By Ramatu Garba

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 129 Nigerians stranded at Agadez, Niger Republic on Saturday in Kano

NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, gave the figure when he received the returnees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees arrived in Kano in three luxury buses organised by the International Organisation on Migration.

The returnees were brought back through a voluntary repatriation programme for those who left Nigeria to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not get to their destinations and became frustrated, Abdullahi said.

The coordinator added that the returnees included 125 male, two female and two toddlers.

According to him, the returnees are from different parts of Nigeria; some from Kano, Gombe and Anambra states.

He added that they would be trained for four days to be self-reliant and would be given grants to start new lives.

The returnees were given toiletries and clothes and fed on arrival

One of them, Ummi Aliyu from Kano State, a widow and mother of nine, said she travelled with two of her kids up Algeria for greener pasture.

I am a widow; that was why I left my seven other children in Nigeria to travel outside the country to get enough money to take good care of them, she said.

Another returnee, James Kelechi from Anambra, said that he operated a medicine store before he left Nigeria in search of greener pasture.

My business was not moving fine; that was why I decided to travel to Italy in search of greener pasture, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) has endorsed 60 Ambassadors for Peace to transform conflict and strengthen peace and unity in Nigeria and Africa.

At the graduation ceremony of 2021/2022 COFP Fellowship Programme, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, President of the foundation, encouraged the graduates to continue with good work of peace.

Onaiyekan, also the Founder of the foundation, said that the fellows were the 4th graduates, adding that the foundation started about five years ago and had extended to other African countries.

According to him, this marks the successful putting into the filed of another group of workers in the noble task of building peace.

It is also for transforming conflicts, strengthening the resilience of our oppressed people and creating conditions for the genuine prosperity of our people.

Our foundation is based on a deep conviction and faith in God. Our faith in God also inspires and empowers us to launch on to action to do all we can for good of our human environment.

We are grateful to all who have joined us as partners in this noble task and all who have been supporting and facilitating the work, both from abroad and Nigeria, he said.

Onaiyekan thanked the graduates for their dedication throughout the one year programme on interreligious dialogue, conflict transformation and meditation.

He said that the fellows had been equipped and strengthened for the task of interfaith and peace building actions for development of the societies across Africa.

These fellows have also discovered the force of inter-faith action in a sacred coalition against violent extremism in the name of God.

The foundation is now poised for continued growth in both extension and quality of the services it is planning to render to our communities in the years that lie ahead, he said.

Onaiyekan, however, urged all the fellows, private and government partners for the sustainability of the programme as it would promote more peace and oneness to Africa at large.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Sister Agatha Chikelue, said that the foundation has continue to engage faith leaders and community actors across the continent to bridge divisions by building inclusive societies that enhance peace.

Chikelue said that about 10 fellows were drawn from other African countries, adding that they were from different faith.

According to her, the participants of the one year programme successfully emerged from required 159 credit hours of study at the foundation and have executed their community peace projects in their various states and countries.

They will be awarded with a certificate in interreligious dialogue, conflict transformation and meditation.

We are confident that the training received in the one year has prepared our fellows to become peace ambassadors.

This means that a lot is expected from them.

One of the ways that they can strengthen the efforts to address challenges of todays conflicts, is by putting into action all they have learnt in the programme.

She encouraged the fellows to ensure that they used the initiative to address religious harmony, peaceful coexistence for community development.

The time has come to translate dialogue into practical actions, that is what it means to be a COFP fellow, she said.

Also, Dr Clementine Nishimwe, from Rwanda, one of the fellows who spoke on behalf of others, said that the foundation had made her understand the importance of living in peaceful environment.

Nishimwe, a Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, said that she would put into action all that was taught during the programme.

I will ensure that I translate dialogue into practical action.

As a lecturer, I see youths everyday; I make sure I deliver the message of peace to them and ensure that peace and unity exist among them.

I want to sincerely thank the foundation for the opportunity given to me to attend the programme. I promise to speak peace to my country in Rwanda and South Africa as well, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it is drafting six regulations on midstream and downstream operations to bring clarity, improve business processes and ease of doing business in the sector.

The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed made this known during a meeting with members of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) in Abuja.

Ahmed, in a statement on Sunday listed the regulations as Gas Pricing, Environmental Management Plan, Environmental Remediation Fund, Decommissioning and Abandonment, Gas Infrastructure Fund and Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff.

The ACE also informed the group that a Working Team chaired by Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI) , NMDPRA was set up to review the draft regulations.

According to him, the group will engage and consult stakeholders for smooth implementation when released.

One of our key concerns is boosting local refining.

Dangote and BUA refineries are coming on board; however, we want to see more companies investing in refineries so we can stop the importation of refined petroleum products, save our foreign earnings, create jobs and add value to the economy, he said.

He pledged the authoritys commitment in making the business climate in the midstream and downstream conducive for local and foreign investment to thrive.

