By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) increased to N173.08 in May.

This is according to the NBS Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for May, 2022 released in Abuja on Saturday.

The report said the increase indicates a 2.99 per cent increase when compared to the value recorded in May 2021 at N168.06.

Likewise, on a month-on-month basis, the average retail price of the product increased by 0.27 per cent from N172.61 in April 2022, compared to the average retail price paid by consumers in May 2022.

On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average retail price for Petrol was recorded in Abia with N193.20, followed by Imo and Cross River with N188.24 and N187.65, respectively.

On the other hand, the lowest average retail price for Petrol was recorded in Ogun with N165.00, followed by Yobe and Benue with N165.36 and N165.50, respectively.

The report showed that the highest average retail price was recorded in the South-East zone with N186.24, while the North-Central had the least with N168.20.

The NBS revealed in its Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) Price Watch Report for May 2022 that the average retail price of Diesel paid by consumers increased by 181.00 per cent from N238.82 in May 2021 to N671.08 recorded in May 2022.

On a month-on-month basis, the average retail price increased from N654.46 in April 2022, indicating a rise of 2.54 per cent when compared to the average retail price paid in May 2022.

On a state profile analysis, the report revealed the state with the highest average price for Diesel in May 2022 was Ekiti with N716.15, followed by Osun and Oyo with N716.00 and N707.33, respectively.

On the other hand, it said the state with the lowest average retail price was Yobe with N560.00, followed by Bauchi and Delta with N570.00 and N624.44, respectively.

The report said the zone analysis showed that the average price of Diesel was highest in the South-West with N705.60, while the North-East had the lowest price with N639.00.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, a human resource expert has called on Nigerians to live a healthy life to prevent chronic kidney diseases.

Abdullahi made the call at an event organised by Nigerian Association of Nephrologist, to mark the World Kidney Day on Saturday in Ilorin, Kwara.

According to Abdullahi, who is also a fellow of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, kidney disease is rated as 5th source of death the world over.

He explained that the disease could be prevented if sound and frequent public awareness is created to educate the masses on its causes and preventions.

These are better done through Lectures, Symposia, Conferences, Radio and TV Presentations and as well as Newspapers and Journals.

Every family should make it an annual routine to screen themselves medically at a good healthcare facility to know the performance of their organs, such as kidney, liver and the heart.

The essence is to diagnose and discover early whatever is going wrong. This will help prevent the progression of the aliment to a life-threatening one.

Diabetes, hypertension and chronic malaria are common factors responsible for CKD, he stressed.

Abdullahi advised the public to ensure that while on regular medications for any of these diseases, one must be in constant touch with their healthcare givers and also use their drugs to prevent complications.

He, however, called on federal, states and local governments in the country to redesign the nations healthcare system with a view to carrying out effective implementation.]

He added that some of the facilities for management of the disease were lacking and those available were absolutely inadequate to care for large number of patients, thereby making treatment unaffordable or inaccessible.

Abdullahi blamed poor healthcare service delivery system in the country to corruption, uncared attitude and selfish approach to governance.

According to him, these are responsible for the brain-drain, where better Nigerian health professionals are seeking better environment in other parts of the world.

He, however, appealed to the citizens to correct mistakes of the past by voting for responsible leaders in the forthcoming general elections.

He maintained that the healthand education sector should be well taken-care of by those in leadership. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Hawa Lawal

The Olukere of Ikere, Oba Obasoyin Ganiyu, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti.

Ganiyu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Saturday in Ikere-Ekiti that the simultaneous accreditation and voting had saved a lot of time.

According to him, the process cast away tension which also simplified the process.

The traditional ruler said that before now, it used to be a long process that wasted much time and at the end many electorate lost interest in voting.

A situation where you come and vote at the same time is so impressive and a good development in our electoral system, he said.

The Olukere commended INEC for the new technology being used in the election and the timely supply of every material needed.

He, however, urged INEC to keep the good work going.

Ganiyu decried the unruly behaviour of some military men posted to the town for the election.

He said they were intimidating and chasing people away from the polling units.

The military are trained for war not for election purposes.

I pray that the time will come where military will not intervene in the election process, he said.

The traditional ruler also commended the voters for defying the intimidation as they turned out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility.

He said, Ekiti South Local Government area is our home and we must join hands to ensure that we build it up to a better place for all of us to dwell.

NAN observed that the voting was largely peaceful though, there were incidents of minor clashes among the party supporters in some polling centres. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

By Okon Okon

Dr Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Civil Service Commission, has warned the commissions staff members to desist from defrauding innocent Nigerians under the pretence of offering them jobs.

Ogbe gave the warning on Thursday, in Abuja at an award ceremony to reward hardworking members of staff of the commission.

Represented by Mr Kasheem Ojirobe, Director Human Resource Management at the commission, Ogbe warn fraudsters parading themselves as staff members, to stop such act that was capable of destroying the countrys image.

