INEC

By Ayodeji Alabi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on its officers in Ondo State to be fully prepared and ensure that the Oct. 10, governorship election in the state is credible, free, fair and non-violent.

Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, National Commissioner, South West, INEC, gave the advice in Akure on Friday during a workshop of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), Red Zone Implementer.

Adekunle enjoined the participants, made up of electoral officers representing the various local government areas, to spare no efforts to ensure that INEC is able to deliver a good election to Nigeria.

According to him electoral officers are the foot soldiers on the field; hence they will ensure that all sensitive materials, when they get to the headquarters, are ready for distribution.

The eyes of all Nigerians are on the INEC family, and the international communities are focusing their attention on the forthcoming Ondo election.

Accord this workshop the seriousness it deserves so as to be able to achieve our objectives of giving Nigerians a good election, he said.

Ogunmola also explained that INEC used green, amber, and red zone for planning purposes, with the latter indicating a danger zone for preparations, to ensure that all objectives were achievedPoll: INEC tasks officers on smooth election.

Earlier, Mr Rufus Akeju, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State charged participants to give all attention to even the minutest detail to ensure that all gaps were filled before the election day.

As veteran election administrators, the least expected from you in this election is your best effort. You are, therefore, enjoined to bare your challenges for them to be addressed as the workshop progresses.

All your transport and logistics plans are supposed to be in the final stages, he said.

Also Mr Hamza Fassi-Fihri, Project Coordinator, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), said the workshop would afford an appraisal of the readiness of INEC toward addressing any situation that might hamper a smooth election.

He also encouraged the participants to maximise the platform and constructively seek solutions to any pending logistic matter, as an effective planning almost certainly guarantees a successful delivery of every task.

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), says it has rolled out some digitisation strategies through its new portal to transform the sector and improve insurance penetration.

Mr Abiodun Aribike, the Deputy Director in charge of Information Technology in NAICOM, said this at a seminar for insurance journalists with theme: Digital Transformation of the Commission and Market Development Initiatives on Friday in Uyo.

He said the strategies, which would be made available through the portal would help to reduce incidences of fake insurance, improve productivity and revenue in the industry.

Aribike in a lecture with title: Digital Transformation of NAICOMs Processes and Procedures, said the commission had also begun training of stakeholders in the sector to effect the digital transformation.

He said that the digitisation strategy would help the people to source information about insurers to check their genuineness.

I am here to show you what we are going to do.

We have trained staff of brokers in the South West and we want to train those in the South-South, South East for them to join the portal.

This will improve productivity, enhance stakeholders collaboration, trust and resource management, he said.

He noted that the digital system would aid easy approval of licensing for insurance companies and tracking of insurance related complaints by policyholders.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Aminu Masari, of Katsina State.

The Katsina State Government has conducted soil mapping on 70,750 smallholder farms in 152 communities in the state.

Dr Abba Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Masari on Agriculture, disclosed on Friday during a news conference in Katsina.

Abdullahi said that the government partnered OCP of Morocco in carrying out the project.

According to him, the project consists of a mobile soil testing laboratory that move from one farm to another to analyse soil nutrients status.

Abdullahi also said that the project focus on maize, rice, millet, sorghum, cotton, soya beans and cassava nutrients requirements.

He said that it determines the nutrient content of each soil so as to guide on the type of fertilizers needed for more crops production.

Abdullahi also said that the state government had spent N17.6 million on the production of 1.4 million seedlings of various indigenous tree species that were distributed to farmers.

The special adviser said the distribution of the species was part of measures to curtail desertification in the state, adding that 4, 600 trees had been planted on road sides in the state.

Abdullahi also disclosed that 3,875 hectares of land had been demarcated in some forest reserves to prevent clash between farmers and herdsmen.

He said in the past five years, the state government, under the Agricultural Restoration Project, had generated 1, 067, 855 short term jobs and 249, 551 long term jobs.

The special adviser added that N13.1 billion was generated as income by entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector, while N393 million was also generated as income to government as taxes and levies during the period.

Agriculture Restoration Project has brought about some significant development in the agricultural sector, but more needs to be done in order to reach the promised mark.

Our productivity especially yield per hectare has not gone beyond 50 per cent; this means that the level of efficiency in resource utilisation in agriculture still needs to be enhanced.