The NMDPRA Boss, however commended the gradual growth of indigenous players in local exploration and production of petroleum products.

Earlier, the IPPG Chairman, Mr Abdulrazaq Isa said the IPPG was an association of 25 indigenous Exploration and Production (E

By Stephen Adeleye

The Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), an NGO, has inaugurated a steering committee to drive the process of implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Act in Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Kogi House of Assembly had in 2021, passed the Bill with a view for the state to join other states in domesticating the Act.

The Senior Programme Manager, SCDDD, Mr Bola Abimbola, at the Inauguration of the committee urged members of the interim committee to discharge their assignment with utmost sense of commitment and dedication.

According to him, SCDDD is pushing for the assent of the Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, with a view to achieving the desired success.

With an advocacy language, Kogi No Dey Carry Last, is through which the committee intends to mobilise sufficient goodwill and support for the assent to the Bill.

With a little push, the VAPP Bill will be signed into law in the state.

Abimbola, however, acknowledged the governors uncommon scorecards in youths and women development as well as persons living with disabilities.

In his inaugural speech, the interim Chairman of the committee, Mr Mike Abu, said the committee had agreed on a number of strategies to deploy in prevailing on the state government to assent to the Bill.

He noted that the strategies included media day of action, where the committee would explore media platforms to push its aims and objectives.

Also we will engage key stakeholders toward seeing to the signing and gazetting of the state VAPP Bill, he said.

Abu expressed optimism that the Bill, when assented to, would attract speedy attention on the need to safeguard the citizens against violence of any kind.

This, he said, became necessary considering the governors passion for issues of safety, rights, dignity and security of Kogi people.

NAN reports that the VAPP Act is designed to tackle all forms of violence against persons in private and public life as well as providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment for offenders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Dr Abdullahi Ahmed, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, in Nasarawa state, has enjoined new matriculating students to shun all form of social vices.

The rector made the call while addressing the 2021/2022 matriculating students of the polytechnic on Saturday.

He stressed that the essence of the gathering is in fulfilment of the mandate to celebrate the milestone achievement of matriculating new sets of students for the 2021/2022 session.

Ahmed urged the matriculating students to strictly adhere to the polytechnics rules and regulations contained in the students handbook.

According to him, the management of the polytechnic is doing all it takes in providing conducive environment for learning in the institution.

He enjoined the students to count themselves lucky for having the requirements to be part of matriculating ceremony, considering the number of candidates who applied for 2021/2022 admission to the polytechnic.

The Rector, who appealed to the new students to uphold the ethics and guidelines of the school, urged them to channel all their grievances to appropriate authority within the polytechnic.

He lauded the management as well as the polytechnic community for their continuous support to boost growth in education in the polytechnic. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, is set to inaugurate General Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation (GIAF) to mark his one-year memorial on Saturday in Abuja.

Attahiru died alongside 10 other military officers and men on board the ill-fated NAF Aircraft that crashed in Kaduna on May 21, 2021.

The Programme Coordinator of GIAF, Dr Titus Orngu, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Orngu said that Emir of Bichi, Kano Emirate, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and leading Environmentalist Dr Newton Jibunoh were some of the prominent citizens expected at the event.

He said that Soyinka would deliver a short tribute with the title: To All, who give their All for All.

Orngu, said that top serving and retired military officers, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, political leaders, members of the academia and associates of the late General were also expected.

According to him, apart from the launch of GIAF, there will be the premiere of Ibrahim Attahiru, a Soldiers Soldier, a documentary on life and times of the late Army chief, produced and directed by Adeola Osunkojo.

The foundation will also present Attahirus posthumous biography, The man, the soldier, the patriot, biography of Lt Gen Ibrahim, written by Niran Adedokun, at the event.

It is published by Cable Books, an arm of Cable Newspapers Limited, he said.

Orngu said that the documentary and biography were in celebration of the exemplary life of the late military officer and an opportunity to introduce the ideals that guided his life to Nigerians, especially when the country needs the virtues of patriotism, selflessness and fellow feeling.

He said that GIAF intended to advance strategic leadership on the African continent with core values centred on the public good, integrity and accountability.

He added that priority areas would include strategic leadership; peacebuilding, human, environmental and social development as well as mental health and psycho-social support; research and defence advocacy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

The NextGen Cassava Project, being implemented by Cornell University, New York, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), has launched three new and improved cassava varieties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three newly released varieties which include Game Changer, Baba 70 and Poundable, were inaugurated on Friday, at Crest Agro Farms on Kabba-Lokoja Expressway, Lokoja.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ismail Rabbi, a molecular geneticist and plant breeder with IITA, said the new varieties were part of the varieties released in 2020.

Rabbi stated that years of consumer preference studies were conducted before releasing the varieties, saying, in addition to high yield and stress tolerance, we found that these varieties are suitable for several agro-ecologies.

