Post-elections conference in Abuja on Electoral Gender-Based Violence

By Taiye Agbaje

The United Nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday condemned gender-based violence against women during elections.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said violence against women in elections had been recognised as one of the key obstacles to advancing womens participation in public life.

Violent acts committed towards women are gender-based and they tend to discourage women from being politically active.

It is often used to intimidate women from practising their political rights in the first place, she said.

Eyong spoke during a post-elections conference in Abuja that was titled: Where Do We Stand Regarding Electoral Gender-Based Violence?

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Spotlight Initiative, UN Women and EU in partnership with Canadian government.

According to Eyong, some women have had to quit their positions after receiving death threats.

Some women have also often withdrawn from public life citing abuse including online abuse and cyberbullying.

Women candidates have faced various forms of targeted, gender-based violence, she said.

Eyong said lack of data on violence against women in politics (VAWP) had negatively affected evidence-based advocacy for influencing changes in laws and policies and for establishing comprehensive protection systems for women in politics.

Mrs Samuela Isopi, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said it was a well-known fact that women are underrepresented in Nigerias political environment.

Unfortunately, the 2023 elections show a trend in the wrong direction, she said.

Isopi, represented by Esme Stuart, Project Manager, Human Rights and Gender Section, said concerted efforts must be made to break the barriers to meaningful participation of women in leadership positions.

According to her, the full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies.

Mrs Djifa Ahado, Head of Cooperation, Government of Canada, corroborated that the 2023 elections saw another decrease in the overall number of women candidates, while the overall number of women elected to office at the national and state levels remained relatively unchanged.

Ahado, who said that the country now ranks as one of the lowest in womens representation in African Parliaments, said: Together, we need to sustain the efforts and the advocacy to see a real change happening.

Ms Aishatu Abubakar, who is the AIG, Gender Advisor, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, said during the 2023 general elections, the Nigerian police ensured that the vulnerable groups like the pregnant women, nursing mothers, people living with disabilities, the ageing population, were given priority to cast their votes.

We are gender sensitive and gender responsive. The Nigerian police is mindful of issues of gender-based violence in Nigeria, she said.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani admitted that violence and stigmatisation contributed to low women participation in politics.

He said women are the biggest player in the art of growing a stable society, hence, the need to encourage them.

A university professor, Mrs Joy Ezeilo, hinted that out of about 1, 533 women candidates in the 2023 general elections across the country, only 72 candidates won their elections.

She said in the Senate, three women won the seats as against eight women currently in the upper house while 14 women were elected in the House of Representatives.

She described the trend as disturbing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Blessing Ibegbu

The Luvu Madaki community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has inaugurated 30 cabinet members to oversee the progress and development of the community.

The village head of the community, Madaki Musa, during the coronation at his palace in Luvu, urged the new cabinet members to ensure peace in their various domains.

According to him, the cabinet members are expected to facilitate easy and speedy development of the community.

The 30 cabinet members, who now hold different titles, will be assisting the king in making key decisions and executing them.

Just like most communities in the country, the cabinet will help in ensuring peace, growth, security and coexistence of the people and others who settle here, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cabinet members were given titles like Santali, Galadima, Aminiya, DanIya, DanMaliki, Sarkin Yaki, Dalatu, Gimbiya, Madaki, Kuyabmana, Abananya and Pakachi.

Others are Magaji, Sarkin Noma, Aboki Sarki, Danmasani, Shamaki, Awodo-maijinda, Jidoniya, Magajiya Luvu, Ajiya, Tafida, Jakadiya, Makama, DanGaladima, Giko, Wakili, Machi, Secretary and Dogari.

Mr Afami Habila, the Padaki of Luvu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) expressed gratitude to the community for the honour.

He promised to ensure that the community got the best of their services within and after the period they would serve.

Habila said that the community would achieve its dreams as they new leaders would project it positively far above its current status in the state.

Also speaking, the Jidoniya of Luvu Madaki, Mrs Grace NaAllah, pledged her unreserved commitment to the growth and progress of the community.

Mr Tanko Todayi, the Aboki Sarki of Luvu community, whose task involves serving as The Kings friend, said his duty was to serve the community.

My commitment to the community will be unquestionable, he said.

He said that aside helping to grow and develop the community, another special duty was to ensure the safety of the king.

NAN reports that other traditional leaders from other neighbouring communities, who graced the occasion, pledged their support to the community.

Among them are Silas Musa of Aso Pada, Micah Rabo of Jankawa, Gaiya Shifilo of Apiawoyi, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

The newly elected National President of Boys Brigade Nigeria, Prof. Samson Duna, has called for partnership to train the boy-child for future leadership responsibilities.

Duna who made the call at his investiture on sunday in Abuja, said that the brigade was designed to discipline the boy-child and train him in the fear of God.

He said that the brigade had existed in Nigeria for 120 years and all its efforts were geared towards installing in the boy-child, responsible leadership and fatherly skills.

As an organisation, we have a lot of challenges, we need to have basic facilities needed in training, we do not have a standard headquarters.

We are constructing nine two-bedroom residential flats and we want all well meaning Nigerians to partner with us, join hands with us to complete the project.

We intend to rent each of them at N800,000 for a year and use the funds generated to address the needs of boys in the country, he said.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora, expresses worry at the rate of moral decadence among young people especially the LGBT community.

According to him, medically when a baby is born, the gender is determined but there is a movement that wants the child to become of age and to decide to be a male or female.

Making reference to the Bible, the minister said that we are the salt of the earth and the metaphor of salt is significant as it is the greatest preservative.

As Christians we are called to protect societal values and we must protect it; the force of morality is greater than the force of law as demonstrated in the story of the Good Samaritan.

