By Bridget Ikyado

The Primate Anglican Communion, His Grace Henry Ndukuba, has commended Nigerians for remaining resilient amidst challenges the nation faces.

The Archbishop Metropolitan spoke at a special service to mark the nations 62nd independence in Abuja on Saturday.

According to him, God is standing with Nigeria had and there will be a total turn around soon.

When you have a reason to live, you can strive, there is hope for Nigerians; prayers and patience is all we need.

As the scriptures shows, God did a lot to deliver His own, of of bondage and Nigerian is His, and he would deliver us too, he said.

He said Nigerian was a great nation with great destiny and all shall be manifested soon.

God will let loose all his purpose for us, Nigerians and restoration will be made, the Primate prayed.

He also prayed that restoration would be made in our lives, families ,communities and the society.

We are here for Gods intervention in things that we wish for and it will overwhelm us, when he acts, he said.

His Grace prayed for success in the forth coming elections, citizens actions and all plans for the nations growth and development.

The Bishop of Abuja prayed and congratulated President Mohammed Buhari and team in government.

He took his sermon from Psalm 126 part which reads When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

The Primate assured Nigerians that God had given the country its freedom and abundant blessings since Oct. 1, 1960 and only retiring to Him and restoration will be gotten.

He enjoined Nigerians to be enduring and say no to half measures, as the Lord gives complete.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that students from various Anglican grammar schools,made beautiful recitation of poems they had written as the nation celebrates.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

As the 2023 general elections approach, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday urged Nigerians to shun politics of division and bitterness.

Sanwo-Olu gave the advice at the Independence Day Parade to commemorate the 62nd National Independence Day Celebration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The parade held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, and was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to respect divergent opinions and respect the fact that in the beauty of democracy, all would not share the same ideological and political views.

According to him, what Nigerians want, and what is not negotiable, is a better country.

He said the country had been blessed with an energetic population, resourceful and laden with entrepreneurial energy, a free and vibrant press, a youth population that was increasingly politically aware.

Nigeria remains blessed with a democracy that is not complacent, and a thriving appetite among all the people for good governance, he said.

He said that all of these meant that all could look forward with hope to the future of Nigeria.

I am personally fully persuaded and confident that Nigeria is on an irreversible march to greatness, economically, politically, socially and culturally.

There is no gainsaying that the world awaits the greatness of our nation; and by our collective efforts, we will rise above all odds and take our rightful place in history.

Let me use this opportunity to commend the efforts of all of you our people who have remained resolute in commitment to Project Nigeria, despite the challenges our country is contending with.

Today marks the 62nd independence anniversary of our dear country. On this day in 1960, the shackles of colonialism were broken and cast aside, and Nigeria joined the league of independent countries, the largest sovereign black power on the earth.

Although we may not have fully attained the heights dreamt of by our founding fathers, we still have every reason to celebrate this historic day, the governor said.

He said that every Oct. 1 was a time to reflect on the journey of the nationhood, to rededicate all to the task of nation-building, and continue to work hard at building a formidable nation in Africa and the world at large.

Sanwo-Olu said that the year 2022 also marked the 23rd year since the birth of the 4th Republic, the most successful democratic journey in the history of the nation.

According to him, Nigerians truly have a lot to be grateful for, as amidst many odds and challenges, all have continued to exist as one strong country, recording progress on many fronts.

Even if we are not always where we will like to be as a nation, there are clear signs of slow and steady progress, he said.

The programme featured inspection of parade of various groups which included Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, paramilitary, voluntary organisations, school pupils and students by the governor, as well as cutting of the 62nd Independence Anniversary cake among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Deji Abdulwahab

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to use the celebration period of the nations 62nd independence anniversary to work towards achieving a united, peaceful and prosperous country.

The Director-General of the NOA, Dr Garba Abari, made this call in a felicitation message issued in Abuja on Friday by the agencys Assistant Director, Press, Mr Paul Odenyi.

Abari added that with patriotic zeal of Nigerians, a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria is possible for its growth and development.

He assured the citizens of governments continued commitment to tackling all the challenges bedeviling the country in order to bring the needed succour and relief we desire in the country.

He described the current challenges facing the country as the fallout of development process which will give way to progress and prosperity.

The director-general stated that as campaigns officially begin, political players should de-emphasis divisive tendencies.

According to him, what binds Nigerians together is stronger than what separates them from one another.

Irrespective of your gender, tribe, religion and other affiliations, we shouldcontinueto harp on the virtues of love, unity and peace.

And embrace the practice of celebrating the good in other persons and engender mutual acceptance among Nigerians, he said.

While felicitating Nigerians as they celebrate the national day, Abari urged them to continue praying for the nation to overcome its present challenges. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), has delivered over 30 million 50kg bags of NPK fertiliser to Nigerian farmers from 2017 to 2021.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the vice-president inaugurated Pandagric Novum Farms, an integrated feed and food manufacturing company in Panda community, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State.

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Signature Agri- Investments are major investors in the project.

He said that President Muhmmadu Buhari enlisted NSIA as the project implementing entity of PFI, which was restructured in 2022.

The vice-president said that the Federal Government would continue to create the enabling environment to encourage more private sector investments in the agricultural sector.

He called for more private sector investments in the agricultural sector.

