capacity of both individuals and institutions to influence and act across state and non-state actors, she said.

Nathaniel then urged the participants to take the advocacy to various places as expected.

She assured them of the groups support to enable them succeed in achieving the objective of the training.

She also urged the stakeholders to help eradicate gender-based violence and other harmful practices in their respective communities.

Asabe Umar, a participant, commended the resource persons for their presentation and assured them that they would do everything possible toward reducing VAWG.

Another participant, Ismail Mohammed, described the training as effective and promised to sensitise others against SGBV, VAWG and other harmful practices (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edeki Igafe

There was massive turnout of voters in Saturdays Isoko North Local Government Area Constituency by-election for Delta House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that distribution of election materials fromthe Registration Area Centres (RACs) to the various polling units started at about 7:00 am while accreditation of voters began at about 8:30 am in some of the polling units.

The voters which included youths and elderly were happy to exercise their civic rights.

A participant, Mrs Aghogho Elias, said: I want to cast my vote because I am alive.

There were few vehicles and persons on the roads while security personnel manned various strategic locations and polling units across the state constituency.

This was in fulfilment of the directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Ari Ali, who had earlier issued an order restraining movement of persons between Friday midnight and 4:00pm on Saturday in the area.

However, there was complaint by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over failure of the card readers in some of the polling units.

They described it asdeliberate attempt to manipulate the results.

Mr Godnews Agbi, an APC chieftain, said that the failure of the card readers was a calculated attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thumbprint ballot papers.

In Ozoro Ward 2, they tore the clothes off one of our agents and it is adeliberate plan of the PDP to thumbprint, Agbi alleged.

In a Swift response, Mr Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant toGov. Ifeanyi Okowaon Media, said that PDP should not be blamed for the failure of the card readers.

When someone is falling, he usually looks for something to hold on to.

In my unit, card readers are working and people are voting, there is nothing like thumb printing of ballot papers.

l believe that it is the same thing across the wards in the constituency, Egware said.

The Chairman of PDP in Isoko North Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Ogorugba, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.

Ogorugba, who voted at Otibio,unit 3, expressed satisfaction with the by-election.

Also, Mr Jude Ogbimi, PDP candidate in the by-election expressed joy at the peaceful conduct of the election while he voted atOtibio, unit 2.

NAN recalled that the by-election was for the vacant Delta House of Assembly seat created by the death of Tim Owhefere, its former Majority Leader, in Januaryat the age of 57. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has appointed former Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi as Chairman of Screening Committee for its aspirants in upcoming Anambra governorship election.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, retired Col. Austin Akobundu, in Abuja on Saturday.

Akobundu saidthat the party also approved the nomination ofSouth East Zonal Secretary of the party, Chief James Ugwu, as Secretary of the screening committee.

Other members of the committee according to Akobundu include: Sen. Ehigie Uzamere, Mrs Martha Bodunrin and Mr Jones Onyereri.

He said that the screening exercise isscheduled for Monday April 12, and Tuesday April 13, at the National Working Committee Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, at 9:00 a.m.

It is expected that the aspirants will exercise exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during the assessment that will justify the confidence reposed in them by the leadership of our party, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Northern governors urgBy Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum has urged the Acting Inspector General (IG) of Police, Usman Baba, to take proactive measures in tackling crimes in the country.

The Chairman of the forum, Simon Lalong, made the call in a congratulatory message to the acting IG by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos.

The Plateau Governor said the forum would give Baba all the necessary support to enable him to provide the leadership needed for implementing proactive policing for the safety of lives and property.

He said Babas appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari was well deserved, considering his track record of diligent service to the nation, across various police formations in the country.

He said: As northern governors, we remain committed to community policing and any other measure that will lead to securing our region which has been bedeviled by different forms of insecurity.

We must work together to adopt new measures that will enable us to overcome these challenges and remain on top of the situation by preventing criminals from carrying out their nefarious activities.

Lalong said the forum was particularly concerned that many farmers in the region were discouraged from cultivating their farms because of criminal activities.
The forums chairman urged the police boss to bring an end to banditary, kidnapping and insurgency in the country.

