Farmers in Nigeria

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

John Olateru, Oyo State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Tuesday said that inadequate rainfall was a big challenge for farmers in the South-West this year.

Olateru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that all the crops planted by farmers had dried up due to lack of rainfall.

Farmers have to start all over; unfortunately, hybrid seed that can solve this problem is not readily available and where you are able to get it, it is at a prohibitive cost.

Government and Nigerian Seed Council need to be up and doing in the area of seed.

A situation where there are seeds that can provide a minimum of six tons per hectare, compared with the seed that will give you two tons with the same efforts require serious attention.

Seeds that will not give our farmers profitable yield should not be allowed into the market; the grain farmers need all support they can get to mitigate the challenges they are facing, he said.

Olateru urged government at all levels to assist farmers in getting correct seedlings and provide highly subsidised fertiliser and chemicals to the farmers.

He appealed to the government to support farmers financially to mitigate the losses they had experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related issues.

For livestock farmers, it is unfortunate that all the companies the government issued import permit to are foreigners that are operating in the livestock industry, not a single Nigerian benefited from this.

They are competing with Nigerians; with what the government has done, they have been given competition advantages.

Nigerian livestock farmers are now at their mercies and this is a bad solution to the challenges at hand, the association chairman said.

Olateru stated that the National Grains Reserve silos at Iyana-Church, Ibadan, which had been concession as a private company was a big mistake by the government.

The silos are now being used to mop up grains from the market and manipulate the price of foodstuffs.

These silos are better used for its original intention, which is for grain strategic reserve; that is, governments warehouse grains at the time of excess and release same at the time of scarcity.

Now there is scarcity, the government have little to nothing in their reserves to mitigate the challenges, he said.

According to the chairman, the solution is that the government should bring back the commodity exchange board.

The exchange board is in a position to know what is being produced by farmers, what the consumers needs are and know if we have excess for export, or needed to import, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buky Ponle, MD NAN

By Grace Alegba and Okuanwan Offiong

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, on Tuesday promised to build a new NAN toward actualising President Muhammadu Buharis development agenda.

At a meeting with editorial staff of the agency in Lagos, Ponle pledged commitment to the realisation of the vision of the agency and take it to greater heights.

If there had been a stumbling block, we are here to remove such, he said.

He solicited the support and cooperation of the entire staff to achieve the goal.

In as much as I have been given a mandate by the president, I cannot do it alone. I need your full cooporation.

We are going to tap into the nine-point agenda of the Federal Government as initiated by the president himself.

You are one of the ambassadors to accomplish the agenda; with your pen, you can make a positive impact.

Write constructively, objectively and passionately. I want you to show me that you are passionate, committed and diligent, Ponle said.

He urged the staff members to be relevant and distinguish themselves, pledging that reward would be strictly on merit.

He advised the staff to work toward a common goal of distinguishing the agency, adding that they should be good ambassadors for national growth.

The managing director promised commitment to workers welfare to motivate them to do better.

He promised to address the challenge of inadequate facilities, for greater productivity.

He urged the staff to feel free to relate with him, and cautioned against attitudes detrimental to teamwork and the agencys growth.

Dont be an adversary stakeholder, we are building a new NAN.

Lets get the best out of the worst situation in the hope that a better situation is here.

I dont want you to think about the past. The past is gone, lets look forward to a brighter future which we can always attain if we work for it.

I know you have the capacity and capability, he said.

Ponle charged the editorial staff to stick to the ethics of journalism.

Mr Peter Dada, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief and some other staff members brought to Ponles attention, some challenges of the workers, including inadequate work tools. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government on Tuesday, urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to suspend its ongoing industrial action across the country.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Head, Press and Public Relations in Abuja.

Ngige said that it was imperative for NARD to suspend the industrial action as government had already addressed six out of the eight demands listed by the association.

He said government would reconvene a conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, Finance and Budget and National Planning on Wednesday at the Ministry of Labour and Employment to avert the ongoing strike.

According to Ngige, by Labour Laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, when issues are being conciliated, all parties are enjoined not to employ arm-twisting methods to intimidate or foist a state of helplessness on the other party; in this case, your employers, the Federal Ministry of Health.

He, therefore, appealed NARD to respect the countrys laws and suspend its industrial action, while noting that a high percentage of the Associations demands had already been addressed.

This is coupled with the existence of a pending case in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) instituted by two Civil Society groups against NARD, the Attorney -General of the Federation, and the Ministers of Health, and Labour and Employment.

NARD has no reason to embark on an industrial action, he said.

He also stated that the groups, Citizens Advocacy for Social Rights (CASER) and Association of Women in Trading and Agriculture (AWITA), had also asked for an interlocutory injunction against further strike by NARD.