Osinbajo said that that the projects inauguration was a foretaste of many possibilities and opportunities for investments, in agriculture and other sectors in the country.

He said: What you see today confirms that there is opportunity in Nigeria for investments in agriculture.

While government commits to creating an enabling environment, we will look to the private sector for the investments to galvanise growth in the sector.

We must indeed, work together to re-define agriculture for the future in Nigeria.

Osinbajo said that Buhari passionately believed in the role of the countrys agricultural sector as a key driver of job creation and economic growth.

He cited instances in different sub-sectors of the agriculture value chain where the NSIA, as part of its key mandates, had invested in over the last 10 years.

Osinbajo said: One of these investments is PFI, which was established by Buhari in 2016 to address the problem of cost and availability of fertiliser.

Over its five-year run (2017 -2021), the programme had delivered over 30 million 50kg bags of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser to Nigerian farmers and resuscitated the fertiliser blending industry.

It had revived over 60 otherwise moribund plants scattered across the country, created hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

It had also enabled government to conserve foreign exchange by import substitution amounting to over 100million dollars.

With the sector now reactivated, the NSIAs role in the fertiliser value chain has moved upstream.

Osinbajo also highlighted the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) which was established by the NSIA in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the KfW (a development bank).

The vice-president said that in 2018, the NSIA invested 5 million dollars in Babban Gona a high impact, scalable agricultural franchise.

He said that Babban Gona sought to sustainably improve the lives of smallholder farmers through the provision of credit, inputs, training in good agricultural practices, harvesting and storage services, and marketing services.

The vice-president said that in order to address unemployment, local production growth and food security in particular areas of the country, the NSIA, in 2017, made a bold step in 2017.

In 2017, the NSIAS established an Agriculture Development Fund under a 50:50 joint venture with the Old Mutual Group of South Africa.

It was done with a commitment of N50 million (US million each) towards the development and investment in large-scale agriculture projects, combined with out-grower schemes.

In 2018, the fund committed 29 million dollars towards the acquisition and two-phased development of the Pandagric Novum Farms.

It is an animal feed processing business with backward integration through the farming of maize and soybean, Osinbajo said.

He said that in spite of the global challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2018 and 2022, the fund had successfully completed the development of Pandagric Novum Farms.

The vice-president listed some of the key milestones achieved under the project as the installation of 147,000 metric tonnes per annum capacity poultry feed mill.

Others were the installation of 75,000 tonnes of storage infrastructure in the form of two silos, six bunkers, as well as 35,000 tonnes of raw materials and finished goods storage and the installation of 750ha of center pivot irrigation systems.

He also mentioned the leasing of 3,500 ha of land for the cultivation of maize and soybeans, as well as the construction of a 1.4 million cubic meter reservoir for water management.

More so, the successful planting of 856ha of maize and 1,200ha of maize during the 2021 and 2022 wet farming seasons, respectively.

Osinbajo also lauded Pandagric for providing boreholes for all six of its neighbouring communities and developing an out-grower scheme, while providing inputs and training to over 500 small holder farmers.

It employs almost 800 direct staff and 2,000 indirect staff, making it the largest contributor of PAYE to Nasarawa State; and presently has the largest maize farm across the country, he said.

Osinbajo commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa for the visionary zeal he had deployed in three and a half years to make the state a hub for agricultural investments in Nigeria.

The vice-president added that the governors support was fundamental to the completion of the project.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Yinusa Ishola

Ekiti Government has approved the upgrading of 40 traditional rulers to their deserving statuses.

Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Friday that the approval was given on Wednesday.

He said it was part of decisions taken at the valedictory meeting of the State Executive Council sequel to the White Paper on Justice Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commissions recommendations of 2019.

Omole listed the Oba upgraded to Grade A as the Alare of Are and Onigede of Igede both in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Also upgraded to Grade A was the Olode of Ode in Gboyin Local Government Area and Olukoro of Ikoro in Ijero Local Government Area.

He said 21 Oba were upgraded to Grade A.

They include the Onise of Odo-Oro, the Alawo of Awo, Alayegunle of Ayegunle, Alayetoro of Ayetoro, Elerio of Erio and the Olohan of Erijiyan.

The Olufaki of Ifaki, the Onigbemo of Igbemo, the Ojurin of Ijurin and the Apeju of Ilupeju are among other Oba elevated to Grade A.

The commissioner listed Oba elevated to Grade B to include the Alaaye of Aaye, the Olaja of Araromi-Oke, the Alasin of Asin, and the Owa of Ayegbaju.

They also include Onikun of Ikun-Oba, the Ajagun of Ilumoba, the Oluroye of Iroko and the Owajumu of Omu.

Omole said the council also approved the appointment of Prince David Akingbade from the Akingbade Ruling House as the new Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

He noted that the Apejus throne became vacant on July 21, 2021 following the demise of Oba Emmanuel Olaleye from Oniyelu Ruling House.

Omole emphasised that the ratification of the appointments was made after clearance with the State Ministry of Justice. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Agbaje

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, nullified the nomination of Gov. Isiaka Oyetola of Osun as the All Progressives Congress (APC)s candidate in the July 16 governorship election.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment,nullified Oyetola and his deputy governorship candidate,Benedict Alabi, on grounds that Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, who submitted their names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed the suit against Buni, Oyetola and others.