That is what we are called upon to do, he said, he said.

Mamora prayed God to grant strength to Duna to manage the Herculean tasks and urged the boys bridgade not to rest or their oars.

In a sermon, the Senior Pastor of Evagenliical Church Winning All (ECWA) Rev. Ogidi Dickson, called on faithful to be ministry minded in all the days of their lives in their dealing with one another.

Dickson explained that being ministry minded was to make life better for other persons, irrespective of title, tribe or race.

He said that whatever privilege God gave, it should be used to benefit people in the community, especially the poor and the weak.

The cleric said that God-given privileges did not last forever, charging Christians to make maximum use of it while available.

He called on public officials to be mindful of their roles and play them in accordance with the rules and regulations and not for personal interest.

The Executive Secretary of Boys Brigade Ghana, Rev David Aglo, said that the Ghanaian delegation had come to show solidarity.

According to him, the visit is to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana because there has been a long relationship and should be strengthened.

He presented gift items, including symbol of authority and friendship to the newly elected national president. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Igbo group displaying their culture

By Emmanuel Afonne

A pan-Igbo cultural organisation, Ekwe Igbo International, has launched a campaign for the promotion of Igbo language in private and public schools in the country, especially in the south-east.

President-General of the organisation, Chief Chinedu Onwudinjo, said this in Abuja on Sunday at an event to mark the groups 14th anniversary.

Onwudinjo said the organisation decided to embark on the campaign in schools as most parents no longer speak or teach their children Igbo language at home.

We are also calling for the sustainability of Igbo language in schools curriculum to encourage younger ones to speak it and to avoid it going into extinction, Onwudinjo said.

According to him, the group will be touring the five south-east states to engage with school authorities on how best to promote Igbo language amongst pupils and students in the zone.

With our effort, there will be change.

We were in Anambra two months ago and we met with the governor and we told him our mission which is the promotion of Igbo language in schools.

He assured us that learning the language will be a must in schools in the state, he said.

Onwudinjo, who blamed most parents for the gradual extinction of Igbo language, noted that the language was compulsory during their school days but wondered what had gone wrong in recent times.

It is unfortunate that most of our kids dont speak Igbo language, it is a shame for the parents.

We plead with parents to speak Igbo language to their kids the same way they speak English to them, whether in London or America.

It is a known fact that without speaking Igbo language, he or she cannot compete favourably with others in the south-east in different fields of endeavour, Onwudinjo added.

He used the opportunity to congratulate Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the newly-appointed President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and urged him to ensure that the rights of Igbo people were not trampled upon.

He also urged him to always stand on the truth and the unity of the country.

We urged him to hit the ground running immediately because there are plenty of works to do which were left undone before the demise of the late President-General, George Obiozor.

Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Ekenechukwu Aloefuna, said Ekwe Igbo International has members and branches worldwide but wanted to make an impact at home first before highlighting our achievements abroad.

Aloefuna said the group had been preaching oneness and peace just to help unite Nigerians after the 2023 general election that almost divided Nigerians among tribal and religious lines.

He also urged the youths to shun the attitude of getting rich quick through dubious ways and other social vices as the group would not hesitate to expose such people to law enforcement agents. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for playing leading role in enhancing peace and unity in the country.

Runsewe made the remarks in Abuja at a dinner to celebrate three fellows of the institute who were promoted to a higher level in their various field of endeavours.

The fellows included Wale Adeniyi, who was recently promoted to the rank of Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, newly elected as National Internal Auditor of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The other fellow, Osondu Ohaeri, was elevated to the position of Deputy Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

He said NIPR had promoted unity in the country through its various policies and activities.

The Institute puts the peaceful co-existence of the country at the forefront in all its activities and I urge similar professional organisations to borrow a leaf from NIPR in advancing the campaign for brotherliness in Nigeria.

Runsewe while congratulating the newly promoted fellows urged them not to relent in giving more in service to their fatherland.

Also speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of Governing Council of the NIPR, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, attributed the exploits of promoted members to hardwork, dedication and commitment to principles of Public Relations.

The NIPR President urged the celebrants to remain good ambassadors of the institute and continually uphold dignity in their service to the nation.

Council Member representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the Institutes Governing Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, said it was crucial to recognise and celebrate their achievements in order to teach others the value of excellence.

Neliaku stated that a nation that thrives in excellence excels in success, emphasising that those who have demonstrated success in their endeavours should be celebrated while alive.

The celebrants who could not hold their joy expressed gratitude to the NIPR family, friends and associates for coming in their numbers to identify with them.

The event had in attendance, Senator-elect, Imo West Senatorial District, Mr Osita Izunaso; House of Representatives Member-elect (AMAC/Bwari, Federal Constituency, FCT), Mr Joshua Obike, and Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

Rauf Aregbesola

By Yahaya Isah

The Federal Government says it spends N1 million annually to cater for each of the inmates at the correctional facilities in the country.

Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the minister said this while inaugurating a 20-bed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt.

The minister said that the project would be an enduring legacy and a testimony of the utmost importance the Federal Government had so far taken corrections, the welfare of inmates as well as the staff.

Aregbesola added that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had, to a large extent, addressed the problem of inmates contracting diseases in custodial centres.

The custodial centres were frighteningly centres for contracting diseases like scabies and tuberculosis, among others.

Happily, this has been addressed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and is now a thing of the past.

We not only have well-manned clinics and well stocked pharmacies, the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical cares beyond the centres, he said.

The minister also decried the enormous challenges of running correctional services with huge demands for infrastructure, equipment and maintaining the welfare of inmates.

He, however, assured that the Federal Government had provided long term solution to the challenges.