He added that all the parties had already appeared and exchanged court processes.

Ngige said that in spite of lean resources occasioned by the effect of COVID-19 on oil output, the federal government had already spent N20 billion on the Special Hazard and Inducement Allowances for Medical and Health Workers for April, May and June 2020,.

This, he said was with a few outstanding payments to some health workers for June 2020.

He added that the federal government has expended N9.3 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance for Medical and Health workers, as well as for all civil and public servants in federal organisations that are Treasury funded, to run from March 2020 to March 2021.

He disclosed that the federal government have appropriated the sum of N4 billion in the Special Intervention COVID-19, while N500 billion in 2020 appropriation for the funding of Medical Residency Training and intended to do same in the ongoing 2021 Budget.

The minister further stated that N4 billion had been processed for payment.

Ngige also said that the matter between NARD and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital had been resolved.

He said that the resolution of the issue of State Governments not addressing the consequential adjustment to the new minimum wage, and low patronage of Residency programme were ongoing.

He said plans were on for the conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, and Finance, Budget and National Planning to be held on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

European Union

By Temitope Ponle

Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit five billion euros from EU Green Economy Recovery Plan, an EU official has said.

Mr Leonard Mizzi, the Head of Unit, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission made this known at the ongoing 2020 virtual summit of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) hosted by Rwanda.

Speaking at a panel discussion tagged: The Key Role of SMEs in Serving Urban Food Markets, Mizzi said the fund set aside for sub-Saharan Africa was part of the EUs seven-year green plan from 2021 to 2027.

The head of unit, who also specialises in Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition, said that the fund would be used to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.

In a team of European context, which is the full firepower of the European Commission, all EU member states, the EU Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), member states mobilised 11 billion euros; European Commission mobilised 14 billion euros; EIB mobilised 14.5 billion euros; and EBRD mobilised 4 billion euros.

Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit around five billion euros. The money is a composite amount for emergency, humanitarian with a focus on saving lives but it was also made to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.

Mizzi, however, said that the region must demonstrate economic recovery strategies in line with the EUs green recovery plan to access the fund targeted at the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He said that sub-Saharan nations should focus on developing local and regional markets as well as bridging infrastructure gaps.

Mizzi said that the region should also ensure harmonised standards of products and trade operation, identify opportunities for SMEs and address issues of food fortification in the region.

The EU since April is providing fiscal space through budget support and budget support modalities.

We inject fiscal space so that African countries mobilise support which would also include loans for local companies and SMEs, and also support agro-food companies, Mizzi said.

He said that the ACFTA was a continental-driven agenda as the EU would want high quality products for its trade partners including basic food safety and standards setting.

Figures show Europe remains an important market and we will like to be a key partner in the international trade.

The key aspect of COVID-19 shows that we need to focus more on local and regional markets.

You cant expect good flow of goods from countries to sub-Saharan or within the region if you have problems around road logistics, cargo logistics and port logistics.

This is key, because Africas urban population cannot support major infrastructure gaps if it is not addressed.

Mizzi emphasised the need for harmonised standards at all agricultural value chains and trade sectors in the continent.

He said this would be in addition to scaling up training at the primary, secondary and vocational levels.

We want to continue the support of the rescaling of laboratories, research in African universities and post-university researches.

He said that supporting academic and post-university research would ensure Africas non-dependency on foreign expertise.

He urged SMEs to link into tertiary institutions, researches and public policies to support climate-change driven and innovative value chains transformative process.

This is the way the EU wants to do business in the next seven to ten years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Doctors,

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Dr Okey Achugbu, Acting Hospitals Administrator, Anambra State Hospitals Management Board, has decried dearth of medical doctors in the states public healthcare system.

Achugbu said this while defending the boards financial transactions in 2019, before the state House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday.

We have about 34 general hospitals in the state but some of the hospitals have just one doctor while some do not even have at all.

A minimum of five doctors are required in a general hospital but here, in Anambra, lack of manpower is our major challenge.

A lot of our manpower are the very old ones who came down from the old Anambra State.

We do not have enough doctors, nurses, pharmacists and support staff across board, he said.

Achugbu said that the board would need qualified manpower to deliver quality healthcare in the state.

He urged the committee to make recommendations to the government to address the problem of manpower in the states hospitals.

According to him, the legislature have what it takes to make the board and the hospitals function efficiently.

Also speaking, Dr Ebelechukwu Anugwu, Medical Director, General Hospital Onitsha, appealed to the legislature to enact a law that would enable the hospital to be accredited for Medical Residency Training.

