By Felicia Imohimi

The Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN) has called on the Nigerian government to develop pesticide policy and legislation to ensure toxic pesticides are prohibited and reduced in usage.

AAPN made the call in a communiqu issued on Wednesday at the end of a one-day documentary screening and panel discussion on pesticide double standards and improving pesticide regulation in the country.

The communiqu was signed by Donald Ofeogbu, Coordinator of AAPN, Programme Manager HBS and Chris Kaka, Coordinator AAPN Programme Manager Trade Network Initiative (TNI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the goal of the meeting is to end the double standards that exist in the global trade in pesticides active ingredients and products.

Pesticide products and active ingredients not approved in the European Union (EU) due to health or environmental concerns but exported out of EU by agrochemical corporations are sold in other regions, including Nigeria.

It was to also encourage sustainable agricultural practices and to stop supporting conventional monoculture that furthers the dependence on hazardous pesticides and to fill gaps in regulations and management of pesticides.

In the communiqu, AAPN observed that there was no pesticide policy or legislation in Nigeria that effectively regulate the use and entry of pesticides, especially those banned elsewhere and Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).

It said there were also large and confusing overlaps in pesticide supervision in the country between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ministry of Environment, NESREA, NAFDAC among others with related mandates.

These agencies all seem to be struggling for dominance instead of working in synergy.

The companies producing pesticides claim that their products are safe if they are used correctly, and marketing approval is based on the supposition of safe use.

This statement however is very far from the reality in Nigeria and other countries of the Global South.

In many cases, the necessary protective equipment is unavailable, too expensive, or impractical due to the climatic conditions. Many farmers in Nigeria are not aware of the effects, it added.

The communiqu recommended that House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture should continually open up the space for public participation and engagement in the development of pesticide legislation.

The committee should ensure that any legislation on pesticides is first in the interest of safeguarding the health of Nigerians and our environment, rather than maximising the profits of agro companies.

The National Assembly and the Presidency should approve budgetary provisions to fund the meetings of the National Chemical Management Committee to improve inter-ministerial collaborations to end the poor management of HHPs and other highly toxic chemicals across the sectors.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should work closely with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) towards opening the draft and review process of the Integrated Pest Management Policy Plan (formally headed by NASQ), it recommended.

It further recommended that government should ensure that CSOs, smallholder famers, consumer groups, academia and organic practitioners are part of the process of developing the policy.

It also recommended that farmers associations and farmers clusters should work towards self-regulation on the pesticide usage among their members and increase the awareness on highly hazardous pesticide brand among their members.

According to the communiqu, farmers should have a list of pesticides that are unlikely to cause any acute hazard.

They should encourage and demand for organic pesticides, bio-pesticides, while also supporting their members to learn more sustainable, healthy farm systems like multi-cropping systems, organic farming, agro-ecology, use of land preparation strategies and mechanical for weed control.

Farmers at all levels should mobilise and seize the opportunity of forthcoming national election to engage with political candidates on the spread of toxic pesticides, and secure political commitments to promote nature friendly bio-pesticides.

They should as well seek for improvement of pesticide regulation in Nigeria and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Politicians, farmers and electorates should refrain from the offer and acceptance of highly hazardous pesticides.

NAN reports that AAPN is a coalition of over 40 civil society organisations, academia, independent scientists and media professionals, who are committed to phasing out all Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), obsolete and adulterated pesticides from Nigeria and West Africa.

The event was attended by over 95 physical participants and 45 online participants, including representatives FMARD, Ministries ofHealth, Industry, Trade and Investment, Environment, Budget and National Planning, Office of the Secretary General of the Federation and the media.

Others included: NESREA, NAFDAC, FCCPC, Nigeria Customs Services, SON, NAQS, NASS members in agricultural production and services, International and local NGOs, CSOs, Pesticide Action Network Europe, HBS Brussels Office, Third Circle Kenya, Action Aid Nigeria and farmers associations and others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it will adopt new approach in the administration of licences and leases, especially as it concerns acreage allocation, to attain the objectives set by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, said in a statement on Friday that the new approach would optimise value in the new acreage management and administration of allocation principles enunciated in the PIA.

To position the Commission on a performance centred paradigm for acreage management, a new strategy of acreage allocation, management and administration based on a holistic assessment of the prior performance of all licences and leases awarded prior to the PIA is required, he said.

According to Komolafe, the commission will seek to identify the areas of regulatory under performance in acreage management and administration, leading to failure of licensees and lessees inability to carry out licence and lease performance obligations.

The commission would also seek to identify other issues, including acquisition of data, drilling of wells and maturing of identified leads and prospects within the licence or lease span.

The CEO in a memo to senior management staff of the commission, also listed the aspects of the new strategy to include review assignee performance and contributions to licences and lessees and review compliance performance in reporting milestones by licensees and lessees and the administration of regulatory consequence mechanisms.

Other aspect of the new strategy would include to review loss allocation by licensees and lessees under the PIA.

These include production, cost and revenue, as well as performance review of existing multi-client arrangements and streamlining ongoing activities to the PIA.

The assessment framework will require all existing licences and lessees to undergo a performance assessment audit of operation of licences and leases based on a framework to be developed by Lease and focussed on OPLs, OMLs, Marginal Fields and Multi client arrangements.

Evaluation is expected to cover the following: Compliance with environmental requirements and with work programme commitments, compliance with revenue payment obligations and reporting obligations.

Others are audit of operation systems and third-party provider activities and assessment of assignee roles and performance obligations.

In the new dispensation, there will be need for a team with representation from relevant departments to achieve performance schematic of existing licences and leases; identify oversight weakness, identify licencee and lessee centred failures in regulatory reporting requirements and other performance indices.

Also in the new dispensation, there will be improved oversight mechanism in line with the objective of the PIA and aspects of new strategy as well as develop fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for acreage management and lease administration in line with the PIA.

