AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen missing as Super Eagles begins training

By Victor Okoye

The Super Eagles on Tuesday in Benin had their first training session in the last leg of preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 of the 23 invited players took part in the training.

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen was however missing from the training, even though it was earlier confirmed he had arrived at the teams camp.

Amaju Pinnick, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had earlier on Tuesday confirmed Osimhens arrival, adding that he initially had some flight challenges.

Osimhen called me two days ago complaining that an airline could not carry him because of XYZ.. and asked if he could get another ticket and I said we are going to get a ticket for you and I am happy he has arrived.

So, you can see the commitment of the young players to this country, he said.

NAN reports that Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Iheanacho and Emmanuel Dennis were among the latest set of arrivals in the Benin City camp of the Super Eagles.

Those already on ground include team captain Ahmed Musa, the England-based trio of William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina.

Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun who both play for the Scottish side Rangers are also in.

Also In camp are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Sebastian Osigwe and Ikechukwu Ezenwa who was called up as a late replacement for Daniel Akpeyi.

The other players invited by coach Gernot Rohr and already in town are Kevin Akpoguma, Zaidu Sanusi, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Oghenekaro Etebo..

Etebo is returning to the team after missing the two friendly games against Tunisia and Algeria in October.

The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday before heading to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.

Source: NAN News

Dr Ken Ukaoha, NANTS President

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has called on the Federal Government to take the matter of harassment of Nigerian traders in Ghana to the ECOWAS court for adjudication.

Dr Ken Ukaoha, NANTS National President, made the call on Monday in Abuja when he led a delegation of the association, including some Nigerian traders in Ghana, to the Minister of Interior, Mr, Rauf Aregbesola to explore ways of resolving the crisis.

Ukaoha told Newsmen after discussing with the minister that they were at the ministry because the traders in Ghana were deemed as migrants and, therefore the Nigerian Immigration Service, as part of the Interior ministry, had a role to play in the matter.

The journey to the ministry was to lay our grievance and resolution to the minister in recognition of the fact that the traders are Nigerians and, therefore, require absolute security wherever they may find ourselves.

We feel strongly that reciprocity is part of diplomacy and so we are challenging government to rise up to the occasion, because we have had enough, he said.

Ukaoha recalled the Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa few months ago, the molestation and harassment of Nigerians in Lebanon, and the sufferings of Nigerians in Libya.

Today, Nigerian traders in Ghana are passing through torture, intimidation and molestation of the highest magnitude, if we react proportionately to the kind of pressure we are getting from Ghanaian authorities and their citizens it may lead to civil war.

Imagine our businesses being under lock and key for several months by Ghanaian authorities, these are means of livelihood of people, some traders borrowed money from banks to transact business, some goods are expiring and they are all locked up.

The traders need to generate money to renew rents, pay school fees, settle bills, but they cannot because their means of livelihood are under lock and key, he said.

Ukaoha expressed sadness that many of the traders had complied with the laws in Ghana, which are contradictory with provisions of the ECOWAS treaty and protocols, and yet their businesses still remained under lock and key.

Responding, the minister assured the delegation of the governments efforts made to resolve the matter, saying that the Federal Government was not keeping quiet but would use diplomatic means to deal with the matter. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Polo action at the 2020 National Carnival Polo tournament at the Guards Polo Club In Abuja. Photo Credit: NAN

By Victor Okoye

Twenty-eight teams were on ground for the opening ceremony of the 2020 National Carnival Polo Tournament as the event got off to a flying start on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tourney which is holding at the Guards Polo Club is expected to climax with the grand finale on Sunday.

The 28 teams participating are vying for honours in four Cups, namely the Presidents Cup, the Legislative Shield, the Guards Challenge and FCT Ministers Cup.

The trophies are for competition in the high, intermediate and medium goal categories of competition at the tournament.

Mohammed Hayatu, the Tournament Manager, told NAN that this years event which is the ninth edition was the biggest tournament the club had ever hosted.

He added that it was a dream come through for the clubs management.

This years tournament is a first of its kind, where we celebrate the Nigeria National Carnival which coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the country and it promises to be a very huge and successful one.

We have players who have come to grace this international event from Argentina, South Africa and other parts of the world.

We also have teams from different parts of the country, including Kaduna, Kano, Yola, to mention a few, Hayatu said.

The Tournament Manager said the event was also special because it was the first time the club would actually be officially giving out trophies which are instituted in the club.

