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By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are currently over 663,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa.

The UN health agency gave the update on its regional official Twitter account @WHOAFRO on Friday.

There are over 663,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent with more than 343,000 recoveries and 14,000 deaths, it stated on its dashboard.

The regional office stated that South Africa had 324,221 cases and 4,669 deaths, followed by Nigeria with 34,854 confirmed cases and 769 deaths, while Ghana had 26,125 confirmed cases and 139 deaths.

It added that Gambia, Seychelles and Eritrea were countries currently with the lowest confirmed cases in the region.

Gambia, the office said, had 78 confirmed cases with three deaths, Seychelles had 108 reported cases and zero death, while Eritrea had 251 reported cases with no death.

Meanwhile, the data posted on the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) dashboard was 1,051 cases higher than of WHO.

According to Africa CDC, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 664,051 as at Friday.

The Africa CDC said that the death toll from the pandemic surged from 14,044 on Thursday to 14,399 as of Friday.

It further said that 345,320 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have so far recovered from the infectious virus.

It said the highly affected African countries in terms of positive cases included South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana.

The Africa CDC also said that the Southern Africa region is the most affected area across the continent in terms of positive COVID-19 cases, followed by the North Africa region.

Source: NAN News

Medical equipment

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), has unveiled a coordinating framework for governance of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

Mr Dasuki Arabi, BPSR Director-General, made the disclosure in a statement by Mr Aliyu Umar, Principal Information Officer of the service on Friday in Abuja.

According to Arabi, the objective of the BHCPF is to extend Primary Health Care (PHC) to all Nigerians by increasing the level of financial resources to all services.

It provides for improved funding of healthcare at the grassroots so that people do not have to travel far to access medical services.

Other objectives are to enable the states participate in improving health centres through counterpart fund that will enable them benefit from the consolidated funds, he said.

Arabi said that the stakeholders currently involved in the BHCPF implementation project include; Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Health.

Others are the National Health Insurance Scheme, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state Ministries of Health, International Donor Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.

The director general noted that the lack of commitment on the part of state governments in contributing the 25 per cent counterpart funding made it difficult for them to access the fund.

Out of 15 states that have fulfilled the criteria for accessing the N6.5 billion earmarked for disbursement via the NHIS gateway, only two have had access as at January, while 58.3 per cent are yet to meet the criteria.

Record also has it that of Nigerias 36 states and FCT, only 11 have State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) established for providing access to healthcare, which is a critical criterion for the implementation of the Fund.

By implication, more than 75 per cent of the states are already disenfranchised to benefit from the Fund, the BPSR boss said.

He gave assurance that BPSR will work with relevant authorities to broker dialogue and reconciliation across the federal, state and local government actors.

He further said that the bureau would also set up working and learning mechanism among the actors, using standardisation tool such as Community of Practice.

We will work with relevant agencies to facilitate digitalisation of the process involved in the implementation of the fund.

We will also create communication mechanism and strategy for reporting fund implementation performance, he added.

Source: NAN News

Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal

Sokoto State Executive Council has approved the sum of N1.65 billion for the construction of a new sports arena and indoor sports hall in the state capital city.

A statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto by Muhammad Bello, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs, indicated that the approvals were given on Wednesday.

Bello said the breakdown of the money approved during Wednesdays State Executive Council (SEC) meeting also indicated that the sum of N1.2 billion would be spent on constructing the sports arena.

He added that about N447 million would be expended on the construction of the indoor sports hall.

The two projects will be at the proposed Sokoto New City and they were awarded to Qualitrend Global Solution.

While the sports arena is expected to be completed within 44 weeks, the sports hall is to be completed within 20 weeks.

Bello added in the statement that other Sokoto SEC resolutions included the approval of a proposed bill for the establishment of Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency.

He said the bill was intended to select and quantify the procurement of medicines to healthcare institutions in the state.

The purpose of the bill is to curtail the indiscriminate sale of drugs, in order to ensure the genuineness of drugs in circulation in the state, Bello stated.

He added that the council approved the amendment of two bills, namely the Public Procurement Agency Bill and the Fiscal Responsibility Law (2019).

Both bills will soon be sent to the state House of Assembly for consideration, the official said.

