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    Military neutralises scores of suspected terrorists, recovers large cache of arms

    Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Armed Forces have in the last two week neutralised scores of suspected terrorists.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces.

    The director also said that large cache of arms and ammunition in different theatres of operations were recovered.

    Danmadami, said that both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted in the various theatres of operations, with significant results recorded between May 4 and May 18.

    In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained offensive against terrorist and other criminal elements through intense ground and air operations, which yielded tremendous successes.

    He said the troops had during the period neutralised 26 suspected Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, as well as arrested 25 logistics suppliers, one spy and another suspected terrorist.

    Danmadami said the troops also rescued one of the kidnapped Chibok School girls.

    He, added that 511 suspected terrorists and members of their families comprising 99 adult male, 161 adult female and 251 children surrendered at different locations.

    He said that the rescued Chibok School girl, Saratu Dauda was on serial 10 of the list of the abducted girls.

    According to him, the surrendered claimed to have escaped the terrorists camp due to troops intensive offensive in the general area.

    Also, a JAS fighter surrendered to troops at Damboa in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno, claiming that his motivation to surrender was due to military offensive in Sambisa forest area.

    Consequently, within the weeks in review troops recovered 17 AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, eight SMGs, 15 grenades rifles, two pump action guns, one LMG, one Ma rifle, four AA guns.

    Troops also recovered two AA barrel, 12 dane guns, 38 AK47 magazines, two double barrel guns, 3,896 rounds of .50 inch, 2,189 rounds of 12.7mm, 1,475 rounds of 9mm and 86 rounds of 12.7mm x 108API.

    Also recovered are 183 rounds of shilka, 60 rounds of 40mm BGL, two rounds of 7.62mm x 39 B/SP, 34 cartons of sig pistol, 125 RPG bombs, 52 x 36 hand grenade, five SMK bombs, and 13 RPG tubes.

    Eight 76mm bombs, 130 SMK grenade (tear gas) 13 x PG 42 grenade, and 247 rounds of 38mm SMK bombs, 15 RPG tail pin, 275 rounds of 7.62mm special, 163 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 440 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 364 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, were also recovered.

    234 rounds of AK49 ammo, one G3 skeletal weapon, two AK47 working parts, two mortar bombs, two 60mm mortar tube, one shoulder grenade launcher, eight propeller charger (155 gun), among several Improvised Explosive Devices too were recovered, he said.

    The director, defence media operations, further said that scores of suspected terrorists were also killed in an air bombardment by the air component, while many gun trucks were destroyed in the air strike.

    In the North Central, Danmadami said that the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised two suspected terrorists and arrested 25 suspected criminals during the period.

    In North West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, eliminated 12 suspected terrorists and arrested 26 suspected criminals as well as rescued 24 kidnapped civilians.

    He added that the troops recovered different calibre of weapons and several military uniforms and accoutrements.

    According to him, the air component bombarded suspected terrorists camps in Zamfara, saying the feedback revealed that several suspected terrorists were neutralised in the airstrike.

    Furthermore, on May 10, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air interdiction operation at Sabon Birnin in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The operation was carried out following reports of sighting suspected terrorists on seven motorcycles fleeing North West of Sabon Birnin.

    Accordingly, the targets was engaged, neutralising the suspects.

    In another air operation, an air strike was conducted at Warari and Sambo in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, sequel to INTEL of terrorists activities at the locations.

    Accordingly, the locations were attacked with bombs and rockets and the suspected terrorists neutralised, he said.

    He assured Nigerians that there would be no hiding place for the terrorists who are fleeing from North East and North West. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

    Source: NAN News

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    Foundation trains, empowers students with sewing equipment
    By Ibironke Ariyo

    The Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) has trained and empowered students and youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)with sewing equipment as starter packs.

    The Foundation donated 40 industrial sewing machines and other sewing equipment to schools in the FCT.

    During the event on Wednesday, the Executive Director, LMF, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, said the idea of the programme was engaging stakeholders support for technical vocational education.

    These, she said, were through the Incentivised Pilot School sewing championship Project 2023 (SSCP23).

    According to him, the idea is to incentivise stakeholders across different sectors because education seemed to have been by-organised into different sectors and the industry is far from the school.

    She said so we thought we could bring everybody together on the same page and as you could see here today, we did it, we got support from everybody.

    What have we done today? We have equiped three schools with minimum sewing equipment that they need. We have also equiped five individuals from what you could see.

    If you put all of that together, you have about 10 individuals so all together we have produced about 40 sewing equipment that is going to different schools and I think it is a good thing to be sustained.

    The process is competitive but you could see everyone has to put in their best but for that best dress to come out soon after four hours, it shows the person has taste and competence and we are grateful for that, he said.

    Like I said, about 15 individuals benefited but when you look at the fact that some schools, like the three schools that received the equipment, have over 1000 students each, it tells you that we have actually reached in real verifiable terms, more individual than 2000.

    And it means that for these particular three schools and for these individual, the rippling effect is large, he said.

    Osikoya however, said that the National Senior Secondary Education Commission had promised to give support for the project to become a national competition in 2024.

    She said: we want to encourage that every other persons support them. FCT have also promised they will continue with this. That is promising.

    Also at the function, the FCT Secretary for Education, Alhaji Sani El-Katuzu, commended the foundation for the initiative.

    El-Katuzu assured the continuous support of the FCT minister, adding that the empowerment programme was a way of also curtailing idleness among youths.

    He, however, urged youths to use the opportunity that had been given and ensure they participated in all tasks.

    One of the beneficiaries, Susan Audu, appreciated the organisers for creating the empowerment programme, adding that she would use the equipment given and ensure she excelled in all.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNESCO, Ministry of Education among others, supported the event.

    Awards and equipment were given to winners and other beneficiaries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

    Source: NAN News

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    Mega millions Naija: Gaming firm deploys renewed technology to secure winners claims

    Mr Okwy Okeke Managing Director International Gaming and Entertainment limited (IGE) promoters of Mega Millions Naija.

    By Kingsley Okoye

    International Gaming and Entertainment Limited (IGE), promoters of Mega Millions Naija, says it is deploying more technology and meticulous record keeping to protect winners claims.

    The Managing Director of IGR, Mr Okwy Okeke, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IGE is licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to operate a national lottery promotional scheme, Mega Millions Naija.

    According to Okeke, the deployment of more technologies are additional measures to safe-guard wins in case players lose their tickets.

    Our commitment to deploying technology to protect players from losing their winnings to store clerks, agents, or other forms of theft is second to none.

    We are doing more to sustain the security of our platform, If players in Nigeria lose their physical ticket, they can rely on the platforms secure record-keeping system, which retains a digital copy of all tickets purchased.