The breeder noted that these next generation varieties delivered promising options for smallholder farmers in resisting cassava diseases and marketing their crops to consumers.

Farmers, processors and consumers love these varieties because they were high-yielding, stress-tolerant, disease-resistant and had the right food properties.

I am confident that farmers who adopt these varieties will make more profit and improve their livelihoods. These varieties are also a huge contribution to food security, he said.

He explained that when cultivated with good agronomic practices and weed control, the new varieties produce more than 30 tons per hectare instead of the current national average yield of eight tons per hectare.

According to him, while Game Changer can produce 32 tons per hectare, Baba 70 can produce 38 tons per hectare. It was also proven that the new cultivars were drought-tolerant and resistant to the virus diseases of cassava.

NAN reports that as part of the inauguration, farmers and processors were taken to the field where the varieties were planted alongside an old improved variety, TME 419, 11 months ago and managed by Crest Agro.

After an assessment of the field as well as the plant architecture, the farmers participated in harvesting some of the roots to compare with TME 419.

The farmers expressed their joy at the large sizes and number of roots produced by the varieties.

NAN reports the demonstration of the processing of the new varieties at the field to prove that their dry matter and starch contents were high and of great food value.

NAN further reports that participants witnessed the entire process from the farm to the table where they consumed garri, eba and fufu, chips and chinchin made from the two varieties.

The meals were consumed with vegetable and egusi stew made with cassava leaves.

Speaking on the field, Dr. Vishnuardhan Banda, Product Manager for Crop Variety Development, IITA, expressed joy that the farmers and processors were happy with the new varieties and eager to plant them on their farms.

He said that the next generation varieties feature high yields and robust disease resistance important for farmers and characteristics sought by consumers.

He, however, urged them to always send feedback on the performance of the varieties to the researchers.

Amb. Jaiyeola Lewu, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, and now a farmer, was present at the event.

While commending the NextGen project and the IITA and NRCRI scientists, Lewu described the varieties as game changers in the agricultural sector, saying farmers will benefit immensely from them.

He urged the project leaders to ensure that the products were available and accessible to the farmers who need them.(NAN)(www.nannews)

Edited by Hawa Lawal/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

Ekiti Government has commenced the construction of 51 motorised and hand pump boreholes, 17 public toilets and hand washing facilities across its rural communities under the PEWASH Programme.

Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) is a multi-sector collaborative platform that brings together government agencies and international institutions to improve access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene in rural areas in Nigeria.

Ekiti Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, said this on Friday, in Ado-Ekiti, after monitoring the projects located in different communities across the state.

Aluko highlighted the communities, where the Federal Governments Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects are going to include Osin-Ekiti, Ayegbaju-Ekiti ,Ijero-Ekiti, Erinjiyan-Ekiti and Ilawe- Ekiti, of Ikole, Oye,Ijero, Ekiti West and Ekiti South West Local Government Areas of the state.

The commissioner said the projects aimed at providing access to safe, potable water supply, hygienic sanitation system and cultivating hand washing habit.

He clarified that the gesture would contribute to Clean Nigeria Campaign to end Open Defecation by 2025 to achieve the Universal Access to Safely Manage Sanitation.

Aluko disclosed that the Ekiti Government under the leadership of Gov. Kayode Fayemi recently commenced a N500 million PEWASH intervention project.

He also said that the state government released the sum of N250 million counterpart fund for the procurement and installation of Water supply sanitation facilities to address challenges being faced in the sub-sector of the state.

He, therefore, reiterated the commitment of Ekiti Government to providing safe water and also help in achieving the SDGs in the state.

He said his ministry embarked on the monitoring exercise to ensure that the contractors deliver the project according to specifications as well as to avoid shoddy jobs.

Aluko, who, disclosed that the projects were near completion.

He enjoined the benefitting communities in collaboration with the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee, (WASHCOM) to cultivate good maintenance culture for proper management and sustainability when the facilities are finally inaugurated.

He, then urged the WASHCOM to always make use of feedback mechanism to the WASH at the state level in case of any complain.(NAN)()

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, has solicited stronger partnership with Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) for training of women and youth on leadership skills.

The newly-electedPresident of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, said this when she led a delegation on a visit to theDirector-General of CLTC,Mr Adesoji Eniade,in Abuja.

Lau said the NCWS visit to the centre was to appreciate CLTC for its efforts in partnering with NCWS, especially during the last leadership training.

She said that the NCWS, under her leadership, had developed a roadmap for achieving the vision of the council for the next five years.

Lau her vision for the Council was to promote women in leadership and governance as well as economic empowerment for women.

Others she said are: stimulating actions to strengthen legal and policy frameworks to end violence against women and girls; child protection and girl-child education.

Lau also said she would endeavour to build an effective and efficient NCWS as a valued partner for promoting the gender equality.

Poor leadership forms the core challenge and bane of our society and as such should be aggressively tackled.

