Drugs

By Felicia Imohimi

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), says it would shut down open drug markets in Onitsha, Aba and others across the country for non-compliance to the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).

Dr Elijah Mohammed, PCN Registrar said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mohammed noted that the closure of the drug markets became necessary following violations of drug distribution policy.

He explained that the policy provided for the relocation of the open drug markets to a Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs).

The PCN boss said that a lot of emphasis was placed on operators of open drug markets being the biggest players in the NDDG framework.

He said so far, PCN has registered several Mega Wholesale centres and they have also fully commenced operations.

Mohammed identified the markets as a major source of fake and falsified medicines and other health related products.

Open Drug Markets are unregulated open markets where professionalism have no place as medicines are sold in shops and stores not duly registered.

The conditions and the environment are not in tandem with approved guidelines for drug distribution. There are no pharmacists to oversee the operations and ethical practices, he said.

Mohamed noted that their operations have major negative impact on the health of the citizens.

Existence of the markets also have its impact on the pharmaceutical sector as it contributes to the chaotic drug distribution with negative impacts on the economy.

It is a common fact that where faking and falsification exists, the growth and development of the local pharmaceutical industry will be severely affected, he said.

The registrar explained that CWCs are facilities registered by thePCN for purposes of drug distribution within the framework of the NDDG.

It will operate under the direction of a Superintendent Pharmacist and with a designated number of subsidiaries to be manned by distribution managers.

The PCN and NAFDAC being the regulators will have offices in the facilities to ensure compliance with regulations, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Sanwo-Olu

By Kemi Akintokun

The Lagos State Health Service Commission has commenced training of 2,200 of its healthcare personnel on capacity development programs.

Dr Benjamin Eniayewun, the commissions Permanent Secretary, while speaking during the opening programme at the Lagos Island Maternity hospital on Tuesday, said the training was initiated to promote impeccable healthcare delivery.

Eniayewun said the training scheduled for personnel across all cadres in the 27 secondary health facilities of the state would run for three months, to ensure an all encompassing qualitative medical delivery among healthcare workers.

This training will be in batches, while the management and leadership modules are for officers on grade level 15 to 17 with prerequisite knowledge on skills to prepare them for managerial and leadership roles.

Training is on principles of financial management in healthcare, marketing in healthcare, creativity and innovations, as well as development of analytical competencies to enable them manage hospital operations effectively.

Workers on grades level 7 to 14 will be trained on modules that will positively affect their general perception which is focused on effective patient centered care.

The transfer of knowledge is designed to engender a service culture in the states general hospitals toward improved patient satisfaction and outcomes, he explained.

The permanent secretary added that the staff on grades level 1 to 6, would also be trained to further improve their technical competencies, skills and safety in the work place towards high capacity stress management.

Dr Shola Pitan, the Coordinator/Acting Director , Medical Services, said that 600 personnel would be on management level, 1,200 personnel on mid-career level, and 400 officers would be on the junior level cadre respectively.

All participants are personnel of the 27 secondary health facilities in the state.

They are actively involved in batches to acquire knowledge, using reading materials, interactive sessions and team work, toward a productive initiative, Pitan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal

By Muhammad Bello

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State,said the state government required N1.9 billion for the total rehabilitation of electricity in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Tambuwal, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, gave the figures when he received the report of a committee set up on the epileptic power supply in the state.

The seven-man committee, headed by the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Manir DanIya, was set up by the governor to find out the root causes of epileptic power supply and recommend the way forward in the state.

Tambuwal said the state government will collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to see how best to execute the projects identified and suggested by the committee.

The state government will do its own bit in order to improve the electricity network in the state, particularly in rural areas.

Though, fixing the short and epileptic electricity supply is not the responsibility of the state, but there is the need for us to set up an inter-ministerial committee to conduct an assessment on how the government can intervene.

Moreover there is need for reliable transmission process and distribution across the state, so that members of the public can benefit, he said.

He commended the Federal government for the current upgrading of the electricity line from Kebbi state to Sokoto by the Minister of Power.