Before now, the usual tradition was to give out trophies as souvenirs and then purchase new ones the next year, and so on.

But in a strong tradition of polo clubs, where the club attains a certain level in the society of polo, it is very important for a club to have its trophy.

The Georgian Cup, for example, which is the Kaduna Polo Clubs highest goal cup, is over 100 years old.

The cup is also at the verge of being recognised by the Guinness Book of Records because of its long term sponsorship by First Bank.

There is no cup in the world that is being sponsored for over a hundred years by one particular company.

So, we hope to begin our sponsorship drive with the trophies we will be instituting at the club from this year. This is one of my greatest achievements as the tournament manager, he said.

NAN also reports that in the matches played on Monday, Nasiriya/IBT Talamiz whipped ZMD Group four goals to one and a half goals.

Golden Alchemy defeated Al husna/Trade Mark five and a half goals to five.

Also, the Nigerian Army team thrashed Katsina Kangiwa five goals to half in the FCT Ministers Cup category meant for handicaps 3 to 6.

In the Legislative Shield category meant for handicaps 7 to 10, FAS Agro beat D Hayat six and a half goals to five. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Ikenna Osuoha

Ms. May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI) says mass testing for COVID-19 is key in containing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Ikokwu, also the Secretary-General, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

She expressed concern over the traumatic experience of some persons infected with the virus as well as the economy of the country.

The way forward is to increase our testing capacity and capabilities by ensuring mass testing.

Sickness detected is half cured, so the moment the virus is detected, certainly quarantine and treatment will follow and the spread will reduce, Ikokwu said.

She commended the Federal Government for its efforts in fighting the pandemic, adding that more still needed to be done to eliminate the virus.

Ikokwu called for intensive advocacy to sensitise Nigerians to the existence of the disease which according to her was still wreaking havoc.

The SOHI boss expressed concern over the perception by many people that COVID-19 virus was gone.

The fact that the virus did not ravage the country as had been predicted is no reason for the current complacency being observed.

While at an Abuja suburb market recently, I was shocked to observe that a woman was the only one wearing a facemask, appearing like an oddity in the environment.

Many people today no longer apply the safety protocols of washing hands, social distancing thinking that the pandemic is over.

But the pandemic is very much around, a governor just tested positive, it is clear evidence that it is still around as 300 persons also tested positive to the virus.

Ikokwu urged Nigerians to present themselves for test in order to ascertain their safety.

She explained that it was wrong for people to stay away from testing because of fear or stigmatisation.

According to her, Nigeria has more than 61 testing centres across the nation and it is important we know our COVID-19 status.

NAN reports that at the beginning of the pandemic, Nigerias COVID-19 testing capacity was around 200 tests a day which later increased to 1,000 tests per day. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tennis competition

By Ijeoma Okigbo/Samson Shokoya

Nigerias number one, Sylvester Emmanuel, on Monday defeated 16-year-old Andu Mukhtar6-2 6-3 at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Tournament.

It was an obviously tough draw for Mukhtar, who is making a debut at theevent as he struggled to earn points against the defending champion.

However, it was not a walk in the park for Emmanuel as he laboured to staytop of the game to qualify for the round of 32 at the Moshood AbiolaNational Stadium in Abuja.

Mukhtars undoing was his many unforced errors, even though he managed to breakEmmanuel many times, sending the crowd in jubilation as he pickedpoints.

After the game, a very exhausted Mukhtar, who gained a wild card to thecompetition said he has a lot to learn in the sport.

I think I played well. My opponent obviously played better and Ihave alot to learn from him.

I train in London but I have been in Nigeria for the past few monthsand just started training here last month.

Theres so much I have to learn around here. I am just getting usedto the heat and it affected my play today a little, Mukhtar said.

On his part, Emmanuel said he had a great game.

The match was a good one. It was a very good first match after somany months out due to COVID-19 and it was tough as well.

But I am happy forthe win and am looking forward to the next match.

About his opponent, Emmanuel added: He is a young upcoming playerand is doing so well. I believe that in future he will be better andmake the country proud.

The tournament has N700,000 up for grabs for the winner of the mens andwomens singles title each.

The event is expected to end on Saturday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

CACOVID

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Two members of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) have explained the delay in the distribution of palliatives by state governments.

CACOVID is a private sector-led organisation established to assist the government in combating the Coronavirus disease in the Nigeria.

