By Ikenna Osuoha

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Tuesday, called for team work and commitment
by stakeholders to end HIV epidemics.

She made the call while declaring open the 6th National Council on AIDS in Abuja, with the theme: Innovative Approaches Toward HIV Epidemic Control and Programme Sustainability at State Level.

She said women and girls were at the centre of HIV response with the rise in rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

According to her, cases of rape and other forms of GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the health of women and girls.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, restated the determination of the ministry to continue to support the fight against HIV.

Ehanire, who was represented by Dr Akudo Ikpeazu, expressed optimism that conversations around HIV at the 6th National Council would be fruitful.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, pledged the support of the legislature to ending HIV.

Represented by Ms Hafsat Abdulraheem, Senior Legislative Assistant, the chairman said that the legislature would make appropriate legislation to support the effort.

Dr Murphy Akpu of the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), reiterated determination of the group to continue to partner with National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in the National HIV Response.

According to him, as collaborators of Nigerias National HIV Response, PEPFAR is proud to be part of the conversation.

Dr Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), acknowledged the efforts of development partners in the fight against HIV.

Aliyu commended the stakeholders and development partners for a united front against the scourge. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Constance Athekame

The National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) has been presented with the Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 Certificate by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The Director-General of NAPTIN, Mr Ahmed Nagode,while receiving the Certificate on Tuesday in Abuja, said the Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 is a process development that strengthens business performance.

Nagode said that ISO 9001:2015 certification would create efficiency in work, guarantee world-class corporate governance and build enduring customer satisfaction.

According to him, this is the ultimate goal of any product development organization, this development will enhance NAPTIN brand, and product offerings will guarantee quality assurance and meet standards of regulatory requirements.

This laudable feat, though long overdue couldnt have come at a better time when NAPTIN is the cynosure of all eyes by its status of being a Centre of Excellence in power training.

Its training also covers West Africa Sub-Region under West African Power Pool and also the Association of Power Utilities of Africa under the African Network Centres of Excellence in Electricity (ANCEE) project.

This has made NAPTIN a global player in providing an efficient and effective workforce beyond the shores of Nigeria. Through this development, NAPTIN is living its dream as espoused in its corporate vision statement of being a Centre of Excellence, he said.

Nagode said that the recognition and the award came after two years of long and arduous journey of hard work, tenacity, resilience and utmost commitment by all staff of NAPTIN.

According to him, as NAPTIN basks in the glory of the ISO certification, the institute should come to terms with the reality that the work is not finished.

Our efforts at upholding and sustaining the status will be the real legacy we can all bequeath to future generations to come, he said.

The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, while commending NAPTIN for the feat, said that the certification was in line with the general reforms that were being carried out by the Federal Government.

Aliyu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Nebolisa Anako, said that every step was being taken toward performance management and digitisation of administrative content and standard operating procedure in service.

Excellence is something I ask other agencies of government to strive towards.

NAPTIN as an institution in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is key because it is where we train the talents to bring the system to standard.

As we need competently trained personnel in all aspects to move the power industry forward and the ministry of power is happy with NAPTIN for achieving this.

The Director-General of SON, MalamFarouk Salim said that ISO 9001:2015 quality management system approach now provides NAPTIN with a robust, globally recognised and acceptable solution to address challenges with managing quality.

Salim, represented by Mr Felix Nyado, the Director, Management SystemsCertification, SON said that the certification would also provide the institute solution to deliver an excellent customer experience.

According to him, implementing the ISO 9001: 2015 standard in your organisation is a demonstration of your top managements acceptance of international best practice of doing business and getting it right the first time and always.

Our advice to you today is to keep the system healthy and up to date to reap the benefits of ISO approach to management.

The system having been certified has been placed under annual surveillance audits to ensure continuing suitability and effectiveness in the course of the audit exercises,

Where non-conformance is observed and is effectively corrected within the specified time frame, the system will retain their certificate.

