Germanys top disease control official says a third wave of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has already begun in the country.

Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute, said he was very worried and that there were clear signs the third wave has already started in Germany.

Thursday marks one year since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global pandemic.

It is still urgently necessary to remain strict when it comes to protective measures such as mask-wearing and keeping a distance in spite of vaccinations having begun, Wieler told UN journalists in Geneva on Wednesday.

The vaccine campaign is a race against the mutating virus, but the finish line is in sight, he said.

If there were no interruptions, for example from production downtimes, 80 per cent of Germanys population could be immune to the virus by autumn.

If that happened, all measures can be lifted, Wieler said.

On the day the pandemic was declared, 118,000 infections and almost 4,300 deaths had been recorded worldwide.

A year later, WHO statistics showed almost 120 million infections and some 2.6 million deaths.

The WHOs biggest concern is the unequal distribution of vaccines.

If the virus spreads unhindered in some parts of the world, mutations and variants can pose a threat everywhere, as WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had repeatedly warned.

Since wealthier countries have direct contracts with vaccine manufacturers, fewer doses were available on the market for the UN-backed vaccine solidarity alliance Covax.

An eighth attempt at the World Trade Organisation to demand that more than 100 countries temporarily suspend patents on coronavirus vaccines to boost production failed on Wednesday. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Yough

Taraba Government has received 56,250 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from Federal Government.

Dr Ebenezer Apake, PermanentSecretary, Ministry of Health received the vaccine on behalf of the state government at a brief ceremony in Jalingo on Thursday.

Apake described the arrival of the vaccine as a bold step towards tackling the rising wave of deadly virus in the state.

For us to win the war against the pandemic, 80 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated.

I want to call on the people especially frontline health workers who will benefit from the first tranche to avail themselves for the vaccination.

Though the vaccine is here with us, we must keep to the protocol of social distancing and wearing of facemask, he said.

Dr Jauro Hassan, Executive Secretary, Taraba Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the government had trained 254 workers across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state for the vaccination.

He said that the trainee were expected to step down the training to the grassroots level for optimal result.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ceremony was witnessed by members of the state COVID -19 Technical Committee, representative of the Who Health Organisation (WHO, the media among others.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Namibia is eyeing raising red meat exports to China and the Middle East with a view to broadening its market access and hiking agriculture export earnings.

The state-owned Meat Board of Namibia (MBN) disclosed this on Thursday.

MBN Chief Marketing Officer Desmond Cloete said Namibia engaged the services of North-West University in South Africa to conduct a desktop market survey targeting China and the Middle East with the view of increasing red meat with a special focus on beef, mutton, and lamb exports to those destinations.

The survey, which focused on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and China, showed that those markets are lucrative and will go a long way in allowing Namibia to withstand market competition from other African producers, according to Cloete.

The next step would be to select a clear market entry approach and the study proposed the following strategies including exporting under a private label/brand.

This can either be under a local brand name of an importer or supermarket in the importing country or under a brand established in the exporting country and building the product in the targeted market, he said.

Cloete said Namibia should organise trade missions that can visit China and the Middle East working together with the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, the MBN, or foreign missions in the region to create the needed synergies for more red meat product exports in those markets.

He also called for Namibia to target participating trade shows such as Gulfood in Dubai, Sial in Abu Dhabi, Foodex Saudi in Jeddah, Kuwait International Agro Food Expo, and Sial China in Shanghai to position their meat brands as the first option in those markets. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has trained no fewer than 30 agricultural Extension Agents in Edo State ahead of 2021 farming season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four days training programme in collaboration with the Agricultural extension Research Liaison Services (NEARLS) and Sasakawa Africa Association Global 2000, began on Monday, March 8, in Benin.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Thursday in Benin, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alh. Sabo Nanono, said the training became necessary in order to expose the agents to agricultural global best practices.

Represented by the State Director of Agriculture, Mr Wellington Omoragbon, the minister said the training would build the capacity of youth and existing practitioners in agricultural extension delivery system.

This training is the first in series that will empower you with knowledge that will enhance service delivery to farmers both in terms of production practices and equipment for technical support.

Over the year, the fortunes of the agricultural extension system has declined, majorly due to decreased funding, policy changes, reduced manpower and lack of interest in agricultural entrepreneurship.

This situation has affected food production, exposing the country to danger of unemployment, youth restiveness and economic instability.