The PDP, through its counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, had, on April 7,commenced the suit, challenging the nomination and sponsorship of Oyetola and his deputy as the duly nominated candidates of the APC for the recently concluded governorship poll, in which Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner by INEC.

Challenging the competence of the suit, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, who represented Oyetola, had contended, amongst other grounds, that the PDP did not have the locus to commence the action and that the suit was statute-barred.

But Ogunwumiju argued that the plaintiff (PDP) rightly commenced the suit under Section 285(14) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Delivering the judgment, Nwite agreed with the submissions of the PDP counsel and declared as null and void, the nomination of Oyetola and Alabi by the APC.

The court also held that Buni acted in contravention of the provision of Section 183 of the Constitution when he held dual executive positions as the Governor of Yobe and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of APC.

The court said that the decisions taken by Governor Buni, including forwarding the names of Oyetola and Alabi to INEC, amounted to a nullity in law.

NAN reports that INEC declared the candidate of the PDP, Adeleke, the winner of the July 16 Osun governorship election.

The returning officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced that Adeleke got a total of 403,371 votes beating the incumbent, Oyetola of the APC, who got 375,027 votes in a keenly contested race.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibas

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says it is collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

Matthew Alao, UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day training organised by the UN body in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Alao said that UNDP collaborated with INECs Election Monitoring Support Centre (EMSC) to train its Head of Departments (HODs) in South South and South East for successful conduct of the elections.

According to him, the successful conduct of the elections would help deepen democracy and enable the country to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

UNDP will continue to assist INEC to achieve and sustain inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes for peaceful and cohesive societies.

This workshop intends to strengthen the capacity of INECs EMSC to ensure efficient planning, implementation and management of elections.

Also, the training will help to strengthen the capacities of officers to counter disinformation, reinforce assurance and credibility in the election procedures,.

This is the main crux of UNDPs partnership with INEC, he said.

Alao said that Nigeria must continue to strive to develop its election processes so that every key political stakeholder and the general voting public would trust the election outcomes.

The current management of INEC has continued to build on the foundation laid by the commission over a decade ago, thereby improving public trust and confidence in the electoral processes.

The performance of INEC in recent elections has been acknowledged by citizens and the international community. However, there is room for improvement.

Election processes must continue to be conducted in a manner that electorates will believe that their votes will count; and that the election umpire is impartial, he added.

Prof. Mohammed Kuna, Special Adviser to Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the EMSC was used by INEC to plan, monitor, track and implement election activities across the country.

He said the EMSC had five key components that enabled the commission to plan election activities; monitor election activities while the third component, helped implement the election plans.

The fourth component is that it provides early warning by helping INEC to identify internal and external threats to the election.

The fifth element helps the centre to provide support to field officers and their activities especially when officers are in distress while carrying out their duty.

So, the EMSC has helped tremendously in our monitoring of election activities by providing INEC with real time visibility of the electoral process in the field, he said.

Kuna said that similar training had been carried out for INECs HODs in Akure for South West; Kano for North West and Gombe for North East.

On her part, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, INEC Commissioner in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Planning Committee (PMSC), gave assurance that the commission would conduct free and fair elections in 2023

She said the introduction of BVAS meant that collation and transmission of election results would be seamless and transparent.

According to her, the concluded elections in Osun and Ekiti States was testament to the integrity of the BVAS to collate results in a transparent, credible and fair manner.

So, we expect that all political parties, stakeholders will comply with the electoral laws before, during and after the elections, he advised. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

A group, Youths Alliance For Tinubu ( YAT) says it will mobilise five million votes for the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tunubu and his vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Kassim Shettima.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the groups National Coordinator, Bello Bala-Shagari, disclosed this at a media parley to unveil it on Friday in Abuja.

Bala-Shagari said: Aside from mobilising massively for the victory of Asiwaju Tinubu, YAT is poised to be at the vanguard of advocating for youth inclusion and creatingawareness around Youth issues.

We intend to work closely with APC candidates at all levels to ensure their policy initiatives are youth-centered and address core issues relating to youth development and
unemployment.

The coordinator described YAT as a youths engagement platform for the actualisation of the Tinubu presidency in the forthcoming 2023 elections .

Bala-Shagari said according to INECs database of newly registered voters, 71% of the over 11m fresh registrants were youths between the ages of 18 to 35.

Therefore, the imperative of mobilising this demography for our candidate, the APC presidential standard bearer, Tinubu cannot be overemphasized.

YAT is made up of seasoned young professionals that have participated actively in the APC since its formation, contributing immensely to its
success at the grassroots and playing pivotal roles in government.

Already, YAT structure is existent across the country with 36 State coordinators and the FCT.

With this unveiling today, activities to entrench it, down to the grassroots, even to the polling units level will commence, in earnest. Bala-Shagari said.

He added that the group also intends to bridge the perceived gap between the APC presidential candidate and the Nigerian youths.

Bala-Shagari said: Hence, merging our innovative ideas with his experience, hence our motto Ideas meet experience.

It is our strong belief that the synergy that YAT seeks to achieve will give renewed hope to our contemporaries that Tinubu is the authentic Youth candidate.

As our great party kick-starts the campaigns in the coming days, we are ready to join hands with relevant stakeholders and party faithful to ensure emphatic victory in the 2023 General Elections.

