By Busayo Onijala

For the German government, addressing climate change and doing everything possible to mitigate its consequences are a top priority, says Marton Kver, Acting Consul General of the countrys mission in Lagos.

Kver stated this at a press conference, on Thursday in Lagos, organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) ahead of the West African Clean Energy and Environment Trade Fair and Conference 2022 (WACEE22).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WACEE 2022 will hold from Oct. 19 21 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

Having held virtually in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year, WACEE will hold as a hybrid event with the theme Catalysing Sustainable Investments.

Kver said the conference would provide a platform for over 1500 visitors and over 50 exhibitors in the clean energy, water, and circular economy sectors.

According to him, having an event that brings together saving the planet, strengthening the economy and creating economic ties is like having the best of both worlds.

He added that the consulate in Lagos and the German Foreign Service across West Africa would support WACEE 2022 in all ramifications.

For all Nigerian businesses and everyone who is a stakeholder in these different sectors; circular economy, water and renewable energy, this will be a key event you will be proud to be a part of.

Nigeria has been for many decades, one of the economic partners of Germany in Africa, as witnessed by the number of German businesses and historic ties.

We are also happy that in partnership with the Swiss Consulate General, we are hosting the second Swiss-Nigerian Forum at WACEE 2022, he said.

He said Germany was one of the world leaders in developing industries with regards to renewable energy, noting that German companies in Nigeria came to build sustainable partnerships and to innovate.

Also, Katharina Felgenhauer, AHK Nigeria Delegate, said the trade fair and conference had attracted leading inventors, service providers, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, investors and industry experts.

She added that it had served as a gateway for these stakeholders to access West African markets.

WACEE has also sparked important policy discussions around its three main topics and has served as a launchpad for startups providing innovative solutions to tackle challenges across the subregion, said Felgenhauer.

She said AHK Nigeria had sought endorsements from various government agencies but also wanted to make sure that the trade exhibition, as well as the conference remained private sector driven.

This, she said, was because sustainability also meant business viability.

We want to make sure that the conversations and discussions about technology and business models are driven by the private sector because they are the ones who will have to implement, the delegate said.

Speaking on solutions to challenges faced by investors, Felgenhauer said the role of AHK Nigeria was to support investments to make sure that more German companies were attracted to Nigeria.

We will not shy away from challenges. I think we have issues to tackle but we also have a lot of good local partners, German partners and international partners to have these conversations, she said.

Andrew Aryee, Head, Competence Centre Energy and Environment, AHK Nigeria, explained that the trade fair would include open interactive sessions, insightful workshops, tailor-made training programmes, and an exhibition.

According to him, the three-day tailored plenary programme will bring together industry experts, business leaders, and relevant decision-makers.

He said they would examine key sector topics and engage in thought-provoking conversations around recent developments, challenges and opportunities in the focused sectors across West Africa.

These sectors, he said, included technology providers, key industry players, investors, industry experts as well as political and economic decision-makers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has stepped up its collection efficiency with the unveiling of IRecharge, a payment platform, to ease payment of electricity bills by customers.

Dr Tinuade Sanda, the Managing Director, EKEDC, made the announcement while speaking at the companys headquarters on Thursday in Lagos.

Sanda said the payment solution was done in collaboration with IRecharge Tech-Innovations.

Sanda said, As deeply ingrained in our mission statement, we seek to improve the quality of life for all our customers by utilising cutting-edge technology and innovative processes to supply electricity sustainably, reliably, and safely.

As a result, what is happening here today is a testament to that notion. I am excited about this payment solution by IRecharge.

It will further ensure both our postpaid and prepaid customers go through a seamless process of paying their electricity bills and purchasing their prepaid meter tokens without any hassles.

The new service enables customers to make their frequent utility bill payments through the use of a unique NUBAN account number.

While Eko Disco is making great efforts toward the availability of adequate power supply to customers, we must also secure our revenue by ensuring customers find it easy to pay their electricity bills.

She assured the customers that the platform was not only fast and convenient, but was also safe for them to make their transactions.

Sanda reiterated that the company would explore innovative ways to deliver values and improve its service delivery in order to maintain its leadership status in the Nigerian power industry.

Mr Tomi Araromi, the Managing Director, IRecharge Tech-Innovations, said the launch was to sensitise EKEDC customers about the new payment platform.

Araromi said payment of electricity bills could be made with just one bank transfer to these account numbers.

He added that it was aimed at providing a safe and reliable bill payment experience to customers.

He said: The new payment solution provides and pairs a unique NUBAN number to every prepaid meter number and postpaid account number.

