The appointment was conveyed in a letter addressed to Bello, signed by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu, in the letter dated Aug. 8, stressed that Bello who was an aspirant in the partys presidential primaries held in June, deserved the appointment owing to his impressive political achievements and the exemplary leadership he had demonstrated as governor of his state and as a party member.

The former governor of Lagos state added that he was confident that the Kogi governor would do his best in the new responsibility given him so that the party could run an effective, message-driven campaign, which would lead to victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Recall that multitudes of youths and women across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, had, during the build-up to the APC presidential primary election, demonstrated their strong support for the Kogi governor, owing to his youth- and women-friendly policies.

Party members and analysts described the appointment as a big boost for the campaign, considering the important place of youths in the 2023 elections and the impressive youth-targeted campaigns Bello conducted before the primary election.

The letter, titled, Appointment as National Youth Coordinator for Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, read in part: By way of this letter, we are pleased to formally convey your appointment as National Youth Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

This appointment is fitting and appropriate, given your impressive political achievements and the exemplary leadership you have demonstrated as governor of your state and as a party member.

We are grateful that you have joined our campaign team. We know you will do your utmost in this new responsibility so we conduct an effective, message -driven campaign leading us to victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Together, not only can we ensure victory for our party in the February 2023 election but we shall also move Nigeria along the path of national greatness, Tinubu said.

This, he added, would be achieved by building on the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari -APC administration in providing progressive good governance to Nigerians.

He congratulated Bello and wished him Gods speed and guidance.

Congratulations. Please, accept the assurances of our highest respect and regards always, Tinubu added.

In his acceptance letter, Bello pledged to deploy all in his capacity, working alongside the presidential candidate, to ensure victory for the APC in the 2023 general elections.

Tinubu is one great Nigerian , who not only exemplifies but abundantly demonstrates through transformational leadership and good governance, my own aspirations for a Nigeria that is secure, united and prosperous, he stated.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker
No fewer than 10 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the IDP camp in Uhogua, near Benin, have graduated from various tertiary institutions across the country.

The Coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, disclosed this on Sunday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Folorunsho explained that the figure represents eight of the IDPs who have completed their courses of studies and graduated earlier and two who recently graduated from the Edo University, Uzairue.

According to him, so far 10 of our IDPs have graduated from various tertiary institutions since the inception of the camp about nine years ago.

Giving a breakdown of the figure, he said two of the graduands graduated with a B.Sc in Nursing/Midwifery from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the Edo University, Uzairue, respectively.

He added that one other graduated with a B.Sc in Pharmacy, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another with an M.Sc in Anatomy from the same institution.

We also have one who graduated with a B.Sc in Microbiology from the University of Maiduguri, another one with a B.Sc Agricultural Science from the same institution and yet another with a B.Sc Health Education from the same school.

Then we have one graduate each with Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting from the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, HND, Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa state and B.A, History and International Studies, Edo University, Uzairue.

He disclosed that presently there were about 158 of the IDPs in various institutions of higher learning across the country, with about 53 of them from the North East.

He however added that of the total number of the IDPs in tertiary institutions, 10were in their final year.

The Coordinator also disclosed that no fewer than 200 of the IDPs would have gained admission for the next academic session if not for the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

He added that in spite of the daunting challenge in footing the education bills of the IDPs, the management of the camp was resolute in ensuring that the dreams of the IDPs with regards to education was not aborted.

I can assure you that in few years from now we will have several medical doctors, engineers and accountants, from this camp.

We are not talking about 30 or 40, but several. That is why in spite of the challenges of footing their educational bills, we are trying our best.

And we are appealing to the elite and wealthy Nigerians out there to assist us to better the lives of these ones, Folorunsho said.

Meanwhile some of the graduated IDPs who spoke with NAN via telephone said their motivation to pursue their educational dream was because of their love for education.

Yahaya Gulla told NAN he graduated with a second class upper division in Nursing/Midwifery from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Gulla said he newly got admission to the university when the crisis of Boko Haram insurgency started, and he was displaced as his family members were killed.

But today Im a graduate, all thanks to the management of the IDP camp in Uhogua, Edo.

However, I was motivated to study the course I studied, because when I was fleeing to Edo, I saw how people were injured and were bleeding during the insurgency attacks.

Many would have survived if there were to be any medical attention, but because there were not, many died, he said.

Similarly, Christiana Jame, a graduate of the University of Maiduguri from the department of Health Education, said her motivation in continuing her education in spite of the challenges of insecurity was her love for education.

She also said that encouragement and support from the management of the IDP camp in Uhogua, helped her achieved her dream in education. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DCO/ISMA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A former member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, has called on the indigenes and residents of Keffi Local Government in Nasarawa State to contribute towards improving the economic development of the area.

Wadada, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi, made the call at the commissioning of Keffi Emirate Council Investment Committees Groundnut Milling Machine, on Sunday in Keffi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguration of Keffi Emirate Council Investment Committees Cooperative Groups.

The former lawmaker said that it was the responsibility of every resident of Keffi to strive to give back to the society in order to enhance the living condition of the less privileged and vulnerable groups in the area.

I will want to leverage on this medium to call on each and every indigene and residents of Keffi Local Government Area to look much more inwards to see what he or she is in a position to do to better the livelihood of people of the area.

Because a people without economic strength or advantage are inactive people. Of course, Keffi even before now had not been a left back community in every facet of human endeavour.

But this is to rejuvenate the old spirit of Keffi and I pray Allah continue to guide, bless and protect all our efforts, he said.

Wadada, who is the Senatorial Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, described the inauguration of the Groundnut Milling Machine as an occasion of fulfilment, joy, gratitude, pride and challenge.

For Keffi Emirate Council Investment Committee to achieve this under its Sub-Committee on Women Empowerment is quite fulfilling, encouraging, gratifying and challenging.