A greater and more prosperous Nigeria beckons. We are poised to put our hands on the plough to make this a reality. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Agbeja

Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has applauded the yearly increase in passengers traffic at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) , Abuja.

Yadudu, who was represented by the FAAN Director of Airport Operation, Capt. Muktar Muye, made the commendation on Thursday in Abuja during his goodwill message at the NAIA 40th anniversary.

According to him, as at Aug. 2022, NAIA has processed 3,247,484 domestic and 638, 502 international passengers.

FAAN boss affirmed that Abuja airport had eight domestic airlines operating with a daily average of 65 flights and 11,774 passengers and 12 international carriers with an average of 10 flights and 3,034 passengers daily.

NAIA is not just one of Nigerias most important airports in terms of positioning, capacity and revenue generation; it is also the airport that serves Nigerias FCT, the seat of national governance, so it is both strategic and highly significant.

Just like the stages in the product life cycle, a concept in marketing; which are introduction, growth, maturity and decline, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja came into being 40 years ago.

I am glad that the airport has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since then, he said

According to him, in the year 2021 for example, a total of 5,323,905 passengers were processed through the airport, which was a whopping 37.23 per cent increase on the year 2020 figures.

On facility upgrade, Yadudu said the airport had been quite progressive notwithstanding that the airport was closed to flight operations for comprehensive runway rehabilitation in 2017.

He said that the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government completed and commissioned a world-class, brand new international terminal with a passenger processing capacity of 15million per annum at NAIA in 2018.

Terminal D of the airport was also completed and commissioned, while the airport has been linked to the railway line in Abuja, making for seamless movement of passengers to and from the airport.

Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audited the airport and certified it safe and secure for flight operations, with 96 per cent score in 2018.

The process of recertification has commenced and its currently ongoing. The FederalGovernment has also approved the construction of the second runway for the NAIA,The trajectory of progress has been upward ever since.

Passengers and stakeholders have commended the level of facilities and service delivery at the airport. NAIA was adjudged the posts.

He said that the authority was also making efforts to ensure airport users abide by rules and regulations.

we are inculcating a level of discipline whereby staff are said to be as professional as possible.

We make sure that airport users also live within those rules and regulations that guide their usage of the airport, he said. (NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated the desire to improve the capacity of its staffers on critical areas of knowledge and skills in keeping pace with global best practices.

The Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, gave the assurance at a 3-day workshop for the management staff of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), held on Thursday in Abuja.

Adesola said that knowledge and skills were the working capital that personnel needed to drive home government policies and programmes.

He said based on this, he could sacrifice any other schedule in order to be part of the capacity building initiative.

My expectation on the outcome of every workshop, in terms of cost, side by side improved quality of work, remains high.

Therefore, this workshop was organised in keeping faith with the outcomes which are capable of driving a seamless realisation of the FEMA mandate.

As drivers of this mandate, much is expected of you at the end of this programme and going forward, he said.

The permanent secretary commended the goodwill of Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS), the facilitators of the programme in building the capacity of FCTAs staffers on critical areas of knowledge and skills.

You did it some months back and today we are grateful to be here again as beneficiaries of your magnanimity.

In our desire for improved quality of work and especially in keeping pace with global best practices, we look forward to more from you, so that together we can deliver quality services to our people.

Let me on behalf of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, thank Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung and everyone that played a role in making this workshop possible, Adesola said.

Earlier, the Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, said that 50 participants were selected from top and management cadres of the agency who are decision makers in various sectors of the agency.

We are here to build the capacity of staffers through the resourcefulness of KAS.

Knowledge is key to reducing disasters; while capacity building is continuous in a dynamic environment.

The season we had in the past is not the same today. We need to update ourselves to ensure we are at par with situations to be able to respond effectively.

That is why we need to keep on learning and retraining to ensure that we are at the right place in line with the global world, Idriss said. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Julius Toba-Jegede

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the conferment of a national honour on the Senator representing Ekiti Senatorial District, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidel.

A copy of the letter of award made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday indicated that the conferment inauguration will be don on Oct. 11 in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement from Bamideles Media Office, stating that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, is listed among the recipients of the 2022 National Honours Award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

NAN reports that Bamidele also doubles as the Chairman, Southern Senators Forum in the 9th Assembly.

The letter which conveyed the award was signed by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-government Affairs, Sen. George Akume on Sept 16.

The letter reads thus: I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank of CON, Commander of the Order of the Niger.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday, Oct.11,at 9am.

NAN further reports that Bamidele was a member of the 7th House of Representatives between June 2011 to June 2015) where he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research.

He also served as Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State between July 2007 and February 2011.

Before then, he had served as the Honourable Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State from July 2003 to May 2007 as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Lagos State between July 2000 to May 2003.

Bamidele obtained Bachelor of Arts (with honours) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in 1986; Bachelor of Laws degree (with honours) from the University of Benin, Edo and graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 1992.

He thereafter proceeded to the University of New Hampshires Franklin Pierce Law Centre, USA where he bagged a Master of Laws degree in Intellectual Property Law and Licensing and Transfer of Technology in 1996. A lawyer without border.

Bamidele passed the New York Bar Exams and was called to the New York Bar as an Attorney and Counselor at Law of the State of New York in January 1999. He is a Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Among the bills sponsored by himvis a Bill for the Establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti in Ekiti.