Payment to this NUBAN numbers automatically generates and sends a token/receipt to the payee via SMS, Email and WhatsApp without convenience fees.

Customers through this solution will have access to convenience, accessibility, transaction security, shorter turnaround time, 24/7 customer support, instant value receipt and several other benefits.

Araromi said the permanent account numbers could be retrieved through the IRecharge website, downloading the IRecharge App, by dialing 66061# USSD Code or via WhatsApp through 09096666612.

He said payments to these account numbers could be done via several channels such as internet banking, ATM transfer, USSD transfer, bank deposit and at any mobile money agent location (POS).

On their parts, Mr Innocent Ike, the Managing Director, Polaris Bank and Mr Usifo Ogbebor, Group Head, Power Sector, Zenith Bank, lauded EKEDC and IRecharge for the initiative.

They maintained that collection of bills was a critical part of the power industry value chain, adding that the innovative platform would improve ease of making payments for customers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to be tolerant of one another and embrace peace for the general good of the society.

The presidents spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, said Buhari made the appeal after visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Thursday.

Buhari toured the permanent exhibitions at the Memorial and laid a wreath at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims of the genocide were buried.

He also paid tribute to the memory of the victims and prayed for healing for the survivors.

After the historic visit, the president told journalists that a lesson from his visit was the need for Nigerians to continue to be tolerant of one another.

He added the nation should preserve its own historical antecedents from the Nigeria Civil War (1967-1970).

I went through all the experiences from 15 January 1966 to date.

I was a Governor, Minister, and Head of State and went through detention. I returned to partisan politics and will finish my two-terms as constitutionally allowed.

We fought a 30-month bitter civil war and we killed about a million of each other. Nigeria went through this kind of terrible development process, Buhari said.

Before departing, the president also wrote in the visitors book:

Remembering the victims of this dark history of the Rwanda Genocide, we pray that humanity will never experience this kind of hatred, wickedness and violence to others because of their ethnic background, religion and beliefs.

Nigeria is strongly committed to the prevention of mass atrocity anywhere in the world and believes that perpetrators of such crimes; and their enablers, anywhere in the world must be held accountable.

The Nigerian leader is in Kigali, Rwanda to participate in the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

He will hold bilateral talks with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson on Thursday.

Buhari will also attend the official opening of CHOGM on Friday, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Combat Support Arms are considered as enablers for the successful prosecution of any operation by the Nigerian Army.

Yahaya said this at the closing of the Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) 2022, hosted by the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps on Thursday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Commander of Artillery Corps, Maj.-Gen. Tari-Timiye Gagariga.

Yahaya said the role of the combat support arms was critical to the accomplishment of assigned missions, especially in todays 21st century asymmetric warfare.

He said it was with the realisation of such critical roles that the Nigerian Army would continue to count on the professional disposition of its personnel in the ongoing efforts to keep the country safe and united.

According to him, this years training week has provided a window for realistic reassessment of the capabilities of the combat support arms vis--vis the challenges therein.

We must therefore, device formidable ways through which some of these challenges can be overcome to achieve mission objectives.

While, we look forward to internalising some of the observations and solutions, including lessons learnt, I want to also seize this opportunity to urge you all to continue to discharge your responsibilities professionally.

I also charge all Nigerian army personnel to conduct themselves professionally in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility, he said.

The COAS said it was expected that the gains achieved during the 2022 COSAT week would manifest in the field in the days to come.

He said the theme: Building Competencies in Combat Support Arms to Enhance Contemporary Nigerian Army Operation in a Joint Environment, had inspired rich discussions and interactions between participants throughout the period.

He enjoined the combat support arms to take note of the observations and solutions proffered during the interactive sessions to further develop their professional competences.

I have no doubt that everyone has gained immensely from the rich lectures and illuminating views of our erudite colleagues, both retired and serving distinguished officers.

I believe the training week afforded participants the opportunity, especially for the combat support arms, to appraise the state of their operations and readiness in providing effective support to the combat arms and the Nigerian army in general.

This is crucial, particularly as the nation faces myriad of security challenges.

As you are aware, the army is expected to deliver on her mandate at a time we are engaged in different operations across the country to safeguard law abiding citizens and to defend the territorial integrity of the country, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Army Combat support week is an annual training organised by the various combat support arms, such as artillery, engineers, signals and intelligence among others.

The week provides an avenue for participants who are serving and retired senior military officers to brainstorm and re-strategise toward providing effective support to contemporary security operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

The World Bank has approved 178.1 million U.S. dollar loan on Thursday to support the Philippines efforts in addressing malnutrition.