Challenging so that we all do more than what we have just done so that the mileage will be longer or higher than what it is now, Wadada said.

Earlier, Mrs Ramatu Sani, the Chairperson, Sub-Committee on Weaving and Groundnut Oil Processing, said the inauguration of the Groundnut Milling Machine was a result of communal efforts by the sons and daughters of Keffi.

Sani revealed that the subcommittee spent over N3.5 million to procure the groundnut oil extracting machine, adding that the committee intended to provide additional two machines for two different locations on Keffi.

She also discloed that so far the subcommittee had trained over 90 indigent women on different skills aimed at empowering them to be self-reliant in the society.

The Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa III, constituted the committee to see to the revival of the old lost trade and economic activities of this town and to the glory of God, all of us the indigenes of Keffi contributed money to put this together.

We plan to reach out to more people to sell this product and I am sure it will go a long way in eradicating poverty among women who are the target beneficiaries.

We feel strongly that if women are empowered, the society will be better for it and they will be able to look after their children and even help their husbands. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Mr Muyiwa Akinyemi, the Deputy Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, has advised the Federal Government to take advantage of the opportunities in the creative industry for sustainable export earnings.

Akinyemi gave the advice at the annual conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) with the theme: Boosting Domestic Capacity for Sustainable Export Earnings, in Lagos.

He said that the countrys creative industry was the second biggest growing industry in the world spurred by the emerging digital trends in technology.

Historically, some of us grew up in Nigeria with the groundnut pyramids in Kano, cocoa house in Ibadan and a few other places like that, but over time, when we discovered the black gold, we abandoned those our primary commodities.

And what I see happening now is that we are moving to the third revolution of exports, japa syndrome. So, that is knowledge export that is happening right now and not only is it happening in that space, you also have a technology revolution as well.

Innovation Hub in Yaba portends a large pool of intelligent guys building things in the Fintech and technology world that is not even recognised; but its a huge potential full of export business. We are in that technology space wherein Nigeria needs to take advantage of it, he said.

Akinyemi noted that 200 exporters were responsible for 95 per cent of the .2 billion the country earned from non-oil export in 2021.

The .2 billion achieved in 2021 did not include informal exports largely in the wholesale trading in some sectors such as information technology, entertainment and solid minerals, he said.

Akinyemi urged the government to also talk about the creative industry the same way it was speaking about export, commodities and crude oil.

He said, most countries you go to in Africa today or globally, when you talk about Nollywood, its second biggest industry. Music- Wizkid, D banj, Burna boy, all huge export earnings that we have not taken advantage of.

The knowledge and the creative skills is the third wave of export business we are seeing in Nigeria today. How are we supporting those young stars?

It is not just to talk about them on Facebook or Instagram, its about how do we harness those capacity and build it to an industry that will generate massive earnings for us.

Akinyemi commended NEXIM, NEPC for what they were doing as well as incentives given by the Central Bank of Nigeria and rebate scheme launched to boost export earnings.

He, however, said that should be done from the fiscal perspective for economic growth and development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Source: NAN News

By Franca N Ofili

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Abuja on Saturday organised an awareness campaign walk to raise consciousness on medication-related errors and unsafe practices.

Mrs Ade-bimpe Adebiyi, Director of Hospital Services, Ministry of Health, who represented the Minister of Health,Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the walk was organised to sensitise the public on the dangers ofmedication errors and unsafe practices.

Ehanire cautioned Nigerians against self-medications, adding, such acts can causeincorrect self-diagnosis and delays in seeking medical advice when needed.

In the same vein, there are usually severe adverse reactions as well as dangerous drug interactions, among other effects.

Ehanire said that the country has regulatory bodies that handle issues of malpractice on health matters.

According to him, any case that was reported to the agencies would be sanctioned according to the law.

We are using this walk to sensitise the entire populace, that it is not enough for one to have headache and go to buy paracetamol from the pharmacy.

The person needs to visit the hospital to see a qualified doctor that will examine him and prescribe the right drugs, he said.

Mr Edi Idem, Patients Safety Ambassador, Patient Safety Movement Foundation said that the it was currently drafting the policy on patients safety for Nigeria and worldwide.

Idem said that the issue of medication error had taken centre stage, particularly as the year focused on medication.

According to him, in a country like Nigeria where people can buy over the counter drugs, such obnoxious habit must be discouraged.

We need to educate Nigerians on the dangers inherent in this kind of practice.

You need to know the drugs you are consuming, the consequences of these drugs.

We need to empower patients, individual families, so that they can ask the right questions.

So, today WHO wants to raise awareness globally, not only in our country, but across the world, Idem said.

According to him, the Bill of Rights for question was one thing, but a policy was needed to drive the action of regulators, government, individuals and stakeholders.

Idem said, WHO would participate to ensure that for every medication that one takes, anywhere in this country, there are rules or regulations guiding it.

The bill emphasises on the role of the various stakeholders, government, individuals and families.

We empower them in terms of increasing their knowledge and also empower them in terms of funding for certain aspects of mutations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to WHO, medication errors contribute to more than 3million deaths globally every year. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Nabilu Balarabe

The Yobe government on Saturday says it has expended over N2.9 billion on procurement of fertilisers from 2019 to date.

Dr Mairo Amshi, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this at a ministerial briefing in Damaturu.

She said that N1.5 billion of the amount was spent on procurement of 3,000 tones of NPK 20:10:10 fertilisers in 2021.

According to Amshi, distribution and sale of the fertiliser is ongoing through an open market at a subsidised rate of N13,000 per bag.

She also said that N1.4 billion was spent on supply of 7,500 tones of NPK 15:15:15 in 2020, adding that the commodity was sold to the farmers at N5,000 per bag, representing 40 per cent subsidy.

