President Muhammadu Buhari at the inauguration of the Baro Port in Niger State

By Naomi Sharang
Federal and state lawmakers, as well as local council chairmen, representing Niger South Senatorial District, have appealed to the Federal Government to complete every component of the Baro River Port project.

Sen. Muhammad Bima (APC-Niger South), made the appeal when he led members of the State House of Assembly and the council chairmen, on an inspection tour of the port.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the port was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, but was yet to be operational.

Bima said when the port was commissioned in 2019, people thought operations were going to start immediately.

Apparently, the jubilation was because of the projected economic boost its operation would engender in Niger South, Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.

The components that are delaying the full take-off of this project are mainly the road, the rail and the maintenance dredging.

This is something that can be done even in one year. It is not rocket science; it is something that can be done easily, he said.

He said that against the backdrop of the high rate of unemployment in the country, Baro port was projected to bring about thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

According to the senator, the project has been in the works for about two decades, having been designed in the 1990s by the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

Contracts were awarded in 2009, re-awarded in 2013 and 2016, yet the aim has not been achieved.

We are therefore pleading with the Federal Government to strive for its completion before the end of this administration in 2023, so that the economic revolution everyone believes an inland port will engender, will stop being perpetually postponed.

Bima said that for the port to become optimally operational, there was need for the maintenance dredging so that the river would be de-silted.

NAN reports that silt is fine sand, clay or or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbour.

To de-silt is therefore, the process of removing suspended silt from water or stream.

The dredging of the Lower River Niger that was carried out from Warri down to Baro was a commendable effort.

However, the river is now silted. Therefore, we are calling for maintenance dredging so that the river will be de-silted.

Roads that link the port must be promptly constructed or rehabilitated.

It is noteworthy that across the north, dry ports are springing up; their functionalities would not be optimal if a link to an inland port is not made easy.

Therefore, the Lambata-Bida and Agaie-Katcha-Baro and Baro-Abaji roads, should be promptly constructed or rehabilitated.

Baro has been linked to a rail since the colonial era. The rail has however, stopped functioning for decades.

We are therefore calling for the modernisation of the rail, because a multi-modal transport system will optimise functions of the port, the senator said.

He further said that as lawmakers, they would ensure that the project was captured in the 2021 budget.

The lawmaker also urged the government to include the port on its list of projects funded through its Sovereign Wealth Fund, because of its economic importance.

The Port Manager, Mr Tolufashe Bamidele, appealed to government to fast tract the construction of the road and rail line to attract would-be investors.

Chairman Agaie Local Government Council, Capt. Hassan Mohammed (rtd), said that the downturn of activities at the port had hindered economic activities in the community.

There is no point to build a port that is about N10 billion worth, and then there is no road network.

If you bring goods from Lokoja, Kogi, Warri, Delta, how do you take take them out? The railway and the roads are not functioning, Mohammed said.

The team also visited the Etsu of Agaie, Yusuf Nuhu, who expressed optimism that the lawmakers visit was a sign that the port would soon be functional.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has charged the states anti graft agency, not to compromise in the fight against corruption no matter who is involved.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has charged the states Public Complaint and Anti Corruption Commission, not to compromise in the fight against corruption no matter who is involved.

Ganduje gave the charge while on a visit to the commissions office in Kano on Saturday.

According to him, the Federal Government cannot alone fight corruption hence the replication of the anti-graft agency at the state and local government levels.

He said: Whosoever falls into the commissions trap should face the consequence. I will have nothing to do with it. I will not interfere with any case whosoever might be involved.

With the way corruption is fighting back and the fight against corruption being an agenda of President Muhammad Buhari, the federal government cannot fight it alone.

It needs domestication in the states and the local governments to succeed, the governor said.

In his address of welcome, the Chairman of the commission, Muhyi Magaji, commended Gandujes determination to fight corruption in the state.

It is your will and support that has made this anti-graft agency among the best in thecountry.

We have set benchmarks in the country and are being emulated by other states, he said.

The commission recently recovered N310,000 meant for Imams that participated in a special prayer against COVID-19 and insecurity, from an aide to the governor.

Source: NAN News

Mrs Julie Okah-Donli NAPTIP D-G

The suspect was alleged to be sodomising 12 underage children in the night when parents of the children were sleeping.

