By Abiodun Azi

As part of its actions to address the challenge of iron deficiency in Nigeria, Nestl Nigeria on Wednesday commenced the Live Strong with Iron (LSWI) campaign.

The inauguration of the campaign was also part of Nestle Nigerias activities to mark the World Health Day 2021, commemorated annually on April 7.

A statement by Nestl on Wednesday said that iron deficiency was high in the country and its consequences could be severe.

It quoted Wassim Elhusseini , MD/CEO of Nestl Nigeria, who spoke on the Live Strong With Iron campaign, as saying: The campaign aims to support governments efforts to address iron deficiency in view of the high incidence in our environment.

It is important to note that Nestl has sustained food fortification as a strategy to curb micronutrient deficiency in the sub region.

Another strategy that Nestl adopts to enable people live healthier is by providing adequate information for more informed nutrition choices.

We are therefore excited to work alongside all the stakeholders convened here today, to call attention to the rich resource of iron dense locally available foods that each family can access to improve the current statistics on iron deficiency, he said.

Ms Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestl Nigeria, said that the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2018 showed Nigeria as having an alarming prevalence of iron deficiency.

The NDHS 2018 said that 68 per cent of children, six to 59 months of age and 58 per cent of women of reproductive age in Nigeria are anemic, with at least a third of the anemia attributable to iron deficiency.

In view of the high incidence of iron deficiency and the attendant dire consequences, this remains a priority area of concern for Nigeria.

This is why Nestl has joined forces with other stakeholders including the Office of the First Lady, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Nutrition Society of Nigeria to combat the menace of iron deficiency.

The statement said that the Minister of Women Affairs, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Anthonia Ekpa, as spoke at the event.

Globally, children and women are more at risk of iron deficiency and anemia.

Consumption of iron-rich foods, which are locally available and affordable, remains an effective means of addressing this challenge.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will support this public health awareness campaign, as it has valuable content that will positively impact on the health of a huge percentage of Nigerians.

We are committed to collaborating with stakeholders for the overall development of women and children in Nigeria, the statement quoted the minister as saying.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the flag-off of the Live Strong with Iron campaign was held onsite and virtually.

The campaign supports efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 ,Good health and wellbeing, looking towards improving the health of millions of Nigerians.

Through the campaign, the collaborators will support community advocacy programs, broadcast and social media campaigns, to drive change in nutrition behavior, choice and consumption in order to meet daily iron requirements.

The statement noted that the public launch of the Live Strong With Iron campaign was attended by government officials, health experts, nutritionists, professional organisations and media.

They came together to align on the roles each party would play in the efforts to curb iron deficiency.

A key commitment by all stakeholders and participants at the event was to not only consume, but also to promote consumption of locally available iron-rich and iron-fortified foods in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman, Media and Public Affairs Committee, House of Representatives has urged the presidency to tackle iron deficiency in children through the Federal Governments School Feeding Programme.

Kalu said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Public Launch of Live Strong With Iron, a campaign championed by Nestle Nigeria Plc, to create awareness on the devastating effect of low consumption of iron-friendly foods.

The spokesman of the House of Reps noted that was introduced to help the children realise their potential and as such must be properly scrutinised to ensure the foods served the pupils contain iron.

Information is power, so this advocacy is commendable and I want the Federal Ministry of Health and Education to buy into this, especially as it concerns the School Feeding Programme.

The foods given to children must contain iron. Again, who is looking at those foods to make sure the right nutrients are there?

It is a question the various agencies in charge of these children in the school age bracket should answer.

We will like the FG to look into ensuring that this iron deficiency is taken care of in ongoing school feeding programme.

We are glad that the private sector has initiated this move and I want to raise a call to the Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to buy into it.

This is because the more the people are educated about where to find this almighty iron, they will appreciate it, Kalu said.

He promised that the House of Reps would always stand with Nigerians to fill the gaps of economic imbalance created by the outbreak of COVID-19 especially as it concerned legislative interventions needed to propagate the iron intake advocacy.

