By Isaiah Eka

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested one David Ubong, one of the inmates set free when suspected hoodlums attacked a correctional centre in Owerri.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, in Uyo on Friday, said that Ubong confessed to have escaped from the Owerri correctional centre on April 5.

Macdon said that the suspect would be returned to Imo, to face his jail term.

On April 6, 2021, personnel of Ikot Udota Police Division, Eket, relying on credible intelligence, apprehended one David Victor Ubong m of Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area (LGA).

Suspect confessed to be one of the inmates who escaped from the Nigerian Correctional Service in the recent jailbreak at Owerri, Imo on April 5, 2021.

Until his conviction, the suspect was a resident of Obinze in Owerri, Imo. Suspect will be sent back to face his jail term, Macdon said.

On the security in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom, Macdon quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, as saying that successes had been recorded and that a mop up operation was ongoing in the area.

Amiengheme urged residents of Essien Udim and its environs to remain calm but be security conscious.

He assured that security agencies would continue to do their best in restoring peace, law and order in the area and state at large.

Source: NAN News

By Isaiah Eka

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has commiserated with the Nigeria Police Force on the death of its officers in an attack in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hoodlums had on March 30, attacked security operatives maintaining peace in Essien Udim Local Governent Area of the state.

Three police officers were reported killed with four others declared missing from the attack.

The governor, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong, on Friday in Uyo, promised to assist the families of the deceased officers.

Emmanuel said the gallantry and patriotism of those personnel who lost their lives in line of duty was deeply appreciated by the state government and its people.

He said that the officers paid the supreme price for peace to reign in Essien Udim LGA and its environs.

Accepting to pay the supreme sacrifice to restore law and order is the greatest act of loyalty to the country and the force, Emmanuel said.

He expressed satisfaction that the security operatives had neutralised the activities of criminal elements and restored peace to Essien Udim.

Emmanuel promised to continually support the police and other security agencies in the discharge of their duties.

To the glory of God, the criminal elements have been neutralised, their unwholesome activities thwarted and absolute tranquility has returned to the troubled area.

The conquest of evil and return of normalcy, to my mind, is the most befitting condolence message to the force and families of the fallen officers, because it adds a note of positivity to their already very painful death, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Frank Shedrack

Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State For Petroleum Resources, on Friday said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS) at Emeyal, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa will create at least 2,000 jobs on completion.

TheNews Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sylva, who visited the NOGAPS site to ascertain the pace of work, said the project which is 70 per cent completed, would be ready for inauguration by the fourth quarter of 2022.

NAN reports that the groundbreaking ceremony for the project was performed on May 4,

He said that when it begins full operation, it will create a regional low-cost manufacturing hub that will produce equipment components and spare parts to be utilised in the nations oil and gas industry.

I must say Im very impressed with what I have seen today. Once upon a time this place used to be a swamp.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to bring jobs to our people because we believe that job creation can also solve the problem of the Niger Delta Region. President Buhari is living up and doing just that.

We are certain that within the life of this administration this project will be settled and commissioned.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB)has done very well. Before the establishment of this Board, local participation was just about three per cent but today they have taken it to over 30 per cent and the trajectory is to boost it to 70 per cent within a few years from now.

This place, when completed, can create 2000 jobs, and this is just one of many we have across the country, the minister said.

Sylva applauded the host community for a sustained atmosphere of peace, adding that the feat could not have been attained without peace.

Also speaking, Mr Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, commended the minister for his drive towards the success of the project.

This is possible because of the support you have given to this project since becoming minister of State For Petroleum Resources and that is responsible for the swift pace of work we are seeing here today.

NOGAPS is the NCDMBs flagship project, which is in line with the Federal Governments mandate to develop indigenous capacities for the oil and gas Industry.