Tambuwal assured that the committees recommendations will be properly studied to ensure speedy implementation.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor, Daniya, said that after the first meeting of the committee, it co-opted technical experts to assist in order to perform its duty effectively.

Daniya added that the committee also reached out to all the 23 local government Sole Administrators and visited all the affected rural communities with a view to verifying faults and assess their conditions. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Some youths during skill acquisition

By Florence Onuegbu

Stakeholders at the Internal Security and Conflict Resolution Engagement in Lagos state have resolved that more attention should be on the youth to ensure a secured environment.

In a communique read at the end of the engagement by the Director, Joint Services, Ministry of Interior, Mr Peter Egbodo, on Tuesday, it said that the youth should also be engaged in policy making.

It is imperative to expose youths to counselling and the knowledge of God, for proper guidance.

More attention should be paid to the youths as they also have ideas that could assist in formulating policies for government.

It is also essential to create jobs in order to reduce social security challenges, the communique said.

It said that there was the need for the reintroduction of value-driven programmes such as Boys Scout, Girls Guide in the schools to meaningfully engage the youth.

The communique called for adequate training and grooming of the wards by their parents.

According to the communique, governments interest in security is self-interest, as socio-economic development can only be possible in a secured environment.

It said that notwithstanding the present challenges, the government should not take security issues, especially in Lagos State, for granted as it remained home to all Nigerians.

Lagos deserves special status in Nigeria; security in Lagos State is a national issue because of its teeming population.

Security challenges in the state include armed robbery, killings, cyber-crimes, vandalism, fraud, among others.

While crime is a global challenge, the society should be re-engineered to deter thuggery and adopt better policing strategy and crowd control without the use of excessive force.

It is needful to adequately equip the Fire Service as emergency response apparatus.

Government at all levels must strive to create a system that would discourage criminality rather than demonising dissent views, it said.

The communique said that government must move from the phase of advocacy on security improvement to the phase of action and restructure the Police Force as a reflection of true federalism.

It said that charlatans among well-meaning youths must be identified to forestall their destructive activities, which if unchecked, could set the state back several years.

The communique said that security agencies should increase intelligence gatherings by working with neighbourhood security apparatus.

The communique also said that the process of conflict resolution must be peaceful in the interest of all.

Government is committed to security and should demonstrate same through the provision of better welfare packages, review of remunerations, Training and well equipped security personnel to global acceptable standard.

Acquisition of adequate crowd control equipment and non lethal weapons for management of civil protests and demonstration.

Designation of special areas for protest, so as not to impede the rights of others, the communique said.

The one-day engagement was organised by the Lagos State Government, in conjunction with the Ministries of Interior and Police Affairs.

It had in attendance members of military, para-military and other security apparatus, the Council of Obas in the state, members of the Organised Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations.

Others were representatives of Religious Bodies, members of the market men and women associations and youth representatives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

British Govt. eases Coronavirus restriction for Christmas

People in Britain will be able to celebrate Christmas with other families under a relaxation of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions for the holiday period.

Three households will be allowed to celebrate together as a Christmas bubble, the government announced.

The grouping would be exclusive, meaning one household could not change and meet another household outside their bubble during the period Dec 23-27.

The rules would apply for all parts of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There will also be a relaxation of travel restrictions.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the announcement represented a balanced and workable set of rules that we hope will allow people to spend time together at this important time of year.

England is returning to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions at the beginning of December, after a partial lockdown lasting four weeks.

Food outlets such as restaurants will be able to reopen from Dec. 2 under certain conditions and in areas with lower infection rates.

The same goes for non-essential businesses, fitness studios and hairdressers.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, over the passing on of his daughter, Aisha.

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, over the passing on of his daughter, Aisha.

Malam Garba Shehu, the presidents spokesman confirmed Buharis condolence message in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shehu said that the president, who placed a call to the minister on Monday evening, condoled with all members of the family on the sad event.

