By Rukayat Moisemhe

The House of Representatives Committee on Industry has tasked the Bank of Industry (BOI) to intensify efforts in alleviating poverty in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Dolapo Badru, gave the charge during the committees oversight visit to BOI headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.

Badru noted that the bank had a key role to play in repositioning Nigeria economically, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: The Bank of Industry is doing a fantastic job because they have been able to help industries to remain afloat in this COVID-19 era.

Do not forget that the commercial banks charge the least minimum of 18 per cent, but BOI has gone from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.

They are not only dealing with corporate institutions, but Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well.

We are trying to let them know that they have to do better in the area of orientation so that more Nigerians can benefit.

There are lots of unemployed youths out there that can benefit from the youth programmes.

A lot of women have benefited so far in the minimum of five million naira or more in terms of loans and the vulnerable people are the women and youths.

They have gone so far to ameliorate the suffering of the people. There is still a lot to be done, there are still lots of communities to be reached and many lives to be touched.

On his part, Mr Olukayode Pitan, BOI Managing Director, thanked the lawmakers for the visit, adding that it provided an opportunity to deliberate on how to move the bank forward using legislative instruments.

Pitan said: This is the primary committee that oversees the Bank of Industry.

We also have the Senate Committee on Industry, we are a licenced bank and we have the Central Bank of Nigeria also.

We have Fitch Rating, we have Moodys Rating and these are done annually, there is also KPMG so there are many areas of control.

He said the BOI had done well and was able to do more interventions in the past year, but would double its efforts to ensure that more Nigerians benefit from its interventions. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

SDG interventions and healthcare delivery in Adamawa

A news analysis by Muhammad Auwal Adam
Adamawa in the North East zone of Nigeria has 21 local government areas with an estimated population of about four million being served by three general hospitals in Mubi, Numan and Ganye and a Specialists Hospital in Yola.

Efforts by the previous administrations in the state to improve the health sector have not yielded much result.

According to the state Ministry of Health report, there are some local government headquarters that have no access to standard health facility.

However, with the recent Federal Government health intervention programme through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) , Adamawa state healthcare delivery have recorded gigantic improvement.

The Yola Specialist hospital was established in 1938 by the Colonial Administration as a general hospital to cater for the people of present-day Adamawa.

Since the establishment of the hospital 83 years ago it has never experienced a general rehabilitation and upgrade like what is currently going now under the Sustainable Development Goal project.

The hospital structures had been completely changed to a healthcare facility of international standard. The revamping is noticed right from the main entrance gate, access road and walkway in the Specialists Hospital.

All the wards in the Hospital were rehabilitated and furnished with new standard facilities that include beds and other important equipment that make healthcare provision easy and hospitable. Other facilities provided include the hospital Laboratories, Theatre Units, Pharmacist department and Morgue.

The SDG project was also extended to our parts of the state. In Hong local government area, the SDG built a 100-bed standard Referral Hospital with 20 blocks of Doctors quarters and standard laboratories.

The project was completed and waiting for formal inauguration.

Also, under the SDG health care projects, the Great Yola Cottage Hospital in Girei local government area has reached a high level of completion.

The 40-bed capacity cottage Hospital was equipped with standard Laboratories with MRI, and Doctors quarters as well as Emergency Unit and road network.

The Sustainable Development Goal was also involved in the building of another 40-bed cottage Hospital with laboratory and staff quarters in Yolde Pate area in Yola South local government area of the state.

Another SDG health project in Adamawa was the 20-bed capacity Hospital in Paria village in Fufore local government area.

According to Dr Amos Haruna, a private health practitioner in Yola, the SDG health intervention was the most comprehensive health intervention in the state.

Haruna said that with the rehabilitation of Yola Specialists Hospital and construction of four new standard health facilities by SDG in the state, the issue of health care service and referral had been solved.

When I entered Yola Specialists Hospital last week , I was bemused with the changes that has taken place in the legendary health institution. I saw a new beautiful outlook of the Hospital.