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, represented by Mrs Anthonia Ekpa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, said the ministry was strategically placed to provide women with food and other stuff.

Tallen said that they had already formed a coalition with some Civil Society Groups and NGOs to ensure foods distributed to women especially in rural areas especially at this critical time contain iron.

I will advise that there be a collaboration with our ministry and Ministry of Health on this; these meals are not expensive to afford, we will work together to improve lives, she said.

Also speaking, Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, represented by Mrs Karima Babangida, Director, Food

By Joy Obanya

Muhammad Khalid, Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, on Wednesday in Abuja, called for holistic approach to achieve meaningful growth in promotion of peace and unity in Nigeria.

Khalif made the call at the official launch of a book titled: The Infinite Light, The Pride of Humanity authored by Sheikh Fathullah Gulen, spiritual leader of Hizmet.

Giving an opening remark at the event, UFUK Dialogue Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Khalid said that the nation needed peace for development.

The problem we are facing in this world today is lack of peace. The solution to the problem we are facing today is peace.

Instead of discriminating against one another let us promote peace and unity. We must use unity in fighting our problem.

You cannot give peace to the world, if you are not accommodating. Accommodation is more than tolerance.

Just as it is written in the book, the prophet taught the world the importance of accommodating one another, Khalid said.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe religious and ethnic tolerance as enshrined in the book, to achieve targets.

Also speaking at the event, Emrah Ilgen, Vice President UFUK Dialogue Foundation, said that the call for peace and unity was apt in tackling problems that affect humanity.

Disunity is one of the challenges facing the country.

For us to conquer that we have to open a foundation, invite people to come and sit together, learn from each other despite tribal religion, culture or colour.

Ignorance is another challenge. We have to open a charity organisation, establish schools and educate people.

Another solution is poverty eradication, and for us to achieve this, we have to establish charity organisation all over the nation.

We have to reach out to the needy irrespective of their colour, tribe or religion; we can never be equal, but when we reach out to the needy, we become one, Ilgen said.

Meanwhile, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, National Chief Imam, Al-habibiyyah Society, expressed appreciation to the author for the publication of the book.

I thank and appreciate Fathullah Gulen for writting the book and I urge everyone to take time to go through the book.

We should all worship God or Allah the best way we can; do that we all can enjoy a peaceful country, Adeyemi said.

The book is centered on the life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, as symbol of tolerance and role model to humanity.

The book being translated and published in Hausa, Igbo and English versions would feature maiden broadcast in Hausa on Sunnah TV from first day of Ramadan, in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Federal Government has formally received the report from committee on compensatory contracts and others incentives for KAZTEC Engineering Ltd.

KAZTEC Engineering Limited is a subsidiary of Chrome Group, an indigenous engineering and fabrication company owned by Chief Emeka Offor.

The Companys Fabrication yard on Snake Island, which houses Badagry Creek Industrial Park Free Trade Zone, licensed in 2014 was grounded in March 2015 when Addax Petroleum had tax issues with the Federal Government.

The grounding of the company also led to abrupt halt of the platform construction for oil production from Antan and Ofrima/Udele fields and unpaid salaries to workers, contractors, and vendors.

Receiving the report in Abuja, on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva commended the committee for the thorough work done with the report.

You were carefully chosen to be on this committee after the President asked me to look into this matter and come up with some recommendations.

So, I searched for the best brains to look at the matter and you have not disappointed us. I must say that you did a great job; we in the Ministry of Petroleum are here as independent arbiters to ensure justice in the petroleum industry.

Justice for our investors and justice also for Nigeria. I am happy that you have done a great job, we are going to go through your report and ensure that your recommendations are forwarded to the president and implemented, he said

Earlier, Senator Magnus Abbe, Chairman of the Committee, commended the president for the privilege to work on committee to help revive the grounded fabricated yard for the economic growth of the nation

He said that the Committee had earlier submitted an interim report which had made Nigerians to understand the situation on ground.