Anugwu said such accreditation would generate revenue for the state and qualified consultants and medical personnel.

Our children are graduating from medical schools and they have no place to do their residency training programme.

General Hospital, Onitsha, is over due to be accredited for residency training, even if it can be done in steps.

We are appealing to the house, either by advocacy or by law to help facilitate the commencement of the training programme in Onitsha, she said.

In his remarks, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, urged the board to write a proposal to the assembly in that regard. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Medical women, others protest against kidnapping in Calabar

By George Odok
The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Cross River Chapter and other women organisations on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest against kidnapping in the state.

The other women groups include International Federation of Women Lawyers, Holy Child Old Girls Association, Nigerian Women of Journalists and Presbyterian Women.

The peaceful protest, which was organised by the Medical Women Association in the state, went round major routes in Calabar metropolis.

Speaking, Dr Bassey Nakanda, President of MWAN in the state, said the protest was to draw the attention of the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders on the need to end cases of kidnapping in the state.

According to Nakanda, medical women had continued to suffer incessant kidnappings in the state with the recent one of Dr Vivien Otu, who was kidnapped on Aug. 28, in Calabar and released on the night of Sept. 3.

Medical women and others have become victims of kidnapping in Calabar and this act is totally condemnable. When it comes to kidnapping, the trauma that women go through lives with them forever; they are beaten, raped and humiliated.

We are all aware that they have been several cases of kidnapping in Calabar and as women, we need to stand up, speak and fight for ourselves. Calabar used to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria but we are now leaving in fear.

We need to visit the government, royal fathers and security agencies to register our complaints, she said.

At Watt market roundabout, she spoke and called on the state government to provide security for all residents in the state.

The government owe us a responsibility of security and they have to rise up to that responsibility, she said.

She called on all residents in the state to always report abnormal movements of suspected persons around them to security agencies.

Mrs Agnes Otu from Holy Child Old Girls Association also called on the state government and relevant security agencies to be proactive in safeguarding lives and properties of the residents.

Source: NAN News

Executive Secretary PPPRA Saidu Abdulkadir

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has assured Nigerians that the deregulation of the downstream oil sector is in the best interest of the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Saidu Abdulkadir, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas sector.

Abubakar said that the recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hinges on the global market and availability of forex to marketers.

Represented by Mr Victor Shidok, the General Manager, Administration and Human Relations, Abubakar said many marketers were yet to start importation of products due to non-availability of foreign exchange.

According to him, although the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (PPMC), remained the sole importer of the product, PPPRA will continue to monitor development to check profiteering by marketers.

The PPPRA as a regulator will continue the role of a watchdog in this deregulation regime. We will continue to maintain our role as a regulator and ensure that Nigerians are not short changed in any way in this process.

You know how things are globally with the impact of COVID-19 to the global oil market. Accessing forex remains a challenge for marketers.

We are hopeful that in a few months to come, Nigerians will understand what government is doing to stabilise the downstream sector, he said.

Abubakar said that the agency would continue to monitor the code of conduct that guides operation of marketers in the industry and ensure that it was not violated.

He reiterated that government was no longer in business of fixing the pump price of petrol but would monitor marketers to avoid profiteering.

He hinted that the agency may not be able to provide monthly price band for the product as it contradicts the deregulation policy.

If we give you the price band for this month, it is like price fixing he said, and assured Nigerians that better days were ahead as things would normalise with time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Musical Band

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Mr Daniel Onjeh, Board Chairman, Projects Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, says justice is the only guarantee for a peaceful coexistence in every society.

Onjeh stated this at the formal unveiling of a music single, titled; I Cant Breathe by Tosin Jay, featuring Geoffrey Orji and Monica Ogah, on Monday in Abuja.

Geoffrey Orji is the winner of the MTN 2014 Project Fame, while Monica Ogah won the competition in 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the song was written and composed by Onjie.

We implore all the people in authority to continue to pursue the cause of social justice, peace and equity, bearing in mind that justice is the only guarantee we have for peaceful coexistence.

It is a great honour for me to welcome you to the formal launching of the hit musical single, I Cant Breathe.

I consider it a great privilege to be the composer of the song, he said.

The PRODA board chairman said he was inspired to write the song by the killing of the young African-American husband and father of three, George Floyd, by a Cop in Minneasota, in the U.S.

According to him, the incident, which occurred earlier in the year, had become a sore point in Americas history.

He noted that the development was so, as the blood of Floyd and many hapless American citizens cut short in the protests that broke out in the aftermath of his murder, still cried out for justice.

After I conceived and wrote this song, I had to reach out to the team of artistes to sing the song.