This centre in Port Harcourt, with a capacity for 1,800 inmates, presently houses about 3,067 inmates. This is just a reflection of the situation in most urban custodial centres where we have congestion at the moment.

The facilities and even the personnel are overstretched, but we are coping and providing long term solutions to this challenge.

One of such solutions is the construction of mega 3,000-capacity custodial villages in six geo-political zones of the country. The one for the South-South is in Bori, not far from here in Rivers.

The ones for the North-West in Janguza, Kano and the North-Central, in Karshi, Abuja, are ready. Hopefully, we shall inaugurate the one in Kano in a few days, before our departure.

Even work is steadily going on in the others and has reached appreciable level.

Let me also reiterate that the Federal Government will stop feeding inmates incarcerated for breaching state laws. As you commence your budget process for next year, include feeding of your inmates, he said..

Aregbesola said that he had no doubt that the facility would go a long way in addressing the medical concerns of inmates and correctional service personnel.

The minister commended the management and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for working hard to keep the virus away.

He added that the new hospital was an intervention aimed at making robust healthcare for those in custody and the NCoS staff.

Aregbesola said that the beauty of all the interventions in consonance with other reforms in the NCoS would obviously translate to security, peace and tranquility in and around the centres and ultimately the entire country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Secure-D-Future International Initiative (SDF), an NGO, has advised Nigerians to embrace periodic mental health check-ups to help tackle the increasing suicide and depression rate in the country.

Mrs Saadatu Adamu, the Founder of the organisation, gave the advice during the second Abuja Counsellors Summit and Expo in Abuja, titled Assessment, Method and Application of Counselling.

Adamu said counselling was very important as it tends to focused on helping deviants in the society and tackles the increasing suicide and depression rate in the country.

According to her, mental health comes in any form and leads to depression, suicide and self-harm.

It is important for Nigerians to embrace mental check-up and engage in therapy.

Counselling is very important because counsellors work in rehabilitation centres, welfare offices, schools and hospitals in our communities.

If you hear the stories we get regularly from schools, you will know that there is a need to really have these professionals around us.

We hear stories of dysfunctional families, where children pick little things they see from other children and begin to act on them.

I believe that counselling is very important in every aspect of our life; parents and children needs counselling and we need to shun stigmatising mental health patients, she said.

However, she called on parents to develop a good channel of communication and relationships with their children to enable them know their mental health status for a better future.

The founder also said there were lots of mental health issues in the society, hence the need for government to come up with policies that could address same in the country.

The Chairperson, Summit Committee, Mrs Hasiya Adamu-Biu, said there was a need for every Nigerian to always consult a counsellor whenever they are faced with challenges.

Adamu-Biu maintained that there are issues in Nigeria that affect our mental state, that are temporary which could be addressed by visiting a mental health counsellor within us.

According to her, there is a new mental health and counsellors Act aimed at teaching the counsellors how to use their profession to help address mental health challenges in the country.

The Head of Department, Guidance and Counselling, FCT Education Research Centre (ERC) Laison Officer, Mr Yahaya Abdulawahab, said the summit was aimed at training counsellors to meet world best practices in the profession.

Abdulawahab said the government has developed an Occupational Interest Inventory in FCT schools, where counsellors use to admit and place students to their appropriate subjects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Some of the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Saturday in Abuja

By Ruth Oketunde

The Federal Government has so far evacuated 2,371 Nigerians stranded in war-torn Sudan.

Dr Onimode Bandele, Director of Special Duties, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave the figure in Abuja on Saturday when 125 stranded Nigerians arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the batch was the 15th set of Nigerians the Federal Government airlifted back to the country.

They were airlifted from Port Sudan.

Bandele, who welcomed the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government, said there were no more stranded Nigerian women and children in Sudan.

He said arrangements were already made to airlift the remaining Nigerians stranded in Sudan who are mainly male, adding that another batch of evacuees would arrive later on Saturday.

Representatives of the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Foreign Affairs, NEMA, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, among others were on ground to receive the returnees. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

An Iranian journalist was shot dead in the countrys south-western province of Khuzestan, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

Akbar Limuchi, the Chief Editor of the Tavsa-e-Jonob (Expansion of the South) newspaper, was killed by a gunman who entered a cafe in Izeh city and opened fire on him.

The attacker managed to flee after the shooting.

Police have launched an investigation to identify the culprit.

Attacks, the motives of which remain unclear, have increasingly been reported in the country in recent weeks.

In April, a senior police investigator and his wife, as well as a senior Iranian cleric, were killed in separate attacks.

In addition, two religious students were injured in a car-ramming incident.

Iran has been gripped by unrest since last autumn, following the death of an Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody for allegedly violating dress codes. (dpa/NAN)()

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Edited by Halima Sheji/Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

Gov Nasir El-Rufai (middle in white), government officials and adolescent girls during the official inauguration of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Kaduna on Friday

By Philip Yatai

The World Bank has commended the Kaduna State Government for taking ownership of its supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

The Banks Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, gave the commendation at the official inauguration of the project in Kaduna on Friday.

Chaudhuri, who was represented virtually by the banks Senior Education Specialist, Aisha Garba, also praised Gov. Nasir El-Rufai for the support to ensure the success of the project in the state.

Describing the project as a huge success in Kaduna State, Chaudhuri said that supporting women and girls in Nigeria was at the top of the World Bank agenda.

According to him, AGILE is one of the biggest projects in the bank with .2 billion.

This is to demonstrate the commitment of the bank to the development agenda of enhancing education opportunities and empowerment of young girls and women in Nigeria.

We appreciate the full cooperation and partnership of stakeholders, and we will continue to support the government of Kaduna state in achieving this important agenda.