It is important that Nigerians should realise the extent of what happened to this project, this was a project that was to extract over 19 million barrels of crude to our existing reserve and would have added to our daily production.

After the project was awarded and everything in place, contracts awarded and close to one billion dollars invested, Addax petroleum called Force Majeure on issues unrelated to project at hand.

That action took over 3000 Nigerians out of work, put invested millions of dollars that the country would have used for other things in Jeopardy , he said .

He added that the committee had carefully analysed the ugly situation found on ground at the site and the negative effect it had on the indigenous company and the Nigerian economy.

Not only that the workers were affected but a lot of things that would have been done in country and be useful in other projects will be paid for again.

In the interim report we presented, these issues were well addressed, today, we are here to officially present the report and to say that the members of the committee were competent and drawn from reputable organisation, he said

He said that committee did a thorough work in looking into all the circumstances on the matter adding that it had no right to lay any blame on the situation but to advise the President on the legally permissible steps that could be taken to salvage the situation and help the Nigerian economy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to invest more in health facilities and services to build a fairer and healthier post-COVID-19 world.

WHO made the call in a statement issued from its headquarters in Geneva to commemorate the World Health Day (WHD), globally celebrated on April 7.

WHD is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7, under the sponsorship of the WHO, as well as other related organisations.

According to the statement, COVID-19 has unfairly impacted some people more harshly than others, exacerbating existing inequities in health and welfare within and between countries.

For WHD, WHO is therefore issuing five calls for urgent action to improve health for all people.

The UN health agency stated that within countries, illness and death from the COVID-19 pandemic had been higher among groups who face discrimination, poverty, social exclusion, and adverse daily living and working conditions including humanitarian crises.

The pandemic is estimated to have driven between 119 and 124 million more people into extreme poverty last year.

And there is convincing evidence that it has widened gender gaps in employment, with women exiting the labour force in greater numbers than men over the past 12 months.

These inequities in peoples living conditions, health services, and access to power, money and resources are long-standing.

The result: under-five mortality rates among children from the poorest households are double than that of children from the richest households.

Life expectancy for people in low-income countries is 16 years lower than for people in high-income countries. For example, nine out of 10 deaths globally from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.

But as countries continue to fight the pandemic, a unique opportunity emerges to build back better for a fairer, healthier world by implementing existing commitments, resolutions, and agreements while also making new and bold commitments.

The statement, however, quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, as saying, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrived amid the inequalities in our societies and the gaps in our health systems.

It is vital for all governments to invest in strengthening their health services and to remove the barriers that prevent so many people from using them, so more people have the chance to live healthy lives.

According to the statement, WHO is issuing five calls for actions on accelerating equitable access to the COVID-19 technologies between and within countries and investing in primary health care.

The world health agency also would issue actions on building safe, healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods; strengthen data and health information systems as well as prioritising health and social protection.

In addition, the statement quoted Ghebreyesus as saying, now is the time to invest in health as a motor of development.

We do not need to choose between improving public health, building sustainable societies, ensuring food security and adequate nutrition, tacking climate change and having thriving local economies.

All these vital outcomes go hand in hand. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr scored twice as they punished a sloppy Liverpool side to win 3-1 at home in Tuesdays UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match.

The 20-year-old Brazilian fired the 13-times European champions into the lead in the 27th minute at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium.

This was after controlling a long diagonal pass from Toni Kroos from his own half which flummoxed the Liverpool defence.

Marco Asensio put the hosts further at ease by scoring in the 35th minute after a Kroos pass again caused havoc among the visiting backline.

But Liverpool looked more settled after the interval and a scrappy Mohamed Salah strike pulled them back into contention early in the second half.

But they failed to build on their momentum and Vinicius struck again in the 63rd minute to repeat the scoreline of the 2018 Champions League final match.

The result thus puts Zinedine Zidanes side in pole position for next weeks second leg at Anfield.

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo missed the official opening of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin due to the storm at the citys airport, Edos Gov. Godwin Obaseki said on Tuesday.