The team, which will be made up of a member each from Exploration and Acreage Management: Development

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Milk Booster, a company that produces lactation products that help increase breast milk supply, on Friday introduced the first MilkBank in Nigeria in commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week was: Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

It seeks to involve Governments, communities, and individuals in raising awareness about sustainable breastfeeding environment.

Dr Chinny Obinwanne -Ezewike, Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Milk Booster, said that the milkbank initiative was geared towards providing pasteurised donor breast milk for pre-term, low birth weight, and other vulnerable infants in order for them to enjoy the enormous benefits of breastmilk.

Obinwanne -Ezewike, is also a Lactation Consultant and member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

She said the idea to launch the Milkbank arose having been helping over 50,000 babies get more breast milk from their mothers through Milk Booster products since five years ago.

She explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recommended that when a baby cannot get breastmilk from their mother, the next best option is donor milk before considering infant formula.

Obinwanne -Ezewike said that WHO have advised mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months with extended breastfeeding for two years and beyond.

The lactation consultant stated that breastmilk is very important for babies but not all mothers can produce enough milk or produce at all, such as the surrogate mother, working-class mothers, hence; the need for the MilkBank to bridge the gap.

She expressed disappointment that Nigeria ranked third highest in the number of pre-term birth across the world and first in infant mortality rate in Africa.

According to her, when pre-term babies gets breastmilk, their stay in the hospital is reduced and risk of contacting the most common sicknesses that eats up their guts system is significantly reduced.

Obinwanne-Ezewike noted that the absence of donor breastmilk in Nigeria had created a misconception that the infant milk and breastmilk are equivalent.

A human baby should get a human breast milk and mothers must not consider giving their babies processed cow milk.

Cow milk is for calf and not human babies. The benefits of breastmilk goes as far as increasing chances for survival and protecting the babies from several sicknesses within our community.

Five per cent of babies within the ages of zero to five years die yearly in Nigeria because of sub-optimal breastfeeding.

Feeding our babies with breastmilk will ensure that they are not part of the infant death statistics due to our sub-optimal breastfeeding, she said.

According to her, Nigeria has the capacity to sustain her babies born either pre-term or full-term by ensuring they are breast fed to give them a chance to live healthy.

Obinwanne -Ezewike urged governments and organisations to support the MilkBank project to enable mothers in the rural areas to also enjoy the facility.

She said: We already have over 165,000 Milk Booster Community mum who are always ready to donate breastmilk free of charge and educating more to also do same.

Mothers that donate excess milk must be aware that there are babies whose mothers cant produce same and needs their excess milk.

They produce the milk ,we process it and pass it onto the babies who need it for survival to reduce Nigerias infant and neonatal mortality rate.

We only charge the receivers about N20,000 used to process and screen the breastmilk to ensure that it is safe for consumption, she said.

According to her, the primary recipients of the breastmilk as prioritised by the company would be low birthweight babies, sick premature babies in the Intensive Care Units, premature babies doing well before the sick full term babies and other demands.

Obinwanne -Ezewike said tht the MilkBank would service the general hospitals, government hospitals, private hospitals and surrogate agencies.

She stated that the firm had invested over 15,000 dollars into the community-based milk bank facility.

In her remark, Dr Mobolaji Olajide, Lecturer 1, Department of Nursing, University of Lagos, emphasised the need for Nigeria mothers to be educated and embrace the MilkBank which is already a global practice.

Olajide said its high time we give babies whose mothers cannot produce breastmilk or produces in low quantity, an opportunity to enough access to breastmilk officially.

She called for aggressive sensitisation on the need to dissuade superstitious cultural and religious belief that accompanies exchange of breast milk.

Why would some Nigerians mothers prefers not to accept to give their babies breastmilk from their fellow human being but prefers that of a cow?

All the myth surrounding cross-breastfeeding is just a superstition, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Vivin Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the entertainment industry, particularly artistes and musicians, in commiserating with ace instrumentalist, singer and song writer, Bongos Ikwue, who lost his wife, Josephine Ifeyinwa, 73.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Friday in Abuja, Buhari condoled with family members, friends, Catholic Women Organisation, International Association of Lions Clubs and associates of the matriarch of Bongos-Ikwues family.

The deceased hailed from the Ijeh Royal family in Issele Uku Town in Delta, but by providence shared most of her life with the Benue-born musician.

The president noted the deceaseds dedication to the service of humanity, and dedication to Church.

He also lauded her for supporting the poor and needy across the country, especially prisoners, whom she regularly visited to pray with, counsel and guide on the fear of God, and provided support for the people awaiting trial, and their families.

Buhari affirmed that her contributions to stability of her family, sense of duty in community development, and love for God will always be remembered.

The president prayed that the Almighty God would comfort the renowned musician and his family, and grant the wife and mother a peaceful rest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivin Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) says it is working frantically and vigorously to promote and actualise inclusion of persons with disability across the country.

The Executive Secretary of NCPWD made this known in his address of welcome at the stakeholders forum on Disability Inclusion Project in Abuja.

The stakeholders meeting will be fruitful. After here, we will come out with a full idea with the constitution of National Disability Council for Nigeria.

In the council, we will have representatives from 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This is the beginning of our meeting.

We are expected to have this meeting annually so that together, we canknow what is happening in the various states of the federation and the supports needed from NCPWD, Lalu said.

The NCPWD boss said it was regrettable that many states in the country had failed to domesticate the Disability Prohibition Act, adding that the commission was up and doing on the issue.

He said that the commission had meetings with the governments of Niger and Nasarawa states on disability inclusion.

Very soon, we will meet with the governors of Borno, Katsina, Kebbi and Gombe and will do everything possible to be able to actualise the dream.

Our commitment in the political angle is to make sure we get involved in the electoral processes in the country.

