By Bosede Olufunmi

Kano State Fire Service says it has put out the fire outbreak that razed 11 offices in Army Bukavo Barrack in Kano.

Saminu Yusuf, the Spokesman of the service, made this known, in a statement, on Friday in Kano.

Yusuf said the fire, which occurred about 9:10p.m, also destroyed four stores and toilets in the building.

On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at 9:19p.m.

The fire was put under control and no live was lost, he said.

He added that the cause of the fire was being investigated.

He urged the public to keep fire extinguishers at home and offices to curtail fire incident. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMoWA) has urged the United Nations Women (UN Women) to prioritise its partnership with the ministry on women and children for optimal results.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director, Press, FMoWA, Mr Shehu Maikai, quoted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Anthonia Ekpa, as urging donor agencies to discuss their programmes with the ministry before engaging its directors.

Ekpa made the call during an interactive session with Mrs Patience Ekoeba, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Ms Comfort Lamptey.

According to Ekpa, the ministry is committed toward ensuring that all donor agencies programmes billed for implementation in the Ministry are coordinated in order to reduce unintended results.

The Ministry will no longer tolerate a situation where International Programmes such as the International Women Day Celebration and other development projects are carried out haphazardly.

The Permanent Secretary called for collaboration between the ministry with development partners in the area of data generation and staff training, staff training on monitoring, research and evaluation of projects.

There is the need for development partners to provide the Ministry with work tools to include, facility for conducting webinar, computers and laptops, she said.

In the area of communication, the Permanent Secretary called on development partners to work with the Ministrys media team to develop videos clips and dramatization on the need for women to get involved in politics as is done in other clime.

The statement also quoted the UN Women representative reiterating their commitment on execution of projects such as the Spotlight Initiative, security and peace programmes and the Women in Governance project. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Edo, says no fewer than 38 suspects have been arrested for various crimes in the state, in the last 10 weeks.

The states Commandant of the corps, Mr George Edem, who was speaking on the achievement of the command during the period under review, said this at a news conference on Friday in Benin.

Edem explained that the suspects were arrested for various criminal offences, ranging from illegal mining, vandalisation of critical national assets, farmers/herders conflict to armed robbery, amongst others.

He also stated that the command, during the period under review, also resolved more than 50 cases between farmers and herders across the state.

The commandant further stated that the command trained 40 personnel as mediators and conflict resolution experts, to mediate and reconcile farmers and herders in the state.

According to him, the Agro Rangers unit of the corps had also put so much effort in ensuring that farmers return to their farms.

The command has also deployed officers and men of the corps to designated schools in the state to curtail the spate of attacks and kidnapping of students.

We are also working out modalities to sensitise students on their personal safety and security.

We are saddened by the abduction of students in some part of the country by suspected bandits.

The NSCDC will continue to play its role to ensure that there is peace in the state and the nation at large, Edem said.

He noted that there was no better time to do it than now.

Eden stressed the need for civil society groups, traditional rulers, as well as religious leaders and security institutions to assist the corps with intelligence reports regarding movement of strangers within their domains.

He stated that intelligence sharing remained key in neutralising the activities of bandits and other criminal elements, within the state.

The Crisis Management unit has carried out rescue operations and controlled volatile situations, he said.

The commandant, however, enjoined citizens of the state to be law abiding, as the corps remained committed to discharging its duty with utmost integrity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

Some youths in the South East under the auspices of Igbo Youths for One Nigeria (IYON) have commended the Federal Government over its Social Investment Interventions in the region.

The group gave the commendation in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr Chukwunyelum Okonta and Secretary, Ms. Chinonye Okoh, on Wednesday in Abuja.

It said that the social investment intervention of the Federal Government, especially the N-Power had not only created employment for the youths but had made them employers of labour.

It explained that apart from skills acquisition in various fields, beneficiaries of the programmes were also given tokens to start their businesses across the five states that made up the South East.

According to the group, the enrolment of good number of South East youths into the Federal Government N-Power and other social safety nets is an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari truly loves the Igbo people.

The group urged beneficiaries of the N-Power in the South East states to help propagate the positive impact of government programmes in the region to restore the peoples confidence in the Federal Government.

It urged Igbo sons and daughters, at home and in the Diaspora to support the Buhari-led administrations efforts toward enthroning national unity and cohesion.