Obaseki, in his address at Tuesdays opening ceremony of the festival tagged Edo 2020, said the vice-president tried to be at the venue of the event.

But his plane had to be diverted due to the bad weather, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an afternoon downpour delayed the commencement of the ceremony, which was later held amidst colourful cultural presentations by several artistes and troupes.

Obaseki, however, commended Osinbajo for finding time out of his busy schedule, even though, he could not finally make it.

NAN reports that Osinbajo was due to stand in for President Muhammadu Buhari at the event which marked the opening of the April 2 to April 14 competition.

We are grateful, for he has taken time out his busy schedule to be here with us this evening even though he could not finally make it.

He is a friend of Edo and we appreciate this gesture, Obaseki said.

However, in the absence of Vice-President Osinbajo, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, stood in to deliver President Buharis message to the festival.

He described the festival as an avenue toshowcases Nigerias best talents in over 32 different sports events.

The NSF is the biggest sports fiesta in the country, where both professionals and home-based athletes converge to display their prowess.

Although the 20th National Sports Festival is supposed to have taken place one year ago, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it suffered several postponements.

However, the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that youths were engaged productively through sports, is notable.

So also are the doggedness of the Edo Government to host the festival and the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Now, we are glad today that we finally are having the festival. It is indeed a befitting festival, the president said.

He commended the young athletes who have converged in Benin for the competition, saying the festival remained one of the veritable tools for uniting the country.

The NSF is also a tool to bring our young men and women to interact, to make friends, to compete and it also provides an avenue to discover talents in various sports who will represent the country in the global sports arena.

I therefore thank the government and people of Edo for keeping their promise of hosting the festival in spite of the numerous challenges brought about by the postponement which occurred almost a year ago.

The investment made in sports infrastructure and allied structures by the Edo government signposts the direction our sports development must take in Nigeria.

No doubt, an investment in both our both men and women and sports infrastructure is most desired.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Manchester Citys Phil Foden grabbed a last-minute winner as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match on Tuesday.

Fodens goal was a saving grace after Marco Reus had netted a late equaliser for the German visitors.

Manchester City took a 19th minute lead with a classic counter-attacking move finished off by Kevin De Bruyne.

This was after Borussia Dortmunds former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can had given the ball away on the halfway line.

Pep Guardiolas Manchester City side then had a penalty kick awarded but correctly overturned by Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

This had come after a challenge by Can on Rodri.

Borussia Dortmund, buoyed by the reprieve, found some attacking verve.

Romanian referee, Ovidiu Hategan, was at the centre of things again when Manchester Citys goalkeeper Ederson hesitated and Borussia Dortmunds Jude Bellingham nipped in.

He slotted the ball into the net, but the 17-year-old was harshly ruled to have fouled the Brazilian.

Ederson came to Manchester Citys rescue early in the second half, saving from Erling Haaland with an outstretched foot as the German side continued to cause them problems.

Manchester City had several chances to extend their lead, and they soon paid the price for their uncharacteristic lack of precision in front of goal.

Borussia Dortmund struck six minutes before the end, after Haalands clever pass on the half-turn found Marco Reus, who had timed his run perfectly.

He simply beat Ederson with a composed finish.

But then Foden, who had been wasteful twice in the second half, made amends with a clinical finish from close range after being set up by Ilkay Gundogan.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has urged all athletes at the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020 not to forget to exhibit the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Obaseki gave the charge on Tuesday while speaking during theGov. Obaseki urges 20th NSF athletes to be good sportsmen opening ceremony of the festival at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

I urge you to put in your best, be good sportsmen and acknowledge when you have been beaten by your peers.

Please compete fairly in the games and show us all the products of the many hours you spent practising to be the best in what you do.

On this ground, you will reap the reward of hardwork and perseverance and determination through your performance and conduct so that you can be the real models for other youths in Nigeria.

For what else is the purpose of this games if its not to test and produce the best among us.