In fact, the hospital now can compete with any standard health facility in the country.

However, I want to see this gesture extended to the staff where their capacity will be improved, Haruna said.

Dr Isa Gambo, also a health practitioner based in Yola, said that from the huge healthcare intervention of SDG, accessing of standard healthcare by residents would now be easy and affordable.

The SDG huge Healthcare intervention in the state will really solve many health challenges facing the state. The development will assist in reducing rate of morbidity and mortality in the state.

It will also make available some treatments that people have to be referred to other states , such as cancer treatment, MRI laboratory check-up among other useful treatment, Gambo said. (NAN)

*Please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) if used

Source: NAN News

By Sandra Umeh

A former Minsiter of Education Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili on Wednesday, called for the inclusion of more women in leadership positions and decision making process in Nigeria.

Ezekwesili spoke at the inaugural virtual conference of the International Womens Day hosted by the Nigerian Bar Association Womens Forum (NBA-WF)

The conference had as its theme: Pathways to Diversity: Challenging blind spots and powering up for inclusion.

Delivering the key note address, Ezekwesili congratulated the leadership of the NBA-WF for their initiative in putting the conference together.

She noted that the deliberations on diversity or differences was being driven by those considered as the marginalised in the society.

In all the differences or diversities that we have seen, gender difference has become so pronounced in terms of a lack of recognition of it as an important factor for building resilence in society.

Society, according to the divine who created it, is not made up of one gender, men and women make up society.

In most societies and even globally, data shows that it divides equally in a unique way; so, women are 50 per cent of the population even in Nigeria, she said

According to Ezekwesili, everytime people make the mistake of ignoring this data, they build a homogenous and exclusive society as well as companies which are not representative of gender profile.

She noted that in most parts of the world, women are visibly absent in decision making process as well as in the formulation of economic and monetary policies.

In relation to law as a discipline, she also noted that only about 25 per cent of women are in full legal practice, adding that motherhood or maternity which was perceived in the past as a hinderance, should no more be the case today as women are vested with potentials.

She urged the leadership of the NBA-WF to identify obstacles standing in the way of full participation of female lawyers in bar activities, and work out modalities in tackling these obstacles so as to ensure inclusiveness of women.

With this, Ezekwesili then declared the conference open.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the NBA, Mr Olumide Akpata, congratulated the womens forum for putting in place such conference

According to him, the conferences theme is as topical and it is critical adding that International Womens Day is a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Regrettably, however, there remains those less talked about issues and unconscious biases which have historically contributed and continued to contribute to the suppression of the female folk.

It is in this regard that we must applaud the organisers of this conference for selecting the theme.

I have always said that we have not scratched the surface in terms of the role that the legal profession in Nigerian can play in, and for, the Nigerian economy.

This is why I continue to espouse the view that relative to our population, we do not have too many lawyers in Nigeria; We just have too many of our lawyers crowded in the same practice area.

I have therefore, made it a cardinal policy of my administration to emphasise on the opening up of new frontiers of practice for our lawyer

I also promised to support the NBA-WF in the quest to establish a sexual harassment policy for the legal profession in Nigeria amd I wish to use this occasion to restate that promise, he said

Akpata pledged the NBAs continued effort in promoting inclusiveness at the bar.

In her opening remarks, chairperson, of the conference planning committee, Mrs Chinyere Okorocha, said that there should now be a desire for women to rise up and explore opportunities.

She said that indeed, women in diverse fields and in law, have come a long way in rewriting the stereotypical narratives imposed by society.

Today, we can give a little girl born in any state, the dream of not only becoming a lawyer, but of striving for and attaining the very pinnacle of the legal career, whether as a private practitioner, an in-house counsel, a public defender or on the bench.

Whilst many challenges still abound, we must recognise that the price for the successes achieved so far, did not come easy.