Mr Mitika Mafa-Ali, the NAPTIP Zonal Head in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Sokoto.

Mafa-Ali said the suspect, aged 30, was a labourer working for the parents of the children.

He allegedly took the advantage to lure the children into homosexuality in the night when the parents are asleep.

He said the suspect was arrested following a tip off and has confessed to the crime.

The zonal head added that investigation was in progress and that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Speaking to NAN while in custody, the suspect said he came to Rikina village from Zamfara and was assisted and sheltered by the childrens parents.

The suspect confirmed engaging the children in homosexuality as they mostly sleep together in the night.

He attributed the incident to satanic move, adding that he was introduced into homosexuality acts by somebody when he was in Niger and continue with act as a source of pleasure.

One of the victims (name withheld), said that he was 14 years in primary 4 at Rikina Primary School.

The victim recounted the suspect traced them on their various sleeping places.

The victim added that he, along with others, mostly woke up in the morning to notice sperm on their backs as some of their trousers were tore or removed by the victim while they are asleep.

A parent, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the case had earlier been reported to the local Hisbah Officials before taking over by NAPTIP.

He said the incident was devastating as the suspect was considered as member of the community with all forms of assistance rendered to him.

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus

Out of 1,886 tests conducted in the past 24 hours in two qualified labs, the ministry received 160 positive results on Friday, bring the total number of COVID-19 cases to 12,032 in Senegal.

According to the spokesperson of the ministry, Dr Mamadou Ndiaye, the newly confirmed cases contain 67 follow-up contact cases, two imported ones detected at airport, and 91 community transmission cases.

Senegal has been reporting more community transmission cases than follow-up contact cases since over a week.

This is due to the Tabaski festival celebration when many Senegalese travelled back home around the end of July.

With 22 more patients discharged from hospitals and treatment centres, the cumulative number of recoveries reached 7,637 since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 2 in Senegal, Ndiaye added.

The death toll also continues to rise.

With two addition deaths recorded by the health authorities, Senegal now has 251 COVID-19 related deaths, a fatality rate of 2.08 per cent. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says the funds it has borrowed so far are justifiable because they are being used for the development of critical infrastructure that will benefit Nigerians

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this at the Obafemi Awolowo terminal end of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports thatMohammed and Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi embarked on inspection tour of the 156km modern rail project from Lagos to Ibadan.

The ministers were accompanied by the officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation NRC) the contractor handling the project China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and a team of journalists.

There is no better way to answer Nigerians as to what we have done with the money we borrowed, than this project we have inspected. This is one of the many projects that we are doing with the money we have borrowed.

There is nothing bad in borrowing provided that such borrowing is invested in infrastructure. There is also nothing bad in borrowing provided the funds are used to create jobs and create the enabling environment for the growth of the economy, he said.

Mohammed said he was excited with the level of work done on the project; the clean coaches which he said can be compared to modern trains in any part of the world.

He said he was also excited with the enthusiasm of many Nigerians who trooped out in their hundreds to hail them over the project at every station they inspected.

Mohammed commended Amaechi for his passion on the rail project which planned to commence skeletal services in September and full operations in January 2021.

Speaking in the same vein, Amaechi enjoined the National Assembly to stop the ongoing probe on the loans to fast track the delivery of the rail projects.

Why we are telling them to stop the probe is that, they are not investigating corruption in the construction project itself but the issue of loan that we accessed.

They should allow us to get the loan for the Ibadan to Kano rail project which is about 5.3 billion dollar, he said.

Amaechi said fund would not be a problem for the timely completion of the Lagos Ibadan project because they have on ground about 1.6 billion dollar.

He said the country will be contributing between 200 million dollar and 300 million dollar as counterpart funding. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos-Ibadan Rail to begin operations with 16 trips daily NRC

By Yemi Adeleye

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will commence skeletal operations on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Guage Rail line from the middle of September with 16 trips daily.

The Managing Director of NRC, Mr Fidet Okhiria disclosed this on Saturday in Ibadan during an inspection tour of the project by the Ministers of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi and Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Okhiria said that since the track laying had been completed between Ebute-Metta Junction (EBJ) in Lagos and Ibadan with stations under construction, operation would start between Yaba in Lagos and Ibadan.