Source: NAN News

Donald, Melania Trump quarantining after testing positive for coronavirus

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined all citizens of United States of America in prayers for quick and full recovery of President Donald Trump and his wife, Melanie, who reportedly tested positive to COVID-19.

The Nigerian leader, who expressed his sympathy in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, the incident of COVID-19 in the White House manifests the challenge posed by the pandemic across the world, and difficulty in containing the spread.

While wishing the American First Family speedy turnaround in their current health status, Buhari urged more compliance among Nigerians to protocols, and adherence to advice of medical doctors, particularly epidemiologists.

Source: NAN News

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche

The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces have sunk 81 boreholes, renovated 14 schools and constructed 14 clinics and dispensaries in host communities during the third quarter.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while presenting the third quarter scorecard of the military operations between July 1 and Sept. 30, on Friday in Abuja.

Enenche said that the projects were carried out in host communities as non-kinetic operations of the military in form of Civil Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC).

He said it also renovated two worship centres, donated two buses as well as construction of road, installation of transformer and solar powered equipment in some host communities within the period.

According to him, the military also fostered several stakeholders and reconciliation meetings between hostile communities and carried out medical outreaches.

The coordinator stated that the troops had been engaged in series of land, maritime and air operations, involving both kinetic and non-kinetic activities across the country in major and subsidiary operations.

He explained that the land operations conducted among others across the various theatres of operation include; clearance, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments and aggressive patrols.

Others, according to him, were maritime operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-crude oil theft and anti-pipeline vandalism operations as well as other duties such as anti-smuggling operations.

Furthermore, comprehensive air operations including air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support and air cover for ground troops.

These operations resulted in the deletion of several terrorists and bandits, inhibition of activities of economic saboteurs as well as exposure and obviation of other criminal activities.

In all these efforts, some of our troops paid the supreme price.

However, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations, he said.

Enenche said the result of kinetic operations across the country during the third quarter showned that the military was winning the war against the enemies of the country.

The coordinator assured Nigerians that the armed forces would remain resolute and committed to this cause by sustaining the offensive towards restoring peace at every troubled zone of Nigeria.

He, however, commended the public for their support and further solicits their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information that would facilitate proactive engagements in military operations.

According to him, the third quarter performance of the operations is a show of our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our great Nation.

The gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and operatives of other security agencies will sustain the tempo against the enemies of our dear Nation.

The military high command commends all the gallant troops and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment.

Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the country.

The general public is thus encouraged to continue to support the gallant troops by providing credible intelligence to the troops operating within their localities, he said.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 Vaccine Research

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Ministry of Science and Technology, says it is collaborating with the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) to verify claims on local COVID-19 cure.

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, disclosed this on Friday at a webinar in Abuja.

The webinar was focused on Science Advice for COVID-19 in the Context of Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecological Restoration.

The meeting was organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Nigerian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (NiPBES).

Abdullahi said that the government had made several interventions towards curtailing the spread of COVID-19 through tracking, encouraging curative measures and researchers in the development of local vaccine.

He said that the government was also encouraging initiatives from partners towards addressing the pandemic, through long and short term strategies.

The pandemic has interrupted economic activities and agriculture value chain, due to border closure, hence the need for joint national effort to explore available resources to address the menace.

We are in collaboration with relevant agencies to find solutions to the pandemic; we are working with the NAS to evaluate some claims that promise cure to COVID-19.

They are working on that assignment and soon there will be a way forward on that, Abdullahi said.

According to him, Nigeria is endowed with enormous resources, comprising of flora and fauna.

The competitive benefits of these resources that encourage sustainable healthy ecosystem and growth cannot be over emphasised, he said.

He further said that the ministry was developing a viable value added vocation programme to promote indigenous biodiversity resources using appropriate technologies.

The minister added that the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology had a gene bank for the preservation of the countrys abundant resources.

Abdullahi said that the government was collaborating with local and international partners to forestall challenges of the ecosystem, climate change, and biodiversity.

The ministry through the Natural Medicine Agency initiated a plant restoration project across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country to restore plants that are going extinct.

So far, over 1000 species of plants have been inventoried by the agency, he said.