Based on this, we request to strengthen the partnership and also avail the NCWS more opportunities, especially in leadership trainings for the newly inaugurated National Executive Officers, she said.

Earlier,Eniadehad promised to partner the NCWS to train youth on how to be good leaders.

Eniade said that both agencies were strategic stakeholders in the national efforts to build cultivate good citizens in both women and youth.

The NCWS was established to guide the activities of women in Nigeria.We need good women and mothers in Nigeria to ensure that both the men and youth imbibe good character.

Women are the bridge between the men in leadership and youths. This is a very honourable job and I pray God will help them to succeed, he said.

Eniade said that the CLTC was also involved in developing good leadership qualities among young people through various training programmes.

Looking at the Nigeria population of over 200 million, the percentage of people that constitutes its leadership is less than one while about 65 per cent are the youths and women.

The CLTC is an organisation established to focus on youths while the NCWS focuses on women and youth, hence the need for the collaboration, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, said he has held strategic meetings with stakeholders, ahead of the pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome.

Pam told newsmen in Abuja on Friday, that he met with top officials of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on plans for ease of pilgrimage.

He also said he sought the support of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to prevent unauthorised tour operators from conveying pilgrims for pilgrimage.

The executive secretary said that the engagement was necessary as the commission would soon commence the transportation of pilgrims.

He said that the visit to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, was to ascertain its level of readiness and identify likely challenges with a view to resolving them.

Pam said he also solicited the cooperation of the Airports Regional Manager, Mrs Victoria Shin-Aba, in the area of securing permanent pass for the NCPC Lagos Zonal Office of NCPC members of staff, to facilitate access to some sensitive points at the airport during pilgrimage operations.

The executive secretary said that he was fully briefed by Shin-Aba, who said she had directed all pilgrims to wear face masks, and be timely for the journey.

Pam further said he met with the Comptroller of NIS at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Mrs Kemi Nandap, and appealed to the service to stop the activities of illegal pilgrimage operators.

According to him, the commission is very concerned with what is happening in Lagos where unlicensed pilgrimage operators take people to the Holy land without the knowledge of the commission.

He clarified that the NCPC 2007 establishment Act empowered it to licence, renew and regulate all Christian pilgrimage activities in Nigeria.

The NCPC helmsman therefore, described the activities of the unregistered operators in the sub sector as illegal, adding that; it amounts to human trafficking.

Pam said most of the pilgrims who absconded went for pilgrimage through the illegal tour operators.

He assured that the commission would stop at nothing to discourage and put an end to such activities, which often tarnished the image of the country.

Pam said he received firm assurance from the NIS Comptroller at the airport, Kemi Nandap of the services readiness to collaborate with the commission to stop illegal pilgrimage operators.

The executive secretary said that the commission would provide the immigration service with the list of all pilgrimage operators registered and licensed by the NCPC, as well as the screened list of all intending pilgrims.

This, he said, would allow immigration officers at airports to carry out due diligence on pilgrims.

Pam said he had also conducted a similar inspection of Yola International Airport two weeks ago. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BTT/DOR

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

The Federal Government has begun the distribution of free farm inputs to more than 560 rural farmers in Kogi.

The distribution is on the platform of the Value Chain Development (IVCD) Programme supported by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Lokoja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, said that the gesture was to boost food security and cushion the damaging effects of COVID-19 pandemic on rural farmers.

Represented by the National Coordinator, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, the Minister said that the VCDP was a joint programme of the Federal Government and IFAD and is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to him, the project aims at improving the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava on a sustainable basis.

In early 2020, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which affected the world and disrupted farming activities and food systems.

To cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on farmers, IFAD gave a grant tagged Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) to VCDP through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The grant is meant for vulnerable farmers in VCDP states of Enugu State, Kogi, Nasarawa State, Anambra, Benue, Niger, Taraba and Ebonyi to sustain production and help them recover more quickly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the RPSF 2,793 vulnerable farmers will receive agro inputs to support their farming activities.

A total of 602 farmers will receive these inputs free consisting of 40kg certified rice seeds, 2 litres of herbicides, two bags of NPK fertiliser and one bag of Urea fertilizers in Kogi state, he said

The minister noted that VCDP would also provide extension services to targeted farmers who would receive trainings on good practices in the application of fertiliser and agro-chemicals as well as farm management and climate smart agriculture.

We recognizse and appreciate the support of IFAD in our quest to improve the livelihoods of our small holder farmers and specifically to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural sector particularly for VCDP farmers.

To our respected farmers, we implore you to make judicious use of the inputs. The inputs are not meant to be sold out but for you to use them on your farms.

We are going to support you with extension services and monitor your progress to ensure you have better yields to enhance your food security and incomes and ultimately your standard of living, he said.

He thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi for his commitment and support to the VCDP, and assured him of their unwavering collaboration with the state to improve the livelihoods and income of the farmers.

