By Funmilayo Adeyemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Dausiyya Yushau, an 18-year-old student of Government Girls Junior Arabic Secondary School, Tarda, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, said she returned to school due to the intervention of mothers association.

Yushau told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the awareness creation of house-to-house campaign by mothers association on the benefit of sending the girl-child to school was yielding the desired results.

I am a product of the campaign by mothers association that came to meet my parent on the need for me to be in school and also complete my education.

After the awareness campaign, my parent pleaded with me to return to school and that education is the only key to my success in life.

I obeyed and told myself that I must finish schooling before getting married.

I am 18 years and will sit for my junior WAEC in less than two months, and afterward pursue my senior secondary school certificate.

I would love to be a doctor and to achieve this means I must pursue my education to the tertiary level. I give this credit to the intervention of mothers association, she said.

There is no doubt that the over eight years Girls Education Project (GEP 3) initiative introduced by the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) with support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has changed the educational landscape of girls education in Northern Nigeria.

The programme has brought 1.4 million girls back to school, improved teaching and learning environment as well as training and retraining of teachers among other achievements.

UNICEF initiated the GEP 3 in six northern states of Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Zamfara and Niger states in 2012. It was meant to get one million girls into school as well as ensure their enrolment, retention and learning in order to improve their social and economic opportunities.

As part of the incentive, mothers in Ungogo Local Government Area, received an unconditional cash transfer of N45,000, paid twice directly into their bank accounts.

They channeled this money paid by UNICEF and FCDO into their businesses thereby helping to improve the wellbeing of their household.

Hajia Asmau Mustapha, a member of the mothers association in Ungogo, highlighted the role played by the association in the drastic reduction of out-of-school girls in the locality.

Mustapha said that the fund given to parents had solved the problems of parents not sending their children, especially the girl-child to school.

According to her, we want the sustainability of the programme because we learnt the initiative will come to an end in September, but we want the government to take it up.

Before this programme, only two towns around here sent there children to school located here, but surprisingly, other towns around now send their children to school.

This is a milestone achievement as it has improved enrolment in the school and so we want it sustained beyond September.

The School Based Management Committee (SBMC) constituted female committees that move from house-to-house to enlighten parent on the need to send their children to school.

This committee has done a lot in positively influencing parents and the result is the increase in enrolment of the girl-child we see in many of our schools in Kano State, she said.

At the Bachirawa Special Primary School, the head teacher, Mr Uba Gambari, said that the school which used to record low school enrolment was now in dire need of more teachers and classrooms to cope with the upsurge.

Gambari said that through the programme, the school was able to receive the Early Child Centre Development Education Grant of N305,000 as well as a primary grant of N315,000.

He said that the grants had helped to put in place facilities in the school that would make learning conducive for the pupils.

Before now, enrolment was low, but as a result of UNICEFs intervention, enrolment had been boosted more especially the girl-child.

Initially, before the introduction of this programme, children particularly girls,were not allowed to participate in regular school activities especially in this part of the country.

We normally engage in Quranic studies, but with the introduction of the programme, a lot of enlightenment has come in as we have been trained on how to mobilise in order to see that every child benefit from education programmes.

Now, we have the girls associations and mothers associations that serve as influencers to bringing other girls to school, he said.

Gambari added that the Girls Access Fund of N45,000 paid directly to parents account had also helped to support the girls education.

On the issue of child marriage, he said the school usually consulted with district heads, to advice parents on the disadvantages of child-marriage, adding that violator were usually reported to relevant authorities for action.

Gambari, however, called for the sustenance of the programme as well as its extension to other states so that the benefit of education would cascade to every part of the country.

Also, a 62-year-old Chief Imam of Bachirawa community, Alhaji Tukur Mohammed, said that the programmed was face with the challenge of refusal of many parents to send their children to school.

Mohammed, however, said the traditional and religious organisations had supported the programme by ensuring that students who left schools were brought back as a result of their mentorship programmes.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at a Media Dialogue on Girls Education, held recently in Kano State expressed worry over the common gender norms, which had continued to put girls at a disadvantage, resulting to high rate of girl-child drop out from school.

The stakeholders argued that poverty in any society cannot be eradicated without paying serious attention to child education, particularly girls.

Mr Rahama Farah, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Field Office Kano, who spoke, said that girls in Nigeria bear a sizeable burden of the challenges that confront the countrys education sector.

According to Farah, currently in Nigeria, there are 18.5 million out-of-school children, 60 per cent of which are girls, meaning that over 10 million girls are out-of-school.

Most importantly, you will need to know that the majority of these out-of-school children are actually from Northern Nigeria, he said.

Farah explained that the situation heightened the gender inequity, where only one out of four girls from poor, rural families, complete Junior Secondary School education.

He further explained that while education crisis in Nigeria affect children across the country, some children were more likely to be affected than others, especially girls.

The situation with girls education in Nigeria, he stressed, had been further affected by attacks on schools.

These attacks have created an insecure learning environment, discouraged parents and caregivers from sending their children to schools.

At the same time, the students themselves become fearful of going to school. These attacks have particularly and specifically targeted girls, he said.