According to it, the disposition and passion of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq for the vulnerable has remained unparalleled.

As an indigenous South East group, we want to let the world know that we have benefitted tremendously from the social investment programmes of the Federal Government.

The idea behind our action is simply to correct the erroneous claims in some quarters that the social investment programme was discriminatory against the South East.

Apart from being self-sufficient and self-reliant, we are also employers of labour, courtesy of the skills acquisition programme of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the group added.

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis says payment of outstanding community levies for the development of ECOWAS institutions will bethe focus at the Extraordinary Session on March 23, in Freetown, Sierra-Leone.

Tunis disclosed this at an interactive session with newmen on Thursday in Abuja in commemoration of the first anniversary of the fifth legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Community Level Assessment Report by the ECOWAS Commission, Member States owed about 797 million dollars as outstanding community levy in the last 16 years.

To address this, Tunis said that strategies on ensuring outstanding and subsequent payments would be the focus of the first physical Extraordinary Session of the fifth legislature scheduled to hold between March 22 and April 3.

The Sierra Leone meeting will be dealing with our strategic plans: What we really intend to do as a Parliament, strategic plans from 2020 to 2024, that is, through the lifespan of the fifth legislature.

We would also have a plan and seminar that will be dedicated to Community Levy, how countries can help the ECOWAS generally to raise funds.

Because there are certain countries that put in a lot of efforts, there are those who are not doing so well.

That is one reason why at that particular Seminar in Freetown, we will have the Commissioner of Finance in the ECOWAS Commission and other players who are directly connected with community levy.

We will also have a resource person from Gambia who is one of those, who actually started the whole idea of community levy in ECOWAS.

So, all of those experts will be in Freetown on March 23to explain to Parliamentarians, to ensure that we are able to raise enough money for our programmes in ECOWAS.

Not just ECOWAS Parliament but ECOWAS institutions generally, we have the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), they are doing extremely well, they are the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

We have the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the Commission is there that is providing the overall coordination for all the institutions.

So, we are expecting that the Sierra Leone meeting, which is the first in-person meeting for ECOWAS Parliament will go a long way to look at all of these issues.

And, to make recommendations to the ECOWAS Commission that will eventually go to the Council of Ministers and to the Authority of Heads of State Tunis said.

According to Tunis, the ECOWAS Parliament is expectant that the meeting would be a success because Parliamentarians come from all of the countries in the sub-region, hence are Ambassadors of their countries to Parliament. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Doris Esa

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, on Thursday inaugurated the 5Council of Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, expressing confidence it could deliver on its mandate.

Nanono, at the ceremony in Abuja noted that the core function of the institute was to offer leadership in the governance of the affairs of the institute

I have no iota of doubt that this council, filled with an array of accomplished Animal Scientists of various professional disciplines will fulfill this core function.

I am particularly happy that the institute since its inception in 2007, it has proved its mettle in the fight to engender national self-sufficiency in safe animal protein intake through appropriate regulations of the livestock industry.

The minister said that the regulations were indeed potent in curbing quackery and promoting safety of animal products and trade competitiveness.

However, there is still a lot of ground to be covered if the institute must fully deliver on its mandate and remain relevant as a key regulatory body in the livestock subsector.

We must forge ahead without losing track of the achievement of the past.

The institute must not shy away from playing a deserved lead role in proffering the needed solution to the current burning issue of incessant conflicts between herders and sedentary farming communities in Nigeria.

According to him, land resource is indeed scarce and not expandable but science has proven that we can generate all we need with renewable agricultural strategies for both crop and livestock production from the available land resource without any form of conflict.

I strongly call on the institute to come up with scientific and practicable models that the government can adopt to finally lay to rest this front burning problem.

The nation needs to quickly transit from this conflict era to becoming a net exporter of premium beef, emulating and surpassing the enviable achievements of countries like Uruguay and others.

Uruguay has metamorphosed over the recent years into a leading exporter of premium beef to the EU, U.S. and even the Chinese markets.

It took Uruguay years of branding, food safety and quality reforms as well as investment to get to that enviable market leadership. It will take us nothing less, he said.

Nanono said that the ministry had handed over the National Livestock Training Centre to the institute.

I am confident that you will put the facility to efficient use not only in training but also in the establishment of model units for livestock production that will impact the economy through improved livestock productivity, he said.

