By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has congratulated Christians in the state and worldwide on the occasion of the 2021 Easter celebration, urging them to embrace more love and forgiveness.

Makindein a statement issued in Ibadanon Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, urgedChristians to, in the spirit of the season, continue to be their brothers keepers and to forgive others.

The governor expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of residents of the state, especially the Christian faithful to witness the Easter season.

He charged Christians in the state not to take lightly the price that Jesus Christ paid for their salvation and to continue to remain connected to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ has paid the price for us. So, we should keep on supporting the government and should in the spirit of the season, be our brothers keepers.

If anyone has offended you, this is the period to forgive. This is the period also to get connected to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died so that we may be saved, Makinde said.

The governor urged residents of the state to continue to support his administration and to remain steadfast. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) has re-emphasised the need to avoid non-essential travels during the Easter and Ramadan celebrations to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, NCDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday that it was very important to adhere to public health and social measures required to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

As Nigerians plan to celebrate Easter and begin Ramadan, it is very important to remember the public health and social measures required to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

It is very important to remember the public health and social measures required to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

Chikwe also emphasised the need for sustained testing as an effective public health response to detect, isolate and treat cases of COVID-19.

Testing is one of the key components in Nigerias response to the pandemic.

The benefits of getting tested include ascertaining the incidence of COVID-19 in the community, opportunity to break the chain of transmission in the community and tracking of mutation of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.

He said that the number of collection sites and laboratories had increased in the country making testing more accessible and effective.

The capacity for testing has increased in Nigeria since the outbreak began, from four laboratories to 129 functional laboratories. Of these, 48 are private laboratories and eight are corporate laboratories.

Each state and the FCT have several sample collection sites with at least one molecular laboratory to test.

Samples are tested daily to ensure results are communicated to the clients, patients and/or managing team for optimum care, he explained.

The NCDC boss noted that it was, therefore, important that Nigerians to utilise these resources to enable control of the spread of COVID-19.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, sneezing, loss of smell and taste among many others.

It is important to get tested when you have any of the symptoms in the case definition or if you are a close contact to any confirmed case.

If in doubt on how to get a test, call your state emergency line or call 6232, the NCDC Connect Centre toll free number.

Some individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, may never develop symptoms as in asymptomatic cases.

Others may have very mild disease pauci-symptomatic, or they may develop moderate to severe COVID-19 disease, he told NAN.

Ihekweazu added that it was also important to note that co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with other pathogens have been reported, thus a positive test for another pathogen does not rule out COVID-19 and vice versa.

He noted that in the last two weeks, the number of samples collected and tested had reduced, despite the availability of sample collection sites and public health laboratories.

The NCDC boss, therefore, urged Nigerians who meet the criteria to get tested. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Isoken Omo, an official at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), on Saturday in Benin assured of accommodation availability for all athletes, officials and visitors throughout the games period.

Omo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, that those not listed to be accommodated by the organisers would have for themselves pocket-friendly accommodation.

She disclosed that the committee was working in partnership with a number of hotels in the city for the purpose of the festival.

Omo, a Project Manager with the Accommodation Sub-Committee of the festivals Local Organising Committee (LOC), disclosed that visitors would enjoy a 30 per cent discount with LOCs partner hotels.

The Acommodation Sub-Committee for the festival, just like other sub-committees, is ready for the festival.

We have been ready for the games for over a year now, and we have been waiting for this day.

What we have done is to arrange for hotels close to the venues, so that people will not find it difficult commuting between their hotels and venues for games.

Though I cannot say for now the exact number of rooms we have ready for our visitors, but I can assure that nobody will face any accommodation issue. There is enough to accommodate all.

The games have national and international impact because we have those coming to see what is happening.

For instance, we got a call from some Koreans who are coming just to observe, she said.

NAN reports that the 20th NSF tagged Edo 2020, had suffered several postponements before it was finally fixed to hold from April 2 to April 14.

While the festivals opening ceremony has been scheduled for Tuesday, contingent from the states have however started arriving in Benin since Friday.

NAN reports that 8,000 athletes, a figure scaled down from the initial 14,000, are expected to participate in the two-week festival. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Thirteen States out of the 15 that arrived Benin on Friday for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Edo 2020, have passed the COVID-19 screening.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the festival, Mr Philip Shaibu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Benin on Saturday.