The Washington-based bank said it will support the delivery of nutrition and health care services at the primary care and community levels to help reduce stunting that is characterised by prolonged nutritional deficiency among infants and young children.

The persistence of high levels of childhood undernutrition in the Philippines, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and could lead to a significant increase in inequality of opportunities in the country, said Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director.

Diop said improving the nutritional status of children is key to the Southeast Asian countrys goals of boosting human capital while strengthening the economic recovery and prospects for long-term growth.

Globally, food prices, already on the rise since the second half of 2020, have reached a record high this year, leading to food security problems worldwide.

Unless immediate action is taken, millions of children will face the increased risk of undernutrition, the bank warned. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ummul Idris/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday handed over a twin fully furnished and equipped High Court complex at Idogbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area(LGA), to the State Chief Judge, Justice Joe Acha.

Obaseki, was represented at the occasion by Mr Kennedy Osifo, Chairman,Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

The governor said the project was his administrations commitment to improving the processes of dispensation of justice in the state judiciary in line with his Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda.

He said the project, executed by EDSOGPADEC, had been fully equipped and furnished for comfort of judiciary staff for quick dispensation of Justice and decongestion of the prisons.

Handing over the complex, the governor also directed EDSOGPADEC to immediately rehabilitate and tar the access road to the court complex.

Acha, who inaugurated the court complex, commended the state government for the gesture.

He said the new courts would speed up dispensation of justice, especially when the state judiciary had also prioritised human capacity building of its personnel.

The CJ said the new courts had rekindled the hope of judiciary staff especially, Judges, who before now were compelled to preside over cases under bad conditions.

Earlier, the CJ, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony of an new Magistrates Court complex at Egba-Idogbe community, Ikoba-Okha LGA, said that the judiciary had never been this fortunate in terms of infrastructure development.

Acha used the occasion to draw the attention of the governor to some court buildings in the state which he said required urgent rehabilitation. ( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Kaduna State Government fails to reverse the decision to sack 2,357 teachers, including its National President, Audu Amba.

The union made its position known on Wednesday at its National Executive Council meeting at the Teachers House, Lugbe, Abuja.

The NUT Deputy National President Kelvin Nwankwo, said the sack followed refusal by the president and some teachers to write a competency test organised by the Kaduna State Government among other reasons.

It is very sad and curious that the dismissal letter relative to the NUT President was in the Public domain via the social media even when it has not been served on him.

The intention clearly is to intimidate the NUT President and embarrass the teachers in Nigeria, he noted.

The union reiterated its commitment to stand by the president and other sacked teachers in the state.

The NUT family reaffirms its commitment to stand with its revered President Comrade Audu Titus Amba and all the teachers in Kaduna State.

The union will continue to perform its historical role of defending the rights of teachers in Nigeria and no amount of anti labour policies of the Kaduna State Government and elsewhere can diminish this resolve, it stated.

The union stated that rather than issue dismissal letters, the government ought to have explored the option of training and retraining to improve the competency of teachers.

We are teachers and best suited to know the concept of test administration which is a settled and accepted tool for the assessment of the performance of a learner in his or her educational career.

However, this lofty tool has been maliciously bastardised and abused in Kaduna State.

It has been deployed as an instrument of vendetta targeted at labour leaders, who dared to perform their statutory and historical role of advocating the advancement of the welfare of teachers.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of our great Union in good faith had in accordance with international best practices in the teaching profession advocated that the Kaduna State Government should rather embark on continuous teacher training programme.

This is what obtains in other professions such as Nursing, Medicine and Law, it stated.

NUT, which noted that about 21, 780 teachers were dismissed or retired in 2018, said the recent sack was one too many.

It is pertinent to state that the Kaduna State Governments purported Competency Test was held during the pendency of Suit No NICN/54/2021 before the National Industrial Court, Kaduna Division.

Furthermore, the purported dismissal of 2,357 Teachers was done during the pendency of another Motion on Notice.

The motion sought for an order restraining the Kaduna State Government from dismissing any teacher in the Public schools in Kaduna State for not writing and or passing its competency test.(NAN)

=======

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

The healthy eye of a patient was mistakenly removed instead of the damaged one during an eye operation in one of Slovakias major hospitals, blinding the patient as a result.

The TARS news agency reported on Wednesday.

The doctor who conducted the operation was no longer in contact with patients, a Bratislava University Hospital spokesperson said.

The hospital offered the victim and his family psychological care and support in coping with the consequences.

According to TASR, the health supervision authority have started an investigation into how this unprecedented case could have happened.

The tragic mistake happened against the backdrop of an industrial dispute in the Slovak health sector.