The National Sports Festival has a very unique history which is deeply rooted in the sad experiences of the Nigerian Civil War of the late 60s.

The first edition was held to bring our different peoples together to compete and find purpose in a bond that hold us together as brothers and sisters.

Today, our country is in dire need of peace, tolerance and brotherhood. That is why we felt the necessity to hold this games in spite of the challenges.

So that we can rekindle the vision of our past leaders in the quest for excellence, friendship and respect, particularly among the youths of our nation.

We have completely rebuilt this edifice (Ogbemudia Stadium) in line with our vision of reenacting Edo as the epicentre of sports activities in Nigeria.

It has a main bowl, a state-of-the-art pitch and tartan tracks and one of the best gymnasiums in Africa and the only one with a suspended gym and warm-up floor.

It has five lawn tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment, among others.

The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his faith in Edo and keeping to his promise to ensure that the games was held in spite of the initial hiccups it suffered.

Earlier, the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had welcomed all athletes to the state, and charged them to enjoy the hospitality of the state.

The people of Edo are good people and law-abiding citizens, Shaibu, who is Chairman of the festivals Local Organising Committee (LOC), said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

World football ruling body FIFA has suspended the national federations of Pakistan and Chad with immediate effect.

FIFA said on Wednesday the decision to suspend the Chadian football association (FTFA) was taken because of interference by the countrys government authorities in the federations affairs.

The suspension will be lifted once the relevant government decisions have been repealed and the FTFA and its management have confirmed to FIFA that the FTFA premises are again under its control, FIFA said.

Chad had already been excluded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because of the situation.

The Pakistan football federation (PFF) has been suspended by FIFA due to third-party interference, which, in the view of the international ruling body, constitutes a violation of the FIFA statutes.

This situation has been triggered by the recent illegal occupation of the PFF headquarters in Lahore by a group of protestors and an alleged decision by certain individuals to remove the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee of the PFF.

As the situation remains unchanged, the Bureau of the Council has decided to suspend the PFF, FIFA said.

The PFF suspension will be lifted once FIFA has received confirmation that the PFFs premises, accounts, administration and communication channels are again under its full control and it can continue to carry out its mandate without further hindrance. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Germanys public sector deficit reached 189.2 billion euros (225 billion dollars) in 2020, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the first deficit since 2013 and the highest budget shortfall since German reunification three decades ago.

The statement was issued by the Statistics Office on Wednesday.

The pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 77,000 lives in Germany, has devastated Europes largest economy, even though it has proven more resilient than many expected, partly because of continuing strong export demand from China.

Public spending rose 12.1 per cent to 1.7 trillion euros in 2020 as the government pulled out all the stops to offset the impact of months of lockdown, while tax take fell 3.5 per cent to 1.5 trillion euros.

The spending spree was set to continue, when German Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, last month promised to do whatever was needed to enable Germany to spend its way out of a coronavirus-induced economic slump.

Germany was struggling to control a third wave of the pandemic and was set to keep many businesses, like bars and cinemas, closed until at least later this month.

However, the number of people on shortened working hours declined last month, driven by the industrial sector, which was benefiting from robust exports, the Ifo Institute, Leibnizfor Economic Research, University of Munich, said.

Companies can shorten workers hours under a government scheme designed to avoid mass layoffs during the downturn by offering companies subsidies to keep workers on the payroll.

In March, 2.7 million employees were on shortened hours, down from 2.9 million, Ifo estimated.

The number of people on the scheme peaked at about 6 million a year ago but had been rising steadily since Germany entered its second lockdown late last year. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Myanmar troops fired at anti-coup protesters on Wednesday killing at least five people and wounding several as activists defied a bloody crackdown and internet blockade by the ruling junta, media said.

More than 580 people have been killed in the turmoil in Myanmar since a Feb. 1, coup that ended a brief period of civilian-led democracy, according to an activist group, .

Nationwide protests and strikes have persisted since then in spite of the ruling militarys use of lethal force to quell the opposition.