Earlier, President of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Prof. Baba Abubakar, thanked the minister for his support to the institution.

Abubakar also appreciated the hard work, passion and dedication of the institutes founding fathers and mothers adding that our best is yet to come, God willing.

There are two issues that I would like to flag with the minister; one is with regards to the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) which was recently launched by the Federal Government.

I dare say that if there is any organisation that can play a major role in the implementation of this programme, it is certainly NIAS.

This is not far-fetched as we have collection of the requisite technical expertise in virtually all disciplines of animal husbandry to effectively facilitate the implementation of this plan, he said.

He called for the establishment of additional animal husbandry research institutes.

According to him, if we are to compete favorably with the sub-regional, regional or global livestock space, then we need to do the needful by establishing additional livestock research institutes in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

Mrs Karima Babangida, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has said that Nigeria has the potential to produce more than 40 metric tonnes per hectare (mt/ha).

Babangida said this on Thursday at a workshop on cassava production, held at the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, near Umuahia.

She described the country as the worlds leading producer of cassava with 10 mt/ha.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, tagged Capacity building of farmers to address yield gap in cassava production, was organised for youth and women farmers in the South-East.

Babangida, who was represented by the South-East Regional Director of FMARD, Mr Felix Kehis, said there was need for farmers to intensify efforts to improve productivity.

According to her, increased productivity would attract more people and benefits to cassava production.

Nigeria is the worlds leading producer of Cassava, in spite its low yield of 10mt/ha, compared to other countries such as Thailand.

However, the country has the potential of having good varieties that could give more than 40mt/ha, she said.
Babangida said that the workshop was to ensure that the yield gap in cassava production was bridged.

She said the target could be achieved through the dissemination and adoption of improved technologies and innovation by smallholder farmers.

She said that the ministry would continue to support relevant activities of cassava value chain to utilise and produce improved cassava planting materials.

In a remark, the Abia State Director of FMARD, Mr Victor Ihediwa, said the ministry would continue to support relevant activities of cassava value chain.

Ihediwa urged the participants to put all they learnt into use toward achieving the national policy on food security.

In an address of welcome, the Executive Director, NRCRI, Prof. Ukpabi Joseph-Ukpabi, said that FMARD was working towards achieving food and nutrition security in the country through its various activities.

Joseph-Ukpabi, represented by Dr Namdi Eke-Okoro, urged participants to disseminate every knowledge they acquired at the workshop to other farmers.

A participant, Mrs Chinyere Agbai, expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying that the workshop had further enriched her knowledge in cassava farming. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has pledged to support the Federal Government to address insecurity and restore peace in troubled areas of the country.

The Chairman of the Forum and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the forums first physical meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

Tambuwal said that the PDP governors agreed to support the federal government initiatives in ensuring that whatever would re-establish peace in Nigeria, be it discussion, negotiations or kinetic approach.

This is a very productive meeting that review the situation of the country, the security challenges in the country.

As governors of the PDP, we have agreed and resolved to continue to work with the federal government with the sole aim of reestablishing peace in troubled areas of the federation.

We must not play politics with security and we must all work together to ensure that we bring back peace in our land.

So we have agreed to continue to work with the federal government in that regard.

Tambuwal said that the forum however appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to support state governments in the discharge of their mandates.

We are appealing to Mr President to reconsider certain measures by bringing more succour and relief to the people of Nigeria.

He should support state governments in the discharge of their mandate, by making available resources to the States.

This is important so that we can execute our mandate and ensure that we engender good governance and good condition of living in our respective states throughout the country.

On PDP, Tambuwal commended the National Working Committee (NWC) initiative for constituting the National Reconciliation Committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party across the country.

We have received interim report from that committee. They are doing very well and we are encouraging them to continue in that regard.

The governors forum is going to back their efforts strongly so that we can possibly bring back those members of our party who have left out of anger and certain situations.

Tambuwal also said that no member of the forum was contemplating of leaving PDP for another party.

As you can see, most if not all of the governors of the PDP attended this meeting.

This a very clear statement that no governor of PDP is contemplating leaving the party for any other party.

We are brothers and we have committed ourselves to the party and to ensure that we continue to deliver on our mandate to the people of our respective states.