He also revealed that two states, Oyo and Taraba, failed the screening as they did not adhere to the guidelines given to the states to qualify them to participate in the nations biggest sports fiesta.

Shaibu, who is the States Deputy Governor, said the guideline must be strictly adhered to to prevent the outbreak and spread of coronavirus at the games.

Shaibu also confirmed that two athletes tested positive to COVID-19 after the instant PCR test on arrival and have been taken to the Stella Obasanjo Hospital Isolation Centre.

According to him: The contingent of Oyo and Taraba stands disqualified from the 20th NSF unless the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 gives a counter directive as both states failed to meet with the COVID-19 guidelines of the games.

We have to be strick with the guidelines so as not to use the games as an avenue to spread COVID-19 in the state, which has already been flattened.

Even if the PTF gives approval for both states to be admitted, the teams have to go through strict COVID-19 screening and testing before they will be allowed into camp. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Owolewa

Team Kwara on Saturday left for the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin with a 233-man contingent, 128 more than the states team to the 2018 festival in Abuja.

The contingent has 166 athletes, who will compete in 27 events, coaches, secretaries, protocol officers, cleaners, security, helpers, and other accompanying officials.

The officials are from the states Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Iyabo Banire.

The 27 events include athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, cricket (male), darts, scrabble, squash, tennis, para-tennis, karate, taekwondo, judo, wrestling, cycling and table tennis.

The rest are golf, volleyball, deaf and blind athletics, power-lifting, weightlifting, wushu kungfu, kick-boxing, para-table tennis and para-athletics.

While briefing newsmen before their departure for Benin, the Director of Sports, Atanda Alarape, said the 166 athletes across the 27 events were carefully selected, based on merit and strength.

Our target is to go to Benin and win medals, as we have mapped out our strategies to maximise participation, especially in areas of our strength.

By doing so, we cut down on some areas, as we are not going for a jamboree, and not to complete numbers, Alarape said.

He commended the Kwara governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for raising the stakes, especially approving money for both open and closed camping, as well as for the festival proper.

Alarape also commended the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, coaches and secretaries and the other officials, for their understanding throughout their preparation for the festival.

He charged the athletes to put the interest of the state at heart, and be good ambassadors of the state by competing fairly for medals at the festival. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ishaq Zaki

Alhaji Sanusi Maradun, a former Commissioner for Social Welfare in Zamfara, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Maradun who announced his defection in Gusau on Saturday said he decided to join APC because of its efforts towards developing the state.

I am in politics because of development of my people. l decided to join APC base on the partys successes in retaining grassroots politics in the state.

Anybody who want to development in politics, must embrace APC under the leadership of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari.

I served in Yaris cabinet as a commissioner and I know the kind efforts he made during his tenure to promote the state in both human and infrastructure development.

The APC is the only vibrant political party in the state considering the fact that the party has more grassroots support in the state, Maradun said.

He commended the state APC caretaker committee under Alhaji Lawal Liman and partys stakeholders in the state for the recent reconciliation of warring factions in the state.

Maradun expressed optimism on APCs victory at the 2023 governorship election in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nathan Nwakamma

Bilabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa has called on the state and Federal Governments to help in restoring normalcy after the sack of residents by criminals.

Mr David Bazigha, Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC) for Bilabiri 1, coastline settlement, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Saturday.

Bazigha said that the call had become imminent following the rise in criminal activities in the area which led to the death of a former Council Chairman.

The development compels residents to flee the area. We are appealing to the state and Federal Government to salvage the Bilabiri Kingdom from criminal elements holding sway in the area and attacking residents.

We lost the former Chairman, Aliebiri Rural Development Authourity, Bilabiri Hon. Frank Seide and two others and this led to the entire settlement taking refuge elsewhere leaving the area desolate.

The community leadership as we speak are all in exile and the criminals have chased residents away while they engage in their nefarious activities, that is why we are sending a distress call to the government.

We had raised concerns earlier on the activities of these miscreants in a letter the CDC Chairmen of Bilabiri 1 and 2 wrote alongside the monarch to security agencies dated March 19, he said.

The chairman said the community appealed to the security agencies to wade in and sanitize the area by helping to flush out the undesirable elements amongst them, as things have degenerated.

The loss of lives would have been prevented and now those of us who championed to end criminality have become their targets and we have to flee, Bazigha said.