We will start by the middle of September from Yaba to Ibadan while the other construction finishing will continue.

We already have 24 coaches and a set of DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) made of eight coaches.

With that, we intend to have 16 trips a day, he said.

According to him, the corporation will not wait for all the stations to be ready before commencing operations, so that Nigerians can start enjoying the dividends of the tracks and coaches that have arrived.

NAN reports that the rail tracks on the 156km modern rail line have been completed from EBJ to Ibadan while the 10 major and minor stations are at various stages of completion.

The stations along the corridor are Apapa, EBJ, Agege, Agbado, Kajola, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Olodo, Omi-Adio and Ibadan. .

Speaking on the completion time for the project Amaechi said they were targeting January 2021 if the Covid-19 will not be a constraint to the workers.

Before Covid-19, for every station we have between 150 to 200 workers but now we have 10 to 20 workers on the sites.

We have told them now to increase the number of workers and manage Covid very well.

Covid-19 has come to stay but government has to run.

We have to deliver our promises to the people because that is why we are elected, so, let us hope that by January Ex year, the project will be ready, he said.

The minister admonished the Chinese contractor handling the project to speed up work on the construction for timely delivery. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

John Enenche, Director Defence Information

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike, has neutralised several armed bandits at their camp in the Kuduru forest area of Kaduna State, according the Defence Headquarters.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Enenche said the air strikes were carried out on Aug. 13 on the heels of intelligence reports, indicating the convergence of members of Ansaru terrorist sect-linked bandits, led by one Mallam Abba, at the location.

He said that an aerial surveillance mission conducted over the area also observed several bandits, with some wielding weapons in the forest.

According to him, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets and helicopter gunships were therefore tasked to attack the location.

Several of the bandits were killed as the attack aircraft strafed the area, while others attempting to escape were mopped-up in follow-on attacks, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos-Ibadan Rail to begin operations with 16 trips daily NRC

By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The Federal Government says the funds it has borrowed so far are justifiable because they are being used for the development of critical infrastructure that will benefit Nigerians

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this at the Obafemi Awolowo terminal end of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mohammed and Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi embarked on inspection tour of the 156km modern rail project from Lagos to Ibadan.

The ministers were accompanied by the officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation NRC) the contractor handling the project China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and a team of journalists.

There is no better way to answer Nigerians as to what we have done with the money we borrowed, than this project we have inspected. This is one of the many projects that we are doing with the money we have borrowed.

There is nothing bad in borrowing provided that such borrowing is invested in infrastructure. There is also nothing bad in borrowing provided the funds are used to create jobs and create the enabling environment for the growth of the economy, he said.

Mohammed said he was excited with the level of work done on the project; the clean coaches which he said can be compared to modern trains in any part of the world.

He said he was also excited with the enthusiasm of many Nigerians who trooped out in their hundreds to hail them over the project at every station they inspected.

Mohammed commended Amaechi for his passion on the rail project which planned to commence skeletal services in September and full operations in January 2021.

Speaking in the same vein, Amaechi enjoined the National Assembly to stop the ongoing probe on the loans to fast track the delivery of the rail projects.

Why we are telling them to stop the probe is that, they are not investigating corruption in the construction project itself but the issue of loan that we accessed.

They should allow us to get the loan for the Ibadan to Kano rail project which is about 5.3 billion dollar, he said.

Amaechi said fund would not be a problem for the timely completion of the Lagos Ibadan project because they have on ground about 1.6 billion dollar.

He said the country will be contributing between 200 million dollar and 300 million dollar as counterpart funding.

Source: NAN News

NGOs donate food items to widows, vulnerable in FCT community

By Gami Tadanyigbe

The Good Governance Awareness Initiative, in collaboration with Sam Empowerment Foundation have donated food items to 50 widows and most vulnerable in Jikwoi Community in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Maureen Kelechi, Founder of the Good Governance Initiative while presenting the items, said that the donation was out of the foundations sincere love to ameliorate the sufferings of vulnerable and the less-privileged.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the palliatives distributed to over 50 widows and the less privileged in the community included rice, spaghetti, noodles, beans, sugar, millet, maize and guinea corn.