So, this training is one of several strategies planned by the Ministry to halt the drift in the agricultural extension system with the aim of pursuing the revitalisation agenda of the economy by the Federal Government, he said.

According to the minister, it is the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to see that Nigerias agricultural extension delivery system meets global competitiveness.

This is to ensure that we have adequate food for our population and some to augument foreign earnings, Nanono added.

Also, Mr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, represented by the Deputy Director, Extension Service, Mr Adekule Okunlaya, urged the participants to take advantage of training to improve the agricultural sector.

Umakhihe said that the training was being held in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The drive by the present administration to revitalise agricultural extension services is to help farmers and value chain actors improve the livelihoods of rural populations, he added.

Earlier, the Programme Manager of Edo Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Mr Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, thanked FMARD for assisting to train extension agents in the state.

Even though this training is going on in the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, Edo is unique because we have been given inputs to support the training, he said.

According to Aikhuomobhogbe, the Edo ADP work plan for 2021 is to boost food production by 30 per cent, adding that they would need extension services to achieve the target. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

The Niger State House of Assembly has directed five commissioners to appear before the lawmakers on March 16 to explain the alleged extra-budgetary expenditures by their ministries in the 2020 budget.

This was the resolutions of the house after a motion on matter of urgent public importance was presented at the plenary by Mr Malik Madaki, member representing Bosso Constituency, who raised the issue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion for invitation of the commissioners was seconded by Malam Abba Bala, member representing Borgu in Minna on Thursday.

Those directed to appear before the legislators are the commissioners of finance, planning, justice, works and sports.

Speaker of the House, Mr Abdullahi Bawa, while reading the resolutions of the house, directed the five commissioners to appear before the house and explain the alleged unconstitutional act and why administrative action should not be taken against them.

Earlier, Madaki had raised concern that the state government carried out expenditure outside what was approved in the appropriation law of 2020.

He said that the ministry of works expended over N2 billion while that of sports spent N360 million and justice spent N450 million which was above the approved 2020 budget of the ministries.

The lawmaker said that the additional expenditures of the ministries were not authorished by the house through supplementary appropriation as required under section 120; subsection two of the 199 Constitution as amended.

He described such acts as unconstitutional and unlawful, adding that the monies spent were out of public funds of the state.

Masako said that the lawmakers could not fold their hands and allow public funds to be spent without following due process as the monies were not approved in the 2020 budget or in a supplementary budget. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kola Adeyemi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged its staff members in the Department of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) to quickly adjust to the ongoing reforms in the commission.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, stated this on Thursday in Lokoja, while addressing participants at a three-day workshop on validation of INEC voter education manual.

He said that the workers needed to adjust so as to be in good position to communicate the changes to Nigerians.

There is the need for you to have a full grasp of the changes, internalise them and develop capacities to understand its intricacies.

You must understand the country and its peculiarities, and design communication strategies that are simple, creative, effective, forward-looking and targeted at the large and growing population that is adept in modern technology, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the workshop is being organised in partnership with International Federation for Electoral System (IFES).

In his remarks, INECs Director of Voter Education, Mr Nick Dajang, said that the workshop was aimed at reviewing the voter education manual, which, he said, was last reviewed in 2006.

He said that the workshop would afford the participants the opportunity of making inputs into the manual, stressing that the ultimate aim was to enable them own the document.

Dajang said that the review was to accommodate the changes that had taken place in the media sector, especially the social media.

At the end of the workshop, he said that participants, who are Heads of VEP in INEC offices in the 19 northern states, were expected to use the social media to communicate with Nigerians on electoral process, among others.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. James Apam, urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to broaden their knowledge and get prepared for off-season elections, holding this year and in 2022.

In his speech, the IFES Country Representative, Mr Seray Jah, who was represented by Mr Simon Fato, described the workshop as timely and necessary, especially with the approach of the 2003 general elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam
An asset management firm, JODOR Asset Management (J.A.M.), says it is anticipating more value driven investments to the tune of 1 trillion U.S. dollars in African commodity ecosystem in the next five years.

Mr Nduka Ofulue, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of J.A.M, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Ofulue, a U. S. trained commodity Trading Manager, said that this would aid critical developments, sustainable jobs and stakeholders value in the country.