She said that the onus is therefore, on us to ensure that the sacrifices were not in vain and women must now push further and harder until the work is done.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries recognised at the event included: The First Lady of Taraba State, Mrs Anna Isiaku, First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke among other dignitaries. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Wednesday, paid a total sum of N500 million to some state and local government retirees.

Presenting cheques to the retirees at Cultural Centre, Abeokuta,the governor apologised on behalf of the past administration for the delay in the payment of their gratuities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had, in an agreement between government and labour leaders, promised to be paying N500 million quarterly as gratuities to the pensioners.

Abiodun, who noted that many of the payments were inherited liabilities from the past government,assured that the process of paying the gratuities had started and would definitely continue.

He said that the N500 million, presented to 257 beneficiaries, represented the quarterlypayment of gratuity to them.

This is a promise made and promise kept. I promise to do this on quarterly basis.

We are gradually getting out of the economics of COVID-19 and it is just reasonable that as we give other sectors of the economy due attention for their post COVID-19 sustainability, our elder statesmen and women also deserve due attention.

Apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, let me also assure our elder statesmen and women that we are committed to providing other opportunities for them under our social welfare scheme.

I enjoin our dear elders to take advantage of our administrations various social intervention programmes.

For those of you, who are into micro and small businesses, you can key into Okowo Dapo, a micro-credit scheme that provides a window for women to access financial resources.

It empowers our people to expand their micro and small businesses, he said.

The governoralso urged the retirees to continue in their support, cooperation and prayers, not only for the successful implementation of government programmes, but also, for the continued development of the state.

As retirees, you have served Ogun, you are an embodiment of wisdom and no responsible government will toy with its source of wisdom.

We enjoin you to continue to put forward your contributions and elderly advice at all times, he said.

Earlier,the state Chairman,Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Waheed Oloyede,commended the governor for the gesture.

Oloyede, however,appealed to Abiodun to increase the payment of gratuities to N1billion quarterly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the report of the Auditor General for the Federation on accounting and financial infractions by Government and International Organisations.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Abdullahi Abdulkadir (APCBauchi) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Moving the motion, Abdulkadir said that the AGF had raised several queries on the federation account, particularly covering 2015 to 2017 as regards losses of income due to leakages.

He said that the quarries further bothered on financial misapplication, misappropriation, under-reporting and falsification.

He added that this was corroborated by the Forensic Audit Report by KPMG that indicted some agencies over losses of up to N526 billion and 21 billion dollars.

He noted that the losses were allegedly occasioned by an interplay of activities of persons both in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.

This according to him, include multinational companies and the continued exploitation of Nigerias economy through the deployment of deceitful and irregular accounting practices.

He said that that had resulted in huge capital flight, deficit balances and a weakened economy.

Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) confer on the legislature power to investigate with the aim of exposing corruption, he said.

The lawmaker said that if urgent steps were not taken to address the hydra-headed issues, they might lead to a total collapse of the economy with its attendant social and political crisis;

Meanwhile, the House has mandate the Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the allegations and report back within eight weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the successful implementation of the UN- Habitat activities in the country.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH), Mrs Bolade Akinola, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinola quoted he Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, as making the reaffirmation when a delegation from the UN-Habitat Mission paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.

Aliyu assured the UNHabitat that the ministry would continue to ensue more of Federal Government voluntary contribution to its activities.

The minister added that the agenda of establishing a regional Multi Country office, West Africa in Abuja for the organisation was being pursued by the ministry.

He expressed Nigerias desire to initiate the establishment of a broad based Multi Sectoral National Habitat Advisory Committee.

The committee, he said, would be charged with the responsibility of advising the government on the domestication and implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in Nigeria.

It would seek intervention programmes for implementation pertaining to the NUA and mobilising sources of donor to UN Habitat activities.

While urging the UN body to fast track the Yobe Project because of the slow procurement process, Aliyu also stressed the need to coordinate the implementation of the HAPSO and African Urban Agenda Work plans.