Mr Lamine Sow, Acting Director, UNESCO Multi-Sectoral Regional Office, said the pandemic had revealed the fragility of the world.

Sow said that science had the power to address the COVID-19 challenge, curb the trend of zoonotic disease infection as well as forestall future ones.

The power of science to address the issue of COVID-19 had become more vivid with the search for vaccines and treatments, and indeed encourages policies that promote ecological resilience.

UNESCO has proposed three strategies to curb the tide of the pandemic, bordering on open science held in March, manning borders on safe water and building ecological resilience.

These strategies can be implemented using the tool of biosphere reserves to enhance biodiversity conservation, creation of safe spaces between nature and humans, thus preventing of zoonotic disease transmission and promote development.

He reiterated that UNESCO Regional Office Abuja had presence in eight West African countries-Benin, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo and was collaborating with actors to promote response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammad Mahmud, said that the growing population and nature demand has made human beings to encroach into natural reserves.

According to Mahmud, if this development is not addressed, we should expect worse pandemics in the future.

He called for synergy among citizens and government to slow the decline of the natural world, move forward and address the issue of consuming natural resources.

We need to change our perception to biodiversity, change the way we run our world, economy and make it better because the natural world is beautiful and should be cherished, he said.

Mr Olagunju Lateef, Secretary General, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, said COVID-19 and other infectious disease, have raised the need for the country to include protection of biodiversity as part of its intervention to manage outbreaks of emerging infectious pathogens.

Lateef said there was need to adopt nature based solutions to protect, manage and restore modified ecosystem which address societal challenges effectively.

NAS President, Prof. Kalu Onuoha, said that wild life trading should be considered as a way of regulating the movement of wild animals that transmit dangerous diseases to human beings.

Onuoha, represented by the Executive Secretary of NAS, Dr Oladoyin Odubanjo, said wildlife trading should be considered because they increase the transmission of disease from animals to human beings.

This is evident from the COVID-19 outbreak that went viral from an animal market in Wuhan, China.

Regulating wildlife will not only monitor pathogens but also ensure biodiversity conservation.

Dr Uzodimma Adirieje, Chairman NiPBES, called for the preservation of biodiversity, ecosystem in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid human encroachment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that National Park Service and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria were also participants at the webinar.

Source: NAN News

Nigerian flag

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun), and Sen. Akon Eyakenyi (PDP-Akwa-Ibom South), have said that Nigeria will triumph in all efforts geared at realising its developmental potential.

The Senators stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday as the nation celebrated 60 years of independence.

Amosun said that as an incurable optimist he was certain Nigeria would succeed in spite of its challenges.

Amosun, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District and a former governor of Ogun, said: for me, Im an incurable optimist; I know, yes, we have our challenges, but ultimately we are going to triumph, we are going to have a Nigeria of our dream.

Of course the foundation has been laid now.

I argue this any time I have the opportunity to say this, I will mention it, yes, clearly we are not where we should be but I can safely say, confidently too, that now the building blocks for development have been laid now.

So, and Im sure we are going to get there, he said.

Well, however, I will like to say that it is twist and thorns, what I call sweet and sour. There are some downs and certainly weve had, for me, many ups than downs.

While acknowledging some of the challenges being faced by the country, the lawmaker said that I think if truth must be told, its more from us the elites really.

For me, average Nigerian see themselves as one, you wont even know who is a Muslim or Christian.

I remember growing up and in school we dont even know the difference between both.

So, I think its more from people like we are, the politicians, the elites that tend to dwell more on what divides us than may be concentrating on those things that unite us.

Well I have said it, and fortunately when President Muhammadu Buhari came on board, he did mention that he was going to focus on three key areas.

Of course security, fighting corruption and this our economy, huge unemployment, and that he was going to address them.

I know that nothing good can come out of insecurity really.

Security is very key, yes we have challenges, serious challenges in the area of security but as they will say, problem identified is half solved.

We have all identified that yes, we have these security challenges, just like what I said again, all hands must be on deck.

According to him security cannot be fought by just one arm of government or only the government that should fight security.

No, even in all those what I call advanced climes, you will see that everybody is part of the security.

Amosun further called for togetherness in the fight against insecurity.

Also, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi (PDP-Akwa-Ibom South) said that there was every reason for Nigeria to celebrate at 60.