    Okeke said the technology had inbuilt features of eliminating the possibility of losing out on winnings due to misplaced or stolen tickets.

    He said in the event of loosing tickets, players could readily access their records and pursue their claims accordingly.

    This is complemented by electronic transmission of each tickets numbers to the email account or phone number of each player.

    For this reason, the company verifies all email accounts and phone numbers for the purposes of protecting customers winnings by employing these proactive measures.

    He assured subscribers that their participation in the lottery was not only convenient but also safeguarded against potentially fraudulent activities.

    Okeke said that mega millions naija was committed to transparency and security, hence created a trustworthy environment for lottery enthusiasts to enjoy their gaming experience while having the assurance that their claims were protected.

    The measures follow an incident where a 23-year-old liquour store clerk, Carly Nunes, was indicted on charges related to an alleged scheme to steal a million winning Mega Millions ticket in Lakeville, Massachusetts, USA.

    At Savas Liquours, where Nunes served as a checkout counter clerk, a customer dropped his purchased lottery tickets, including the winning Mega Millions ticket, while leaving the store with his bag of chips.

    Nunes, with a co-worker, tried to cash the ticket, he said.

    To avoid such incidents in Nigeria, Okeke said mega millions naija lotteries, set up a platform where all players could secure their tickets via digital means.

    He said the lottery prioritised player convenience, protection and also gave Nigerians the opportunity to access over 20 international lotteries across the world, such as the US Powerball, Eurojackpot, US MegaMIllions, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and UK Lotto. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

    Source: NAN News

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    Men responsible for 95 per cent of GBV cases in FCT, Niger  Report

    By Justina Auta
    A report on the safety of girls and women shows that 95 per cent of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Nasarawa state communities are perpetrated by men and boys.

    Ms Comfort Bello, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Talitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), made the assertion at the Flash Light Actions on Girls Safety (FLAGS) project midline dissemination meeting held in Abuja.

    Bello said that the three-year FLAGS project is being funded by the UN Trust Fund and implemented by TCF to end GBV and support 750 marginalised schoolgirls between 10-19 years.

    She explained that poverty, culture, lack of skills and parental care and neglect are some of the causes of GBV.

    She added that on the midline assessment conducted in our FLAGS communities, the major cause of GBV as identified by the respondents is poverty.

    About 71 per cent cases of GBV are due to poverty and 75 per cent of major perpetrators are men, 20 per cent are boys.

    Therefore, basically 95 per cent are men and boys who are the major perpetrators of GBV in the country.

    Bello explained that the survey also showed that most of the perpetrators of GBV were family members such as brothers, fathers and uncles.

    We believe that if they are continually sensitised in the community, they will be able to protect the girls and GBV will reduce to minimal.

    We also encourage skill acquisition training for girls to keep them busy and be empowered, as the respondents requested for more police stations in their communities, she said.

    She also stressed the need for the establishment of police stations and swift judicial process to ensure arrest, investigation and prosecution of perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

    Ms Tayo Erinle, the Executive Director, TCF, stressed the need for the establishment of shelter for the safety of GBV survivors.

    She said it was important to empower women and girls with skills to enable them have psycho-social support.

    Erinle decried the inadequate shelter to carter for the GBV survivors, especially for girls above 18 years, urging stakeholders to provide more for the safety of girls and women.

    We need shelter, places where we can keep the survivors safe and rehabilitate them, while justice is taking its cause and government
    can support in this regard.

    If we are unable to take survivors out of where they are being abused, it will continue because of their level of vulnerability.

    So, shelters are very important and as it is now, shelter is inadequate; we dont have enough, especially for people above 18 years.

    People who have access to the fund and facilities should provide shelter, that is a great way to support the war against GBV.

    She also revealed that slow judicial process stalled justice for GBV cases, increased the act and further affected the mental health of survivors.

    The will of justice is very slow and can be very frustrating for the survivors and us.

    This is because sometimes when you pass through the stages of gathering required evidence, getting the support from the health
    and community level, FIDA, Police and ends up in the court and it is taking forever.

    According to her, the issue has to be looked into so as not to make it appear as if nothing is being done.

    She said that when people suffer GBV, the harm could be soothed or some comfort could come when they see justice, but not while these cases are ongoing.

    Mrs Gloria Ekanem of Women Development Department, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, said every opportunity to talk about girls
    safety was an opportunity to discuss the future of young Nigerian women.

    Ekanem expressed regret that the issue of rape was still rampart, and urged girls to know how to protect yourselves and be armed
    with the right education from the right people so that you will not be misled.

    Also, Mrs Funmi Kolawole, the Gender Desk Officer, Nigeria Police said most of the cases reported are from villages,
    communities and most of the perpetrators are relations that are supposed to take care of the survivors.

    The number of people reporting GBV cases are more than how it used to be and the culture of silence has been broken
    and we have a lot of reports now, Kolawole said.

    Miss miracle, 12 year-old school dropout, said the FLAGS project exposed her to GBV preventive measures, how to seek
    help, improve her self-esteem and menstrual health hygiene management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    Edited by Thompson Yamput/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

    Source: NAN News

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    NGO unveils purple book to promote gender equality, Inclusion

    L-R: Eivind Fjeldstad, Business Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja; Nabila Aguele, Special Adviser to Nigerias Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG); Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director, Policy Innovation Centre (PIC); Michael Ojo, Country Director, Global Alliance for Nutrition (GAIN Nigeria) and Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at the launch of the PICs Purple Book in AbujaTuesday

    By Justina Auta
    The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has unveiled its Purple Book, to promote gender equality and inclusion in Nigeria.
    The book, tagged From Voices to Action, is a curation of policy and programme recommendations from the PICs maiden Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-22) held in Abuja in 2022.
    Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, NESG, said the recommendations in the book aligned with best practices for delivering gender programmes to facilitate inclusion and diversity while connecting dots for an equitable society.
    This book serves as a reference document that helps people reflect on the conversations at the summit and take actionable recommendations they can deliver gender-responsive programs in Government.
    It would help stakeholders explore transformative ways to achieve gender equality and inclusion in Nigeria
    As we know, there is still much to be done, and much responsibility lies upon us to create the inclusive society we all seek.
    Fostering gender equality will require continuous collaboration between governments, private and public sectors, civil society organisations, and communities.
    Also, recognizing and addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination and working towards creating a society where all individuals can enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and freedoms, regardless of their gender, he said.
    Jaiyeola, while unveiling the 2023 theme of its next Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-23) said it will enable stakeholders within Nigeria and Africa to gather, discuss and deliberate on important steps to take to facilitate gender-inclusive society.
    Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the PIC, highlighted the need for gender and Inclusion summit, which serves as a platform to amplify stakeholders voices about Gender Equality and Inclusion.
    Dirisu added that the Purple Book provides an opportunity for us all to move From Voices to Action by reflecting on approaches to improve the Gender Equality profile of Nigeria.
    We translates voices to action by developing the purple book. It contains learnings from the summit as well as recommendations for policies, programs to improve.
    We want to create an opportunity to start the conversation for people to take action and make those changes that will make difference in equity, social justice and inclusion in Nigeria, she said.

    Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Assistant to the President on Social Investments, noted the gender inequality, adding that the book would serve as reference material in addressing gender disparity and inclusion.
    Theres a huge disparity in terms of gender balance, and its very important not just for females, but for the country to have this inclusion, because it is better everywhere.
    The statistics show that when you have voices at the table, diverse voices, diverse perspectives, governance is better, she said.

    Similarly, Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), urged stakeholders to increase advocacies on GBV and maternal health.

    CSOs and NGOs should know that when you talk about maternal health
    is a broad range of issues, from cancer to gender based violence, to maternal health, to sexual violence so we need to increase our space of work.

    And then were looking forward to the next meetings or the next nursing summits on gender inclusiveness, he said.
    Other highlights of the events were the unveiling of the GS-23 theme and panel discussion on Womens health and the SDGs: Exploring Intersecting Priorities for 2030 and beyond. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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    Edited by Josephine Obute/Isaac Aregbesola

    Source: NAN News

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    FG shuts Apapa-bound lane of Marine Bridge

    By Grace Alegba

    The Federal Ministry of Works on Wednesday shut down the Apapa-bound lane of the beginning of Marine Bridge in Lagos, damaged by vandals, for safety of the public.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the site of the collapsed portion of the bridge reports that a team of engineers from Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd. used crash barriers to barricade the damaged portion of the deck on pile bridge.

    A deck on pile is a bridge that does not have piers.

    NAN observed that while the firm, contractors handling, Eko and Marine Bridge projects, did that, a combined team of traffic regulatory agencies managed traffic around the diversion.
    The Police also supported the team.

    Mrs Olukorede Keisha, Assistant Director in charge of Federal Highways in Lagos State, upon arrival and re-evaluation of the infrastructure, ordered total shutdown of the portion.

    Keisha told NAN that the service lane of the deck on pile bridge was damaged and caved in due to activities of vandals.

    She said investigation revealed that the vandals had set fire underneath the bridge to gain access to iron rods and other steel components under the bridge to be able to cut them off.

    She said because the steel components of the bridge had been removed and stolen by the vandals, it caved in.

    She said thorough assessment revealed urgent need to close the bridge to avert risk to motorists and other road users.

    On inspection, we discovered that the place was set on fire to expose the reinforcement for them to cut it off and that is what they have done.

    And the concrete alone without the tension cannot cope with the pressure. It needs to be assisted with reinforcement. Once reinforcement is taken away, concrete alone cannot do the job, hence the collapse.

    For overriding public safety, there is need to shut it down immediately.

    We have looked at it, the contractor has critically assessed the situation. So, we are going back to the drawing board to evaluate it and look at the possible quick way to resolve it.

    But meanwhile, we are going to close this and divert traffic to alternative routes, she said.

    Keisha, who arrived the scene at about 3.03 p.m. with a team of engineers, engaged the head of the LASTMA and FRSC teams on an urgent traffic architecture for the closure and diversion of vehicles.

    She told NAN that traffic would be diverted through Costain and the Lagos Island-bound portion of the Marine Bridge as alternative routes.

    Placing of crash barriers on the bad portion.
    Keisha appealed to road users to be patient as the Federal Government was doing everything humanly possible to quickly fix the damaged portion.

    She said an urgent proposal was being prepared for immidiate dispatch to the ministrys headquarters in Abuja, assuring them that repairs would begin almost immediately.

    She appealed to Lagos residents to take ownership of roads and other public infrastructure to protect them against vandalism.

    She said the hardship caused by activities of vandals usually impacted negatively on all residents of the state, hence the need for vigilance to stop miscreants from damaging public infrastructure.

    We have to take all public utilities as if it is ours, she said.

    She said that the road caved in on Tuesday evening and the contractor was immidiately mobilised to site to begin investigation toward quick solutions.

    NAN reports that the traffic regulatory agencies allowed vehicles that were already on the Carter Bridge to be evacuated through the earlier diversion created.

    They then totally closed the approach of the Apapa-bound lane of the Marine Bridge located near Ijora Olopa, adjacent to the Lagos State Water Corporation. (NAN)

    Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Oluwole Sogunle

    Source: NAN News

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    DG infrastructure regulatory commission urges governors to embrace PPP

    Mr Joe Ohiani, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulator Commission (ICRC)

    By Emmanuel Oloniruha

    Mr Joe Ohiani, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulator Commission (ICRC) has urged state governors to establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework to boost infrastructure development their states.

    Ohiani, gave the advice at the ongoing induction programme for newly elected and returning governors organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja .

    Discussing as a panelist in one of the sessions at the event, Ohiani, advised governors to embrace PPP as alternative vehicle to deliver services to the electorates and also to bridge infrastructural gaps in their states.

    He said that presently, only 25 state of the federation had approved the legal framework for PPP in their states.

    He said that PPP was not only imperative to close infrastructure gaps but also important for job creation and to boost economic growth both at the state and federal level.

    PPP is a win-win for all the parties. A win for the government in provision of the projects and facilities, a win for the investor who has invested in the project and a win for his citizen who will use the project.

    At federal government, we are happy to say that under this administration between 2015 to current period about 75 projects has been consummated under President Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria.

    The net worth is 2.1 trillion Naira investments. That goes to show that PPP is an alternative source of investment at federal government and sub national government.

    They dont need to have deep pocket in the face of dwelling revenue as regards to provide all the facilities that is required.

    On that note, we encourage PPP as a vehicle for delivery of service for our people, he advised.

    Ohiani said that as a governor coming into office with four years within which to deliver on his mandates, the adoption of PPP would be of great benefits to achieve that.

    Ohiani said that by virtue of Section 11 of the ICRC Act, once a governor structure a PPP project in line with applicable law, no successive government would terminate such PPP arrangements without following due process

    He said all that was needed to be done was to identify priority infrastructural projects that could be done within the four years, conduct feasibility study and invest on well structured PPP projects.

    He said that there was also needs to allocate risk, carryout proper consultation, evaluate and monitor a project through the duration of the project.