Earlier, the National Project Coordinator, Hajiya Amina Haruna, explained that the AGILE project was the initiative of the Federal Government with funding support from the World Bank.

Haruna said that the project aimed to ensure adolescent girls access quality secondary education, through enhanced learning, digital literacy and life skills which empowered and assured better life chances and experience.

She said that the project, which disbursement began in February 2022, was being implemented in Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Ekiti, Borno and Plateau states, adding that the project would be extended to other states soon.

The national project co-ordinator said that so far, Kaduna State made a giant stride towards the achievement of the project objective and commended the State Project Implementation Unit for the efforts.

She urged the relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the project for the beneficiaries to reap the full benefits of the project.

Inaugurating the project, Gov. El-Rufai pointed out that the talents of girls were being wasted either by not educating them, getting them out of school, or subjecting them to early marriages.

He explained that his decision to appoint many women in his cabinet as deputy governor, commissioners and head of departments and agencies was not by accident.

According to him, the step was a deliberate effort to inspire young girls to be whoever they aspire to be.

He explained that the AGILE project was specifically designed to encourage and promote girl child education, which he equally described as one of the most successful World Bank financing projects in the state.

On her part, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halima Lawal, said that the project has currently reduced gender disparity in secondary school to less than one per cent.

Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Haliru Soba, added that the project had equally reduced the distance to the nearest secondary school to less than a kilometre.

She added that enrolment of girls in secondary school had equally improved due to the project.

A virtual presentation of the achievements recorded so far by the State Project Implementation Unit showed that a 779 classrooms were renovated in the state.

The report also indicated that 2,629 Water Sanitation and Hygiene facilities were constructed and rehabilitated in schools, 46,252 sets of furniture provided, while five schools have fully fenced and five currently ongoing.

It also showed that the project equally renovated Government Girls Secondary School Kawo, and renovation of Barewa College Zaria, is ongoing, while 155 new secondary schools will be built.

The project is establishing safe spaces across 142 schools with girls being trained in leadership, self- agency, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, safeguarding against gender-based violence, reproductive health and climate change and action.

Also, a total of 6,250 students are currently participating in the projects digital literacy programme while 35,575 girls have received scholarships.

AGILE project is also supporting 550 secondary schools with information and communication technology infrastructure and devices for the delivery of digital literacy, the report indicated.

The Project Coordinator in the state, Hajiya Maryam Dangaji, ascribed the successes recorded so far to teamwork, stakeholders collaboration, and the overwhelming support from Gov. El-Rufai and his Executive Council. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Olawale

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) on Friday held its National Executive Council meeting in Lagos to discuss the Paris club refund and other critical issues affecting the association.

In his welcome address, Mr Alabi David, ALGONs President and Chairman, Bariga Local Government, said that the NEC was to take critical decisions on the report of the committee assigned to look into the issues.

According to him, those issues are the comprehensive primary health care centres built in local governments, and the intriguing legal matters particularly the pectoral of cases that confronts the association.

The committee for breast cancer case transaction will also have to present its findings and recommendations in the course of todays deliberation.

The status of the ALGON American hospital is also part of what we have to discuss today.

The issue that is also in the kitty that we also want to discuss is the Paris club refund and also our income from our investment infrastructure bank.

Among what we also have to discuss is the transition programme, he said.

The president charged members of the association to demonstrate affable astute disposition and the need to eschew violence, bitterness and bigotry in the country.

David said that the daunting task ahead required collective responsibility and cooperation to further intensity efforts in clamping down all manner of social vices which indeed had monumental consequences in our various communities.

You are welcome to this important meeting, the very first holding after the 2023 general elections

Significantly as it were in many ways and in spite of the precarious impliction and presumptuous instability occasion by the just concluded elections.

Let me retreat my special appreciation to you all in your obligation to ensure predictability and peaceful coexistence In our various communities within the grandiose of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

With nostalgic thought, however, I am not unmindful of our colleagues who had emotionally invested their time and resources in quest to strife to higher grounds in public service.

They were unfortunate in this by the unexpected circumstances of the elections.

On the other hand, I seize this opportunity with the utmost humility to convey my warm felicitation to our colleagues who were victorious by the will of God and the propensity to drive their thoughts for the betterment of Nigeria.

Hearty congratulations to those my colleagues that triumphed, he said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Gidado Abdusalam, ALGON Chairman, Adamawa, said the meeting was to strategise and give reports on various states as well as discuss the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the association is seeking very good working relation with all state governments in the incoming dispensation.

It is a routine activity as chief executive or security officer of our various local governments, we have an obligation to meet time to time to review issues.

Most especially the elections that was just held, there were some issues in some other states and the transiting programmes that are transiting to another government.

Hence we see the reason to come together and strategise and give report of our various state and local government.

We are always determined to make impact in our peoples lives as local government chairmen, grassroots mobilisers and grassroots politicians, in making good efforts particularly in terms of security and welfare, he said.

Also, Mr Isah Taifeeq, ALGON Chairman, Kogi, said that members of the association were at the meeting to discuss and dialogue on how to bring good dividends to the people.

He added that the association would maintain the perfect relationship with state governments and the incoming administration.

Speaking on local government autonomy, he said that with the coming of the president- elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Nigerians should expect very good governance.

Tinubu is a democratic, Nigerians should be expecting good governance from the president-elect, he said.

He commended the ALGON president for his leadership style while assuring him of continuous support.

ALGON has never had it so good, like this present regime, this is the best president this association has ever had.