The policy of President Buhari-led Federal Government to drive towards opening up local manufacturing in the country is one sure way of driving economic development, Wabote said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Folorunso Poroye

Some victims of the early morning fire, which gutted 28, Ola Str., Ijesa Road, Itire, Lagos, on Friday called on the state government for support to overcome the trauma.

The victims, who made the appeal, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they had lost all their properties worth millions of naira in the fire.

A fashion designer, Mrs Ifeoma Okorie, said that she lost bundles of clothes, belonging to her customer, to the inferno.

According to her, the clothes are meant for wedding and burial parties.

As I am now, Im confused; I dont know what I will tell the owners of the clothes.

The Lagos State Government should please come to our aid, she said.

Both 28-year-old Sunday Akpan and 40-year-old Mrs Felicia Bassey from Akwa Ibom also called for the state governments support, to ensure their survival.

The Leader of the team from the Lagos State Fire Service, Isolo Fire Station, described the destruction to the 12-room bungalow as massive and severe

We received the distress call at 6.30 a.m., the officer, who pleaded anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the Press, said.

According to him, the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.

A tenant in the neighbourhood, who also does not want her name in print, told NAN that the caretaker simply identified as Emeka from Delta, sold the property last year for N16 million and absconded.

She said that the caretaker sold the property consisting of four rooms in the main building and eight additional rooms in the boys quarters without the owners consent.

Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent who was at the scene of the inferno, reports that emergency responders and the Police were seen cordoning off the burnt property.

This is as tenants were seen picking little things they could salvage from the ruin of their homes.

The victims were also seen in groups lament their losses. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Team Delta have as at Friday been dominating the medals table of the swimming event at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 27 events from the scheduled 42 have been concluded in the swimming competition, with the setting of new records.

NAN reports also that Delta presently occupy the top position on the swimming medals table with a total of 24 medals comprising 15 gold, six silver and three bronze.

Delta are closely followed by Bayelsa, with a total of 23 medals comprising nine gold, six silver and eight bronze.

Festival hosts Edo have two gold, 10 silver and seven bronze for a total of 19 medals to stand fourth on the table, while Kano state have one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Cross River and Gombe appeared on the table but without any gold medal.

While Cross River have one silver and four bronze medals, Gombe state have three bronze medals to appear on the medals table.

A total of 126 medals, comprising 42 gold, 42 silver and 42 bronze are at stake at the ongoing NSF.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has been admitted into the Institute for Tourism Professionals in Nigeria by the national leadership of the Institute.

The VC, who was represented by Prof. Mike Okom, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, was admitted into the institute on Friday in Calabar for her contributions to the growth of tourism in the university and the state in general.

National President of the Institute, Mr Abiodun Dusanwo, who presented the certificate to the VC as a Fellow, said that the Institute found her worthy for her excellent role in promoting tourism and research.

According to Dusanwo, the Institute is particularly pleased with the VC for her role in introducing Tourism Studies in the University, which later became a full fledged department in the Institution.

The National President, who recalled the role the VC played during the early stage of the Calabar Carnival, in the administration of former Gov. Donald Duke, maintained that she was a certified tourism practitioner.

This award is to encourage you to do more for tourism studies in the university. The Institute is proud to associate with you as one who introduced the study of Tourism into the University of Calabar.

We are also happy that over the years, you have continued to play an excellent role in the tourism sector in the state, especially in the promotion of the largest street party in Africa, the Calabar carnival, he said.

Responding, the VC thanked the Institute for the honour, assuring the Institute that her administration would continue to promote the study of tourism and research.

She told the delegation from the Institute that she introduced the study of Tourism into the university in the Faculty of Social Sciences before it became a full fledged department.

She assured them of her administrations desire in collaborate with relevant partners and stakeholders with a view to promote and enhance the growth of Tourism Studies in the University. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Omega Power Ministries (OPM) says it has established a free school for people with autism and Downs syndrome.

General Overseer and Founder of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, said the establishment of the school was part of the churchs efforts to provide for less privileged children with special needs.