However, the certificate will be withdrawn if the structure in place for certification breaks down and corrective action is not taken on observed non-conformance, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Sonia Amure/Funmilayo Adeyemi

The National Universities Commission (NUC) in partnership with the British Council has concluded arrangements to deepen relationship on exchange programme that would boost transnational education.

The Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the commission and the British Council in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a High Powered U.K Government Delegation on Higher Education visited the country, British Council Nigeria and the NUC to sign MoU to deepen relationship on digital education.

Rasheed said that the gesture would open up academic spaces for Nigerians.

He said that the country would open up discussion on proper training in developing online digital education component that would boost the nations educational sector.

The National Universities Commission is committed to enhancing access to university education via the Open, Distance and e Learning (ODL) mode.

However, as regulatory agency for the Nigerian University System (NUS), the commission shall continue to ensure that the quality of programmes delivered via ODL, E-Learning and Transnational Education in the NUS are not compromised by periodically reviewing quality assurance and policies.

Without doubt, the commission is well disposed to opening up the Nigerian space and thus, align with the realities of the 21st century and global best practices in relation to transnational education, he said.

The executive secretary said that 2.147 million students were enrolled in various institutions at the end of 2021, representing one per cent of the population.

He, however, said that he was disappointed with criticism on the establishment of new universities on grounds that the country kept producing graduates not prepared for the 21st century.

We have taken up this challenge and in the last four years, we have developed a strategic plan to reengineer our curriculum.

We have taken up this exercise and have consulted over 1,000 academics in reengineering the curriculum. We have worked closely with industries to give input to ensure they are captured.

We have input of international curriculum, we have received a lot of suggestions as regards this and we are sending the draft to the Federal Executive Council in the next few days, he said.

Rasheed added that the commission would continue to support female academic to attend courses in the U.K.

Responding, Sir Steve Smith, a U.K Governments International Education Champion, said that the agreement was to develop a long time, sustainable, two-way partnership between universities and Nigeria government and universities in the U.K.

Smith said that the partnership would provide opportunity where a Nigerian student could have the opportunity to have a U.K degree without having to travel to Britain.

He said that the partners were trying to bring down the cost of studying in the U.K while not compromising the quality of the degrees.

He noted that the partnership would be a win-win approach that would offer competition and quality across all sector.

Its a very strong relationship and we want to take it further. Were going to do it in a way that deals with the opportunity of having U.K degrees without having to travel abroad.

So its a very exciting opportunity to meet with very positive individuals and we are very happy to have students come to U.K to study in increasing numbers.

We also want to be able to work with them at the same quality.

So, we dont want to simply turn up here to say most students should come to the U.K.

We work a partnership with the NUC, trying to find a way where we can offer U.K degrees at a cost, that will enable the families that do not have the money to send their students abroad get the same quality of degrees, he said.

Also, the Chief Executive, British Council, Mr Scott McDonald, said that the council was determined to partner with Nigeria and support the universities to deepen research that would translate into growth.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) says it has disbursed N394.575 billion to beneficiaries from 1992 to 2022.

The Group Head, Corporate Communications (FMBN), Mr Lawal Sauri disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, this disbursement is for differentcategories of beneficiaries of the National Housing Fund (NHF).

Giving the breakdown of the total amount, Sauri said the Home Renovation Loan disbursed N68.571 billion to 84,088 beneficiaries.

The home renovation loan is given to contributors that want to renovate or refurbish their existing homes to make it more appealing and comfortable.

In Construction loans, we disbursed N145. 414 billion for the building of 34,158 unit of houses to 34, 158 beneficiaries in 30 years.

On mortgage loans, 23,300 contributors benefited N128.861 billion and NHF refund to retirees was N51.729 billion to 386,045 retirees, Sauri said.

Speaking further on the achievements of the FMBN, Sauri said the bank had registered contributors numbering 5, 500, 72 and registered cooperative societies numbering 1,230.

We have 23,120, cooperative members and a total of N533.932 billion NHF collection in 34 states of the federation. (NAN) ()

PUO/OIF/GY

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday promised to partner the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) to address drug abuse among women.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), made the promise when the newly elected President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, led a delegation on a visit to the directorate in Abuja.