CACOVID members, Mr Osita Nwasinobi and Dr Sola Adeduntan, in two separate documents made available to the media in Abuja, called for calm among members of the public.

Nwasinobi, in a document he authored for CACOVID members, said that the coalitionhad been working with the minister of the FCT and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), to procure and distribute food items to Nigerians.

He said that they were working to distribute the food items for about two million, mostly vulnerable families across the 774 local government areas in the country, explaining that CACOVID members decided to procure the food directly from the manufacturers, to avoid a distortion of prices in the market.

Nwasinobi stressed: The sheer scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country.

This compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner, with states classified in three timed phases, to enable orderly delivery to the needy.

The food package was designed such that each of the nearly two million vulnerable families received 10kg bag of rice, five-kilogram bag of garri/maize flour/semolina, one carton of pasta, two cartons of noodles, five kilograms of sugar and one kilogram of salt.

He added that due to the large size of the order and the production cycle required to meet the demand, there was delay in delivering the food items and thus delays in distribution by state governments

For instance, rice had to be milled, semolina and maize flour had to be processed, noodles and pasta had to be manufactured, and sugar had to be refined. As such, the first deliveries could not start until June.

However, as at October 2020, a sizable portion of the items had been delivered but yet to be distributed by the governors, Nwasinobi said.

He said that while 28 states and the FCT had commenced distribution since early August, some could not as they were yet to receive complete deliveries of the items allotted to them and so state governments had been distributing the items at various paces.

In the interest of transparency and accountability, he pledged that CACOVID would, in due course, provide the full delivery schedule and flag-off dates by each state, stressing that KPMG Professional Services and NGF external auditors were also on the verge of completing the audit of all contributions from the donors, including a full list of all medical and food items procured with the CACOVID funds before the warehouses were attacked.

It is very unfortunate that various states, including states that have concluded the distribution of their allocations, are seeing their warehouses and other premises being raided.

Nwasinobi called for calm to allow states to proceed with their palliatives distribution peacefully, and for the public to disregard any unauthorized sources of information regarding the procurement and distribution of the palliatives.

Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of First Bank PLC, in aletter addressed to Sigma Chief, Old Chiefs and Loyalists urged member to be wary of information on social media, saying that CACOVID had successfully provided health facilities, diagnostic kits and medications to all the states and the FCT.

The First Bank CEO said that CACCOVID also decided to provide food to 1.7 million mostly vulnerable families across the country but the challenge was how to purchase those items worth about N15 billion without driving inflation.

We had to contract this out to various manufacturers and that took time for them to deliver the goods to us. It was only in September and early October that we handed the goods over to the various state governments and FCT.

It is therefore a fallacy that the state governments or Dangote have hoarded those foodstuffs, he explained. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

54-year-old mother of 15 children shares her ordeal

By Nyisom Dore

Mrs Hussaina Salisu, a 54-year-old woman, who had 15 children from single births, has advised young mothers to carefully plan their families so as not to jeopardise the future of their children.

Salisu shared her ordeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Tuesday..

NAN reports that the woman, who had her first child at 14, gave birth to the 15 children over a period of 28 years, with no record of multiple births.

NAN also reports that the first child is 40 years, while the youngest is 12 years.

Hussaina, a native of Zaria in Kaduna State, who resides in Mararaba, Nasarawa said that her pregnancies and deliveries were never challenging.

The pregnancies and births were never challenging. The only challenge is raising the children. That has been a very difficult task.

Most of them did not go to school. Some started, but dropped out.

I had 13 of my 15 children alone and at home; only two were born in the hospital.

I never fell ill during my pregnancies or had any complications during childbirth, but that was in those days. I will not advise any woman in this generation to try that.

If I was as enlightened as I am now and had any knowledge about family planning, I would not have found myself in this situation.

As you can see, this is how we live. Survival has become a herculean task. These children do not go to school, and we cannot even afford a decent meal, Hussaina, now divorced, told NAN.

She advised young married women, especially those from the northern part of the country, to go for child spacing and only have a sizeable number of children that they would be able to cater for, in case they found themselves in a situation like hers.

I had seven children from my first marriage, we got divorced and I married my second husband and had eight with him. But he left me and returned to his first wife, leaving me and the children.

Some of the girls are now married, but none of them was able to get any education before starting a family. So, life has not been easy for them. They are practically living my kind of life.

No mother wants to see her children suffer, but I have no choice. Seeing them struggling to survive through this hardship makes me very sad.