We are able to restore normalcy in the area. I urge you to fast track the Yobe project which we discussed earlier, the procurement process is slow, he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation Mr Mathias Spaliviero said his team was in the country to engage national partners with respect to proposed and ongoing COViD-19 intervention project and implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Spaliviero, also the Senior Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Africa, said he wanted to intimate the minister on their activities on the Sustainable Development Goals amongst other activities.

He gave the status of the on-going Karu Swedish International Development Agency, (SIDA)/UN-Habitat project and its replication in the North East especially Yobe State before taking it to other areas of the country as a National Programme of intervention.

The officer stated that the SIDA had made available a grant of 220 dollars to carry out emergency wash, health and other Urban Planning interventions in Karu peri-urban settlements in Nassarawa State.

The official said that was to help mitigate the negative health and social economic impacts of COVID 19 pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Zainab Oyekan

A Central Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama in Jos on Wednesday, sentenced a 34 year-old , Chinese businessman, Arvin Wu to three months imprisonment for receiving stolen rproperty of the

A panel of two magistrates, Ghazali Adam and Hyacinth Dolnaan, sentenced Arvin, after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates Adam and Dolmaan, however, gave him an option to pay a fine of N50,000.

Earlier, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Dec. 27, 2020 arrested the convict.

The NSCDC said that the stolen property were recovered from Arwin.

The offence, the NSCDC said, contravenes the provisions of Section 302 of Plateau Penal Code Law and also Section 3(1) (e) (i ) (f) of the NSCDC. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Eritrea Ministry of Education announced, on Tuesday, it will resume educational classes in April.

Classes have been suspended for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the ministry said that educational institutions ranging from kindergarten level to high schools will reopen on April 1.

Easing of restrictions is prompted by the imperative to ensure academic continuity and will be undertaken under robust preventive measures, said the statement.

Eritrea has so far recorded 3,118 COVID-19 cases and seven COVID-19 related deaths.

The country confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 21, 2020. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Amen Gajira

A Customary Court in Kafanchan on Wednesday sentenced a teenager, Isaac John, to three years in a correctional facility for stealing a motorcycle.

The presiding Judge, George Gwani, however, gave the convict an option of N60, 000 fine.

The Police had charged John with theft, an offence contrary to the provisions of Section 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Insp. Esther Bishen, told the court that one Adamu Garba, a commercial motorcyclist, reported the matter at the Kafanchan Divisional Police Station on March 17.

Bishen said that Garba alleged that John boarded his motorcycle from BCC to Sabo area of Kafanchan.

The complaint however said that on getting to a bush along the road, the defendant sprayed pepper on his face and went away with the motorcycle.

According to her, the defendant was arrested with the motorcycle two days later.

When the charge was read to him, John pleaded guilty and prayed the court for leniency.

The prosecutor, thereafter, prayed the court to try the defendant summarily in line with Section 125(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ramatu Garba

A Magistrate on Wednesday ordered a 25-year-old man, Adamu Sabiu, to sweep the court premises for seven days for cheating.

Chief Magistrate, Mustapha Saad-Datti, convictedSabiu, who lives in Dandago Quarters Kano, of two counts of cheating, contrary to section 322 of the Penal Code.

Saad-Datti also cautioned Sabiu against committing crimes and to be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Asmau Ado, told the court that the complainant, Bashir Suleiman, who resides in Kwanar Jaba Quarters Kano, reported the matter at the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID) on March 9.

Ado said on March 1, at about 10 a.m. the defendant begged the complainant to give him his Infinix S5 cell phone worth N55,000 to enable him call his relatives.

The defendant, he said, ran away with the saidcell phone.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ikuru Lizzy

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has threatened to embark on a warning strike if the Federal Government continued to delay the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Mr Nwachukwu Anthony, Rivers Chairman of JUSUN, told newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that the union had decided to embark on the warning strike as soon as the 21-day ultimatum issued to the government lapsed on March 15.

He alleged that the executive arm of the Federal and State Governments had over the years refused to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, which is the third arm of the government.