Security forces opened fire on protesters in the northwestern town of Kale as they demanded the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, a resident told Reuters.

News outlets cited witnesses saying there were casualties and repeated gunfire.

The Mizzima and Irrawaddy news outlets said five people were killed and several wounded.

The Kale resident said the information was provided to him by witnesses, who took pictures of five bodies.

Reuters could not independently verify the toll.

The mostly youth-led anti-coup movements ability to organise campaigns and share information via social media and instant messaging has been severely hamstrung by curbs on broadband wireless internet and mobile data services.

Fixed-line services, which few in Myanmar have access to, are available.

Myanmar has been subject to a step wise collapse into the information abyss since February, Alp Toker, founder of internet blockage observatory, NetBlocks, told Reuters.

Communications are now severely limited and available only to the few.

With print media also halted, protesters have sought workarounds to get their message across, producing their own A4-sized daily news pamphlets that are shared digitally and printed for distribution among the public.

On Tuesday, Dr Sasa, who leads a parallel government of the remnants of Suu Kyis administration, said in a statement that its legal counsel would be submitting evidence of military atrocities to different UN human rights bodies.

Sasa, a medical doctor who uses one name, said lawyers for his Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), had received 180,000 items of evidence and would meet on Wednesday with representatives of an independent investigative mechanism for Myanmar.

According to the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained.

Arrest warrants have been issued for hundreds of people, with the junta this week going after scores of influencers, entertainers, artists and musicians.

The countrys most famous comedian, Zarganar, was arrested on Tuesday, media reported.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed how Britain and the international community could support a Southeast Asian effort to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, after meeting her British counterpart in Jakarta.

Indonesia was among several Southeast Asian countries leading a push for high-level talks on Myanmar.

Western countries including the U.S., Britain and Australia have imposed or tightened sanctions on the generals and the militarys huge network of business monopolies in response to the coup, detentions and use of lethal force against demonstrators.

The European Union is expected to follow suit.

Russia, which has shown support for Myanmars ruling military council, on Tuesday said the West risked triggering civil war in the country by imposing sanctions on the junta.

Fitch Solutions said in a report issued on Wednesday that targeted Western sanctions alone were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy.

It predicted in the medium-term a violent revolution between the military on one side and an armed opposition comprised of members of the anti-coup movement and ethic militias.

Some ethnic minority forces, which control large swathes of border regions, have said they could not stand by as the junta kills people and already engaged the military in skirmishes.

Fitch said Myanmar was heading towards being a failed state.

The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw (military) is increasingly losing control of the country, it said, adding that the vast majority of people backed the parallel government. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hungary allowed people who provide close contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians to re-open their businesses on Wednesday.

Several other coronavirus measures were relaxed after the Central European country made progress in stemming new infections and getting vaccine doses in residents.

Stores selling non-essential goods were also allowed to open their doors but are required to cap the number of customers to prevent crowding.

Hungarys night-time curfew now begins at 10 pm instead of 8 pm and continues until 5 am.

However, restaurants remain closed for in-person dining and hotels can only welcome business travellers.

Interior Minister Sandor Pinter issued a decree outlining the new rules.

The decree refers to an earlier order by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which said the opening steps were to take effect once 2.5 million people had received at least a first vaccination against COVID-19.

Hungary hit that mark on Tuesday, meaning more than 25 per cent of people have received at least one dose.

The EU country administers vaccines from Russia and China that have not yet been approved by the European Unions medicines watchdog.

Under EU rules a national government can issue a vaccine license in emergency situations.

Source: NAN News

Life expectancy across the European Union dropped last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, interrupting a decades-long trend upward, official figures show.

The starkest drop was recorded in Spain: the life expectancy at birth decreased by 1.6 years from 2019 to 2020, the European Unions statistical office Eurostat said on Wednesday.

This was followed by Bulgaria, which saw a loss of 1.5 years, and Lithuania, Poland and Romania, for which Eurostat noted a drop of 1.4 years.