I am happy and want to congratulate Lagos, Plateau, Kano, Nasarawa and others that mobilised PWDs to register in the Continue Voter Registration concluded recently.

This is very important for us because it can enable us to show the numerical strength and electoral value from our community.

We are working with INEC to get PWDs data with voters cards.

We can use our numerical strength to negotiate for ministerial and ambassadorial positions for PWD in the country, Lalu said.

He said the NCPWD would meet with all the presidential candidates of the different political parties to showcase their numerical strengthen.

According to him, the disability community has the number to determine who will be the president of the country in 2023 election.

Declaring the event open, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said her ministry was passionate about PWD.

Farouq, who was represented by Dr Umar Bindir, the National Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) said the N-Power and other programmes under the NSIP have allocated 10 per cent for PWDs.

We are trying to push the percentage to a higher level to accommodate more PWDs.

Lalu is someone who is representing this sector with his life. He goes out and does everything necessary to ensure that PWDs are well cared for.

However, I want to urge all stakeholders to support Lalu. He is driving the vehicle very well. I congratulate the executive secretary.

This is one of the forums that all states of the federation are represented. This is commendable, Bindir said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought together stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Folasade Akpan

Dr Otuneye Adekunle, a Consultant Pediatrician at the National Hospital, Abuja, says breastfed babies are a pride to the society and will not grow up to become terrorists.

Adekunle said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday on the sidelines of the World Breastfeeding Week celebration at the National Hospital, Abuja.

NAN reports that the week is usually commemorated worldwide from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7 every year.

The theme for the 2022 celebration which is Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support, seeks to involve governments, communities and individuals through awareness and advocacy.

Adekunle, also Head of Department, Pediatrics Unit at the hospital, said that breast milk was referred to as the Milk of Kindness and Natures Wonder.

According to him, people who have taken the milk of kindness will not grow up to become terrorists because they have seen love and care.

By the time you take care of a child for two years that thing remains in the childs brain and psychologically the child is well taken care of.

The child will not likely develop to be a criminal or be against the society in the future.

The mother will be able to talk to the child and the child will listen, but a child that was not breastfed that anybody can feed, you can imagine what will happen.

So, that is why we are trying to encourage people to see the benefits of breastfeeding which goes beyond the baby, the mother, the family and even the community, he said.

Adekunle said that it also benefited the nations economy as the baby formulas are usually imported.

Speaking on the health benefits of breastfeeding babies for both the mother and child, Adekunle said that breastfeeding babies would reduce the nations child mortality rate as less children would fall sick.

He also said thatmaternal mortality rate would reduce.

For those six months of breast feeding, the baby will not be contaminated with anything, grow optimally qualitatively not quantitatively.

For the mother also if she breast feed her baby the way she should fully breast feed her baby, she will come back to her normal size early, she will not bleed too much during delivery and not become anaemic, so the risk of dying is less.

For the family, they are going to spend less money of course because they will spend less money on breastfeeding compared to all the other options available like formula.

Adekunle said that the proper thing was to breastfeed babies within one hour after birth to give them the colostrum in the breast milk and then exclusively for the first six months of life after which other foods could be introduced gradually for up to two years and beyond.

From six months you will introduce complimentary feeds. The baby needs the two years of breastfeeding because everything that baby needs for normal brain development comes from breast milk.

Eighty per cent of brain development happens within the first two years of life so if a mother breastfeed her baby very well, the baby grows well.

Also, breastfeeding is a life saving intervention because it is possible to do it during war or economic downturn and during crisis is the only thing thats available.

He, however, said that for mothers who do not lactate early or at all, they should seek medical help and counseling on how to go about it.

He urged fathers to also support mothers in promoting exclusive breastfeeding for babies.

The Deputy Director, Nursing Services, Mrs Ugafor Ofunne, said thatfor working mothers, breast milk could be stored at room temperature for eight hours or in the freezer for even up to a year.

They can store their expressed breastmilk in a container and jut put it on the table for eight hours, apart from that they can even express in the middle of night for mothers who are lactating so much, they can produce up to 10 litres.

So we advise such mothers to share into small containers and store in the freezer and when you bring it out you leave it at room temperature to defrost. You dont boil it, you dont warm just leave it me to get back to its normal state.

Mrs Puwu Jospeh, a mother of three said that she breastfed her two previous babies exclusively for six months.

According to her, she really enjoyed the experience because there was no record of sickness all through.

She added that she had made up her mind to exclusively breastfeed her third baby and advised other mothers to do same for optimal results.

Mrs Helen Ikechukwu, a first time mother said she was well aware of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding as she was told about it during ante-natal clinics and had made up her mind to practice it.

It is a welcome idea for me and my baby because I have come to understand that breastfeeding is something that helps the baby to develop mentally and health wise.

I had the idea before I took in so though this is my first baby, I already decided that I would breastfeed for six months exclusively. (NAN)()

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that government had recognised that some of the security challenges confronting Nigeria were imported by foreign elements.

Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, stated this at the Graduation of Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the nation and indeed the African region had been facing difficult times such as terrorism in the North East, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.

He added that the military and other security agencies have been given directives to decisively deal with all forms of security challenges and secure the nation.

According to him, the military has continued to counter the terrorism that was very prevalent in the North East which has resulted in the surrendering of thousands of persons who are being managed by government agencies.

Government is also deeply concerned about the activities of bandits and criminals who have rare their ugly heads in some parts of the country.

This is because the number of violent unprovoked attacks on citizens appear to be on the increase. This is unacceptable.

Accordingly, we have given strong directive to the military and other security agencies to deal decisively with terrorists, bandits and other enemies of the country.

We have also adopted bilateral and multilateral arrangements to tackle the trans border and maritime crimes because we recognize that some of our security challenges are imported into Nigeria by foreign elements.

I want to assure all Nigerian that the government is doing all it can to eliminate or apprehend the criminals or bandits, wherever they are, he said.