There is an allegation that there are member of staff who cannot give job to people but deceive innocent Nigerians that they can offer jobs just to collect money and other gains from them.

This is an allegation but whatever it is, we have to caution them that whoever has the plan to do that should desist. Anybody who is caught will face the wrath of the law.

It is also alleged that some outsiders come here to pose as staff to collect money from people to offer them job in any Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA); such act is bad, she warned.

Speaking further on the significant of the occasion, Ogbe identified reasons for the award initiative, saying that was to make those identified to put more efforts and to make those yet to be identified to work harder so as to gain in the next edition of such ceremony.

The significant of this is to motivate staff to be more dedicated to their duties, to be hard working and at the same time, to be loyal to the institution and the system, she said.

Assuring members of staff of other incentives to boost their morale, the permanent secretary assured of the Federal Government commitment to enhance the remuneration and the conditions of service of civil servants across all MDAs.

The Head of Civil Service has mentioned that government is actually planning to improve the remuneration of civil servants and at the same time, improve on their conditions of service.

So, if government is doing that, it is now important for us to appreciate that gesture and do what we are supposed to do as civil servants so as to move Nigeria forward, Ogbe explained.

In appreciation, Mrs Nnenna Ukpabi, a Human Resource Management, who spoke on behalf of other awardees, expressed delight over the gesture.

She said that it was the first time ever in her life to receive such honour since she started working in civil service.

According to her, such benevolent gesture and staff welfare are necessary incentives to enhance productivity among civil servants while delivering their services to the nation.

I feel very delighted and I really give all the praise and honour to God because ever since I started working with the civil service, I tried to put in my best and the best I have put in has been recognise, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yemi-Esan has directed all the MDAs to reward hard working civil servants who have committed themselves to the nations service as a mark of honour.

NAN reports that this is in commemoration of the Civil Service Day on 23 June.

NAN also reports that three staffers of the commission namely; Mrs Nnenna Ukpabi, Mr Ogunmakin Olusola and Mr Musa Ali, were all rewarded with award of outstanding performance in the course of their services in the commission. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja chapel on Friday elected officials to run the affairs of the union for the next three years.

The officials elected include Collins Yakubu-Hammer as Chairman, Magdalene Ukuedejor as Vice Chairman, Ikenna Uwadileke as Secretary and Funmi Adeyemi as Assistant Secretary.

Others are George Aderogba, Financial Secretary; Ijeoma Okigbo as Treasurer and Perpetua Onuegbu as Auditor.

Though they were all elected unopposed, nonetheless, 60 members cast their votes for them.

Speaking shortly after the election, the Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Mr Emmanuel Afonne, said all the contestants got the required votes and were duly elected.

We have a total of 60 accredited voters. Yakubu-Hammer got 58 votes, Ukuedejor got 57 votes, Uwadileke got 56, and Adeyemi got 57 votes.

Also, while Aderogba got 50 votes, Onuegbu got 55 votes and Okigbo got 56.

We want to thank all members for abiding by the rules of the process. Though, some people tried to truncate the process, but we are happy that it has been resolved.

We also want to thank the FCT Council for giving us the direction and support to conduct the chapel election, Afonne said.

The Chairman elect, Yakubu-Hammer promised to run an open door policy, where everyone would be carried along.

He said he would continue with the agitation for the restructuring of NAN that would enhance career progression and job satisfaction, adding that welfare and capacity building for members would be his priority.

We are going to put in efforts to secure training opportunities to build the capacity of members especially on election coverage and effective reportage.

We shall also look into the issue of group insurance policy of the Federal Government with the aim of ensuring that each and every staff member benefit.

We shall do everything possible to enhance harmonious relationship with management and also checkmate any form of impunity against our members and the Editorial Department, Yakubu-Hammer said.

Speaking, the Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Osaretin Osadebamwen congratulated the elected officials.

We at the council are happy with the electoral process. So, it is time to hit the ground running.

I am happy to see the Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Mr Silas Nwoha, and other senior editors as part of this process. I commend you all.

To the Exco, the responsibility is light and is heavy. Light when there is transparency and you carry everybody along, but heavy when people keep asking for clarification.

Be open and transparent. Dont take transparency and the votes of the members for granted, Ogbeche said.

In his speech, Nwoha thanked the FCT Council for coming to monitor the process.

He said solidarity was the mother of collective success and achievements, adding that if not for the NUJ, NAN would not have come this far in labour union struggle.

Everyone in NAN now knows that the NUJ is behind all of us to enhance career process and progression. Solidarity, oneness and collective efforts for remarkable achievement cannot be over emphasised.

To the elected executives of NUJ, NAN Chapel, continue to do well for the interest of all your members in Abuja and those in the states, Nwoha said. (NAN)

============
Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Fadah, has solicited adequate protection for corps members participating in the Governorship election in Ekiti by the security agents.