The gesture become imperative because the women, especially the young widows find it very difficult to feed their children mostly at this period of COVID-19 that has adversely affected the economy.

The economy and the pandemic has permeated the city and the country has actually made it a herculean task for people to survive.

The livelihood of the people has been affected and the poorest of the poor have also been affected, she said.

Kelechi said that the foundations objective was to meet the needs of the less-privileged and the vulnerable groups in the society, especially at the grassroots.

Also speaking, Kiema Ogunlana, Project Director of Sam Empowerment Foundation said the focus of the foundation, include health, education, empowerment and civic engagement, all aimed at alleviating poverty in the society.

Ogunlana advised people in the community to adhere strictly to the restriction directive and take precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus.

This gesture was actually born from the fact that with the recent pandemic that has affected the entire nation, we see that hunger and livelihood of people have been affected.

So we thought it wise to mitigate such situations by distributing these palliatives to help cushion the effect of the hardship in the society, she said.

Some of the beneficiaries were full of gratitude to the foundations for coming to their rescue with the donations.

Mrs Florence Abiodun, a beneficiary of the palliative thanked the organisations for their kind gesture and called on well-meaning Nigerians to do the same.

NAN reports that the two NGOs carried out free HIV and malaria tests for the widows and the less privileged in the community. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police IG Mohammed Adamu

By Zubairu Idris

The Police Command in Katsina State, has arrested a human trafficking kingpin, Abubakar Habibu, in Daura Local Government Area of the state.

This commands spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, said in a statement in Kastina on Saturday that the suspect was arrested at a police check point along Kongolom-Daura Road, Daura, on Aug. 11.

According to him, the suspect has been on the wanted list of the command in connection with a case of human trafficking under investigation.

Isah revealed that the syndicate specialised in conveying their victims on motorcycles across the Nigerian boarder with Niger Republic, for onward trafficking to Libya and Europe.

He noted that in the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime.

The commands spokesman added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.

He further said the command also arrested two other suspects, Abubakar Saidu and Jafaru Aminu, residents of Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, who were in possession of 12 stolen cows.

Isah said that the dou were arrested based on credible information received by the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB).

He revealed that in the course of investigation they also confessed to having received the cows from bandits along Faskari-Birnin-Gwari axis, with intent to sell them. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UAE donates 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Nigerian Govt.

By Maureen Okon

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday donated 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to the Nigerian Government to support it in its response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The consignment which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Saturday. comprised thousands of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

Handing over the items, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al-Taffaq, represented by his deputy, Mr Khalifa Al Mehrizi, said the UAEs was committed to supporting Nigeria in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Taffaq said the donation was an initiative of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum.

The UAE believes that concerted efforts across board is key to effectively mitigating the socio-economic effect of the pandemic, hence the donation of these aid, he said.

The ambassador said the supplies were meant to boost the provision of adequate healthcare response in the management of the pandemic.

I express my profound gratitude to the Vice President Al Maktoum for the donation of these supplies which ispart of a series of humanitarian response operations by the UAE to support friendly countries in the fight against COVID-19.

The embassy has executed several humanitarian projects during this health crisisand we will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19.

The UAE strongly commends the unrelenting efforts and excellent work ofthe Nigerian Government in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also salute all Nigerian frontline workers, doctors, nurses, educators and the media who are working tirelessly to overcome this pandemic, he said.

Receiving the items on behalf of government, the Director of Drugs and Vaccine Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Olubukola Ajayi, said the Nigerian government appreciated the UAEs donation.

She added that the federal government welcomed all support it could get in its fight against the pandemic.

We thank the UAE for providing Nigeria with the much-needed medical support to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The whole world is in need of medical aid to support the existing resources of individual countries. Thisshipment will boost the supply of medical equipment that will help manage the pandemic.

The UAE continues to remain an active partner with the Nigerian People and government and we will continue to partner for the greater good of ours, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Flood

Isaiah Eka

The Akwa Ibom Government on Saturday sensitised 948 villages in the flood prone Local Government Areas of the state on the need for adequate preparation against the impendingflood tne areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted heavy rainfal in the country this year that would result in flooding of coastal communities.