The governors spokesman further stated that the council approved the formation of a Development Cooperative Management Policy Framework between the government and development partners operating in the state.

The policy framework is aimed at creating more synergy on government efforts with development partners, while taking into consideration the prevalent norms, values and religion of the people in the state when executing projects.

The framework is also to ensure accountability and transparency in the execution of projects in the state, Bello added.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Countries in the world, including the most liberal in Europe, are now making masks mandatory for people who use public transport and even outdoors and they are imposing a fine for non-compliance.

Source: NAN News

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) to promote national growth.

Acting Managing Director of NAN, Alhaji Biola Lawal, made the call during his courtesy visit to the newly appointed Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, in Abuja

Lawal, who led team of NAN management staff congratulated Pam on his appointment as the Commissions boss, saying more would be done to strengthen the mutual relationship between the two organisations.

I look forward to NAN having robust relationship with the Commission, he said.

Lawal said that although the relationship between NAN and NCPC had existed for long, there is a need for both parastatals to partner and move the nation forward.

According to him, there is so much to do under this COVID-19 issue because people talk, but the public will listen more you, because they have respect for you.

Despite government circular on COVID-19, people are not taking the issue serious, even the safety guideline.

If people like you are talking about it in Nigeria, whether Christian or Muslim, it is bound to have effect.

Whatever you want to do, NAN is there, it is part of our efforts to sensitise parastatals to talk.

And, whatever our achievements are, collectively, it means Nigeria is making progress.

When you are making progress and you are not talking about it, people will not know you are working, he said.

Lawsl saidthat the agency had established platforms such as SMS, NAN PR-wire and NAN multimedia services among others to promote national unity through factual and balanced news dissemination.

Responding, Pam expresses appreciation to Lawal and his team for the interest to strengthen ties between both organisations.

He expressed confidence on NAN operations as organisation that is capable of restoring the glory of the commission.

The only institution that can raise the image of this place is nobody but you, NAN.

I have no doubt in my heart that your visit is going to correct many wrong perceptions about NCPC.

We are going to work together not just because of NCPC, but for the image of this country, Pam said.

The executive secretary expressed appreciation to NAN, saying it was the second official visit by government officials since his assumption of office on July 7.

Source: NAN News

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose one cent to .76 a barrel at 0204 GMT, while Brent crude futures were steady at .37 a barrel.

Both were still on track to end the week up slightly.

On Thursday, the U.S. reported at least 75,000 new COVID-19 cases, a new daily record.

Spain and Australia reported their steepest daily jumps in more than two months, cases continued to soar in India and Brazil stepped up lockdown measures.

The two benchmark contracts fell one per cent on Thursday after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, together known as OPEC , agreed to trim record supply cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) imposed earlier this year by some two million bpd from August.

But actual output additions will be closer to 1.1 million bpd, as countries like Iraq which overproduced compared with their commitments to cut supply in May through July agreed to bigger reductions in August and September.

Vivek Dhar, commodities analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said the market took some heart with the agreement for some to compensate for previous non-compliance with commitments at a time when there is uncertainty over demand growth.

Theyre taking those precautions.

That gives the market confidence that OPEC is looking quite closely at those conditions to make sure they dont push the market in the wrong direction, he said.

Analysts expect the market to remain in the -45 a barrel range, with the looming return of some U.S. supply and uncertainty over fuel demand as new lockdowns may be needed to curb the resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

The problem with the market right now is prices have got to a level where were concerned U.S. supply is going to come back, Dhar said. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Solar Orbiter Probe reveals closest images of sun

The European Space Agency (ESA) wants to present the first images on Thursday at 2.00 p.m. (1200 GMT) during an online conference.

According to the ESAs scientists, the pictures taken halfway between the Earth and the sun, 77 million kilometres away, are already exceeding expectations.

Never before have shots of the sun been taken from this short a distance.

The orbiter controlled by the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in the German city of Darmstadt developed by the ESA and the U.S. space agency NASA is expected to reach just 42 million kilometres from the sun.

The mission, which is estimated to cost almost 1.5 billion euros (.7 million), is intended to provide new insights into our home star.