Fadah made the call on Friday when he visited heads of the various security agents in Ado-Ekiti, ahead of the Saturdays election.

The NYSC solicited the cooperation of the security agencies to protect corps members, who are ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for the election.

I plead with you all, that is security agents, to ensure that corps members that will be participating in this Saturdays national duty are well protected.

Receiving the NYSC DG, the GOC 2, Ado-Ekiti, Maj.-Gen. GU Chibuisi, promised that the command would do all within its power to ensure that adequate protection was given to the corps members during the exercise.

Chibuisi said the importance of NYSC scheme to the nation could not be overemphasised, explaining that it opened the eyes of the Nigerian youths to the beauty of the country.

He, therefore, pledged support to the request of the NYSC DG, saying he wondered what Nigeria would be without NYSC scheme.

At the Department of State Service (DSS), the Director Coordinating the election in Ekiti, Mr S. M. Waziri, also reiterated the good relationship that existed between the NYSC Scheme and the DSS.

Waziri promised that all hands are on deck at ensuring that the corps members were secured.

At the Police Headquarters Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Moronkeji Adesina, promised support and utmost security of lives and property of the corps members during and after the elections.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government has established an additional Material Testing Laboratory Satellite office at Okokomaiko, on the outskirts of Lagos, to checkmate building collapse and bring services of the agency closer to the people.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure at the 2nd Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Stakeholders conference on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is: Socio Economic Impact of Building and Civil Infrastructure Collapse in Mega Cities.

Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat urged stakeholders, particularly professionals in the construction industry, to ensure voluntary compliance.

According to him, there is need to adhere to existing rules, regulations and guidelines, including proper testing of construction materials from project conception, through implementation to completion.

Reeling out some of the efforts to reposition the agency, Sanwo-Olu said government had procured specialised testing equipment and more operational vehicles to improve the agencys reach.

According to the governor, the satellite office will be operational before the end of the third quarter of the year.

In addition, approval have been granted for the engagement of both technical and non-technical consultants, to facilitate the operations of the agency in the areas of carrying out non-destructive tests and serving of test notices, across the state.

We have taken this step as a proactive approach to the identification of distressed buildings for quick and appropriate intervention, he said.

The governor added that his administration was committed to ensuring that the incidents of avoidable building collapse and the resultant loss of lives became a thing of the past.

He said: This is a cost effective and efficient approach to all parties as against the loss that will be incurred by property owners and cost of enforcement on the part of the government when the option of demolition becomes inevitable.

Sanwo-Olu then commended the organisers of the conference, noting that he was optimistic that suggestions and recommendations from the conference would be found useful in enriching policies and regulatory capacity, effectiveness and efficiency.

This will be achieved by compelling all the finalised decisions, such that it comes for debate at the Executive Council Meeting and subsequently to the House of Assembly, if a law needs to be enacted or reenacted, he said.

On his part, Mr Olufunsho Elulade, General Manager, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) while delivering his welcome address, said the agency had zero tolerance for building and civil engineering infrastructure collapses.

He said the agency, had presence in all Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him, the agency has excelled in carrying out soil testing and evaluation, concrete, steel, chemical, calibration, non destructive tests and geotechnics.

He urged stakeholders to proffer solutions to the recent developments across the state, in the area of incessant building collapse.

He attributed the development to sharp practices by building construction practitioners, which was impacting the socio-economic activities, health and safety of residents negatively.

In realising our set standard of maintaining decorum within the sector, we will implore you to partner with us so as to deliver on this administration T.H.E.M.E.S agenda procedures as mandated by the governor of Lagos state.

We are going to enforce and mitigate on the environment risk associated with collapse of buildings in the state.

As part of our new initiatives, benchmarking with other global civil infrastructure standards, we are committed to our flow of engagements with our stakeholders.

This is for a robust and more pragmatic solutions to the negative effects of all the shortfalls within the building and civil engineering sector, with our new operational initiatives to restrict contraventions of the laws guiding the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, he said.

The Secretary to the committee panel on Collapse Building in Lagos state, Mr Ekundayo Onajobi said there was need for Nigerians, especially the regulatory agencies, to consider a campaign and sensitisation against all forms of quacks in the sector.

He added that this should be extended to building control and development.

Onajobi urged government, individuals and regulatory agencies to also launch a campaign aimed at requesting for Certificate of Approval and Completion, by all intending occupiers of building.

He advised that materials must be tested and a certificate of material testing, be acquired before a building is occupied.

Before you occupy a building, intending occupiers must request for a certificate of completion/physical planning certification, from the regulatory agencies.