In view of achieving this set goal, he said J.A.M would hold its forthcoming Global Commodity Conference to spur value driven investments in Nigerian and African commodity ecosystem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, which will hold in Abuja from March 29 to March 30 has its theme as: Unlocking Value in African Commodity Markets.

Ofulue underscored the scope of the flagship summit in view of commodity sector developments within the U.S., China, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan and Europe.

He said the conference was apt due to recent Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) repositioning by Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He also noted that by 2025, China is expected to surpass the U.S as the worlds biggest economy with other Asian countries following Chinas lead.

According to him, J.A.M took the initiative to reschedule its GCC2020 Flagship summit to March 2021 as the summit will aid discussions among government agencies, think-tanks and various Chief Executive Officers.

He added that it would bring together private equity, investment and fund managers, policy experts, investors and other professionals to proffer solutions to macro-economic challenges.

The GCC2020 flagship conference will identify with the commodity trading market in a COVID-19 and post COVID-19 era.

It will profess initiatives and projects to ensure the continued development in Africa commodity investment market, Ofulue said.

According to him, this in essence will create jobs and sustainable employment of about 25 to 35 million for regional economies and spur growth of Gross Domestic Products.

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

Maj.-Gen Sagir Yaro, has officially assumed duty as the 30th Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Wednesday in Kaduna State.

The Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir Jagira made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

Jagira said Yaro took over from Maj.-Gen Jamil Sarham, who is now to proceed on a Senior Research Fellow course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State.

According to the statement, Yaro, is a seasoned senior military officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, and member of the 36th Regular Course of the NDA, he has held several appointments cutting across Command, Staff and Instructional.

He said before his recent appointment, he was the General Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee (NAWLG).

While addressing Principal Staff Officers, Deans and Heads of Departments during the handing over ceremony, the outgoing Commandant, described the new Commandant as a regimental and thoroughbred Super Officer, who is endowed with vast exposure and experience, which he expects will be brought to bear in running the affairs of the Academy.

Sarham also assured the staff that, the new commandant would continue with the extensive infrastructural development ongoing at the Academy, as well as sustain the improvements that have been achieved in the quality of training of cadets under his tenure as Commandant.

He wished Yaro good health, Gods guidance and wisdom in the discharge of his duties as Commandant.

He also calling for support from military and civilian staff of the academy for the new Commandant.

Sarham further highlighted some of his achievements as Commandant to include the development of various infrastructural projects across the academy.

Marked improvements in the grooming and training of top quality cadets that are professionally responsive to the present challenges and equipped to meet both current and future needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In his response, the new commandant, thanked God almighty and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, for finding him worthy of the enviable appointment as Commandant of NDA.

He applauded his predecessor on the various developmental projects ongoing in the academy and for the various innovative ideas he adopted during his tenure as Commandant of the NDA.

He, however, pledged to continue in the general improvement in the affairs of the academy, towards achieving the mission and vision of the NDA and that of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Yaro urged staff of the academy to embrace team spirit in order to succeed in the important task of producing well trained officer cadets for the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that highlights of the event was the signing of the handing and taking over notes.

The decoration of the Incoming commandant with the NDAs insignia and hoisting of the NDA Flag which marks the symbol of new authority in the academy was also observed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

Bayelsa Government has enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

Gov. Douye Diri assented to the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the essence of the law was to ensure harmonious living between cattle dealers and other inhabitants of the state and to forestall violent clashes being experienced in other parts of the country.

His words: Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives.

The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states, he said.

The law, according to the governor, stipulates that any herdsman found with arms, whether licensed or not, should be arrested.

He said that the law established a livestock management committee to regulate livestock activities in the state.
Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Agriculture, security agencies and youths.

From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government.

The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others, he said.

Diri said that by assenting to the law, any person found engaging in open grazing of livestock on foot commits an offence and would be arrested and prosecuted with the livestock impounded.

The governor also signed into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021.

He explained that the law was to prevent certain harmful practices against women and children.

He said with its enactment, Bayelsa has domesticated the Federal law, which had been in existence.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, while presenting the bills for the governors assent, said the livestock regulation bill was to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

Also giving an insight into the VAPP Bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Tare Porri, the Speaker said the aim was to eliminate violence against women and to also ensure speedy dispensation of justice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Chief Elias Mbam, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has commended the Federal Government for approving the construction of Eastern railway corridor.