At this juncture, I must commend the lead artiste, Tosin Jay, who did a great job, sacrificed everything and put his creativity at its peak with this song.

And Daybreak Records, my record label, is pleased to present this song as its debut single music production, Onjeh said.

He urged Nigeria and the entire world to look out for the young and upcoming artiste.

The PRODA boss further explained that having started the process of production of the song, he felt that Daybreak Records would be a platform to promote all other artistes across the different musical genres.

He added that the primary objective of the music label was, however, to focus on communicating messages that would promote social change in the society.

We want to use this medium to tell all Americans that black people have a stake in that country, providence has brought them together.

We equally want to use this opportunity to talk to Nigerians as well, that ethno-religious and political crisis would not take us anywhere, he said.

He noted that America was the role model of democracy across the world, adding that many African countries had toed the path of democracy.

He stressed that what happened to Floyd was a terrible precedent for other countries that looked up to America.

It must be condemned before it begins to affect the psyche of African cops, who equally have a long history of extrajudicial killings in their trails, he said.

NAN reports that several artists from Lagos and other parts of the country featured at the event, which had various dignitaries in attendance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Orji Kalu

By Kingsley Okoye
Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Kalu(APC-Abia)has called for concerted effort by all to build a united Nigeria with stronger economy for the good of the nation.

Kalu made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Kalu was reacting to the recent altercation between members of Federal Government proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with security personnel in Enugu.

I am an ardent believer of unified Nigeria. Nigerians are so entangled with each other that we cant talk about separation.

We are a united country and our focus should be on taking advantage of our population to build a stronger economy.

We have reached to a point where all Nigerians should be canvassing for strong institutions where rule of law and order are observed.

Where the hardware and software components of a democratic nation are comprehensively promoted.

If the Federal Government permits me, I will go to United Kingdom and negotiate with Nnamdi Kanu to return to Nigeria.

I will convince him to drop the agitation for Biafra because our people dont need it. .

We need a united Nigeria that will allow different cultures and tongues to live peacefully in any part of the country.

A country where people can comfortably do their businesses without fear of the unknown, he said

Kalu further reiterated his support and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that Buhari and the APC have continued to give their best to the country amidst challenges.

He also thanked the president for the infrastructural development he has extended to the South East and urged all Nigerians to continue to support the presidents agenda

Kalu also clarified on unverified media reports about him as having said that he would turn Nigeria into a 20th century nation.

He said several media houses have continued to spread rumours and misquote his statements.

Kalu, said he had in an online interview mentioned that he would turn Nigeria to a 21st century, if given an opportunity to lead the country.

He, however, decried that some bloggers misquoted him to have said 20th century.

He said despite being a friend of the media, he sees no reason for being intentionally misquoted by some sections of the media.

Source: NAN News

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed determination to ensure adequate food supply to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on residents.

Mr Ibe Chukwuemeka, acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCT, gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the 2020 Buffer Stock Programme, held at the FCT Agro- Service Centre.

Represented by the Dr Nkem Akanegbu, Director, Agricultural Services in the Secretariat, Chukwuemeka explained that Buffer Stock, as practised globally, was aimed at ensuring the availability of grains all year round to the public at affordable rates.

He restated the commitment of the secretariat to empower youths and women through Agriculture.

Chukwuemeka called on Abuja residents who are interested in buying the grains to visit any FCT Agric Stores located in the Area Councils.

The acting secretary appealled to those interested in buying the grains to be orderly and abide by the COVID-19 safety protocols.

He explained that FCTA had released funds to enable the secretariat to mop-up excess grains from farmers, during harvest when the grains were cheap and preserved them for sale to the public during planting season when the grains are usually scarce and costly.

This will ensuring the timely intervention through the scheme and success of the 2020 programme,
Chukwuemeka said.

Chukwuemeka disclosed that a bag of 50kg maize and 50kg Guinea corn would be sold at N3,000, while a 10kg bag of Corn Flour goes for N1,500.

In his speech, the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Musa Idris, thanked the FCT Administration for the kind gesture, which he said would reduce hunger in the land.

Represented by the Akoshi of Jiwa, Hakimi Muhammad, Idris also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his special interest in agriculture as a way of creating jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

The monarch pledged his loyalty and that of his subjects to the Administration.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a resident, Mr Olufemi Adeniyi, thanked FCT Administration for the programme.

Adeniyi said the programme would go a long way in cushioning the effects of COVID-19 on the people of FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted a large crowd, which included cooperative groups and individuals.

Source: NAN News

Osagie Ize-Iyamu APC candidate for Edo Governorship election

By Joy Odigie

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo Governorship election says Gov. Godwin Obaseki has toyed with his chances for re-election by failing to keep to his electoral promises.