Also, block producers must get approval/certificate of material testing, before selling out their blocks or those used for construction and standards of materials, must be checked and certified, he stated (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, would be guest speakers at the forthcoming Global Leadership Conference, slated for July 20 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Regional Manager, International Operations for GText Homes, Miss Abisola Awosanya, confirmed the speakers attendance during a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference is organised by GText Homes, a global Real Estate Company.

Awosanya said Grant Cardone, an International Real Estate Entrepreneur and Founder, 10X Movement, would also be part of the speakers at the conference.

According to her, at the end of the leadership conference, participants would be able to have a grip on their organizations leadership system.

She noted that the interaction with the leaders around the world would enable them to have an understanding of their corporate governance system.

Awosanya explained that the motive of the leadership conference was for participants which includes leaders of corporate organizations, political leaders and influencers, to understand that leadership and business go hand in hand.

According to her, we saw clearly that in spite of educational priorities in terms of certification what makes a leader is not what you learn in the classroom.

The regional manager said that was why the organizer invited someone like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the speakers because he was a brilliant and a great leader of repute to facilitate such an event.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is one of the speakers at the Global Leadership Conference. The conference is calling for people who thrive to become better leaders.

The leadership conference will be taking place in Dubai on July 20 with the theme: The Winning Digital Age, she said.

Similarly, Mrs Temitope Ajibewa, Managing Director, Stephen Akintayo Consulting, said as part of the events slated alongside the leadership conference is the Global Wealth Conference , also put together by GText Homes.

According to Ajibewa, it is a business conference happening in four locations around the world in different days starting from July 16 in Dallas, United States of America, in London, Dubai and Lagos with the same speakers.

She noted that the event has targeted personnels would have option to view online as it was a hybrid conference.

She said: We have people around the world that need to learn what we have so if you are here you get online view and if you are abroad too, you get to come into the hall and learn as well.

So the motive of this global wealth conference is for political leaders and business leaders in the world who want to remain relevant in the global world of business to learn from those that have worked hard, to come and acquire more knowledge from them.

Ajibewa said they would be profiling participants that register for the leadership conference because leadership is all about how many people they have been able to impact and the level of influence in their group.

She said interested participants could get more details on their website www.globalwealthfestival.com for more information. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Hajj 2022: Making spiritual journey of patience, perseverance

An Analysis by Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Performing Hajj by Muslims is one of the pillars of Islam recommended by Allah.

The Almighty Allah has asked Muslims to visit Makkah and Madinah at least once during their life time and pray if they can.

Performing Hajj is a spiritual journey of patience and perseverance and anyone who sets out to embark on the holy trip must be ready to abide by the rules, steps, rites and obligations.

A 2022 Nigerian pilgrim in Madinah, the favoured town of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) on the spiritual journey afteryears gives account of the journey as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) indicates that 3,481 pilgrims from Bauchi, Borno, FCT, Lagos, Nasarawa and Osun states have arrived and accommodated.

Part of the services offered by NAHCON during Hajj operations include accommodation, medical services, feeding, transportation and receptions.

Accommodation in Madinah has already been arranged by NAHCON for all states and the FCT and all pilgrims arrived to the embrace of staff of the commission from the airport, into the buses that convey them to the various hotels.

Similarly, pilgrims in Madinah are provided with clinics in their hotels to cater for their health as a remedial effort; but serious cases are expected to be taken to Saudi hospitals for referral.

In the hotels, Saudi authorities are on ground to collaborate with Nigerian officials to ensure smooth comfort of pilgrims.

While the Saudi officials facilitate proper placement of pilgrims into designated hotels as agreed in contract as well as inspect the sanitary condition of the location, each pilgrim is put into a group and given a tag to identify the hotel and room number. The NAHCON accommodation committee ensures this happens seamlessly.

NAHCON has also set up a big clinic at its office where medical personnel comprising doctors and nurses offer consultations; taking of vital signs and prescription of drugs, all happening online/paperless.

Feeding of pilgrims for Hajj 2022 has been contracted to four caterers to take care of the expected 43,008 Nigerian pilgrims coming to Madinah as part of the rites for the Hajj.

To allow for a healthy feeding, NAHCON feeding committee ensures that its members are with the caterers from the beginning of the preparation of the two meals per day to the final distribution to state feeding committees in the hotels.

The pilgrims have so far been visiting the traditional holy sites like the Prophet Muhammeds Mosque that has the capacity to accommodate between 1.6 million to two million worshippers, where it is bbelieve that one prayer in the Mosque is equal to 1,000 prayers in any other Mosque, apart from the Holy Mosque in Makkah where the Kaabah is situated.

The Madinah Mosque is also where the graves of the Prophet and that of his two companions, Abubakar and Umar are located. It is also close to the graves of the companions of the prophet and his family members.

Pilgrims have also been visiting other sites like the Masjid Al-Ahzab, Quba Mosque, Mount Uhud and Masjid Al-Qiblatain, among others. These are sites where important events happened during the time of the prophet and his rightly guided companions.