Do we have any cause to celebrate 60 years of Nigeria; well, for every situation, God says give thanks.

Whether it is bad or good, you must have a reason to give thanks unto God. So on that basis, I will say yes, Nigeria is worth celebrating in 60 years.

Nigeria, yes, the giant of Africa, as I was born to come and see, has gone through levels, different levels, from low level to higher level, to the highest level and then dropped.

There is hope for the nation that it will rise again.

As a person I will say yes to your question that we have every reason to say Nigeria should be celebrated. For now, we are still one, and that I believe God will be one with us, the lawmaker said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Amended Nigerian 1999 constitution

By Yemi Adeleye

About 120 Nigerian elders and leaders of thought on Thursday advocated for a new constitution to put the nation on the path of unity, progress and prosperity.

The elders and leaders spoke at a meeting with the topic: Emergency Virtual National Dialogue on the Constitutional Future of Nigeria to commemorate the nations 60th Independence Anniversary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virtual summit, organised by the Nigeria Political Summit Group (NPSG) in conjunction with National Consultative Front (NCFront), was moderated by Prof. Pat Utomi.

The summit, which brought together Northern and Southern elders and leaders of thought, was put together to urgently intervene and set machinery in motion for National Healing and Reconciliation.

In his opening remarks, a northern elder, Dr Ahmed Joda, noted that the fabric of Nigeria could be repaired and reconstructed through a sincere rejig of the nations constitution to reflect the will of the people.

Joda, who emphasised the need for a peoples constitution, called for a referendum or constituent assembly to work out a new constitution for devolution of powers for a greater Nigeria.

According to him, there is need for men of goodwill who will go back to the people at the grassroots to work out how the nation wants to live together.

A Yoruba elder, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, noted that all was not well with the country, saying that the foundation of the nations problem was in her constitution.

Adebanjo said that Nigeria had jettisoned the constitution that brought about her existence and adopted a military constitution that favoured a section of Nigeria.

We should not pay lips service to the unity of this country. We should be sincere about the unity of Nigeria.

We cant keep this country together under this constitution, it cant take us anywhere, he said.

According to Adebanjo, if the nation does not want to reckon with the latest 2014 National Conference, there is an urgent need for a constitutional conference for a new constitution that will provide for equity, justice and fairness.

Another leader, Victor Attah, added that the problem facing the nation was beyond the National Assembly and the President.

Attah said that the nation had derailed and needed to realign herself to what the founding fathers handed over, which was true federalism.

He said that until the nation settled the fundamental problem inherent in the constitution, all her socio-economic and security challenges would remain.

Contributing, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a Northern leader, noted that Nigerians once had a great country at the beginning, and called for a consensus by the elites to move forward.

Baba-Ahmed, who frowned at the constant bickering, insults, abuses and blames among various groups, called for trust among Nigerian people.

If the constitution cannot solve the problem of the people, then it is no constitution. Nigerians are not stupid, we need to get back to the Nigerian people, he said.

Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Naaba said: Bringing ourselves together is the way forward. Time has come when we must sit together in this country.

We should look at our structure and autonomy.
We must take the bull by the horn and make up our mind to build our country through our constitution.

We must discuss and bring out a country better than what we have now.

Naaba, who noted that all sections of the country were living in fear due to insecurity and poverty, called for restructuring and tolerance.

Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, another Northern elder, said that there was the need for wider consultations among Nigerians to provide opportunity and better understanding.

Yakassai said that there had been fears among Nigerians before independence and called for a judiciary that would deliver justice without fear or favour.

Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu said that there had been loads of reports and recommendations to put the nation on the path of unity and development which had been abandoned by the political leaders.

She said that agitations for self-determination and other predicament facing the country were as a result of frustration.

Mrs Iyom Anenih added that secession would not be of maximum benefit to any group in Nigeria and called for restructuring and true federalism to realign and rebuild the country.

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa said that Nigerians were being hurt deeply and needed a healing, through implementation of various recommendations for devolution of powers.

Dr Bello Falalu, another leader of thought, said that genuine federalism remained the only way to bring justice, equity and peace in the country.

Falalu, who frowned at processes that throw up those leading the country, called for a leadership selection process.