The instruments are also intended to take a look at previously less known regions of the sun, such as the poles. (dpa/NAN)

AIB

Source: NAN News

India Flag

This is as infections spread further out into the countryside and smaller towns.

For Indias population of around 1.3 billion, experts say a million cases are still low and the number will rise significantly in the coming months as testing is expanded.

India recorded 34,956 new infections on Friday, taking the total so far to 1.004 million, with 25,602 deaths from COVID-19, Federal Health Ministry data showed.

That compares to some 3.6 million cases in the U.S. and two million in Brazil both countries with populations under 400 million.

Epidemiologists say India is still likely months away from hitting its peak of cases, suggesting the countrys already overburdened healthcare system will come under further strain.

In the coming months, we are bound to see more and more cases, and that is the natural progression of any pandemic, said Giridhar Babu, epidemiologist at the non-profit Public Health Foundation of India.

As we move forward, the goal has to be lower mortality a critical challenge states will face is how to rationally allocate hospital beds, he said.

The last four months of the pandemic sweeping India have exposed severe gaps in the countrys healthcare system, which is one of the most poorly funded and has for years lacked enough doctors or hospital beds.

The Indian government has defended a strict lockdown it imposed in March to contain the virus spread, saying it helped keep death rates low and allowed time to beef up the healthcare infrastructure.

But public health experts say shortages remain, and could hit hard in the coming months.

As a public health measure, I dont think the lockdown had much impact.

It just delayed the virus spread, said Dr Kapil Yadav, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at New Delhis Premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The million cases so far recorded likely left out many asymptomatic ones, he said.

Its a gross underestimate.

Millions of migrant workers, left stranded in the cities by the lockdown in March, took long journeys home on foot, some dying on the way while others left without work or wages.

Several states, including Bihar in the east, to which many of the migrants returned, have witnessed a surge in cases in recent weeks as the lockdown has been eased to salvage a sagging economy.

Babu estimates India wont see a single nationwide peak.

The surges are shifting from one place to another, so we cannot say there will be one peak for the whole country.

In India, its going to be a sustained plateau for some time and then it will go down. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed National Assemblys commitment to engaging Nigerians toward embracing Federal Governments Back to Farm initiative.

According to a statement by Mr Tope Ojeme, Head of Communication, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Lawan made this known when the organisation paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said that the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to encourage constituents to take part in the laudable project, which would be driven by NALDA.

The statement also explained that the NALDA Boss, Mr Paul Ikonne, said that time had come for Nigerians to regard farming as a sustainable business.

Ikonne said that the project was part of President Muhammadu Buharis commitment to ensure diversification of the economy and job creation for the unemployed.

He appealed for the buy-in of the national assembly and their constituents by ensuring provision of land in all local government areas of the Federation.

He gave the assurance that NALDA would engage all stakeholders in the pilot programme scheduled to commence soon.

According to him, farm lands across the nation will be prepared in clusters, cultivated using recent farm technologies and monitored by NALDA for the benefit of Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Back-to-Farm initiative, known as Buhari Young Farmers Network, intends to start the pilot programme with 100 young Nigerians from each local government.

This is with a target of engaging 2,000 youths per local government in farming value chains before the end of 2021.

The Act establishing NALDA outlines the objectives to include providing strategic public support for land development.

It was also established to promote and support optimum utilisation of Nigerias rural land resources for accelerated production of food and fibre among others.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State

By Fortune Abang

Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has promised to collaborate with Rev. Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), to achieve his mandate.

Fayemi, Who is the governor of Ekiti, made the promise on Thursday in Abuja, while on official visit to Pam, to congratulate him on his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He described Pams ability to unite people of all faith together in a quest for justice and peace across the country as exemplary.

Fayemi said: What is demonstrated by this visit is the confidence governors have in him.

Governors will use all the facilities and opportunities at their disposal to ensure NCPC gets its deal, both from Federal Government and States as well.

We will have the opportunity to invite him to come and brief the Governors on the activities of the Commission.

Fayemi said that the advocacy carried out by Pam encouraged the States to consider pilgrimage as a necessary activity included in their budget, to support citizens.

Responding, Pam expressed appreciation to the Chairman for the visit, saying that it was the first visit by a government official to the Commission, since his assumption of duty.