The commendation is contained in a statement issued by Mbam and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abakaliki.

Mbam said that approval and inauguration of the project by President Muhammadu Buhari was a demonstration of the immense love and regard the president has for the South-East geopolitical zone.

He said that the initiative would boost commercial activities and enhance timely evacuation of goods, especially agricultural produce from the South-East to other parts of the country.

He particularly appreciated the president for approving the redirecting of the rail line to pass through Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, adding that the development would trigger high volume of commercial activities in the state.

The RMAFC chairman noted that Abakaliki is strategically located on the corridor between the Northern part of the country and the rest of the South-East and serves as a major gateway between the South-Eastern part of Nigeria and the nearby Republic of Cameroon.

He said: The transportation of goods especially agricultural products from Northern states of Taraba up to Borno to the South-East is possible through the Ogoja-Abakaliki trunk A route.

Therefore, the new rail line passing through Abakaliki serves to bridge the gap between the South-East and the northern part of the country in areas of agro-businesses, commerce and trade.

It is imperative to point out that Ebonyi is vastly known for its agricultural endowments especially in rice farming.

In fact, the popular Abakaliki rice has the capacity, if well commercialised, to contribute greatly to improving food security in Nigeria.

Ebonyi is also known for its rich solid mineral resources; lead, zinc, iron ore, granites among others, which are harnessed in high commercial quantity.

Mbam, former Minister of State for Finance added that Ebonyi has the capacity to boost the Nigerias economy and contribute to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if wider market was provided through easy transportation of its agricultural produce and other resources.

It is with utmost humility that I congratulate His Excellency, the President for approving and launching the Eastern Rail Corridor which passes through my home town of Abakaliki.

Your Excellency has once again demonstrated great wisdom by launching this corridor which adds to a number of numerous projects of the federal government in the South-East.

Projects such as the second Niger Bridge, the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha expressway, the reconstruction of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and numerous ecological projects in all the states of the zone are testimonies of your love.

There is no doubt, Your Excellency, that these projects, especially the railway lines will endear you more and more to the people of our zone and make Nigeria a more robust economy.

I, therefore assure you Mr President of the continuous support of Ndigbo, which will grow in popularity as we approach 2023 and as these projects come to fruition, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the headquarters building of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 25 years after the groundbreaking ceremony.

The president, who virtually inaugurated the building from the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for steadfastness in ending many years of renting by the commission, and the attendant profligacy.

He noted that the land was acquired by the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1996, and was abandoned after series of design amendments.

In 2015, as part of our Administrations cardinal objectives to kill corruption, some critical reforms were embarked upon, part of which was a holistic reform of the NDDC for greater service delivery for the people of the region.

To achieve this, I reassigned the supervision of the NDDC to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for administrative efficiency. Second, was the appointment of Forensic Auditors to review the operations of the Commission from inception to 2019 and to ensure that the appropriations made to the NDDC are commensurate with what is on the ground, he said.

While commending the minister for ensuring the historic completion of the building, Buhari urged the management to commit the amounts used for renting to more rewarding benefits.

I, therefore, use this opportunity to commend the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for providing the required leadership that saw to the completion of this edifice.

Today, we are handing over to the people of Niger Delta, a befitting Head Office Complex for present and future use. Consequently, huge yearly rentals would now be saved and deployed to other areas of needs in the region.

I commend the management and staff of the NDDC for staying the course and keying into the Reform Agenda of our Administration.

I am particularly pleased to note the cordial relationship between the NDDC and the National Assembly and hope that this relationship will be strengthened further for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region, the president added.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, who spoke at the event, thanked the president for the completion of the building, promising that the nine governors under the NDDC would continue to support his bold steps in development.

In his remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs noted that the completion of the NDDC building had signaled the presidents commitment to the development of the oil producing region.

He said this would also end the activities of corrupt public officials, who also negated the connection of the offices to national grid over many years in order to seek rent on fueling of generators.

You will be remembered by this gesture, and generations will never forget you, the minister said.

Akpabio urged leaders, traditional rulers and youths in the region to support the Buharis administration so that it would complete most of the abandoned projects by previous administrations.

He said such projects included the Second Niger Bridge, warning that the persistent fights and petitions among leaders must be shelved for development. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nicholas Obisike

Mr Davison Owumi, the General Manager (GM) of Rangers International F.C says Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved and released funds for the settlement of match bonuses of the clubs players and officials.