Earlier, a week ago, the doctors union LOZ said that around 3,000 doctors were ready to quit if the poor pay and increasingly unbearable working conditions did not improve.

Due to an exodus of staff, especially to the Czech Republic and Austria, the remaining doctors in Slovakia had been overloaded for years, and the situation was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. (dpa/NAN)()

HS/CHOM

===

Edited by Halima Sheji/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Fidelia Okosodo
Some cell phone technicians in Mararaba, Nasarawa State , have called on the Federal Government to provide them necessary incentives to boost their business.

The cell phone technicians made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

One of the technicians, Mr Ahmed Muhammadu, who operates at Heart Plaza, said though the business had helped to meet some family needs, with more support from government, he could do more for his family.

He said his desire was to scale up his business to create jobs and wealth.

Muhammadu said he faced the challenge of lack of inadequate fund, working materials and gadget.

He, therefore, called on government at all levels to help the artisans by providing them with the necessary financial and logistics support to expand their businesses.

We have written to the government on several occasions for them to help our business but no response he said.

If handsets are not manufactured in Nigeria but we, Nigerians, can repair them when they are faulty, it means that if well trained we will have the capacity to manufacture them here in Nigeria, he said.

Miss Charity Igozie, another cell phone technician, said the high cost of shop rent was the major factor that discouraged a lot of people from coming into the business.

She added that she ventured into the business to enable her further her education.

She told NAN that if governments would subsidise the rents it would be creating more jobs as more youths would take to the trade.

Igozie said that she trained herself in higher education from the money she made from the business.

She also called on the government to assist the artisans by subsidising their tools.

In my bid to keep my customers, I decide to repair customers at little profits.

At times I end up not making any profit because many people doubt my ability because I am a woman, she said.

Another technician, Mr Emmanuel Olayinka, said being in the business for five years has broadened his knowledge about phones and communication gadget.

Olayinka called on the authorities to beef up security around major business premises as their shops were being raided by thieves on regular basis.

He advised other cell phone technicians to endure the challenges encountered in the business as they await the Federal Government to improve on their business environment.

He urged the Federal Government and Non-Governmental Organisations to support their business with grants and loans.

Mr Christopher Mailo, a student from Futo University, said repaired cell phone in school on part time basis to augment the stipends from his sponsors.

According to him, he learnt the skill from his elder brother who is also into the business.

I also do the business whenever schools are on holidays to earn a living and save some money ahead of school resumption, he said.

He said from the money he made from the business he paid for his hostel while his parents took care of his school fees.

Even as a student, I can produce a good phone if am given the opportunity and equipment.. In our country today, we have thousands of cell phone technicians who are good in the field.

I want to appeal to the government to provide the necessary equipment so that we can start producing phones in our country and stop importing them, he said.

Mailo also said that the technicians faced the challenge of irregular power supply which was compounded by the high cost of fueling their generators. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

==========

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

The Kogi State House of Assembly said the three impeached and suspended members of the House were black legs whose stock-in-trade was to cause disharmony between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The house position followed the deliberation on the discovery that the suspended lawmakers allegedly forged members signatures in what the house described as evil machinations to impeach the Speaker.

Three lawmakers, Ahmed Ahmed, former Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Bello, former Majority Leader and Moses Ododo, former Chief Whip, recently impeached and suspended, had in a statement, claimed to have impeached the Speaker by a notice signed by 19 members.

Consequently, the House at its plenary on Wednesday, ordered its Ethics and Privileges committee to commence investigation into the alleged forgery.

The members, whose signatures were found in the documents, have denied ever signing any impeachment notice against the Speaker, Mathew Kolawole.

All the members who spoke on the issue, maintained that they at no time signed any impeachment notice.

According to them, the signatures attached to the purported impeachment notice were signed by members in May, endorsing the Presidential Aspiration of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

They accused the former Deputy Speaker of betrayal of trust, pointing out that the signatures collected to serve as attachment to the communique endorsing Gov Yahaya Bellos Presidential ambition was maliciously used by him to further his inordinate ambition of removing the speaker

Members maintained that though, the members were already on suspension, the issue should be thoroughly investigated and appropriate punishment meted on them, to serve as deterrent.

The House described the action of the former Principal Officers as shameful, reprehensible and demanded an unreserved apology from them.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Prince Mathew Kolawole described the action as a gross violation of the house Rules and Privileges.

The speaker, therefore, directed the Chairman, Ethics and Privileges to do a diligent investigation on the matter by giving the acussed members fair hearing and report back to the house.

He, however, gave no time frame for the submission of the report.