Apostle Chinyere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the phone that the school, located in Port Harcourt, would give children with special needs a sense of belonging.

He said its establishment was in line with OPMs desire to have the children of the less privileged educated free of charge.

He added that the school would complement OPMs 15free regular primary and secondary schools located in different parts of the country.

Rich people whose children have special needs take them to special schools, but the poor who cannot afford to send their children to these schools regard the children as bad luck, some abandon them anywhere.

In OPM, we decided to look for these kids and handle them with care using spiritual and physical means; we handle them with prayers.

These children can be great, but because of their special needs and conditions they are not too good in understanding things the way other children do, but they are very good with their hands.

We want to concentrate on using their hands to create things, and while we are backing them up with prayers spiritually, they will be healed by the Grace of God because there is nobody Jesus Christ cannot heal.

That is why we are opening this free special school for children with special needs, Apostle Chinyere said.

According to him, a recruitment process has started to get the services of professional teachers that will concentrate on the children.

He assured that the school would spread to other parts of the country the way the churchs free regular primary and secondary schools sprang up in parts of the country.

We are starting recruitment of professional teachers that will concentrate on these children with special needs because it is not every teacher that can handle them.

We also provide these children with free school uniforms, foot wears, school bags and back-to-school supplies, just the way we distribute freely to children in our 15 regular schools.

Also, equipment for special needs schools were purchased and the children have improved on many skills they did not have before.

This is happening in a short while of the schools existence and most of them who werent talking or writing prior to their enrolment into the school have started talking and writing, he told NAN.

One of the teachers who overcame autism, Mrs Chiamaka Mbekwe, an organist with Masters Degree, said the children would overcome their conditions and be reintegrated into society.

Mbekwe said the children were being given special attention to find out what works or interests them before they can be taught.

We provide play-based interventions that combine behavioural and developmental approaches because the attention spans of most of them are short and their eye contacts are not so good, she explained.

OPM also has two free specialist hospitals for the health needs of the less privileged. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reiterated commitment to its partnership with the Government of Kebbi on renewable energy projects.

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, disclosed this in a statement by the corporations Spokesman, Dr Kennie Obateru, in Abuja on Thursday.

Kyari spoke when he received the Governor of Kebbi, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He noted that the corporation remained committed with the partnership for the production of biofuels, adding that the project was viable and in tandem with the global transition to renewable energy.

He said the rice production programme in the state was a definite boost to the project.

He noted that the linkage of the agricultural sector with the energy sector would facilitate economic growth and bring prosperity to the citizens.

We will go ahead and renew the Memorandum of Understanding and bring in any necessary amendment that is required to make this business run faster, he said.

Kyari also hinted of plans by the corporation to resume active exploration activities in the Sokoto Basin.

Earlier, Bagudu expressed appreciation to the NNPC for its cooperation on the biofuel project.

He said the cassava programme was well on course but the same cannot be said of the sugarcane programme as the targeted milestone was yet to be attained.

He assured the GMD of his commitment to the success of the project.

Kebbi is one of the states that the NNPC is in partnership with for the development of renewable energy.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Ngozi Okoro of Anambra on Thursday won the gold medal in the womens -50kg karate event at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

Okoro defeated Ibiene Finebone of Bayelsa 3-0 in their three-minute fight.

At the end of the game, Okoro who was inspired by her dad who doubles as her coach said she was happy to have won the game.

We promised the governor of our state, Willie Obiano, that we were going to return with gold medals and I am happy to have won one.

I look forward to representing the country in competitions outside Nigeria, Okoro said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

Four Ekiti female Handball players, Precious Olajide, Phebe Oluwalade, Success Ayogu and Oluwanifemi Falowo have been shortlisted for the national team.

Mr Kayode Idowu, the Head Coach of Ekiti Handball Team, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.

Idowu said his team came fourth in the just concluded Under 12 and Under 18 Championship for Male and Female competitions held in Lagos.