This refusal is clearly a way of enslaving the staff and making them subservient.

Our major demand is that if financial autonomy is not implemented it will lead to a total shutdown of all judicial facilities across the country, Nwachukwu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that about three years ago, the Federal Government promised to negotiate with judicial staff on a better welfare package. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
Obong of Calabar Ekpo-Okon Otu V has commended the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi for enhancing the relationship between the university and host communities.

Otu gave the commendation on Wednesday in Calabar when Obi and her management team visited the palace to invite him to the 34th convocation of the institution on March 27.

The Obong said that since the VC assumed office in Dec. 1, 2020, she has continued to involve the host communities in all activities in the institution.

He maintained that such harmonious relationship promotes peaceful co-existence and good image of the university.

I am particularly happy that the current VC is promoting the corporate image of the university by carrying all stakeholders along, especially the host communities.

We have had closer interactions with her; I must say that she is very straightforward and upright.

I want to assure you that the Palace will continue to give you the support that you need, he said.

He assured the VC that he was going to lead members of his cabinet to attend the convocation.

Speaking earlier, the VC extolled the virtues of the Obong and his cabinet members, saying that the Palace has given the institution the support it needs.

On behalf of the Senate of the university of Calabar, we are here today to invite the Obong of Calabar and members of his Palace to the 34th convocation ceremony of the institution scheduled for March 27.

Let me use this opportunity once again to thank the Obong of Calabar for all his advice, contributions and suggestions toward the growth of the university, she said.

The VC also visited the Paramount Rulers of Calabar South, Prof. Itam Hogan and that of Calabar Municipality, Eta Eteta III, to invite them for the convocation.

Both Paramount Rulers commended her for always carrying them along in the activities of the institution and assured her of their presence during the convocation.

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker
The Victim Support Fund (VSF) Emergency Taskforce on COVID-19 on Wednesday took donated items to three schools in Edo to curb the spread of the disease.

This was part of its third phase of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project following the successful implementation of the first and second phases of the intervention in curtailing the virus.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the three benefiting schools were each given a solar powered borehole, four hand wash stations and 2,000 pieces of reusable facemasks.

Other items are five pieces of four litre hand sanitizers, 120 bottles of 500ml liquid hand wash and five cartons of bleach.

The benefiting schools include Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) and Itohan Girls Grammar School in Benin and Ewohimi Secondary School, Ikeken Ewohimi Esan South East Local Government Area.

Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Chairman of the VSF taskforce disclosed that the hand-wash stations have been set up and the schools supplied with liquid hand-wash, sanitisers and bleach.

Akerele-Ogunsiji said that VSF would continue to provide succour to vulnerable Nigerians as well as give institutional support to agencies involved in the fight against COVID-19.

She urged the management of the benefiting schools to maintain the facility for the overall improvement of health of students and staff.

Mrs Betsy Obaseki, wife of the Edo Governor, while inaugurating the facilities, commended the quality of work, adding that the solar powered boreholes would have no challenge of light.

She also commended the complementary role of VSF in assisting government achieve its goal protecting residents.

Mrs Veronica Egbon, principal, AGGS, Senior Secondary, said the facilities donated would help eradicate COVID-19 in the school.

She appealed to the Edo Government to help in the electrification of the school in order to power the automated hand wash.

Source: NAN News

By Priscilla Osaje

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has released a new short film, The Student, which creates awareness against sexual and gender-based violence (GBV).

The renowned actress, who frown at sexual and GBV issues that have become a thing of concern, took to her instagram handle @stephanielinus in a video clip, to announce the movie to fans and Nigerians, where she condemned the act in tertiary institutions.

There is help available! The prevalence of sexual harassment of female students in tertiary institutions is worrisome.

Many students are threatened with exam failure or other disturbing consequences if they refuse to succumb.

In this short film, we attempt to capture a scenario of how a young girl was able to get out of the trap of harassment.