He also sponsored the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Establishment Act (Amendment) Bill of 2021, seeking to strengthen and extend the life of AMCON.

The AMCON Bill has already been assented to by President Buhari. He also played a major role in the passage of thee Petroleum Industry Bill as well as the new Electoral Bill, both of which had been assented to by the President and which are already redefining the economic and political landscape of Nigeria respectively.

Bamidele is also a member of the prestigious Body of Benchers, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Consultants as well as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.

As a foremost political activist and human rights lawyer during the dark days of military dictatorship in Nigeria, Bamidele says he dedicates the National Honour to the slain and living legends of democracy in Nigeria and to our common humanity at large. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde
The Ikeja African Chorale, a socio-religious group, has called on the youth in the country to leverage the opportunity provided by the group to discover talents.

The Founder of the group, Dr Edward Olutoke, said in a statement that the group had launched a talent-hunt TV station, where singers could get empowered and would be helped to grow.

He said that the group had also set up rewarding and useful platforms for the discovery, rewarding and promotion of young talents in Nigeria and Africa at large.

According to him, part of the platforms is a voice audition for young talents coming up on Oct. 5 at Ikeja Hall, 3B, Alayode Close, Off Agbaoku Street, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that the voice audition, entitled: The Healing Voices would take in new members into the choral group and provide a facelift to a lot of youths who had been yearning for mentoring and assistance in their classical singing aspirations.

Olutoke explained that groups new television station CHOIRS TV would help to promote the culture of group singing and Classical music which is full of deep lyrics and meanings,

He also announced that the group would reward anyone that could contribute to its ideals.

Send any exclusive choir performances, not less than five minutes; that has never been uploaded on YouTube platform to [email protected] and receive N10,000 instantly.

Very soon, choirs will be making millions of naira with their talents on weekly basis; its another way of fighting poverty to a standstill in Africa.

Its an assignment, we encourage all well-meaning people in the world to join us in empowering our young people, Olutoke said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Thursday, said the Nigerian Army has concluded plans to build Command Guest Houses in more states across the country.

Yahaya said this at the maiden Annual Command Guest House Stakeholders Conference 2022, organised by the Department of Special Services and Programmes on Thursday in Abuja.

The COAS was represented by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty, Maj.-Gen. Adekola Bakare.

He said the theme of the conference, Repositioning the Nigerian Army Hospitality Endeavours for Enhanced Service Delivery, was apt and within the set objectives of the establishment of Command Guest Houses.

The COAS said the desire to establish the guest houses was borne out of the need to provide secured, affordable and reliable accommodation as part of efforts to cater for the welfare needs of army personnel, members of the armed forces and the general public across Nigeria.

He said the facilities had in no small measure continued to offer subsidised guest accommodation, recreation and entertainment support to users and had undoubtedly achieved their set goals and objectives.

Presently, command guest houses are located in Lagos, Abuja, Bauchi, Yola, Gusau, Maiduguri and Kaduna.

Command Guest House Sokoto will soon come on board as work in the new facility is almost completed.

Plans are also on to expand and establish Command Guest Houses in major cities and geopolitical zones across the country.

Since my assumption of command, our efforts have been geared towards improving infrastructure and facilities in the various Command Guest Houses.

For example, the renovation of Command Guest House Maiduguri was completed and handed over to operators in May 2022, while there are also plans to carry out phased renovation of Command Guest Houses in Apapa, Yola, Gusau and Kaduna.

These gestures are aimed at improving and repositioning the service delivery requirement of these very important Nigerian army welfare facilities, he said.

Yahaya said the need to properly coordinate and manage all army welfare investments was critical to their sustainability and maintenance.

He said the conference was convened to have an increased participation and more robust engagements with stakeholders of the guest houses.

The COAS said the Nigerian army under his command was ever ready to stand in harms way to accord Nigerians the safety, security and comfort that they deserve.

He added that army would leave no stone unturned in building all its components of fighting power including welfare and administration of personnel.

Yahaya pledged to continue to provide leadership and guidance for the troops in the fight against perpetrators of insecurity in the country.

According to him, they are confident that with the acquisition of more equipment and platforms, army is well positioned to win the war against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes in the country.

The Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa, said the Nigerian army had redoubled its efforts to enhance the well-being of its personnel and their families through welfare investments.

He said such investments included as the command guest houses and other ventures.
Udounwa said the department was established in January with the mandate to ensure the efficient management of the guest houses amongst other roles and responsibilities.

He said that Army Headquarters usually interacted with managements of command guest houses, though quarterly.

Udounwa said the meeting was where Stakeholders with managements, presented briefs in respect of their facilities, with a view to taking appropriate decisions to sustain their operations.

He said it had, however, been observed that the quarterly meeting did not provide a robust platform for interaction towards enhancing the performance of the guest houses due to several reasons, including limited number of participants.

To address this gap, the department sought to increase the participation of stakeholders by proposing a more elaborate annual conference.

It was envisaged that the conference would provide a more appropriate avenue for interaction among the managements of Command Guest Houses, stakeholders, operators and professionals in the hospitality business.

We are excited to have representatives from all command guest houses as well as hospitality industry operators, regulators and professionals to interact and offer experience that would galvanise our zeal and interest.