The presidents aide also quoted the him as urging the family to take comfort in the teachings of the Holy Prophet on the transient nature of life.

Buhari prayed that Allah would accept the soul of the departed and grant her Jannah tul Firdaus.

Source: NAN News

Joe Biden

U.S.) president-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday presented his future national security team to the public, highlighting their decades of experience in public service.

Biden stressed that his nominees would help return the U.S. to its position as a global leader following the unpredictable years of the Trump administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, his nominees would include the first Latino to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the first woman to be director of national intelligence.

Ive long said that America leads not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

And Im proud to put forward this incredible team that will lead by example, Biden said.

Both Antony Blinken, Bidens pick for secretary of state, and Alejandro Mayorkas, the future administrations nominee for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, described how their families fled communist regimes in Europe and Latin America and eventually settled in the U.S.

Among the speakers was former secretary of state John Kerry, who Biden nominated to be the first presidential envoy for climate.

Kerry noted that the U.S. will rejoin the Paris climate agreement on the first day after Biden takes office, and will take additional steps to combat climate change over the next four years.

America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back, said Bidens nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Source: NAN News

Nuhu Ribadu @60

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Elisha Abbo (PDP- Adamawa), has felicitated with Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on his 60th birthday.

Abbo said this in statement in Abuja on Monday.

He described Ribadu as a detribalised Nigerian.

You live an honest and simple life that which you committed in the hands of God Almighty, you are one of the most connected and respected Nigerians alive. Nigeria is lucky to have you.

Congratulations once more, wishing you more years of sacrifice and prosperity, he said.

The lawmaker added:In 2010, I resigned my appointment as Special Adviser to the governor of Adamawa to join your team as a volunteer.

Eventually, I became your Personal Assistant, then Special Assistant and much more Personal Confidant, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Australias second-wave virus hotspot records zero active cases

The state that was at the centre of Australias second wave of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday recorded no active COVID-19 cases for the first time in nearly nine months.

Victorias Department of Health and Human Services disclosed this in a tweet on Tuesday.

The last time there were zero active cases in the state was Feb. 29.

We send thanks to you, for doing your part. Lets keep it up, Victoria, the department said.

The last active case was a man in his 90s who was discharged from hospital on Monday.

The countrys second most populous state has recorded 25 consecutive doughnut days with no new coronavirus cases or deaths.

The state government and local media have been using the doughnut as a symbol of sweet victory to tally with Victorias ongoing post-lockdown success.

Victoria made international headlines for its strict stage-four lockdown, which was imposed early August when new daily infections were topping 700.

Under the heavily-policed restrictions, a six-week night-time curfew was imposed.

Thus, residents could only travel within 5 kilometres of their homes and were limited to one hour of daily outdoor exercise.

Most remaining restrictions were eased on Oct. 28.

In total, the state capital Melbourne a city of 4.9 million residents had been under stay at home orders for 112 days.

Australia has been taking a swift and stringent lockdown approach alongside rigorous testing and contact tracing to curb the spread of the virus.

Since the start of the pandemic, the country of around 25 million people has recorded a little more than 27,800 coronavirus cases significantly a lower per capita rate than most developed countries.

Source: NAN News

Gombe State House of Assembly

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Gombe State House of Assembly on Tuesday impeached its Speaker, Abubakar Ibrahim from Yamaltu west constituency while Abubakar Luggerewo emerged as the new speaker.

The former speaker was impeached on Tuesday following a voice vote by 16 members out of the 24 members of the house.

The motion for the removal of Ibrahim was moved by Shuaibu Haruna, the member representing Kwami state constituency.

The new speaker, Luggerewo, who is the 7th speaker of the Assembly is from Akko Central constituency.

Luggerewo was sworn-in by the deputy speaker, Siddi Buba from Kwami West constituency.

The house also removed the majority leader, Samuel Markus from Pero-Chongi and replaced him with Yerima Gaule representing Kaltungo East.

The deputy chief whip, Yahaya Kaka was removed and replaced with Saidu Mohammed, representing Deba constituency.