But, in spite of the tough times, Hussaina says she does not regret having them.

Things are hard for me and the kids, but I have no regrets bringing them to this world. I love them deeply and I am ready to do anything to make them happy. I cannot give them up for anything.

They are here already and I believe in Gods divine plan. I have faith that God will send helpers to us just like He has been doing, because my children and I are living on the goodwill of neighbours and many kind individuals.

Mama 15, as she is popularly known in the area, also disclosed that her mother had 17 children, though with three multiple births two sets of twins and one set of triplets.

That was why my siblings and I could not go to school because we were too many.

Besides, at that time, a womans future was always determined from birth she will simply be married off once she attains puberty.

One of the children, Binta Salisu, who spoke with NAN, said she was in school up to Junior Secondary School (JSS) 2, but had to drop out two years ago because she could not afford to go further.

She appealed to NGOs, philanthropists and other well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the populous family.

We need help. We need food. We need education. We need support. People should help us, she said.

She further advised young mothers to ensure they had something to do so as to survive.

Every woman should get a trade. Every woman needs something to fall back on when she finds herself in a situation like ours. No woman should be idle.

Binta, 18, appealed to well meaning Nigerians to come to her aid as she was still passionate about going back to school and completing her education.

I dont wish to end up like the rest of my sisters. I want to acquire education and compete for opportunities in life.

The only way to have a meaningful life is to get education. I want education. I am anxious and ready. Someone should help me, she told NAN, fighting back tears.

NAN reports that four of Hussainas children are late. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Troops eliminate 8 terrorists, rescue victims, recover arms in North East

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Fire Ball have eliminated eight terrorists of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) in recent encounters in the North East.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, in a statement on Tuesday, said that Operation Fire Ball is a subsidiary operation under Operation Lafiya Dole.

Troops also rescued a woman and three children and recovered a large cache of arms during the encounter.

Onyeuko said that the troops had between Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram/ISWAP to infiltrate Buni Gari town in Yobe, and eliminated five of the insurgents.

According to him, troops recovered one fabricated (VBL) Armoured Personnel Carrier, one Gun Truck, one NSVT Anti Aircraft Gun, one QJC Anti Aircraft Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, one PKT gun, one GPMG, one QJC Extra Barrel, six AK47 rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm NATO Ammunition from the encounter.

Onyeuko also said that that troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed in Miyanti in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, destroyed terrorists hideout and rescued one woman and three children on Nov. 8.

He added that two bicycles and other items were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.

According to him, on Nov. 3, troops of Army Super Camp 7 deployed in Bama, successfully thwarted a suicide-bomber attempt on their camp.

The vigilant troops sighted and neutralised the lone female suicide bomber before she could detonate her vest.

In another development, troops of Army Super Camp 11 deployed at Gamboru on Nov. 3, killed Boko Haram terrorists, forcing others to flee with possible gunshot wounds.

Resulting from the encounter, the troops captured one AK 47 rifle and 2 Boko Haram terrorists flags, he said.

The military spokesperson commended the troops for their resilience, doggedness and commitment to the war against insurgents in the North East and urged them to continue to build on the successes.

He also assured the people of the determination of the military to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists /ISWAP terrorists from their enclaves.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Umahi of Ebonyi State,

The Federal Government has designated Ebonyi as one of Nigerias export processing zones.

For the speedy take-off, the Ebonyi Government has allocated a parcel of land to the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), for the project.

Gov. Dave Umahi handed over the allocation letter to the Managing Director of the Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adasugba in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

He expressed the hope that the project will stimulate growth and create employment.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said his administration was in a hurry to develop the state and ready to explore available opportunities.

He appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the project for the benefit of the people.

We hope that the project, when completed, will stimulate the economy of the state and generate employment for our youths, Umahi said.

Earlier, Adesugba had explained that NEPZA is saddled with the responsibility to establish, licence, regulate and operate highly efficient free zones by providing a highly competitive incentive scheme, excellent support facilities and service.

He added that the authority is committed to creating an enabling environment for export, manufacturing and other commercial activities to thrive.

The export processing zone will engender economic growth and enhance export, manufacturing, economic and commercial activities in the state.

We are hopeful that the state will maximise fully the economic potential that will open up by the NEPZA , Adasugba said.

He said NEPZA was attracted to Ebonyi by the member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, and commended the zeal so far shown by Ebonyi Government to embrace it.