He said the representatives would also provide viable options for effective and efficient service delivery to boost overall operations of the command guest houses. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

Showmax, an online movie streaming platform, has showcased its first original Nigerian series titled ,Diiche, to be premiered Sept.29.

The media screening of the series held in Lagos on Tuesday, with attendance of some the creative industrys big wigs, actors and some of the evicted housemates of the ongoing television reality show, Big Brother Naija, season 7.

Diiche is a psychological thriller, which promotes use of indigenous language and pays allusion to the ancient African culture of divinity.

Diiche was coined from the word Odiiche, which means Different in the Igbo language.

The role of Diiche was played by an A-list actress, Uzoamaka Onuoha.

Diiche becomes a prime suspect in a high-profile murder investigation over the death of Nnamdi, her fianc. She must take it upon herself and rise against the clock to find out who killed her fianc and exonerate herself.

However, there is more to the case than meets the eye and a backstory of almost 30 years, known only to her mother, which revealed the tussle between good and evil.

Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, acknowledged the cast and crew of Diiche saying it was an interesting journey producing the series.

In the series, you will laugh, cry, be upset, surprised and shocked.

The series will premiere on showmax on Sept. 29, we want you all to subscribe on showmax and watch, she said.

The Executive Director of the series, James Omokwe, who said he worked with other directors Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo and Ifeoma Chukwuogo, noted that the choice of multiple directors cutting across different ethnic groups was deliberate.

He said this was to effect a situation whereby different creatives with different imaginations and ideas relay a complicated story.

The lead actor, Onuoha, said, I enjoyed a lot of help from the crew and cast of Diiche, they were always there.

Working with James, the executive director of the series, was like working with a partner and not a boss, when he is losing his mind, he would still be himself, everyone was looking up to him, it was epic, she said.

Actress Gloria Anozie-Young, who acted as Nnamdis mother, said this was the first time she would be featured in a production where she had to speak the Igbo language.

She said she found it intriguing and interesting.

Another cast, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, described the series as entertaining, intriguing, exciting and illuminating with beautiful blend of drama and cultural elements.

The cast of the series also had vibrant mix of emerging and established Nollywood acts including Daniel K Daniel, Efa Iwara, Frank Konwea, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Kalu Ikeagwu, and Chinyere Wilfred.

To watch Diiche, viewers are to visit Showmax from Sept. 29, as new episodes will be aired weekly. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Director of Audit, overseeing Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF), Mr Andrew Onwudili has called for more focus on risk based auditing in public and private sectors.

Onwudili said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a book launch titled: Risk Based Approach to Financial Auditing written by Mr Wasiu Akindele, a Director in the OAuGF

The director, who was represented by Mr Benjamin Angbo, Director of Audit, Inspectorate, OAuGF emphasised the importance of auditing to efficient service delivery.

This book is very educative and timely as it will help young officers and auditors on risk based approach to financial auditing in our public and private sectors.

Its an auditors kit that every auditor should have as it will serve as a proper guide to writing your professional reports, he said.

Earlier, Mr Wasiu Akindele, author of the book told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the book is a product of over 30 years experience as an auditor in professional and civil service career.

He said the book, which focuses on a new area of auditing, would ultimately ensure more professional auditors and efficient service delivery in public and private sectors.

The book will be very useful in the sense that it dwells on the meticulous examination of financial statements and in the process of examining it you are likely to come across some misstatements and how to mitigate them.

So the benefit to the nation is that auditors will be well armed before carrying out their assignment and this will ultimately lead to better accountability and transparency in public and private organisations.

Akindele therefore stressed the need for professional auditors and exploring new ways of ensuring value for money in government financial activities for the benefit of the nation.

NAN reports that the 67-page book with 14 chapters analysed topics such as types of audit risks, audit process for a risk based approach among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, the Senate Deputy Majority Leader on Wednesday led inter-faith special prayer session for the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prayer programme was organised by Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, one of the foremost support groups working for the former Lagos governor.

The programme which held in Maitama, Abuja also had in attendance, APC chieftains and prominent Nigerians including Sen. Musliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence.

Boroffice, who currently represents Ondo North Senatorial District called on all Nigerians to seek the face of God in selecting a passionate leader like Tinubu, who he described as the leader Nigeria needs.

The lawmaker who stepped down for Tinubu during the June 8 APC Presidential Primary said, I have been with Asiwaju for a long time and I know that he is the person who can salvage the economy, provide the leadership we need now. So I have no choice than to step down and support him.

I established several platforms to market him. I established the Yoruba Koya which is going around the country on his behalf.

This election is going to be strategic and scientific that we have to do a lot in information analysis. Not only going round wearing T-shirts, no. So we are gathered here today to begin the campaign with God.

We have started here today with God as according to INEC time table, campaign is allowed beginning from today. We are praying for his guidance and grace to finish well too.

On the Muslim-Muslim ticket which has raised some concerns in the polity, the lawmaker said we are not looking for a religious leader; we are looking for a leadership that can solve the problems of Nigeria.

On his part, Obanikoro said the prayer session was important to usher in the months of campaign which will take Asiwaju and his team across the length and breadth of the country.

He called on Nigerians of diverse religious backgrounds to seek the face of God for the APC presidential candidate and his running mate Sen. Kashim Shettima.

Obanikoro said since it is only God that gives power to mankind, all APC supporters home and abroad should combine the campaign exercise with spiritual intervention for the realisation of Tinubu presidency.