The government, she said spent N882 million on procurement of 40 tractors in 2019, adding it had been given as loans to large scale farmers at N11million each, payable within four years.

Amshi said the state in collaboration with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), had vaccinated over 1.2 million cattle, sheep, goats and dogs within the period under review.

The commissioner said the states Livestock Development Programme is being supported by 135 veterinary surgeons, 47 animal scientists, five equipped veterinary clinics and 17 Area Veterinary/ Livestock offices across the state.

She said the state government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), set up livestock development centres at Jakusko/Nasari, Badegana and Gurjaje grazing reserves.

Amshi said the facilities were designed with boreholes, earth dams, veterinary clinic, feed lots, fish ponds, access roads, electricity, artificial insemination and milk collection units, among others.

Similarly, the commissioner said a Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centres (LIBC) had been established in Nguru to enhance livestock production.

To boost dry season activities, she said that over 2,000 hectares of land had so far been acquired for the take off of the 2022 LAVA irrigation scheme in some parts of the state.

Accordong to her, the state in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has established National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) North-East Outreach Station in Damaturu.

The state also secured approval to participate in the Federal Governments Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme ( L-Pres Programme). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government says it has trained more than 10,000 refrigeration technicians and provided Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and refrigerants identifiers in the refrigeration servicing sector to ensure effective ozone friendly.

The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, said this at the commemoration of World Ozone Day, (WOD), in Abuja.

Abdullahi said that the theme for the 2022 WOD was Montreal Protocol at 35: Global Cooperation Protecting life on Earth.

He said the theme highlighted the protocols positive impact on the Ozone Layer and Climate over the past 35 years.

The minister said that the theme also recognized its wider impact on climate change and the need for global cooperation to further address the challenges of Ozone Layer Depletion and climate.

He said that the government in line with the protocols ODS phase-out schedule, had assisted over 700 Large, Small and Medium Scale enterprises.

Abdullahi said that the assistance was in foam, refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosols and solvent sectors, adding that the effort was to convert to Ozone friendly substances and technologies.

He said that the commitment resulted in 100 per cent phase out of over 4,000 metric tonnes of ODSs, with high Ozone ODPs.

The Minister said that about 26 institutions, polytechnics and government technical colleges, were identified and equipped to serve as training centres on good refrigeration practices.

Therefore, we have trained the trainers from the identified centres and developed training manuals on good refrigeration practices.

These have also led to the training of more than 10,000 refrigeration technicians in the refrigeration servicing sector.

However, we have trained more than 850 chemical regulatory and enforcement officers on identification of ODSs, to ensure their effective control and provided the relevant agencies with ODSs refrigerants identifiers, he said.

Abdullahi said that the ODS phase out activities were achieved with support from the Multilateral Fund (MLF) for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol to meet its compliance obligations.

He said that under the refrigeration and air conditioning servicing sector, a lot had been achieved through the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The minister said that procurement of servicing equipment for two master training centres, 16 other training centres and a reclamation centre, among others had been achieved.

Abdullahi said that Nigeria had ratified the Kigali Amendment, adding that it had also come into force.

He said that the implementation of the amendment would provide an opportunity to adapt ozone and climate-friendly technologies and improve energy efficiency in the cooling sector.

In order to establish a regulatory framework for its implementation, my ministry updated the existing Ozone Layer Regulations (2009).

This is to include provisions and guidelines for the phase down of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) in line with the amendment.

The updated regulation is now known as The Ozone Layer Protection and HFCS Phase Down Regulation 2022.

We will continue to work with other relevant agencies for effective enforcement of the regulations, he said.

The minister was represented by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health of the Ministry, Mr Charles Ikea.

The UNDP Programme Manager, Mr Oladipo Osibo, said that the ozone layer was important in protecting lives on earth.

Osibo said that the essence of celebrating the preservation of the Ozone Layer was to raise awareness on the importance of the ozone layer and other living things on the surface of the earth.

He, however, encouraged Nigerians to do all that could be done, by intensifying effort in ensuring that the earth was protected. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by John Amieyeofori/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Follow The Money (FTM) a Civil Society Organisation, has tasked politicians seeking elective offices in 2023 poll, to place the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the centre of their campaign.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, Founder, FTM, said this at the SDG and Follow The Money Hangout, marking the 10 years anniversary of mobilising communities for impact driven campaign in 10 African countries on Saturday in Abuja.

Today is a global SDGs campaign called flip the script and FTM in all the 10 African countries was marking the day by mobilising citizens to take action by holding government to account and taking the SDGs to the grassroots, Lawal said.

He said there was the need to flip the script in terms of how Nigeria and Africa were working toward achieving the SDGs, saying that the current script was not working for Africa.

This, he said, was because the current script does not ensure justice, equity, gender equality, tackling poverty and ensuring that people do not go to bed with hunger.

He stressed the need to localise the goals and have citizens take ownership of them.

The political atmosphere presents a unique opportunity to flip the script, that is why our politicians must ensure that SDG is in the centre of the conversation as we go into campaign and the election.

So flipping the script is saying that let us mobilise more young people,lets educate and sensitise them,let us be more organised and not dwell on the last but use digital technology to change the narrative by taking our destiny into our hands.

We know that in a few weeks campaigns will start in Nigeria, so we are using this opportunity to say that as campaign season starts, and in the spirit of flipping the script, we must ensure that campaign messages are based on issues not sentiments.

If you look at the SDGs goals , it literally talks about ending poverty, ending hunger, providing justice, equity and fairness, it talks about gender equality, education, healthcare, job sustainable growth among others.

These are the issues that are plaguing the nation ; so if our politicians actually use SDGs to inform their manifesto, these are ideals that would address our problems, but most importantly provide opportunity for emerging solution, he said.

According to Lawal, the SDGsslogan is leave no one behind, so youths want a democracy and politics that leaves no one behind including people living with disability because they have a role in governance.