The field head, however, highlighted the importance of collective support from every ally and stakeholder, especially the media in ensuring that every child was enrolled, retained and complete his/her education.

In the same vein, Mr Michael Banda, an Education Manager, Kano State UNICEF Field Office, said the Girls Child Enrolment Project had exceeded its initial target of one million across the targeted states of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states.

Banda said that the impact of the GEP3 was meant to improve social and economic opportunity for girls in target states, complete basic education and acquire skills for life and livelihoods.

The key Interventions include among others community enrolment drives by the School Based Management Committee (SBMCS) and Mothers Association with support from state and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA).

Action to build girl-friendly learning environments, creating better retention and demand for new access of SBMCS, Mothers Associations (MAs) and Girls for Girls (G4G) groups, using gender-sensitive whole school development plans.

Action to improve attitudes towards girls enrolment and completion, through community campaigns, peer support to girls and family negotiation by SBMCS, MAs and G4G groups.

Cash transfer schemes to support families with the direct and opportunity costs of girls basic education, he said.

On the learning outcomes of the girls, Banda said that end line percentage of pupils achieving basic literacy had increased from about 10 per cent at baseline to about 32 and 40 per cents at midline and end line respectively in the GEP3 intervention schools.

He said that over 10,000 teachers and facilitators had been trained through GEP3, with teachers effectiveness.

Banda also revealed that UNICEF had also supported the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in developing and in the dissemination of Safe Schools Guidelines.

He said that the GEP3 project had also led to the enrolment of about 1.3 million girls in primary and Integrated Quranic Schools (IQS) in the targeted six northern states. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

** If used, please credit the writer as well as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Franca Ofili

Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, Clinical Psychologist, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, has advised Nigerians to pay attention to the language or behavior of someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Ajiboye said this during an online programme on Thursday on the topic overcoming depression.

He said that a person contemplating suicide usually exhibited symptoms like isolation, distracted thoughts, hopelessness, indifferent or strange behaviors.

If you suspect someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, discussing topics like suicide of self-harm with an open mind can encourage others to share the concerns that made them contemplate suicide.

Maintaining patience is important when dealing with a person having suicidal thoughts because your agitation or restlessness can add to the persons woes.

Motivating the person to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy, sleeping on time, exercising regularly, can help in reducing suicidal tendencies, he said.

According to him, the family members or common friend can be of great help to handle any risky unpredictable behaviours.

Ajiboye advised that the people should always be on their toes and ready with a safety plan in case of somebody contemplating suicide.

He urged people to remove things like knives, pills and razors that can potentially provoke suicidal tendencies.

Seek professional help or medical intervention from National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help the person experiencing suicidal thoughts, Ajiboye said.

According to him, the three core symptoms of depression are depressed mood, low energy and loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities which are core features of a major depressive episode.

He said other symptoms are fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and neurocognitive and sexual dysfunction, low self-esteem.

Ajiboye said that the biopsychosocial approach included three components which are psychological factors, biological factors, and social factors.

For biological, it involves inherited personality traits and genetic conditions.

The generic means if a family member has depression, there would be a possibility to have depression but not a must. It includes inherited personality traits and genetic conditions.

Psychological fact are these groups of people who worry a lot about everything which involves lifestyle, personality characteristics, and stress levels.

Social facts are to do with family issues and environment of the person like child abuse, sexual abuse, toxic environment, social support systems, family relationships, and cultural beliefs, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), has reiterated the need for viable and bankable projects that will be delivered through PPP, especially in the critical sectors.

The Acting Director-General, ICRC, Mr MichaelOhiani, said this at the Public Private Partnership Units Consultative Forum (3PCUF) for Quarter 2, 2022, held in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the meeting was sponsored by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Ohiani said the government had given the ICRC and Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) the task to deliver more than 80 per cent of all infrastructure projects through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He said the task was in line with the 2021-2025 Mid Term Expenditure Framework of the National Development Plan (NDP).

Although, we all have committed to this, it is now more pertinent to identify and push forward the projects which will offer better value for money to the economy and the citizens through PPP.

Ohiani said the ICRC had continued to record successes in the issuance of Outline Business Case (OBC) and Full Business Case (FBC) Compliance Certificates on some important projects.

The acting director-general said that the commission had issued a total number of 127 OBC and 50 FBC Compliance Certificates for some projects.

He said some of these projects include the issuance of FBC compliance certificate to the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

This according to him, is to Secure Ticketing Solution for the Lagos -Ibadan Standard Train service and the Warri-Itakpe Standard Train service.

The NNPC through the NNPC Medical Services Limited (NMSL) has commenced PPP projects to develop five multi-specialist hospitals in five locations which include, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja.

It also proposes to establish an Intravenous Fluid Plant in Kano through PPP methodology.

The Federal Ministry of Health through the Port Health Department has received an OBC compliance certificate for the decontamination and fumigation project for vessels arriving at all seaports in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is going digital with an OBC compliance certificate for the Digital Industry Trade and Investment Platform.

Ohiani said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had received an OBC compliance certificate for a project to maximise revenue from water bills in the Territory through the introduction of state-of-the-art water meters.

He said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had received OBC compliance certificates to redevelop dilapidated property and barracks across the country.