He said that based on past records, many states had not cooperated with the Commission in terms of support for pilgrimage.

According to him, the Commission has no other means to enhance its operation than to rely on states.

The only way we can lift up this place is for us to help and sponsor people to Israel and to Hajj,Nigerians, particularly poor Nigerians, who may have not known anywhere outside.

One of the ways to develop our people so that they can come home and be better citizens is when they go outside of the country.

That on its own, is a big school. It is knowledge that you cannot give in the four walls of the classroom, Pam said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Man United keep up top-four chase with win at Palace

Manchester United kept up their chase for a Champions League qualification spot with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on target in a 2-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday.

United, with two games remaining are in fifth place on 62 points, behind Leicester City on goal difference with third-placed Chelsea on 63.

United visit Leicester on the final day of the season.

Rashford put United in front on the stroke of halftime, his smart footwork sending the Palace defence the wrong way before he coolly slotted home.

Mid-table Palace thought they had drawn level in the 55th minute when Jordan Ayew slid in a low cross from Wilfried Zaha but the goal was ruled out for the tightest of offsides after a VAR review.

United made sure of victory, vital after Leicesters 2-0 win over Sheffield United, when Bruno Fernandes and Rashford combined smartly to feed Martial, who held off Scott Dann and drove in the second.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaers side are now unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police IG Mohammed Adamu

By Ahmed Kaigama

The police in Bauchi on Thursday said it had commenced investigations to uncover the mother of an abandoned baby whose remains were found in the suburbs of the metropolis.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Ahmed Wakili, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi that the decomposing remains of the day-old baby girl were found in Gwalameji area of Bauchi

An abandoned baby was found this morning at Gwallameji area and the community informed the Yelwa Divisional Police Station.

Our men went there and took pictures and discovered that the baby had started decaying.

We have launched an investigation into the matter and efforts are on to identify and arrest the culprit, so that she can face the full wrath of the law, Wakili said.

Malam Sanusi Sani, Community Head of Gwallameji, told NAN that his aide alerted him about the incident.

Honestly, I was very sad beyond words over what I saw with my eyes here. Similar thing happened some years back when a baby was dumped in a well.

This is highly disturbing because so many people are in need of children, but here we are seeing babies God gave to some people, being killed and buried.

It is a show of ingratitude to God for the gift. Honestly, I and my community are not happy about this, he said.

Sani claimed that from investigations, most babies that had been found in the area, were brought from other places and dumped there.

He appealed to the people to always report any suspicious acts by young ladies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo : Infrastructure

An NGO, Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF) has advocated an infrastructure law to tackle the nations infrastructure deficiency by ensuring bulk of yearly budgetary allocation goes into capital projects.

The board Chairman of ACUF, Dr Chiwuike Uba, made the call in a statement issued to newsmen in Enugu on Friday.

Uba, who is a development economist, said there was the need to increase the countrys investment in the manufacturing and basic infrastructures in order to increase Nigerias productivity output.

He noted that the country had the potential to become the real biggest economy in Africa; not in terms of GDP but in real production and inclusive growth.

Clearly, to address the infrastructure challenges confronting Nigeria, there is a need to have a separate infrastructure bill like the United States.

The proposed infrastructure law shall transcend a particular administration and should be anchored on a 10 to 20-year infrastructure and spending plan.

This should be supported with robust and complete laws that promote and protect Public-Private-Partnership initiatives, with an effective oversight mechanism that includes the communities and citizens.

The law shall provide for the review of the spending plan every five years to adapt it to the emerging realities.

It is also important to make budgetary provisions for the maintenance of the infrastructures for rolling periods of five years, he said.

The board chairman, however, urged executives at all tiers of government to make budgets more transparent and accountable to the people. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of Mines and Steel Development

By Emmanuel Mogbede
Alhaji Biola Lawal, the Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has attributed most negative criticism of government policies to lack of adequate information to Nigerians by government ministries and agencies.

Lawal said this on Friday in Abuja when Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, featured on the agencys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among other things.

Lawal emphasised the need for Ministries and parastatals to assist the federal government by utilising the unique NAN news and projection platforms to get adequate accurate information on government policies, achievements and plans to the citizenry.