So for us, SDG can reform our democracy and our politics and we can take that into 2023 to flip the script so that we can have a script that will work for every Nigeria irrespective of where they are, he said.

He urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Card and vote on election day toprevent voter apathy.

He said that the FTM would mobilise more than 20,000 observers across Nigeria to monitor the electoral process, saying that Nigerias democracy would be stronger with the synergy of all stakeholders to make sure that the SDGs become household initiative to be achieved in 2030.

Mr Semiye Michael , Curator ,Global Goals Community Centre and Executive Director, DEAN Initiative, said Nigeria had lagged behind in the achievement of the SDGs, thus the need to take deliberate action towards them.

Michael said that a new data in education had jerked up the number of out-of- children from 10 million to 13 million indicating that the figure could be getting to N20million.

Today is what we call the SDGs birthday globally, a week of action is declared by the UN to intensify effort on the accelerated action needed for the achievement of the SDGs.

So around the world, different mobilisation activities will take place like we are doing here today.

This year, we call it flip the script to see what scripts we are leaving behind for instance, COVID ravaged the world and it has staled the action on the SDGs.

So we are trying to see how we can galvanise action, mobilise more supports and also make statements to leaders holding them accountable to their promises on SDGs, he said.

Michael said there was a challenge with data so the government needed to be deliberated in putting mechanisms in place to know the progress made and areas of intervention through concrete data and performance tracking. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) on Saturday, offered skills training for teachers in its schools to enhance their capacity.

The teachers were also drilled on security measures for their safety and that of students in their care.

The capacity development training with the theme, Creativity in Teaching Learning and Safety Measure, was held in Abuja and had participants from NAOWA nursery, primary and secondary schools.

In her speech, NAOWA President and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, said educational development remained a key component of her administration.

Yahaya said that continuous training and retraining of staff would enhance their productivity, adding that the training seminar was the sixth in the series.

She said it was aimed at making the beneficiaries better and effective given the array of resource persons that delivered lectures in various areas.

She urged the teachers to justify the investment that had been made on them in the area of capacity development by putting in their best to teaching and learning outcomes.

To have an effective teacher, training and retraining is very important. Since coming on board, we have been organising the staff development series and this is the sixth series.

It is all aimed at making them better and effective teachers.

It is also a means for them to interact with other teachers because all the resource persons are also professional teachers in their own right.

So, it is also a way for them to interact and exchange ideas, and understand current trends in teaching methodology as well as teaching in the 21century.

The theme is apt and the topics treated are also apt with regards to current trends in education.

NAOWA has really invested in them by training them and ensuring that they have good welfare package. It is expected that they put in their best and be the best teachers that they can be, she said.

The Head, Staff Training Committee, NAOWA, Mrs Fatima Mohammed, said the training was organised for the teachers to learn more effective ways of imparting knowledge to their students.

Mohammed added that the training would also help them to match the teaching techniques of the past with new skills to produce a greater generation of Nigerians.

She said technological and infrastructural development have made it necessary for teachers to bring creativity into their daily activities to achieve the desired goals and ensuring that schools were safe and conducive for learning.

One of the resource persons, Mr Abdulrazak Muhammad, in his lecture titled, Safety and Security Measures in Schools said that safety of schools was paramount to educational development.

Muhammad, a former Secretary of FCT Universal Education Board, said the current security challenges had affected the nations educational system in some parts of the country.

It is very important that we create awareness among the stakeholders, teachers, students and administrators in order to enhance and ensure safety and security of children in schools, he added.

He said many schools and institutions all over Nigeria have porous security system, and were not adhering to standard security measures.

Muhammad said there must be strong understanding between host communities and schools, while government should provide adequate security for schools.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAOWA president used the event to honour some members of staff with gifts for their dedication and commitment to duty. (NAN) ()

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

North East Women Forum for Peace and Stability (NEWFPS) a non-governmental organisation, has commended the Nigerian military for the sustained onslaught and recent successes against insurgents in recent time.

The group, in a statement by its Coordinator, Mrs Aishatu Jimeta on Saturday, urged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to remain focused against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

Jimeta also urged the military to ignore the Amnesty International (AI) on their negative reports on the activities of the Nigerian military in the Northeast.

She said the recent successes in the onslaught against the terrorists had confirmed promise made by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, that Nigerians will soon smile.

As victims of insurgency, we, the people of the North East can testify that there has been considerable improvement in the security situation in our region.

Amnesty International report is more of diversionary and not intended to help the common people suffering from the activities of the terrorists.

Just this week three senior commanders of ISWAP terrorists were among several jihadist fighters killed in aerial bombardments by Nigerian fighter jets on their enclaves in Lake Chad.

Similarly, a notorious chief executioner of the Boko-Haram, Bashir Bulabuduwaye, who was responsible for slaughtering of all abducted persons condemned by the group, surrendered to the Nigerian troops.

These are some of the massive successes being recorded in our region after several years of unforgettable devastation, she said.

The group leader said the ongoing military operations had been paving ways for them to gradually return to their means of livelihood.

She said the women would plead with the armed forces not to be distracted.

According to her, the people are happy that their homes are gradually bouncing back to life, with most of them returning to their various means of livelihood. (NAN) ()

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Kemi Akintokun

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in partnership with the Cardiovascular Education Foundation, an NGO, has commenced a cardiac mission intervention targeted at offering treatment to patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, who spoke at a news conference organised on Friday to commence the programme said the intervention was a landmark event.

What we are doing here today is about interventional cardiovascular procedures that we have lined up for some of our less privileged patients in collaboration with Cardiovascular Education Foundation.

This is another landmark event for LASUTH and it is made possible because we are open for partnership, alliances and association with willing partners, and this has helped us over the years.