The house also dissolved all its standing committees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house did not give any reason for the removal of the speaker.

The chief whip of the house, Musa Buba, from Balanga North constituency however, told newsmen that the members no longer have confidence and trust in him.

The former speaker lacked the trust of the members and in a number of times he went contrary to the provisions of our guiding principles, he said.

The new speaker, Luggerewo while addressing newsmen, appreciated the members for the action taken in the house.

He said the action was for the best interest of our constituents and Gombe state at large.

We took the action to ensure that all the needs of citizens of Gombe state have been delivered, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A 63-year-old woman, Adenike Adebayo, appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday on a two-count charge of defrauding and stealing N2.1 million from one Mrs Olubisi Adedokun.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Adegboye, told the court that Adenike committed the offence in June when she collected the money from Adedokun on the pretext that she would supply the latter with some imported wearing apparels.

Having collected the money, the accused did not keep to the promise, the prosecutor said.

The defendant collected the money on the understanding that her son, who resides in Dubai, would ship the wearing apparels to Nigeria.

She, however, converted the money to her personal use, Adegboye said.

Adenike, who resides at Jericho G.R.A, Ibadan, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Idowu, granted her bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Idowu adjourned the case to Feb.10, 2021 for mention. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on Tuesday in Abuja restated its commitment to achieving the UNs vision 95-95-95 aimed at ending AIDS by the year 2030.

Dr Gambo Aliyu, its Director-General, while addressing a news conference to mark the 2020 World AIDS Day, said that the agency would continue to intensify efforts toward reducing HIV prevalence.

We shall continue to test people and assist those infected, he said.

He promised to engage women and adolescents in NACA activities, especially the Prevention Protection and Empowerment (PPE) programme.

The Director-General called for greater commitment on the part of communities toward eliminating HIV.

Aliyu also commended President Muhammdu Buharis efforts toward tackling the spread of the disease, and particularly lauded governments regular funding of the agency.

Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV (NEPWHAN), who also spoke, called for intensified efforts to eliminate the burden of HIV, especially among the youths, women and children.

Ibrahim said that Nigeria had yet to achieve the 2020 goals of UN Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) aimed at diagnosing 90 per cent of HIV positive people and providing lifesaving Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 90 per cent.

Available data shows that from 2010 to 2019, Nigeria has only reduced 10 per cent of HIV new infections where youths and children are newly infected every day.

If we are to achieve epidemic control by the year 2030, we must take responsibility by coming up with targeted HIV testing programme such as self-testing and awareness creation at community level, he said.

The national coordinator called for synergy among stakeholders to achieve desired results in accordance with Nigerias 2020 World AIDS Days theme United to End HIV in the Midst of COVID-19, Get tested.

He commended Dr Erasmus Morah, UNAIDS Country Director, for standing for the HIV community and key affected population.

He emphasised the need not to leave anyone behind in the fight against HIV by taking increased risks involved in reaching those who were left behind.

Ms Ulla Mueller, Country Representative of UNFPA, called for closer attention to adolescents in the fight against HIV.

Represented by Mr Babatunde Adelekan, Mueller expressed UNFPAs determination not to leave anyone behind, especially the adolescents, in the fight against HIV.

Mrs Helen Akpan, the National Coordinator, Association of Women Living with HIV, said that nearly eight per cent of the 1.9 million people living with HIV were women.

Akpan, therefore, appealed to stakeholders to support the efforts to prevent new infections among women, and attributed the high prevalence of HIV among women to gender inequality.

She called for stringent measures to address such inequality.

Akpan regretted that COVID-19 had worsened the health condition of her colleagues leading to loss of their lives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Africa Green Awards

By Maureen Okon

Three Nigerian Environmentalist have been rewarded by Sweden and Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation, an NGO, for their outstanding performance at the African Green Award Boot Camp.

The Africa Green Grant is an initiative to promote the sustainability of the environment by supporting African youth in the designing and implementation of their ideas.