    Also discussing as a panelist at the session, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba enjoined governors yet to embrace and support free trade zone scheme to do so in order to attract investments into their states to generate employment opportunities.

    Only 22 states in Nigeria subscribe to the free trade zone scheme. We need to do everything and act fast as if it is an emergency to create job for our youth.

    I am also using this opportunity to ask those states that have not keyed into this scheme to please sign the approval. It is a very good way to attack investment into your state. It took Ekiti State just four weeks to get Mr President assent.

    It is very interesting to know that of the 46 free trade zones that Lagos has 18, they understand the concept very well. No wonder so many investors are going there.

    You can develop your free zones just as it is done in Ghana, Cte dIvoire. You can develop small free trade zone that can attract investors into your state.

    Adesugba said that Lagos, Ogun, Borno and Delta are already having creative concepts with the scheme.

    About 450million dollars is going to Ogun State very soon. So open the door of your state for the scheme.

    He said Nigeria needed to do more in the area of free trade zone scheme to move fast just like China and Dubai.

    China has 5,000 enterprises in free zones which transacted about billion shares.

    In Nigeria, we are trying, we set up our free zones scheme before China in 1992

    Right now the total investment in free trade zone is about 30 billion dollars. That means we still have a lot to do, (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Sadiya Hamza

    Source: NAN News

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    Inverters company donates 30 traffic control shelters to Kano Agency

    By Bosede Olufunmi

    Genus Inverters Company has donated 30 traffic control shelters to Kano State Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) to enhance safety on the road.

    Representative of the company, Mr Adeyemi Olanrewaju-Ismail handed over the traffic shelters to the agency in Kano on Tuesday.

    He reiterated commitment of the company to work with relevant government agencies to better the working conditions of their personnel.

    According to him, government at all levels are overstretched due to huge demands, and urged well meaning Nigerians to support government to make life meaningful to its citizens.

    We discovered that the agency is committed to ensuring traffic safety and sanity, and to also relieve Kano state government of some burdens, he said.

    The company, he said, committed to work with relevant government parastatals as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the state.

    He said the donation was necessitated by the working condition of the traffic warders, who stand under the sun to do their work.

    Responding the Managing Director of the Agency, Baffa Babba-Danagundi lauded the gesture, adding that it was worthy of commendation.

    He urged other organisations to assist government to fast track sustainable social and economic development of the state.

    It is always amazing to see our personnel identified with and attract companies to expend its resources on it, he said.

    He pledged that the traffic stands would be distributed to various streets in the metropolis.

    While commending the personnel for a job well done, Baffa-Agundi tasked them to ensure effective utilisation of the traffic stands. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Remi Koleoso/Rabiu Sani-Ali

    Source: NAN News

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    Transport Minister inaugurates NIMASA Abuja office, tasks staff on productivity

    Stakeholders during the inauguration of the NIMASA Abuja Zonal Office on Tuesday

    By Lucy Ogalue

    Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo, has urged members of staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to double their efforts to ensure improved service delivery and economic development.

    Sambo gave the advice while inaugurating the new NIMASA Abuja Liaison office on Tuesday.

    He said that establishing a permanent Zonal office for the agency was imperative because of its strategic role in the sector.

    Apart from the reduction of cost of governance, the New Abuja Zonal Office will serve as the centre piece of government relations on matters with bilateral and multilateral implications on international trade and cooperation.

    It will enable the agency to host foreign diplomats and other key maritime stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory, thereby helping the agency to speedily achieve its mandate.

    All these led to the acquisition of the office and served as further proof of the growth in capacity of NIMASA due to its deepened role in Nigerias economic development, the minister said.

    While expressing the ministrys commitment to NIMASA and all other departments under it, Sambo said this project was a pointer to its determination in that regard.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for approving the procurement of the office, the NIMASA Chief executive and all who made the project a reality.

    Sambo thanked everyone who contributed to the realisation of the project, saying more of such projects would subsequently be inaugurated in the country

    Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, thanked the transportation minister and the Federal Government for ensuring the acquisition of the state-of-the-art edifice.

    Jamoh said the project signaled the agencys commitment to providing conducive, favourable and supportive working conditions to boost staff productivity.

    The director-general said todays ceremony is just one more step in living up to what the world has come to expect from us.

    If we train our staff internationally, we must provide them with a working environment that matches with those international standards.

    This edifice reflects managements commitment to providing a world-class working environment in addition to the recently reviewed and improved conditions of service for all employees.

    With this investment, we have taken things up. Top- notch by providing support, infrastructure environment, regarding safety and security.

    He, however, pledged NlMASAs commitment to ensure a culture of maintenance to extend the lifespan of the building. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Adeleye Ajayi

    Source: NAN News

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    FEC approves universal implementation of Employee Compensation Act

    FEC meeting

    By Chijioke Okoronkwo

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the universal implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this on Monday after an emergency FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the minister, the law, operated by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), is a replacement of the old Employee Compensation Actcalled Workmen Compensation in the olden times.

    Today, the council has approved it for universal implementation, meaning that apart from private sector, that is already implementing, the public sector, which comprises federal, state and local governments have now to adopt this for the protection of their workers.

    The Act provides that the worker, who is injured or had an accident or contacted a disease or disabled or dies in the course of work, should be compensated, remunerated and even the family, pay something when the man is no longer there.

    So, today is a good day for the Nigerian workers because the decent work agenda that is contained in Convention 102 of the ILO has a major branch on what they call workers protection in the course of work.

    He said there was a directive that all workers in the ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government should be covered with a percentage contribution.

    It is an insurance premium, one per cent of remuneration.You pay it and it insures your worker against these workplace accident injuries.

    That is what the council passed today and directed the Minister of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation to make provision for it in annual budget as social contributions.

    Under the subject of social contributions in our annual appropriation, as of today, you only have two items there; number one is Pension Contribution of employers.

    Second one is the Health Insurance Scheme by the employer, he said.(NAN)

    Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

    Source: NAN News

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    Sudan: FG closes situation room on students evacuation

    Some of the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Saturday in Abuja

    By Ahmed Ubandoma

    The Federal Government has announced the closure of its situation room on the evacuation of stranded Nigerian students in the war-torned Sudan.

    It, however, said that attention would now shift to repatrating other Nigerians resident in Sudan.

    Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the Situation Room, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

    Gwarzo said that government has set up committee for a rescue operations to assist in repatriating other Nigerians residence in Sudan that wish to return home.

    We recognise the presence of other Nigerians in Sudan, such as recent travellers and long-established families who desire to return home.

    The ministry has established a dedicated committee to facilitate their repatriation, replicating the successful efforts made for the students.