In his remarks, the Kogi Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr David Apeh, who inaugurated the inputs distribution, said that government would not relent in providing secured environment for farming activities to thrive in the state.

Earlier, the Kogi State Programme Coordinator, Dr Stella Adejoh, noted that IFAD-VCDP operations and activities which started two years ago had made positive impacts on the lives of the rural farmers.

She said that since inception, many communities across the state were provided with rice processing centres with processors, drying slab and solar powered boreholes, among others.

She said that the 560 rural farmers cut across the four rice producing local government areas of Lokoja, Ibaji, Ajaokuta and Kabba/Bunu.

She thanked the state Government. Yahaya Bello for providing the enabling environment for the IFAD/VCDP programmes to thrive in the state.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Salihu Abdullahi, Chairman Magajiya farm cluster, Lokoja, commended the IFAD-VCDP for the initiative to alleviate the sufferings of rural farmers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

AISH Initiative, an NGO has canvassed for proper awareness and sensitisation of people on laws regulating Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

The Deputy Director of the organisation, Mr Amuche Okoro, made the call in Abuja at a one-day sensitisation programme in Karu community in the FCT to stop SGBV in the country.

Okoro said that lack of awareness on the provisions of laws such as Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and the Child Rights Act, 2003 at the grassroots brought about increase in SGBV cases.

He said that the laws were there to punish offenders but expressed concern that a lot was yet to be done in terms of making people, especially those at the grassroots with rampant cases know the provision of the laws.

Okoro called on the authorities in charge of sensitisation of the laws such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to do more to make people aware of the laws.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the NGO, Mrs Helen Nwoko said SGBV eradication in Nigeria had been hindered due to interplay of many legal factors including government alleged inability to adopt some international conventions on human rights.

Nwoko said that victims still encountered enormous difficulties as a result of unavailability of rehabilitation centres, poor funding and under staff.

According to her, women and girls face difficulties in accessing the centres due to fear of stigmatization and discrimination.

Nwoko said that AISH Initiative had taken it upon itself to advance the rights of children, women and men,

He said that one of the top priorities of the organisation was the integration of women and gender perspectives into all its policies, programmes and activities.

We believe that the rate of GBV can be reduced in the community through increased awareness in the behaviours, beliefs, and actions that encourage these terrible actions, strengthen the capacity of community members to prevent and respond to GBV issues.

This requires our collective effort in the Karu community, she said.

The representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Nwabueze Emeka, the Principal Community Development Officer, called on every home to guide against child abuse, saying it also promotes SGBV in the society.

He said that abuse, criticism and threat expose a child to a lot of ills, and called on families to exercise caution while handling a child.

Emeka also called on families not to expose their children and wards to sexual abuse, which usually gives rise to depression and violence.

Mrs Comfort Ogunmola, the Acting Director, NOA FCT Directorate, said that the agency had been doing a lot within its mandate of orientating the populace and would continue in that direction.

She said that the agency had collaborated with other partners in sensitising and orientating Nigerians on so many societal issues.

Ogunmola called for all hands to be on deck to to win the war against SGBV.

The Sakaruyi of Karu, Dr Emmanuel Yepwi, represented by a District Head Chief, Mr Atnadu Shanyibwa, said that a lot of SGBV cases were reported at the palace, adding that they were doing their best to handle the cases.

According to him, any SGBV case that is beyond the administration of the palace, is referred to the police. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Yetunde Fatungase

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged traditional rulers in Ogun to sensitise their subjects against engaging in human trafficking.

Gbadebo made the plea on Friday in Abeokuta at a sensitisation meeting held with some traditional rulers in the state by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The meeting was part of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) funded by the European Union.

It was organised by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), as part of the support for NAPTIP and the state Human Trafficking Task Force.

The A-TIPSOM project is implemented by FIIAPP to support the Nigerian Government, through the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and (NAPTIP).

It is aimed at reducing the rate of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria.

The Alake of Egbaland, while thanking NAPTIP and FIIAPP for the advocacy visit, said that many dangers were inherent in such illicit activity.

We are being told that some people come to take your children with all sorts of tricks up their sleeves, like telling them they will earn dollars and all the rest.

Many people have gone into slavery without knowing and some returned like somebody from an asylum.

We used to think that those who were found in Italy and Rome are always from Edo, but now, they are taking our people from here.

Please talk to your people when you get home to be wary of anyone who offers your child a job outside this country, because theyre going to put your child into slavery.

We pray that one of the branches will be established in Ogun State so that advocacy can be total, Gbadebo said.

Also, the Olu of Owode, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, promised to relay the message to his subjects and community members.

Sowemimo, however, tasked the government at all levels to provide jobs or skill acquisition projects for the teeming youths.

According to him, if they have something doing, they would not be lured into slavery by the traffickers.

Earlier, Mrs Comfort Agboko, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Lagos, called on the Federal Government to create a command of the agency in Ogun to make the agencys job to be much easier.