This Ohiani said includes properties in Ikeja, Falomo and Ijeh in Lagos, as well as Guzape in Abuja.

The acting director-general said that an OBC compliance certificate was issued to the NPF to revive its almost comatose airwing facilities to deliver better services through PPP.

Ohiani said the Federal Ministry of Health/UCH Ibadan had received an OBC compliance certificate to renovate and upgrade the School of Nursing students hostel in the hospital.

There are currently 77 PPP projects at implementation (post-contract) stage and 194 projects at development and procurement (pre-contract) stages.

He said the commission was also in the process of publishing the 2022 Pipeline of Eligible PPP Projects in line with the ICRC Act.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko in his remarks, said the 3PUCF encouraged the showcasing of Nigerias PPPs.

Bello-Koko, represented by the NPA General Manager on PPP, Mrs Ugo Madubike, said the forum was an avenue for MDAs to share experiences, rub minds on their achievements, and challenges relating to PPP procurements in Nigeria.

He said the global infrastructure gap had caused the government to turn to alternative infrastructure investment strategies, including PPPs, as a way to boost productivity.

Bello-Koko said in doing so, the government could leverage risk transfer to the private sector to address infrastructure deficits caused by expanding economies and population growth.

He said the NPA had recorded improvements in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction with no fewer than 26 PPP concessions and other joint venture arrangements.

The impact of PPP can be seen in the following areas, more efficient port services, upsurge in cargo throughput, reduction in cargo dwell time in the ports, and improved vessel turn-around time.

Other impacts are improved infrastructure through rehabilitation, updating and brownfield development; response time to dredging and hydrographic survey, as well as correct defects to navigational aids, has reduced.

The NPA boss called on the government to make clear demarcations on the roles and functions of MDAs to ensure ease of doing business.

He said there was the need to heighten the advocacy level in the areas of capacity building, discourage political interference, and clarify ambiguities in PPP.

Above all, there is the need to encourage synergy between the public and private sectors, he said.

Dr Folashade Yemi- Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, commended the ICRC for the work they were doing in the area of PPP.

Yemi-Esan, represented by Mrs Agalasi Ehigie, Director, Infrastructure Management, OHCSF, expressed the hope that Nigeria moved forward in getting the infrastructure the country required.

We pray that the projects get actualised, so the purpose for which these projects are undertaken will be fulfilled, so the government will be able to serve the citizens in the way it is supposed to, she said

NAN reports that the World Banks PPP Knowledge Lab defines a PPP as a long-term contract between a private party and a government entity.

It is aimed at providing a public asset or service, in which the private party bears significant risk and management responsibility, and remuneration is linked to performance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bodinga/ Dange-Shuni/Tureta Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, Alhaji Nasiru Shehu, has unveiled a five-point agenda for the development of his constituency.

Shehu said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja,

Im really disturbed about the under-development in my constituency.

This was actually caused by lack of quality representation by the current lawmaker at the House of Representatives who has been there since 2019.

So, if elected, I intend to implement a five-point agenda to reverse the ugly trend, he said.

Shehu named the agenda to include; enhancing trade and commerce, boosting security, education, women and youths empowerment and agriculture.

On trade and commerce, the candidate, who is also the Chairman of Sokoto State traders association, promised to assist small and medium scale businessmen with grants and capitals.

Many of our people want to venture into various businesses, but for lack of adequate capital.

If elected, I will broaden the scope of my assistance to traders to capture as many as possible.

With this plan many people will be employed, this will reduce poverty and unemployment, as well as prevent the attendant consequences, Shehu said.

Similarly, Shehu said that, if elected, he will accord top priority to women and youths empowerment to curb youths restiveness.

An idle mind is really the devils workshop and the menace of unemployment, especially among the youths can exacerbate the prevailing security challenges, he said.

Shehu, who is also the state chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), decried the recurrence of kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the area.

The security challenges have been worrying me and I will partner with the various security agencies to address the situation, he said.

On agriculture, Shehu said that he plans to assist farmers with assorted fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, implements and improved seed varieties for enhanced yield.

A lot of people want to venture into farming, but they lack the capital to do so, hence I will be assisting such people to become successful farmers.

This gesture will boost food production, ensure food security, and bolster the socioeconomic development of the state, the candidate said.

On education, Shehu promised to establish an educational foundation to assist indigent students with bursaries to enable them to acquire education at all levels. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Alhaji Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), says it has trained 300 unemployed youths across Nigeria in mechatronics and repair of heavy duty vehicles.

Jelani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the gesture was aimed at further reducing the high unemployment rate in the country.

According to the DG, the youth are trained to understand brand new vehicles and know how to fix them.

So, they now have new jobs, so they are sustainable and more will be trained across the country.

Every day, we hear about unemployment. Every year, tens of thousands of youths graduate from universities and polytechnics.

They roam the streets, with no jobs and it is very easy for them to get into these vices that are harmful to the society.

Aliyu said that the only solution was to create jobs and curb the menace of unemployment and poverty.

He said:The only solution we believe and I believe everyone should have that commitment to create jobs and skills.

Gone are the days when paper qualification is useful and skills are needed.