    As the evacuation operation concludes, the Situation Room responsible for its oversight is officially close today.

    Although a standby team will remain prepared for any future emergencies, he said.

    The Permanent Secretary encouraged students to report any of their colleagues who may have been missed during the evacuation.

    An inspiring example of the operations effectiveness lies in the story of a young girl with chronic asthma, unintentionally left behind due to hospitalisation.

    Through diligent efforts, she was located and successfully brought back to Nigeria in one of the final evacuation flights, underscoring the operations efficacy.

    Majority of Nigerians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have already been repatriated from Sudan with only 13 individuals remaining, and prompt efforts are underway to bring them home.

    In Ndjamena, Chad and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, all Nigerians have returned, except for Nine and seven individuals respectively, who will soon reunite with their families.

    Notably, all 800 travelers who transited through Egypt have successfully returned home, he said.

    Gwarzo said that the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan has actively profiled these individuals and has established a committee dedicated to facilitating their safe passage to Nigeria.

    While the exact number of those awaiting repatriation remains undisclosed, the committee has already begun assessing logistics and examining necessary paperwork.

    To streamline the process, Port Sudan has been designated as the official collection center, and we advise all evacuees to relocate there, he said.

    He said that the successful evacuation exercise of 2,518 stranded Nigerians from Sudan was a testament to the governments commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerian citizens abroad.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

    Source: NAN News

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    Coalition urges FG to increase sugar tax from N10 to N30

    Sugar

    By Perpetua Onuegbu

    A non-governmental organisations, National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has urged the Federal Government to increase the taxation on sugar beverages from N10 to N30.

    A representative of the coalition, Mr Edozie Chukwuma, made the call on Monday during a sit-out in Abuja to discourage consumption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government in 2021 introduced a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax.

    NAN reports that is is embedded in the Finance Act of 2021, which levies a 10 tax on each litre of all non-alcoholic and sugar sweetened carbonated drinks.

    We are basically asking the government, Ministries of Finance and Health to protect the lives of Nigerians. Sugary drinks are very cheap and accessible, but the health implications of consuming these drinks are very deep.

    They actually cannot be taken on by the ordinary man, so our ask is basically that soft drinks are taxed, currently there is a N10 per liter tax on sugary drinks and we are asking that this tax is sustained in the Finance Act of 2023.

    We are asking that it should be increased to N30 per liter. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation that above 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks would see behavioural changes and reduction in the consumption.

    We are also saying that funds generated from taxing sugary drinks should be ploughed back into public health, Chukwuma said.

    The coalition representative said treatment of non-communicable diseases were high and ordinary Nigerians find it difficult to make out of pocket payments for medical bills and medications.

    He said that if the proceeds of the taxation is ploughed back into the health sector the average man would be able to access proper

    There is more value in using the revenue generated from the SSB tax than letting people consume soft drinks that basically provides no nutritional value to them.

    We believe that they would be able to utilise these funds and also appropriate them properly, we believe that if these taxes are first earmarked for health it will help better lives.

    Chukwuma said the coalition had been able to reach ten million people via social media outlets but hoped to reach more people especially the young who are energetic.

    He added that the coalition believed that the message would definitely resonate with them and in extension the larger society.

    Also speaking at the event, Glory Okwu, Programme Coordinator, Project Pink Blue said the coalition is pro-health and looked forward to a situation where Nigeria would be free from NCDs.

    We know that increasing taxes in sugar based beverages is going to reduce consumption and also reduce non communicable diseases at the long run.

    We are just seeking for a way to better the health of Nigerians especially the poor people who cannot afford to cushion the effect of living with NCDs in Nigeria.

    10 per liter is just about 6.8 per cent meanwhile WHO recommends 20 per cent increase.

    So we have not even gotten to the point where we should be where we can begin to see a lot of changes with this tax.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASR is a coalition of non-governmental organisations advocating for policy measures to curb health challenges in consuming sugar-sweetened beverages..

    NAN also reports that Nigeria ranks the fourth highest soft drink consuming nation with over 38 million litres of soft drinks sold yearly. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Sadiya Hamza

    Source: NAN News

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    Mo Ibrahim Foundation: Osinbajo and quest for Africas interest on global arena

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

    A news analysis by Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    Africas place in economic relations and global politics has continued to attract attention beyond the shores of the continent.

    Recently, in Nairobi, Kenya, prominent Africas political and business leaders, civil society organisations, multilateral and regional institutions and Africas international partners gathered to brainstorm on issues vital to Africas interest on the global scene.

    The event tagged, Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW), came under the aegis of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

    During the three-day event, in which Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, and President William Ruto of Kenya featured conspicuously, discussions focused on: Global Africa.

    At the forum, Africas potential and deliverables in a world confronted by multifaceted challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflicts, under stress global financial architecture were put in the front burner.

    Speaking at the event on the theme Africa in the World: Multiple Assets, Osinbajo said it was imperative for Africa to develop an education curriculum that is relevant to the dynamics of a changing world.

    The vice-president participated in the session alongside Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy and former President of African Development Bank and Hafou Toure, Deputy Director of Cabinet for the Minister in charge of promoting Small and Medium Enterprises in Cte dIvoire.

    Osinbajo said the creative industry remained one area that African countries can tap into to boost job and wealth creation without much intervention from government.

    The creative industry in Africa was a phenomenon that many would say happen without government.

    I think that in many ways what is important is to see how the creative industry can be supported.

    It is evident that there is a huge amount of talents and its evident also that the regulatory environment favours it because there are no impediments.

    One would say that, as much as possible, what we should seek to do is to see how we can expand that space and to support with credit where that is possible and infrastructure that will be helpful, he said.

    He said that in Nigeria the National Theatre as an entertainment hub had shown great promise in supporting the industry.

    He said there was the need to strike a balance between governments intervention in the industry and the desire to allow it to function on its own without governments meddling.

    I would say that we should be cautious in not interfering too much; at the same time, we need to provide infrastructure, we need to provide credit with such an exposure that they may need, he said.

    According to him, there is need to have a clarity of vision on where Africa is headed in terms of education.

    So understanding what such of educational programmes we need to put in place and even the vision for that programme you have to understand that we are dealing with several demographics.

    We are in a new place where the world has changed so dramatically and particularly in the past 10 years; where we have robotic, artificial intelligence; what sort of education makes sense to create job opportunities today?

    This is the time to think through the educational curriculum.

    It is the time to decide how this curriculum will be relevant and would deliver the sort of persons that we want and create the sort of opportunities that we require, he said.

    Earlier, Mo Ibrahim, who is also the founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said it had become urgent for Africa to adjust to the fast-paced world.