Buhari commended the nations apex defence institution for its continuous effort towards raising a discipline and professional strategic leaders for the armed forces, security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said the college had since its establishment 30 years ago, continued to fulfil its mandate and had grown to be at par with similar colleges across the world

He charged the participant to deploy the knowledge they had acquired in making useful suggestions toward addressing the challenges in their areas of responsibility.

The president assured that the government would remain committed providing needed resources for the security agencies to carry out their assigned tasks.

The Commandant of NDC, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, said the college had 102 participants drawn from the military, paramilitary, security and intelligence agencies as well as selected MDAs and participants from 16 allied countries.

Bashir said the participants comprised of 28 from Nigerian Army; 20 from Nigerian Navy; five from Nigerian Air Force; 29 from strategic institutions/MDAs and 20 international participants.

He said the college had trained the finest from the military, security agencies and MDAs both from within and outside the country since inception in 1992, adding that some had distinguished themselves in their careers.

According to him, the mission of NDC is to develop future strategic leaders who are sufficiently equipped with knowledge and skills.

for participants of course 30, this mission was achieved through the pathway of study in nine modules comprising researc methodology and strategic writing, state and social political environments, economy and finance, science and technology, international affairs and regional studies.

Others are policy strategy and national security, military history and conflict studies, peace supports operations and higher defense management.

The module were delivered in for s of lectures, seminars, study tours, research papers and studies under a broad theme, a Whole of Society Approach to Enhancing Human Security in Nigeria.

The course also involved exercises that stimulated real life scenarios and the review of the National Defence and Security Policies, he said.

A foreign participant, Commodore Ashwsni Tikoo of Indian Navy, thanked Nigerian government and the armed forces for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the course and learning experience of a lifetime.

Tikoo said the course had also afforded him the opportunity to make new friends that would help to shape his military career.

He said the scope of the curriculum was vast including economic development, social security, internal security, geostrategic issues among others.

It has been a great learning experience and particularly for me I would say that my knowledge about the African continent has increased very considerably.

And obviously, when you get to know so much about this continent, which has 54 countries, rich in resources and beautiful people, it is a great experience.

I am sure that when I go back to my country with this kind of learning and experience, it is definitely going to enable me to bring in certain changes in my own country with the perspectives and the learnings that I have had here, he said. (NAN) (www.nannees.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) through Deloitte, a leading professional firm, on Friday unveiled its whistle-blowing tip off channels to drive transparency, accountability and general public inclusivity in the affairs of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that whistle-blowing is the act of drawing public attention, or the attention of an authority figure, to perceived wrongdoing and unethical activity within public, private or third sector organisations.

NAN also reports that the whistle-blowing service provides multilingual, multiple reporting channels such as toll-free hotlines, web portal, email and a mobile application.

Mr Ayodele Subair, the Executive Chairman, LIRS, at the launch of the Deloitte Tip-Off Anonymous for LIRS on Friday in Lagos, said the LIRS was chosen for the pilot phase due to its multi-faceted interface with the general public.

The launch, Subair said, asides from seeking to enlighten and sensitise the tax-paying public on the initiative was hinged on the commitment of the agency and the government to ensuring high ethical standards in all its business processes.

He said the LIRS, with the state ministry of finance, having an oversight function, subscribed to the Deloitte Anonymous and Confidential Whistle-Blowing Facility.

Subair said that the facility would promote an enabling climate for employees and other relevant stakeholders to report wrongdoings, illegal actions or financial crimes noticed and or observed in the LIRS administrative and operational activities.

This, he said, would be done without fear of backlash as it would assist in evaluating and improving existing system and assess key practices necessary to create an effective speak-up culture.

Subair said Deloittes engagement as independent assessor was to ensure an objective and unbiased review of issues raised.

This whistleblowing facility would involve the reporting of acts of commission or omission that border on unethical conduct of employees, management, and other stakeholders by an employee or other interested person(s) through designated channels to appropriate authorities.

The aim of this policy is to encourage employees and other stakeholders who have serious concerns about any aspect of the agencys operations to come forward and voice those concerns.

The facility is designed to ensure that concerns about wrongdoing or malpractice within the agency can be raised by any stakeholder without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination, disadvantage of dismissal.

This facility does not only provide the avenue to report, but ensures credibility of reports through investigation, feedback to the whistle-blower and ensures protection for such whistle-blower from possible reprisals or victimisation for all disclosures made in good faith, he said.

Subair added that all concerns would be treated in confidence with efforts toward concealing the identity of the whistle-blower with anonymous reports considered for seriousness, credibility and possibility of confirmation from other sources.

He, however, said anonymity would make it much more difficult to protect the position of the whistle-blower or to give feedback.

The whistle blowing framework is a two-way affair aiming to expose LIRS staff involved with misconduct, employees of business entities who want to report employers who circumvent tax laws.

It also helps members of the public who want to raise an alarm on persons or entities who willfully commit financial crimes leading to revenue loss for the state.

It is noteworthy to mention that all reports must be made in good faith as allegations made frivolously, maliciously or for personal gain would attract appropriate sanctions.

We are hopeful that all our stakeholders will join us on this journey of purposeful engagements toward achievement of high standards of ethical conduct in the public service space inclusive of dealings with and within LIRS, he said.

Dr Rabiu Olowo, Lagos Commissioner for Finance, said the state government through the ministry approved the facility to provide channel of reporting by stakeholders, employees and the general public.

Olowo noted that research showed that every minute, in the workplace, wrongdoing was observed daily but people were left with very few choices, leading to the decision to remain silent, concluding that nothing could be done.

He said the initiative would remind people of their civic responsibility to report wrongdoing in workplace or in doing business with the government.

He added that the scheme would create a culture of accountability, raising the awareness of stakeholders on the responsibility of speaking up to foster a sound and effective corporate governance system.