Sexual harassment thrives when perpetrators are able to subject their victims into silence.

I would like to say to every young girl who might be experiencing this in one form or the other you have a voice, and it is time to use it!

Click on the link above to watch the short film and lets have a conversation about your thoughts in the comment section, she wrote.

The Student, a movie that called to action short film created by Linus and scripted by Adeola Adeyemo, followed the story of Jumi.

Jumi, a high-flying student, who fell victim to a lecturer with a history of sexual harassment.

The movie, which was directed by Chinedu Ben, also featured some film stars like Mary Agholor, Samuel Abah and Beshel Francis, among others.

The Student movie project, which was supported by @UNFPA, happens to be the second project of Linus productions for UNFPAs campaign on sexual and GBV.

The movie followed her Hey Woman monologue which debuted on March 1, celebrating International womens day.

Stephanie Okereke-Linus is a Nigerian actress, film maker and entrepreneur.

She is the Executive Director of Extended Hands Foundation, a non-governmental organisation which helps to facilitate free treatment for women and girls with obstetric fistula.

Her natural acting abilities and tenacity have earned her the reputation of one of the best actresses in Nollywood and African continent at large.

The renowned actress career rocketed ever since she debuted as an actress in the 1997 Nigerian movies, Compromise 1

By Bayo Olawunmi

Twelve Nigerians have been accredited to officiate in the 2021/2023 international basketball window.

Afolabi Oni, the Media Coordinator of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said this followed the conclusion of the 2021 Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) Commissioner and Referees examinations on Monday.

Oni added that current Technical Representative on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board, Adamu Janlong, was retained as Match Commissioner alongside Adeola Oboro and Akinsehinde Ishola.

Also, Lai Alimi made a return to the continent as a certified referee alongside renowned FIBA referee Kingsley Ojeaburu.

Others are Lagos-based Samuel Shofoluwe, Ayodeji Oladeji from Ibadan, Afolabi Ikuomola from Lagos, Opeyemi Ogunleye from Abuja and Gambo Musa from Jigawa.

New entrant Fatima Ibrahim from Abuja is the only female that passed the exam and physical test.

She is set to make her debut on the continent alongside Samuel Nuhu from Abuja who completed the 12-man list, he stated.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Mr Paul Edeh, Chairman, Naija Ratels football club of Abuja, has said that the love for the girl-child and not money propelled him into establishing two female football outfits.

Edeh, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Wednesday also said that he was moved by the huge gaps in the financial benefits between the male and female football players.

You discover that the transfer fees for the male cadre is huge compared to the female category.

In view of this, I thought it was an opportunity to make the difference because people dont like to venture into it, he said.

The Naija Ratels Chairman further said that the rate of neglect of the girl-child in the society and disparity in monetary gains in various government owned clubs necessitated his action.

Another reason which propelled me to venture into this is the rate at which the government has paid less attention to female players in various football clubs.

You will see that opportunities are given more to the male folk in almost every sector of the society, including football.

There is disparity in terms of players remuneration in government owned clubs to the extent I felt, perhaps, maybe because they didnt have the opportunity of becoming medical doctors or lawyers as every other person.

I see this as an opportunity to help them make a career out of football since they have chosen it as a trade hoping that it will provide them the platform to excel in life.

I could have been discouraged when we started in Benue because we did badly in all the games we played having lost 0-5 and 0-7 to the national under-17 and under-20 female teams respectively.

We also went to the amateur playoffs and finished the tournament on the last spot.

This could have discouraged us but what we were doing wasnt about money or what we stand to gain, but for the girl-child, Edeh said.

He noted that the team had improved tremendously following aggressive recruitments they did from the grassroots.

He further said that over N100 million had been spent to pay salaries of his players and officials as well as registration for the NECO and WAEC examinations of those in secondary school.

Edeh added: We have spent our money on scholarships for our players; the scholarships are 100 per cent and some are in the university.

We have paid WAEC fees for 15 players who are in secondary school and we are paying for another 20 players who are to write NECO.