Congratulating the new executive, Marwa noted that NCWS was central to the ongoing drug demand reduction and drug supply control efforts in Nigeria.

He said that the level of drug abuse in the country was worrisome, hence the need for partnership with all stakeholders to reduce drug usage.

The chief executive of NDLEA said that he was happy to know that NCWS had structures in local government areas and communities.

When you look at the size of Nigerians that use drugs which is about 15 million, you will understand why some families and societies are being destroyed and terrible crimes committed.

Drugs are wiping out our future generation. Unfortunately, one in every four that use drugs is a woman. This may appear to be 25 per cent only.

But when considered that the women include mothers who are setting examples for children, you can understand the impact of this on a child, he said.

The NDLEA boss said drug abuse by pregnant women could have adverse effects on the unborn children.

Marwa said that women that used drug were afraid of stigmatisation, hence they do not seek help or treatment.

He noted that of all the persons counseled and treated by the command, only five per cent are women.

This is the area that we call on the NCWS to support our partnership and advocacy for women to renounce drugs and seek help and treatment.

We will work with your state offices to sweep drugs off our streets as much as possible, but we need to face the demand end, hence the need for collaboration with the NCWS, he said.

Lami said the partnership between the two bodies to combat drug abuse was important in view of the disturbing prevalence of the menace among women in the country.

She said that NCWS was worried by this and that was why the council had come to seek partnership with NDLEA to address drug abusive among women. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ejike Obeta

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday demolished a mini market allegedly operating on plot of land belonging to National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), at Area 11 illegally.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, said this in Abuja after the demolition.

He said while addressing newsmen on the spot that the area, which was close to NCWS secretariat, constituted a nuisance to the environment.

He said the demolition of all the illegal structures would bring about sanity in the area that had been converted to mini market against the Abuja Master Plan.

This place is constituting nuisance to Area 11, it started as a small restaurant, gradually it metamorphosed into a market, now it has become a serious challenge.

The activities on this single plot of land have become a serious issue; the FCT Minister, Malam Mohammad Bello, has directed that we should clear the place.

Such illegality will not stand. We gave them warning before coming.

Attah, said after the demolition, the owner of the land would decide on what to be done in the plot.

A customer who was at the scene, Charles Olili, said the place was the only nearby restaurant that its food was affordable, but that government had powers to decide what is good for the people.

It is a legal plot of land but has been turned into an illegal market,he said.

Also, a trader, Rafat Mohammed, said she was worried because nowhere for her to start up.

This is worrying, where will I go and start? Government is supposed to provide an alternative place for us before the demolition, she said.

One of the traders and a leader, Malam Ibrahim Lawal, who expressed anger over the incident, admitted that the FCT Administration gave them a notice of three months but it was not yet time.

I feel very bad because we were given three months but we are not up to the three months; we were following up the issue till late last week, the people that came told us that they were sent by the minister. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigeria Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command on Monday, paraded three suspects in connection with the murder of a female member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Stephenie Terungwa.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Sunday Babaji, while addressing newsmen, said the Maitama Division had on April 15, received information about the body of a middle-aged lady lying on the road.

Babaji said that crime scene investigators (CSI) were swiftly drafted to the scene upon the receipt of the information and removed the body to the hospital where she was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty.

He said the initial effort to facially profile the victim proved abortive due to her deformed face suspected to have resulted from exposure to a corrosive substance.

The CP said that discrete investigation revealed that the deceased was one Terungwa Stephenie, a 26 years old Corp member who resides in City homes estate Lokogoma with one Edward Achadu.

He said it was discovered that she left home with her one year and five-months-old son on April 14 and never returned home.

A day later, the son was recovered at Holy Trinity Catholic Church upon a call placed through to one of the Paternalarelatives.

Discrete and painstaking Investigations by Tactical and Intelligence assets of the Command attached to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) led to the arrest of three suspects.

He said that the suspects included a 26 years old female,a 36 years old male, and another male of about 35 years old, all residents of Oguta lake Maitama area of the FCT, he said.