He also thanked the members for believing in him, promising that the house under his leadership, would continue to work harmoniously with the executive to provide the much needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Members who disowned the impeachment notice at plenary are Ahmed Dahir, Isah Umar, Enema Paul, Atule Egbunu, Ibrahim Usman Okadigbo, Suleiman Musa Atajachi.

Others are Bobby Anthony Ujah, Aro Aderonke, Musa Jomoh, Akande Moses. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Folasade Akpan

The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD), has urged the Federal Government to appoint its members into committees that would formulate or upgrade the operational guidelines and tariff of the NHIA.

The guild made the appealin a communiqu it issued at the end of its inaugural Business and Leadership Summit onWednesday in Abuja.

It said that at the summit, it pointed out that for the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) to be successful, key providers of health care need to be effectively involved with the operational guidelines of such health insurance.

The communiqu also said that the Federal Government should strongly review the issue of actively leasing out some of its facilities to be managed by the private sector under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

According to the communiqu, rather than continuous engagement in medical tourism by Nigerians, the Federal Government shouldpublicly advocate the use of Nigerian private hospitals with the innovative services that they go abroad to access.

The guild also advocated an urgent set up of the working committee for the continuous and permanent communication between the Federal Ministry of Health and the private sector with the representatives of GMD as key members.

However, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the National President, Dr Raymond Kuti, said that PPP was the way to go in delivering healthcare services to Nigerians.

The way we want PPP to run is for the government to give backing to the policies that will allow and approve that those doctors in medical practices in private sector can partner and integrate with government hospitals.

Lagos state is already doing that and there are hospitals in Lagos in which the sub services are being ceded to doctors in the private sector.

And they run them for it, the agreement is there and I think this is what we can replicate all over the country, he said.

According to Kuti,70 per cent of doctors work in the private sector, so their skills should be used in government hospitals as well, which is the PPP segment the group is interested in.

We have policymakers, let us sit down regularly and see how these things will work. Let us know the government policies and see how we in the private sector as doctors can use them.

Not every hospital should have its own theatre. If the government hospital has, for example seven theatres, we have doctors in private hospitals that can take their patients there and even operate on government patients round the clock.

So doctors in private hospitals can then be using or utilising governments infrastructure to give the best to the patients at affordable prices.

He also said that the guild which was being repositioned to remain a strong partner in the Nigerian health care sector, was wholly complimentary to the public health sector and comparatively better equipped to deliver quality health care.

He said that the goal of the guild was to inaugurate and sustain constructive dialogue with policy makers in the legislative arm of government.

According to him, this is with a view to achieving win-win solutions to the numerous challenges in the Nigerian healthcare sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of 13 Brigade operating under 82 Division Nigerian Army on Tuesday, intercepted a vehicle laden with explosives and assorted ammunition around Utanga village toward Obudu Mountains in Cross River.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said a Toyota Camry car with registration number JAL 492 AA was used to convey the weapons.

Nwachukwu said the troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Amana attempted to stop the vehicle at their checkpoint but the driver evaded the checking and zoomed off.

He said the drivers recalcitrance compelled the troops to open fire on the vehicles tyres to immobilise it.

According to him, a thorough search conducted on the vehicle revealed that it was conveying 72 Improvised Explosive Device chargers, 121 Dynamite Liquid, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO) and 82 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

Other items recovered in the intercepted vehicle are military uniforms and kits.

Members of the public are please urged to continue to support our troops with credible information that will lead to stemming the tide of insecurity across the country, he said. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Ladi Sonaike, Coach of Germany Womens National Team, said the just concluded Kwibuka T20 had been an eye opener for the team.

Sonaike, who is of Nigerian heritage, said the tournament had taught him a lot as a coach and exposed the players to a different style of game.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kigali on Wednesday, the coach added that the tournament was a challenging one.

I think for the team, it was challenging, challenging in a good way. I think it is highlighted the space that they want to play cricket in.

It has also shown that there are other teams out there that are playing not just a good style of cricket but a very good standard one.

I guess some of the players might have been a little bit surprised by the high standard, but they enjoyed the challenge all the same. From a coaching angle. It has been educating to be here.

To see how teams approach games, their fitness levels has been an eye opener for me, so yes, educational is the word for me, he said.

Sonaike, who has been a coach for 15 years, said he was hopeful to someday, return to Nigeria to help develop the game.

I have not thought about that before coming to Rwanda but now I am beginning to nurse the idea.

Anything is possible in the next few years, you never can tell. It will be good to contribute my part to Nigeria and seeing how much the team has developed is incredible, Sonaike added.