Ize-Iyamu made the assertion on Monday, during his ward-to-ward campaign at Ogwa, Esan West and Amahor, Igueben Local Government Areas of the state.

He said Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), missed his chances of reelection when he betrayed the trust of people of the state.

He said it was because the governor could not give account of his stewardship to Edo people that he decided to cross-carpet to PDP where he felt he would not be held accountable for his actions.

The governor did nothing for Edo people for almost four years and does not deserve a second term because he will also not work for the people, he said, urging theelectorate to vote massively for APC to restore Edo to the path of development.

We will bring more roads and employ teachers in your schools.

In the area of Manpower development, our women need more than wrappers, they need money to support their businesses, Ize-Iyamu said.

At Udo, Igueben council, he promised to construct the road linking the community to Igueben town.

In his remarks, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo, said he withdrew his support for Obaseki because he failed to continue with the upgrade of infrastructure he met on ground.

Oshiomhole said Obaseki could not deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people, a promise the Governor made during his electioneering campaign in 2016.

Today, you are complaining of lack of good roads, no teachers, no water because he failed to continue with my work. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said it was committed to the credible electoral process in the upcoming forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, made thisknown at a webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and theAssociation of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

The theme of the webinar was Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage.

Oyekanmi said that the commission was committed to providinga level playing field for all candidates and parties.

We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process to ensure that materials get to the polling unit on good time.

Oyekanmiappealed to journalists to be fair and objective in reporting the Edo and Ondo elections, adding that in spite ofthe utterances of political actors in Edo and the challenges, INEC was ready for credible poll.

He saidthat the commission had taken proactive measures to address security concerns.

INEC is determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances.

Out of the 14 activities listed in the timetable released in February, we have carried out 12.

The only two left are the deadline for campaigns slated for Sept. 17 and the election proper slated for Sept. 19.

All the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of. The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state, he said.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of ICP, said the key objectives of the webinar were to strengthen the capacity of the media to engage professional, ethical, issue-oriented, gender-sensitive issues.

Arogundade said it was also to improve their capacity oninclusive sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the electoral processes and elections.

Arogundade said the webinar wasorganised with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in media coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states.

In the area of safety, we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harms way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo.

We are also looking at how journalists could ensure their health safety in view of the fact that the two elections are taking place under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism, he said.

Arogundadeurged journalists in the two states and elsewhere to read and digest the Resource Manual on Elections and Democratic Accountability and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.

Both publications actually have chapters or sections that deal extensively with details of how journalists could be conflict-sensitive, avoid hate speech and be personal-safety-sensitive in the coverage and reportage of elections, he said.

He reminded journalists that their main duty during elections was to relay the information that citizens would require to make informed choices.

It is a duty we must not abdicate but which we have to undertake with the utmost sense of professional responsibility so as to set the appropriate pubic interest agenda as far as elections in Edo and Ondo states are concerned, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NURTW

By Alaba-Olusola Oke

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, has tasked members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) on a peaceful election as the state holds its gubernatorial poll on Oct.10.

Oleyelogun made the appeal during a meeting the states executive members of the NURTW on Monday in Akure.

He noted that there was need to ensure a peaceful and credible gubernatorial election in the state at this point in time.

The speaker, who lauded the leadership of the union for its peaceful disposition to electoral matters, enjoined them to continue towing the line of peace ahead the election.

He said that all stakeholders should eschew anything that could lead to crisis either before, during and after election.

Oleyelogun pledged the assemblys support to the union, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure improved standards for the people of the state.

The speaker also deniedthat some suspended lawmakers, who were recently reinstated by the state HighCourt, were being denied access to the House.

Responding, Mr Jacob Adebo, the state Chairman of NURTW, thanked the lawmakers for the timely engagement, describing it as particularly relevant timely.

Adebo commended the unprecedented strides of the state governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in the 18 council areas of the state, promising the lawmakers of peaceful co-existence before, during and after election.

He expressed the support of the NURTW members for the second term bid of the Akeredolu administration, to enable it to further consolidate on its achievements in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened trading for the week on Monday, with a loss of 0.09 per cent, ending five days consecutive bullish trend.

Specifically, the All-Share Index lost 23.41 points or 0.09 per cent to close at 25,582.23 compared with 25,605.64 recorded on Friday.

Accordingly, the Month-to-Date gain moderated to 1.0 per cent while Year-to-Date loss increased to -4.7 per cent.

Also, the market capitalisation dropped N13 billion to close at N13.345 trillion from N13.358 trillion achieved on Friday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Guaranty Trust Bank, Dangote Sugar, Red Star Express, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank.