Without reporting it, there is nothing we can do, so launching this initiative today presents a channel that can be trusted and the least we can do is to discharge them of any reprisal.

The LIRS was chosen for the pilot scheme because it represents a framework cuts across and interacts with almost all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

LIRS has over the years increased the state revenue with its present monthly average at N42 billion and reporting any misdemeanor that is not in line with the ethics of the government can shore up revenue, he said.

Mr Samuel Egube, Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos, said citizens participation in governance via the whistleblower initiative opens up the state to accountability, transparency.

Citizens improved participation through channels like this would stimulate trust and lead to all round growth and development, he said.

Mr Beulah Adeoye, Partner, Deloitte, said the initiative was a whistle-blowing facility that affords callers the opportunity to raise concerns regarding wrongdoing, fraud or unethical behaviour within the workplace and report it to an independent party.

He listed attitudes depicting fraud to include; asset misappropriation, corruption, embezzlement, forgery, insider trading, maltreatment, money laundering, rebellion, nepotism, threat, and violent behaviour.

Others are dishonesty, bullying, bribery, harassment, expense claim abuse, kickback, stealing, under-invoicing misuse of authority, bribery and over invoicing.

He stated that key notes in making a report taking precautions, no malicious calls, provision of all available information.

However, a report is not an evidence.

The charge is when you see something, you say something and when you say something, you must be protected from the backlash that comes from it to foster a more ethical culture in our workplaces, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of Operations Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven have apprehended seven terrorists and bandits as well as rescued two kidnapped victims in different operations across Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna States.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement on Friday, said the troops had continued to dominate and deny criminals freedom of action in their area of responsibility.

Onyeuko said the troops had on July 29, conducted clearance operation at Tse-Ibor, Tse-Igbakyor, Akwana and Ayinbe Villages in Logo Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and made contact with terrorists.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists with superior fire power, forcing them to flee while two of them, Danladi Selfa (23) and Usman Yau (28), were arrested with gunshot wounds at a private hospital.

He said that one AK 47 Rifle, one Magazine with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special amongst other items were recovered.

Onyeuko said that troops also arrested a terrorist and alleged bandit collaborator, Mr Moses Aindigh (27) and a notorious kidnapper, IIiyasu Mohammed (37) on the same day at Kukyro village in Nasarawa Local Government Area.

According to him, all arrested criminals have been handed over to relevant authorities.

Furthermore, troops of Operation Safe Haven on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, arrested three suspected notorious kidnappers; Umar Zakari, Usman Hamina and Haruna Umaru following credible intelligence at Fuskar Mata village in Bassa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The suspects confessed to have been involved in kidnapping activities in mentioned Local Government Areas.

Also, on Aug. 3, troops responded to a distress call from locals in Quaanpan Local Government Area Plateau of four kidnappers in a hotel hideout attempting to move people away.

Troops mobilised to scene engaged criminals, neutralised one of them (Umar Muhammed) and recovered one AK47 rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special amongst other items, he said.

Onyeuko also said that troops had on Aug. 4, recovered 100 vandalised rail sleepers in an abandoned white Peugeot Boxer vehicle at Bak village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

He added that troops also conducted a rescue operation at Kasuwa Ali in Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area and subsequently rescued two kidnapped civilians Mr Ebuka Nnadi (30) and Mr Uchenna Edoga (25).

According to him, the rescued civilians have been reunited with their families.

The military high command commends troops for their efforts in curbing criminal activities in their respective theaters of operations.

The high command also encourages the general public to continue to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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Arrest

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of Operations Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven have apprehended seven terrorists and bandits as well as rescued two kidnapped victims in different operations across Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna States.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement on Friday, said the troops had continued to dominate and deny criminals freedom of action in their area of responsibility.

Onyeuko said the troops had on July 29, conducted clearance operation at Tse-Ibor, Tse-Igbakyor, Akwana and Ayinbe Villages in Logo Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and made contact with terrorists.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists with superior fire power, forcing them to flee while two of them, Danladi Selfa (23) and Usman Yau (28), were arrested with gunshot wounds at a private hospital.

He said that one AK 47 Rifle, one Magazine with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special amongst other items were recovered.

Onyeuko said that troops also arrested a terrorist and alleged bandit collaborator, Mr Moses Aindigh (27) and a notorious kidnapper, IIiyasu Mohammed (37) on the same day at Kukyro village in Nasarawa Local Government Area.

According to him, all arrested criminals have been handed over to relevant authorities.

Furthermore, troops of Operation Safe Haven on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, arrested three suspected notorious kidnappers; Umar Zakari, Usman Hamina and Haruna Umaru following credible intelligence at Fuskar Mata village in Bassa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The suspects confessed to have been involved in kidnapping activities in mentioned Local Government Areas.

Also, on Aug. 3, troops responded to a distress call from locals in Quaanpan Local Government Area Plateau of four kidnappers in a hotel hideout attempting to move people away.

Troops mobilised to scene engaged criminals, neutralised one of them (Umar Muhammed) and recovered one AK47 rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special amongst other items, he said.

Onyeuko also said that troops had on Aug. 4, recovered 100 vandalised rail sleepers in an abandoned white Peugeot Boxer vehicle at Bak village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

He added that troops also conducted a rescue operation at Kasuwa Ali in Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area and subsequently rescued two kidnapped civilians Mr Ebuka Nnadi (30) and Mr Uchenna Edoga (25).

According to him, the rescued civilians have been reunited with their families.

The military high command commends troops for their efforts in curbing criminal activities in their respective theaters of operations.

The high command also encourages the general public to continue to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

The House of Assembly in Niger has set up a nine-man ad hoc committee to investigate the delay in the construction and completion of Minna-Bida-Kataeregi road as well as other roads projects in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Minna on Friday that the committee was set up when the state Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Mamman Musa, appeared before members of the state house of assembly to explain progress of work on the roads.