He wished Baba a successful tenure and called on Nigerians to support him and the entire security architecture of the country for a more secured nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Gombe State Government has begun the distribution of palliatives to poor and vulnerable persons in the state, targeting no fewer than 50,000 households.

The inauguration ceremony was done in Dukku Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, in his remark, stated thathis administration was committed to supporting the poor and vulnerable persons in the state.

Yahaya said that the initiative to distribute the palliatives was as a result of the floods witnessed in some areas of the state the previous year, as well as the emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He said that the poor and vulnerable were the most hit, wheneverthere were crises, flooding and even the pandemic, hence governments intervention to ensure that they were supported as a way of bringing them relief.

Yahaya added thatthe State Government was targeting no fewer than 50,000 households this year.

He stressed that in 2020, his administration supported a total of 66,000 households, which according to him, translated to 600,000 beneficiaries.

The governor assured that his administrationwould continue to support the poor and vulnerable, adding that the State Government had spent over N771 million to support flood victims in Nafada, Dukku, Funakaye and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs.

Yahaya warned against any attempt to divert the items, directing that the items be onlygiven to the targeted vulnerable persons in line with the intent of the palliatives.

Earlier, Mr Mannassah Jatau, the Deputy Governor, explained that the distribution of theitems would be done with equity and fairness.

The same items here will be the same to be distributed in other wards across the state, he said.

According to him, 2,998 households are to benefit in 10 LGAs for a start.

On his part, the Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna, Rashid II, commended the governor for supporting the poor and vulnerable in his emirate, adding that the items would help in alleviating the sufferings of the people.

One of the beneficiaries, Malam Bappah Aisami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the items would help him support his household, noting that it came at a time the Ramadan fast was about to begin.

We pray Allah to bless the government for giving us food. I am grateful and happy because the items will help me a lot, he said.

NAN reports that the items distributed included rice, sugar, maize, salt, macaroni, spaghetti and noodles. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By David Adeoye

Gov. Babangana Zulum of Borno says Nigeria will continue to be united in spite of its many challenges.

Zulum said this on Saturday in Ibadan during a courtesy visit to his Oyo State counterpart, Gov. Sheyi Makinde.

The governor appealed to those fomenting trouble in parts of the country to desist forthwith and allow peace to reign, adding that nobody could predict what would happen in times of crises.

He called on the political class to take deliberate steps to preserve the land, protect the environment and ensure the peace and stability of the country.

Zulum cautioned various levels of government and politicians to be mindful of how they handled security issues.

The governor said that he was in Ibadan to receive an award at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide.

Zulum said that he had known Ibadan as a peaceful city right from his postgraduate days at the University of Ibadan.

We used to walk freely across the length and breadth of the city of Ibadan, Saki and Oyo and we should notallow sentiments to destroy this very important culture of the great people of Ibadan.

We will continue to stay together, live in peace and harmony for the betterment of Nigeria, he stressed.

Gov. Zulum also commiserated with Makinde over the fire at the spare parts market in Ibadan and the unfortunate Shasha mayhem also in Ibadan between indigenes and non-indigenes.

Responding, Gov. Makindesaid that Nigeria could surmount its current challenges if politicians, irrespective of party differences and ideology forged a common front.

He noted that some other countries had gone through challenges in the past and emerged stronger, adding that he was optimistic that Nigerias case would not be different.

The governor commended Zulum for his steadfastness in holding Borno together in spite of the many challenges he had passed through.

We want to encourage you and to let you know that we are praying for you. By Gods grace, you will succeed. As leaders, we only need to pull together to defeat the problems in the country.

We also want to acknowledge the work that you are doing in your state, especially on the issue of insecurity, he said.

Makinde appreciated the visit and congratulated Zulum for the award conferred on him by the association.