Commenting on stock market expectation this week, analysts at United Capital Plc, predicted that the market would experience profit taking.

They said that resumption of foreign exchange sales at the Investor

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal, Sadique Abubakar

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.

Abubakar made the commitment in Gombe on Monday, at the ground breaking ceremony of 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group of the NAF, Sanni Abacha International Airport, Gombe.

According to hm, the newly established group is strategically located in Gombe State to enable NAF to carry out its responsibilities more effectively, especially in the North-East.

He said the group was also expected to add more value to organisational operations in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the zone and the country at large.

The group also marks another milestone in the service efforts to mark its presence in the critical parts of the zone.

Upon my assumption of duty in 2015, I charted a new course for the service with the vision to reposition NAF into a highly professional discipline for capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient deployment of firepower.

We also expanded the service by creating two new additional commands, one of which is the operational command with headquarters in Bauchi, as well as several others, he said.

Abubakar added that all the efforts were geared toward securing the country as well as bringing security closer to the people.

We also created some quick response groups/units also to bring security closer to the people.

Some of these groups/units are located in Gembu in Taraba, Zamfara, Agatu in Benue; Plateau, Nasarawa and Katsina State, in response to the security challenges in the various areas, he said.

Also, the Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Abubakar Yahaya of Gombe state, commended NAF for establishing the group in the state.

Yahaya said NAF had been in the front line in the fight against insurgency and other security threats plaguing the country, especially in the North-East.

I have no doubt that the group will go a long way in tackling insecirity and othe security threats plaguing the state.

The establishment of the group will also foster civil/military relations in the state. The people of Gombe state will no longer live in perpetual fear of the insurgents, he said.

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, on Monday pledged his support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its anti-graft war.

Gambari, who is also the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Kwara, gave the pledge while receiving the EFCC delegation in Ilorin.

The delegation led by Kazeem Oseni, while on a courtesy visit, had solicited for the support of the emir and members of the council.

While responding, the emir assured the team on behalf of the traditional rulers in Kwara of total support , adding I will be there to assist you.

I welcome you to the ancient Palace of Ilorin. Although we dont have criminals in Kwara, which I believe has made your work easier,the royal father said.

Earlier, the leader of the team, while appreciating the support by the traditional rulers in the state, in the fight against corruption, solicited for continued support in the fight.

I believe that it is important to be here to pay homage. I am also here to seek for more supports in the fight against all forms of financial crimes.

We have heard so much about you and I am sure you will support us to sensitise your subjects, so that they can understand that the fight against corruption is not a personal fight, Oseni said.

Source: NAN News

NICO urges security personnel to learn indigenous languages to boost intelligence gathering

By Stanley Nwanosike

Mr Mohammed Yahuza, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), says ability of security personal to communicate in many indigenous languages will boost the fight against insecurity.

Yahuza spoke on Monday in Enugu at the commencement of a two-month Nigerian Indigenous Languages Learning Programme, organised for personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command.

Yahuza was representedby Mr Emeka Nwajiagu, NICO Head, Enugu Office.

He said that being conversant with indigenous languages promote interaction, information and intelligence sharing between security personnel and members of the public.

Knowing indigenous languages will enable security personnel to mingle with everybody around him, both the natives and other personnel, as well as easily winning their trust.

By getting close and winning the trust of the people; the job of gathering useful and timely information and intelligence become easier, effective and less costly, he said.

The executive secretary lauded the NSCDC Enugu State Command for keying into the programme, adding that the command would gain a lot as well as promote greater unity among its personnel.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Mr Everistus Obiyo, lauded NICO for bringing such a programme to teach personnel indigenous languages free in the comfort of the commands hall.

Obiyo said that no one can fully enumerate the benefits of indigenous languages to the individual personnel and collectively as a command, since the NSCDC have the mandate to ensure security of lives and property, especially critical government infrastructure.

I have directed all my personnel to participate and learn one or two of the indigenous languages and utilise it to push the work and mandate of the NSCDC forward in the state.

I must thank the executive secretary for giving this command this rare privilege to learn our indigenous language and interact better with members of the public and gain their trust and cooperation, he said.

In a goodwill message, Chief Edward Okolo, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, noted that most great people in history and modern day speak more than a single language.

According to Okolo, most great leaders have learnt not just languages of others but their culture as well.

Once you speak a language of an indigenous people; they easily welcome you and take you as their own and part of them. This is the magic and first benefit you get by speaking an indigenous language, he said.

Over 200 participants drawn from the various departments and divisions of the command enrolled in the programme.

The programme covers three indigenous languages- Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to ECOWAS leaders not to elongate their tenure in office beyond constitutional limits.