The house announced Muhammed Alhaji Haruna, member representing Bida 2 as the chairman of the committee while his other colleagues representing Katcha, Gbako, Wushishi, Agwara, Borgu, Bosso, Mokwa and Lavun to serve as members of the committee.

Responding, Haruna explained that his counterparts had done the right thing by setting up the ad hoc committee to investigate the ongoing road projects, particularly the Minna-Katayeregi-Bida road.

He assured the house that the committee would leave no stone unturned to see to the construction and completion of Minna-Katayeregi-Bida road.

Earlier, Musa explained that the state house of assembly had in 2019 given approval to the state government to access N25 billion loan from Islamic Development Bank to finance Minna-Kataeregi-Bida, Broadcasting, Paiko-Lapai, Immani junction roads and upgrade of Suleja General Hospital.

He said that the 86-km Minna-Kataeregi-Bida road project was rescoped from N25 billion to N17 billion for Dantata and Sawoe to handle the dual carriage way from zero to 15km as state government counterpart while Islamic Development Bank was expected to take over the construction of the remaining 71 kilometres.

The initial plan was to construct only one lane, but we have to rescope the project to double lane because Islamic Development Bank does not give loan for one lane road, he said.

Musa said that the loan agreement was that the state government would fund 15 kilometres part of the road starting from Kpakugun to Garatu while the Islamic Development Bank would fund the remaining 71 kilometres, adding that 35 per cent from the 15 kilometre had been completed at the sum of N11 billion.

He said that plans were underway between the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Islamic Development Bank for the possibility of starting the 71 kilometres with the loan to ensure the completion of the road before the expiration of tenure of the present administration.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Aderemi Bamgbose

A 45-year-old farmer, Ajibade Ipaye, on Friday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates Court in Ondo State, for allegedly stealing palm fruits valued N100,000.

Ipaye, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of felony and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant and one other still at large, on July 17 around 6.30 p.m., encroached on a palm fruits plantation along Okitipupa-Ikoya Road in Okitipupa Magisterial District, to commit felony.

He stated that the defendant and his accomplice, now at large, stole 50 bunches of palm fruits worth N100,000.

Orogbemi said that the palm fruits, belonging to one Dele Akinmusayo, were about to be processed into palm oil when they were stolen.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 315 and 390 (9), Criminal Code Cap.37, Vol. 1, Law of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The chief magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

He said that the surety must be resident within the courts jurisdiction, and must also show and present evidence of two years tax payment to the Ondo State Government.

Ojuola adjourned the case until Aug. 17 for further hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folorunso Poroye/ Peter Dada

Source: NAN News

In its latest situation report on Ethiopia issued late Wednesday, UNICEF said that its Humanitarian Action for Children appeal requires 351.1 million dollars to meet the critical humanitarian needs of children.

And also adolescents, women and men in Ethiopia.

Due to increased needs related primarily to climatic shocks, failed harvests, and deepening food insecurity across the country, UNICEF is calling for increased funding, according to the report.

UNICEF appeals for additional donor support to close the remaining gaps and to ensure that children and their caregivers receive lifesaving services and supplies further to interventions that seek to address climate resiliency and durable solutions, the report read.

According to UNICEF, multiple overlapping and recurring emergencies include conflict, insecurity, social tension, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report stated that this had continued to affect over 29.7 million people throughout Ethiopia, of which over 12.4 million are children. (Xinhua/NAN) ()

Edited by Cecilia Odey/Peter Dada

Source: NAN News

By Chinenye Offor

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), says plans are ongoing to collaborate with Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to sanitise the sector.

Alhaji Garba Abubakar, the Registrar-General of CAC said this when he received Mr Samuel Nwakohu, the Registrar of CRFFN, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.

Abubakar said that the commission was ready to collaborate on a workable arrangement to sanitise the sector.

He said that the aim was to ensure that only eligible persons were allowed to operate in the sector in line with global best practices.

According to him, there is a huge potential in the sector, adding that CAC is already operating similar collaboration with some sister agencies to set standards for their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Speaking earlier, Nwakohu said that CRFFN became fully operational in 2009 following the enactment of the CRFFN Act of 2007.

He said that the agency was charged with the responsibility of setting standards, regulating and controlling freight forwarding in Nigeria.

Nwakohu expressed concern that some freight forwarders had been operating illegally without registering with the council, thereby, frustrating its efforts at regulating their operations.

He said that the collaboration with the CAC would ensure that sanity in the sector, adding that applicants that do not obtain approval from the council would not be registered with CAC.

According to him, the council is concerned with clearing of goods for international destinations to and from any country in compliance with local and international laws and regulations.

Nwakohu also said that freight forwarding was responsible for customs revenue, proper declaration as under- declaration of values of goods amounted to economic sabotage.

He said that concealing the nature of goods cleared constituted serious breach of national security and safety. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=================
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

The African Youth Resource Centre (AYRC) has shortlisted Mr Edward Onoja, the Deputy Governor of Kogi; some National Assembly members and other eminent Nigerians for the 2022 African Youth Role Model Prizes.

The Director-General of the Centre, Mr Ben Duntoye, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Duntoye said that the event was organised in commemoration of the 2022 International Youth Day as set aside by the United Nations.

He said that Sen Sadiq Umar, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business and

The Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr Ahmed Audi, also made the list.

The director-general said that Dr Beta Edu, the APC National Women Leader would also receive the prize.

According to him, others to be honoured include Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Mallam Mustapha Ahmed, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency.

Among those to be honoured are Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman House Committee on Defence, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

Duntoye said that the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and Chief Mike Ejiogu, the Managing Director, Citygate Homes Ltd. would be part of the awardees.

He said that all awardees for the African youth role model prize were persons of proven integrity, who had excelled tremendously in their chosen careers.

He added that the awardees had distinguished themselves as role models to the youth especially at this critical period where there is a dearth of credible role models to provide quality leadership orientation.