They have come to LASUTH at the right time because few months ago, we partnered an organisation to set-up a cardiac catheterization laboratory, which happens to be the first and only functional lab of its kind in any public institution in Nigeria.

Since the set-up of the laboratory, we have been doing cases but with this mission the scope of the lab will be put to good use because a lot of procedures are going on in the lab.

They are also working side by side with our experts withing so that skills can be transferred, he said.

Fabamwo commended the foundation for identifying with the hospital and providing medical interventions to patients.

The missioners in their kindness and magnanimity brought with them all the very expensive materials needed for some of the procedures.

The patients are paying virtually next to nothing for the procedures and this is a very commendable gesture he said.

He advised Nigerian to maintain healthy lifestyles to avoid cardiovascular diseases.

Speaking also, Dr Obi Emerole, the President of Cardiovascular Education Foundation said the aim of the partnership was to provide relief for patients who cannot afford the care they need.

Over the next week one week, we will be providing care to a lot of patients and this will include, Geographic Variation, implantation of pacemakers, implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) among others.

This is an opportunity for close to 20 patients who will not ordinarily be able to afford the care they need.

It is also an opportunity for skills transfer to some of the Nigeria based cardiologists and at the same time, we will be able to learn from them.

I must commend the effort of LASUTH cardiologists for having done the ground work so that this intervention can commence immediately, the U.S. based consultant cardiologists said.

Emerole said the foundation would continue to partner with the institution towards making LASUTH a premier destination for cardiovascular education training, research and patients care in Sub-sahara Africa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chief Imam of Area 10 Jummaat Mosque, Yahya Al-Yolawi, on Friday urged Muslims to always remember death and include it in their plans and agenda.

Al-Yolawi made this known, while delivering Jummaat Sermon titled:Significance of Remembering Death in Islam.

He said that constant rememberence of death reduces worldly material inclination from the hearts of people.

The cleric said that remembering that one would die one day leads to peace, contentment and helps in preparation toward it before it would be too late.

Al-Yolawi said that any person who chooses to forget or rules out remembering death in his day to day life would be delaying repentance until it was too late.

Muslims success or failure at the time of death depends on how much he prepared before that day. Preparing for death is a lifetime assignment.

It begins on the day one reaches the age of adolescence, where he will be responsible for his deeds for the rest of his or her life. Once death arrives, the opportunity to do well or worship ceases.

lt will be too late to repent and our final destination depends largely on the kind of beliefs and actions exhibited in this present life, he said.

Death is inevitable to every human- being, he said.

According to him, that Allah says every soul will taste death and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection.

Al-Yolawi, however, admonished muslims to fear Allah and ensure righteous deeds, noting that righteous deeds are the only preparation for death.

Allah, the most High says, Oh you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah, and whoever does that-then those are the losers.

And spend in the way of Allah from what we have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says my Lord, if only you will delay me for a brief term so I will give charity and be among the righteous.

But never will Allah delay a soul when time comes. And Allah is fully aware with what you do. The soul of the wrongdoers will be taken away severely. (NAN)
Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Agbaje

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, on Friday, said that his coming to Abuja reminded him of his defeat during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s presidential primary held on May 28 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Wike made this known at a book launch in Abuja.

The book, titled: Flowing Justice: Selected Leading Judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, was authored by retired Justice Abdu Aboki and unveiled by the governor.

Wike said: I want to once again congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Abdu Aboki JSC for giving me this opportunity to be here and to be the chief launcher.

But why I said My Lord did not do well is because if he had held this in Lagos or Kano, I would have been happy, he said

Wike said that when he arrived in Abuja and sighted the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, he recalled the presidential poll experience.

When I landed and then passed through the venue. I said I think My Lord intentionally wanted me to remember 28 and 29 of May of what happened.

Well, but life continues, he said jokingly.

According to him, today is my first time of coming to Abuja after losing election.

He said unlike Governor Bello who had visited Abuja for a number of time even after losing the All Progressives (APC) presidential primary, he had remained in his state.

I am not like Yahaya Bello who lost and he comes (to Abuja) everyday, he added.

He hailed Justice Abokis commitment to protection of justice and rule of law, noting that Justice Aboki is a consummate jurist who has left his name indelibly in the sands of time and judicial history.

While judges are of different social, economic and political persuasion, Honourable Justice Abdu Aboki prides himself among the progressive rank that stands up to what is right and just, and believes that the law and the constitution, as interpreted and enforced by the court must both protect and advance the unity and wellbeing of the nation and her citizens.

But responding, the governor of Kogi said among the governors in the Nigeria Governors Forum, both Wike and himself are different.

NAN reports that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, emerged the presidential candidate in the primary that was conducted in Abuja on May 28 by the party.

Before voting began, one of the aspirants and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, had stepped down from the race and asked his supporters to vote for Atiku.

Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat his main challenger, Governor Wike, who scored 237 votes.

Former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, came a distant third with 70 votes, while Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel and his counterpart in Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, scored 38 votes and 20 votes, respectively.

Speaking further at the event, Governor Bello commended Justice Aboki for his immense guidance to him and his government in Kogi and prayed God to continue to preserve his life.

Bello noted that though it might seem the country was currently troubled, no democracy can be perfected as we have it today in the U.S. without encountering challenges.

Justice Aboki, who said he felt excited and elated after his retirement in good health, thanked everybody for attending the occasion.

He urged the Federal Government to promptly appoint replacement for those who have left the apex courts Bench, noting that those left behind would now be overburdened with his exit and that of those before him.

Aboki, therefore, advocated reforms, particularly the amendment of the constitution to reduce the number of cases filed at the Supreme Court.

He said certain interlocutory applications should not be countenanced by the Supreme Court, while other political cases, except that of the presidential election should terminate at the court below.

NAN reports that Wike, at the book launch, unveiled 200 copies of the book with a sum of N100 million.