We need young Nigerians to practically add value, practically understand problems and come up with solutions.

Meanwhile, the council has also established six zonal automotive training centres in Abakaliki, Gusau, Bauchi, Osogbo, Lokoja and Benin.

Now, we are also building such centres across Nigeria, Aliyu disclosed.

He said that hitherto, the council was hiring workshops for the training of the youth across the country.

The DG further said that the council had secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council to import equipment from Germany, adding that they had started arriving in the country.

They will go into these centres and we will train more of these youths as our major contribution towards taking Nigerians off the streets and giving them jobs, Aliyu added.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahma

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) says it will partner a UAE-based firm to produce solar-powered tractors.

The Director-General (DG) of the council, Mr Jelani Aliyu, disclosed this shortly after participating as a panelist at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS), in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which was held from May 23 to May 25.

The summit brought together researchers, engineers, government officials, and electric vehicle companies and institutions from around the world.

They explored and discussed the technical, policy and market achievements and potentials in e-mobility.

The DG spoke on the current Nigerian achievements in e-mobility, and elaborated on the strong potentials in the sector in Nigeria and Africa.

Aliyu also had a talk with a number of executives, including the delegation of a firm that produces solar-powered agricultural tractors.

The discussion was with a view to collaborating with the company in the local production of tractors and make them available to Nigerian farmers.

This engagement was also in order to cost-effectively promote food production and sufficiency in the nation.

Aliyu later paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Dansatta.

The Ambassador thanked him for the visit and acknowledged the good work of Aliyu in developing the automotive industry in Nigeria, while urging him to continue with his efforts. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Yunus Yusuf

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has refuted claim of diversion of international flights to neighbouring Ghana and Benin Republic due to on-going repairs at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Runway in Ikeja, Lagos.

Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Hope-Ivbaze refuted publications trending on the social media platforms alleging that there were diversions of international flights to other countries.

The FAAN spokesperson however said that there was a planned rehabilitation of Runways 18R/36L (international runway) slated from June 4 to June 5, between 0600hrs-1300hrs UTC daily.

She explained that during the period, Runway 18L/36R (the domestic runway) would still be in use for all inbound and outbound flight operations as scheduled, while maintenance would be going on Runway 18R/36L.

She said FAAN management also reiterated to travelling passengers and the general public that inbound and outbound flights at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport would be operating unhindered. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Glory Abuh-Adejoh

The National Industrial Court, Abuja has ordered the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to reinstate its member of staff, Uzoma Ononogbo, who was involuntarily retired in March 2021.

Justice Ibrahim Galadima delivered the judgment on Thursday and also nullified the purported retirement for being unlawful and unconstitutional.

Galadima in addition declared Ononogbos retirement without first giving him the opportunity to be heard, as a violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.

However, the court order for the claimants reinstatement did not direct for the payment of his salary for the period of the litigation, having not merited it.

The court went further to strictly caution the claimant to adhere to his duties as a public servant and henceforth, become a shining example for other staff members to emulate.

The claimant had submitted that he was never queried for any misconduct, except for when he was absent from work due to his wifes protracted ailment.

He said that he was suspended without pay for the three months he was absent to take care of his sick wife.

Ononogbo further averred that he was abruptly retired involuntarily on March 11, 2021 via a letter, without given the opportunity to know the allegations levelled against him to enable him to defend himself.

The NYSC had argued that the claimant had no regard for his duties and had breached several terms and conditions of his employment, especially with his frequent absenteeism from office.

It also submitted that when he was transferred to the garment factory, he only went to work three times in two years.

It argued that the claimant was always feigning one excuse or the other to be absent.

It further submitted that the claimant admitted that he was always absent from work without lawful permission and that he was once issued a query, which he refused to respond to date.

The defendant equally stated that the claimant was duly involuntarily retired on the strength of Public Service Rules, instead of an outright dismissal.

Responding in a closing argument, the claimant said that he was not given the opportunity to defend himself before the investigative or disciplinary committee that considered the allegations against him.

He further said that he was also not notified about the outcome of the investigation by the committee for his possible reaction.

He, therefore, urged the court to grant the reliefs he sought.

After evaluating the submissions by both parties, the court held that Ononogbo was not afforded the opportunity to defend himself over the allegations levelled against him before the decision to retire him involuntarily was taken by the defendant. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sam Oditah

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has commenced a mobile metering exercise for its customers in Festac Town, Satellite Town, Agboju and other areas under its Festac District in Lagos.

The electricity distribution company said it aimed to use the two-week on-the-spot application to speed up the metering of its customers in those areas.

Mr Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, on Thursday said the exercise would be done under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

He said the initiative was to support the existing online process of acquiring prepaid meters by customers under the MAP scheme.

Idemudia said, We have started in Festac and we will get to our other business districts in due course.

He urged EKEDC customers in Festac and its environs to visit the companys district office at 23 Road, S Close in Festac Town to take advantage of this opportunity.

Our customer service team and authorised MAP vendors MOJEC International Ltd., are on ground to attend to customers in their meter applications, he said.

Also, Dr Tinuade Sanda, Managing Director, EKEDC, described metering as a major concern to the DisCo because there was need to accurately measure the energy consumed by customers to reduce its losses.