He recalled that the community leadership on March 19, written a letter to the security agencies and urged them to flush out criminals from its fold.

He noted that in a letter, the community appealed to the Joint Task Force deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta, to deploy its surveillance boats to the area to fish out miscreants.

The letter was signed by Chief Peter Pinne, Amananawei (Paramount Ruler) in Bilabiri 1 and Chief Minna Fun, Amananawei of Bilabiri 2.

Other signatories are Mr David Bazigha, Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Bilabiri 1 and Mr Esau Joshua, CDC Chairman Bilabiri 2.

The letter stated that the community leadership had resolved to rid the area of pirates, militants, oil thieves and kidnappers who brought the name of the area to disrepute.

It added that the development is an expression of the people of Bilabiri to support governments efforts at maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for legitimate economic activities, Bazigha said.

When contacted, Spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Asinim Butwat, said he was awaiting details on the incident.

However, the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Yenagoa, declined comments and said that only the defence Headquarters had the mandate to comment on their operations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Somali National Army (SNA) said on Saturday that relative calm has been restored in two bases after foiling a dawn attack by al-Shabab militants in the southern region.

Odowa Yusuf Rage, the Somali Army chief, told Somalia National Television that several al-Shabab fighters, including their leaders, were killed after launching simultaneous attacks on SNA bases in Awdhigle and Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region.

Rage said that the government forces were in control of the Bariire and Awdhigle regions and that the situation was calm in those regions.

He added that, although no casualties have been reported on the SNA sides.

Rage said the military forces defeated the terrorists who later fled with dead bodies and other equipment to nearby bushes.

He said the Somali soldiers pursued the terrorists who had engaged the government forces in daily attacks to areas where they could be hiding.

The militants had earlier claimed to have raided military bases in Bariire and Awdhigle, the two strategic agricultural areas recently seized from the terrorist group by the allied forces.

The militant group said it later bombed army bases in Janale, Sabiid and Anole villages following the attacks early on Saturday.

SNA denied the claims, saying its forces thwarted multiple attacks and killed several al-Shabab fighters while others escaped with serious injuries.

Al-Shabab often launches gun and bomb attacks on officials, Somali security forces andAfrican Union Mission inSomalia (AMISOM) facilities in an effort to topple the government and create its own brand of government in Somalia. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has faulted the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) rejection of the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed on March 31 in spite of meeting the demands of the association.

The Minister of Labour and Employment,Sen. Chris Ngige said this in a statement by Mr Charles Akpan,Deputy Director,Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the resident doctors had threatened to commence strike on April 1, alleging that the Federal Government had reneged in the agreements entered with the doctors.

The aggrieved doctors agitations include the non-payment of salaries of three to five months of some house officers and non-recruitment of house officers.

Others are abolishment of the bench fees for doctors undergoing training in other hospitals, non-payment of National Minimum Wage and hazard allowances.

Ngige said that government was faithful to the agreement entered with the aggrieved resident doctorsby the President of NARD, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesu

Ngige said that the Federal Government had substantially met the demands of NARD.

He explained that some of the demands by NARD were made in error as some of the issues were already conciliated and implemented hundred per cent.

He,however, said that the outstanding issues which came up at the last conciliation were time-lined along a month life span of implementation,adding that they were still work in progress.

The minister,however,faulted the unilateral repudiation of the MoA by NARDs President, describing it as unknown in labour negotiation.

He did not participate in most of the discussions last Wednesday because he fell ill not quite after the meeting started and had to excuse himself.

He handed over to his deputy, the Secretary-General and other officers of the association, who fully participated. We spent seven hours and by the time we put our signatures to the papers, it was eight hours.

Disowning the MOA duly negotiated is unknown to labour. The two parties to the negotiation signed the MOA. Four officers from government and three from NARD signed the document.

The president who was not at the meeting but fully represented by deputies went to NARDs NEC and disowned the paper because they were signed by his deputy and secretary general.

There is what is called transmission of power. He as the President fell sick and his deputies continued with the meeting. Thats allowed, he said.

Ngige saidthat it was wrong for NARD to impose a fait accompli on the Federal Government while negotiation wasongoing.

According to him, when a trade dispute has been apprehended, no party imposes on the other, a fait accompli.