This gesture is for the players of Naija Ratels, a team based in Abuja, and its sister club Honey Badgers, based in Makurdi, Benue.

NAN reports that Niaja Ratels are among the nine female clubs in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Championship Division, also known as Division One.

Others clubs in the division are Kwara Ladies FC, Ubakala Queens FC, Kaduna Queens FC, Invincible Angels FC, Moje Queens FC, Female Machine FC, Omidiran Babes FC and Beautiful Tours Angels FC. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to virtually declare open the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled to commence in Edo on April 2.

Musa Ebomhiana, Head of Media and Communications, Local Organising Committee (LOC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that President Buhari would virtually declare the fiesta officially open on April 6, four days after its commencement.

Ebomhiana said the April 2 commencement date for the event was sacrosanct and remained unchanged among parties, unlike the previous times when they were later changed.

The presidency has graciously agreed to declare the Games open on April 6, after the Easter holiday, he said.

Ebomhiana, who is also the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, noted that the state had been ready for the games since March 2020.

He said the state had all the equipment and facilities on ground preparatory for the commencement of the games before the coronavirus pandemic struck and then the lockdown.

According to Ebomhiana, the NSF will witness few changes in its format following the drastic reduction in the number of athletes and officials expected at the games.

The two-phase plan will no longer hold because the number of athletes and officials has reduced from 14,000 to 8,000; this reduction is almost half the initial expected number.

So, there might be no need for the two-phase arrangement, but we have insisted on the production of COVID-19 vaccination certificates by all the athletes and officials coming from the 36 states and the FCT.

They must present these certificates before they can be allowed to enter the Games Villages.

Aside showing the certificate of COVID-19 vaccination, there must be evidence of athletes and officials taking the vaccine at least 12 days to their arrival in Edo.

All other protocols put in place must be observed too, Ebomhiana said.

He added that the Main Organising Committee (MOC) had since last week Friday officially communicated the necessary information to the 36 states and the FCT.

The NSF LOC official also added that the Edo Deputy Governor, who doubles as LOC Chairman, had also issued a statement on the information.

Ebomhiana explained that the information, especially as it concerned COVID-19 guidelines, were communicated to state contingents as officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and PTF on COVID-19 would be on ground to enforce the protocols.

He further explained the NCDC and PTF officials would arrive in the state four days to the arrival of officials and delegates to ensure the COVID-19 guidelines were adhered to.

There wont be any opportunity of anybody being vaccinated at the venue; one must have been vaccinated at least 12 days before coming, and certificates presented, if not, we wont allow the person or team into our Games villages. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

The Niger Government has announced the outbreak of avian influenza (flu) in a cluster of poultry farms in the state.

The Information Officer, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Abubakar Kuta, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Minna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that poultry in the state were being infected by type A flu.

The statement disclosed that thousands of birds in the state, worth millions of naira, had been lost to the flu.

It advised poultry farmers to be vigilant and to report any incident of sudden high mortality of their birds to the ministry.

The statement advised farmers to maintain strict farm hygiene, restrict movement of vehicles and people into their farms.

It also advised them to disinfect farm premises and utensils to check the transmission of the virus.

It also cautioned farmers against the exchange of egg crates and other equipment from other farms.

The statement advised the public and livestock marketers to minimise contacts with sick and dead birds.

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

Imo Young Professionals, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) of Imo citizens, has expressed displeasure with the spate of insecurity and unemployment in the state in recent times.

Mr Chris Anyanwu, Lead Convener of the group, said this in a news conference in Abuja.

Anyanwu said that insecurity and unemployment had increased beyond the imagination of Imo people.

Anyanwu urged Gov. Hope Uzodinma to present to the people a workable blueprint on how to tackle problem of unemployment and insecurity in the state.

We have said it before and we are restating it today, that we challenge the government of Imo to present to the people a workable blueprint on how the government intends to tackle the problem of unemployment in the state.