A total of eight countries participated in the 18th edition of Kwibuka T20 from June 9 to June 18 with Germany emerging seventh place. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday said it would prosecute a landlord and four other persons for destruction of public property within an Abuja estate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a landlord of House No. 4, Sani Zangon Daura St., off Bala Muhammad Way, Guzape District, Abuja, allegedly commissioned a company to drill a borehole on a walkway.

FCTA Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, who led the operation, frowned at level of destruction of public property by developers and landlords.

Galadima warned that the FCTA would not hesitate to use relevant laws to prosecute violators.

Reacting to the development, he said the residents woke up to find some people drilling borehole on their road. They drilled the borehole on the pedestrian walkway; in fact my heart is pained.

This is a serious damage to the environment. Definitely we are going to prosecute him. That is why we are in liaison with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other relevant agencies to prosecute the offenders.

This is damaging public property. This is vandalism. This is an opportunity for me to warn other developers that we will not accept this from any developer.

Galadima said that the FCTA would resist any attempt by any developer to use pedestrian walkway to drill borehole.

You have your property and you must obtain approval before you can drill borehole wherever it is going to be.

It was a concerned citizen that drew our attention to this. We will not allow this. We will continue monitoring developments in Abuja, even during weekends, he said.

On his part, AEPBs Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, Malam Kaka Bello, said the board would corroborate with FTCA to prosecute the alleged culprit.

Also, the Chief Engineer in charge of Guzape area, Mr Aliyu Ahmed lamented the rate at which boreholes were being drilled indiscriminately in the area.

The issue of drilling of boreholes on our walkway has been rampant. There are many boreholes sunk around this area alone.

We are going to lock up all the illegal boreholes. Drilling borehole on the road corridor is illegal. You can drill borehole inside your compound but the outside of your compound doesnt belong to you.

A staff of the drilling firm handling the project, Davita Drill Tech, Mr Solomon Donald, told journalists that they started the drilling since Sunday.

He, however, could not ascertain whether there was a permit from the authorities to drill since the owner of the house could not be reached.

NAN reports that FCTA authorities apprehended Donald and three of his colleagues, including a gateman for further questioning. (NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George/Ella Anokam

The Nigeria Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reiterated its position on the removal of fuel subsidy, saying such move will free the countrys economy from bondage.

Dr Orji-Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary, NEITI made this assertion on Tuesday in Abuja at the stakeholders National Extractive Dialogue (NED) 2022 on how to make natural resource benefits work for all.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders dialogue was co-hosted by NEITI and Space for Change (S4C), a Civil Society Organisation and supported by Ford Foundation.

Orji said that the agency would soon release a research policy advisory on the cost of fuel subsidy to the country, and that the publication would outline facts and figures to reinforce NEITIs position on the subsidy removal.

He said that the removal of fuel subsidy would free the countrys economy from bondage, benefit the poor majority and possibly hurt the few affluent who were currently rich in the subsidy transactions.

He said that the dialogue was important because the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) 2019 required implementing countries, including Nigeria to disclose any transaction including licensing that were granted and amended.

It will also requires disclosing the terms and conditions for the exploration and exploitation of oil, gas, or minerals from January 2021, the executive secretary said.

He said that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 also mandated Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to publish the texts of any new license, lease or contract, or amendment immediately following the granting or signing of such texts.

In June 2021, Nigeria was appointed the Chair of the EITI global network on contract transparency. The network which I chair is tasked with the development of a framework for contract disclosures.

The network has 20 EITI implementing countries, including Nigeria as members. I am pleased to report that NEITI is currently coordinating the efforts to deliver on these important tasks and ensure that the provisions of PIA regarding contract disclosures are activated.

Specifically, an inter-agencies committee on contract transparency in the extractive sector has been set up and NEITI is serving as its secretariat. The overall goal is to enable governments, companies, civil society and communities to evaluate the energy industry.

These are aimed at proffering evidence-based policy recommendations for the efficient management of natural resource benefits and the transition from fossil fuel to a renewable energy regime with these countries as case studies, he stressed.

Orji urged the governments of developing countries to pay attention to energy transition; EITI advocacy for contract transparency, just and equitable resource allocation.

He said this was in view of the linkage between these issues with poverty reduction, job creation, peace and security in any society.

Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) said that the theme for the dialogue dwelt on the central role that NNPC was expected to play in the economic resources of the country.

According to him, the extractive industry, especially the oil and gas is very important to countries, particularly the developing ones where there is huge reliance on incomes derived from the extractive industry for national development.

Kyari, represented by Mr Chris Akamairo, Group General Manager, Governance, Risk and Compliance, NNPC, said that natural resources from extractive industries were only beneficial when being extracted in a responsible and cost effective manner.