Tambuwal said that the governors also agreed to work together with the NWC of the party to continue with what they started.

On e-registration of members of the party, Tambuwal said the governors appealed to the NWC to immediately set up machinery in motion to actualise it.

He also disclosed that the forum set up three committees on finance, legal matters and legislative interface.

The committee on finance is being led by the forums Deputy Chairman and Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River; legislative matters by the governor of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, and that of legal matters, led by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

On the protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress on alleged plans to move minimum wage from executive to concurrent list, Tambuwal described the accusation by the NLC as misplaced.

He said that no governor advocated for that.

Former Senate President and Chairman, PDP National Reconciliation Committee, Sen. Bukola Saraki, speaking to journalists after the meeting, said the committee briefed the governors on its efforts to reunite the party.

We briefed them on efforts we have made so far, what we have been able to achieve, our strategy, and how we are going to work together, he said.

He said that the committee efforts was already yielding positive results.

We had stakeholders that were not ready working together. Now theyre working together, they are meeting.

We have states where we have differences. People now are coming together.

Also in attendance were governors of Abia, Delta, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Benue, Zamfara states and deputy governor of Adamawa. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange returned to negative territory on Thursday, following sell pressure on Dangote Cement and 10 other stocks.

Consequently, the All-Share Index declined by 234.08 points or 0.60 per cent to 38,697.17 from 38,931.25 on Wednesday.

Accordingly, the month-to-date and year-to-date losses increased to 2.8 per cent and 3.9 per cent, respectively.

Also, the market capitalisation shed N123 billion or 0.60 per cent to close at N20.246 trillion in contrast with N20.369 trillion recorded on Wednesday.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which were Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank, United Capital, University Press and United Bank for Africa (UBA).

African Alliance Insurance led the losers chart in percentage terms, by 8.33 per cent to close at 22k per share.

Mutual Benefits Assurance and Sovereign Trust Insurance followed with a loss of 7.14 per cent each to close at 36k and 26k per share, respectively.

University Press lost 4.92 per cent to close at N1.16, while Jaiz Bank dropped 4.41 per cent to close at 65k per share.

On the other hand, Smart Products drove the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at 22k per share.

International Breweries followed with a gain 9.89 per cent to close at N5, while Champion Breweries rose by 9.09 per cent to close at N2.40 per share.

Royal Exchange rose by 8.33 per cent to close at 26k, while Livestock Feeds appreciated by 7.65 per cent to close at N1.83 per share.

Also, the total volume of trades transacted declined by 54 per cent as investors bought 169.35 million shares valued N2.12 billion exchanged in 3,568 deals.

This was against 368.22 million shares worth N4.46 billion traded in 4,437 deals on Wednesday.

Transactions in the shares of AIICO Insurance topped the activity chart with 19.67 million shares valued N23.34 million.

UBA accounted for 16.24 million shares worth N113.24 million, while Zenith Bank sold 11.49 million shares valued N247.42 million.

AXA Mansard Insurance traded 10.47 million shares valued N10.33 million, while Jaiz Bank transacted 9.46 million shares worth N6.06 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has enjoined all staff of the Non Custodial Directorate to ensure high level partnership with other stakeholders to effectively implement the non custodial measures.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, assented to the bill changing the name of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) , which birthed the Custodial Service and Non Custodial Service.

The Non-custodial service entails suspended sentences, community service, fines, curfews, parole orders, binding over among others.

Mr John Mrabure, Acting Controller General, NCoS, made the call during a one day stakeholders consultative workshop on effective implementation of non custodial measures on Thursday in Abuja.

A statement by the NCoS, FCT Commands Public Relations Officer, Mr Chukwuedo Humphrey, quoted Mrabure as saying the workshop was aimed at enlightening all stake in the criminal justice system and the society in general on the need to be supportive of one another.

The Acting C-G NCoS, who was represented by the Deputy Controller General, Non Custodial Directorate, Mr Tunde Ladipo, said that non-custodial sentence was an effective means of prison decongestion in Nigeria.

He added that this would also give access to Justice Initiatives, the Presidential Committee on Prison Reforms, Prison Decongestion Unit, Legal Aid Council, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

The foregoing will positively enhance administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, he added.

Mrabure further encouraged all participants to stop seeing themselves as rivals, but as a family with the same agenda, as this would go along way in ensuring full implementation of the Non Custodial measures.