He said that the AYRC also took into cognisance the contributions of the respective awardees to youth empowerment over the years.

Duntoye said the event with the theme: Positive Youth Engagement, towards Peaceful General Elections in Nigeria, would assemble the leaderships of various frontline youth associations and emerging political leaders in Nigeria.

This according to him includes major and relevant state and non-state actors in the youth development sector in the country and members of the diplomatic corps.

He said that various youth organisations had earlier nominated over 113 outstanding personalities that had positively influenced youths within Nigeria and Africa for the Prize.

He said that their names were submitted to a Special Screening Committee set-up by the African Youth Resource Centre.

He said that the list of nominees was eventually reduced to the very few iconic role models that would be honoured at the 2022 edition of the National Youth Stakeholders Forum.

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, is expected to be the guest speaker for the event slated for Aug. 12. (NAN) (www.portal.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, says there is need for stronger collaboration between West African armed forces to deal with insecurity in the sub-region.

Irabor stated this when hosted the Burkinabe Chief of Defence Staff, Senior Col. David Kadre at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

He congratulated the Burkinabe defence chief, an alumnus of the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria for his appointment and assured to share experiences on how the two countries had been tackling insecurity.

Irabor said that Nigeria was proud to have an alumnus of NDC becoming the defence chief of Burkina Faso, reiterating his commitment to sharing ideas with the visitor.

No doubt the West African sub-region is experiencing the menace of terrorism and insurgency and we understand that to address this scourge, there has to be collaboration of all countries within the sub-region.

That is why I am delighted to receive you and to also let you know that we shall share our experiences.

We will indeed take action that will ensure that we redress all issues together and ensure that we stamp out every form of terrorism within our sub-region, he said.

Earlier, Kadre said he was in Nigeria to attend the graduation of the Course 30 of NDC Nigeria and used the opportunity to visit Irabor to tap from his wealth of experience.

Kadre said he also visited to seek advice on his new appointment and to also present the security situation in the West African sub-region.

He reiterated the need for deeper collaboration between Nigerian and Burkinabe armed forces to address the challenges of terrorism and insurgency.

I came also regarding terrorism and insurgency in our countries so as to seek your advice and experience since Nigeria is engaged in fighting this scourge, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo says the continuos theft of crude oil in the country was a direct sabotage to Nigerias economy.

He said this after a closed-door meeting with the Managing Director,
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr Osagie Okunbor in Abuja on Thursday.

Gov. of Imo Hope Uzodinma with MD Shell Nigeria Mr Osagie Okunbor

Uzodinma who expressed concern over oil theft said that the stoppage of production by the company was due to insecurity which was not good for the economy.

He described the activities by the bunkers as a sabotage to the countrys effort at boosting the production of crude oil.

We met with shell petroleum on the level of insecurity that made them shut down operation in Imo.

They left because of insecurity. We have been able to sustain relative peace and decided to invite them and discuss very well.

We are concerned about the crude oil theft in the region and we are doing our best as a government to support the producing oil company to have a very enabling environment to do their production so that Nigeria will benefit.

The governor further explained that oil theft was was part of the reasons why foreign exchange rate had gone up very astronomically.

So with what we have agreed now and by the time shell resumes production, and with our support in making sure that stealing of crude oil becomes a thing of the past, it will go a long way in ensuring that the Naira gains it real value and our capacity for earning foreign exchange is also further strengthened, Uzodinma said.

He also noted that shell would resume operations and production in the state before the end of this week.

On the high exchange rate of a Dollar to Naira, Uzodinma said:for you to have dollar cheap, you have to earn the dollar and the only way we earn the dollar is by producing enough crude oil.

The reduction in the production rate of crude oil from 2.1 million barrels a day to barely 1 million barrels is a big blow to our economy and to our capacity in terms of foreign exchange earning.

By the time we recover back to 2.1 million barrels a day, we will earn enough that will force down the dollar and give advantage to the naira.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Military Pensions Board (MPB), on Thursday, said it had paid the third tranche of 25 per cent of the 24 months arrears of the National Minimum Wage increment to eligible retirees.

The Chairman of the board, Rear Adm. Saburi Lawal, in a statement issued in Abuja, said that the payment was made on Thursday.

Lawal said the third installment was paid to eligible military retirees who were active on the boards data base.

He added that it was also in fulfillment of the agreement reached between the board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMoFBNP) for quarterly release of the appropriated sum within the year.

The chairman said that all next -of -kins (NOKs) of deceased military pensioners, who were entitled to the same arrears had also been fully paid.

He advised all concerned military pensioners to contact their banks for their entitlements.

On behalf of our esteemed military pensioners, the board wishes to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support to the board and military retirees.

Also, the board extends its appreciation to the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen Bashir Magashi, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor as well as the Service Chiefs for their constant support towards achieving its constitutional mandates.

The board would also like to thank our esteemed military retirees for their patience, understanding and continued support, he said.

Lawal pledged to ensure the payment of the fourth and final tranche of the arrears before the end of the year. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Buhari Bolaji

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, says the All Progressives Congress (APC), is bridging the gaps created by its primaries by reconciling aggrieved members toward a victory in 2023 poll.
Wase said this when he visited Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo in Abuja on Thursday.

Deputy Speaker HoR Ahmed Wase with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo

Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo

He said that the APC was working to ensure victory at the 2023 General Elections by reconciling all aggrieved members.
We are working hard to ensure we bridge all gaps and win with all margins, he said.
Wase also faulted propaganda by the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP)saying that the APC was unperturbed by the partys noise.
They are only making a mountain out of molehill so that they could sell their party.
There is nothing to worry about, he said.
Speaking, Uzodinma expressed concerns over security challenges across the country, assuring that the government would not rest on its oars until the challenges were over.
Every stakeholder is concerned. The insecurity in Nigeria is not peculiar to the country.
It is global. But we are taking particular interest in Nigeria because we are directly involved.
Part of it is national and it is also political, because the opposition has not seen any other thing to blame our government for, he said.
The governor said that the federal government was doing well in many sectors.
What the PDP think they can do now is to destabilise the polity. We are doing our best because they have nothing at stake.
We are interested in the welfare and the development of the country.
We are interested on how our citizens are protected, we are also interested in ensuring that relative security is guaranteed in the country.