As much as we have made our estimated billing process to be as accurate as possible, it pales when compared to owning a prepaid meter.

Hence, we are here with the MOJEC International Ltd. team who will be stationed here in Festac for two weeks and assist our dear customers in getting their meters installed within 72 hours of confirmation of payment.

This is against the usual 10 working days under the MAP scheme, Sanda said.

She also advised customers against patronising unauthorised entities for meters as Eko Disco had 10 MAP vendors approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), including MOJEC.

On her part, Ms Chantelle Abdul, Group Managing Director, MOJEC International Holdings, commended Eko Disco for a great partnership in metering electricity consumers.

She promised that her team would ensure the fulfilment of the EKEDC Mobile MAP objectives, especially the metering of customers within 72 hours after payment.

Abdul also emphasised to customers that MOJEC is against extortion by some meter installers, and encouraged them to report any installer that demands money for the installation of prepaid meters.

She advised customers against meter bypass which does not only affect the effort of EKEDC but also the entire electricity industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NERC has approved N63,061.32 as the cost of a Single Phase Meter while a Three Phase Meter costs N117,910.69, including Value Added Tax under the MAP scheme.

Implemented in 2018 by NERC, the scheme brought about the supply and installation of prepaid meters by other parties authorised by the regulatory body.

In addition to the expected aim of closing the metering gap, the scheme is to ensure the development of independent and competitive meter service in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

It was, however, suspended following the introduction of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) by the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria in October 2020.

The scheme was recently revived by NERC after the completion of the Phase Zero of the NMMP that saw Eko Disco metering over 70,000 customers in its network. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A former Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has call for urgent cleanup of weapons and drug among the Fulani youth as part of practical solutions to the ugly trend of kidnapping in the country.

Dambazau made the call in his paper, titled Dilemma of the Fulbe pastoralist, presented at the Pastoralists and Fulbe Security Conference, in Abuja.

The conference is with the theme: Exploring the contemporary challenges facing pastoralism and Fulbe with a view of proffering workable solution in curbing insecurity across the nation.

It was jointly organised by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Northern Consensus Movement (NCM).

The former minister stressed the need for urgent practical solutions to kidnapping by the Fulbe youth that leads to daily loss of lives and destruction of properties.

According to him, one of the steps should be blocking of access to weapons and clean up all the weapons already in circulation within Fulbe pastoralist youth environment.

We must also clean up the stable, and by this, I mean, with the help of the NDLEA, the society must work on the drug abuse among the Fulbe pastoralist youth, he said.

He noted with concern that drug traffickers had targeted the Fulbe youth and there was high rate of drug abuse among them, which must be decisively dealt with.

According to him, in order to deter the criminals among the Fulbe pastoralist communities, it is important that the criminal justice system comes strong against all those arrested for such violent crimes.

He said that they should be prosecuted and if found guilty, be subjected to maximum punishment.

We must ensure justice and pursue human capital development that would improve the education and health of the Fulbe pastoralist to open more opportunities for him for self-development in the society.

To do this, access to quality education and healthcare facilities should be provided for the Fulbe pastoralists, in addition to skills acquisition, he said

Danbazau, who said the Fulbe pastoralist community had been isolated for long said that their integration into mainstream of society should be given priority.

He also called for the implementation of governments National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) approved in 2019, an attempt to modernize livestock rearing, would provide the foundation upon which the integration would be mounted.

Beyond the idea of the UN Great Green Wall in the Sahel to checkmate the southwards movement of the desert, states and Federal Governments, and the private sector, should raise special funds for establishing ranching communities.

Particularly in the vast lands in the northwest and north east, with all necessary facilities to enable the pastoralists settle down permanently.

After all, government has been subsidizing agriculture, especially for farmers, and the production of livestock should be part of the government efforts to increase revenue, he said.

Speaking on the dilemma of Fulbe pastoralist, the former minister believed that the conference was an attempt to interrogate the predicaments of the Fulbe pastoralists in relation to the insecurity in Nigeria.

It should be noted that contemporary challenges facing Fulbe pastoralists are multifaceted and complex.

According to him, the Fulbe ethnic group is known to pursue pastoralism not only as means of livelihood but also as a way of life, mostly as nomadic and semi-settled in the various forests spanning the country.

He said that the Fulbe pastoralist was in dilemma because his wealth of cattle had disappeared due to cattle rustling, conflicts, or the consequences of climate change that brought about desertification and drought.

He said that another dilemma was that the group remained in the forest hiding because of the new criminal trade of banditry and kidnapping for ransom, which many of its youth are involved.

While in the past he was easily identified by his stick with which he controlled the movement of his cattle, today he is identified with the AK47 and other light weapons he uses to attack rural communities and also ambush to kidnap passengers and motorists traveling on the highways.

The Fulbe pastoralist was known to be humble, kind, gentle, disciplined, honest, and selfless, but today he is perceived as a bandit, murderer, rapist, cattle rustler, and kidnapper, he said.

He, therefore, called for concerted effort to address the prevailing challenges facing the Fulbe pastoralist in the country.