Agboko said that with the command in Ogun, the agency would be able to operate from the state capital to other parts of the state.

According to her, human trafficking is prevalent in the South-West, hence the need to be proactive.

She appealed to the traditional rulers to sensitise their subjects and community members about the dangers of human trafficking.

Agboke, also sought for their cooperation whenever the agencys team visit their domains.

Out of the endemic states in the country, Ogun State is one of them, where human trafficking is prevalent.

As of yesterday, 19 people were repatriated from Sudan and they are all Yorubas.

Our Zonal Office is in Lagos. If an incident happens in Ogun, before we get here, the traffickers might have succeeded in trafficking their victim, Agboko said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has pledged to support the Nigerian Immigration Lawyers Association (NILA), to deepen the understanding of immigration laws and practices in the country.

Acting Comptroller General of NIS Isah Jere stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the 2022 Immigration Law and Policy conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference is with the theme, Contemporary Issues in the Immigration Milieu in Nigeria.

Jere was represented by Mr Muhammad Muhammad, a Director in charge of Border Management, who said that the platform would help deepen the understanding of Immigration Law and Practices in Nigeria.

He added that it would further promote viable and sustainable synergy among relevant stakeholders to ensure safety of its citizens in the country.

It is hoped that this conference will afford experts and other stakeholders the opportunity to compare notes and deliberate extensively on relevant contemporary issues relating to Immigration Law and Practices.

On our part, we pledge our commitment to an enduring partnership with NILA, to ensure that the collective efforts towards effective and efficient management of migration are tandem with global best practices, he said.

Earlier, the President, NILA, Prof Epiphany Azinge, said the conference sought to highlight and interrogate some of the significant changes in the immigration space in Nigeria since 2015 onwards.

Contemporary issues in Nigeria at this point in time can not be discussed without enormous emphasis being placed on the issue of immigration, migrants and security in the country.

Its a critical point in time for us to ask relevant questions and to raise those questions and demand deserved answer as the case may be.

So we are using this platform to ask such questions, create awareness, sensitise the populance, citizens but more importantly, to get the lawyers to reality that there are so much to achieve as far as immigration processes and policies are concerned.

So, we are kick starting with this and trying to develop the skills of lawyers in this regard.

For example, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) was created and founded in 1946, thats over 75 years ago. We are just starting ours today but we will grow.

America is 200 years plus while Nigeria is 60 years. So obviously, there is gap but we want to bridge that gap and there must be a day to start and we have started today, he said.

Azinge expressed the hope to see a positive progress in a shortest possible time how lawyers in the country would play significant roles as far as immigration processes were concerned.

Mr Fabian Ozoemena, Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, said that immigration had played a key role in Nigerias development and remained pivotal to the countrys economic success.

He added that the conference brought together lawyers, judges, academics, policy makers and other stakeholders at the frontline of immigration practices to share their knowledge and expertise.

He future explained that the conference would be merged with the induction of eligible persons into the various cadres of membership. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to partner with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, on disaster management in the country.

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General, NEMA, gave the assurance when the Vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, led a delegation to visit the agency in Abuja on Thursday.

Ahmed said that the agency had recognised the need to partner with the academia to take disaster risk management to the public, as such, it had existing collaboration with various academic institutions.

He said that the use of the ivory towers to build a well informed and better resilient Nigerian citizens could not be over-emphasised.

I want to assure you that as disaster managers and humanitarian actors, we are not going to relent in our efforts to build that critical mass of Nigerians that are well informed.

And better prepared to face up the ever growing disaster challenges not only here in Nigeria but across the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt taught us the hard and bitter lesson that every nation is vulnerable, no one is safe until everyone is safe.

I assure you that this visit will herald the beginning of a sustainable partnership between NEMA and Nasarawa State University, he said.

The vice-chancellor, represented by Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, said the aim of the visit was to commend the director-general for his commitment to further strengthen their existing partnership.

Mohammed appreciated the agency and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency for donating an Automatic Weather Observation Station to the institution earlier in the year.

He, however, requested for an assistance in the establishment of a Centre for Disaster Risk Management Studies and an ambulance vehicle in the institution.

He added that these would further build capacities of stakeholders in disasters management and enhance service delivery in the health sector of the institution.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

CLEEN Foundation, an NGO, says it has concluded arrangements to conduct security threats assessment across all the local government areas in Ekiti.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Executive Director of the foundation, Ruth Olofin, in Abuja ahead of the governorship election in the state slated for June 18.

Olofin said that the security assessment would focus on thematic issues in the election, adding that the findings would be used to engage stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Others are the police, political parties, civil society organisations, youth and women groups.

She said that the foundation would train and deploy observers across all the LGAs in Ekiti to enable them to provide real-time reports on election activities with focus on the conduct of security agencies.

She said that the observers would utilise the CLEEN Mobile App to collect data and transmit same to the organizations Election Security Support Centre (ESSC).