Babaji said the suspects criminally conspired and murdered the victim to separate her from Edward Achadu to pave way for the female suspect and estranged lover of Edward, Jenifer Temba, to have him to herself.

According to him, investigation has been intensified to reveal groundbreaking facts that could lead to the arrest of fleeing participant(s) in this criminal act.

He said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion the investigation.

The female suspect told newsmen that the deceased only came to her house to collect phone the day she was found dead and denied any involvement in the act.

She said the male suspects were the ones that told her that they wanted to kidnap the deceased to demand for ransom.

However, another suspect, who said he was a colleague of the female suspect, said that she invited him to help her scare the deceased from her man.

He said the only role he played was to open the gate for the late Stephanie when she came to Tembas house.

He claimed that he met two other men who tied the deceased before he departed from the premises, adding that he later heard of the murder of the deceased.

Another male suspect said he was contracted by the female suspect to help her scare the deceased alongside his friend currently at large.

He said he did not kill the deceased, saying he held and tied her as instructed by the female suspect before leaving the house.

He said that the female suspect called him up later in the night to come to her house, adding that be met the deceased in a terrible state bathed with acid.

According to him, the female suspect was crying and saying she didnt know why she killed the decreased.

She held my led and was begging me to help her dispose off the body after which she called someone who brought a car for her.

The person left the car which we later used to carry the body to where we dumped it at about 3.00 am, he said.

He said that the female suspect paid him the sum of N100,000.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the command also paraded two suspected kidnappers/bandits that were arrested during a raid on their hideouts in part of FCT.

The CP said the commands anti-kidnapping unit in a concerted effort with the local hunters, had on April 14, stormed a kidnappers camp in Zago Forest in Niger state bordering FCT via Adagba Village Abuja.

He said the team overpowered the criminals and arrested two suspected Bandits aged 18 and 20, while many escaped the camp with bullet wounds.

According to him, the team dislodged the camp, rescued one Usman Isah a 23 years old male of Lapai village Niger State who had been in captivity for 20 days.

They recovered three AK 47 riffles with breeches No. 5662, 088425-89, and NK 6172 with Seven (7) Magazines containing eighteen (18) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and One GPMG with 101 MG rounds.

Effort is ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and upon the conclusion of the investigation, suspects will be charged to court, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

The Kogi Enterprise Develoment Agency (KEDA), says KG-CARES aims at boosting entrepreneurship and the economy of the state and the nation as a whole.

KG-CARES is the Kogi COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus.

KEDA Managing Director, Hajiya Rekiya Onaivo, made the clarification in a Statement by the Agencys image maker, Ms Yemi Balogun in Lokoja.

The MD expressed gladness and satisfaction with the flag-off and zonal sensitisation of Kogi- CARES across the state.

Onaivo described the Result Area 3 zonal sensitisation, which began on May 9 to May 12 across the three senatorial districts, as apt and very successful.

She said the zonal sensitization took place in Anyigba, Kabba and Okene, with relevant stakeholders fully represented.

KEDA is very satisfied that the sensitisation created massive awareness about the KG-CARES project and intimated the business communities about the processes and criteria for participation.

KG-CARES Result Area 3 is a state-level intervention that seeks to mitigate the local effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kogi by supporting the recovery of local economic activities among Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

We are equally happy that the sensitisation was declared opened by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, represented by her Senior Special Adviser on Administrative Matters, Mr Ephraim Amurawiaye, she said.

KEDA boss explained that the aim of the sensitisation was to bring state-wide awareness of the World Bank programme that would help Micro and Small Businesses stay in business.

She acknowleged the support of Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Olofu Yunusa-Gabriel, for being part of the programme held at Kabba.

According to her, the commissioners encomiums in the activities of KEDA had spurred the agency to do more for Kogi, for the desired growth and development.

According to her, Yunusa-Gabriels reiteration of the state governments commitment to ensure that businesses that were adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic were resuscitated, was a stimulus to the agency.