He said that this was the only to ensure peace in the country and the entire region.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, said that President Muhammadu Buhari was very much concern about the challenges of livestock development in the country.

Abubakar said that the Federal Government was also much aware of the security and other challenges in the subsector and was willing to do everything to address them.

The minister said that Federal Government had approved a huge sum of money for the retracing and reclaiming of grazing reserve in the country.

He said that government was willing to checkmate the spate of insecurity in livestock sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

OYS/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Patricia Amogu

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and other stakeholders in the Energy sector have called for synergy and private sector collaborations to address bottlenecks around finance models for the sector.

The call was made by various stakeholders at the Stakeholders Engagement on Finance for Rural Electrification and the Renewable Energy Sector in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting exploring sources of funding for rural electrification aimed at evaluating the issues and obstacles that have weighed on the growth of rural electrification and the decentralised renewable energy sector.

The President, REAN, Mr Segun Adaju, said that the convergence of stakeholders was to leverage on finance models that had been piloted and how the private sector could take over from there when subsidy was gone.

We are looking at how the private sector can commercialise the models that have been developed to provide electricity for rural dwellers.

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has introduced a funding model that can be commercialised in providing electricity to rural dwellers and we are looking to discuss issues around financing and funding of more projects, he said.

Dr Sanusi Ohiare, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund ,in his remarks identified funding and data as key issues around the sector stating that the sector was looking to collaborate with development financial institutions that are interested in data gathering.

Ohiare stated that REAN was partnering with private investors to bring in funding and also solve issues of financing for the private and give them comfort while projects are implemented.

Owing to the nature of rural Electrification, we partner with private investors to encourage projects .

We encourage private investors to bring in funding, thereby solving the financing bottle necks for the developers and also attract funds from the bank.

Banks can now co-fund for projects and reduce the risk involved in financing, we have done a lot of projects in the last five to six years and this has been very successful.

We are currently working on 51 projects including mini-grids, solar and hybrids, we have done a couple of solar home systems, we have done 12 projects under the first call and a lot is still ongoing with the model put in place, he added.

Also speaking, Mr Tinyan Ogiehor, Off-Grid team lead, Nigeria power sector Programme, USAID, stressed that sustainable business models had been put in place to provide financial and technical experts for private project developers .

We seek out various project developers and look for ways to provide varied levels of targeted support to these companies to support them in attracting foreign and private investors and also funding.

We give detailed technical capacity experts to give experts to enable them win funds, one of the things we do, which we recently did is to put together sustainable business models that can show how existing solar panels that show how these systems can stand the test of time before replacement, he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government has repatriated another 166 stranded Nigerans from Libya who were victims of human trafficking.

Mr Kabiru Musa, Charge d Affairs of the Nigerian Mission in Libya said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Musa said that the 166 evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli and were expected to arrive in Nigeria via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said that the voluntary evacuation was carried out by the Federal Government in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration and the support of the Libyan authorities.

Today again, we have successfully evacuated another batch of stranded Nigerians in Libya, who will be reuniting with their families any moment from now by Gods grace.

The 166 Nigerian returnees departed Mitiga International Airport aboard a chattered BURAQ Air Flight UZ189MJI and expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

This continuous evacuation is in line with the commitments of the Nigerian government of not allowing any of its citizen remain stranded abroad.

Libya is a transit country for those trying to cross over to other parts of the world through irregular routes, that is why we have so many stranded Nigerians here, he said.

Musa said that the Federal Government, through the Mission, was ready and committed to return any of its citizens who wanted to voluntarily return home.

He added that as usual, arrangements had been made to receive the people on arrival in Nigeria, and help them reintegrate into the society, (NAN) ()

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Olukayode Babalola

Hon. Ahmed Wadada, a former House of Representatives member, has said he withdrew from the All Progressive Congress (APC) Nasarawa West Senatorial District primary election because of the alleged illegal process adopted to conduct the primaries in the state.

Wadada, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi Emirate, made this known at a news conference held in Keffi Local Government area of the state on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until his sudden withdrawal, Wadada was a frontrunner for the APC ticket for Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone.

The primary election is still yet to hold due to controversy over alleged alterations of the original delegates list meant to be used to elect party candidates for various elective posts in 2023.

NAN also reports that even after his withdrawal, the party could still not hold the primary election for the two remaining aspirants: Labaran Magaji and Shehu Tukur on Saturday, May 28th.

Angry youths violently disrupted the electoral process over alleged alterations to the delegates list leading to suspension of the election.

Wadada said he thought it wise to intimate the media and by extension the public, especially his teeming supporters on reasons for his decision to withdraw.

He said his withdrawal was influenced by his belief in due process, fairness and strictly adherence to how party primaries should be conducted.

Wadada said these tenets are in line with the electoral act and guidelines of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC accepted the original list because INEC monitored the exercise that brought about the emergence of the original list. We were to hold primaries based on the basis of that original list.

The state chapter of the party preparatory to the commencement of the primaries called the chairmen of various local government areas of the state and handed over that monitored, authenticated, legal and legitimate list.

We woke up the next morning, that was the day the primaries for the Governorship and state assembly were to commence, that another list was sent from the headquarters of the party.