As the rest of the over one million pilgrims across the world converge for the Hajj 2022, the Nigerian pilgrims will be moved to Makkah for the five days holy rites of the Hajj proper by going to Mina, staying for the day in Arafat, spending the night at Muzdalifa and coming down to the Holy Mosque in Makkah for circumambulation of the Kaabah.

The pilgrims will thereafter offer sacrifice of a ram, in line with tradition of prophet Ibrahim, before returning to Mina to do the two or three days of stoning of the devil at Jamrat.

In all the rituals of the Hajj, patience, sacrifice, contentment, committing no sins, and having a sense of universal brotherhood with other pilgrims is greatly encouraged.

Similarly, prayers for oneself, the nation, family, relatives and friends are also encouraged. (NAN)
***If used please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismail AbdulAziz
Madinah, June 17, 2022 (NAN) Muslims in Delta have been urged to secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to avoid disenfranchisement during the 2023 general elections.

Alhaji Sadiq Musa, coordinator of the Delta Muslim for Omo-Agege and Commissioner at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed on Friday to NAN.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group is a power bloc for the actualisation the ambition of Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege of becoming Delta governor in 2023.

Musa said that the Muslim community constituted a force to be reckoned with in the political arena of the state.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the PVC collection process accessible for the electorate.

The permanent voter cards is the only way that we can make our impact felt in the election for our candidate Ovie Omo-Agege. The critical mass of Muslims have the duty to support a man that will improve the development of the state.

It is only identifying with him alone, we must get our PVC and come out physically to vote for him. The time for election rigging has gone. The PVC is our power, Musa said.

He called on Muslims in the state to continue to participate actively in the political process of the state in order to have a voice to be identified with.

Musa, who is a chieftain of the All Progressive Party (APC) in Delta, said the party must be given all the necessary to succeed at all the levels of elections in both the state and federal.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Popoola

The immediate past Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Peter Obakhedo, is dead.

Obakhedo died at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital on Wednesday during an illness, according to his wife, Catherine.

Catherine told NAN on Friday in Lagos that the former editor-in-chief was aged 61.

Obakhedo, who hailed from Apana Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, joined the service of NAN in December 1989 and rose to the position of a director in January 2019.

He became NAN Editor-in-Chief in June 2020 and held the position until retirement in November 2021.

He worked in various state offices of NAN as well as the Lagos Directorate of the agency, which he headed before becoming NAN editor-in-chief.

Obakhedo, a 1984 graduate of University of Ibadan, is survived by Catherine, three children and three siblings. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

Stakeholders in the criminal justice sector have been urged to possess the political will towards implementing the new provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to ensure integrity in the country.

The call was made on Thursday in Abuja at the stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the new/amended Anti-Corruption Act 2022.

The workshop was organised by Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) in collaboration with the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had in May signed the ACJA 2015 as amended by the National Assembly.

The new provisions are: Money laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 (amended), Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 (amended) and Proceeds of Crime, Recovery and Management Act 2022 (new).

Mr Sulaimon Dawodu, the Executive Secretary, ACJMC, urged all stakeholders in the criminal justice sector to begin the implementation of the new provisions of the ACJA in all the sectors of the nations economy.

According to him, the signing into law of these provisions has given power to every legal agency to be able to attack any individual whose source of income is questionable, even before such an issue gets to the court.

We hope that stakeholders here will take it forward that every crime fighting agency is equipped well for the implementation of the new law.

Law enforcement agencies can now recover proceeds of crime, corruption and also manage it, he said.

He also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Justice has requested for a separate agency to manage proceeds recovered from corruption and assets gathered through illegal means.

Dawodu said the request was, however awaiting approval.

According to him, such agencies will be managing the assets after the law enforcement have recovered it.

He explained that presently, the same agency prosecuting was still the responsible for managing the recovered assets.

We are moving forward. Lets start with the implementation of the new laws first; we will push further to improve on what we have now.

The outcome of the implementation of what we have now will determine whether to push further on having a separate agency to manage these proceeds/assets.

Mr Iwuagwu Golden, a prosecutor from the office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), also highlighted the new provisions of ACJA.

He said Section 18(6) of the Money Laundering Act now empowers law enforcement agencies to act based on physical evidence.

According to him, if anyone acquires wealth which does not commensurate with his or her regular income, law enforcement can now prove money laundering based on physical evidence with the new provision of ACJA Section 29(3).

He said that if there is political will from all stakeholders, money laundering and illegal accumulation of wealth would be reduced.

Golden, therefore called on all crime fighting agencies to come on board to ensure implementation of the new provision of ACJA.

Mr Usman Buhari, Special Assistant on Legal issues to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) noted that the new provision of ACJA would assist crime fighting agencies in combating money laundering.