This courtesy visit is timely and demonstrates to the whole world that we are all together in the task of nation building, Makinde said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prominent among those in the entourage of Gov. Zulum were Gov. Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara, Sen. Kashim Shetima, Sen. Ali Ndume and Sen. Abubakar Kyari. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Gombe State Government has begun the distribution of palliatives to poor and vulnerable persons in the state, targeting no fewer than 50,000 households.

The inauguration ceremony was done in Dukku Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, in his remark, stated thathis administration was committed to supporting the poor and vulnerable persons in the state.

Yahaya said that the initiative to distribute the palliatives was as a result of the floods witnessed in some areas of the state the previous year, as well as the emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He said that the poor and vulnerable were the most hit, wheneverthere were crises, flooding and even the pandemic, hence governments intervention to ensure that they were supported as a way of bringing them relief.

Yahaya added thatthe State Government was targeting no fewer than 50,000 households this year.

He stressed that in 2020, his administration supported a total of 66,000 households, which according to him, translated to 600,000 beneficiaries.

The governor assured that his administrationwould continue to support the poor and vulnerable, adding that the State Government had spent over N771 million to support flood victims in Nafada, Dukku, Funakaye and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs.

Yahaya warned against any attempt to divert the items, directing that the items be onlygiven to the targeted vulnerable persons in line with the intent of the palliatives.

Earlier, Mr Mannassah Jatau, the Deputy Governor, explained that the distribution of theitems would be done with equity and fairness.

The same items here will be the same to be distributed in other wards across the state, he said.

According to him, 2,998 households are to benefit in 10 LGAs for a start.

On his part, the Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna, Rashid II, commended the governor for supporting the poor and vulnerable in his emirate, adding that the items would help in alleviating the sufferings of the people.

One of the beneficiaries, Malam Bappah Aisami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the items would help him support his household, noting that it came at a time the Ramadan fast was about to begin.

We pray Allah to bless the government for giving us food. I am grateful and happy because the items will help me a lot, he said.

NAN reports that the items distributed included rice, sugar, maize, salt, macaroni, spaghett

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Aliko Dangote on his 64th birthday, describing him as a key partner and a Corona Warrior, who continues to show consistent faith and belief in our dear country.

The presidents congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday.

In the statement commemorating the birthday of Africas leading philanthropist and industry giant, Buhari noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had placed enormous strain on many nations.

He said: In our case, due to the support and cooperation of citizens like Dangote who display great empathy and sacrifice to mankind in their own ways, the burden has been made somewhat lighter for the citizens and the government.

Buhari also commended the President of Dangote group for giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters and professionals in Nigeria and the rest of the continent, urging him to continue to do more.

According to him, these exemplary efforts will go down in history and will be remembered by future generations.

He wished Dangote many more years of healthy life and service to nation and humanity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

A motorcyclist lost his life on Saturday during an accident involving a truck at Akwaeze in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra.

Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Anambra Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka.

Kumapayi said the accident, which occurred at about noon, was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking.

The crash involved an unidentified driver of a Mercedes Benz 911 Truck with registration number KPP273XD, and an unidentified rider of a Kymco motorcycle with registration number AKL172QN.

Eyewitness report indicates that the crash occurred while the speeding motorcyclist tried to overtake the truck and was crushed by the truck driver.

The motorcycle rider was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, Akwaeze by FRSC rescue team from Igboukwu Command and was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, and his body deposited at the mortuary, he said.

Kumapayi said that the driver of the truck had been handed over to the police for further investigations

While condoling with the family of the dead, he urged motorcyclists to avoid unnecessary speeding and to always put on their safety helmet to avoid head injury during traffic crash. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Action (MoA) with striking Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to end the action.

The MoA was the second in a fortnight. The first one was signed on March 31, but was later rejected by the striking doctors.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said on Saturday in Abuja that the new MoA was signed after a conciliatory meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and those of NARD.

Ngige said Saturdays meeting became necessary to amend the first MoA signed with the striking doctors.

He said that there were irregularities in the payment of salaries of House Officers, adding that while some got double payments, a few had not been paid.

In view of this situation, a five-man committee was set up to harmonise the list of affected officers and they have 72 hours to produce a valid list.