The News of Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sweden Ambassador to Nigeria, Carl Grans, gave the award alongside Adanna Kalejaye, the foundation Group General Manager.

Those that received the award are Tolulope Olukokun of Think Electric Africa Initiative, Bilkisu Graba-Dallo of Up-cycle Architect and Adejoke Lasisi of 33 Hours.

Olukokun got the Under-40 Green award for designing and building an electric vehicle to facilitate affordable green transportation in Nigeria.

He emerged the winner of the African green boot camp and went away with the grand prize of one million Naira.

Graba-Dallo came second for turning waste building materials into an up-scaling and repurposing them into finished products.

She also teaches and enlightens people on the importance of a safe environment.

Lasisi came third for her outstanding work in Recycling Waste Materials and also training 2,000 people on waste management.

Rita Idehai, who was among the finalists, owns Ecobatar, an Integrated Waste Management.

She was recognized for empowering women and youths in local communities in Abuja on the important of waste management and a safe environment.

Grans said that the Swedish embassy appreciated their work in improving the environmental quality and supporting its sustainability.

I will say congratulation for hosting a successful African Green awards. Environment and climate change are top priorities in the Sweden policies and government, which I represent in Nigeria.

We stressed the importance of strengthened engagement and a broad dialogue in the society to make change happen.

We consider the Africa Green award an excellent platform to promote commitment of people and hopefully, to share best practices to improve environmental sustainability in Africa.

To the winners of the award in different categories, my warmest congratulations to Ms Idehai, one of the finalist. I understand that you are one of the finalist for the Africa Green grant category, am looking forward to learn about your work in Ecobarter, he said.

Speaking, Kalejaye said that environmental issues needed to be given priority because of its strategic importance to every sector of the economy.

Most people do not see environmental issue as key to curb some of the challenges faced in the economy because most priority is on unemployment, poverty, education and insecurity before considering the environment.

When you go to a community to address them in the area of environment, it usually does not stick. But when you go on the angle of poverty and these other challenges, you get their attention. So, much must be done to address environmental issues, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gaius Obaseki

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Gaius Obaseki on his 75th birthday, Nov. 25, commending him for shaping the nations oil and gas industry.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari joined family members, friends and associates of the former GMD in celebrating the milestone, signposted by many years of service to the nation.

The president noted with delight that Obaseki had distinguished himself in the oil and gas sector where he supervised the repositioning of the NNPC, making it more business friendly and development oriented.

The president affirmed that the former Chairman of the Nigeria LNGLimited (NLNG), who currently chairs Brass LNG, had deployed his wisdom, knowledge and experience in winning well deserved national and international awards and recognitions.

Buhari urged Obaseki to be more dedicated and committed to the virtues of hard work, discipline and focus that had defined his vision for Nigeria.

He prayed that the almighty God would grant him longer life, more strength and good health to realize all his dreams. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mrs Julie Okah-Donli NAPTIP D-G

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Tuesday opened a three-day workshop in Abuja for its investigators as part of measures to combat trafficking in persons in Nigeria.

The investigators were drawn from NAPTIP, including its zonal offices across the country, to gain wider knowledge that would capture all the strategies and methods used by perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The training was supported by International and Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), a Spanish public foundation implementing Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) project in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, said while declaring the workshop open that training of officers was necessary to explore all the details of the crime.

She said the purpose of investigation is to explore, in details, the evidence in-depth, and to determine specifically whether a crime has been committed or not, and if so, identify the nature of the crime and the person responsible.

Investigation is necessary to tackle trafficking in persons cases.

As a matter of fact, human trafficking investigation is an unequivocal obligation under the United Nations Transnational Organised Crime Convention 2001.

The fulcrum of thorough and exhaustive investigation is to prevent similar abuses from happening again.

Okah-Donli said that the training was also to brainstorm on the menace, currently referred to as modern day slavery.

She explained that NAPTIP, from its inception till date, had been taking the bull by the horn to identify perpetrators of human trafficking, while also rescuing, rehabilitating and empowering victims.