In an address at the event in Uyo, the Deputy Governor, of the state, Mr Moses Ekpo, said the state government had adopted a multi-prong approach aimed at sensitising the communities on the dangers of flooding.

Ekpo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governors Office, Mr Nkpouruk Ekaiko, said the sensitisation meeting was strategise and come up with strict preventive measures to avert flooding.

He said that strategic awareness campaigns was the key to saving lives and combating the scourge of floods in the country.

The current anti-flooding campaigns in 948 villages in the 16 flood-prone local government areas of the state is in order to ensure preparedness on the part of the residents.

Therefore, I urged you to strategise and come up with measures that will ensure strict preventive efforts against the impending dangers, he said.

The deputy governor directed Chairmen of the affected local government areas to ensure the distribution of flood prevention analytical materials and establish feedback mechanisms.

He said that was necessary to ensure peoples timely report in the event of flooding to avoid casualties.

Ekpo noted that for the current campaign to succeed, all available traditional and modern mass media must be used to address the scourge.

He also directed the mobilisation of all village heads and the traditional institution to use all traditional methods of communication in reaching out to the indigenes, especially those living in coastal areas.

The deputy governor said that the state government had inaugurated a massive anti-flooding media campaign in major radio stations in the state.

Ekpo called on relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental laws by ensuring that people living in low-lying coastal areas relocated upland for safety.

He said the people should ensure regular clearing of gutters and dumping of refuse only in authorised places.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, stressed the need for preventive measures against flooding.

Archibong, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Mbuk Inyang, said local government chairmen should be proactive in tackling the menace.

He said they should build a strong synergy with their respective communities to ensure that they were not involved in unsafe environmental practice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders in the electoral process to join the commission in deepening the use of technology and instituting a regime of transparency in electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented byMr Festus Okoye,INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,made the call at a virtual workshop on reversed INEC Communication Policy, held on Friday.

Yakubu said the commission was fully aware that the old ways of doing things must gradually give way to the new bydeepening the use of technology in the electoral process.

This is the basis of the introduction of the INEC party nomination portal, the election observer accreditation portal and the media accreditation portal.

Transparency in the result transmission process led to the development and deployment of the INEC Result Viewing Portal wherein the commission uploads Forms EC8A for public viewing.

We at the commission will continue to deepen our knowledge of global trends in election management and communication.

We will continue to enhance our knowledge of electoral issues and processes and we urge the media, civil society groups and indeed all relevant stakeholders to join the commission in deepening the use of technology in the electoral process.

We urge critical stakeholders to join the commission in instituting a regime of transparency in election and result management and transparency. This desire to achieve these noble goals is at the heart of the development of this Communication Policy, Yakubu said.

He described the INEC Communication Policy as a composite document designed to address both internal and external communication processes and procedures of the commission and for the commission.

Informing that it was designed to eliminate ad-hocism in the entire gamut of the Commissions communication system, Yakubu implored all the participants to familiarise themselves with the clear intendment and intentions of the document.

He also told them to see it as a tool not only of understanding INEC communication policies but also of seeing the challenges.

He said that it was difficult communicating internally and externally when individuals and groups were facing existential challenges occasioned by a pandemic.

It is difficult getting individuals, groups and organisations to focus on the conduct and management of elections in a period of fear, anxiety or worse.

It is difficult getting individuals and groups to focus on elections when the dominant issues in global lexicon relates to a virus and protocols relating to managing it.

It is difficult getting people to focus on elections and electoral matters when there is looming danger that they may be out of job or already out of work or are in Internally Displaced Persons Camps. It is difficult getting people to focus on elections in a period of uncertainty.

Yakubu added that communicating what people may see as non-essential service in a period of a pandemic or uncertainty requires a new form of capacity and skill, which required new thinking and new methodologies and strategy.

Consequently, information/ communication experts and managers must design ways and means of getting the people to focus on messages that are related to the electoral process.

It is also important to disseminate such messages and information using means that the people can relate to in a new setting of physical distancing, lock down and daily rise in infection level.

Information managers must therefore communicate in such a way that people will see and appreciate election as an essential service.

The commission chairman added that Communication Policy was designed to enable INEC communicate effectively.