Dr Kunle Olajide, another leader, said that a bill for the establishment of a Constitutional Conference Commission for a new constitution should be sent to the National Assembly.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan said that the situation in the country required an emergency, adding that obviously a new constitution is necessary.

Dr Uche Azikwe, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dr Kema Chikwe, Prof. Mojubaolu Kome, Chief Michael Ajegbo, Kalu Idika Kalu, Obadiah Mallafia and a host of other speakers took turns to emphasise the need for inclusiveness and new constitution.

Utomi, who noted that the elders were committed to a new constitution, said that the summit had constituted a constitution committee being led by 40 eminent Nigerians to provide a way forward for the nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Search engine Google has announced a partnership with Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) that sought to help the Nigerian Tourism Sector recover and grow in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Amit Sood, Director, Google Arts

Ugandan Airliner ready for business

Uganda on Thursday resumed scheduled commercial passenger flights after seven months of government suspensions over COVID-19 pandemic.

Vianney Luggya, Communications Officer of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, told Xinhua by telephone that the phased flight operations at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometres south of the capital Kampala, resumed after the government eased COVID-19 restrictions on aviation.

He said the first passenger flight to arrive at Entebbe airport was Turkish Airlines, which landed at 3.55 a.m. and departed at 4.50 a.m. local time.

The flights have resumed today and we expect about 12 flights today.

In this first phase, October to December, we are going to have an average of one flight per airline per day to reduce congestion, said Luggya.

The resumption of commercial flights came after President Yoweri Museveni, last week, directed the reopening of the international airport and land borders, which were closed when the pandemic broke out in the country in March.

In these three months, our operations will be scaled down.

Then for the next six months, we will increase on the operations but still not full.

We shall continuously review the situation as it is on the ground.

The flights will be increased, depending on the reviews, he said.

Ugandas cabinet, on Monday, approved strict COVID-19 measures for airlines and passengers ahead of the reopening, directing airlines to ensure that all travellers provide a negative test result for COVID-19, 72 hours before arrival in Uganda.

The outbound passengers are required to arrive at the airport at least four hours before the flight, with an authentic COVID-19 test certificate issued within 120 hours before travel and comply with COVID-19 measures, including hand sanitising, wearing face masks and maintaining a social distance of 1.5 metres in the terminals. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Some elderly people in Nigeria

By Franca Ofili

Dewdrop Foundation (DDF), and Centre for Gender Economics Africa (CGE Africa), NGOs, have called on the Federal Government to establish a platform for key players to champion the cause of the ageing population.

Ms Nneka Egbuna, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Dewdrop Foundation, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday as the world celebrates International Day For Older Persons.

The theme is: Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing.

Egbuna said that the NGOs also called for the implementation of sensitisation campaigns and caregiver training on dementia as one of the causes of elder abuse by state healthcare systems.

Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.

According to her, it is very important for them to be included in all development plans.

Poor planning for the aged impacts all facets of the society such as labour and financial markets, education, housing, health and social care, social protection, transport, information, communication, family structures and inter-generational ties, she said.

She said that the NGOs were currently implementing an 18-month project funded by Oxfam/Voice, which focuses on curtailing elder abuse in 11 communities in Enugu State.

She said that the state was selected as a pilot state because of the rate of elderly abuse in there as well as the lack of legislation to protect them and improve their welfare.

The total selected project communities are 11, namely, Umuode, Akpuoga-Nike, AmechiIdodo, Isigwe Ugbawka, Ndiagu-Owo, Ogonogoeji Ndiuno Akpugo, Ogbeke/Ukuruta Agbani, Ojiagu Agbani, Ishienu Nkerefi, Akwuke and Akwuke-Uwani, Egbuna said.

She said that the project would create platforms for older persons to speak up about issues of concern to them.
Egbuna, however, noted that findings from baseline survey established that older persons experienced physical, emotional, neglect, sexual and financial abuse.

She noted that almost three in 10 older persons across 10 communities reported to have experienced some form of abuse and/or neglect.

Emotional abuse was the most common type of abuse observed, followed by neglect, then financial abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse.

Of those who were physically abused, many of them had broken bones.

According to her, the lives of more than 1000 elderly people in the state have been touched by the project and 11 safe spaces have also been established for them in their communities.