Malam Garba Shehu, the presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja said Buhari made the appeal while presenting Nigerias General Statement at the 57Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, Niger Republic on Monday.

The Nigerian leader urged his colleagues to respect constitutional provisions and ensure free and fair elections.

He said: It is important that as leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits.

This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.

As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot therefore afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation.

I urge us all toresist the temptationof seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions.

I commend those in our midst that have resisted such temptations, for they will be deemed exceptional role models in their respective countries and the sub-region as a whole.

Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law.

On the political situation in Mali, Buhari described it as serious concern to ECOWAS.

He commended President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and out-going Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as the Chief Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, for effectively demonstrating commitment in handling the political situation in that country.

Nigeria remains resolutely committed to ECOWAS decision for a civilian-led Transition Government not exceeding 12 months.

This is important because of the circumstances surrounding Mali where violent non-state actors and other negative tendencies reside and who can take advantage of the unstable political situation to overrun the country, thereby plunging it into greater danger that will affect the political stability of the whole sub-region.

While Nigeria understands the current political realities in Mali, the sub-regions commitment to theProtocol on Democracy and Good Governance, must never be compromised.

An early return to democratic governance which is transparent and civilian-led, will commend itself for Nigerias support for progressive relaxation of sanctions against Mali, he said.

On security, the Nigerian leader noted that terrorism had continued to be the greatest security threat in the sub-region, complicating other national security challenges.

Buhari, therefore, stressed the need for the sub-region to collaborate more by working hand in hand with each other, to combat the root causes of the different security-related manifestations in their respective countries.

Nigeria is concerned with the rapidity at which terrorist groups in the Sahel and West Africa are working together against all of us.

We must urgently review these ugly developments to guarantee the safety and survival of our sub-region.

Our national security apparatus and the relevant Units of ECOWAS must urgently be seized with these unfolding events across our sub-region and act decisively on the emergence of early warning signs, he said.

While dwelling on the long-standing single currency issue for the sub-region, the president said: Nigeria remains committed to the implementation of the action plan towards the actualization of the monetary union and single currency programme of ECOWAS.

He called on member states to show support to the resolution of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on this matter.

The president said the member states must remain collectively focused and resolute in working to achieve the objectives of the ECOWAS monetary union as a project for the sub-region.

Cognisant of the likelihood that many ECOWAS member states may not meet the convergence criteria over the next few years due to the impact of COVID-19 on our economies and which as a consequence, will affect the take-off date of the single currency.

Notwithstanding this envisaged delay, we must remain collectively focused and resolute in working to achieve the objectives of the ECOWAS monetary union as a project for the sub-region,he added.

While insisting that the premature adoption of the ECO has unnecessarily heightened disaffection and mistrust among members of the emerging monetary union, Buhari encouraged UEMOA (French acronym for the West African Economic and Monetary Union) to return to the road-map on the common currency in the sub-region.

He also urged all stakeholders to bear in mind that those economic convergence criteria must be based on sound and sustainable macroeconomic fundamentals.

He noted that some key unresolved issues still remained such as delinking the CFA franc of the UEMOA from the Euro; whether the UEMOA countries join as a bloc or individual countries; design of the exchange rate mechanism; Stabilization Fund; policy harmonization and exit strategy and reserve pooling among others,

The Nigerian leader called on his colleagues to provide African solutions to African problems.

Buhari maintained that foreign interference and so-called advice may not be in the best sub-regional interest.

He stressed the need for UEMOA to return to the agreed road-map of the ECOWAS Single Currency by complying with the established framework under the road-map and cooperate with other member countries in achieving the objectives of the programme.

The president observed that the Summit was holding under a very complex health pandemic, whose impact on the global health and economy has so far been devastating.

He said, like the rest of the world, our sub-region is witnessing economic downturn with negative growth that is headed towards deep recession and the outlook continues to be uncertain.

Buhari, therefore, charged his colleagues on the need to continue to work in concert with each other on several fronts to ease the negative effects of the pandemic.

We need to demonstrate our collective resolve to harness the opportunities that come with COVID-19, despite its overwhelming negative impact on lives and livelihoods.

The Nigerian President, who is the ECOWAS Champion charged with mobilising and coordinating the efforts against the pandemic, admitted that the outlook for our sub-region with COVID-19 hovering over us is gloomy indeed.

He, however, expressed confidence that where there are challenges, opportunities are also available to be seized upon through greater collaboration with each other.

We must pool our resources together in unity to save our generation and generations to come from multiple challenges, including COVID-19 and related health issues.

We need to redouble our efforts in preparing our national economies to withstand impending shocks against prospective multi-sector challenges that await us in the sub-region, he declared.