He said that the new ACJA provisions had made clear the areas of limitations of law enforcement agencies as well as empowered them to function better.

Earlier, the Executive Director of CeFTIW, Mr Umar Yakubu, commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on its effort to tackle corruption and money laundering activities.

He said that the administration was acting based on the promise of providing the country with the needed security, revamping the economy and fighting corruption the president made in 2015 when coming into power.

The government has been doing its best in this regard. What this event is all about is on the three laws that were recently passed into law as regards security, anti-corruption, terrorism and money laundering act, as well as the proceed from all these.

What we are doing now is to charge the stakeholders on implementation of the new provision of ACJA. They need to be sensitised on these new laws for them to have proper understanding.

It is the responsibility of the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media to ensure these laws are implemented, which is part of our functions at our center.

We are also into the business of telling the government where they are doing well and where they are not. As the country continues to progress, we will continue to discover where review is necessary in our laws, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Solomon Asowata

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba/Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government says it will demolish the remaining buildings on the land, where the 21-storey building collapsed on Gerrard Road, in Ikoyi.

Dr Idris Salako, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, disclosed this at a news conference on the handing over of the complex to the contractor for deconstruction on Thursday in Lagos.

Salako said that the buildings would take about three months or more, to be demolished, adding that the land on which the structures were situated would be taken over by the state government.

He noted that the taking over of the land was in line with the state physical planning law, which stated that owners of collapsed buildings would forfeit the land to the state.

According to him, though the state government has not taken decision on what the land will be used for, it is likely to be used for something that will be in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the ill fated building.

He noted that the demolition would be carried out with the interest of the public, including the residents, at heart.

Also speaking, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said the state government was not indebted to those who had paid to own apartments in the collapsed building.

According to him, government would not consider compensating them, as the company that owned the building still existed.

He urged residents to always ensure that buildings they planned paying for, was insured.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said demolition of the buildings was one of the recommendations of the panel set up by the government, having failed integrity test.

Omotoso promised that any action taken on the project would be in the interest of the public, as stakeholders meetings had previously been held to interact with residents and others in the building industry.

The Managing Director of Edge of Designs, Mr Theophilus Lewo, noted that the demolition would take about 90 days, but might be extended due to weather conditions and the safety of the workers.

Lewo stated that his company would be demolishing the buildings, using a controlled method, by cutting the parts in pieces. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Federal Government on Thursday began the digitisation of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) process in Lagos, so as to enhance the programme.

Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, said the digitisation would make payment to beneficiaries easier.

Arobieke spoke at the flag-off of the Distribution of ATM Cards and Activation of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to Lagos State Conditional Cash Transfer Beneficiaries.

She said that the digitisation became necessary to ensure and further enhance transparency, accountability and integrity in the delivering of programme benefits to beneficiaries.

Arobieke said that the beneficiaries of the CCT in Lagos State had been receiving the bi-monthly cash stipends from the programme.

She added that the beneficiaries had been availed with the much need capacity building skills, through the Savings

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Alhaji Garba Abubakar, Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has urged registered companies to always file returns to the commission to avoid deregistration.

Abubakar, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, stressed that it was not enough that people register companies, they must equally file returns as required by law.

The registrar-general explained that it was through return filing by companies that the commission was able to know which companies are active and which ones were inactive.

You must do what the law says you must do, you have to file your returns, we have categorised companies into what we call active or inactive.

It is not enough that people registered companies, there is the need to always file returns to achieve meaningful growth.

Companies that have filed returns up to date are active. Those that have not filed returns up to date, we have classified them as inactive.

This is creating lots of problems for most of them, because if you are applying for a Visa using a company account, no Embassy will give you a Visa, until you update your record with the CAC.

He said hitherto, companies that are actually making money everyday do not bother to file returns to the commission.

Because there is no way for a third party to know whether such a company is active or not.

Abubakar said that CAC would prioritise filing of returns as one of the ways to also improve its internally generated revenue.

He also said that such priority would be designed to compel registered companies to comply with the policy or be deregistered.

The law has made deregistration more cumbersome now, hitherto if you have reasonable cause to believe that your company is not carrying out business operations, you can just write to the company.

If they respond fine, if they do not send a second letter, you can strike them off. The law now says it must be five-years. You have to wait for five years.

We hope companies will update their records, after 18 months if you do not file your next return, then it will go back to inactive, so the revenue will continue to grow.

The registrar-general attributed the success recorded by the commission in terms of revenue growth to the current practice of looking inwards to improve its revenue.

He identified income generation from the new registration system, increase in share capital, and administration of charges that were mortgaged to be a major source of success achieved. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), has urged the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to accelerate the implementation of the programmes.

Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, the World Bank, Lead Specialist, Social Protection and Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, made the call at a two-day implementing status review meeting with States Coordinators on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NG-CARES is a World Bank-assisted Federal Government credit project of 750 million dollars.