In his remarks, Ogbaga said efforts would be made to capture the project in the 2021 budget to ensure speedy completion.

Source: NAN News

Financial burden of amnesty programme unsustainable Expert

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Senior Policy and Research Lead at Nextier SPD, a development consulting firm says that the financial burden of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is unsustainable to the country.

Nwokolo disclosed this while presenting the key finding of a report on amnesty programme by Nextier SPD at a virtual dialogue on PAP, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The report was sponsored by Nigerian Natural Resource Charter (NNRC).

He said the findings revealed that PAP, in spite gulping billions of naira annually over the years, had failed to address various challenges bedeviling oil-producing communities.

According to him, the programme appears to be rewarding militancy and aggressiveness.

The programme is focused on individuals rather than the community; the payments have deepened entitlement culture and had strengthened command and control structures of groups.

It is also characterised by politics of exclusion, especially the exclusion of the private sector, he said.

He identified shortcomings and challenges hindering the success of the programme to include widespread corruption, unverified beneficiaries, and poor programme design

Others, he noted include slow progress, low levels of consistency and high dependence on stipends.

Nwokolo said that the reintegration phase of the PAP was still incomplete 10 years after; while difficulty exists in getting current and reliable data on the status of the ex-agitators.

He adeed that the recently-suspended coordinator of the programme had brought to the notice of Nigerians, some of its the entrenched corruption.

The programme is also characterised by slow pace of reintegration and lack of employment, especially as the reintegration phase of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, (DDR) process, meant to last five years is still ongoing and there is difficulty of beneficiaries landing jobs after graduation.

It has brought about an apparent lack of coherence between PAP activities and other Niger Delta interventions; while these have resulted in poor levels of social reintegration, he added.

Nwokolo, however, called for the reviews of the programme to enable it achieve a positive reward for oil communities in the country.

Unless the programme is urgently reviewed, it will continue to serve as a drain on the Federal Governments resources, especially with the monthly allocation of N5.5 billion.

It will also continue to engender poor return on investment, record limited success in reintegrating ex-agitators, among others.

He called on the Federal Government to devolve the activities of the amnesty programme to state governments oil development commission, adding that it would lead to higher levels of effectiveness.

He added that it would reduce cost, while the broad-based oversight that would ensue, would decrease the level of elite capture and corruption.

Making the states responsible for the amnesty programme will further empower them to provide holistic solutions to manage their own security.

Leveraging on the oil producing commissions who are already in the host communities increases the likelihood of success, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Cancer

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Dr Abidemi Omonisi, Consultant, Anatomic Pathology says Nigeria is one of the leading countries in cancer registration in Sub Saharan Africa.

He said the feat had made tremendous progress in cancer control and management in the country.

Omonisi, with the Department of Pathology, Ekiti State University told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that having four cancer registration centres had projected the image of Nigeria internationally.

According to him, the centres are Abuja Cancer Registry at National Hospital, Calabar Cancer Registry, Ekiti Cancer Registry and Ibadan Cancer registry.

He said They are recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

That means data from those registries are sent through the African Cancer Registry Network to WHO for the projection of global cancer statistics, he said.

According to him, a cancer registry is an information system designed for the collection, storage, and management of data on persons with cancer.

Registries play a critical role in cancer surveillance, which tells us where we are in the efforts to reduce the cancer burden.

Surveillance data may also serve as a foundation for cancer research and are used to plan and evaluate cancer prevention and control interventions.

The consultant told NAN that the burden of cancer was increasing globally and in Africa, especially in Sub-Sahara Africa.

He said several reasons had been put forward to be responsible for that, saying, number one is change in lifestyle and then change in dietary.

We in Africa are switching to western diet, environmental factor is also there; all these factors are responsible for what we see in cancer cases over the years.

Over the last decade, a lot of efforts have been put in place in addressing cancer burden is Sub Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria.

Cancer is not the same, where you are located will determine the type of cancer that will be prevalent.

For example, those in Australia, they have more of skin cancer because of the environment, they have high temperature.

Japan has the highest incidence of gastric cancer because of the environment, the water is contaminated.

Omonisi said infection related cancers; driven by infective agents were common Sub-Sahara Africa, which is why cervical cancer and HIV agitated cancers are higher in Africa than any region of the world.

In Nigeria in the last ten years, we have accessed the burden of cancer and we have confirmed the most common cancer and it is possible because of increase in cancer registry in the country.