He is a fantastic leader. We are giving him all the necessary support, Taifeeq said.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

Chief Osita Chidoka and family members during the burial of their mother, Deaconess Nneka Chidoka in Obosi, Idemili Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra

By Chimezie Anaso

Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, led dignitaries who joined Chief Osita Chidoka to bury his late mother, Deaconess Nneka Chidoka in Obosi, Idemili Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra on Friday.

Late Nneka died on April 3 in her Obosi home at the age of 75 years after a protracted battle with cancer.

Others who joined the Chidokas for the funeral were; Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, Senators Mike Ajaegbo and Anyim Pius Anyim and Uche Ekwunife.

In his homily, Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, reading from Rev. 21: 1-8, said the bereaved family should take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived a good life and gone to be with her maker.

Ndukuba, represented by Most Revd. Dr Ali Lamido, Dean Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion who celebrated the funeral service at St. Andrews Church, Obosi, said death was an inevitable end, as man would not live forever.

He said Christians did not need to fear death as God would come in due time to take away every burden of their lives and wipe away their tears.

Any life that is not lived with service to God, Church and humanity is a wasted life.

Mama served God and served the church, this is the kind of death people should strive to die, dying in the Lord Jesus Christ, he said.

The Primate prayed God to comfort the Chidoka family, especially their 96 years old patriarch, Ogbueshi Ben Chidoka, and charged them not to let the good legacies of their mother to die.

In a remark, Soludo commiserated with the family, the people of Obosi and Anambra in general for the death, which he described as painful but a celebration of life.

He welcomed visitors who came to Anambra for the condolence and commended the Anglican Diocese on the Niger for adhering to Anambra law on burial brochure by producing a standard funeral programme.

He urged youths to shun criminality and contribute positively to the growth of Anambra as no known criminal had been able to shoot his way up to 75 years of age.

In his message of appreciation, Osita, ex-minister of Aviation, said their deceased mother battled cancer for 15 years because she had a positive attitude.

He said the family of Chidoka was setting up the Nneka Chidoka Outreach as a mark of respect and in memory of their mother.

He said the Outreach would screen, treat and conduct surgeries on women with cancer free of charge.

Our mother meant everything to us, she is our refuge, she fought for us and defended us.

We want to tell people that cancer is not a death sentence, it is preventable, curable and need not kill any woman.

We are importing HPV vaccine for treatment of cancer patients, he said.

Osita who took time to recognise those who came to commiserate with them, said they would continue to contribute to the Anglican Church and the society.

Others were; Mrs Josephine Anenih, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Managing Director of United Nigeria Airways, who was represented Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Tony Nwoye, a Senator-elect among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Hajj 2023: NAHCON and Service Compact with Allahs Guests

A news analysis by Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In a few days, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) will start the transportation of Nigerian intending pilgrims to the Holy lands of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia for the performance of the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, mandatory on all adult Muslims with sound mind and financial capacity to perform, at least once in a lifetime.

No doubt, the services to be performed by NAHCON are both spiritual and temporal in the sense that it must abide by the Constitution of the country as well as meet the criteria of the faith. It is, however, a yearly spiritual programme carried out over the decades, except for the two years interruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the world between 2020 to 2022.

The task before NAHCON is fulfilling the service agreement the Federal Government has with Nigerians as succinctly articulated in the SERVICOM charter, whether within or outside the country. SERVICOM is an acronym for Service Compact with all Nigerians. It was established in 2004 as the outcome of a Three-day Special Presidential Retreat on Service Delivery.

The most outstanding responsibilities of SERVICOM is to provide quality service to the people, set out the entitlement of the citizens, ensure good leadership, educate the citizens (customers) on their rights and to empower public officers to be alert to their responsibilities in providing improved, efficient, timely and transparent services.

However, educating the citizens (customers) to their rights is part of the various challenges encountered in the course of carrying out these responsibilities. Education is a way of reducing the communication gaps likely to lead to misunderstanding and friction during the course of providing services by government agencies directly or indirectly involved with citizens.

The NAHCON, over time has been a beneficiary of the religious aspects that does not allow for pilgrims to make unnecessary complaints or show contempt towards the efforts made by its personnel in handling pilgrims affairs, before, during and even after the pilgrimage. This does not, however, foreclose the fact that proper enlightenment must not be jeopardised on the altar of complacency.

It is noteworthy that the NAHCON has always had a robust media team in each of its yearly operations. The team has the mandate to liaise between the pilgrims and NAHCON officials. This had largely led to enhancing understanding between them before, during and after the exercise.

A large percentage of the challenges of Hajj can be attributed to flight schedules, take off time and returning dates, as well as feeding and accommodation arrangements in Madinah, Makkah and Mina. These duties are shared responsibilities between NAHCON and respective State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

The Hajj media team has been able to handle these challenges by taking to task relevant authorities on their responsibilities. This should be maintained by the team during the 2023 pilgrimage. The media should at all times serve as the watchdog of the society, and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the NAHCON media team plays this role effectively and efficiently. Nothing should be spared on this.

The 2023 Hajj operations must not be an exception to the rules. The tradition of having a robust media team in the exercise would continue to ensure that pilgrims have effective channels of communication between them and Hajj officials at both states and federal levels.

The media and government officials must therefore ensure that the guests of Allah are properly taken care of by those charged to provide services to them, and which the pilgrims have paid for. This should be done unreservedly to not only attain the boundless grace of Allah, but also satisfactorily deliver the service compact Government has with the pilgrims. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

DD/Website

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Nigerians under the aegis of Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corps (NIDMECORP) have urged the incoming administrations, both at the federal and state levels, to give Diasporans appointments.

The President of the group, Mr Alistair Soyode, in a statement he issued on Friday blamed the exclusion of Diasporans from key positions, boards and constituted authorities as one of the reasons for Nigerias slow path to development.