Owumi, in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday, said the gesture was a motivation for the clubs good run in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He said the governors show of strong support would motivatethe team as they pushto reclaim the trophy it won in 2016 after 32 years of wait.

Our sports loving governor has never hidden his passion for Rangers International F. C.

His approval and release of funds to clear all match bonuses has gone further to prove this well known fact, even as the COVID- 19 pandemic is causing incalculable pressure on the states economy.

It is also to motivate the team toward emerging champions at the end of the season, Owumi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers is currently on the second position in the 20 team log with 24 points from 14 matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding 9 goals at the process.

Rangers will on Sunday,host Adamawa United in a match day 15. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nicholas Obisike

Enugu State Graduate Farmers (ESGF) on Wednesday trained 300 farmers on modern best practices in rice production, processing and marketing in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one day training organised at the Enugu Sports Club Hall was themed: From Rice Production to Wealth Creation.

In his remarks, Mr Patrick Mbah who doubled as the President of ESGF and the National Vice Chairman of Fish Production in South East, said the training was timely and would boost rice productivity.

Mbah said the training was purely for rice farmers on grain production to ensure bumper harvest.

We also have farmers that are into processing and marketing because we want to avoid the mistakes of the past where we have low productivity.

This training will help the farmers to produce quality rice that one can consume and as well maximise profit, he said.

He said that the ESGF had over 150 corporatives and each corporative accommodated 15 to 20 youths that had been engaged in rice production.

Mbah noted that a similar training had been organised for fish and poultry farmers in the state.

We will keep organising this kind of training for our members from time to time and I believe that those present will educate others, he said.

A resource person at the event, Prof. Happiness Oselebe, said that agriculture provide high level of employment in the country.

Oselebe said that rice farming had techniques and procedures that must be observed to ensure higher productivity.

Oselebe who is a lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Landscape Management at Ebonyi State University said that rice remains a marketable product globally.

She urged the rice farmers to always go for improved variety and consider climate and farmland while planning for farming.

The variety of seed go with each farmland, some seeds can do well in swampy areas, while some do better upland.

Best method of rice farming is the mechanised method and ensure you monitor the farmland right from the day of planting till the day of harvest, she said.

Oselebe listed some major problems in rice farming to include improper planning, low management and skills to rice farming, among others.

Mr Tony Mouneke, AAPIL Consultant and rice expert in the state, urged farmers to always barricade their farmland in order to protect the rice seeds from rain.

Make a good choice and manage the farm well by weeding, protecting it against rodents, pests and other things.

Ensure you change seed after three years of harvest because after three years you start seeing what we call, genetic segregation, Mouneke said.

He advised the farmers to apply fertiliser be it organic or inorganic properly according to directive by rice farm experts.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Gregory Obiakosa, said the training had impacted a lot on the farmers.

This training was organised due to the terrible experience we had in the past because of ignorance in rice farming.

After this training, I believe that things will change for good and there will be baskets of food in the country, he said.

A participant, Mrs Mabel Edeh from Ebonyi, said the training had been the best thing that had happened to rice farmers in the state.

Edeh said the training would go a long way in correcting the wrongs committed by most rice farmers in the past.

It will be nice for government to organise this kind of training for farmers, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

The National Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) says it has no plans to merge with any group or political party to form the proposed Mega Party ahead of 2023 poll.

Mr Falalu Bello, National Chairman, PRP said this when he spoke at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Bello, the party is not merging with any group.

We are not. That is not to say that we have not been invited. About 10 days ago, their secretary got across to me and advised me of the fact that we are invited to belong to the committee.

And I said let me have a formal invitation and what they stand for. I will go to my National Executive Committee, brief them, get their mandate for me or any other person to represent the party.

The party do not belong to me. PRP has its own leadership.

I have seen other political parties join; are these political parties being grouped on the basis of ideology, on the basis of what they believe in. If it is on the basis of this, then we will examine it and come to a conclusion as a party, in the absence of that, we will decline to participate, he said.

The chairman said there was need for the government to rejig the security architecture of the nation to address current security challenges in the country.

We are are grossly under-policed. We need to massively recruit additional police in the country, Falalu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a group of politicians had unveiled plans for a Mega Party ahead of 2023 poll, towards restling power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has resolved to expunge provisions of the law as contained in the Police Act, Federal Character Law, Electoral Act, Labour Act, Political Parties Constitutions, that infringe on the rights of women in Nigeria.