    The world is changing; I think everybody knows that; all the previous assumptions are being broken; we see different powers rising; tensions, camps being formed, where exactly is Africas place.

    Things are really changing around us and where are we? What is our relationship with these people?

    We need to understand and define our relationship with rest of the world; what does Africa offer the world and what does the world offer Africa? he asked.

    As part of activities lined up for event, the Osinbajo also participated in the Africa Europe Foundation (AEF) themed Earthshot 2023 Milestone.

    At the event he posited that Africa had the potential to change the narrative and become the solution to the net zero ambitions of the world.

    I think that agenda is importantthe Climate Positive Growth Agenda

    For me, the next steps are crucial; first, we need to get African governments and Heads of State around this agenda and that is crucial because it is one climate positive that is a win-win situation for Africa and the rest of the world, he said.

    The Osinbajo said there was need to present to each government, where the benefits and trade-offs might lie so that consensus could be reached quickly and effectively.

    He said Africa should be clear about what it wants from the rest of the world, adding that African leaders needed to take a common stance on climate change.

    In his submission at a session with Ibrahim and Ruto, he argued that the global financial system was struggling to respond the challenges of the time.

    The whole system was focused on prescriptions from the World Bank, IMF and other institutions and most times, the prescriptions went the wrong way.

    There wasnt room for emerging frontier, new ideas on how to finance development; and as a result, you find out that the system has not responded to frontier economies, emerging economies, he said.

    While it is true that you can get overseas development assistance at 0.5 per cent; concessional facilities at 0.5; but when you need real development resources, you want to run your own development the way know how, you end up with 10 per cent 15 per cent, 20 per cent.

    Which means that the current financial architecture, to put it bluntly, is rigged against those of us in the global South.

    This is because we cannot meaningfully address our development need using the financial resources from this architecture, he said.

    Stakeholders are of the view that Africas common interest can only gain traction in international discourse if there is a concerted pursuit of the continents interest by African governments. (NANFeatures)

    Source: NAN News

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    10th National Assembly: Averting rancorous legislature through inclusive leadership

    NASS Complex

    By Femi Ogunshola, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    On May 8 the National Working Committee of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) came up with a list of its preferred candidates for the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    The anointed candidates are Sen. Goodwill Akpabio from Akwa-Ibom and Sen. Barau Jubril from Kano for the post of Senate President and Deputy Senate President

    In the House of Reps, the party picked Rep. Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Rep. Benjamin Kalu from Abia for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

    The move for consensus candidates for the leadership of the 10 National Assembly has raised dust among many lawmakers with the members-elect joining the fray.

    The result is alignments and re-alignments as ambitions swell among ranking APC national lawmakers and the civil society organisations canvass a leadership that will emerge through a democratic process, not one imposed on the nation by any interest group or party.

    Many have faulted the move by APC. Some critics say it is against the principle of natural justice for the South East to be edged in race for Senate President while others say it would be insensitive for the North West to produce both the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Reps, leaving out the North Central in the leadership equation.

    Since the APC defied dissenting voices and announced the list of chosen ones, some lawmakers have upped their agitation for a more liberal and democratic process to be used in determining those who will pilot the affairs of the legislature in the next four years.

    Among them are the aggrieved aspirants from the Senate including Abdullaziz Yari (Zamfara), Orji Kalu (Abia), Sani Musa (Niger) and Osita Izunaso (Imo).

    At the lower chamber, some of the aspirants for Speaker have formed a pressure group known as G-7 and recently took their protest to the APC National Secretariat to warn the party of the consequences posed by imposing a leadership on the Green Chamber.

    The aspirants are: Rep Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker, Rep Aliyu Betara, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman, Navy, Rep. Miriam Onuoha (Imo), Sada Soli (Katsina) and Sani Jaji (Zamfara).

    The arrangement has also received reactions from party heavyweights.

    It is trite to aver that it stands logic on the head that one geo-political zone, North-west, in this regard, will be favoured with two presiding officers positions out of four while North-central suffers the consequences for its innocence and shrewd loyalty by having none, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governor said in a recent statement.

    Akeredolu is also the chairman

    Senators-elect across the North-Central geopolitical zone cutting across different political parties.

    In an open letter to APC National Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, they rejected the arrangement which they say did not recognise the regions contribution to the current political dispensation.

    The North Central as a geopolitical zone in Nigeria has paid its dues in the political stability of the country and shall continue to do so.

    But, where we see an open denial of our rights and privileges, we will have no option than to voice out in the interest of the zone and its people we represent, they said.

    If the issue of zoning has been done democratically the APC would have carried other contenders along said Abubakar Chika, a lawmaker in the 8 Assembly speaking about zoning,

    He said the legislature is an independent body therefore should be allowed to elect its own leaders.

    I have been speaking about the injustice we have been having within the APC and it is not because I have an interest in Aliyu Betara but because I am speaking as a former legislature who dont want to see that arm of government being bastardised.

    You can see that in terms of sharing the seat of legislature how APC exclude the North Central, he said.

    Worried by the looming crisis and need have a united Legislature that will have a good working relationship with the Executive, Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima on May 12 held a meeting with a group of lawmakers named Joint Task.

    He told the group that: given the very circumstances that we found ourselves, the stability of the nation is much more important than all other considerations.

    He noted that a rancorous National Assembly would not augur well for the executive.

    Going down memory lane Shettima alleged that: When former President Olusegu Obasanjo lost grip of the National Assembly, his first tenure of was a failure, again, President Muhammadu Buhari could do little in his first tenure because of rancorous relationship between the executive and the legislature.

    What was accomplished in the last four years was because of the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature.

    When former President Goodluck Jonathan lost grip of the National Assembly when Aminu Tambuwal emerged as the Speaker, that rancorous relationship culminate into his defeat in 2015 general election, he further alleged.

    A member of the 8 House of Representatives from Anambra, Rep. Emeka Anohu called on the 10 Assemblys members-elect to prioritse the interest of the nation as they align with interest groups in the run-up to the election of the Speaker.

    Anohu said the office of the Speaker should occupied by a patriot, adding that such a person should be trustworthy, confident, firm, fair, just and must be generally accepted by his colleagues.

    APC has moved to douse the tension generated by its action and assured that it would not be an acrimonious National Assembly as witnessed in 2015.

    The National Vice-Chairman (Southwest) of the party, Mr Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, said the party leadership would bring all aggrieved members together to pacify them.

    Kekemeke spoke at a lecture organised in honour of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti to mark his 97 birthday where he represented President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

    He urged all angry members to suppress their ambition and work with the leadership of the party as family.

    While APC tries to put its house in order observers of developments in the nations political scene urge the party to expedite action on the matter before it is too late.