He noted that people criticise government negatively when they do not have adequate information on its programmes and policies.

It is not enough to say people are negatively criticising government when we are not dishing out enough accurate information on its programmes and policies.

Lawal, who is a former Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, reiterated the need for government ministries and agencies especially to take advantage of NAN various news platforms to keep Nigerians abreast of their activities.

The NAN Acting Boss added that NAN had various platforms through which it transmits news materials to its clients within and outside the country, saying, NAN reach is unbeatable.

He emphasised that the NAN is known for its publishing accurate information to the public always through its media clients both within and outside the country.

There is need for agencies and ministries to use NAN as a platform to sensitise Nigerians about their achievements and plans, not only on Federal Governments confidence in our democratic system.

NAN platform is a channel that is viable, trustworthy and accurate, when you talk to us, you are practically talking to all media organisations that are hooked to our platforms through subscription in Nigeria and even globally.

We have so many platforms through which we dish out news items these days to keep Nigerians abreast of developments and carry them along, Lawal said.

The minister in his response commended the agency, saying the ministry was ready to collaborate with NAN to sensitise Nigerians on its achievements and activities.

Source: NAN News

Osagie Ize-Iyamu APC candidate for Edo Governorship election

By Nefishetu Yakubu

A group known as the Northern Professionals platform resident in Edo on Thursday pledged their support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for September 19.

In a statement signed by Abdallah Tureta in Benin, the group said that the Northern Professionals resident in Edo resolved to throw their weight behind Ize-Iyamu because of his leadership qualities.

We are assuring him of our collective support to ensure his victory at the polls in September, he said.

Tureta commended the APC for appointing Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje as the Chairman of APC Campaign Council for Edo election.

Our resolve to back the APC candidate in Edo governorship election is in solidarity with Ganduje appointed as the chairman of the campaign council .

We came to understand that the wisdom behind Gandujes appointment as the Chairman of the Campaign Council is to make sure that no opportunity is left unattended to win the election.

His sophistication and skills in politics are acknowledged across board.

We resolve to do this after our conviction that his leadership of the campaign council is an indication that APC is willing and ready to win the election.

As somebody who has developed his state, both in human and infrastructure, Ganduje could also be a pillar in influencing the blueprint of how to move Edo forward when our candidate wins.

Which we are very hopeful that he would deliver.

It is still fresh in our memories how President Muhammadu Buhari sometime last year, commended Ganduje after becoming the best performing governor for three consecutive months as then rated by the APC Progressive Governors Forum.

This among other things are what informed the decision of the APC to appoint Ganduje to chair this Campaign Council for Edo governorship election.

And we are sure that with our support and that of large chunk of Edo population, Ganduje is shouldering a sellable gubernatorial material.

We challenge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to come forward and showcase the feats they achieved under their candidate, Tureta said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NASS Complex

By EricJames Ochigbo

You are, by this letter, requested to explain to the commission within twenty four (24) hours as to why disciplinary action will not be takenagainst you as per provision of Section 6(2)b of the National Assembly Service Act, 2014 (as amended) for this gross insubordination.

Source: NAN News

Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources,

.es will benefit from its Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme to scale up access to water and sanitation in rural communities.

with the State.

Adamu noted that three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in those states have been selected for implementation.

Ajisegiri said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight over the strong bonds of friendship that exist between Nigeria and Pakistan which he said are characterized by extensive Military-to-Military engagement.

The president made his feeling known at the virtual farewell meeting with Maj.-Gen. Waqar Kingravi, the out-going Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja.

President Buhari describedNigeria-Pakistani relationships as wide and far-reaching, going back a long time in history.

He singled out the area of military co-operation between the two countries as mutually beneficial.

In addition to the impressive performance of our two nations in the Commonwealth, the Pakistani Military training of the Nigerian Army is equally important.

This relationship is long and very far. I recalled my colleagues, the late General Shehu YarAdua and the current Emir of Gwandu, His Highness Muhammmad Bashir, a retired General, were both trained in Pakistan, he said.

The president also commended the out-going envoy for strengthening the relations in the area of economic cooperation.