The Executive Director, PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had empowered the NCoS to be in charge of non custodial measures, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure its success.

All stakeholders should be approached and their strengths be effectively utilised, she said.

The workshop was organised by Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and would be carried out in all the states of the Federation.

The workshop was attended by stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System, including NOA, NDLEA, FRSC, National Human Rights Commission, traditional rulers and religious leaders among many others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Legion has appointed Brig.-Gen. MAO Amolegbe (rtd), as the new head of its Corps of Commissionaires, to ensure a harmonious working relationship with State chairmen of the organisation.

The National Chairman, Nigeria Legion, retired Brig.-Gen. Adakole Akpa, disclosed this at the opening of the 2021 Annual National Council Meeting of the legion, on Thursday, in Abuja.

The Corps of Commissionaires was established in 1962, as a Federal Government sponsored project, designed to afford employment for Nigerian ex-servicemen and women, whose conduct rating on discharge from the armed forces was categorised as either exemplary, good, very good or excellent.

It is an active security formation made up of good-spirited Nigerian citizens, who are out to render voluntary services to the Nigerian society, in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Akpa described as worrisome the constant friction between the corps of commissionaire and the State Chairmen of the legion who they were supposed to support.

He said that the current leadership of the corps had committed a lot of infractions against the legion, adding that the head of the corps had consistently whittled down the position of ex-Servicemen in the corps.

According to him, the strength of ex-Servicemen in the Corps of Commissionaires is less than five per cent compared to over 95 per cent civilians, despite the fact that the Corps was made for ex-Servicemen and women.

Akpa disclosed that the new commandant would respect the State Chairmen and give them the rightful place they deserve, telling the state chairmen to remove him if he does not live up to their expectations.

All correspondences should be directed to the new Commandant General, Akpa directed.

ACC Alex Udunze is recommended as the new Commandant for Rivers State.

For the Federal Capital Territory, we are proposing Capt. A. Bako (Rtd), who has been in charge of all National Parade, involving the Nigeria Legion as the Commandant, he added.

Akpa disclosed that the annual national council meeting of the Legion was designed to evaluate past performances and make corrections or adjustments ,where necessary, as well as plan for future projections and proffer ways to actualise them.

He urged members to ensure that discussions at the meeting were robust, devoid of rancour and contradictions that could thwart successful deliberations and outcomes.

Having said that, there is a rumour going around the mill that I sold Legion property, which is completely false.

I am not here to present a combative posture, but to ensure peace reigns amidst the storm, Akpa said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday in Enugu ordered soldiers and airmen to redouble efforts at ending violence and criminality in the southeast.

He gave the order while addressing a joint parade of soldiers of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and airmen of the Ground Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

Irabor said the order followed a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that all security agencies must ensure the return of peace and security to all parts of the country.

Irabor said that President Muhammadu Buhari had given a marching order for all security personnel, including the police to ensure that peace and security returned to all parts of the country.

He thanked the officers and men for their sacrifices to keep insecurity low in the southeast, noting that without such efforts, the situation would have been worse.

You have tried to meet up with the insecurity and violence challenges. We expect you to do more.

Mr President has mandated security forces and other paramilitary agencies to do everything possible to ensure that the spate of violence in the country is reduced.

We have received extensive briefing from the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division and from the Air Officer Commanding regarding what the issues are and what you are doing about it.

We are satisfied and we have equally directed that you heighten the level of your operational engagement.

We have also been directed to work closely and to ensure that the armed forces work as a team and this is the reason why at this visit, I am accompanied by all the Service Chiefs.

This is the kind of example we have come to show and we expect you to translate same to all officers and rank and file of the armed forces, he said.

Irabor also lauded the soldiers and airmen for overall operational and duty discipline, stressing: we are satisfied with the high level of discipline among you all,

We urge you to keep up the spirit and continue to be vibrant and dutiful, he said.

Irabor was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Zubeiru Gambo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of the Prime Minister of Cote dIvoire, Hamed Bakayoko.

Buhari in a condolence message released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday conveyed his deepest condolences to the family of the prime minister.

He also condoled with President Alassane Ouattara, the government and people of Cote d Ivoire as they mourned Bakayoko.

Buhari said that the late prime minister, who was a close confidant of Ouattara, would be greatly missed in Cote dIvoire and West Africa at large.