This is with the view to prospectively rechanneling the enormous human capital resources that abound in the state, he said.

Anyanwu, who reiterated the concern of his group about the spate of insecurity, said that the state was gradually degenerating to theatre of slaughter.

He said that there was general sense of civil unrest in the state with various degrees of assassinations.

Last month a 64-year-old lawyer and former chairperson of Imo branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ndionyeoma Nwankwo, was murdered in cold blood right in his office at 43 School Road, Owerri.

Just last week, a young man by name Ukachukwu Amadigwe, was gunned down in his prime in Umunnoha Autonomous community, Mbaitoli LGA, on account of frivolous Ezeship tussle.

The Convener, who called on the governor to shun political showmanship, said it was time to rise to his responsibilities of protecting lives and property.

Anyanwu said that in the last one year, the state had maintained the status of Nigerias unemployment capital with the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report.

According to him, cybercrime, otherwise called yahoo yahoo, is on the increase in the state because education is de-emphasised.

Anyanwu, however, called for a collaboration of all Imo people to drive development in the state by urging the governor to galvanise policies that would rescue the state from the doldrums of food and physical insecurity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismail Abdulaziz
Africas largest cement producer, Dangote Cement Plc has remained a major contributor to the economy with a tax charge of N97 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2020, even as it proposed a dividend of N16 per share.

According to the cement groups audited results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the tax charge represents an increase over the sum of N50 billion recorded in 2019.

Dangote Cements Nigerian operations during the period sold 15.9Mt for the full year 2020, compared to 14.1Mt in 2019, which includes both cement and clinker sales.

Looking at the domestic sales alone, Nigerian operations sold 15.6Mt.

Revenues for the Nigerian operations came in at 720.0 billion, owing to demand in the domestic market.

This volume growth was enhanced by a successful innovative national consumer promotion Bag of Goodies Season 2 and lower rains in the third quarter compared to the previous year.

Dangote Cement posted a record high Pan-African Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 71.3 billion.

Within the period under review, the cement group commissioned its gas power plant in Tanzania; Group earnings per share was 16.14.

Dangote Cement recorded strong performance not only at the top line but also at the bottom line, owing to cost saving measures.

In spite of inflationary pressures and foreign exchange volatility, disciplined cost control measures enabled the company to maintain a relatively flat cash cost per tonne.

The cost control measures include improved plant efficiency, better fuel mix and general overhead optimisation.

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos, in his comments on the results, said: 2020 was a good year for Dangote Cement across board. Several firsts made 2020 a productive year such as our maiden clinker shipment, maiden bond issuance and successful buyback programme.

We increased our capacity by 3Mt in Nigeria, commissioned our two export terminals and commissioned our gas power plant in Tanzania. All these were achieved whilst we focused on protecting our people, customers and communities from the impact of the pandemic.

Looking ahead, we have strengthened our Alternative Fuel initiative which focuses on leveraging the circular economy business model and reducing exposure of our cost base to foreign currencies fluctuations. We continue to embed Dangote Cements 7 sustainability pillars into every aspect of our operation and culture.

We remain committed to keeping safe our staff and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation. We are focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate.

Dangote Cement Plc is sub-Saharan Africas largest cement producer with an installed capacity of 45.6Mt across 10 African countries and operates a fully integrated quarry-to-customer business with activities covering manufacturing, sales and distribution of cement.

Dangote Cement has a long-term credit rating of AA by GCR and Aa2.ng by Moodys due to its market leading position, significant operational scale and strong financial profile.

These are evidenced by the companys robust operating and net profit margins relative to regional and global peers, adequate working capital, satisfactory cash flow and low leverage.

Dangote Cement is a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, a diversified and fully integrated conglomerate as well as a leading brand across Africa in businesses such as cement, sugar, salt, beverages, and real estate.

It also has new multi-billion dollar projects underway in the oil and gas, petrochemical, fertiliser and agricultural sectors.

Source: NAN News