Cancer registry is very important. They are involved in the systematic assessment and collation, interpretation, analysis of cancer data, he said.

NAN reports that cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria every year with an estimated 102,000 new cases of cancer annually, according to the Nigeria National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2018-2022)

The top five cancer burdens in Nigeria are prostate, liver, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, colorectal and pancreatic for the male and breast, cervical, liver, colorectal and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma for the female.

Of these, breast and cervical cancers are responsible for approximately 50.3 per cent of all cancers in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Training Agricultural Enterprises

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, has called for a greater involvement of the youth and women in agriculture.

Nanono made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the Debriefing of Outcomes of Socio-economic Surveys in Nigeria led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and its partners.

He said that there was a need to address the issue of the micro level value chain being practised in Nigeria by aiming for a higher one which would help engage more youths and women in agriculture.

I hope this meeting will also address the link between agriculture and industrialisation and look at the value chain at a higher level.

We have to start thinking along that line and see how we can remove a large number of youths from our streets.

The minister said Nigeria needed to look at crops such as soya bean and sesame seed which, according to him, are crops with good potential for export.

He also said the crops had the potential to create jobs for the youth.

Nanono called on women to wake up and come out of their closets, be aggressive and proactive in participating in farming business.

He urged women and the youth to be involved in agriculture to move the nation forward.

The minister noted that though sorghum was becoming an industrial problem the seeds planted in Nigeria were not standardised.

He advised that the issue should be addressed through education and massive orientation programmes to enable the people to understand the importance of standardising sorghum.

The Country Representative, ICRISAT, Dr Hakeem Ajeigbe, earlier in his remarks said seven major socio-economic studies were recently conducted in Nigeria on sorghum, pearl millet and groundnut, to assess the impacts of the technologies that had been disseminated in the past 15 years.

A lot of investments by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other donors have gone into this in the past 10 to 15 years, so we are looking at the adoption.

Ajeigbe said the survey was also complemented by a study to analyse the role of gender and youth contributions in the agricultural chain in Nigeria.

He expressed the hope that the outcome of the survey would help the minister in future policy decisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organisaion that conducts agricultural research for development in the dry lands of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

ICRISAT and its partners help to empower the poor to overcome poverty, hunger and degraded environment through better agricultural practices.

The organisation conducts research on five highly nutritious drought-tolerant crops, chicken pea, pigeon peas, pearl millet, sorghum and groundnut. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Insurance

By Ginika Okoye

Dr Sam Onyeka, an insurance expert has appealed to the Federal Government to establish a specialist insurance tribunal to handle cases associated with insurance in the country.

Onyeka, also the Lead Director, Transparent Protection Ltd./Guarantee (TPL), an insurance NGO said this at a webinar organised by TPL in Abuja on Tuesday.

He suggested at the webinar with title: Insurance and National Development, that only persons with legal background and familiar with insurance practices be appointed members of the tribunal.

The expert also suggested the establishment of a well-funded insurance regulatory academy to provide structured training to regulatory personnel.

Onyeka, who described the insurance sector in the country as under-developed, appealed to governments at all levels to take insurance business seriously.

He said that insurance could guarantee a credit lifestyle which was fundamental to development, enable government and organisations raise long term funds and provide jobs directly and indirectly

Onyeka said that insurance could also help to absorb social and economic pressure from people and government if taken seriously.

According to him, although the sector reported growth of 15.55 per cent in 2019, with Gross Written Premium (GWP) of N413 billion (about U.S 1billion dollars), compared with N400 billion in 2018, the insurance sector in the country ranks 62nd in the world.

He expressed regret that insurance penetration in the country had remained at less than one per cent in comparison with South Africa having 16.9 per cent penetration.

The sector should pursue massive insurance awareness at the grassroots and all available funds should be deployed for this purpose.

Insurers in Nigeria must win back public trust and confidence by ensuring prompt settlement of all genuine claims.

As a matter of urgency, government should establish a specialist insurance tribunal.

Only fit and proper persons with legal background who are familiar with insurance practice should be appointed as members, he explained.

The expert, also an Insurance and Risk Management Consultant, urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Insurance Bill 2020 into law for prompt assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Onyeka emphasised the need for some insurance regulations to be relaxed in specific instances to remove entry barriers into the market.

He appealed to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to register as many brokers and financial advisors as possible and also license more life insurers and reinsurers.