According to Soyode, appointing Diaspora Nigerians in Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) and parastatal agencies would strengthen governance and leadership in the country.

He said that Nigerians in the diaspora played major roles in the 2023 elections in the country and described it as a first among many which significantly stood for justice, fairness and equity.

With more than 20 billion dollars remittances yearly, they are not just an economic powerhouse but contributors to the wellbeing of the citizens, he said.

He urged the various incoming governments to see the call as a policy direction that would strengthen the country using the best of its citizens outside the country.

We are very excited that the Diaspora community has one of the best brains not just for the benefits of Nigeria but of their host nations, adopted or country of birth whilst still having a major affiliation to Nigerias development and growth, economically, professionally and otherwise.

The yearly remittance contributions to families and projects or supporting and sponsoring programmes created the Nigeria we have today.

Having them in policies and government programmes will help boost knowledge, skills and increase the GDP as well as local resources for the affected areas.

Examples of Nigerians doing well can be seen at the recently acclaimed successful coronation of King Charles, where the security arrangements and schedules were led by DC Ade Adelekan, among others.

The Diaspora Nigerians have shown total commitment to Nigerias development which also brings to the table the yearly Diaspora Day event in July where Nigerians from all over the world come home to discuss, deliberate and find ways to empower millions.

The government at all levels must be more proactive to utilise such events to secure the willing partners into all boards, ministries and parastatal agencies.

It is by showing the political will that others will be partners freely and joyfully extend hands of business and professional skills.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved and put in placed the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and I pray the incoming government will provide the needed structures, resources and policies for its full implementation and execution.

This commission can deliver more with the needed resources and it is Nigeria as a nation that will gain from her services, international reach and global partners of our Nigerians in the Diaspora which shows the principles of participatory democracy as experienced outside the country, Soyode said.

He said that it would amount to a positive leadership and political inclusion to have each ministry, agency, commission and parastatal agency with at least one Nigerian in Diaspora on in the board.

According to him, diasporans appreciate such gestures and policies.

Soyode also said that the inclusiveness of Diaspora Nigerians would be a departure from lack of future planning and fear of diaspora leadership into a new era of global Nigeria dominance with skills and experiences, making Nigeria the choice destination of economic growth.

We urge local government chairmen, state governors and the incoming president to extend appointments to diasporans without delay.

The whole nation has about 1500 commissioners and ministers not taking into account the other MDAs while there are more than 15 million diasporans and surely they will contribute immensely to speed the developments on all aspects of the nation.

NIDMECORP, on behalf of Nigerians in Diaspora, positively demands justice, fairness and equitable representation for the benefits of Nigerias fast development.

We reiterate and call for this inclusiveness and full invitations to the best of our brains to come home on a three, six or nine months to one-year sabbatical working leave for Nigeria.

Few of our best are now positioned in globally recognised institutions, companies and organisations, Soyode said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kingsley Kubeyinje

Source: NAN News

Members of the Alia Alliance Women Wing in Abuja

By Bridget Ikyado

The Women Wing of the Alia Alliance, World Wide, a foremost support group for the Benue Governor-elect, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has drummed support for partnership for sustainable development of the state.

The group, led by Grace Iorlaha, made the decision at a meeting of the group in Abuja.

They promised to support the incoming APC administration in Benue, to boost the growth and development of the state.

The leader said the group intended to partner with the state government in creating, executing and promoting government plans and projects via the media.

It will also support programmes, especially those focused on women, youth empowerment, health and gender as well as suggest ways to curb maternal mortality .

Iorlaha said those were very critical projects that would enhance the development as a state and the nation at large.

We are setting a target specifically for ourselves, because women constitute a larger number of the society and contribute a whole lot to the society.

As far as we are concerned, whatever we can do to promote the women, children and youth in the society would have a positive effect to the society and state at large.

Empowering the youth will help curb juvenile delinquency and other ills in the society, just as insecurity will be minimised.

These will give us quick wins. Thats our goal and vision. Thats what we set out to achieve and we know we can do it together, she said.

The women, however, appealed to the incoming administration to consider a handful of women for appointments, especially from the group as they were capable and willing to work and bring the desired change and development the state needed.

The group felicitated with the governor-elect for appointing two women from the group, Bridget Ikyado (Venue Committee) and Susan Abu (Refreshment, Feeding, Protocol Committee) as members of the Sub Committees of the Governor-elects inauguration ceremony.

In a welcome Remark, the Alia Alliance Secretary General, Mr. Kelvin Dzeremo, thanked the leader for convening the meeting.

He commended all those present and urged everyone to keep the Alia Alliances guiding principle of all for one and one for all in mind.

He appealed for robust support from the women which would further enhance the states development.

He encouraged the women to sustain the impressive show he witnessed, even as he promised that great things awaited them as they tried to take Benue to greater heights.

Various contributions for the states development were made by the women who were present at the meeting.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Mrs Grace Yussuf, a Deputy Editor in Chief with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has shared her experiences in the profession to encourage younger female journalists finding it difficult to cope.

Yussuf shared the experiences in her book titled The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith which was launched on Tuesday in Abuja.

She explained that the decision to write the book came out of her desire to document her experiences as a female journalist and a practicing Christian.

I believe that it will not only be a good reading for many but will also go a long way to encouraging younger female journalists, who may be finding difficulty to cope especially if they had to hold on to their faith and values.

It is my intention too, that this book will serve as a story of resilience, hard work, moral rectitude, a journey of faith and adherence to Christian virtues even in the practice of an utterly socially-relevant profession as journalism.

I say this because there is this general belief that journalists are unserious and frivolous. This puts women in a precarious position as it makes them more vulnerable than their male counterparts, she said.