The list will be submitted to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System through the Federal Ministry of Health, Ngige said.

He said health institutions affected by the non-payment of salary shortfalls between 2014 and 2016 and arrears arising from the consequential adjustment on the National Minimum Wage, had been directed to forward their personnel strength.

This is to enable us to accommodate this in the 2021 supplementary budget, he said.

The minister noted that the issue of Hazard Allowance was not peculiar to members of NARD but that it cut across the entire health system.

He said that the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) would meet with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on April 12 to examine the Hazard Allowance issue.

The minister added that the NMA, the Joint Health Sector Unions, NARD and other stakeholders would meet on April 14, 2021 with the PCS with their position papers on the issue.

Ngige appealed to NARD to give the conciliation process a chance for industrial peace to prevail by calling off the strike.

NARD President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, promised to present the latest agreement before members with a view to calling off the strike.

Resident doctors began a nationwide strike on April 1 to demand for improved welfare packages. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

The host of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), Edo, has emerged the overall winner of the Kickboxing event of Edo 2020 festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 139 medals, comprising 36 Golds, 36 Silvers and 67 Bronze event, was rounded up last night with a total of 15 States appearing in the overall medal table.

The host Edo topped the table with 16 Gold, Eight Silver and Seven Bronze medals while Delta placed second with Seven Gold, 11 Silver and Nine Bronze medals.

Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom came third and fouth with the former having Five Gold, Four Silver and Three Bronze medals and the later with Four Gold, Four Silver and Eight Bronze medals.

NAN reports that with Two Gold, One Silver and Four Bronze medals, Imo State emerged fifth on the table while Lagos State followed with One Gold, Two Silver and Three Bronze medals.

Similarly, Kano State had One Gold, One Silver and Four Bronze medals while Rivers had Four Bronze and Four Silver medals to place Seventh and Eight positions, respectively.

Cross Rivers and Oyo States came Ninth and Tenth with One Silver and Two Bronze medals and Seven Bronze medals, respectively.

Anambra State had just Five Bronze medals to place 11th, followed by Ondo with Three Bronze medals, Abia and Kaduna States with Two Bronze medals each to place joint 13th positions.

NAN reports that the FCT and Ogun States also came last on the table with each having just a Bronze medal.

Source: NAN News

Gun salutes rang out across Britain, in Gibraltar and from vessels at sea on Saturday to mark the death of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.

Saluting batteries fired 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday (1100 GMT), the Ministry of Defence said.

Buckingham Palace said the prince, also known as the duke of Edinburgh, died on Friday morning at Windsor Castle to the west of London.

Members of the royal family led the tributes to Philip, who was also remembered by leaders around the world.

Pope Francis added his condolences to the royal family on Saturday, remembering his devotion to his family and contribution to education.

Philip is expected to be given a ceremonial royal funeral, but the event will take on a different form due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

During his more than 70 years at the side of the queen, Philip was remembered for his strong sense of duty and remarkable charm.

He was the oldest and the longest-serving consort in British history, as well as being what the queen called her constant strength and guide.

Prince Edward visited his mother the queen on Saturday.

His wife, Sophie, said the Queen has been amazing, the broadcaster BBC reported. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ihechinyere Chigmeri-Uwom

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia says the state government is ready to provide facilities that will boost leather and garment production in the state.

Ikpeazu said this on Friday while performing the ground breaking ceremony of Aba Leather And Garment Industrial Cluster in Umunnato as well as Enyimba City Garment Industry in Umukalika, both in Obingwa Local Government.

The governorsaid that the construction of the two local industries would encourage production of leather and garment in large quantities in Abia.

Ikpeazu said that Enyimba City Garment Industry, which was solely sponsored by the state government, would be completed before the end of the year.

He said that the Aba Leather and Garment Industrial Cluster, was a public-private partnershipproject andwould be completed before the end of his administration.

Ikpeazu described Aba as a major contributor to the growth ofleather and garment production in Nigeria, saying there wasthe need to create an enabling environment for increased production.