Claims settlement should be strictly enforced. NGOs and faith-based organisations should be brought on board for driving micro insurance development, he suggested.

TPL was established in 2012 to help address the complex issues of insurance sector underdevelopment in the country.

The organisation seeks to proactively assist both the insurer and the insured to more easily understand their rights and obligations in relation to insurance contract. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

By Sandra Umeh

The EFCC on Monday, re-arraigned a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Haruna Jauro, in a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N156.4 million money laundering.

The defendant was arraigned alongside Dauda Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Ltd. on 19 counts bordering on money laundering before Justice Chuka Obiozor.

The defendants were first arraigned before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (now retired) on April 12, 2016 on 19 counts bordering on N304.1 million money laundering.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and the judge had admitted them to bail in the sum of N5 million each with two surties in like sum

However, following the retirement of Justice Olatoregun, the charge is now commencing de novo (afresh) before Justice Obiozor.

The defendants again, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Obiozor.

After their pleas, the prosecutor, Mr U.U Buhari, prayed the court for a trial date and urged that the defendants be remanded in the correctional service..

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN, urged the court to allow the defendants continue on the earlier bail granted them by Justice Olatoregun.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Obiozor,granted defence counsels bail application and adjourned the case until March 17, 2021, for trial.

NAN reports that during trial before Justice Olatoregun, the EFCC called 16 witnesses and tendered several exhibits, while the defence called five witnesses.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants in January 2014 converted N156.4million belonging to the Agency to their own use,

The anti-graft agency said that the offences contravened the provisions of of sections 15(3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, at the State House, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mohammed is leading a delegation of senior officials of the United Nations to the country.

She met behind closed doors with the Nigerian leader at the presidents mini conference hall.

NAN gathered that the meeting deliberated on strategies to rebuild setbacks occasioned by the Corona virus pandemic.

Mohammed, who is currently inaugurating a UN programme alongside Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, will also be visiting Niger, Sierra Leone and Ghana. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has handed over the affairs of the commission to National Commissioner, retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ahmed Muazupending the confirmation of his second tenure.

Yakubu at a brief handover ceremony at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday saidit would be inappropriate for him to remain in office beyond Nov. 9, last day of his tenure, without Senate confirmation of his second tenure.

Yakubu and five Commissioners were sworn-in on Nov. 9, 2015, followed by another six Commissioners on Dec. 7, 2016 and one more Commissioner on July 21, 2018.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu is still awaiting the confirmation of the Senate, following his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 27, for a second tenure.

Yakubu said that the Commission was a constitutional body whose members were appointed for five years which might be renewed for a second and final term.

This means that my tenure and those of the first set of five Commissioners end today.

As you are already aware, the renewal of my tenure as Chairman of the Commission has been announced, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines.

In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance with, the Constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws.

Consequently, it will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, Nov. 9, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to another oath of office as provided by law.

Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Muazu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission.

It is, therefore, my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim. We have worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing new to anyone of them.

Yakubu appreciated the support of the commission members, the resident electoral commissioners and the secretary to the commission for good working relationship.

He also appreciated the director-general of the Electoral Institute, directors, members of the technical team, heads of the various security agencies deployed to INEC and all staff of the commission nationwide saying, I look forward to working with you again.

Muazu, who is the national commissioner in-charge of Tender Board, pledged to diligently handle the affairs of the commission pending the confirmation and resumption of Yakubu for his second tenure.

Muazu said that the responsibility handed over to him was not new as all the national commissioners had at one time or the other acted in the capacity of INEC chairman, whenever he was out of the country for official assignment.

Forthe last four years, it has been the tradition of the chairman that whenever he is travelling outside the country a national commissioner is assigned in his temporary absence.

In this way all the national commissioners have at one time or the other acted in the absence ofthe chairman. We, therefore, see the present arrangement in this light and nothing more.

I want to assure you all that I will handle the affairs of the commission with all diligence, Muazu said.

Also in his remarks, another commissioner whose tenure ended with that of the chairman, Mr Solomon Soyebi, commended Yakubus achievements in his first tenure.

Soyebi encouraged him to continue his good works on his resumption of office in the second tenure.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to continue save guarding the nations territorial integrity against any form of threat.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said this at the ongoing maintenance of F-7Ni fighter air craft at 313 Engineering Group, NAF Base, in Makurdi.