We signed a memorandum that says NARD will go back to its members to educate them on what has been agreed, the timelines placed on them, with a view not to disturb the industrial milieu in the health sector.

We also agreed to reconvene after four weeks, the minister said.

The minister added that the four weeks was given to allow enough time to implement the issues in the timeline, some of which would take three weeks, before reconvening.

He further expressed disappointmentthat NARD made a detour and mobilised members into action on the Eastertide, whenChristians were observingthe holiest week in their universalcalendar.

He dismissed as untrue, allegation that doctorsin the public health institutions across the country, were not insured.

On this note, he said the Federal Governmentspent N13.3 billion in 2020, on Group Life Insurance not just for doctors and health workers but also for workers in the federal civil and public service.

He stated that the reason for the composite exercise was to stop a situation where ministries and agencies of government workedin silos in payment of death benefits to workers and with lapses in some cases.

This N13.3b was paid to thirteen insurance companies and brokerage firms to administer.

And this is not the first time that NARD and teaching hospitals have been told to send in names and make claims for memberswho have lost their lives.

It is an insurance that runs for one year and it is still on tillMarch that just ended and even at that,the new payment is now being processed, so that it becomes a continuous thing, he said.

The minister added that NARD was again remindedof the development while signing an MoA on March 31, 2012 toput up claims through the Ministry of Health to the Head of Service of the Federation.

This, he said was the only basis for payment of premium to the beneficiaries.

He further said that the procedure was for all health workers in the Federal Government employee, noting thatFederal Government fast-tracked the insurance cover last year in anticipation of casualties attendant upon COVID-19 outbreak.

He said that unionisation for the welfare of workersshould not be only for the purpose of strike, rather, going the extra miles toexploit all opportunities provided by government for the welfare of the workforce.

So, NARD should make claims for the seventeen of their members it confirmeddead as result of COVID-19.

They have the right to make a claim on behalf of their members. The insurance company only needs to verifythe claims and pay.

They can similarly make claim under the Employee Compensation Act for any of their memberswho has suffered injury in the course of his or her work or hazard in the course of work, he said.

Speaking on theMedical Residency Programme which is the major reason for fresh action by NARD, the Minister declared that the progrrammehas been working hitch-freesince it came up in 2019.

He said that the House of Representatives had to do a supplementary appropriation to accommodate it in 2020 COVID-19 budget and the funds, fully releasedby the Federal Ministry of Finance.

He therefore urgeddoctors to respect the Hippocratic Oath which makesthe wellbeing of patients cardinal. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Antswen

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current security and economic challenges and achieve the desired development.

The governor stated this in his Easter message issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Terver Akase, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi.

Ortomexpressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its current economic and security challenges, thus paving way for unimaginable development.

According to him, it is only when citizens support the leadership in building a crime-free society that governments efforts at improving the standard of living can be fully achieved.

He urged Nigerians to continue to show love to one another, as Jesus Christtaught His followers.

As the world celebrates this years Easter, my administration will continue to place priority on the security of lives and general welfare of the people.

I am confident that the current economic and security challenges facing Nigeria will be overcome for the country to move to the next stage of development, the governorsaid.

He added that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as symbolised by Easter,was a period when Christians should draw closer to God so that they couldreap from His grace and mercy in the face of adversities.

Ortom encouraged the people of the state to sustain the support they had been giving to his administration to enable it provide greater development in various sectors of the economy.

He reaffirmed his administrations resolve not to surrender the state to criminalsand gave assurance that the long arm of the law would certainly catch up with bad elements.

Ortom wished the people of the state and Nigerians generally, home and abroad, joyful Easter celebrations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday expressed sadness over the death of Afenifere Spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, describing his death as shocking.

Jonathan in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja, described Odumakin as a courageous patriot and rights crusader who contributed so much to the development of the nation.

In a message titled A Great Voice for Equity is Gone, the former president said that the deceased played active roles in the years of activism that birthed and stabilised civil rule in our country.

I received with sadness the news of the death of Odumakin.

He was a courageous patriot and rights crusader who gave his all to the struggle for a better Nigeria.

He was a great asset for just causes whose considerable contributions to the growth of civil society is not in doubt.

He also acquitted himself as a seasoned journalist and columnist who promoted egalitarianism and social well-being, in his regular essays, he said.