He expressed happiness that four of the state players that participated in the tournament were picked to join the national team.

Though we came fourth in the Lagos Under 12 and 18 male and female Handball championship.

Ekiti only featured in the girls category and we are happy that four of the players have been picked to join the national team, Idowu said.

He expressed the belief that the four girls would make the state proud in their new challenge. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Augusta Uchediunor

The WHO AFRO says more efforts are needed to scale up COVID-19 vaccination in the African Region as many African countries have barely moved beyond the starting line.

According to it, less than two per cent of the worlds 690 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to date globally have been in Africa with limited stocks and supply bottlenecks putting the vaccines out of reach of many people in the region.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director, World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), spoke during a virtual press conference on Thursday facilitated by APO Group.

Dr Abdelhakim Yahyane, Director of Population, Ministry of Health, Morocco, and Mr Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa were at the meeting.

Also present were Dr Salam Gueye, Director, Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Richard Mihigo, Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme Coordinator, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The meeting noted that most African countries received vaccines only five weeks ago and in small quantities.

According to it, 45 African countries have received vaccines, 43 of them have begun vaccinations and nearly 13 million of the 31.6 million doses delivered so far have been administered.

The pace of vaccine rollout is, however, not uniform, with 93 per cent of the doses given in 10 countries.

Vaccine rollout preparedness, including training of health workers, prelisting priority groups and coordination helped some countries quickly reach a large proportion of the targeted high-risk population groups such as health workers.

The 10 countries that have vaccinated the most have used at least 65 per cent of their supplies.

Moeti said: Although progress is being made, many African countries have barely moved beyond the starting line. Limited stocks and supply bottlenecks are putting COVID-19 vaccines out of reach of many people in this region.

Fair access to vaccines must be a reality if we are to collectively make a dent on this pandemic.

Africa is already playing COVID-19 vaccination catch-up, and the gap is widening.

While we acknowledge the immense burden placed by the global demand for vaccines, inequity can only worsen scarcity,.

More than a billion Africans remain on the margins of this historic march to overcome the pandemic, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that according to WHO, through the COVAX Facility, 16.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, mainly AstraZeneca, have been delivered to African countries.

Once delivered, vaccine rollout in some countries were delayed by operational and financial hurdles or logistical difficulties such as reaching remote locations.

WHO is supporting countries to tackle the challenges by reinforcing planning and coordination, advocating more financial resources as well as setting up effective communications strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

The delays are not only affecting vaccine delivery to priority targets but expanding vaccinations to the rest of the population, some of whom have expressed eagerness to receive the doses.

WHO set a target to start vaccinating health workers and other priority groups in all countries in the first 100 days of 2021. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Deputy Governor saysGov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will direct the state on who will emerge the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate.

Aiyedatiwa made this known on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen by MrOladipupo Okunniga,Special Assistance to the Governor onNew Media.

He said thiswhile receiving theleaders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) 2023on behalf of the Governor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWAGA is one of the groups championing the emergence of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria.

Aiyedatiwa, who commended the group, declared SWAGA as a great movement.

He also described Tinubu as a friend of Ondo State and a nationalist who accommodates everyone regardless of ethno-religious background, an attribute the incoming President must possess to unite Nigeria.

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu is phenomenal and leader of leaders whose track records are there for everyone to see.

I am a man under authority, we have only one voice from our governor (Akeredolu), he is the one that can speak or make a pronouncement.

But I can assure you (SWAGA) that, Ondo State will not be passive.

We will be very active with the process that brings about the emergence of APC candidate in the 2023 Presidential primaries and the real election, Aiyedatiwa said.

Earlier, the group, led by the National Chairman, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, said it was the turn of the South to produce the Countrys President in 2023.

Adeyeye, who explained that zoning of the highest office would foster national unity, said every part of the country should be given a sense of belonging.

Power rotation is a covenant between us, hence the need to shift the power to South, he said.