In his remarks, Amb. Kingravi thanked President Buhari and the people of Nigeria whom he described as generous hosts for the fruitful, enjoyable and educative tour of Nigeria.

He pledged his countrys willingness to provide further military support to combat insurgency and promotion of all causes dear to us.

Source: NAN News

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Campaign Strategy Team for Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is vying for the post of the Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, while inaugurating the team on Thursday in Abuja, said it was key to the success in ensuring that the Nigerian candidate emerged as WTO Director-General for 2021 2025 term.

Adebayo, in a statement by Mrs Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Assistant Director, Press Unit of the ministry, said President Muhammadu Buharis decision to nominate OkonjoIweala as Nigerias candidate for the position of WTO Director-General was in good faith.

He said the decision was given the overriding consideration of the need to host Africas chance and for the promotion of gender mainstreaming at the worlds top trade post.

He expressed optimism that the Nigerian candidate would emerge as the next Director-General of WTO, based on her capabilities and wealth of experience at the highest level of World Bank, as a Development Economist, Diplomat and one of the Africas most trusted technocrats.

An eminently qualified candidate in the position of Okonjo-Iweala with proven leadership, bold reformer, skillful negotiator with abilities to broker numerous agreements that would promote fair trade should be selected for Director-General of the WTO.

I am confident that she possesses the qualities to lead the most important global multilateral body, the minister said.

He, therefore, charged the team to develop winning strategy for the candidate and also called on stakeholders, media, public, private and trading partners to give necessary support that she required to emerge as WTO Director-General.

The Minister of State, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, who is the Team Leader of the Campaign Strategy team, pledged the full commitment of members of the team to deliver on its mandate.

We must all get to work as a team in the most strategic and professional manner to deliver on this important assignment in line with the Terms of Reference, she stated.

Katagum also expressed confidence that OkonjoIweala would emerge as the next WTO Director-General considering her pedigree and commitment in ensuring sustainable development and economic growth, not only for Africa but the world at large.

The Campaign Strategy team comprises officials of the ministry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; representatives of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The team also include officials from the Ministry of Finance, Nigerian Ambassador to ECOWAS and African Union as well as Genevabased officials.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Dapo Abiodun

No fewer than 1,165 rice farmers have been empowered with farm inputs by the Ogun Government under the Central Bank Bank (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

Gov. Dapo Abiodun made this known during the flag-off of the 2020 wet season held on Thursday at the Ogun State Agro Service Corporation, Imowo, Ijebu Ode.

The governor gave farmers an assurance that his administration would continue to provide support and agricultural incentives to all other value chain actors.

Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, urged other farmers to key into the various agricultural programmes of his administration saying, Ogun State-facilitated ABP was exemplary and transparent.

This programme has become the hallmark of our deliberate focus on agricultural opportunities, which is aimed at supporting farmers and other agricultural value chain actors, as part of our resolve to achieve the states agricultural agenda of food security, he said.

He said that documentation of prospective beneficiaries of agricultural opportunities were carried out at the inception of his administration,

The governor added that the distribution of inputs, credit and market linkage to 3,500 cassava ABP farmers were recently flagged-off, noting that rice had been given preference as cassava.

He said efforts were ongoing to replicate same for maize and cotton value chains, among others in the programme.

Abiodun also urged participants to take full advantage of supplementary assistance provided by government and also abide by the terms of engagement of the linkage Programme.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Dotun Sorunke, said the present administration had recognised agriculture as one of the areas the state government could depend on to revive its economy.

He, however, urged beneficiaries to be committed to farming to realise governments drive for food security and job creation.

In her remark, the representative of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Oluyemisi Olukoya, urged rice farmers to live up to expectation by using the inputs judiciously to enable them refund the loan granted by the apex bank.

Also speaking, the Zonal President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mr Victor Korede, commended the Federal and State Governments for empowering rice farmers.

Korede said the move would enable the country to be self- sufficient in food production.

Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Oluwadamilola Ogunbanjo, commended the government for facilitating the grant and expressed the hope that it would further assist them in their quest for fully mechanised rice farming.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that farm inputs distributed included knapsack sprayer, water pumps, chemicals, fertiliser and seedlings, among others.

Source: NAN News