Eurostat attributed the losses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw deaths spike across the bloc.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, life expectancy at birth fell in the vast majority of the EU Member States with available 2020 data, Eurostat said in a press release.

An overall EU average is not available, as member state Ireland has not indicated its data for 2020.

In 2019, the EU average stood at 81.3 years.

On average, the EU life expectancy had increased by more than two years since the 1960s. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The European Commission on Wednesday announced it had earmarked 123 million euros (146 million U.S. dollars) to fund urgent research into Coronavirus variants.

The fund, through Horizon Europe, the new EU research and innovation program, adds to a range of EU-funded research and innovation actions to fight the coronavirus and contributes to the Commissions overall action to prevent, mitigate and respond to the impact of Coronavirus variants, the Commission said in a statement.

We continue to mobilise all means at our disposal to fight this pandemic and the challenges presented by Coronavirus variants.

We must use our combined strength to be prepared for the future, starting from the early detection of the variants to the organisation and coordination of clinical trials for new vaccines and treatments, while ensuring correct data collection and sharing at all stages, said Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

The new calls for urgent research into Coronavirus variants complement earlier actions to develop treatments and vaccines by organising and conducting clinical trials to advance the development of promising therapeutics and vaccines against the virus.

The Commission said the emergency calls will tackle the short to medium-term threat and simultaneously prepare for the future by enabling the EU to anticipate and better tackle future pandemics. (1 euro=1.19 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Council of the European Union (EU) on Wednesday defined the attraction of international investments in hydrogen energy as a priority.

This is a consensus that was built during a virtual meeting with representatives of the member states promoted by the Portuguese presidency of the EU.

The European leaders of the energy portfolio highlighted the need to create a stable regulatory framework for hydrogen in the European Union, noting that it is a competitive and predictable market.

Public and private investment must ally, and governments have a responsibility to give the right signals, creating the conditions for the private sector to invest with stability and security, said Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes.

The Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Bas vant Wout urged for mobilising public sector investment for the implementation of the European strategy.

The planning of the necessary infrastructure for the production and distribution of hydrogen is crucial, said Germanys Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and Energy Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker.

It is time to accelerate investment and political decisions in a bid to lay the foundations for stable investment, said Spains Secretary of State for Energy Sara Aagesen Munoz.

Luxembourgs Energy Minister Claude Turmes called on the EU to establish a transparent system, because the private investor will only be interested in moving forward if there is transparency. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied hiring individuals or groups as consultants for staff recruitment.

INEC said this in a statement by Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja.

Okoye urged members of the public to report to security agencies, individuals or group claiming to be consulting for the commission on recruitment of staff.

He said the attention of INEC had been drawn to activities of some fraudsters claiming to be working for the Commission on recruitment of personnel.

He said that unscrupulous elements had gone to the extent of cloning INEC logo and commenced soliciting for applicants for jobs in the Commission.

The fraudsters claim that they have been appointed consultants to the Commission and are reportedly asking innocent Nigerians to pay some amount of money as application fees.

Okoye recalled that the commission had at least on two previous occasions in the last few months issued disclaimers on the matter of fake employment merchants.

He added that INEC issued disclaimers on the racketeers who opened fake employment websites, collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public and issuing fake employment letters purporting to be acting on behalf of the Commission.

The claim of being appointed consultants clearly adds a new dimension to the fake employment scam.

The general public should take note that not only is the Commission not recruiting at the moment; it has not appointed any consultant or agency to recruit on its behalf.

The Commission calls on members of the public to be cautious and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by fraudsters. Any person who is approached by any individual

The Commission calls on members of the public to be cautious and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by fraudsters.

Any person who is approached by any individual or group claiming to be recruiting for the Commission should please report to security agencies, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says proper internal democratic practice among political parties will solve 80 per cent of electoral challenges in the country.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said this in a welcome address at the opening of a workshop in Enugu on Wednesday.

The workshop focus on the Capacity Building Workshop on Political Party Management and Administration and Party Audit.