Jonathan said that Odumakin exited the world with rich democratic credentials, having played active roles in the years of activism that birthed and stabilised civil rule in our country.

As a cultural enthusiast, Odumakin lived his short life as a force to be reckoned with in propagating and protecting the interest of the Yoruba people in the larger Nigeria social space.

This is not a time to lose such a strong promoter of the ideals that would progress our nation in the desired direction of a united, just and equitable society, he said.

Jonathan condoled the wife of the deceased, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, other members of his family, the Afenifere sociocultural association and the entire civil society.

I pray God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and bless Dr Okei-Odumakin with the strength of spirit to bear the loss and sustain the crusade for a just society, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians, especially the Christian faithful to take time to pray for unity and peace of the country, as they celebrated Easter.

Abubakar in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to love one another, adding that the essence of Easter celebration was not merely to merry but toreflect on the purpose and meaning of love and sacrifice.

Love, because God says we should love our neighbours as ourselves. And sacrifice because love is hardly practicable without an intention to make a sacrifice.

Therefore, on this occasion of Easter celebration, I urge all Nigerians to take time to pray first of all for peace to return to the country and also for unity.

Nigeria is at the precipice of insecurity, poverty and, most unfortunately, disunity. These are challenges, not impediments.

The way to surmount these challenges is to learn from the world when super power countries who are rivals suspended politics to face a common threat in COVID-19.

I believe that when we approach our challenges with a heart of forgiveness and love, humanity will always triumph. This is the lesson that Jesus taught us, Abubakar said.

The former vice president while wishing the Christian faithful a happy Easter celebration, urged them to pray for the military personnel, who were keeping the vigil of daily sacrifice to keep citizens safe.

Abubakar, however, said that 2021 Easter celebration was significant, as it would be the first major national festival to be celebrated after the commencement of the administration of vaccines against the dreaded Corona Virus.

He recalled that during 2020 celebration there was a global lockdown as most countries of the world required that citizens stay indoors and celebrate in low-key, for the first time in many generations.

But the story this year is slightly different.

Now, there are several certified vaccines and Nigeria, having given nearly a million of our population their first doses of vaccination, has joined the league of countries that are pushing back the virus.

But we are not anyway near the safety threshold.

Abubakar, however, urged Nigerians to stay safe by adhering to all the COVID-19 safety protocols of washing hands, wearing face-mask, avoiding crowded places and observing social distance.

Abubakar also stressed the need to appreciate health workers, who like the example set by Jesus Christ, sacrificed their time and in many instances, their lives in the fight against the deadly virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Ihechu

Nestl Nigeria Plc says there is urgent need to tackle iron deficiency in the country as incidence have shown it to be high enough to be a public health issue.

Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestl Nigeria, made the disclosure at the concluding session of a three-week virtual training workshop organised for journalists covering Health, Nutrition, Environment and Business.

The programme, which was organised by Nestl Nigeria in partnership with Pan Atlantic University had as its theme:Advancing Nutrition, Health and Environmental Awareness through the Media.

Uwadoka said that iron deficiency is serious issue because iron helps form and oxygenate blood cells and haemoglobin; haemoglobins primary role is to transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues to maintain basic life functions.

According to her, one needs blood to carry nutrients all around the body and being deficient in that results to poor absorption of food nutrients, lack of energy, anaemia and others.

As part of efforts to tackle iron deficiency in Nigeria and ensure good life for all, Uwadoka said that Nestle Nigeria had concluded plans to unveil a new campaign tagged Live Strong With Iron (LSWI).

The campaign is aimed at educating the public on the need to eat nutritious foods.

The launch comes up on April 7, 2021, in commemoration of this years World Food Day.

We are going to call out the fact that iron deficiency is a public health issue; all stakeholders should be involved to tackle this.

So it is important that we frame the problem, call attention to the problem, and then remove that challenge of low awareness.

Because once we have done that, then we are able to call out the solution, which is the second thing that the campaign wants to do, she said.

Uwadoka said that available statistics in their possession showed that 68 per cent of children under-five years were iron deficient and 37 per cent were stunted.

Also, 58 per cent of women within the representative age of 15 to 49 years were also shown to be iron deficient.

She said the objective of the campaign is to reach at least 50 per cent of Nigerians with increased knowledge and awareness in order to reduce incidence of iron deficiency.