That list sent by the headquarters was neither monitored by INEC nor were stakeholders or caucus of the state APC consulted.

That list came up because some people somewhere were scared and intimidated to the level of taking laws into their hands, thereby creating illegality, he said.

Wadada added that he was encouraged by some people to still participate in the primary electoral process but reject the view because the process was allegedly illegal.

I said how can I go for illegality. I am not a lawyer but I know what the electoral act says. Any list of delegates used in conducting any primary election and that list was not monitored by INEC, and not authenticated by INEC.

The electoral law says that exercise will be null and void. How then do I go into what I know will end in futility.

My desperation in life has never taken to any illegality. So I wrote to the party and withdrew my participation in the contest because I cannot be part of any illegality.

Despite my withdrawal from the contest, has the election taken place? No! That is because the doctored list we complained about, that informed my withdrawal from the contest was also re-doctored.

As progressive minded politicians, we shouldnt be seen involving in illegality, he said.

The former lawmaker, however, said that though he was still in the party, he would make a decision on his membership of the party within 48 hours.

Between now and the time, anything can still happen but the damage has already been done. How to undamage the damage, only God knows, he said.

NAN reports that Magaji and Tukur are the two other aspirants left to contest for the APC Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone ticket at the general election in 2023. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

ByLucy Ogalue

The Ministry of Transportation has activated a biometrical system that will help boost the productivity of staff of the ministry.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, who inaugurated the system on Wednesday, urged the staff to ensure their best to render efficient service to the country.

According to Ajani,as from June 1, every staff is expected to clock in and out of the office using the system.

What we have just done is to commission adigital clocking system. We are just leveraging on technology.

For us, it is not about looking at the punitive measures but more to look at the positive contributions to productivity at work that this system is going to bring to bear for every one of us.

On a normal day, in the civil service we have what they call the time register where you have to sign in and sign out, but we are now using the digital register to take note of when we come into office.

This is important in measuring our productivity at the Ministry of Transportation and it will help us solve a lot of problems, particularly for the Human Resource Department.

You dont need to ask questions as to how many staff were present in the office in any department.

At the click of the mouse, the DHRM can see exactly what is going on, see the number of people who are even on sit in terms of when they came in and when they leave the office, Ajani said.

According to the permanent secretary, the system will also help in boosting security at the ministry.

She said beyond productivity, it is also useful when you look at the security aspect.You will know who was where, at what point in time and all.

This is in addition to other security devices and apparatus we have in the Ministry. But talking in house, who isinside the building, we can actually look at that from the system.

Although, you need it to check truancy, but more importantly we need it to look at the productivity of our staff.(NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested 26 suspects involved in offences of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and cult activities within two days in the state.

The states Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Wednesday said the command recovered one English-made Berretta pistol with one live round of .9mm calibre ammunition, four locally-made pistols with live cartridges and others.

Ndukwe said that on May 29 at about 11p.m., a combined team of police operatives from Operation Restore Peace and Enugu Metro Area Command, while on routine stop and search duty along Abakaliki Road, Enugu; intercepted a commercial bus.

The interception of the commercial bus led to the arrested of Obinna Owoh, 22; while two of his cohorts escaped. Search conducted on him led to the recovery of two locally-made pistols with three live cartridges, he said.

The police spokesman noted that similarly on May 28 at about 5:30p.m., police operatives serving in the Nsukka Sector of the Commands Crack Squad arrested one Benedict Nwodo, 29, of Ugwuechara in Nsukka.

His arrest followed a distress call alleging that he was sighted with a gun along CSO Site in Nsukka. One English-made Berretta pistol with one live round of .9mm calibre of ammunition was recovered from him, he said.

Ndukwe said that on the same May 28 at about 4:30a.m., police operatives serving in Anti-Cultism Squad, acting on credible information busted a secret cult initiation meeting in a forest at Eke in Udi council area and arrested 24 suspects.

The command recovered two locally made pistols, seven black berets and a white-coloured, ten litres can, containing liquid substance suspected to be a mixture of palm wine and Indian hemp used for the initiation.

Ongoing investigation revealed that the suspects are made up of 14 newly initiated and 10 old members of Apache Tigers, popularly known as Black Beret Confraternity. They all confessed to being members of the secret cult group, he said.

The police spokesman said that all the suspects would be arraigned in court once ongoing investigations are concluded.

He said the states Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawal Abubakar, had charged police operatives to remain at the top of their games, in view of actualising the commands quest to purge the state of unrepentant criminal elements.

Ndukwe said, Members of the public should remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to assist the Police with credible and timely information/intelligence it requires to clampdown on unrepentant criminal elements in the state.

This they can do by reporting at the nearest police station or by calling the Commands emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883 or 08086671202.

Or alternatively send e-mails [email protected] use the NPF Rescue App to make such reports, and rest assured that their identities and the reports shall be accorded utmost confidentiality and necessary action. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed concern over the halt of grain exports from Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.

The pope, at the general audience in Romes St Peters Square, said the blockade of grain exports from Ukraine, which millions of people depend on, especially in the poorest countries, is causing grave concern.

He said that everything must be done to solve the problem and guarantee peoples basic right to nourishment.