She said that 20 young people from the community had been selected to receive monthly training that enables them to actively advocate for and sensitise others about elder abuse and care of elderly persons among other things.

Egbuna said that consultations were currently ongoing to establish a community of practice comprising local and regional organisations and individuals promoting the welfare and wellbeing of older persons. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Civil Society Organisation (CSO) logo

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a Civil Society Organisation, says that credible elections are crucial to getting the right leaders that will move Nigeria toward maximising its potential.

Its spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Nkweke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja that promoting and sustaining such democratic tenets would move Nigeria forward as she marks her 60th anniversary.

Without peace, development will be hard to achieve, but peace will remain elusive until we can conduct credible elections that will throw up the right leaders, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would take its rightful place in the comity of nations if its electoral processes and institutions were strengthened.

Nweke called for a more robust system that would engage all stakeholders toward entrenching representative governance.

When this is done, it will deliver quality democracy that will benefit the citizens, but if this is not done, leadership will be defective.

The spokesperson urged Nigerians to forget the past and embrace peace, pointing out that no nation would ever enjoy prosperity in an atmosphere of confusion.

He urged leaders to set targets and work to attain them.

Nigeria should strive to achieve set goals so as to progress. We cannot be counting years without anything to show for it. Many countries are leaving us behind. Nigeria must wake up, Nkweke said.

IAWPA is an International Civil Society Organisation that monitors implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and report their findings to the UN.

It also monitors activities of state governments as part of efforts to hold leaders accountable in the actualisation of the SDGs. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former Minister of Sports Bala KaOje

By Emmanuel Afonne

A former Minister of Sports, Bala KaOje, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of sports development in the country after 60 years of independence, due to poor funding.

KaOje made his feelings known on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He regretted that Nigeria which prides itself as the giant of Africa was still in the habit of preparing for international competitions late, due to a lack of funds.

The Kebbi-born sports administrator noted that sports can only thrive in the country if adequate funding was provided to run the sector and athletes given necessary support and training to excel.

When I was in office, I came up with a number of programmes on sports development and one of the major areas I wanted to transform was the issue of talent hunt, which would have matured within 10 years.

If what I wanted to achieved had been done by now we would have had good funding for sports and functional sports development offices in the six geo-political zones.

The programme would have attracted young talented sports men and women as well as boys and girls, who would be trained from the zones while still pursuing their educational careers.

The plan was that from the zones they would come to Abuja where they would be continuously trained by the Federal Government and then, strive to become champions at national and international competitions but that did not happen.

KaOje said that the merging of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development was the worst thing that could happen to sports as it had hindered the Federal Government from providing necessary funding to the sports sector.

We are just paying lip-service to the issue of talent hunt, not even in football. Athletes and other sports are also not better off.

I want to say that most of us who are lovers of sports are not happy with the merging of sports with the Ministry of Youth. It appears to be setting Nigerias sports sector backwards.

This has been debated in the past right from the military era and we thought we were moving forward but under this administration we moved another step backwards by merging sports ministry with that of youths.

This is already hampering sports development in the country. If the Federal Government can go back to the National Sports Commission format we had in the past, we will move forward, KaOje added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NFF Secretariat inside MKO Abiola Stadium

By Emmanuel Afonne

Bala KaOje, a former Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), says telecommunication giant Globacom spent over N3 billion to sponsor the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the then Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

KaOje, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also said that the company also paid the salaries of then Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Berti Vogts between 2007 and 2008.

He noted that private organisations like Globacom were among organisations that carried the burden of sports when he was the minister in charge, and that such gestures were needed to turnaround the fortunes of sports in the country.

During my time, I was able to bring in the private sector and Globacom came in to sponsor the premier league and the Super Eagles.

Globacom doled out over N3 billion to us and it went a long way in developing our league as well as the Super Eagles; even the coach that was engaged that time was paid by Globacom.

That was the last time we heard of such benefit; there has not been a repeat of such.

I know it is not very easy to bring in the private sector unless its where they can get mileage. The private sector cannot participate where the mileage is not available,KaOje told NAN.

The former minister urged the Federal Government to establish a sports development fund as a solution to the funding problem of the sports sector.

This, he said, would bring back on track the countrys blueprint on sports development.