Mr Joe Bankole, a Media Consultant, while reviewing the book, said that Yussuf having spent her life as a working journalist from 1992 to 2023 shared her 31 years of tutelage, frustrations, disappointments, sweet memories and all-round victory.

According to Bankole, the combination of the above-listed situations made her a success in the course of this interesting journey something to savour.

Journalism is not a profession I deliberately went into, however, I found myself in it after a few years in the private sector and I grew to learn, embrace and love it. I can safely say it paid off .

That was a quote from the introduction to the book. That sums up her incursion into the profession and the conclusion of her experience, he explained.

He, therefore, recommended the book to all lovers of a disciplined life and one dedicated to the praise of God Almighty.

On her part, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, the Executive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said that Yussuf balanced her role as a mother and journalist.

I recall her contributions not only in the economic industry but also in female and gender in Nigeria. I enjoin all of us to support this wonderful woman, who has made herself outstanding.

And as the topic suggests The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith when I picked up her book; I saw a woman, who, regardless of stereotype in the industry, she was able to balance the role of a mother and her vocation as a journalist, she said.

Ezeilo, was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Ezeude, Head, Department of Legal Unit, WACOL.

Similarly, Mr Femi Adeshina, Special Assistant to the President on Media commended the author for the initiative.

This book is the odyssey of a courageous woman, who came out victorious after navigating the world of journalism in Nigeria and beyond after 31 years, he said.

Adeshina was represented by Ms Patience Tilleygyado, Assistant Director, Information, State House, Abuja.

Mrs Grace Yussuf is a Nigerian female journalist with a career at the News Agency of Nigeria.

She is a committed Christian, widely travelled, happily married with children. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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Source: NAN News

Mr Umar Yakubu, Executive Director, CeFTIW

By Emmanuel Afonne

Mr Umar Yakubu, the Executive-Director, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTiW), has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to raise the bar in the fight against corruption to save the economy from collapse.

Yakubu made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop/presentation of the Transparency and Integrity Index methodology handbook on anti-corruption.

He said the handbook was expected to promote transparency, develop strong preventive mechanisms against corruption.

Yakubu added that the handbook would assist public institutions to improve their performance across the various indicators used for ensuring compliance to public regulations.

The Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) methodology, therefore, employs a six parameter indices to benchmark the performances of MDAs toward good governance in certain critical areas.

They are website integrity, fiscal transparency, open procurement and contracting, budget implementation, inclusion and citizens engagement, as well as human resources, he said.

Yakubu noted that the purpose of the programme was to draw the attention of government at federal, state and local level, of the criteria set out to promote transparency in governance across five major thematic areas.

When we started in 2021, the highest score was 32. 9 out of 100 marks but in 2022, the Development Bank of Nigeria scored 52, so if you can get 20 percentage increase within one year, I think it is a good development.

But, a lot of other agencies are not doing so well but with this kind of engagement, we expect them to improve.

What we assess is the availability of the information on the website, and we are collaborating with other CSOs on anti corruption to ensure that the information being put out is actually true.

The impact of this workshop on the economy is the prevention of corruption, because we have enough institution combating corruption and we can prevent it before it happens which is a lot cheaper.

Prosecuting corruption is not cheap and most of the time, it is difficult to get the assess to recovery, so the whole message is about prevention of corruption which cascades into good governance, Yakubu said.

Mr Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), in his assessment of MDAs said that they would continue to work with CeFTiW to deepen transparency and accountability across public institution.

Arabi said the workshop was aimed at acquainting participants with the requirements necessary for them to discharge their duties creditably, as well as ensure the principles of accountability and transparency in their respective organisations.

The Bureau drew her inspiration to partner with the CeFTIW on the Transparency and Integrity Index (TII), based on her strategic role as a driver of Public Service Reforms across MDAs.

Public Financial Management of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms seeks to achieve strategic, efficient and effective mobilisation, allocation and use of public resources as well as ensure fiscal discipline, transparency, integrity and accountability through timely reporting.

This position is also reinforced by the BPSR role as a member of various Inter Ministerial Anti-Corruption Agencies, and the underlying objective of driving public engagement in line with its statutory role in the implementation of this objective.

It is also informed in the quest to put in place machineries and institutional arrangements aimed at providing a common vision and long-term agenda to position the country among major player in the global economy in year 2050

This workshop/presentation of Transparency and Integrity Methodology Index Handbook is coming at the backdrop that during the 2022 Transparency and Integrity Index, it was evident that most Public Institutions were yet to be versatile with the parameters used for ranking.

This is owing to low level of awareness and compliance levels in the parameters used for ranking amongst MDAs, Arabi said.

Amb. Angela Nworgu, BoT Chairman, CeFTiW, said that transparency must be embraced as an essential principle of good governance.

Nworgu noted that transparency was an important tool with which citizens use to hold government accountable, promote trust in government, and foster a thriving ground for integrity.

The TII serves as a powerful tool to promote transparency, monitor public sector expenditure, and strengthen the integrity mechanisms of public institutions.

And through this assessment, we hope to make a long-lasting impact in fostering a culture of openness and accountability within the public sector, Nworgu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched assorted food items to the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan to cater for stranded Nigerians waiting to be evacuated to Nigeria from Sudan.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the agency, Mr Manzo Ezikiel on Thursday in Abuja.

Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of the agency, explained that the food items are meant to cater for the Nigerian citizens who are awaiting evacuation.

The items consist of 100 bags of rice, 50 bags of beans, 10 cartons of seasoning, 50 cartons of spaghetti and 5 bags of iodized salt.

He said that the items had since been transported to Port Sudan via a TARCO aircraft which brought 123 stranded Nigerians to Abuja at about 12:25 p.m.