Senates resolution was hinged on the adoption of a motion on the 2021 International Womens Day with the theme: Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-l9 world #Choose To Challenge.

The motion was sponsored by Sen. Betty Apiafi (PDP-Rivers) and co-sponsored by seven other Senators.

Apiafi rising under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, said the International Womens Day celebrated on the March 8 ,was a day set aside globally to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

It is also a day to aspire and inspire people to act in the ongoing effort for gender equality.

The day seeks to celebrate womens contributions to the society and raise awareness about the fight for gender parity,she said.

According to her, gender parity is a statistical measure that compares women and men through their income, education, and work hours among other points.

It is also an important tool for policymakers striving towards gender equality.

It is important to note that the global celebration of International Womens Day is a time for reflection of how far women have come, advocacy for what is still needed, and action to continue breaking down barriers limiting gender equality.

Aware that the International Womens Day (IWD) is a global celebration of women and their achievements.

It is also a day that seeks to raise awareness of issues affecting women around the world, highlighting initiatives and campaigns focused on improving womens lives and increasing gender parity (equality between men and women),she said.

Contributing, Sen. Stella Oduah (PDP- Anambra) called for the mainstreaming of women affairs in national planning.

She added that in prioritising the empowerment of the Nigerian woman, it was important to create an enabling environment where women can thrive to show their innate skills and talent.

Sen.Oluremi Tinubu (APC-Lagos) while celebrating accomplished women such as the Vice President of U.S., Karmala Harris, and Nigerias Okonjo-Iweala the first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, decried lack of opportunity for the womenfolk in Africa.

Sen. Laura Ladi (APC- Plateau) said women continued to play critical role in the pandemic world, adding that,they bear more burden in the home and public.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remark said that the provision of equal opportunities for women would on the long run be in the interest of Nigeria as a nation.

I believe we are together in this with our women. It is in the interest of our nation that we work together to give our women proper opportunities for them to excel.

And we must congratulate those who have achieved so much in public lap here as well as in business.

We congratulate Nigerian women, we congratulate the entire nation, and we believe that we have to do more to give our women more opportunities to serve, Lawan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria on Wednesday submitted a memo to the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of 1999 constitution.

Etsu Nupe, Dr Abubakar Yahaya, who led the delegation of the council said that traditional rulers must be given constitutional role in the country.

He said that traditional rulers were better place in handling communal clashes in view of security challenges facing the country.

He added that there was need to accommodate traditional rulers by giving them the needed constitutional backing, adding that such would help to maintain the requisite peace in the country.

He said that the traditional rulers hoped that those in charge of the review of the 1999 constitution would acknowledge their roles and give them constitutional recognition.

The council of traditional rulers had deliberated in so many sittings and came out with a prescribe status that should be allocated to its members.

We are advocating membership at the council of state as well as local government councils.

We want to establish a national council of traditional rulers of Nigeria to be embedded in our constitution, he said.

Mr Ahmed Wase, chairman of the committee on the review of 1999 constitution and the Deputy Speaker of the House, however, quarried the absence of representatives of South West traditional rulers.

He said that the memo presented showed that Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu Ode and others did not sign the memo.

Wase pleaded with the traditional rulers to work with harmony so that those who had not signed would sign.

Wase assured that the committee was conscious of their role as traditional rulers, adding that he believed the traditional rulers had a role to play in stabilising the polity.

I belief that you have a role to play in keeping us united as a country and in keeping the government functioning and providing adequate security in your domain, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

The Kwara Government on Wednesday confirmed its status as a Free Trade Zone in the North Central region of Nigeria by supporting the activities of NEPZA.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said this while presenting the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, in Ilorin.

AbdulRazaq said the presentation of the documents demonstrated the political will of the administration to strengthen the economic base of the state and bring prosperity to its people.

We are giving this certificate to concretise our commitment to the opportunity given to Kwara by the Federal Government.

We must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing competent persons who are actualising the programmes in the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the governor said.

He said that opening up zones will accelerate infrastructural development and increase Gross Domestic Production in all the catchment areas.

It will bring international investments to the zone. Already, we are speaking with the African Development Bank, and most of the projects we are looking at are sited around the zone.