At Nestl, we are committed to enabling people to lead healthier, happier lives by continuously improving our products, providing affordable nutrition for everyone.

Beyond delivering tasty and nutritious products to consumers, we work alongside stakeholders to build strong communities and supply chains while improving livelihoods in communities directly connected to our business activities.

Our Creative Shared Value (CSV) focus areas in Nigeria include Nutrition Education, Building Thriving Communities, Youth Empowerment and Preservation of the Environment, she said.

Also, Akua Kwakwa, Nutrition, Health and Wellness Manager for Nestl Central and West Africa, highlighted the importance of iron and impact of iron deficiency.

Oxygen is the fuel for our bodies. It is responsible for transporting the oxygen from our lungs to all our cells in the bodies to use as fuel.

So, if we dont have enough iron, we are breathing all right, but we are not transporting enough oxygen to our cells for them to do their different functions to produce enzymes to give us energy for our brains work.

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency both globally and locally and the impact on a childs growth and development is devastating.

Its usually irreversible. The impact on our productivity, on our life expectancy, especially at the time of childbirth is devastating.

It also drives what we call hidden hunger, whereby we still continue to function and see things as normal but we have frequent headaches, weakness, fatigue, and the inability to concentrate.

And when it gets extreme, it can even cause hair loss and dull skin. So the impact of iron deficiency, cannot be underrated, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has described the death of Mr Yinka Odumakin, the Spokesperson of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, as a great loss to Yorubaland and the nation.

Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo on Saturday, commiserated with the Afenifere,the wife of the deceased, the children and the entire family.

The governor saidthe contributions of the deceasedto the enthronement and growth of democracy in Nigeria would not be forgotten.

According to the governor, the late activist was an advocate of justice, fairness, good governance and a better Nigeria.

He said: On behalf of the Government and good people of the State of Osun, I commiserate with the Afenifere Group over the demise of Mr Yinka Odumakin.

I also condole with his wife, Dr Joe, his children and the entire Odumakin family over this tragic occurrence.

The death of Mr Yinka Odumakin is a great loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

His contributions to the enthronement and growth of democracy in the country will never be forgotten.

It is my prayer that God Almighty will comfort his family and loved ones and grant his soul eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has given a one-month notice extension to those encroaching underneath the Third Mainland Bridge to vacate the Right of Way (RoW).

While inspecting the bridge and other road projects in Lagos State on Saturday,Fashola warned that the encroachers risk forceful eviction after the extension.

He also gave immediate vacation order to mechanics, artisans, businesses and one advertising company constructing a gantry on the RoW of the bridge.

The minister noted that an initial vacation order served on various businesses under the bridge had lapsed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, on arrival under the bridge,sensitised block moulders and other artisans on the dangers their activities posed to the infrastructure.

However, leaders of the block moulders and mechanics appealed to the Minister for an extension to enable them to sell off their goods and move out of the place.

He advised Mr Jacob Fayehun, Lagos State Chairman of the National Automobile Technicians Association, to ensure that the vehicles were not returned to the RoW of the bridge.

Consenting, Fashola directed the leader of the Lagos State Task Force on eviction enforcement to release all the defaulting vehicles towed away unconditionally to the mechanics.

He also yielded to the appeal of Mr Olasukanmi Ismail, Chairman of the Block Makers Association to sell-off produced blocks within the extended period before vacating the area.

The minister was, however, furious with a communication company constructing a billboard gantry on the Adeniji end of the bridge,without approval.

Fashola ordered the workers constructing the gantry to close the site and leave to avert legal action.

He advised the foreman to ask the owner of the communication company to resolve the permit issues with the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos.

He stressed the need to recover the RoW to save the bridge from danger and also prevent illegal activities that are breeding ground for crimes.

The entire right of way of the bridge is not just the top of the bridge but all of the adjoining land that it is sitting on, which was acquired.

By the Federal Highways Act, all of these are under the control of the ministry in charge of public works.

So, any activity on this type of land is a violation of the law if you dont have approval, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the minister as saying.

Speaking on encroachment on the Iganmu Bridge being used by petroleum tankers as sales depots, Fashola said they had earlier been removed, but they returned and solicited media support to solve the problem.

He said media support toward creating awareness would elicit voluntary compliance which was a better measure toward taming the problem.

On the ongoing rehabilitation under the Third Mainland Bridge, the minister said that work was going on under the water on various components on the foundation of the bridge.