This brings a total number of 2,246 stranded Nigerians evacuated to the country from the war-ravaged country.

According to him the evacuation exercise is still in progress as efforts are being made to engage more Nigerian airlines to strengthen the process of transporting more Nigerians willing to come back home. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

L-R: President, MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, DG, NESREA, Dr Eugene Itua, CEO, Natural Eco Capital and MAN DG, Dr Segun Ajayi-Kadir

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed readiness to support green manufacturing to ameliorate the negative impacts of their production activities on the environment.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President, MAN, said this at the maiden edition of MAN Strategic Dialogue Session on Environment and Green Manufacturing in partnership with Natural Eco Capital on Thursday in Lagos.

Meshioye, describing green manufacturing as the current global phenomenon said MAN was committed to guiding its members to make significant progress in this regard.

To achieve this, he said, that the association in January created the Environment and Green Manufacturing Unit with the responsibility of stirring awareness among MAN members on climate change issues and Environmental Management System.

He said the unit in providing members with strategies and necessary information needed to drive environmental sustainability was set to collaborate with relevant institutions and international agencies in achieving its mandates.

This novel unit amongst other things would guide and encourage seamless transition of members manufacturing processes through the assistance of relevant agencies and organisations to an eco-friendlier production environment.

This can be achieved through the utilisation of leading technologies and practices on the environment and create mechanisms for sustainable development.

It will be supporting and facilitating the adaptation of clean and renewable energy by manufacturers while encouraging them to build and develop capacity in environment and green manufacturing, he said.

In his keynote address, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, noted that air quality had become a major concern in many parts of the world.

This, Jauro said, led to the need for growing awareness to address air pollution and its impact on public health and the environment.

He said that Nigeria, like many other countries, was already experiencing the impacts of climate change such as increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe extreme weather events (floods and droughts).

Jauro, however, said that Nigeria had since taken steps to implement climate mitigation and adaptation measures, including the development of renewable energy sources and sustainable land-use practices.

Since the ratification of the Paris Agreement, Nigeria has been very forthcoming in turning ambitions into implementable policies and aligning its environmental regulatory regime with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

There is the need to prioritise the implementation and enforcement of environmental regulations, as well as the development of policies and incentives to promote a low-carbon economy.

Industries switching to cleaner technologies and transitioning to low-emission development are indispensable for achieving sustainable economic growth through pathways that yield reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other social, economic, and environmental benefits, he said.

Dr Eugene Itua, the Chief Executive Officer, Natural Eco Capital, said that the adoption of sustainable manufacturing was with enormous benefits and could engender competitiveness and a more resilient economy.

Itua noted that there was a spectrum of efforts to be made toward sustainable manufacturing such as the use of renewable materials, modification of production processes, and use of reusable, biodegradable products.

Industries must change their manufacturing process to minimise waste, conserve raw materials, and capture and reuse waste materials.

We must also utilise new technologies involves incorporating more environmentally responsible technologies and equipment into your production process, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Aregbesola

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola says state governments will now be feeding and accommodating inmates in their states.

He said this followed the recent consultational amendment which placed Correctional Services on the concurrent list.

Aregbesola gave the insight while speaking at a two-day High-Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management, on Thursday in Abuja.

This simply means that states are now empowered to establish their own Correctional Services and facilities.

States which do not have correctional facilities would have to pay the Federal Government for the feeding and accommodation of their inmates, the minister said.

According to him, this is a huge relief to the Federal Government which used to shoulder the burden of accommodating and feeding inmates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2023, the Federal Government had earmarked N22.44 billion to feed inmates across 244 correctional facilities in the country.

The minister lamented that the huge amount was draining the coppers of the Federal Government.

These facilities are being run by the Federal Government. It should be noted that the criminal justice system of Nigeria makes provision for state and federal offences.

However, until the amendment of the Constitution, only the Federal Government was in charge of custodial centres.

With the amendment of the Constitution, states are now empowered to build correctional centres and facilities to house offenders who are convicted and sentenced for committing state offences.

Where states are unable to build custodial centres, it is believed that they can suggest ways to collaborate with the Federal Government in feeding and housing these state offenders, he added.

Aregbesola said that the conference had brought to the fore, applicable laws to aid the reform of correctional services, including custodial and non-custodial measures .

He said that Section 12 (4-12) of the NCoS Act, gave the Service the powers to reject inmates when custodial centres are full.

By the provision of the Act, the Controller-General, NCoS, is mandated to inform the head of the judiciary of when the custodial centres have exceeded their capacity.

This is necessary, so that more offenders are not sent to the centres to serve their sentence. Where his information is not heeded, he is mandated to reject new inmates.

It is hoped that the above measure will curb the dumping tendencies leading to overcrowding of the custodial centres.

This will be by encouraging the payment of fines for simple offences, non-custodial sentencing and also building and construction of new correctional facilities, the minister said.

The Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa said that the sad cases of jail breaks had claimed the lives of of officers and inmates, and escape of prisoners.

Nababa said that the trend, posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and prosperity of the country.

However, we are not resting on our oars to ensure that we stem the tide.

We have stepped-up security in and around our Custodial Centres by fortification of access controls.

We have increased the capacity of our Armed Squad Personnel through specialized training and deployment of high caliber weapons.

We have up scaled our use of technology for security, with the improvement of the Correctional Information Management System for inmates biometric capturing to cover more formations.

In like manner, a Situation Room has been established at the National Headquarters to enable real-time monitoring of Custodial Centres in phases.

Similarly, we have continued to improve collaboration with sister security agencies at strategic, tactical and operational levels, Nababa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News