Please, one does not use grain, a basic food, as a weapon in war! the 85-year-old said.

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth month, has caused a shortage and a steep rise in the price of food in many countries.

Ukraine, a major exporter of grains, has been practically unable to export anything due to the Russian invasion.

The UN has warned that the war will worsen hunger around the world. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

Humanitarian organisation, Care on Wednesday reported that the number of malnourished children in the East-African nation of Somalia was higher than ever before.

According to the organisation, amid the worst droughts in the Horn of Africa in 40 years, thousands of people in Somalia are on the verge of famine, while many children are suffering from malnourishment.

The UN figures also showed that the problem was not limited to Somalia as more than 15 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are struggling with food shortages.

The region was also suffering from violent conflicts, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and a locust plague, adding that Somalia imports more than 90 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.

Due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chains have been disrupted, causing a steep rise in food prices in Somalia.

The Care organisation said that more than 3,500 malnourished children have been taken in by hospitals supported by the organisation between January and the end of April, a rise of 60 per cent compared to the same period the year before.

West Africa was also on the verge of the worst food crisis in a decade.

Humanitarian organisations warn that June could see 43 million people in the region suffer from lack of food, an increase of one third from the year before. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

Malaysias ban on chicken exports has taken effect as of Wednesday, aimed at stabilising domestic supplies and alleviating shortages, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

The prime minister earlier announced the ban on May 23 over ballooning prices of chicken and chicken products in the market and a supply shortage to local consumers.

The export ban will remain in place until the situation stabilises, allowing the Southeast Asian country to create a stock buffer.

The measures, along with abolishing approved permits for imports as well as facilitating the claim process for subsidies to farmers, are aimed at shoring up the countrys food security.

Transactions in markets around the capital Kuala Lumpur showed sufficient chicken stocks available for sale at the set prices, which have been capped since February at 8.90 ringgit (2.03 U.S. dollars) per bird.

The shortage of chicken and chicken products has been blamed on extreme weathers, pandemic-related supply disruptions and shortages in feed and other items caused in part by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Malaysia exported more than 49 million live chickens in 2020, according to data from the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ummul Idris/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Ismail AbdulAziz

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Wednesday said cooperation between the agencies involved in Hajj 2022 operation would engender smooth, safe, and efficient transportation of pilgrims to the Saudi Kingdom.

NAHCONs Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan said this when he paid a working visit to the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu to avail him of measures that needed to be taken during the operations.

Hassans visit was in continuation of interaction with various stakeholders involved in the Hajj 2022 operation.

He also met Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Prof. Mansur Matazu, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET); Dr Geoffrey Okatubo, Director Port Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health; and other relevant sister agencies.

The Chairman of NAHCON added that stakeholders involved in the Hajj 2022 operation would leave no stone unturned to ensure pilgrims comfort.

We are going all out to make the 2022 Hajj operations from Nigeria significantly difference. Various activities had been conducted internally and we want to meet others stakeholders to have a synergy for a successful Hajj after the two years hiatus, Hassan said.

He urged the stakeholders to ensure all airports, aircraft, and airspaces were ready before the inaugural flight.

Hassan also called on the stakeholders to ensure they provided the basic health requirements for the Nigerian pilgrims, including the conduct of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, yellow card issuance, and Coronavirus immunisation before departure to avoid delays.

He praised the staff and management of the NCAA and other organisations that are part of the airline screening for doing a commendable job.

Speaking, the director-general assured pilgrims that all aircraft involved in the Hajj operation would be inspected to ascertain their airworthiness.

While speaking also, the managing director of NAMA said the airspace management agency was getting ready to enforce Hajj regulations, provide the list of flights to be used, and the immigration process.

Similarly, the NIMET managing director said that pre-Hajj inspection would be carried out, just as close monitoring and observation of the weather would be sustained before the take-off of each flight. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz/Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

Indonesia has increased the number of aircraft and vessels to search and rescue the victims of a capsized ship in the central parts of the country, a rescuer said.

Another helicopter was deployed to the scene in the Makassar Strait on Tuesday, bringing the total to two in the operation, and another ship would also help the mission on Wednesday, Isran A, a rescuer at the information center of the search and rescue office in South Sulawesi province, said.

The search focuses on the northeast of the spot where the ship capsized with more helicopters and personnel.

And, according to a plan, another ship will also help the mission on June, he told Xinhua via phone.

Isran said the number of missing victims rose to 19 on Tuesday from 11 a day earlier, as the head of the village has reported some missing villagers to the provincial search and rescue office after the incident.

As many as 31 people had been rescued safely from the boat incident, according to him.

Rescuers have extended the search area to 40 nautical miles to the northeast of the location where the ship capsized, Mukti Ali, a rescuer at the search and rescue office, told Xinhua.

The ship sank after being hit by huge waves in the Makassar Strait on Thursday, but rescuers got the information about the incident on Saturday, according to Wahid D.J., a senior official at the search and rescue office.

The ship suffered from an engine failure when it was hit by the huge waves, he told Xinhua. (Xinhua/NAN) ()

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Edited by Halima Sheji/Isaac Aregbesoa

Source: NAN News