She noted that the agency partnered with various stakeholders to advance the fight against human trafficking and had recorded outstanding successes in various areas.

She said that some of the NAPTIP partners built the capacity of staff, while others donated items to victims of human trafficking in NAPTIP shelters.

She reiterated the agencys commitment to continue to collaborate with stakeholders to combat trafficking and liberate the vulnerable from exploitation.

Mr Rafael-Rios Molina, the A-TIPSOM Team Leader in Nigeria, said the foundation would continue to support NAPTIP in whatever capacity within its jurisdiction.

Molina said that A-TIPSOM would continue to assist NAPTIP in the area of policy, prevention, protection and to enhance its role in the battle against trafficking.

He commended the NAPTIP boss for putting up her best with the determination to end the scourge of trafficking in Nigeria.

Mr Lorenzo Fages, the Attach, Ministry of Interior, Spanish Embassy, said that Nigeria was the only country in Africa which stepped up the fight against human trafficking.

According to Fages, his country has a good relations with Nigeria and will continue to support the country in the fight against human trafficking.

He added that human trafficking is an international phenomenon. In Spain, we are against illegal marriage and consider it as trafficking in human because traffickers use different methods to get their victims.

We will continue to support NAPTIP with logistics. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Laycon

By Alex Anayo Enebeli

Fans of the 2020 Big Brother Naija, season 5 winner, Lekan Agbeleshe a.k.a Laycon are in for an exciting times as he returns to the screens in a new reality show titled, I Am Laycon.

The show powered by Showmax would premier in Febraury 2021 and would show Laycons life after emerging winner of the BBnaija show.

is an online video streaming service similar to Netflix offered across Africa by MultiChoice the owners of DSTV and GoTV.

I am Laycon shot in Nigeria, will be Showmaxs first ever Nigerian original series.

The organisers said the show would also give an exclusive insight into the rappers personal relationships and growing music career.

Laycon in his reaction on his social media platforms, Instagram and twitter on Tuesday shared: I am excited to continue my new life journey and embrace the new responsibilities and evolving not just myself but everyone around me.

I want you to come along for the ride as you get to see the growth that you have supported and love.

Laycon has 2.4m followers on Instagram and currently working on his album.

Source: NAN News

Public toilet

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, has reiterated his administrations commitment to ensure that more toilets are provided in the FCT.

Bello stated this at a programme to mark the 2020 World Toilet Day organised by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in collaboration with the FCT Administration in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister, represented by the Chairman, AEPB, Yahaya Bawuro, said FCTA and AEPB were committed to ensuring that residents were sensitised on the need for toilets in every home.

Bello added that FCT would ensure that the public was enlightened on the need to use available toilets located in public places.

He noted that the safe reuse of human waste could help to save water, reduce and capture greenhouse gas emissions for energy production, and provide agriculture with a reliable source of water and nutrients.

Bello said all hands must be on deck to ensure Nigeria achieved sustainable sanitation in tandem with Sustainable Development Goal Six by 2030, so that everyone could have access to sustainable toilets.

The Director, AEPB, Dr Hassan Abubakar, said the board would continue to facilitate partnerships, advocacy, dialogue, and focused actions to push the sanitation agenda.

Abubakar said the board was working with strategic partners in the sector to ensure Abuja joined the world in meeting SDG Six and to effectively maximise the use of the resources that huge quantities of faeces generated everyday.

We must realise that when nature calls, it is not time for us to defecate openly which is detrimental to the environment but it is time to replenish nature, add value to life and contribute to a sustainable ecosystem.

We should understand the importance of toilet and its availability and keep reminding ourselves on the need to ensure universal access to toilets by 2030, he said.

Abubakar said it was the responsibility of everyone to save the environment and the earth, and make the possibility of a healthy and happy life on earth a reality.