He noted that Bakayoko would be fondly remembered for his deep commitment to strengthening unity and cooperation.

The president prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for his loved ones and all those mourning him.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra says the state has received 78,810 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Obiano said this at the inauguration of the COVID-19 vaccine introduction to the state at the Chuwkuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku, Awka, on Thursday.

The governor urged residents of the state to obtain immunisation forms and make themselves available for administration of the vaccine in order to curb the spread of the virus.

He assured them that Anambra had a good storage facility for the vacciines.

Residents of Anambra should fill the vaccine forms in order to be eligible for vaccination, Obiano said.

The governor reiterated his administrations commitment to ensuring that Anambra was rid of COVID-19 virus and other viral diseases.

Obiano also warned the people of Anambra to always observe the COVID-19 protocols at all times as the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine does not guarantee 100 per cent immunity or cure for COVID-19 disease. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said that federal salary structure should not be imposed on states.

Fayemi made the observation when he hosted pro-chancellors of state-owned universities on Thursday in Abuja.

Fayemi said that the same salary structure should not be imposed on states because federal and state governments do not have similar economic situations.

A statement issued by Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the Head, Media and Public Affairs of NGF Secretariat, quoted Fayemi as making the observation when the pro-chancellors deliberated on solutions to problems state-owned tertiary institutions.

You cant impose a federal salary structure on states because we do not all have the same economic or financial situations.

I, for example, do not have the resources of Lagos State, so you wont expect me to earn the same salary as the governor of Lagos, he said.

The NGF chairman added that it was true that no state had fulfilled payment of salaries to states universities, but states were not always solely responsible for this.

The people you appoint as vice chancellors need to speak truth to power, they need to be able to bite the bullet, and not just be a YES person.

We need to work together to confront these issues, we are running glorified secondary schools as universities by this system and you have to help us in insisting that the institutions too, do the right thing, he added.

Fayemi agreed with the pro-chancellors that politics should not be involved in the nations school system, even though he argued that there were very smart people in politics in Nigeria.

Earlier, the pro-chancellors led by Mallam Yusuf Ali, the Pro-Chancellor of Osun State university, said that the seamless educational progression that the country should be experiencing was being hampered by paucity of funds.

He also listed other factors such as unions like: Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the students.

Ali also admonished the owners of state-owned universities to relegate politics to the backgrounds when considering their appointees.

He said that only the best and brightest with sound academic profiles should made to engage in matters relating to education.

The team which represents all the 48 universities owned by states pleaded with governors to take over the burden of payment of salaries of state universities.

They also called for the reintroduction of scholarships for indigent students and assist the committee of pro-chancellors of states universities to erect a secretariat of their own to facilitate their activities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says security chiefs have received marching orders to go harder on criminals, including shooting anyone found to be in illegal possession of AK-47.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the president stated this during a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.

The Council is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The president, who briefed the traditional rulers on efforts by the government to improve the security situation in the country, said his administration had recorded appreciable successes in the North-East and South-South parts of the country.

But what surprises me is what is happening now in the North West where the same people, with the same culture, are killing each other, taking their livestock and burning properties.

As a result of that, we had a four-hour meeting of the National Security Council attended by the Ministers of Internal Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Service Chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police and others and we gave clear instructions.

One thing that got to the press, which I read myself, was that anyone with an AK-47 will be shot.

This is because AK-47 is supposed to be registered and it is only given to security officials.

We closed the borders for some years, but the intelligence report Im getting on a daily basis is that those who are conducting the abductions, the killings and so on are still not short of arms and ammunition, he said.

The President expressed dismay over attacks on police stations and killings of security personnel by criminals, warning that no investor will invest in a country that is unsafe.

Buhari also stressed the need for traditional rulers to use their roles and positions as bridge builders in each of their communities to complement government efforts at ensuring peace and security.

He appealed to the traditional leaders to deploy their reach and influence in the best interest of assisting the government to root out those whose sole objective remains to cause trouble and destroy livelihoods and families across the nation.

The president, who listened to various interventions from representatives of the traditional rulers from each of the six- geo-political zones in the country, pledged that his administration would continue to support and work collaboratively with them to ensure peace and stability.

He restated his marching orders to the newly appointed Service Chiefs to bring the security situation under control.