The governor said that the policy thrust of hisadministration since itsinception had been to explore the areas where the state had comparative advantage.

Ikpeazu said that this informed the decision of the state government to embark on the two projects to provide a platform for artisans to scale up their manufacturing skills and output.

Finally, we have come to a point where we can count ourselves and be sure that we have a place, a befitting place for our artisans, especially in the leather and garmentsubsector.

Aba and Abia State is a major contributor toward what Nigeria can showcase even in the continental free trade agreement that the Federal Government had just signed and the whole country is looking up to Aba to make a strong statement in that regard

The state government must provide the ambience that is required for our artisans to innovate ideas and flourish and that is the essence of this leather and garment cluster, Ikpeazu said.

The governor urged the contractor to work in line with the outlined specifications of the projects for efficient delivery.

Heurged members of the host communities to continue to give their unalloyed support and cooperation for the project to be completed in record time.

Ikpeazu gave an assurance that the state government would provide everything needed to ensure that artisans in the state occupy their rightful place in the scheme of things.

Earlier, Mr Mba Eme, the Permanent Secretary ofthe state Ministry of Industry, said that the industrial cluster was conceptualised in 2006.

Eme said that she was happythatthe projectswere gradually becoming a reality.

He said that the cluster would contain 15, 000 shops with facilities such as fire service station, police station, banks, clinics, toilets, CCTV cameras, standby power supply, amongstg others.

According to him, Abia artisans would leverage on the industrial cluster to promote Made in Aba products.

The Project Developer,Chief Chris Simon, said that the Leather and Garment Cluster would accommodate leather and garment artisans in Ariaria and other parts of the state.

Simon described the project as a first of its kind in the state, which would yield enormous benefits for the government and the people of Abia. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has said the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a basic requirement for admission into the academy.

A statement by Maj. Bashir Jajira, the NDA Public Relations Officer, on Saturday in Kaduna, said the attention of the academy had been drawn to a fake news speculating the suspension of UTME for the incoming members of 73 Regular Course.

The academy wishes to inform the general public that UTME is one of the basic requirements for entry into the academy.

All interested applicants into the academy must have passed the UTME and attained an acceptable minimum national standard as determined by JAMB annual policy meeting before gaining entry into the 73 Regular Course.

Thegeneral public is advisedto disregard any information circulating on the social media purporting the suspension of JAMB for 73 Regular Course.

The information, which is false, has no link with the NDA and is capable ofdisqualifying interested applicants from gaining entry into the academy.

The academy wishes to reiterate that all activities relating to admissions into the NDA are duly publicised on its official website:and in some national dailies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Kaduna State Government to reverse the mass sack of workers in the state, describing it as an arbitrary and cruel decision.

NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call in a letter addressed to the State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday, in Abuja.

Your Excellency, we wish to refer to a letter with reference number GH/KD/5 and addressed to the Head of Service, Kaduna State, by Dr Salisu Suleiman, Principal Private Secretary to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The letter under reference conveyed the decisions of the Kaduna State Government to give effect to compulsory retirement of officers that are 50 years old and above; compulsory retirement of officers on Grade Level 14 and above, even if they are less than fifty years.

Others are conversion to casual workers for officers on Grade Level 01 06 and the directive that no Local Government in Kaduna State shall have more than 50 staff strength.

We understand that right now redundancy letters are being issued to workers caught in the web of this very arbitrary and cruel decision.

We wish to remind Your Excellency that this draconian and insensitive move by your government has humungous impact on the livelihood and survival of thousand of Kaduna State workers and their families, Wabba said.

The labour leader noted that the action by the Kaduna State Government violated the fundamental human and trade union rights of Kaduna State workers.

He added that this was also a gross violation of extant labour laws, especially Section 20 Sub Sections 1 (a-c), 2 and 3 of Nigerias Labour Act, which specified the conditions that must be met before any worker could be declared redundant.

To be precise, Section 20 of the Labour Act, inter alia, provides for the following minimum: The employer shall inform the trade union or workers representatives concerned of the reasons for and the extent of the anticipated redundancy, the NLC president said.