The event put together by a group of senior lawyers, including Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and Ahmed Raji, SAN, had in attendance a number of past and serving justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, politicians, traditional rulers, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has reassured that the state of security in the country will see more improvement in the coming days.

Yahaya said this at the closing of the 2022 Chief of Army Staff Third Quarter Conference, on Friday in Abuja.

He urged all commanders to ensure prompt implementation of the decisions and directives issued during the conference as they relate with their commands.

The COAS challenged them to decisively and quickly defeat the adversaries in all theatres of operations given the improved support in terms of logistics and other key combat enablers at their disposal.

There is no doubt that with our efforts in collaboration with Sister Services and other security agencies, the state of security in the country will continue to improve in the days ahead.

I therefore urge all commanders to remain committed, more so that the 2023 electioneering would soon commence.

On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish to most respectfully reassure the people of our commitment to the defence of Nigeria.

We also remain grateful to the Commander-in-Chief for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army, which has contributed immensely to the huge successes recorded against the enemies of the country.

I wish to inform the public that the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with other security agencies to provide peaceful environment, he said.

Yahaya warned those fueling crises in various parts of the country to desist from their unpatriotic acts and retrace their steps.

He said the Nigerian army, within the ambit of rule of law, would continue to ensure that all peace-loving citizens go about their legitimate businesses and live their lives without fear or intimidation.

The COAS said the conference was in line with his resolve to maintain constant interaction with commanders in the field to collectively appreciate their efforts in the ongoing operations across the country.

He added that it was an opportunity to appraise all army activities and restrategise towards achieving the goal of discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, the conference also examined issues affecting professional conduct of personnel.

We equally reviewed training, operations and manpower matters as well as various projects embarked upon by the Nigerian army.

Therefore, in the last quarter of the year, I implore you all to lay emphasis on activities that would enable the Nigerian army to consolidate on the gains so far achieved.

I want to enjoin all formation and unit commanders on the need to be vigilant and aware of all situation through constant monitoring and ensuring proactive solution to situations.

Commanders are equally reminded on the need to emplace stringent measures to maintain efficient security of arms and ammunition.

The COAS emphasised that the army must remain apolitical and discharge its responsibilities within set standards throughout the electioneering period.

Additionally, the directive on the reviewed Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct should be adhered to strictly by all during the electioneering period.

Thus, commanders must ensure that subordinates are educated on the guidelines provided in the document.

Commanders must also ensure the professional conduct of troops and resist any distraction and attempt by misguided elements to disrepute the image of the Nigerian Army.

All must remain professional and apolitical in conduct all through Op Safe Conduct, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, which started on Tuesday had in attendance Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders, General Officers Commanding, field commanders among other officers. (NAN) ()

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

An analysis by Rukayat Moisemhe, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The word Japa, which means to flee in Yoruba, is now trending in Nigeria, particularly for those that desire to leave for greener pasture abroad.

A report by the Africa Polling Institute in 2021 claimed that seven out of 10 Nigerians were willing to relocate to other countries for various reasons, with a good number of them recording success.

This was corroborated by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research institution, which revealed in a recent report that Nigeria was one of the top 13 Africa countries whose citizens emigrated for employment, study, security and other reasons.

About 5,405 Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses are reported to be working with the National Health Services (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK).

The figure, released by the British government, stated that Nigerian medics constituted 3.9 per cent of the 137,000 foreign staff of 202 nationalities working alongside British doctors and nurses.

It is doubtless that Nigerians who emigrate are highly qualified specialists with skills in engineering, medicine, education, law and information technology, among others.

Most of them are gainfully employed as doctors, nurses, lecturers, and IT professionals in the U.S., the UK, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and other countries.

However, others struggle to make ends meet with jobs such as cleaners, cab drivers, construction labourers, hair dressers, automobile repairers and retailers.

Experts believe that many Nigerians will yet emigrate unless proactive steps are taken to stem the gale of resignations by Nigerians from organisations across various sectors in the country, with its accompanying effects on the Nigerian economy and the livelihood of citizens.

For that to happen, public and private sector organisations and human resources practitioners must embrace some management dynamics, to retain the countrys best talents to add value to the country.

This was the high point of the Kaizen Academy Ltd.s Webinar Series with the theme: The Great Resignation; Passing Phase or Redefining Work Culture? Special Focus on Mitigating Impact, Business Continuity, and Maximising Employee Engagement, on Thursday.

The session was moderated by Mr Ayokunle Ayoko, a governance expert and Company Secretary, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc.

Already, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc has emerged as the first company in Nigeria to commence a four-day work week, from July 1, to upscale productivity through flexible operation and extended rest period for its staff.

Experts agree that the coronavirus pandemic has made employees to be more aware, and hence demand a work environment that supports work-life balance and mental health, engendering the push for remote work options.

Already, Lagos residents have complained about the man-hours spent on the roads to and fro the workplace due to traffic congestion from ongoing repairs, road constructions and the rainy season.

To maximise the output of those that are left behind, Mrs Oluwakemi Akinnubi, Pioneer, HR Springboard, U.S., tasked government and organisations to massively invest in technology to accommodate remote work system.

Akinnubi noted that the country needed to consider the official adoption of pay as you go salary structure like western countries to help employees take on several jobs and better their standard of living.

She stressed the need for employers to be more sympathetic towards employees predicaments and provide incentives to stop massresignations.

While the need for remote work cannot replace the social needs of seeing people around the workplace, companies and governments need to understand that theres a workplace disruption going on and quickly adopt measures to cater for employees.

Companies are realising quickly that the consumer is no longer king; employees are the new kings.

Already, organisations in the USA provide gym membership, creche services and other incentives as bargaining power for their staff.

Managers must continue to push certain pecks around to ensure that the welfare of the employees are in place so that everyone is happy and the workplace goes on as it should, she said.