He added that the revenues accruing from these activities were promptly remitted to government coffers for the benefits of the citizenry.

In the past, opaqueness of the oil and gas industry operations in Nigeria has contributed to low performance both in terms of profitability and contribution to the economy.

Thus, the call for action by stakeholders on the need for a more transparent and accountable industry is in order, Kyari said.

Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, the Executive Director, S4C said that through the dialogue, the stakeholders would assess the policy, regulatory and institutional progress being made in the sub-region especially within Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

She said that the gathering would be made to assess improvement in the contract transparency, benefit sharing, energy transition as well as the inclusion of host communities in the processes.

Industry stakeholders in the sub-region countries will learn from each other, finding solutions to common problems and identifying best and inclusive practices for improving the resilience of national economies in the face of increasing commodity price volatility around the world.

She said Nigeria had clamored for reforms, especially in the oil and gas as well as the mining industry, adding that the country was currently witnessing some of the legal reforms people clamored for. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, said the BVAS functioned optimally in 94 per cent of the polling units it observed during the Ekiti governorship election.

The Director-General of the CSO, Dr Nwambu Gabriel in a post-election statement on the election on Tuesday in Abuja, said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were properly deployed.

Gabriel commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the election.

According to him, INEC accredited a reputable CSO and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as observer groups which the Centre was part of.

He said that as an INEC accredited observer that monitored the election, the Centre could state that elections actually held across the 2,445 Polling Units of Ekiti.

Gabriel said that the Centre observed the distribution of sensitive materials from the INEC state office in Ado Ekiti to the Local Government Areas, then to the RAC centres and then to the polling units.

The election commenced between 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. across the state and the BVAS technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94 per cent of areas visited.

Malfunctioning of the BVAS technology was observed in six per cent of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them, with election continuing almost immediately.

INEC is commended for initiating the latest amendments in the electoral act and the introduction of the BVAS technology backed by law which has made the electorate vote count.

This has increased the populace belief and trust in our electoral system.

Gabriel said that the performance of the BVAS technology improved significantly from what was observed in Anambra governorship election.

He said the Centre observed that there were pockets of vote buying, especially in Ado and Oyeh.

David said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on ground and the operatives arrested some persons allegedly believed to be buying votes in one of the locations.

Now, this is not enough fact to prove that the entire process was marred by vote buying as this was observed in pockets of polling units visited.

The Centre observed a significant reduction in the snatching of ballot boxes, this could be largely attributed to the latest amendments of the Electoral Act 2022, he said

Gabriel said that the deployment of about 17,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Police and 9,000 members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and other security agencies no doubt aided in the reduction of electoral related violence.

He, however, said that security agents had been alleged to be complaisant in vote buying in some instances.

According to him, the Ekiti governorship election as observed is one of the most transparent elections in the history of Nigeria as the processes are consistent with the relevant electoral laws.

Therefore, we can unequivocally state that the election was free, transparent and in tandem with the law.

The APC candidate who emerged winner of the election having polled 187,057 against his closest rival the SDP candidate who scored 82,211 voters, while the PDP candidate scored 67,457 votes.

Gabriel said that consequently, those who lost in the election had been advised to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the candidate that won.

He also commended Yiaga Africa and the media for the collaboration in enhancing the viewing portals of INEC for the wider reach of all Nigerians online and real time. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Tosin Kolade

No fewer than 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, according to the newly released 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM) III Report.

This is the thrust at the inauguration of the 2021 WASH-NORM III Report in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, said slow progress being made in improving water and sanitation services was due to population expansion, low commitments from states and impact of COVID-19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WASH-NORM is an annual national assessment of the status of water, sanitation and hygiene services aimed at covering the data gaps in the sector.

Its primary objective is to provide data on WASH indicators to meet the needs of policy makers for better planning.

Quoting the report, the minister said poorest households were 48 times more likely to practice open defecation than the richest households.

First, the report presents encouraging news about the WASH targets in Nigeria, though with mixed bag of trends that calls for deep introspection.

The results show clearly that access to basic water supply services is available to 67 per cent of the population, at 92 per cent access levels, the richest households are twice more likely to use, basic water supply services than the poorest households with 46 per cent.

Disparities also exist between urban areas and rural areas, the most common sources of drinking water recorded by households were boreholes/tubewells, and only 11 per cent of the household population use pipe-borne water.

About a quarter of the population still depend on unimproved and surface water supply for their daily water needs, access to sanitation indicators across the country shows a slight improvement, though open defecation is still prevalent.

Evidently, 23 per cent of the population (48 million people) still defecate in the open. People in rural areas (31 per cent) are four times more likely to practice open defecation than those living in urban areas.