According to him, the actions of the Kaduna State Government to retire workers, who were yet to attain the statutory retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service, amounted to a contemptuous disdain of the workforce.

This is also a flagrant violation of the provisions of the civil service rules as contained in contracts of employment of the affected workers, at both state and local government.

It is pertinent at this point to remind Your Excellency that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic, but a Constitutional Republic governed by laws, rules and regulations.

To the best of our knowledge, none of the extant provisions in our Constitution, Labour Laws and Civil Service rules, were adhered to before the ongoing redundancy of workers in Kaduna State, he said.

Wabba, furthermore, called the attention of the Kaduna State Government to the clause in the redundancy letter issued to workers, affected by the mass sack, that all the entitlements of the affected workers would be paid in due course, describing this as being in conflict with the provisions of the Labour Act on redundancy.

Your Excellency is aware that the clause in the letter is vague, noncommittal, ambiguous and anomalous with the provisions of the Labour Act on redundancy.

Succinctly put, this industrial ill-wind was only a furtherance of the climate of neo-liberal and anti-workers policies which your administration is increasingly gaining a badge of notoriety in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians.

Section 20 (1c) of the Labour Act provides that: the employer shall use his best endeavours to negotiate redundancy payments to any discharged workers.

Your Excellency, what the law provides for is that redundancy benefits must be negotiated, he said.

Wabba said the fact that many Kaduna State teachers sacked over two years ago were yet to receive their retirement benefits offered little hope that workers, currently marked for mass sack, will receive theirs any time soon.

He said that the purge of Kaduna State workforce with unjust, arbitrary and illegal mass sack, especially amidst the great difficulties and hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, was a poorly conceived, extremely wrong, and morally indefensible policy.

This policy also has very huge implications for the already serious unemployment and security situation in Kaduna State and the country at large.

The pervading fear now is that the security crisis in Kaduna State will worsen, when bread winners are deprived of their legitimate income and their families put in disarray.

We write to demand that Your Excellency quickly reverses the so-called rationalisation and casualization of Kaduna State workers.

If this unsavoury situation persists, Organised Labour will not hesitate to fall back on the lawful options available to workers to pursue justice in this matter, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Friday inaugurate the Solar Power Naija programme in Jigawa, commencing with the Jangefe community which will get 1,000 Solar Home Systems connections.

The programme is in pursuit of the Federal Governments Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).

The scheme is part of a 100,000 scheme with A-SOLAR, a local solar power company implementing part of the ESP Solar Power Naijas planned 5 million connections across the country.

The Ministry of Power through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the implementing public agency for the 5 million off-grid solar connections programme (Solar Power Naija).

That programme provides N140 billion in concessionary financing from the Central Bank of Nigeria and Commercial Banks for off-grid developers.

The developers will rollout mini-grids and solar home systems that will cost from N3,000 per month and up, depending on system type to provide electricity to locations all across the country.

The event marks the inauguration of 100,000 connections through a commercial partnership between A-Solar, a local developer, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and Sterling Bank.

The Jangefe community in Jigawa will be the first location covered by the A-Solar company and will have 1,000 Solar Home Systems installed across the community covering about 5,000 citizens.

The community will pay monthly energy payments until the systems are fully paid for at the point which there will be a transfer of ownership to each consumer in the community.

Jangefe community is in Roni Local Government Area in Kazaure Emirate of Jigawa.

Jangefe is a rural farming community that uses the water bodies around the area for all year farming.

The economic activity in Jangefe provides the opportunity for the community to be powered and pay for consumption.

A-Solar leveraged the Roni LGA and Kazaure Emirate Council to do mass sensitisation for an understanding of the usage of the system and payment mechanisms.

Through a World Bank and REA programme called the Nigerian Electrification Programme (NEP), each connection under the Solar Power Naja programme would receive a 20 per cent rebate for the developer.