Olofin called on all actors and critical stakeholders to abide by the rules and regulations set by INEC and security agencies, led by the police.

She also urged all registered voters who had collected their PVCs in Ekiti to massively exercise their franchise for a credible leader to emerge.

Ahead of the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti, CLEEN Foundation is implementing block of interventions for the peaceful outcomes of the election.

The foundation is set to deploy the revised Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool it developed in collaboration with the INEC Electoral Institute for the conduct of security threats assessment across LGAs in Ekiti.

The foundation will host election and security experts to analyse developments in Ekiti that feed into the development of preliminary and post-election statements on CLEEN Foundations observations during the election.

Incidences reported from our citizens observers will be verified and distributed to appropriate government institutions, including the INEC, Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force for necessary actions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured that the planned removal of shops attachments at Karu village in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) will not affect indigenous houses.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of Karu Gbagyi Development Association Abuja on Friday.

Attah explained that the objective of the planned demolition was to shift some shops attachments and other illegal structures under electric high tension and close to road shoulder a bit backward.

The ministers aide said that the FCT Administration was a partner with the indigenous people and communities, adding that the administration was grateful with the cooperation and support of the indigenous community.

We are grateful that all indigenous communities have given us enough cooperation to build this city and we must be internally grateful.

We are not mindful of the fact that we should treat the indigenes very special not because other Nigerians are not special but because of the fact that we met indigenes at the point of exist from Lagos to Abuja.

This made them very special privileged among the leagues of other ethnic nationalities and communities within the FCT.

What we have discussed over the issue and further engagement to go and check will be carried out. I want to assure the chief that we will not go for the operation until we have concluded all engagements.

Indigenous houses will not be affected; you can go to sleep with that. What we want to do is to shift the shops attachment and others a little backward, he said.

Attah, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that the operation was carried out successfully.

Earlier, Chief Yunana Bawa, the Sarkin Yaki (Bhazhe) Karu Abuja, commended the FCTA for initiating the idea to sanitise the area of illegal shops and attachments.

We are very happy the way you have accepted and cooperated with us that we have some basic places that must go and there are other ancestors places that we will look all at together.

So that our own side will not be hurt and nobody will be hurt.

So I want to say well done for the exercise. We have been hearing about flood and if not with the help of the FCTA, as human being sometimes we are very stubborn.

What the administration will do will help us and save our lives because some people will go and build by the rivers side and block the water side.

When rain falls it will be a disaster. So I want to also commend the government for initiating the demolition so that people will be put in their toes to avoid infractions.

Also, the Chairman, Gbagyi Development Association Abuja, Mr Dangana Jimiko, said the recent removal of attachments and illegal structures at Karu market is a blessing to us because we have been battling with those structures for more than three years.

As you, know the market people need force and the sanity of that place now has really helped us. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the creation of 268 districts and village areas, two chiefdoms and the restoration of three chiefdoms in the state.

The governor who also approved the grading of five other chiefdoms, made the announcement in a statement by his spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham on Thursday in Jos .

The breakdown of the 268 Districts per local government areas are : Barkin Ladi 17, Bassa 19; Bokkos 17, Jos East 10, Jos North 15, Jos South 14 Kanam 20 and Kanke 11.

Others are Langtang North 16, Langtang South 7, Mangu 22, Mikang 10, Pankshin 23, Quaan Pan 16, Riyom 12, Shendam 22 and Wase 17.

According to the statement, the restored chiefdoms are Da-Gwom Rwei, Barkin Ladi, Da-Gwom Rwei (Gyel) Jos South Local Government and Da-Gwom Rwei (Riyom) Riyom Local Government.

Those that have been graded are Gwom Rwei Kabong Jos North Local Government, Gwom Rwei Zawan Jos South Local Government, Ponzhi Bwarat Langtang North Local Government, Ponzhi Gani (Sa) and Ponzhi Tumwat Langtang North Local Government.

Lalong also approved the grading of old existing district heads to senior Ddstrict heads.

The governor gave the approval following the review of the report on the creation of chiefdoms, districts and village areas in the state, constituted on Oct. 20, 2020.

Macham said that details of the names of the new districts and village areas would be released by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The governor urges the citizens to see this development as part of the efforts by his rescue administration to increase inclusivity, unity, peace, harmony and development.

He advises against politicisation of the action and warns against any attempt by some persons to use it for creating acrimony division and disaffection.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished over 30 houses which it described as illegal at Trademore Estate, Lugbe, in an attempt to prevent incessant flooding in the area.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, who led the operation under the auspices of the FCT Ministerial Taskforce Team, revealed that over 100 illegal houses would be affected.

This is an ongoing removal of illegal structures on the flood plain at the Trademore Estate, Lugbe, along Airport Road. This estate has been a theatre of flooding, very intensive flooding here and we have been engaging them for years.