The minister said states must continue to complement the efforts of the Federal Government as it cannot be business as usual.

He said instances could be drawn to how the national government had made huge investment in the water and sanitation sector with reports of vandalism and poor operation and maintenance by the states.

He said the entire WASH sector might not be able to meet the sustainable development goals without a concerted effort by the states to commensurate with the efforts made at the federal level.

So what we are trying to do now, also we have changed our strategy a little bit, using the FCT as a model, and to make it more advocacy-based.

But we have two states that are coming and working as seriously towards ending open defecation, I will like to really celebrate them when that happens.

Ms. Jane Bevan, the UNICEF Chief of WASH, said the survey had re-empahsised the challenges and gaps between current levels of access to WASH services and the goals set out in the National Open defecation-free road map.

WASHNORM findings showed that only 16 out of the 28 state urban water utilities are fully functional, while only eight per cent of urban water utility consumers are metered at the time of the survey.

Open defecation remains a challenge in the country with data from the WASHNORM 2021 survey showing that as many as 48 million Nigerians practise open defecation, representing 23 per cent of the population.

In spite of the efforts by government and partners at ending open defecation, the rapidly growing population is dwarfing the gains made so far, the outbreak of COVID-19 was an opportunity for increased effort in hygiene promotion.

Bevan said achievement of results at scale would make significant difference in the WASH sector and move the country towards achieving SDG six.

She however commended efforts of the ministry in scaling up access to WASH, calling for sustainability of current strategies and ensure functionality of all WASH schemes.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr Semiu Adeniran said the inauguration of the report was an important milestone in the National Bureau of Statistics statistical production strategy.

He said this was geared towards meeting the needs of policy and decision makers, development partners, researchers and the wider public.

WASH is an integral part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda which seeks to end extreme poverty in all its forms. Safe WASH is crucial to human health and well-being.

It is not only a prerequisite to health, but contributes to the attainment of better livelihoods, school attendance and human dignity, and also, helps to create healthy environments for communities.

Adeniran noted that the report which was the third in the series of national assessments of the status of WASH Services with the first edition launched in 2018, gave reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date WASH data to inform strategic decision-making and address critical gaps in the sector.

He said the vast amount of data collected under the survey would be used for strategic and efficient allocation of resources, as well as for developing and implementing well-targeted policies and programs.

NAN recalls that the WASH-NORM is a collaborative effort between the National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the UNICEF (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Editted by AbdulFatai Beki/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An NGO, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, on Tuesday said it was ready to empower 370 poor widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and environs with different skills.

The NGOs President and Founder, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, made this known at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja ahead of this years International Widows Day.

Ahmadu said that the windows would be trained in weaving of traditional attires (Aso-oke), bag making, soup making, potatoes flour making and snacks, among others.

She expressed optimism that the training would make the beneficiaries become self-reliant and economically stable.

Ahmadu said that the training was designed to commemorate this years International Widows Day with the theme: Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence.

She said that the widows would be trained for financial independence and economically stability in line with the United Nations goals.

Ahmadu said that it was the tradition of the foundation to on every June 23 commemorate the International Widows Day,by organising trainings for widows and orphans in the FCT and environs.

These trainings will also enable them to overcome typical problems in developing countries, including poverty, violence, social stigmatisation, health and cultural challenges.

In the course of the programmme, there will also be situational reports on effectiveness of previous poverty alleviation programmes undertaken by the foundation.

These will include testimonies from the beneficiaries of the past trainings, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Asije/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo/Emmanuel Oloniruha

Youths in the FCT defied torrential rainfall on Tuesday to register for voter cards at the open air Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the on-going open air Permanent Voter Cards registration was organised by the INEC, the European Union and civil society organisations.

NAN also reports that the open air PVC registration was part of activities preceding the Youth Vote Count 2.0 Mega Concert to hold on June 25 at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

Miss Rosemary Okereke, a youth who spoke with NAN commended the initiative.

What actually brought me here is to transfer my PVC from my state to Abuja to enable me to vote.

The organisers really tried; they did their best; it is just that the crowd outnumbered them initially.

Most of us got the information on Twitter, so my advice for other people out there is that this is real.

Mr Sor Orduen, a youth, also told NAN that the process was hectic.

It is worth the effort, so what I am telling youths is to get the voter card.

I am very sure with this, we can change the government to the one that will favour us, he said.

Miss Sandra Edeh, a youth corps member commended the organisers for the initiative to help youths to collect the PVCs.

Earlier, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for FCT, Yahaya Bello, said the commission deployed more than 50 registration machines and 150 personnel for the exercise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News