If there is anything like sports development fund, it will go very far in helping the country to achieve what it wants to achieve in sports, but unfortunately, we do not have that.

At certain time, we made a presentation that sports should be removed from the normal budgeting issue because sporting activities cannot wait for budgets.

We were expecting that there would be special funding kept by government for the sports sector to access as quickly as possible whenever there is need by the Sports Ministry, but that was not possible.

Sports is still going through the normal budgeting procedure, and I believe that with normal budget it is impossible for us to achieve much in sports. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The 60,000 cupcakes

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State on Thursday put Nigeria on the world record by celebrating the 60th Independence Anniversary with 60,000 cupcakes.

The state produced the largest anniversary logo in the world, made with cupcakes mosaic.

The initiative by the Lagos State Government in conjunction with Fly Africa, aimed to put Nigeria in the Guinness Book of World Record as holder of the worlds largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic in the world.

Speaking at the event held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted the state through the laying of the largest cupcakes mosaic, has sent a message to the world that Lagos remained a land of creativity and innovations.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of the State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, at the event monitored by officials of the Guinness World Records, said that the last largest cupcakes in the world was a 30,400 cupcakes made in Singapore in 2015.

I am sure that with this largest cupcakes mosaic today, we have sent a message to the world that Lagos State is a land of creativity and innovations.

It is my belief that Lagos State and indeed Nigeria would continue to strive and record greater achievements.

I call on everyone here today to join hands with our administration to build a Lagos that we will all be proud of, he said.

The governor commended all the founding fathers of Nigeria, independence icons and those who had worked tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria remained a united nation.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that the worlds largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic was very unique to Lagos being the trail-blazer in every lofty initiative.

Akinbile-Yussuf said that the government, through the event was putting itself before the international community, especially tourists, to see what the state could offer in terms of breaking new grounds and in creativity.

She said that the relevance of Lagos State in Nigeria could not be undermined as the state had been channeling its efforts into activities that had strengthened the nation economically, culturally and socially.

According to her, Lagos State has been serving as the melting pot for Nigerias tradition and culture.

The coming together of Fly Africa and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for this event which is one of its kinds in the history of this nation underscores Lagos rich attractions that have earned the nation a global voice and respect across the continent.

It is also commendable that we are equally using this event to eye World Guinness Record through the laying of the Largest Cupcake Mosaic in different colors, being the first ever in the world.

I appreciate the almost 150 volunteers who came together to make this Largest Cupcakes Mosaic possible, as well as the various partners for this event, she said.

Akinbile-Yusuf also said that the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture had used the period of the lockdown in the tourism and entertainment industry to rethink a workable direction for the post-COVID era.

She said that going forward, efforts would be channeled toward the development of the state local tourism sites and the promotion of local creativity.

Rather than enriching the economy of other countries through international tours, we want to change the narrative by making our state a more beautiful city to behold, where international tourists can visit and invest their resources, the commissioner said.

The Lead Aviator of Fly Africa, Mr Wole Olagundoye, said the record breaking event would inspire Nigerians and Africans to rise above the odds and strive for positive actions toward achieving great and transformational feats.

Olagundoye, who is also the Managing Director of Outori Ltd., said that only Africans could make Africa succeed.

Our own destiny is not in the hand of other nations but right in ours and we must seize this moment to make the necessary changes, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lewandowski shines

By Victor Okoye

Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski, has been named UEFA Mens Player of the Year for 2019/2020.

The Polish international, 32, beat off opposition from Manchester Citys midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bayern team-mate, Manuel Neuer.

The award was announced during the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Geneva, Switzerland.

The 2019/2020 season was one of the greatest in Bayerns 120-year history, and no player contributed more to it than Lewandowski.

The Poland striker scored in every game en route to the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon, picking up 15 goals and six assists as well as the trophy he had targeted for so long.

He also hit 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches and six in five German Cup games.

His achievements include: UEFA Champions League winner, Bundesliga winner, German Cup winner and UEFA Champions League top scorer.

Others are: UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, Bundesliga top scorer and Bundesliga Player of the Season. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PTF on COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

Nigerias Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has reached 59,001, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), announced 153 new infections in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 509, 555 sample have been tested by the agency since the pandemic hit Nigeria in February.