He noted that closer control could only be achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of traditional rulers and authorities, who occupy a critical role in the society.

By your role and positions with history dating back hundred years, the people trust you implicitly and in return you provide them with comfort and guidance in accordance with our cultural heritage and traditions.

You are the bridge builders in each of your communities.

No one is better placed with your strength of moral authority to ensure that people who visit your communities for either business, leisure or any honest and credible reason are protected and made to feel at home, he said.

In separate remarks, the royal fathers stressed the need for the traditional institution to be assigned definite roles, particularly on peace and security, within the ambit of the Constitution as well as regular engagement with the National Assembly on multiple fronts.

The presidential aide disclosed that the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, spoke at the meeting.

Others speakers included King Jaja of Opobo, Dr Dandeson Jaja, Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu and the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi.

The meeting was attended by security chiefs including the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The Director-General of Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai were also in attendance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), has renewed calls for the engagement of professional builders in construction production management towards ending ugly trend of building collapse in the nation.

NIOB Lagos Chapter Chairman, Mr Sunday Wusu during a press briefing on Thursday to announce its 2021 Builders Day also called for enforcement of laws to ensure compliance with construction standards.

Wusu said that several people were ignorant of the role of builders who have both the scientific and practical knowledge of how buildings should be constructed.

He explained that some people confused builders with civil engineers, adding that, builders training was more indepth and specific in managing building production.

He said that the builder was trained to coordinate civil engineers, architects and other professionals while managing materials and human resources to achieve durable construction.

Building collapse is 100 per cent avoidable, because building construction is a scientifically efficient process.

And the first step in avoiding building collapse is to ensure that the entire production process is handled by relevant professionals, with the builder being the pivot professional, he said.

Wusu listed important stages in building production backed by the Lagos State Building Regulation, 2019, and the National Building Code which empowered the builders to oversee the processes.

He said it was illegal not to have certified builders on project sites, and called for political will on the part of government to ensure enforcement and compliance with building laws.

He said NIOB was adopting measures to ensure compliance and enforcement of the Lagos State Regulation through its collaboration with relevant agencies of the government.

The NIOB boss said that the 2021 Builders Day was being used to create awareness to let the public know that it is important for them to ensure that only professional builders handled their projects, adding that, professionalism would eliminate substandard construction and building collapse.

He said the 2021 Builders Day tagged Professional Builders Engagement in Building Production Management was focusing on creating awareness on engagement of professional builders.

He added that the climax of its weeklong programme which started on March 8 would be on March 13, the date was chosen as the Builders Day to commemorate the death of over 20 children in a five-storey residential building collapse in Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island in 2019.

Wusu said the date was also to remember victims of building collapse across the nation as well as those affected by poor building production.

He said NIOB Lagos Chapter would offer free site services on Builders Day being Saturday, March 13 to visit projects sites and to correct the wrong things being done.

He stressed that Saturday was a good day to pay a surprise visit because quacks trying to evade state regulations usually built secretly at night; or weekends when the enforcement officers were off duty.

Also, Dr Kudirat Zakariyyah a fellow of NIOB from the University of Lagos, Department of Building said that the womens wing of the association were creating awareness to bridge the ignorance gap.

Zakariyyah who represented national Chairperson, Association of Professional Women Builders of Nigeria (APWBN), Mrs Adenike Said said the team visited two schools on Wednesday in its continuous enlightenment campaign.

Other members of the exco present at the briefing, took turns to shed light on efforts of the institute to uphold ethical conducts in the built environment to rid Lagos State of incessant building collapse.

They called on other professionals in the built environment and artisans to stay within their jurisdiction to ensure things are done properly to avert disaster.

Source: NAN News

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said on Thursday that plans had reached advanced stage to unbundle the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

Pantami stated this in Abuja at the unveiling and launching of Nigeria at 60 commemorative postage stamps.

The News Agency of Nigerian NAN reports that two stamps in N500 and N100 denominations were unveiled at the ceremony.

Soon we will be unbundling other parts of NIPOST such as Property and Development company, Transportation and Logistic company, NIPOST Microfinance Bank, among others.

We will achieve this by leveraging on all our infrastructures around the country, the minister said.

The minister noted that so many positive transformations were taking place in the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

He mentioned the issuance of commemorative postage stamps as a means of documentation and propagation of the nations history.