He also commended the organisers of the programme for their wisdom in putting God forward in their 2023 election journey.

I strongly believe that nothing happens without Gods knowledge and it is commendable that Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023 is taking this good of seeking the face of God for our leader Asiwaju.

With this step and the crowd you see here today, I have no doubt in my mind that we have started well and we shall end well come February 2023. I urge all Nigerian to follow this step regardless of their faith, he said.

The Director-General of the group, Bar. Realwan Okpanachi, said the motive behind the special prayer programme was to drum support for Tinubu and to present him to God before in first week of the campaign.

Asiwaju as a great leader and his running mate, Sen. Shettima deserve our best wishes through prayers and spiritual presentation to God Almighty their creator as the campaign begins today, he said.

Thats why we are gathered here to talk to God on behalf of these two great men who have touched lives of many citizens positively in the past.

This evening, we have with us prominent spiritual leaders from both Islam and Christianity to lead us in intercessory prayers for Gods protection and divine guide as we move into the campaign proper.

We believe that God has answered our prayer both for the candidate, his running mate and for Nigeria as a whole.

NAN reports that the Muslim prayers at the event were coordinated by Sheikh Danazumi Musa, National Deputy Chairman, Council of Ulama of Nigeria and Dr Abdul Mumeen Ashiribo, another prominent preacher from University of Ilorin.

The Christian prayers were led by Pastor Taiwo Aregbesola of Heaven Focus Mission, Akure and Pastor Micheal Ogala of Christ Favour and Deliverance, Abuja.

NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts ban on political campaign on Wednesday Sept. 28, in line with the electoral act. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Himel, a global manufacturer and provider of electrical products for low voltage power distribution, says is it working on safer electricity access for Nigerians through its solar energy initiative.

MrBalaji Lenka, the Vice-President, Sales for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Eastern Europe, Himel, said this in a statement at the end of the Nigeria Energy Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.

Lenka said thelocal energy sector has the capacity to meet the current domestic demand and create valuable manufacturing jobs and opportunities for a sustainable future.

He said by working with local and international partners to share knowledge and fuel innovation in the ever changing energy landscape, Nigeria has major potential for power generation.

According to Lenka, the manufacturing company is therefore, working to bring focus on safer electrical access to Nigeria through its recently launched solar-ready offer at the just concluded conference and exhibition.

The solar-ready initiative offer is relevant to Nigeria and countries worldwide as the world is gearing up towards increasingenergy efficiency as a possible means of sustainable development.

Delivering on its promise of high quality, affordability, and reliability, Himels new solar-ready offer is designed to easily integrate solar energy into any power source.

The portfolio features a range of switchgear, from air circuit breakers to molded-case circuit breakers, miniature circuit breakers and fuses.

All these are with current and voltage ratings specifically developed for all solar applications centralised, string type and residential.

Lenka said the company plans to ramp up its accessibility to provide the complete power distribution, power management and industrial automation products assortment that would ensure safety and reliability.

To achieve this, we are working on supporting partners to scale up and empowering retailers to offer a wider range.

Himel showcased its latest range of products in low voltage distribution, final distribution, power factor correction, motor management, metering, voltage stabilizers, control components, and home electric offers, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference which was the 9thedition, provided an unrivaled platform for both public and private sectors.

NAN also reports that the conference was endorsed by the Ministry of Power Nigeria to explore critical issues, key developments, investment opportunities, and rising trends shaping the new energy ecosystem.

Himel was among a hub of suppliers and manufacturers contributing to the universal access for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Ali baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had received two trains TALGO SERIES 8 for the Red Line Rail System.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement in Ikeja.

He said that the arrival of the trains was another major milestone in the determination to deliver the operation of the Red Line Rail System by the first quarter of 2023.

The 2 Nos. Ten and Eleven Car trains which were bought from Milwaukee are here, he said, explaining that it was necessary to decouple the train into 21 individual cars for effective transportation to Lagos.

He said that the trains would be recoupled with the help of rolling stock Engineers from Talgo, the company that manufactured them in the United States of America.

The engineers will also take the opportunity to train our local Engineers whilst they are here to equip our young people with the requisite skills.

Once the recoupling is complete, the testing and commissioning will commence, followed by full passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.

Each train can carry 1500 passengers and is expected to run on the Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo, with the journey taking less than 30 minutes, the Commissioner said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision to increase Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is to control rising inflation.

Hassan Mahmoud, CBNs director, Monetary Policy Department said this on Wednesday at a post-MPC briefing tagged: Unveiling Facts behind the Figures.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MPC, in its 287th meeting on Tuesday, had increased the MPR by 150 basis points, from 14 per cent to 15.5 per cent.

The MPR is the baseline interest rate in an economy on which other interest rates within that economy are built on.

The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele had said that the decision was informed by persistent rise in inflation rate and fragile economic growth.

According to Mahmud, the MPC got to a point where stringent measures have to be taken to control inflation.

He said that the committee took cognisance of global as well as local economic issues in arriving at its policy decisions.

We raised the MPR because it is necessary to do so. The quantity of money in the system was too much for the economy to absorb, he said.

He said that monetary policy tools were meant to deal with short term risks, adding that the idea was to make cost of funds expensive to drive down inflation.