Mr Seye Olurotimi, Founder, MSME Africa, noted that whatever affected the workforce and the economy, invariably distorted growth dynamics of any nation.

He said technology provided access to unlimited global opportunities, with many people leaving traditional workplaces for tech startups for flexibility and better control of their time.

People now understand the need for work-life balance, for more family time, lot more flexibility, which allows for remote work as long as it is productive, he said.

He noted that employees needed a lot more motivation, and advised companies to improve on welfare packages, conduct exit interviews, and create a room for regular feedback to identify what is wrong to stem the tide of mass resignations.

He also recommended giving employees equity as part of the remuneration in the business to make people feel like they own a part of the business.

Mrs Gbonju Akintola, Learning and Organisation Development Consultant, United Kingdom, House of Commons, stressed the need for the Nigerian work environment to become better to address the tide of the Great Resignation.

The country must achieve better working conditions, provide incentives to tackle inflation, address poverty, insecurity, and others, she said.

Mrs. Omobolanle Imafidon, HR Administrator, Focus Care Link, UK, stressed the need for better staff treatment, better working conditions that understood and accommodated the mental health of employees.

According to her, people are naturally drawn to where they are happier and supported better beyond what they get at work as salaries.

A worker identified to be claustrophobic, and you push that person into a cubicle to work saying thats what is obtainable and available; you definitely wont get the best of that person.

You must be sensitive to your employees needs, and adopt a hybrid mode of work seeing that even medical consultations can now hold over the phone, she said.

Mrs. Aramide Nwokediuko, Group Company Secretary, CFAO Nigeria, said responses of employers to those that wanted to leave their jobs could also reduce the tide.

She noted that the same situation happened between the 80s and 90s and jingles were aired to encourage people to stay behind to build the country.

The people yearn for a decent environment, power, access to better education and other opportunities for their children, and the ability to afford a standard way of life, she said.

Indeed, these are the reasons for Japa, and once they are addressed, experts believe that Nigerians would be more encouraged to stay and the economy would be better for it.

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Some Religious clerics in the ECOWAS sub-region have identified dialogue and the establishment of an interfaith body in member states as crucial to strengthening religious tolerance in the sub-region.

The clerics made this known at the ongoing delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliaments joint Committee of Education, Science and Culture/Committee on Health/Committee on Telecommunications and Information Technology in Praia, Caper Verde.

These, they noted, could also be viable solutions to addressing religious extremism and conflicts in some member countries in the sub-region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting holding from Sept. 13 to Sept. 18 has the theme, Religious tolerance and harmony: Essential factors for development, peace, and stability in the ECOWAS region.

Prof. Usman Mohammed, a professor of International Relations at Kaduna State University, in a paper presentation spoke of the need for a collaborated efforts of the government, parliamentarians, and non-governmental organisations to ensure religious tolerance.

Using Ghana as a case study, Mohammed said the country had, for many decades, demonstrated the possibility of harmonious inter-religious co-existence through individual and communal efforts.

Ghana remains a rare model and evident justification that religious tolerance and harmony is a possibility and is capable of ensuring peace and stimulating development through decent and formable inter-faith dialogue.

This is because religious devotees in Ghana are more than those who claimed not to belong to any religion.

Such initiative to ensure peace and societal harmony can either be communal or individualistic.

Right from the past to the present, there have been deliberate and conscious individual and collaborative efforts to ensure and enhance religious tolerance, harmony, and calmness in Ghana, Mohammed said.

While appreciating the Nigerian government in its drive to find lasting solution to security challenges in the country, Mohammed emphasised the need for the government to redouble their efforts in engaging religious groups for dialogue.

Mohammed also urged Parliamentarians, to engaged their constituencies in regular dialogue on peaceful co-existence.

Imam Cisse Djiguiba, Spokesman for the Superior Council of Imams, Cote dIvoire, also urged member states to set up interfaith regional peace organisation to help in addressing religious extremism and conflicts in the sub-region.

According to Djiguiba, the establishment of regional interfaith organisations in member countries will help train religious leaders on their responsibility of promoting peace and harmony in the sub-region.

This is as the spokesman blamed religious crisis and intolerance in the West African sub-region on clerics who take religion as business.

He also noted the proliferation of religious leaders has helped produce bad eggs who are propagating wrong messages and thereby causing frictions among the citizens.

The sub-region needs to create a regional peace organisation with the support of ECOWAS to train religious leaders.

Since there are many religious leaders but very few true religious leaders.

Because some think that religion is a profession while being an imam is justification.

We know that there are schools to train priests and Imams, and so religion should not be business.

People who take religion as business are at the root of all the crisis that were facing in our sub-region and so we should train Imams and priests using the media in order to sensitise our people against religious extremism in places of worship, Djiguiba said.

The spokesman, who noted that the difference between the two major religions groups in the sub-region is 10 per cent, urged the ECOWAS leaders to see how they could foster greater unity with the 90 per cent similarities among the two major religions.

He also spoke of how his country has been able to overcome challenges that would ordinarily have snowballed into religious crises.

He noted that with the help of the inter-faith group, many walls have been broken in Cote dIvoire and the people are getting to understand each other. (NAN) ()

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government on Thursday inducted four outstanding female athletes into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.

The Minister of Women Affairs,Mrs Pauline Tallen, disclosed this during the reception in honour of Nigerian female athletes in Abuja.

Those honoured are Tobi Amusan (World Record Holder 12.12 second 100 metres hurdles), Folashade Oluwafemiayo, (Gold medalists Womens Heavyweight Champion, para powerlifting).

Others are Ese Brume (Olympic World Champion African Champion in Long Jump) and Blessing Oborududu (Olympic Silver medalist, Commonwealth Games Champion in wrestling).