    They argue that an inclusive and democratically elected leadership would give all lawmakers a sense of belonging and create a harmonious atmosphere which is crucial for the effective discharge of their responsibilities to Nigerians.

    Source: NAN News

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    EFCC officer dies after scuffle with colleagues over suspects items

    EFCC operatives

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    The EFCC has confirmed the death of its operative, Inspector Abel Dickson, after a scuffle with his colleagues over the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention.

    Spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the death during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Uwujaren said that the deceased and two other colleagues, Assistant Superintendent Apata Odunayo and Inspector Ogbuji Tochukwu, were attached to the Sokoto State Command of the commission.

    The spokesman said the two suspects had been arrested and handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

    Uwujaren said the incident happened on May 5, 2023, while the victim died on May 7 at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment.

    There was nothing like shootout among the officers, it was just a scuffle among the three officers who disagreed over discrepancies in the items deposited in the suspects locker and the items include medication and some cash, he said.

    He said that the incident was the first of its kind and the commission would ensure that the erring officers were brought to justice.

    They had disagreed over procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention, leading to a fight, a conduct which the commission frowns at.

    The two officers with whom he had a disagreement have been suspended by the commission and handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The latest information, is that a two-count holding charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrate Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto.

    According to him, both offences are punishable under Sections 60 and 191 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019.

    Without prejudice to the Police investigation, they will in addition, face further disciplinary measures in line with the Commissions staff regulation, he said.

    Uwujaren said the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was saddened by the incident, and had extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

    He has, in addition, assured that the commission will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those implicated in the death of the officer are brought to justice.

    He equally warned staff of the commission to ensure that their conduct at all times is moderated by the established code of behaviour as no act of indiscipline would be tolerated.

    Meanwhile, the remains of the late officer were interred on Saturday May 13 in Jos, Plateau, he said. (NAN)

    Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

    Source: NAN News

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    Plateau PPP agency calls for upgrade of Jos airport to Intl cargo

    Jos PPP Agency boss, Rwang-Dung receiving appointment letter from DG ICRC and Co president of AP3N, Michael Ohiani - Rwang-Dung is appointed as Chairman of the Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Committee of the Africa Public Private Partnership Network (AP3N)

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    The Plateau State Infrastructure Promotion and Regulatory Agency has called for upgrading of the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, to an International Cargo and Agro-allied Airport.

    The Director-General of the agency, Felix Rwang-Dung, made the call when he visited the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Michael Ohiani in Abuja on Monday.

    Rwang -Dung said the purpose of the visit was to intimate Ohiani of the progress recorded so far in the Plateau State Public Private Partnership (PPP) Agency.

    He said the visit was an opportunity to work with the ICRC and take advantage of resources that could be provided to establish an effective PPP agency covering various sectors.

    The support of the ICRC will be required to advance the upgrade of Jos airport so that it can become attractive for private investment participation.

    We are confident that with your distinguished leadership and the ICRC teams guidance and support, we can establish a model sub-National PPP agency.

    This will attract private sector investments for developmental growth in Plateau.

    We believe that the following areas of support from the ICRC will be vital for ensuring that we get the optimum results for the state PPP project, he said.

    Rwang-Dung listed areas of support to include technical assistance, capacity building, stakeholders mapping and introduction to investment communities.

    On technical assistance, Rwang-Dung said the ICRC could help the agency to establish and develop its regulatory policy, contract and risk templates, and frameworks.

    He appealed to the commission to sponsor capacity building programmes for members of the team and key civil servants on site.

    These programmes will help enhance the knowledge and skills of our staff members and key government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, he said.

    Rwang-Dung solicited the guidance of ICRC to provide support on stakeholder engagement strategies, which he said was a critical element towards ensuring the success of any future PPP projects.

    He said it was optimistic that the ICRC would accede to its requests.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Rwang-Dung was officially presented with his letter of appointment as the Chairman of the Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Committee of Africa Public Private Partnership Network (AP3N) by Ohiani.

    NAN also reports that Ohiani was the Co-President of the AP3N.

    Ohiani, while presenting the letter, assured Rwang -Dung of the support of the ICRC.

    Present at the event included AP3N Regional Coordinator for Central Africa, Femi Pat-Natson, and Regional Coordinator for West Africa, Mrs Ijeoma Ogoke. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vivian Ihechu

    Source: NAN News

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    Passport shortage: Nigerians in Russia laud Aregbesolas intervention

    Prof. Maurice Okoli, President Nigerian community in Russia

    By Muhyideen Jimoh

    The Nigerian community in Russia has commended the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbosola for his intervention at ensuring Nigerians abroad get their international passports in real time.

    Prof. Maurice Okoli, President Nigerian community in Russia gave the commendation in a statement issued on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Okoli stated that Aregbesola dismantled all obstacles in passport procurement, noting that the minister had blamed enemies of the country as undermining the effort of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS).

    He described Aregbesola as very knowledgeable about the problems facing so many Nigerians in obtaining passports and visas at various Nigerian missions abroad.

    Your innovative management approach and styles intrigue the Nigerian community in Russia.

    The honorable minister in his own words has said what is in the minds of many Nigerians, that corrupt officials are undermining the effort of the Nigerian immigration services at sanitising the passport application process.

    The minister went further to say that the excuse of passport shortage is a lie being circulated by a few corrupt officials of the service to extort the applicants.

    He went even further to describe them as unscrupulous people who are making the situation difficult by the day.

    He told Nigerians not to tolerate them and said that they will not exist if Nigerians fiercely resist them, Okoli quoted Aregbesola as saying.

    Okoli urged the immigration department of the Nigerian Embassy in Russia to take note of the ministers opinion in serving Nigerians in Russia.

    This, he said would go a long way in complementing the effort of His Excellency, Amb. Shehu Abdullai Yibaikwal in tackling the problems facing Nigerians in Russia due to the Russian Special operation in Ukraine.

    Okoli said it would also tackle the problems facing Nigerians in Russia due to sanction slammed on Moscow. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ekemini Ladejobi

    Source: NAN News

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    UN, EU, others decry electoral gender-based violence against women

    Post-elections conference in Abuja on Electoral Gender-Based Violence

    By Taiye Agbaje

    The United Nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday condemned gender-based violence against women during elections.

    Ms Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said violence against women in elections had been recognised as one of the key obstacles to advancing womens participation in public life.

    Violent acts committed towards women are gender-based and they tend to discourage women from being politically active.

    It is often used to intimidate women from practising their political rights in the first place, she said.

    Eyong spoke during a post-elections conference in Abuja that was titled: Where Do We Stand Regarding Electoral Gender-Based Violence?