And they have come to terms that this area is very dangerous to their lives and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has asked us to remove all illegal structures on the flood plain.

There has been excessive development on the flood plain in Trademore Estate, Lugbe, by some persons and these is very worrisome. All the houses that are going down were marked and some have been marked three years ago.

Attah explained that some of the affected structures were marked at foundation, window and roofing levels, adding that the final marking was about four days ago.

He added that And we gave them 48 hours and even gave them additional 24 hours. For now, 30 houses are going but over 100 were marked, but we are still engaging critical stakeholders around there.

After removing the first 30 houses, we will engage them to look at how we can use land solution act to find solution.

Like what some of them are saying that the Developer of Trademore Estate should be charged to court , they have the locus standi to take him to court.

The ministers aide reiterated that the FCT Administration would not compensate anyone because there was no building plan, no approval, no allocation on the flood plain.

We are not going to give any compensation because there was no building approval, he sated.

Reacting to the development, Sadat Bankole, who has been leaving in that area for over 10 years, said if the demolition would save and prevent further loss of lives, then she was in support.

What has been happening here is not palatable . Why is flooding constant in this area in the last few years. My view is that if peoples lives are involved then demolition should take place so that the place would be free from flooding.

My first experience of flooding here was about seven years ago and then it stopped, but in the last three years there has been constant flooding every time it rains. When the rain starts you cannot come out and you cannot come in, she said.

She called for the prosecution of the developer of Trademore Estate, for flood diversion, alleging that there was a diversion of the flood plain.

She said, I was informed where the developer built houses are the routes of the water and the water was diverted.

The person who diverted the flow of water should be asked questions and be sanctioned. The developer must be asked questions, why is the developer walking free.

He should be prosecuted. There was a time I had to sleep outside. The bridge was just constructed.

Also, Mr Ike Emmanuel, a resident in the area urged the government to force the developer to accept responsibility for loss of lives and selling water plain to Nigerians. (NAN)

SSI/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authourity (NMDPRA), says it will partner Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream to ensure effective regulation and standards in the downstream oil and gas industry.

The Authourity Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, said this when the Advisory Board of OTL, led by Dr Mumuni Dagazau, paid him a visit on Thursday in Abuja.

We can collaborate on information sharing, from your source, from our source, but it has to be credible, it has to be very transparent, so that anybody who wants to invest in the industry or in the sector, can see the projections based on the factual numbers.

The industry needs very strict corporate governance, that is what we are lacking. Every player thinks he is indispensable and that is why we are having some problems regarding distribution of petroleum products.

Of course they have their own reasons. With due regards they are in the business to make money, they are also in the business to put regulations in place but when the consumer is being taken advantage of for whatever reason, it is not acceptable.

So I agree with you that strong regulations and corporate governance is neccesary in order to have confidence in the industry, Ahmed said.

On the forthcoming OTL Africa Downstream annual event, Ahmed assured that the authourity would take advantage of it and ensure its presence.

Ahmed said: We are always ready to collaborate with stakeholders but we must be mindful of the fact that we are regulators.

We will look at your propositions and add where we can latch in because we need to also support our own internal capacities like the OTL.

Earlier, Dagazau, who represented the OTL board chairman, Mr Tunji Oyebanji, called for partnership between the OTL and the Authority, adding that their collaboration would benefit both parties.

He said: OTL over the years, has a collosal amount of data through its relationships and associations both local and international.

We want to capitalise on that in supporting NMDPRA. One of the things paramount in restructuring any organisation is access to Information and ability to get the right data to apply your thinking processes properly.

What we are offering is an opportunity to leaverage in what we have to support what you have been doing and give value back to Nigeria and the international market.

According to Dagazau, OTL will provide a network that can enable the authority disseminate information to a wide range of organisations in a faster way.

Meanwhile, Dr Emeka Akabogu, Founder, OTL Africa Downstream, said OTL had transited to a repository for industry information for the purpose of advancing business, operations and policy.

He said the Authority has strategic role within the context of the Nigerian midsteam and downstream industry and was positioned by virtue of the PIA to be exceptional.

So we see that as an opportunity for OTL and the Authority because we are able to offer the Authority a unique interface with multi sectorial industry interests as opposed to dealing with individual operators in the range of sub sectors which make up the industry, because almost everybody is represented under the OTL umbrella.

We will be very glad to work with the Authority to ensure that the right policy initiatives are put out regularly.

We want to collaborate with the Authority to ensure competition is effectively regulated, ensuring that the right standards are in place and a whole range of areas which propel the industry are explored.

We are looking essentially for a strategic collaboration on a long term basis to drive this relationship, he explained.

According to Akabogu, OTL basically seeks
to be a strategic partner in ensuring the right standards for the industry are in place from operational and policy perspectives.

We also want you to partake directly and physically in the flagship event which we put together for the industry annually which is the OTL African Downstream Week. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News