Yakubusought the cooperation of all the critical stakeholders in INEC external communication drive, pledging that the commission, more than before needs the understanding, cooperation and reach of the media to get its messages across to the Nigerian people.

Presenting the overview of revised INEC Communication Policy,the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, MrRotimi Oyekanmi, said that the 55 pages document covered different areas that would enhance effective communications of the commission.

Oyekanmi said that the document emphasised that as much as possible, only professionals or personnel that have received appropriate training should be put in charge of handling media relations and voter education programmes of the commission at all levels.

Source: NAN News

FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique

FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says radical changes are needed from top to bottom after his side were annihilated 8-2 by Bayern Munich on Friday.

The loss meant they made their exit from the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League in one of the Catalan sides darkest ever nights.

We feel devastated, although shame is the real word Im looking for.

We cannot afford to compete like this because its not the first, the second or the third time that something like this has happened, a tearful Pique told reporters after the quarter-final drubbing, their worst-ever result in Europe.

This is very painful but I hope it serves some purpose.

Pique is one of the surviving members of the team who won the UEFA Champions League in 2009 under Pep Guardiola to begin a golden era for the Catalans.

But he said he was ready to leave the club in order to ensure they improve.

Pique also appeared to blame the Barca hierarchy, which includes president Josep Maria Bartomeu, for the teams predicament as he called for changes at the very top.

We all need to reflect deeply. The club needs lots of changes.

Im not talking about the coach, players - I dont want to point the finger at anyone, but the club needs changes on a structural level, he said.

If new blood needs to come for the club to change course then Im not untouchable and Ill be the first to leave if needs be, because it seems as if weve hit rock bottom.

We all have to reflect about what is the best thing for the club and for Barca.

Barca coach Quique Setien is unlikely to survive overseeing such a debacle, although he did not say whether or not he saw himself continuing in charge of the team.

Im not going to go into all that as Ive only been here for six months. But seeing as this is Pique, surely some of what he said is true, said the coach.

Right now we feel enormous frustration and all we can do is make conclusions and think about the future.

Barca is a club that is so great that this will cause us a lot of damage and obviously some things will have to change.

The truth is this is a tremendously painful defeat.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

The National Council on Health (NCH), has approved the 2020 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), Guideline aimed at expanding the fiscal space for health.

Mr Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Information, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health describes the BHCPF, enshrined in the national health Act 2014, as an irrevocable testament of Nigerias commitment to achieving universal health coverage.

It is a large-scale reform, aimed at expanding the fiscal space for health and shifting financial resource to the frontlines of care.

The BHCPF represents a sustainable model for ensuring equity and financial risk protection for the nations vulnerable populations by guaranteeing effective access to a basic minimum package of health services.

It is funded from not less than one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund, financial grants from local and international donor partners, the private sector and philanthropic individuals.

It is envisaged that the prudent application of the fund will positively reverse the national health indices and place the country firmly on the path to Universal Health Coverage, the statement said.

It also said that the BCHPF had undergone processes which allayed the earlier objections from the state governors who were not willing to accommodate health financing arrangement.

It added that the NCH meeting which approved the BHCPF was the second in the series of emergency meeting held virtually with Ehanire presiding.

Source: NAN News

United Nations

By Harrison Arubu

The United Nations has strongly and unequivocally condemned reported cases of serious human rights violations and abuses in Cameroon.

UN spokesperson, Stphane Dujarric, stated the organisations position during his daily news briefing in New York on Friday.

On Cameroon, we have seen recent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in that country.

These include a shocking video allegedly showing the brutal murder of a young woman in Muyuka in the South-West.

We strongly and unequivocally condemn this atrocious act of violence.

We call on the authorities to swiftly launch an investigation into these allegations and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, Dujarric said.

The Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have seen armed confrontations between security forces and Anglophone separatists, since 2017.

On Feb. 14, no fewer than 23 civilians, including 15 children and two pregnant women were massacred in the north-western village of Ngarbuh.

Three Cameroonian soldiers were arrested and charged with murder in connection to the incident, following an investigation ordered by President Paul Biya.

Dujarric reiterated the UNs call on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians and to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.

He also urged all sides to join the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic.