It will, therefore, allow the rates charged to consumers to be reduced by the same amount. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Emirs in Kebbi State have lauded President Muhammadu Buharis administration for ensuring the take-off of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to address plights of riverine communities.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, made the commendation when he received members of Governing Council of HYPPADEC in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Bashar, who is also the Chairman, Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, said that their communities have recorded losses in human and material resources from ecological challenges associated with hydroelectric dams.

On his part, the Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi, while receiving menvers of the commission, lamented that Yauri emirate lost a lot of economically viable islands to the construction of Kainji dam without corresponding benefits.

Abdullahi said although the Act establishing the dam spelt out special projects for the affected communities such as Inland port, ring road, dredging of River Niger and small boat industry, among others, none was executed.

The emir also commended Buhari for inaugurating HYPPADEC and urged the governing council to quickly look at these issues to reduce the continued monumental loss of life and property from flood and other ecological challenges.

Earlier, the Chairman of the commission, Mr Joseph Ityav, informed the first class traditional rulers that the commission was aware of most of these challenges, assuring that it will deploy available resources in changing the narratives.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, said the commission would engage relevant stakeholders within the affected communities to address the challenges in line with their peculiarities.

He said that the commission would prioritise issues that require immediate response within the shortest possible time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, according to the HYPPADEC (Establishment Act) (No. 87 of 2010), the commission shall, among other things, formulate policies and guidelines for the development of hydroelectric power producing areas.

Others are: to carry out a survey of hydroelectric power producing areas in order to ascertain measures necessary to promote its physical development and prepare schemes designed to promote the physical developments of the hydroelectric power producing areas.

NAN gathered that the commission is also required to implement all measures approved for the development of hydroelectric power producing areas by the Federal Government.

Similarly, the commission would tackle ecological problems that arise from overloading of dams in the hydroelectric power producing areas and advice federal and state governments on the prevention and control of floods and environmental hazards.

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Friday sensitised Colony of the Disabled persons at Karmajiji, FCT, on the ills of street begging, mental health and their rights to social inclusion.

Hajiya Zainab Khalil, the National Cordinator, Young Ambassadors Against Drug Initiative (YAADAI), during a medical outreach in the community said the sensitisation was necessary to shape a livable world for all vulnerable children.

She expressed concern over out of school children, street children, children with disabilities and those involved in substance abuse, hence the need to educate them on factors that affect their development.

She also decried the way street children were used as political thugs and imbibe negative vices, urging government to fully implementing the Child Rights Act, which will ensure the rights of children were protected.

Its like their rights are been violated and we are comfortable with it. So we want to create that awareness that these rights should not be violated.

We bring in laws and policies, but we do not implement them. We are looking at the mental health of these children and we have to change their mindsets, she said.

On improving access to education for physically challenged person and their children, the National Cordinator said the organisation will write to the Federal Government to deploy NYSC members persons existing school in the community.

Also, Mrs Aramide Togun, the Cordinator, Kazit Children Development Foundation, said they will support the disable communities through education intervention programmes to discourage street children begging and selling on the road.

We are looking towards education, once they are educated, they will be able to do a lot of things.

So we will discuss with the leaders and know how much they pay the teachers and support them in ways that we can in educating the children, she said.

Togun explained that the foundation will also donate face masks, hand sanitisers and hand wash, as well as other sanitary items to further enlighten them on COVID-19 as part of the medical outreach.

In her presentation, a medical practioner, Dr Ndidi Ijeh, stressed the need for the people to continue to adhere to the government guidelines on COVID-19 to prevent them from contacting or spreading the virus.

Earlier, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed-Katsina, the Emir of all Disabled persons in the FCT, appealed to the government to improve access to quality education to discourage street begging and selling by children.

Also, Hajiya Rahina Haruna, Women Leader, Disabled Colony, expressed appreciation to the organisation for their support to disabled people, urging others to emulate similar gesture.

Mr Ibrahim Sagir, Chairman, FCT Disabled Colony and Youths Leader, appealed to the government and well meaning Nigerians to support them with access to education, healthcare facilities and income generation ventures.

Source: NAN News