Like we know, north central is the food basket of the country but most of our agricultural produce go to waste. So, when we process here, it will reduce waste and expand businesses.

COVID-19 has shown that we must look inward. The biggest companies today in Nigeria are processors and not necessarily farmers.

One of the unique things about the Kwara free trade zone is its proximity to the local airport and we will like to optimise the opportunities because Ilorin airport is designated as an international airport, he said.

AbdulRazaq also disclosed plans to partner with the federal government in making the state a place for medical tourism.

We are not just looking at one investment from the federal government. We are also looking at developing medical tourism in the state.

So, we are partnering with the federal government to set up medical tourism by creating another zone which we want to use advantageously, he said.

Respinding, Adesugba identified the state as investment friendly and suitable for the special economic zone.

Investment does not stay in the air. Investment goes to destinations. It looks for places where it is most welcome.

Investment will always go to where there is a will to support it. Your Excellency, at NEPZA, we have discovered that Kwara State seems to be one of the most welcoming states that we can work with in terms of setting up the special economic zone.

Today, we are happy to be here to start with Kwara among the first three that we will be working with this year.

We will work with you to provide state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that we promote investors.

We already have a group of investors from Turkey, Egypt, China that have been asking us where to locate their industries. This will definitely be a good location for them, he said.

He said that it was in line with the federal governments agenda for industrialisation to power the whole of Nigeria.

The benefits of special economic zones is to address issues of unemployment, security and poverty reduction.

We are happy and glad to see Gov. AbdulRazaq as one of the champions of industrialisation. We are proud of your successes in private business and we believe that you will bring to bear your successes in state, said Adesugba. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Police in Aba in Abia have arrested two kidnap suspects, Ikechi Monday and Onyekachi Orji from Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia state.

The suspects kidnapped a 70 years old woman, Mrs Patricia Nwogu from her residence at Okpolu-Umuobo area in Osisioma LGA on January, 29 but she was later rescued.

The Abia Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede confirming the arrests said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Aba led by SP Johnbull Obioguru, acting on intelligence and her orders, arrested the suspects.

The suspects, who were arrested on Monday, March 9, are currently in custody and were volunteering useful information to the police.

The RRS team also arrested Chima Nnamdi and Uzoma Chinemerem on Saturday March 6, who specialized in robbing Point of Sale (POS) operators in Aba.

The suspects robbed a POS operator by name Chijioke Ebirilem at Ehi road by East Street Aba and shot him at close range.

Ebirilem, who was rushed to Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba for treatment was later confirmed dead by doctors.

The Obioguru-led team also apprehended one Onyekachi Kalu, 28, who is a member of another robbery gang that robbed POS operators and snatched phones in Aba.

Kalus gang were said to be experts in sellingsim cards of the stolen phones to Advance Fee Fraudsters who used such to access the sim owners bank accounts and steal their funds.

However, luck ran out of the young man when RRS men on patrol got information from the public on their criminal activities on Ngwa road by Orji Uzor Kalu bridge.

The policemen following the intelligence went there and arrested Kalu whose other companions in crime fled.

However, the police are still trailing other members of the gang now at large.

Meanwhile, Agbede has assured that criminals would soon be run out of town and urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

The CP, therefore, called on the public to report any suspicious movement or character to the police to enable the police serve them better. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has elected Mr Collins Achakpekri as its Director for International Relations to coordinate affairs of all youths of the region in abroad to ameliorate the several challenges facing them.

The National Coordinator of NDYC, Mr Jator Abido, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the election of a director for International Relations became pertinent following barrage of complaints of poor funding and welfare by youths.

These youths are undergoing scholarship programmes sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, Presidential Amnesty Programme and other beneficiary from other multi-national oil companies.

Achakpekri has been charged with the responsibility of managing the interest of all the youths from all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region, and to also liaise with the various High Commissions overseas without undermining the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari

The International Desk of NDYC is, therefore, set up to address the many complaints and protests from the youths of Niger Delta in Diaspora. Achakpekriwill operate from the international desks of the Council in the UK.

It is our firm belief that the newly elected director will give his best to the elevation of the Niger Delta youths abroad as good Ambassadors and also to attract development programmes to the nation, Abido said.

Abido also noted that the choice of Achakpekri was a consensus vote via zoom by all executive members of the NYDC.

Source: NAN News