Tallen, while commending the athletes for their outstanding performance during the various international sporting competitions, said the induction was a way to immortalise Nigerian womens achievements globally.

Also speaking, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, described Nigerian women as exceptional and talented.

Whatever sphere they find themselves, Nigerian women are very committed, talented, determined and resilient in whatever they do.

We are very proud of you all and didnt expect anything less, the sky will be your limit as you continue to make us proud, she said.

On his part, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youths and Sport, while commending the athletes, said the President had approved a Presidential Award for Competitive Excellency (PACE)

Dare said, the award was to recognise any athlete that represent Nigeria and achieve a remarkable level in sport.

About 27 athletes will be the first recipients of the Presidential award to appreciate our great sports men and women, he said.

He gave the assurance that the country place a lot of value on sports men and women and they would be rewarded and celebrated for showing up for the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amusan was also conferred with a national honour, the Order of the Niger (OON) honour by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari thanked the athletes for the exciting moments they gave Nigerians during the two competitions.

I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.

Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance. You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.

I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon U.S. and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances.

Members of the Team Nigeria will pocket N200 million for their efforts at the two championships.

At the 2022 World Athletics Championships that was held in Oregon, USA, she broke the World 100m Hurdles record to become the first Nigerian World Champion.

The 25-year-old athlete also broke the Game Record to win gold in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games and also the Meeting Record to successfully defend her Diamond League 100m Hurdles title.

Meanwhile, long jumper, Ese Brume, who won silver medal also at the World Athletics Championships and set a Game Record to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, was also conferred with a national honour.

Also conferred with a national honour is Oluwafemiayo.

She set new world records in the Womens 68 kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games to win gold at both events. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Glory Abuh-Adejoh
The National Industrial Court on Friday fixed Sept. 19 to deliver ruling on Federal Governments prayer asking the court to order the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its seven months strike.

The matter which was first mentioned on Monday was adjourned until Friday for further mention before Justice Polycarp Hamman.

When the matter came up, Mr J.U.K Igwe SAN informed the court that going by its directive on Monday that the claimant should file its process latest by Tuesday, that they had filed two processes.

He added that the first one was motion on notice dated and filed Monday for an interlocutory injunction.

Igwe further stated that the claimant also filed on the same date an affidavit of facts in support of the referral sent by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

He also averred that some questions were raised with a full complement of a written address.

He also submitted that the defendant had been served with proof of service before the court.

The counsel said that however, as at the time the court was sitting, he had not received any response from ASUU.

Igwe proceeded to urge the court to take the applications as it was ripe to be taken, stating that the matter is of national interest and urgent as million of students have been at home since Feb. 14.

Mr Femi Falana, SAN, counsel to ASUU in response acknowledged receiving process from the claimant and stated that they were already filing their reply in the courts registry.

Falana added that the Minister of Labour and Employment lacked the power to ask the court in his referral to order the defendant to go back to work.

He also informed the court that ASUU would be meeting stakeholders in the House of Representative on Sept. 20 to ensure that the matter is resolved.

Earlier Mr Ebuolu Adegoruwa SAN, counsel to Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), had raised the issue of joinder and consolidation of the suit, citing section 36 of the 1999 constitution to fair hearing.

He submitted that the court should invoke the cited section in SERAPs favour to be joined in the suit as a defendant and urged the court to take his application to that effect before entertaining any other application in the suit

Adegoruwa said relief 3 of their application is for stay of further proceeding for the court to determine whether or not they will be a party in the suit.

He added that the process had been served on the claimant on Thursday.

He proceeded to seek to withdraw an earlier filed process dated Monday and sought to replace it with the one served on Thursday.

Igwe in response objected to Adegoruwas application, stating that he was in receipt of the application he filed on Monday, that was served on them on Thursday by 5 p.m.

He also argued that it was the same application Adegoruwa was applying to withdraw.

He said he had not received any process dated Thursday as claimed by Adegoruwa.

Adegoruwa in response stated that there was proof of service of said application on the Attorney-General of the Federation on Thursday.

Falana said he was not objecting to Adegoruwas application seeking to be joined as a party in the suit and for the suit to be consolidated with the other one filed by SERAP as a claimant.

The court after listening to the submissions of counsel ruled that the application was not ripe to be taken as it was served at the Attorney- generals office on Thursday.

The court in addition stated that the application for interlocutory injunction will be taken first on Sept. 19 by 11am.

The judge therefore adjourned the matter until Sept. 19, for hearing .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment on behalf of the Federal Government had filed the matter before the court by way of referral to resolve the issue of the ongoing strike by ASUU.(NAN)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID),House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters and other stakeholders have warned against the impact of disinformation ahead of the 2023 general elections.

They gave the warning on Thursday at a dialogue with key election stakeholders which focused on Disinformation in Elections 2022 in Abuja.

The dialogue was organised by CJID and funded by the National Endowment Fund (NEF).

The Executive Director of CJID, Dr Tobi Oluwatola categorised information disorder into misinformation, disinformation and misinformation which had the capacity of causing harm in the society.

Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate said that electioneering umpires like the INEC were exposed to cyber attacks no matter how minimal.

Represented by Dr Chuba Keshi, he said that misinformation could be caused by laziness or mistakes by relevant media systems.

He advised that the election umpires should build on their technology systems to protect against attacks that could disrupt the processes.

Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, while conducting a training on Disinformation and Fact-checking in Elections, said the transition from analogue to digital form of media had affected information dissemination.

Olorunyomi advised that relevant stakeholders should follow standard guidelines of election like the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance.

He also suggested that the government should allocate sufficient funds to the NOA for political education to address disinformation.

The event was part of CJIDs effort, through its Media in National Elections (MiNE) and Fact-checking (DUBAWA) projects, to ensure the provision of accurate information to Nigerians before, during and after the 2023 elections.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News