We reiterate the readiness of the UN to work with all stakeholders towards a political solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West of Cameroon through meaningful dialogue, he added.

Source: NAN News

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, with the DG of NTA, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, during the Lalongs visit to NTA Headquarters Abuja on Friday

By Martha Agas

Director-General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Yakubu Ibn-Mohammed, has lauded Gov. Simon Lalong on his initiative for peace efforts in Plateau.

The DG gave the commendation when the governor paid a courtesy visit to NTA Headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

I want to congratulate Gov. Lalong for providing leadership in the state.

From 2000 to 2020, Plateau has not experienced a long period of peace as it has enjoyed from 2015 till date, Ibn-Muhammed said.

He expressed delight that Plateau was gradually regaining its status as the home of peace and hospitality, thus creating an enabling environment for development.

The NTA boss also congratulated Lalong for his efforts as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum that is tackling numerous challenges in the region, especially terrorism and banditry.

You have been able to consolidate and coordinate your colleagues by providing leadership to tackle security challenges in the region.

He also thanked the governor for supporting NTA through availing himself for its programmes, saying the gesture was adding value to the organisation.

The DG said the organisation was desirous to work with progressive minds for the advancement of federal government goals.

He then prayed for wisdom, guidance and Gods protection for Lalong to enable him discharge his duties.

Responding, Lalong congratulated the DG on his appointment for another tenure, saying he had always been confident of his (Ibn-Muhammed) capacity to run the organisation.

He commended the DG on his contributions toward restoring peace in Plateau, through the programme Glorious Moments and other counsel on critical issues.

Glorious moments was introduced to bring back lives to the state, by bringing those who enjoyed it to give testimonies of their experiences, Lalong said.

He said the state had planned to host the programme, alongside the economic summit earlier in the year, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will still hold at a later date, he assured.

Lalong appreciated the DG for the platform to inform the public on his administrations activities.

He prayed for wisdom and guidance for the NTA boss to discharge his duties.

Source: NAN News

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Technical Experts Committee to oversee the activities of the arms of government, ministries and agencies to give a boost and reduce the cost of its governance.

Dr George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, who performed the inauguration, in Abuja, said the committee, comprising of selected technical experts from various ministries would partner to achieve the objectives of the ministry.

Akume represented by Mr Festus Dauda, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, explained that one of the mandates of establishing the ministry was to coordinate the activities of other ministries, agencies, as well as arms of governments.

He said in order to achieve the mandates; there was a need for synergy among the professionals and their experts to put heads together to avoid duplication of efforts by the ministries.

The Ministry of Special Duties is saddled with the responsibility to coordinating activities of all ministries and agencies in order to achieve seemliness cooperation and collaboration.

Also to achieve synergy between ministries, agencies, between the arms of governance as well as the levels of governance-federal, state and local governments.

So in order to achieve this particular mandates of cooperation and collaboration among all these arms of governance, the honourable minister thought it wise that the inter-ministerial committee should be established.

This forms a forum whereby all operation of various ministries and agencies come together so that we see how we can collaborate and work together.

According to him, the initiative will give a boost to the activity of the Federal Government in terms of making sure that there is no duplication of efforts by ministries, agencies and other arms of governments.

He expressed optimism that at the end of the day, the objectives of establishing Ministry of Special Duties would be achieved and at long run, there would be reduction in cost of governance.

Akume said government in its wisdom and efforts was trying to see how cost of governance could be reduced, adding that setting up this particular committee, we would be able to achieve the set goals.

In addition, Akume gave assurance that the committee would work to ensure the execution of lifting one million Nigerians out of poverty line within the next 10 years as promised by Mr President on Democracy Day.

This particular committee will look at that particular promise and see how to develop roadmap, come up with a blue print in such a way that this promise that President made to Nigerians can be achieved, he said.

Responding, Dr Bassey Etim, Director Human Resources in the ministry and who is also the coordinator of the committee, said the task was enormous but he assured that the committee would device strategies for accomplishment.

We are devising strategy and methods on how we can within one month; get the results of the task given to us.

You know we have experts from different ministries, so our job is like, 30 per cent done already with the caliber of people on ground.