We will do our best to stop those agents that want to destabilise the country to ensure they dont have their way, Uzodinma said.(NAN) ( (www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The Public Administration and Management Development Institute (PAMDI) has pledged to entrench the culture of accountability in Nigerians for sustainable wealth creation and economic transformation of the country.

Dr Elijah Ogboukiri, Director-General, PAMDI said this at the institutes pre-national conference briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Ogboukiri said that the two-day national conference with the theme Accountability and Good Governance as Potent Instruments for Wealth Creation and Economic Transformation in Nigeria would hold from Aug. 11 to Aug.12.

According to him, Nigerias development is not properly managed for sustainable wealth creation because of people who cut corners and engage in corruption while citizens sit back and say nothing.

Our development is not being managed by those who are supposed to be responsible, people who are supposed to build roads dont do it with integrity and nobody is asking qustions.

We carefully crafted the theme for the conference because we think that the things that are missing in our society that is taking us backward is accountability and good governance.

Things are designed to work but we do not allow them work;people do something without consequence management.

So we are reminding ourselves and the public that accountability not only in government but even in our individual lives and private businesses matter, he said.

Ogboukiri said that Nigerians ran their personnel businesses without record because they do not feel accountable to anyone and nobody could ask them questions.

The governors are given as much as N500million for security vote nobody accounts for it,eanwhile, there are people who served the states and are not being paid pension for 30 40,60 months.

This is because there is no accountability ,the money that is released from the federal purse what do they do with it? Nobody asks questions.

I am one of those who believe that we the governed have our own problem.

Before I will say Buhari did not do well did I ask my governor in my state, what he does, or what he has done with the money he has been getting?

That is why anybody comes and do whatever they like and they go away and they go to the Senate and sit down that is lack of accountability, he said.

Ogboukiri said that all the promises made during campaigns were never fulfilled because of lack of good governance and the people bear the brunt of it.

He encouraged Nigerians to learn to demand accountability from their leaders adding that most people do not demand it because they themselves were not clean.

Good governance cannot come in a country where there is no accountability, no consequence management, anybody can do anything and go.

So the institute is saying let us highlight and remind ourselves that the only way we can have wealth creation and economic development is through accountability and good governance there is no magic about it.

Because there is no trust in the society, we are deceiving each other and live in denial and everybody is suffering so the institute is looking at how it can addressed, he said.

He said that there would be paper presenters that would xtray these points because Nigerians needed to collectively learn to hold their leaders accountable and end the way people engage in corruption with impunity.

He said that airline operators would delay passengers for hours and all the passengers would get would be sorry adding that if Nigerians begin to demand accountably and take them to court, by the time they have 10 to 20 court cases, they would sit up.

So the lesson to Nigeria is that we are not developing at the rate we wish to develop because we dont hold our leaders accountable.

Come Aug.11and Aug. 12 the national confidence will hold at 9.a.m, at Elyrose Event Place,Ebeano Road by Gudu market Junction Abuja.

Nigerians will learn about collaborative innovations in governance, challenges in public admiration and how to tackle them, promoting public service, civic leadership among others, he said.

He said that Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo ,former governor of Enugu state would deliver the keynote address, while Prof. Ignatius Onimawo ,Prof Patrick Oviasuyi and Prof. Dahida Philip would also present papers at the conference .(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Enugu State Government has commenced an aggressive two weeks campaign on the natural and vast benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to babies, the nursing mothers and households.

Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), told newsmen in Enugu on Thursday that the campaign was being targeted on the family as the basic unit of the society

Breastfeeding is the balanced nutritional and health-immune milk food from the mother given to the child after few minutes of being delivered and continued Exclusively without water for the first six months of life.

Exclusive breastfeeding is the right of every child for the first six months of life; while it will continue with mixed light adult foods for an onward of two years of any childs life.

Ugwu said that there would be health education and talk in various health facilities on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding as well as sustained media programmes in local languages on the campaign.

He said that the agency would be making numerous advocacy visits to religious and traditional leaders in the 17 local government areas in the state for them to be actively involved in the campaign.

He said, Within the two weeks, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, we are going to use town announcers (or town criers) in various communities to spread the good news of immense benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

He said that the agency would embark on road shows within the metropolises of the state as part of the campaign.

The executive secretary said that once a baby is fed well through exclusive breastfeeding; his or her development would be rapid in terms of physical, mental and other perimeters.

For now, from all available research conducted, exclusive breastfeeding is the most natural and best for the baby in terms of his or her development.

The babys bonding with the mother and by extension the entire starts early and grows as the child mature further.

It also helps to immune the child and preventing dangerous diseases in adulthood for the child.

Exclusive breastfeeding also helps the mothers body and reproductive system to heal fast and return to normal; thus, making her healthier.

During the period of the exclusive breastfeeding, the mother has ample opportunity to learn more about her child mannerism, he said.

The executive secretary said that for the family, exclusive breastfeeding increases bonding, check monetary wastage on canned or processed foods and help the entire family eats more of healthy and nutritious local foods.

We are grateful to the health-loving governor of the state, His Excellency Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his numerous supports to the agency as well as this aggressive exclusive breastfeeding campaign.

We also appreciate UNICEF, WHO and other international and local health partners for supporting the agency and by extension the state in its health delivery drive, he added.

The 2022 World Breastfeeding Week, which runs between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7, is themed: Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support, (NAN) ()

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News