According to Mahmud, the stimuluses that governments across the world provided for their citizens during COVID-19 increased the ability of people to spend, thereby, creating challenges with global supply.

A lot of households and small businesses were injected with stimuluses; the U.S did two trillion dollars, Nigeria did about five trillion Naira, these increased the ability of people to spend.

But the supply side could not meet up with the demand because that volume of injection was far more than the regular intake for those economies, this made prices to go up, he said.

He also blamed the Russian-Ukraine war, as well as the resurgence of COVID-19 in China as responsible for rise in global inflationary trend.

That region accounts for more than 50 per cent of global commodity supply and 38 per cent of global oil and gas supply.

The war resulted to some shortages which made prices to go up.

Then the COVID-19 lockdown in China. The country is the largest importer of commodities across the globe, he said.

Speaking on the various economic intervention initiatives by the apex bank and the prospect of recouping the funds, Dr Yusuf Yila, director, Development Finance Department, said about nine trillion Naira had been invested in the various development finance interventions.

He, however, said that all the monies would be recovered.

According to Yila, N9.3 trillion has been invested in various development finance interventions, out of which N3.7 trillion has been repaid.

Most of the loans are still under moratorium, especially those in manufacturing. Manufacturing forms the largest part of our portfolio, about 31 per cent, he said.

He, however, said that one of the best performing interventions was the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), where out of the N800 billion that was lent out, about N700 billion had been repaid.

Yila said that through the flagship agriculture intervention scheme, the Anchor Borrowers Programme, one trillion Naira had been lent out to small holder farmers, while about N400 billion has so far been recovered.

According to him, the department will restrict intervention to critical sectors like the SMEs and the electricity sector for now.

Speaking on the depreciation of the Naira, the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Mrs Ozoemena Nnaji, said the apex bank was taking steps to firm up the currency.

Nnaji said that demand for foreign exchange outstripped supply currency, adding that the CBN was doing a lot to mop up supply.

One of the steps is the Naira for dollar remittance drive, which has resulted to a huge increase in diaspora remittances.

There is also the RT200 bringing in forex. Repatriation has gone up from 20 million dollars in the first quarter to about 600 million dollars in the second quarter.

In this third quarter we are looking at more than one billion dollars of repatriated inflows, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) has urged the Federal Government to ensure timely release of funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2023 general election.

The Chairman, Council of the Wise, SCDDD, retired Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, made the appeal at a news conference on the 2023 General Elections titled, the Nigeria Nigerians Want and the Leaders They Need, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The council wishes to seize this opportunity to appeal to the federal government to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with all the resources it requires for the conduct of the 2023 elections, especially timely release of funds.

Mr President is kindly requested to compliment his evident determination for a successful election by also providing all the security agencies with the resources and leadership to enable them to prevent any violence before, during and after the elections.

They will also provide adequate security for the voters to cast their votes without hindrance.The Council wishes to congratulate Mr President for assenting to the Electoral Bill, which largely accommodated the electoral reforms recommended by Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais Committee.

It is the hope of the Council that Mr President would follow up by ensuring that public institutions and officials comply with the electoral laws.

Bulkachuwa also urged INEC to ensure that all materials and personnel required for the 2023 elections were made available and deployed to the voting centres in time.

The council is fully convinced that the ability of Nigerians to once more prove the prophets of doom wrong, largely depends on the conduct of the political parties, candidates, INEC, security agencies and the electorate during the 2023 election, she said.

The former President of the Court of Appeal said that the integrity of the election largely depended on its management by INEC, which should be guided by the remarkable success so far achieved from 2015 to date.

As a neutral and independent institution, INEC must be fair and just to all political parties, candidates and electorate.

The use of electronic gadgets and other modern devices by INEC is a welcome development and must be properly managed in order to enhance the integrity of the elections and to fully reflect the choices of the people, Bulkachuwa said.

She, however, called on all political parties to abide by their constitutions, the electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC in order to prevent violence or any act that would affect the integrity of the elections.

It is very necessary for them to discharge their responsibilities to their members and indeed the nation, without recourse to violence.

Leaderships of political parties should take steps to compel their members and officials to fully comply with the electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC in order to develop a culture of integrity and trust, she said.

Bulkachuwa enjoined presidential, governorship, national, and state assembly candidates to canvass the support of the electorate with sincerity, dignity, maturity and mutual respect.

Their electioneering campaigns should be devoid of rancor, hate speech, inflammatory and unguarded utterances capable of instigating violence.

It is imperative that campaigns are based on issues and not personal attacks, vendetta, thuggery or violence, she said.

Bulkachuwa, who urged religious leaders to intensify in their prayers, also appealed to them to ensure that their adherents promoted religious practices and tolerance and mutual respect.

She also advised religious leader to educate their subjects to avoid hate speeches or insults in expressing their support to the candidates of their choice.

So that the devil will have no means of creating any misunderstanding or hatred between adherents of religions in Nigeria.

The council is convinced that the traditional rulers have a very crucial role to play in preventing instigators of conflicts from arising in their respective domains, the former Court of Appeal President said.

She admonished youths as the future leaders of the nation to be wiser by refusing to allow themselves to be used against the people during the election.

No youth should allow himself or herself to be used as an agent of hate speech or violence in the coming elections and beyond, Bulkachuwa added.(NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News