Prominent leaders also in the team were the Vice Chairman, Sen. Rilwan Akanbi, Sen. Tony Adeniyi, Mr Abiodun Akinlade, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, Princess Ayo Omidiran and Mr Oye Ojo.

Others were, Mr Oloruntoba Oke, Mr Rotimi Makinde, Mr Bayo Sanwo-Olu, Mr Deji Jakande, Mr Lanre Odubote, Kenny St Brown and others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said it was determined to register 500 new members in each of the 326 electoral wards in Anambra during its forthcoming membership registration .

The state Chairman of PDP, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, said this in Awka during the distribution of the partys membership card to its Chairmen in the local government areas of the state.

We are targeting to register 500 new members in each of the 326 electoral ward of Anambra in addition to the millions of PDP faithful in the state, he said.

Nwobu said the exercise would begin on April 13 and last for seven days in each electoral ward.

The chairman said the membership registration was part of its preparation and awareness activities ahead of the Nov. 6 governorship election in the state.

He, however, urged the registration officials to treat people with civility and respect their decisions.

The registration will be done at the ward level under the supervision of local government and senatorial zone leadership of the party.

We are not going to buy members or force people to join as other parties have done, Nwobu said.

He called on the people of Anambra to take advantage of the exercise and embrace the party.

According to him, there is no better party to lead Anambra in November, in view of the poor political fortunes of the state in recent years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo
Secretary to the Government of Federation Boss Mustapha has called on the public to volunteer quality information to security agencies to check security challenges.

He also called for partnerhip among the security agencies for same purpose.

Mustapha made the plea at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) strategic workshop on intelligence sharing on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Mr Andrew Adejoh, Mustapha commended the contributions of security agencies, urging them not to relent in the fight against security challenges.

He noted that the present situation was challenging with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, which he said posed a novel security threat and had occupied the attention of the government.

As a country, we therefore have no choice, but to continue to fight the battle on all fronts.

To mobilise all neccessary stakeholders and sustain the multi-dimensional approach to tackle this problem.

Security is a critical enabler in the development of any nation, as it provides the guarantee for citizens and foreigners to engage in legitimate business of their choice.

Security, therefore, is everyones business, some agencies of government are in the frontline and saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that a well-coordinated security architecture is put in place.

This is to achieve the desired outcome of a safe environment and peaceful coexistence of all individual in the nation, he said.

He said that the collaborative efforts of the corps have reflected on a rewarding relationship with the state governments, stakeholders and development partners.

Earlier, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the essence of the workshop was to support other security agencies with relevant information.

Oyeyemi said it was significant to intimate other security agencies with the development and progress in the data management strategy and contemporary innovations of the corps to meet the current reality of the situation.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said that connectivity and collaboration were the major measures in achieving a safe country for all.

Represented by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Habila Vintenaba, Attahiru urged the FRSC to sustain the workshop.

Security agencied at the workshop were Nigerian Army, Navy, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Abia Government says it has begun investigation to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices found in Union Primary School, Afaraukwu Umuahia.

The Commissioner for Information, Chief Okiyi Kalu, stated this in a statement issued in Umuahia on Thursday.

According to Kalu, government has started working with relevant security agencies in the state concerning the development.

The statement explained that initial examination of the devices shows evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era.

We are awaiting definite official report from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal squad of the Nigeria Police, who are currently investigating the incident.

He stated that necessary measures had been taken to protect the pupils and members of staff of the school with security sweeps ongoing.

He further stated that government had temporarily closed the school.

Kalu added that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations in the state.

He said that government was grateful to God that no injury to life or property was recorded.

He urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious situations to security agencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hassana Yakubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), says it will meet with the Federal and Kaduna State Governments on the plight of students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization who have been in captivity since March 11.

This is part of the forums resolution at the end of its National Executive Council meeting (NEC) on Thursday in Kaduna.