He noted that the postage stamps would help Nigerians to appreciate the unity, beauty and strength of the nations diversity.

The minister called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect and appreciate the nation at 60s journey so far.

The stamps have been produced some months ago, but could not be unveiled due to certain circumstances.

The production of the postage stamps was part of the items listed for the celebration of Nigeria at 60 preparations, he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr Ismail Adewusi, Post Master General (PMG) of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) said that the postage stamps were produced in order to celebrate the nation and document it for posterity.

He said that the history of Nigerias struggles dates back to past heroes and leaders whose struggles led to independence in 1960.

Adewusi noted that NIPOST had been part of the socio-cultural and economic growth of the country by the pictorial capturing of the countrys journey, via stamps.

He traced the history of postage stamps back to 1840 in the British Empire when the first set of postage stamps were introduced and later led to other postal reforms.

Postage stamps were introduced to profer solutions the prevailing communications and fiscal challenges in the British government, he said.

Adewusi said postage stamps tell the true history of Nigeria as recorded through its lens.

Postage stamps are a true recorder of events for history and witness to human civilization.

We offer user-friendly products at our different postal formations across the country, he said.

NAN reports that the two sets of stamps came with Nigerian flag and inscription Nigeria @60 boldly written on them.

NAN also reports that NIPOST was carved out of the defunct Nigerian Post and Telecommunications (P and T) department and remained a government agency even as its sister organisation, NITEL, was since unbundled and privatised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Second-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane eased Liverpool into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig at the Puskas Arena on Wednesday.

The win saw the Reds completed a 4-0 aggregate victory over their German opponents.

Liverpool, leading 2-0 from the first-leg yet struggling in the Premier League after six straight home defeats, had several chances to extend their advantage in the first half but lacked sharpness in front of goal.

Both legs of the last-16 tie were played in the Hungarian capital due to Germanys COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

While it was an unusual home game for Liverpool, there was a more familiar look to the 2019 Champions League winners lineup with Brazilian Fabinho back in a midfield role.

Mane had an early chance but blasted over from a promising position but Leipzig knew one goal for them could set the nerves jangling for Juergen Klopps side.

Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker did well to smother a shot from Dani Olmo in the 11th minute while at the other end Diogo Jota saw a header tipped over the bar by Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi.

Gulacsi then did well again to keep out a Salah shot after the Egyptian had been set free by a long ball forward from Thiago Alcantara.

The Germans continued to ask questions though with Emil Forsberg shooting wide from inside the box in the 33rd minute but Liverpool should have had the lead before the break.

Gulacsi parried another Jota effort and then on the stroke of halftime the Portuguese forward wasted a great chance when the ball fell to him at the back post, after poor defending from Dayot Upamecano, but he fired into the side netting.

Liverpool finally broke through in the 70th minute when Jota fed Salah, who cut across the top of the penalty area before drilling into the bottom corner.

Four minutes later, Mane made it 2-0 on the night when he met a Divock Origi cross from the right with a first-time finish, steering the ball home with the outside of his foot.

It is a big result for us, said Salah.

We came here after losing a few games in the Premier League.

The team is not in the best shape but we want to fight in the Champions League and also fight in the English Premier League and see what can happen. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

President of the United Nations General Assembly, Amb. Volkan Bozkir, has warmly welcomed the approval of Libyas interim unity government.

The countrys House of Representatives approved the cabinet of interim Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah on Wednesday after two days of intense debate.

According to a UN-brokered agreement, the transitional government is to lead the country through elections, scheduled for Dec. 24.

In a tweet, Bozkir said he hoped the lawmakers decision would help heal divisions and put Libya on a steady path to the December polls.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has also congratulated the interim government and Libyan people over the vote.

Briefing newsmen in New York, UN spokesman, said UNSMIL applauded the House of Representatives for uniting to uphold the interests of their country and their people.

The Mission says Libya now has a genuine opportunity to move forward towards unity, stability, prosperity, reconciliation and the full restoration of its sovereignty, Dujarric said.

The interim government was appointed by stakeholders at a UN-led peace talks in Geneva on Feb. 5 following last years ceasefire.

It replaces rival administrations that plunged the country into a costly civil war after the ouster of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi by NATO-backed forces in 2011. (NAN)

Source: NAN News