Source: NAN News

Gov, Babagana Zulum

By: Hamza Suleiman

Borno State Government, says it has resettled 2,800 displaced persons at Ajiri community in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.

The displaced families fled their homes and took refuge in Maiduguri, after the Boko Haram insurgents sacked the community in the past five years.

Mustapha Gubio, the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR), made the disclosure at the presentation of over 500 housing units to the resettled families, on Friday in Mafa, Borno.

Gubio said that the displaced persons, hitherto took refuge at the Customs House Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, willingly opted to return to their homes, to enable them resume their normal way of life.

He said that the resettlement process was implemented in accordance with the humanitarian principles due to improved security in the area.

The Commissioner said: The village was razed in the attack; the state government through the Ministry of RRR, constructed 500 new houses and reinstalled necessary basic amenities to encourage the IDPs to return.

Gubio said that the Ministry distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the resettled families such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.

He added that each of the displaced persons would be supported with N50,000 resettlement package, to enable them engage in meaningful activities.

According to him, the state government has set up a Mega Farms and artificial dam in the settlement, to enable them engage in agricultural activities and become self reliant.

The state government also deployed a team of Agro Rangers comprising of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), to protect them in their farmlands, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was euphoria in the settlement as thousands of men, women and children return to their ancestral homes to reunite with their loved ones.

Mala Umara, one of the resettled persons, said he was excited to return home after spending five years in IDPs camp.

Umara lauded the support given to them by the state government, adding that it would go a long way to alleviate their sufferings.

Also, Aisha Modu, a mother of four, expressed joy for reuniting with her sister, Bilkisu, who she met for the first time in many years.

I did not see my sister for five years, we ran in separate directions during the attack and there was no communication between us. God made it possible for us to survived and reunite again,she said.

Modu also thanked Gov. Babagana Zulum, for the housing project that facilitated their dignified resettlement.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) says it is partnering with All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to insure over 40 million farmers across Nigeria against flooding and other disasters.

The Managing Director of NAIC, Mrs Folashade Joseph, made this known at a meeting with AFAN on Friday in Abuja.

She said the move had become necessary in view of losses incurred by farmers owing to flooding and other forms of disasters.

Joseph said efforts were already being put in place to come up with a scheme that would ensure farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, were able to pay affordable premium.

AFAN is paying a visit to an establishment that has been marching alongside Nigerian farmers in their onerous duty of securing the nation from being decimated through hunger and malnutrition.

NAICs drive has consistently been that every Nigerian farmer deserves to be protected from the effects of weather and other natural hazards.

These hazards are mostly unpredictable and inescapable in the process of primary production of agricultural commodities.

It is noteworthy that the impact of these natural hazards on investment of these categories of farmers could be devastating to the point of driving such farmers into hopelessness and despondency, she said.

The managing director said part of NAICs effort to help farmers mitigate effect of losses was the annual sensitisation programmes organised to discuss on the importance of insurance.

She added that the target of NAIC was to give effective insurance cover to at least 10 million farmers, majority of whom do not have access to credit.

According to her, the insurance cover will be such that the guarantee given by the corporation would secure them during disaster of any sort.

Joseph expressed pleasure for the opportunity to partner with AFAN to reach vulnerable small holder farmers whose investments were self-funded and vulnerable to the effects of nature and climate change.

It is important to state that the corporation is determined to make a special arrangement that will provide insurance cover for these categories of Nigerian farmers.

This will be done under a special sub-scheme that will put smiles. on their faces all year round.

She called on AFAN to help put mechanism in place to reach out to members on the benefits of taking the NAIC Insurance cover for their investments.

She assured them that the corporation was prepared to welcome suggestions that would lead to provision of effective and satisfactory insurance cover to farmers.

The President of AFAN, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim, said it was time farmers took the issue of insurance seriously in view of its importance, particularly in times of losses.

He said farmers in some parts of the country had begun to count their losses to flooding owing to the onset of rains.

According to him, the insurance of their produce will provide succour in times of disaster.

He said, we are looking at agribusiness as a country and as such insurance is important.

What this development will do to farmers is to give them the assurance that there is succour in the case of any form of loss.

I want to assure you that AFAN is ready to partner with NAIC to make Nigeria a great nation.

Source: NAN News