The ACF National Publicity, Mr Emmanuel Yawe said in a communique issue at the end of the meeting.

It said that the meeting, coordinated by ACF National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, was briefed by parents of the kidnapped students.

The forum regretted that the kidnapped students had remained in captivity and the Kaduna state government has not done much to get them released.

It therefore agreed to take up their plight with the state and federal government.

The ACF expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the region, noting that activities of insurgents, kidnappers and bandits had stunted the progress and development of the region.

It also decried the utterances of some actors and leaders who sought to inflame regional, ethnic and religious divisions in the country.

The ACF called on Nigerian leaders to exercise restraint in their utterances over the current security challenges.

It particularly frowned at the unfortunate killings of some northerners in the South East and called on security agencies to investigate the killings and fish out the culprits,

We also warn our youths who have suddenly started distributing messages on the social media calling on reprisal attacks on Ibos and their business interests in the north.

We the Arewa Consultative Forum stand against all lawless acts of self help and call on all northern youths to stop such evil plans.

The Forum unveiled a new firm, ARECON Integrated Company, which would serve as its business arm.

Already contacts have been made with the Minister of the FCT and some state governors of the North who have promised land to facilitate the takeoff of ARECON LTD, it stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has launched a Zakat fund to support refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.

The fund which is to be drawn from the freewill donation of a percentage of Zakat paid by Muslims, was launched in Abuja on Thursday.

UNHCR Country Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya said that the fund was needed to cater to the rising number of refugees in the country.

She said that the initiative was to bridge the funding gap for humanitarian interventions.

Kapaya said that the UN had been exploring various avenues to augment its funding, just like the recently launch One Billion Dollar intervention fund for vulnerable people in the North East

The Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund is a part of UNHCRs global Islamic philanthropic engagement and faith-based giving.

Faith is a strong conduit in actualizing giving. I have seen first-hand in Nigeria whereby faith-based organizations both Christian and Muslim have supported UNHCRs work in responding to the refugee and IDP situation in the country.

I also have had the opportunity to have met with several Muslim community leaders who have pledged support and partnership to respond to the humanitarian needs and IDPs situation.

Now with the Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund, we can further this commitment through a philanthropic tool that will allow Zakat contributions to be used to support the IDP families.

She expressed gratitude for the interest shown by many with regards to the fund, stressing that the Zakat fund would be a game changer in actualising private sector support to most vulnerable communities.

Giving insight into the state of vulnerability in Nigeria, Kapaya said that there were 2.1million IDPs in the North East, 728,688 in the North West and North Central, 1.7 million Nigerian refugee returnees as well as 69,000 Cameroonian refugees.

She added that about 300,000 Nigerians have also sought refuge in neighbouring countries, adding that the total number of IDPs was 2.9 million.

The UN representative pointed out that the funds needed to carter for displaced persons were unfortunately dwindling, hence the need to seek alternative funding.

As we witness increasing levels of internal displacement in the country, we struggle to adequately respond to the growing humanitarian needs.

UNHCR has been chronically underfunded, and so far for this year, we have only received 14 per cent out of the 96.4 million dollars we need in 2021 to support the various populations of concern.

What continues to give me hope is that even though we are faced with the challenges of internal displacement, the willingness and generosity of Nigerians to respond has not wavered, she said.

In his remark, Mr Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor to UNHCR and the Gulf Corporation Council Countries, said that the fund was an opportunity to provide the needed humanitarian interventions.

According to him, if all Muslim faithfuls gave out the right zakat, there would be no one living below the poverty line, adding that zakat was not only about giving money.

Khalifa stressed that the zakat fund was also opened to non-Muslims willing to contribute as part of their charity work.

He called on all Muslims to use the opportunity of the Ramadam to donate to the fund, so as to assuage the sufferings of IDPs in the North.