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Spotlight Initiative, UN Women and EU in partnership with Canadian government.

    According to Eyong, some women have had to quit their positions after receiving death threats.

    Some women have also often withdrawn from public life citing abuse including online abuse and cyberbullying.

    Women candidates have faced various forms of targeted, gender-based violence, she said.

    Eyong said lack of data on violence against women in politics (VAWP) had negatively affected evidence-based advocacy for influencing changes in laws and policies and for establishing comprehensive protection systems for women in politics.

    Mrs Samuela Isopi, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said it was a well-known fact that women are underrepresented in Nigerias political environment.

    Unfortunately, the 2023 elections show a trend in the wrong direction, she said.

    Isopi, represented by Esme Stuart, Project Manager, Human Rights and Gender Section, said concerted efforts must be made to break the barriers to meaningful participation of women in leadership positions.

    According to her, the full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies.

    Mrs Djifa Ahado, Head of Cooperation, Government of Canada, corroborated that the 2023 elections saw another decrease in the overall number of women candidates, while the overall number of women elected to office at the national and state levels remained relatively unchanged.

    Ahado, who said that the country now ranks as one of the lowest in womens representation in African Parliaments, said: Together, we need to sustain the efforts and the advocacy to see a real change happening.

    Ms Aishatu Abubakar, who is the AIG, Gender Advisor, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, said during the 2023 general elections, the Nigerian police ensured that the vulnerable groups like the pregnant women, nursing mothers, people living with disabilities, the ageing population, were given priority to cast their votes.

    We are gender sensitive and gender responsive. The Nigerian police is mindful of issues of gender-based violence in Nigeria, she said.

    Also speaking, the National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani admitted that violence and stigmatisation contributed to low women participation in politics.

    He said women are the biggest player in the art of growing a stable society, hence, the need to encourage them.

    A university professor, Mrs Joy Ezeilo, hinted that out of about 1, 533 women candidates in the 2023 general elections across the country, only 72 candidates won their elections.

    She said in the Senate, three women won the seats as against eight women currently in the upper house while 14 women were elected in the House of Representatives.

    She described the trend as disturbing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Sadiya Hamza

    Source: NAN News

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    Nasarawa traditional ruler inaugurates 30 cabinet members
    By Blessing Ibegbu

    The Luvu Madaki community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has inaugurated 30 cabinet members to oversee the progress and development of the community.

    The village head of the community, Madaki Musa, during the coronation at his palace in Luvu, urged the new cabinet members to ensure peace in their various domains.

    According to him, the cabinet members are expected to facilitate easy and speedy development of the community.

    The 30 cabinet members, who now hold different titles, will be assisting the king in making key decisions and executing them.

    Just like most communities in the country, the cabinet will help in ensuring peace, growth, security and coexistence of the people and others who settle here, he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cabinet members were given titles like Santali, Galadima, Aminiya, DanIya, DanMaliki, Sarkin Yaki, Dalatu, Gimbiya, Madaki, Kuyabmana, Abananya and Pakachi.

    Others are Magaji, Sarkin Noma, Aboki Sarki, Danmasani, Shamaki, Awodo-maijinda, Jidoniya, Magajiya Luvu, Ajiya, Tafida, Jakadiya, Makama, DanGaladima, Giko, Wakili, Machi, Secretary and Dogari.

    Mr Afami Habila, the Padaki of Luvu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) expressed gratitude to the community for the honour.

    He promised to ensure that the community got the best of their services within and after the period they would serve.

    Habila said that the community would achieve its dreams as they new leaders would project it positively far above its current status in the state.

    Also speaking, the Jidoniya of Luvu Madaki, Mrs Grace NaAllah, pledged her unreserved commitment to the growth and progress of the community.

    Mr Tanko Todayi, the Aboki Sarki of Luvu community, whose task involves serving as The Kings friend, said his duty was to serve the community.

    My commitment to the community will be unquestionable, he said.

    He said that aside helping to grow and develop the community, another special duty was to ensure the safety of the king.

    NAN reports that other traditional leaders from other neighbouring communities, who graced the occasion, pledged their support to the community.

    Among them are Silas Musa of Aso Pada, Micah Rabo of Jankawa, Gaiya Shifilo of Apiawoyi, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

    Source: NAN News

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    Boys Brigade helmsman solicits partnership on infrastructure development
    By Bridget Ikyado

    The newly elected National President of Boys Brigade Nigeria, Prof. Samson Duna, has called for partnership to train the boy-child for future leadership responsibilities.

    Duna who made the call at his investiture on sunday in Abuja, said that the brigade was designed to discipline the boy-child and train him in the fear of God.

    He said that the brigade had existed in Nigeria for 120 years and all its efforts were geared towards installing in the boy-child, responsible leadership and fatherly skills.

    As an organisation, we have a lot of challenges, we need to have basic facilities needed in training, we do not have a standard headquarters.

    We are constructing nine two-bedroom residential flats and we want all well meaning Nigerians to partner with us, join hands with us to complete the project.

    We intend to rent each of them at N800,000 for a year and use the funds generated to address the needs of boys in the country, he said.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora, expresses worry at the rate of moral decadence among young people especially the LGBT community.

    According to him, medically when a baby is born, the gender is determined but there is a movement that wants the child to become of age and to decide to be a male or female.

    Making reference to the Bible, the minister said that we are the salt of the earth and the metaphor of salt is significant as it is the greatest preservative.

    As Christians we are called to protect societal values and we must protect it; the force of morality is greater than the force of law as demonstrated in the story of the Good Samaritan.

    That is what we are called upon to do, he said, he said.

    Mamora prayed God to grant strength to Duna to manage the Herculean tasks and urged the boys bridgade not to rest or their oars.

    In a sermon, the Senior Pastor of Evagenliical Church Winning All (ECWA) Rev. Ogidi Dickson, called on faithful to be ministry minded in all the days of their lives in their dealing with one another.

    Dickson explained that being ministry minded was to make life better for other persons, irrespective of title, tribe or race.

    He said that whatever privilege God gave, it should be used to benefit people in the community, especially the poor and the weak.

    The cleric said that God-given privileges did not last forever, charging Christians to make maximum use of it while available.

    He called on public officials to be mindful of their roles and play them in accordance with the rules and regulations and not for personal interest.

    The Executive Secretary of Boys Brigade Ghana, Rev David Aglo, said that the Ghanaian delegation had come to show solidarity.

    According to him, the visit is to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana because there has been a long relationship and should be strengthened.

    He presented gift items, including symbol of authority and friendship to the newly elected national president. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

    Source: NAN News

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