The health agency said that the total number of patients recovered from the virus infections and discharged after testing negative increased from 50,358 to 50,452.

It announced that the death toll from coronavirus in the country remained 1,112.

The data released by theNCDC, showed that Lagos led with 81 cases of the virus infections, while Rivers recorded 21 cases, and the FCT with 11.

Other states with new cases were: Ogun-8, Kaduna-7, Oyo-6, Akwa Ibom-5, Osun-3, Katsina-3, Edo-2, Ebonyi-2, Nasarawa-2, Plateau-1 and Kano-1.

The announcement also revealed that the country had 7,437 active cases across various isolation centres.

The public health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, have continuedto coordinate the national response activities across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rafa Nadal

It was business as usual as Rafa Nadal continued his quest for a record-extending 13th French Open title with a 6-1 6-0 6-3 crushing of American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday.

The win helped him to reach the third round.

The Spanish second seed, also looking to equal Roger Federers record of 20 mens singles Grand Slam titles, was never troubled on court Philippe Chatrier.

The claycourt master played deep, using his forehand to devastating effect to set up a meeting with Japanese Kei Nishikori or Italian Stefano Travaglia.

After world number 236 McDonald won the second game, Nadal bagged 11 games in a row to move two sets up.

In spite of some resistance from his opponent early in the third set, he had no trouble improving his win-loss record at Roland Garros to 95-2.

My objective is to play as well as I can. It was a good match for me today. Im very happy, Nadal said.

Then its another difficult match. Well see, I hope Ill be at a good level. Its always special for me to play here in Paris, on court Philippe Chatrier.

Nadal looks to be on a semi-final collision course with Dominic Thiem, who he beat in the last two finals in Paris.

After a first-round match played in chilly and damp conditions, the 34-year-old benefited from better weather on Wednesday.

Today was not that cold. So, thats the main thing. Not that cold, the conditions are not that bad, said the Spaniard, who had complained about the new balls used in Paris being too heavy.

The ball is still heavy. When (it) is not that cold, the ball is little bit less heavy always. I see the predictions the next couple of days are not very good.

That means Nadal may have to play under the closed roof on court Philippe Chatrier for the first time, but he looks in good form.

He fired 17 forehand winners against McDonald, faced zero break-points and made only eight unforced errors.

It was a performance that should boost his confidence after he lost in the Italian Open quarter-finals this month to Argentine Diego Schwartzman.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

ICPC Logo

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been rated high on ethics and compliance by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The NCoS spokesman, Mr Chuks Njoku, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement stated that the rating was released during the second national summit on diminishing corruption in the public sector, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

It stated that the service emerged fourth among 55 agencies of government in the ethics and compliance scorecard of the ICPC.

It said that the NCoS presently ranked 11th in the overall rating among 222 ministries, departments and agencies.

It was also rated among the first 10 MDAs in the same survey conducted in 2019.

The statement titled, NCoS rated excellent in ethics and compliance, quoted the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as describing the scorecard as a tool developed to address institutional vulnerabilities.

This in which are capable of engendering corrupt practices in public institutions, he said.

The statement noted that in arriving at the outcomes, ICPC concentrated on management culture and structure, financial management systems and administrative systems, as key indicators.

The Controller-General, NCoS, Mr Jaafaru Ahmed, wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and specifically, the ICPC, for this laudable initiative.

This initiative has encouraged MDAs to key into the anti-corruption stance of the present administration, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has warned that Nigerian Army would continue to ensure oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging divisive elements to desist.

Buratai, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the countrys journey so far at 60, said anybody that is thinking of dividing the country was wasting his or her time because of the existing variables among Nigerians.

He said that 60 years was important in the life of a nation, adding that the Nigerian army had played its part patriotically to keep the country one.

According to him, you must be a big joker to say that you will divide this country because this country has come to stay.

Apart from the political and cultural unity, the historical affiliation, the economic bonds that have existed within and among the different parts of the country, it will be very difficult.

We cannot afford a second civil war and everything will be done possible by the grace of God to ensure that we dont get this country divided no matter the challenge to keep this country one.

My advice is that anybody dreaming of having another country is wasting his time and we will surely address them if at all they rear their ugly head. We must be united and we must keep Nigeria one and we must progress as well, he added

Source: NAN News