Alhaji Muhammad Maidoki, the Executive Chairman, Sokoto State Zakat and Waqf Commission, said that IDPs were among the categories of people that should benefit from Zakat.

He called on Nigerians especially Muslim faithfuls to donate to the fund, so as to alleviate the plight of refugees and displaced persons.

Maidoki announced a donation of one million naira to the UN Zakat fund. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former Vice President Atiku Abubaka has advocated increased public and private investment in youth development and empowerment to break vicious circle of illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and insecurity in the nation.

Abubakar made the call in his remarks at the official inauguration of the Abubakar Kawu Baraje Foundation (AKBF) in Abuja on Thursday.

The former vice president, who was the chairman of the occasion, represented by Jamil Mohammed, said the greatness of any nation was tied to the quality of investment in its youth population.

He added that education remained the gateway for enabling inclusive and sustainable development.

I have always been an advocate of youth-focused policies aimed at empowering and providing them with opportunities to add value to themselves, family and society at large.

This is key as most of the leaders that are being celebrated today made their impact at their youthful age largely because they had quality education and opportunities were provided, where such did not exist they were empowered to create them.

A typical case in point was the Nigeria Youth Movement (NYM), which assembled young Nigerians in their 20s and 30s who played critical leadership roles in accelerating the attainment of our independence.

I strongly believe that we can still produce the same quality of young leaders who will equally play critical roles in regaining Nigerias place as the giant of Africa, Abubakar said.

While commending the initiative, he said the foundation represented hope for many potential beneficiaries, while it also takes away potential recruits for thuggery, armed robbery, banditry and terrorism.

Abubakar said that the inauguration of the foundation gave him hope that young people would have the needed support mechanism, which would empower them to bring their dreams to reality and add value to the nation-building journey.

Instructively, the fact that the foundation is not only visioning to produce just leaders, but those that are morally and spiritually upright is laudable and unique.

Equally worthy of commendation are the key support areas of the foundation which speaks to Interventions we are in dire need of as a nation.

They are in the areas of educational support, care for the vulnerable, entrepreneurship support, skills acquisition support, environmental sustainability, public health support, and peace and conflict resolution, he said.

Abubakar said that providing the above intervention would go a long way in addressing the challenges of unemployment, social exclusion, poverty, criminality and insecurity.

In his remarks, former President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, said the foundation was not about Baraje, but promoting the needed moral values for the development of the society.

Saraki called for continuous supports for the foundation as it touched on education, less privilege and providing spiritual and moral direction for future leaders.

PDP National President, Uche Secondus, said it was high time Leadership of the country gave priority to legacies that would live beyond them.

Secondus said that all hands must be on deck to raising youths and leaders with moral values, by going back to how parents of old trained their wards.

Founder of AKBF and former National Chairman of PDP, Dr Abubakar Baraje, said the foundation was set up as an NGO with clear vision to support the society in producing leaders that are morally and spiritually upright.

Baraje said the foundation intended to achieve the vision through the instrumentality of education support, care and well-being of determined young people, less privileged and vulnerable in the society.

He said the aim was to contribute to the humanity and Islamic development through education, with the hope to turn the centre into a higher institution in the nearest future.

He said that since the inception of the foundation, located in Ilorin, Kwara, the cost had been fully shoulder by him.

Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, in his remarks, described the launch of the foundation as another milestone towards securing the future of the country.

Sulu-Gambari said it was another scouting for sustainable measures for promoting peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic, religious and social groups through provision of platform for mentoring of younger generations.

He stated that Baraje had over the years demonstrated sincere passion for national cohesion as an accomplished civil servant, politician, community leader and fulfilled family man.

The emir urged other well to do individuals to emulate Barajes kind gesture and continue to extend necessary supports to the noble foundation towards achieving its objectives for humanity.

Highlight of the occasion includes fund raising to support the foundation.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State says his administration is planning to send more than 4,000 youths to police constabulary training.