What remains to be done on the bridge is a lot of under-water works, a lot of pile repairs and a lot of concrete repairs some of which may be unseen by those just driving through, he said.

The minister hinted that the rehabilitation of the bridge is part of the National Infrastructure Maintenance Programme to repair bridges nationwide.

Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, Director, Highway Bridges and Design said that work on the superstructure that is, top of the bridge had been completed but repairs underneath the bridge would continue for nine months.

We intend to work on the piles that are carrying the bridge.

We have the piles, the pile caps and then we have the piers.

We have identified areas where there are defects and we are going to do a lot of substructures works under the water, he said.

NAN reports that the 11.8km third mainland bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island with the Mainland.

The bridge was reopened to traffic on Feb. 27,after undergoing another round of repairs from July 2019.

The bridge began from Oworonshoki, linked to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, ending at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

Constructed in 1990, the bridge was adjudged as the longest in Africa until 1996 when a 20.5km 6th October Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Human Rights and Political Activist, Mark Adebayo, has urged governors of Southwestern (SW) states and the Federal Government to immortalise the late Yinka Odumakin by naming worthwhile monuments in his memory.

Adebayo, who made the call in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the late Afenifere Renewal Group spokesperson.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odumakin died on Saturday at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at age 59.

The human rights activist is the Executive Director of Secure World and Liberty Initiative for Peace (SELIP), and also Co-National Spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP.

He said that the governors of SW states and the Federal Government could also establish an annual event in his honour, adding that he deserved it and even more.

Hesaid the news of Yinkas passing was not only shocking and unbelievable but utterly devastating.

The Yoruba nation and the entire Nigeria as a country have lost one of the most brilliant stars in the African constellation. Its sunset at noon.

Yinka was a committed fighter for justice and equity in Nigeria, a cause to which he dedicated himself to up to his last breath.

Let the sun dim its ray, let the breeze still its air, let the sea hold its peace, let the birds chirp in low tones, let the music stop, let mother Africa mourn for she has just lost one of her sterling offspring.

Nigeria, cry for you are bereaved. Yorubaland, wail your heart out for a great son has been taken away from you never to be seen again, he eulogised.

The activist said he was devastated, confused and still in a state of denial but reality could be bitter.

According to him, I have lost a dear friend, an irreplaceable colleague and amotivator.

He noted that the late Odumakin left at a critical junction of Nigerias volatility when his invaluable experience, incredible intelligence and tireless commitment to the noble causes of humanity are desperately needed.

I am yet to think of any worthy replacement to fill the humongous hiatus of honor that your sudden departure has left gaping.

As you have transcended to higher climes, I can only wish you a peaceful journey to yonder, he said

Adebayo gave his condolences to his wife and immediate family, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

It is our loss as Nigerians and our loss as Yoruba nation, its our loss as activists, as friends and colleagues. Yinkas death is a loss to all of us.

Although we mourn now and we will mourn for a long time to come, but Yinka lived a fulfilled, noble, productive and blessed life. His life is worth celebrating.

On this note, l call on all the governors of southwestern states and the Federal Government to immortalise him by naming worthwhile monuments in his memory or establish an annual event in his honour.

He deserves it and even more.

Yinka came, he saw and was more than a conqueror. Journey well, my dear brother and friend, the activist paid his tribute to Odumakin. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The National Coordinator, Yoruba Patriots Movement (YPM), Mr Oladosu Oladipo, has described as a huge loss, the death of the spokesman for Afenifere Renewal Group, Mr Yinka Odumakin.

In a condolence message in Lagos, Oladipo said that Odumakins death was a huge loss to Yoruba people and the entire Nigeria.

He said that the deceased contributed immensely to the political development of Nigeria.

The coordinator described the late Odumakin as a great patriot, who would be missed by many including members of YPM.

May God console his wife and other members of his family.

May his gentle soul rest in peace, he prayed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Ms Edugie Agbonlahor, the Project Manager, Tranport Sub-committee of the National Sports Festival (NSF), says about 120 vehicles were deployed for the movement of athletes and officials at the festival.

Agbonlahor, who disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Benin, said that the vehicles would shuttle between the games villages and festivals venues.

The transport sub-committee head gave the breakdown of the vehicles to include 60 number 44 seaters, with Hiase buses and cars making up the balance.