It is a two-year intervention project aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the poor and vulnerable groups.

Each of the 36 states of the federation is expected to get 20 million dollars; FCT will get 15 million dollars, while the Federal CARES Support Unit is also allocated 15 million dollars.

He expressed delight that the programme had started effectively since January, adding that most states were implementing it.

That is why we decided to sit with the coordinators in all the 36 states and FCT to look at the status of the implementation.

We will look at what are the things that they have achieved; what is working very well and what is a bit challenging, he said.

He said that no fewer than 40 million Nigerians were expected to benefit from the programme in three major areas.

They are: social transfers, basic services in the area of food security and in the area of small and micro enterprises.

And the totality of the people that are expected to benefit from the 750 million dollars NG-CARES programme within two years time are almost 40 million Nigerians, Okunmadewa said.

Okunmadewa emphasised the need for all states to accelerate the implementation of the programme.

We thought it is a good time to call 36 states and FCT coordinators to have a discussion on the programme and it has been going very well.

We have seen an upswing in the implementation unlike what it was around March this year, where things were not as forthcoming as expected.

But now in a sizable number of states, even the state governments have added more resources to the resources that were provided as assistance from the World Bank.

He, however, said that few states were still lagging behind in the implementation.

We looked at some of the constraints they have, we provided advice and some activities will be taken at the federal level, Okunmadewa said.

He said that some activities would be taken at the World Bank level to speak with governors and other critical stakeholders.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, said that both the World Bank and the Federal Government had requested for a review of the progress that had been recorded by all the states.

He said that the programme was a fast disbursing credit facility from the World Bank, which means the money should be disbursed to each state as quickly as possible within the time frame of the programme.

Obaje extolled the disposition of the World Bank and the Federal Government towards simplifying the processes.

He said this would ensure that all the money, if possible would go down to the states to assist the poor and vulnerable.

We want each of the states to draw down 20 million dollars over the remaining 12 months of the programme.

So, if states are not disbursing money fast to the delivery platforms, then it will lead to some inabilities to draw down all the resources.

Time is against us as we want to fast track implementation as much as possible across all the delivery platforms and throughout all the states, he said.

Also, Mr Umar Dahiru, a participant from Nasarawa State, expressed optimism that the programme would achieve its desired results and lift many people out of poverty in the state, based on the political will of the Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Solomon Asowata/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Izu-Ibobo

Two men, Yetunde Awaye, 37, and Mohammed Afisu, 41, who allegedly stole a Rolex chronometer wristwatch worth nine million Naira, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates Court.

The defendants, whose addresses were not given, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen goods.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences on April 6, at 8.00 p.m., at No. 11, Town Dada Femi St., Ikotun, Lagos State.

Ajayi said that the first defendant (Awaye) stole the wristwatch belonging to one Mr Taofeek Oriola, while the second defendant (Afisu) received the property.

Ajayi said that Afisu received the stolen property on Ikotun Road.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 411, 287, 328 and of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs Ejiro Kubeinje, granted the defendants bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties each.

She ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant and show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.

Kubeinje adjourned the case until July 7 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

By Patience Yakubu

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates Court, on Thursday, ordered that a 20-year-old mason, Dauda Francis, be given six strokes of the cane for stealing two cell phones worth N210,000.

Francis, who resides in Rigachikun in Kaduna, pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, also sentenced Francis to five months imprisonment.

Emmanuel did not give Francis an option to pay a fine.

Earlier, the convict begged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he was aware of his wrongdoings and had learnt his lesson.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the convict committed the offence at 8:30 a.m. on May 28, at Kawo Kaduna.

He said that Francis stole a Samsung Galaxy and Tecno Phantom X, worth N210,000 from the purse of Ms Sarah Williams.

Leo added that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 271 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Uche Bibilari

An Upper Area Court Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Thursday convicted a 32-year-old welder, Emmanuel Joseph of defiling an eight-year-old girl.

The convict who resides in Gosa Area of Abuja, was charged with indecent assault.

The Judge, Malam Sani Umar, convicted Joseph after he pleaded guilty, and deferred his sentencing to Aug. 17.

Umar admitted the convict to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with one reliable surety in like sum, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He said the surety must deposit the sum of N70,000 to the court for the security of the bail and provide valid means of identification.

He said that the surety must provide two recent passport photographs and the address verified by the court staff.

Umar said that the reason for deferring the sentencing and granting the convict bail was for him to pay in full the N35,000 spent by the victims mother in the hospital to treat the victim from bruises she sustained from the act.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Abdullahi Tanko told the court that the complainant Mary Gambo of Gosa Angwan Tiv, airport road Abuja reported the matter at Iddo police station on June 9.

Tanko said that the convict who was the complainants boyfriend, on June 6 assaulted hereight year old daughter.