Mrs Kate Ogbonna, Head, Department of Environmental Health and Safety, AEPB, said the board was intensifying efforts to create awareness in the FCT on open defecation and its implications to health and the environment

Ogbonna said the board worked with area councils and community leaders in creating awareness on the need to build more toilets and end open defecation in their communities.

She said the board carried out regular inspection of toilets in public places in the city centre to ensure compliance with health standards.

We carry out regular inspection of public toilets in the city centre and if we find any defaulters, the AEPB Act gives us the power to take them to court, if they still refuse to comply after serving them a notice to clean up the toilets, Ogbonna said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Toilet Day is celebrated on Nov. 19 every year to raise awareness on the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed toilets.

NAN also reports that the theme for 2020 is Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change . (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a venture capital company, TIIMAfrica, to grow the businesses of 100 youths in the country.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said at the event on Tuesday in Abuja, that the partnership was one in series of collaborations with the private sector to empower the youths.

Dare stressed the need to engage and empower Nigerian youths as part of efforts to reduce crime and fast-track socio-economic development of the nation.

We will continue to seek partnerships with private organisations and youth-led groups such as TIIMAfrica to give our teeming youth the best possible opportunities, he said.

Earlier, the Managing Partner of the firm, Samuel Ajako, said the project was aimed at giving a 5,000 dollarsgrant to about 100 carefully selected youths each to expand their businesses.

The fund is targeted at 100 startups in Nigeria. There are investors around the world who are looking at expanding at the emerging markets.

With Nigeria having a good number of tech startup and huge population, a lot of opportunities abound here, he said.

Ajako said there would be a screening process and a pitch day when each business owner would present his/her business and added that the applicants would be selected on merit.

There is a benchmark of ,000 per successful applicant. They have a successful traction of six to12 months.

They must also have a business presence duly registered in Nigeria with the ability to employ people at the same time.

TIIMAfrica has a venture fund backed by investors around the world. We are a venture capital company.

Every single application that comes in will be screened and it will be strictly by merit, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Activities in Obas palace

By Joy Odigie

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare ll, has officially announced the birth of a princess, whose birth coincides with both his birthday and coronation anniversary.

A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, and made available to journalists in Benin on Monday, said the princess was born on Oct. 20.

The statement explained that the announcement was delayed till now because of the tension raised by the #EndSars protests of October.

The Benin Traditional Council, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare ll, and the Royal Palace of Benin Kingdom, joyfully announces that her Royal Highness, Queen Owamagbe of Benin Kingdom, has been delivered of a baby girl.

The infant princess and her mother are in excellent health and good spirit.

It is our prayers that the princess will grow in good health, excellence and grace and that she shall be blessed by Almighty God, the statement said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Chairman PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal on Monday said current efforts at restructuring Nigeria would not achieve success if not channeled through the amendments of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.

Tambulwa, the Governor of Sokoto State was quoted as saying this while speaking at the opening plenary of the 26Nigerian Economic Summit tagged: Building partnerships for resilience in Abuja.

In a statement issued by the governors Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Abubakar Shekara, he said the nation must avoid a repeat of the mistake of 2015 when a robust attempt by the House of Representatives to amend the constitution was rejected at last minute.

Tambuwal, who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2015, said though current efforts at restructuring was good, it could only be done by constitution amendments.

As it were at the moment, whatever you are going to do about the constitution, has been prescribed by the constitution and how you are going to do it.

The constitution has prescribed how a word in that constitution is going to be amended.

Except of course we are saying we are going to jettison the National Assembly and the State Assemblies in getting it done, which is not possible, he said.

Tambuwal said that restructuring could only be done through the introduction of bills at the National Assembly, debates at the National Assembly, public hearings and getting the concurrence of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

He said what the House of Representatives did in 2015 was to debate the issues after Nigerians had theirs, their views were collated and synthesised into an Act that was presented to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for assent.

The governor said that previous constitutional conferences organised by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan failed because their resolutions were not translated into legislation.

So you cannot go outside of the constitution to amend the constitution, we better come to terms with this realisation and agree to come together and agree on how best we can work together to achieve what the nation desires, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News