She stressed that the vehicles would be at the services of the officers and athletes for free, courtesy of Edo Government.

She also disclosed that four designated parking lots have been created around the main venue of the games, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, to ease flow of traffic around the area.

According to her, the vehicles are deployed to ease movement of those that may not be familiar with the terrain and also to endure that areas are not congested unnecessarily.

So, because they (visitors) are not too use to Benin, they will find it easy running on shuttle.

As for the ease flow of traffic with the venues, games village and city at large, we are working in collaboration with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) in that regard.

We have designated parking points for cars and buses around the events venues to ensure free flow of traffic.

She further said as part of effort to ease transportation challenges for the officials and athletes, the sub-committee had set up transport information centres at four points.

Agbonlahor said the points included Ring road, Stadium, games villages at Ugbowo and Ekehuan.

NAN reports that the NSF, tagged Edo 2020, have suffered several postponements before it was finally slated to begin from April 4 and end on April 14, due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, although the opening ceremony for the festival had been scheduled for April 6, state contigents have been arriving Edo since Friday.

NAN reports that the 8,000 athletes, scaled down from the initial figure of 14,000, are expected to participate in the two-week sports fiesta. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A motorist rammed a vehicle into two U.S. Capitol Police officers on Friday, injuring them in an apparent attack.

The attack forced the Capitol and congressional office buildings onto high alert while law enforcement authorities investigated, Capitol Police said.

Capitol police said they responded to reports that someone rammed a vehicle into two officers and a suspect was in custody.

Both officers are injured.

All three have been transported to the hospital, their statement said.

Dozens of police cars, marked and unmarked, raced toward the iconic domed white building, in an unwelcome reminder of the complex being overrun three months ago by thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump on Jan. 6.

All roads leading to the complex were blocked by police officers.

A helicopter was seen hovering overhead and observers were ordered to leave the area.

Videos from the scene showed what appeared to be two people on stretchers being loaded into ambulances.

Authorities have begun only in the past couple of weeks to remove the outer ring of high, razor-wire-topped fencing erected around the sprawling Capitol complex after the Jan. 6 rampage.

That assault took place while the House of Representatives and Senate, with the Senate, presided over by then-Vice President Mike Pence, was certifying Democratic President Joe Bidens November election victory over the Republican Trump.

At the time, Trumps supporters shouted slogans including Stop the Steal and Hang Mike Pence as they attacked the Capitol and said they hoped to stop the election certification.

Biden took office on Jan. 20.

Members of Congress were not in Washington on Friday, with both the Senate and House of Representatives in recess for the Easter holiday.

Biden also was out of the city.

He arrived at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland early on Friday afternoon. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed the claim by the Boko Haram insurgents that they downed the missing NAF Alpha-Jet.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, described as fake the videos being circulated on the social media by the insurgents.

In one of the videos, several terrorists, including under-aged children on motorcycles and vehicles, were seen sporadically shooting at an aircraft.

Gabkwet accused the insurgents of doctoring the videos and showing a scene of an exploding aircraft mid-air, supposedly as a result of an enemy action.

Although the videos are still being thoroughly analysed, it is evident that most parts were deliberately doctored to give the false impression that the aircraft was shot down.

For instance, the video clip failed to show the correlation between the sporadic shooting, which even from casual observation was obviously aimed at ground targets, and the sudden mid-air aircraft explosion.

In addition, it is almost impossible for an aircraft to have exploded mid-air, in the manner depicted in the video, and still have a good part of its fuselage, including its tail, intact.

Indeed, an explosive impact of that nature would have scattered the debris of the aircraft across several miles.

Gabkwet stated that it was obvious that the insurgents, in their characteristic manner of employing propaganda, were seeking to claim credit for what was obviously an air accidentthat could have been caused by several other reasons.

He said the propaganda was coming at a time when the capability of the group to inflict mayhem had been significantly degraded by the Nigerian military.

The NAF, however, advised Nigerians to ignore the contents of the videos making the rounds until all investigations as to how the aircraft crashed were completed.

The NAF added that the service remained resolute and would continue to work assiduously in synergy with other sister services to rid the North-East of all terrorist elements.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAF Alpha-Jet aircraft, NAF-475, went off the radar with two crew members on board on March 31. (NAN)

Source: NAN News