He said that the offence contravened the provision of Section 285 of the Penal Code. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

An Analysis by Oluwafunke Ishola/Dianabasi Effiong (News Agency of Nigeria)

Most Nigerians are still in awe as to whether the COVID-19 pandemic still trends or has been laid to rest in their respective communities.

Such uncertainties heighten as the infection rate declines, protocols relaxed with less attention given to COVID-19 by many countries, including Nigeria.

With the advent of the Russia-Ukraine war and the outbreak of the Monkeypox disease in non-endemic countries, interests in COVID-19 appear to have been diverted, at least for a while.

Global health community is racing to provide vaccines for Monkeypox control while countries battle with food shortage issues, fuel crisis and global inflation emanating from economic downturn.

Similarly, the COVID-19 epidemiological report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been reviewed to thrice a week as against a daily report while the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Lagos State, barely releases its COVID-19 update like before.

The last COVID-19 update from the state was released on April 24 and this, among other factors, makes concerned citizens continually ponder on whether COVID-19 still exists in countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on Dec. 31, 2019, announced detection of pneumonia of unknown cause in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Within a month, cases are reported in five WHO regions, leading the health agency to hold an Emergency Committee meeting of its International Health Regulations on Jan. 30, and declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Committee notes that early detection, isolating and treating cases, contact tracing and social distancing measures in line with the level of risk could assist to stop the virus spread.

On Feb. 11, 2020, it names the virus COVID-19, a choice that will help guard against the use of other names that might be inaccurate or stigmatising.

We must be guided by solidarity, not stigma.

The greatest enemy we face is not the virus itself; its the stigma that turns us against each other. We must stop stigma and hate, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, tells the global community.

On Feb. 14, 2020, the COVID-19 infection is confirmed in Africa with the first reported case in Egypt, while Nigeria confirmed its first case on Feb. 27, 2020.

On March 11, 2020, WHO declares the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic due to its concern by its alarming levels of spread and severity, and the levels of inaction.

The high transmissibility of the virus leads to panic among the global populace with countries effecting measures including lockdown, curfew, travel bans, and many persons broadcasting unverified information on how to prevent infection from the disease.

At the peak of the pandemic in 2020, increased hospitalisation, high mortality rate, shortages in medical supplies including personal protective equipment (PPE) left health workers and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients.

The global community rises to the challenge with strategic cooperation leading to the formation of the ACT-Accelerator partnership, launched by WHO and partners, to support the fastest, most coordinated, and successful global effort in history to develop tools to fight a disease.

With significant advances in research and development by the academia, private sector and government initiatives, the ACT-Accelerator secured a way to end the acute phase of the pandemic by deploying the tests, treatments and vaccines the world needed.

These interventions made the first COVID-19 vaccines possible, although it met with lots of skepticism about its safety and effectiveness.

However, the vaccine helps the world move beyond the fear of COVID-19 and exit lockdowns.

Consequently, borders are reopened, airlines begin operations, schools and offices resume from remote learning and work as the world adjust to living with COVID-19.

Consequently, the director-general of the WHO, at the 2022 World Health Assembly, warns countries against complacency, noting that COVID-19 pandemic is not over.

Ghebreyesus maintains that decline in infection figures and deaths does not signify an end to the pandemic while also expressing concern about COVID-19 spike in 70 countries and low testing rates.

It is not over anywhere until it is over everywhere. Only 57 countries have vaccinated 70 per cent of their population, almost all of them high-income countries, Ghebreyesus says.

Similarly, the NCDC cautions that COVID-19 is real and not yet over, noting, sadly, that the disease has affected no fewer than 200, 000 Nigerians.

The NCDC also notes that COVID-19 continues to threaten lives and livelihoods, stressing that all necessary precautions should be taken to ensure safety of lives.

Notably, Dr Iorhen Akase, an infectious diseases physician, complains that the world failed to learn from COVID-19 experience.

According to him, most people are in a hurry to move on with their lives in disregard to infection prevention control practice in their daily lives and communities.

Akase warns that pandemics and large-scale outbreaks can claim millions of lives, disrupt societies and devastate economies.

He adds that most infectious diseases can be controlled through effective preparedness and constant hand hygiene practice by citizens, advising citizens against letting down their guard.

Also on precautionary measures, Mr Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, cautions against indifference to COVID-19 risks, noting that the pandemic could generate a variant that could be more transmissive and fatal.

Gates says the COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity to improve global preparedness and strengthen health systems against future pandemic.

Specifically, that means improving technology, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; building up health systems and improving global monitoring of diseases.

As the world continues to respond to COVID-19, health experts stress that preemptive planning and protective measures can help in better management of future pandemics.

They also say that countries with high rates of current immunity and widespread booster uptake will be better protected against COVID-19, just as they call for a continuous response system against infectious diseases. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.com)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News