While acknowledging that it is no easy task, Buhari appealed to fellow leaders to embrace our collective vision for the future with greater determination and innovative thinking and creativity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Angry JOHESU members

By Joan Nwagwu

The leadership of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) says it will commence a nationwide warning strike from Sept. 13, over the Federal Governments failure to meet the unions outstanding demands.

Mr Biobelemoye Josiah, the JOHESU Chairman, said this during a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Josiah listed the allegedshortchanging of the union in the payment of COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance (SIHA) to frontline health workers, as part of the unions demands.

It becomes imperative to inform you that if the federal government does not meet these demands by midnight of September 13, JOHESU will have no choice than to commence a nationwide seven days warning strike.

The strike will include our members in all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), states and Local Government health institutions, Josiah said.

According to him, JOHESU is forced to draw attention to the deliberate short-changing of our members in the payment of COVID-19 inducement allowances.

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) ought to redress and supervise the adherence to the payment of 40 per cent or 50 per cent COVID-19 SIHA as appropriate to all health workers in Isolation Centres, FHIs and other related health facilities.

This is without discrimination bordering on clinical or non-clinical status based on our Memorandum of Understanding of April 21 and as admitted by the FMoH at a meeting of July 1 that the payment of 10 per cent was done in error.

Consequently, FMoH agreed to correct the anomaly and pay the outstanding balance of 40 per cent of Consolidated Basic Salary to all the beneficiaries hitherto earning N5,000 as hazard allowance.

The federal government did not ensure total and full implementation of the July 1 agreement with JOHESU when it disbursed the third tranche of the allowance for June.

This has created grumbling across our membership and the challenge of assuaging the affected and restive members.

The situation has made it impossible to guarantee industrial harmony within the generality of JOHESU members, Josiah said.

He expressed concern that the government was not forthcoming in the payment of all withheld salaries of members at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, including the April and May 2018 salaries and adjustment of CONHESS salary structure.

The JOHESU chairman also decried the recent increase in the pump price of fuel and hike in electricity tariff in the country.
We at JOHESU take cognisance of the deregulation of fuel prices by the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency.

We, in strong terms, reject the hike in electricity tariff, especially at this critical period occasioned by COVID-19 because it clearly increases the sufferings of poor Nigerians.

As a short term solution, we demand urgent fixing of our refineries to begin local refining and mitigate the volatility of the petroleum products prices with attendant anti-masses effect, he said.

The union also called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service to reverse the new stamp duties to be paid by tenants in properties, describing its introduction as unacceptable. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian journalists

No Fewer than 41 journalists have been attacked at different locations in the country in the course of their duties between January and August, the International Press Centre (IPC), has said.

IPC Programme Officer, Mrs Melody Akinjiyan-Lawal, made the revelation during a webinar on Edo and Ondo State elections in Benin on Monday.

The webinar was organised by the IPC, in conjunction with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) for journalists.

Akinjiyan-Lawal, who spoke on journalists safety during elections, said of the 41 attacks, 35 were on male, while five were on female and one was on a media house.

She noted that the nature of the attacks were in form of harassment, threats to life, physical and verbal assault as well as damage to work equipment, among others.

The programme officer explained that journalists needed to take cognisance of the fact that nothing had changed in the way and manner politicians viewed election to be a do-or-die affair.

So journalists must report effectively while staying safe in the dangerous electoral terrain we still operate.

In this regard, it is important for journalists to situate their role and interest in the context of the interest of the two major stakeholders which are the politicians and the people.

The candidates and their supporters in these elections will not care whose ox is gored for them to actualise their ambition.

Journalists need to keep abreast of this fact so as not to be victims of any cross fire, she said.

According to Akinjiyan-Lawal, journalists covering the Edo and Ondo elections must not be partisan, but must be smart and ensure that they moved in groups during the exercise.

In his remarks, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, spoke on the proactive measures taken by the commission to address security concerns ahead of the polls.

Oyekanmi said consultations with the Inter Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Edo and Ondo were on-going to ensure the safety of everybody during and after the elections.

About two weeks ago, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, led a delegation to meet with the revered Oba of Benin, to ask him to intervene and appeal to political actors to allow a peaceful election.

The respected monarch promised to invite them to his palace for interaction and he has already done so.

Plans have also been concluded for all the 14 political parties participating in the election to sign a peace accord in the coming days, he said.

According to him, with all the efforts, it is hoped that the election will be held peacefully.

Earlier in an address, the Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said the training was one in a series for journalists across the country, under the European Union support for democratic governance in Nigeria.

He said safety of journalists was paramount in the Edo and Ondo State polls hence tagging the training, Imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News