Participants at the workshop include the Heads of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department in INEC state offices from the 17 states in the southern part of the country.

Ononamadu said that the workshop was critical to the ongoing reforms in INEC, especially for political parties, to always abide by the electoral law guiding all stakeholders concerned with elections.

According to him, bad internal democracy within parties, most time, snowballs beyond internal wrangling but affect the outer society and entire electoral process.

With proper internal, there will be less disagreement during elections.

Those that win or lose in a well laid out internal party primaries, according to the electoral law, will agree that the process is fair and credible.

And there will be fewer disagreements on results.

However, in a situation where internal democracy is lacking, there will be internal party disagreement or wrangling would start affecting the entire system.

There will be chaos and violence emanating from different groups that feel cheated or denied in the political party.

The violence will lead to low turnout of voters, and while in the post-election period, there will be electoral suits and counter electoral suits from the same political party, Ononamadu said.

The REC noted that there was a need for officers in the EPM department to be proactive; start monitoring and guiding the political parties according to the electoral law on time during the pre-election period.

Political parties must have good management and administration of its affairs as well as a good audit of its events and resources including finances for them to have fewer problems as well as be stable.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director, EPM Department in Abuja, Mr Shehu Wahab, said that the workshop was meant to prepare the participants for the task ahead.

It also meant to ensure that political parties get it right from the onset.

Wahab also thanked the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for supporting INEC to facilitate the workshop which is meant to drive the wheel of reform in the electoral system.

In a goodwill message, the ECES Deputy Project Coordinator, Mr Wilson Manji said that the centre had been at the forefront of supporting INEC to get the electoral process right and engender free, fair and credible elections.

Manji stressed the need for the EPM department to keep the political parties in check-in line with the electoral law.

The workshop, at the end of the day, will awaken them to their responsibility and guide them on how to carry out their responsibility more effectively.

This will ultimately check internal political party fractions and make them be committed to abiding with the electoral law, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ayinde Olaide

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has pledged his readiness to give financial autonomy to the judiciary in the state.

The governor made the pledge in Bauchi during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed acting Chief Judge (Grand Kadi) of Bauchi State Sharia Court, Mohammed Abubakar.

Mohammed, who said he was always ready to go by the judiciarys tradition, which, he said, was predicated on justice and equity, noted that the judiciary was the last hope of the common man.

The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and it is not only the common man, it is the last hope of Bala Mohammed, because I have derivedsolace in the judiciary.

I am always ready to go by their tradition, because it is predicated on justice and equity.

We, in the executive, are ready to give you your autonomy; we are ready to give you your respect, we are ready to clear latitude and leverage, so that you will be able to dispense justice, he said.

The governor reminded the newly sworn-in acting chief judge of the state sharia court that society expects a lot from him, now and even after service.

I know you are going to have a very little stint, but it does not matter how long you stay, but how well you stay and how much you impact, he said.

Mohammed commended t

I call on the judges to ensure that verdicts are quickly made in criminal cases in order to enhance the issues of reward and punishment in the state, he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tenure of Alhaji Dahiru Ningi, the out-gone chief judge of the sharia court, ended on April 6. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, has called for support of Nigerians for the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba.

The Chairman of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, who made the appeal in a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna, also commended the appointment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the appointment of Baba as the new Acting 1-G of police.

l call on Nigerians to cooperate with the new I-G so that, together, we could attain the peace we once enjoyed in the land, he said.

Hayab said the task ahead of the new I-G calls for support of Nigerians, irrespective of any differences to enable him tackle the security challenges in the country.

The chairman said that the association can testify to his virtue ofhonesty of purpose in ensuring a peaceful society.

He said that his appointment came at a time Nigerians needed a man who has the vision and road map to bring an end to the security challenges in the country.

Given the task before him, he needs our sincere advice, suggestions and prayers on the useful directions forward for a safe society devoid of any form of criminality.

Let us all give him all the support, with the advice that is needed for the police under his leadership to succeed, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News