The governor said this on Thursday in Kano when he received the new Commandant of the Police Academy, Wudil, CP Lawal Tanko-Jimeta on a courtesy.

According to him, some youths from the state are also trained recently as police constabulary as part of the state governments efforts to prepare them.

And anytime there is need for security outfits to recruit, it means we have already made applicants for them.

He said the state government had provided a functional command control centre at the Nigerian Police headquarters in Kano with CCTV arrangements to monitor what is happening in the state.

The governor noted that the state government had provided what he called security dormitories on major roads coming into the state.

By doing so, we are able to control what is coming and what is going out of the city.

And at Dansoshiya forest, which is neighbouring Katsina, we are developing a Ruga system for herdsmen with all what it takes to have them settled and the education of their children is guaranteed.

With all these measures put in place by implication, security challenges are reduced, the governor said.

Earlier, the new commandant said the academy had been enjoying full support from the state government, especially their immediate host communities.

He further appealed to the governor to look into the possible construction or renovation of their students hostels.

Some of the hostels are dilapidated and old, we are working closely with stakeholders so that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund can improve our infrastructure, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, on Thursday, narrated how he escaped death in the plane crash that claimed the life of the former Military administrator of the state, late Col. Abdullahi Wase, and some other state government officials.

The governor narrated his experience when he received on a courtesy visit, the newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, Barr. Safiya Nuhu, a Kano indigene, whose father also died in the plane crash.

According to Ganduje, myself, as the then Commissioner of works, housing and transport, was to visit the Wase Jumaat Mosque which was under construction.

And I was the Coordinator for the appeal fund to build that mosque. The governor was to travel to inspect the project and also pay a condolence visit over a relation that died. So, I coordinated the journey.

I secured the aircraft that was used for that journey, the aircraft was owned by Alhaji Aminu Dantata. I was the one who wrote all the names of those that were to travel with the administrator.

And your father was not among, as I was going out from the government house, the late Wase was climbing the stairs through the family wing and your dad came to me asking why his name was not there.

Then the late Wase after climbing one step, stopped and asked your dad: you are Permanent Secretary Government house, when there is communication from the villa, who will receive that communication? It is just like a chief of staff.

Then late Wase asked what was happening, I then told him that the DG was insisting that he wants to follow us, he then said he should be included, then I included him. Ganduje told Nuhu.

He added that two of them, in their separate vehicles, drove home because they were staying along the same route in Sharada, and her dad waved and said good night to him and he responded.

According to him, But on reaching my house, I called my permanent Secretary and told him that we were scheduled to be in Wase through Jos, so I will not be in the office.

He said that there was an important message. The memo you were asked by the governor to write to the Head of state, they sent the money requested for the rehabilitation of metropolitan roads.

And probably the president will send some people to come and see what is going on. I said if that is the case, I am not traveling again.

I then asked him to invite the technical people so that we will meet in my office by 8am, to prepare the necessary memo and whenthe governor comes back, I will take the memo to him for approval so that we can swing into action.

Ganduje explained that after that interaction with his permanent Secretary, he decided not to travel with the governor to Wase.

He said that in the morning the technical people came, and as they were holding a meeting then I was told that I was being requested to be at the government house, and I asked who would ask me to be at the Government house when the administrator was not around.

The messenger said that it was a massage, then I left for the government house and went to the council chamber where we were holding our meetings, that was 1996, about 25 years ago.

Immediately I entered, I saw the brigade commander, who had taken over immediately and some commissioners were crying, then I asked if it was not an air crash. How can commissioners be crying in government house? I asked.

Ganduje quoted the brigade commander, well, my colleagues, the administrator left here in the morning, there was a crash in Jos, and no survivors. I am giving you one hour, to go and get ready so that we go to Jos and sort out the dead bodies.

That was the end of it. Your father was my friend, since secondary school, to the university, and we later started working at the Gumel Advance Teachers College Ganduje told the envoy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News