Abubakar expressed delight that the Federal Government had given the service so much supports to achieve its full potential.

We were in Kainji some days back, today, we are here in Makurdi and by next week we will be in Kano for same purpose.

This clearly indicates the seriousness with which the system is working, to make sure that we get back some of the grounded air craft into flying again.

In Makurdi, the work is ongoing on F7-Ni fighter aircraft. Seven will be taken out to China for maintenance, while two will be done locally, he said.

The CAS also noted that maintenance work had since commenced on the first aircraft, while the second one would also commence in no distant time.

Abubakar explained that the idea was to first ensure that the service had the required platforms and build the capacity of personnel.

What we are witnessing here is similar to what we are doing in Kainji, locally and also similar to what we have done in Ikeja, where we reactivated the C130 aircraft.

And the 917 aircraft which is packed down is one of the two C130 that we have reactivated in Ikeja, first time in the history of NAF.

We are also going round to look at any of our facilities, the Air Intelligence School, and some other infrastructure we require.

All these are targeted at by the time the additional aircraft we are expecting from Pakistan eventually come in, so that there will be accommodation for the pilots and technicians that will take charge.

That way, it will support our operations for the first one year,he said.

He said the whole idea was to ensure that all hands were on deck and that the service was working round the clock to build capacity.

He said the steps would also ensure that the service was able to provide security for the country as well as its citizens.

Just this morning, we received information on the unmanned combat aerial vehicle meant for the country likely to leave China for Nigeria today.

As you are all aware, we have some of our personnel already in China undergoing training.

We will continue to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the country is secured and that Nigerians can go about their legitimate businesses without difficulties.

Again, so many gaps have existed in so many decades so, bridging those gaps takes time.

But we are making substantial progress and we should be able to substantially address that, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CAS also inaugurated the newly re-activated NAF Air Intelligence School, 62 block of bedrooms and the married officers quarters. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated accomplished broadcaster, businessman and philanthropist, Otunba Deji Osibogun as he turned 65 on Nov. 9.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, the president noted with delight how Osibogun built a career at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Osibogun later became a founding member of the Ogun State Television Service, which he helped nurture to stardom.

He (Osibogun) then went into business, and having attained economic success, promoted Space FM in Ibadan, Oyo State, thus maintaining his love for broadcasting, as an entrepreneur.

The president shared in the joy of the Osibogun family, the media, particularly the broadcast industry, wishing the Otunba Obaloja of Ijebuland longer life, with more accomplishments.

Buhari also saluted Osiboguns commitment to youth development, urging him to remain relentless, particularly at a time that the Federal Government was determined to chart a more fulfilling course for the younger generation.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger State Governor

By Rita Iliya
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has tested positive for COVID-19, an aide disclosed in a statement.

Chief Press Secretary to Bello, Mary Noel-Berje, in Minna on Monday said his sample was taken for test, and unfortunately returned positive.

Noel-Berje said the governor made this known via his Twitter handle and that he has immediately gone into self isolation and commenced treatment.

She solicited for prayers from all and sundry for his quick recovery even as he is asymptomatic to the virus.

She advised the people to always observe all the COVID-19 protocols in their dealings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governors Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti had tested positive for the virus earlier.

This forced Niger governor to go into isolation after coming in contact with E-Rufai and Fayemi.

Other Nigerian governors that had tested positive for COVID-19 include Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.

Source: NAN News

Former president of Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Jacques Anouma

Former president of Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Jacques Anouma, has decided to seek election as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March 2021, sports sources indicated in Dakar, Senegal.

He has already obtained the support and sponsorship of his national federation, as required by the eligibility requirements, said the sources.

The Ivorian Football Federation president, Sidy Diallo, confirmed the information in a statement issued on Saturday.

Before I embark on such a competition, I must be sure I have my destiny in hand, said Mr Anouma, a few weeks ago. If he took the step, it is certainly because he has met all the conditions.

His candidacy comes a few days after the incumbent Ahmad Ahmad of Malagasy claimed to have the support of 46 federations out of the 54 affiliated to CAF.

Ahmad has been CAF president since March 16, 2017.

Other candidates for the post are Tunisians Wadie el Jory and Tarek Bouchamaoui, Moroccan Fouzi Lekjaa, Nigerian Amaju Pinnick and Egyptian Hani Abo Rida.

The deadline for the submission of applications for the post is November 12, 2020, and approved list will be unveiled by CAF on January 11. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News