The MD also thanked the State Cares Coordinating Unit and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ezekiel Shaibu, for their support to the success of the programme.

Onaivo, however, called on women, youths and People Living with Disabilities (PWD), to take advantage of the opportunity and access the grants.

She explained that beneficiaries would be verified by independent agents to ascertain whether they were qualified.

The KEDA boss advised prospective beneficiaries to ensure that authentic information were provided to the agency, to avoid being disqualified from the KG-CARES project.

Interested individuals and participants should be wary of all forms of fraudulent activities and report such to KEDA.

KEDA will not demand any form of payment to register beneficiaries, she warned.

High point of the event was the handing over of the Greivance Boxes to the vice chairpersons of the 21 local government areas for grievance redress purposes.

Prospective beneficiaries are highly encouraged to drop their complaints and grievances, as this will be handled appropriately.

She also thanked the traditional rulers who graced the occasions and their fatherly advice to propel managers to ensure that the funds were properly managed.

Amongst them are the Ohi of Okene, Alhaji Isah Mamman, the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi Owoyomade1, Ogohi Onu Anyigba, Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, and Ohi of Okengwen, Obobayi Ihima, Prince Fuad Ado-Ibrahim. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh and Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) started its activities for the new week with a call on stakeholders to intensify efforts to address abject energy poverty in Africa.

The GMD/CEO of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, made the call at the 2022 Africa Infrastructure Solutions Summit which recently held in Abuja.

At a panel session on Energy Transition at the summit organised by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) with the theme: Africas Energy Conundrum: A Pragmatic Approach to Net Zero, Kyari joined other energy experts to advocate for a practical approach to energy transition to guarantee cheap access to energy in Africa.

According to him, there should be a slow but proper energy transition process in Africa with emphasis on access rather than net zero status.

He called on developing countries to form a common front to address the irrational expectations of transiting to net zero, adding that African leaders must insist that there must be energy justice.

He said NNPC was at the forefront of efforts by Nigeria to rally the needed support and cooperation among African countries to promote gas sufficiency in order to eliminate energy poverty.

Kyari also canvassed for the integration of Africas infrastructure in the region.

The Session was moderated by AFCs Executive Director for Financial Services, Mr Sanjeev Gupta.

Other panelists in the session include, Prof. Carios Lopez of the Mandela School of Public Governance of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Mr Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group.

According to the panelists, there is need for African countries to reduce their dependence on foreign funds for projects and start looking inwards for financing.

For Shonubi, he spoke on the need for effective communication strategy during the campaigns with the African populace and the transition process just as he said that poverty needs to be addressed.

Meanwhile, the NNPC Ltd. has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigeria enjoys energy security, especially in the area of petroleum products availability.

The GMD/CEO of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari made the commitment at an aviation sector stakeholders meeting held at the instance of the leadership of the House of Representatives.

The meeting was to find solution to the lingering challenge of astronomical rise in the price of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) also known as aviation fuel or Jet A1.

It would be recalled that Nigerian airlines under the auspices of the Aviation Operators of Nigeria (AON) had threatened to withdraw their services over what they considered as arbitrary increase in the price of aviation fuel which had created operational difficulties for the airlines.

In a swift move to resolve the crisis, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, convened a stakeholders meeting to x-ray the issues with a view to averting the strike and finding lasting solutions to the challenges bedeviling the sector.

Addressing the gathering, Kyari explained that NNPC was doing everything within its powers to make petroleum products available for the smooth operations of every sector of the economy, including aviation.

According to him, there were lots of factors responsible for prices of petroleum products, stressing that in the case of aviation fuel which had been deregulated since 1999, there was nothing NNPC can do as its price was strictly determined by market forces.

Speaking earlier, the Vice President of Aviation Operators of Nigeria and Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, highlighted the challenges that airline operators have been facing with aviation fuel marketers in terms of price of the product which he said has since exceeded the global threshold of 40 per cent of operation cost of airlines.

He said the AON could not follow through with the resolution of the last intervention by the House of Reps to apply for a license to import aviation fuel directly.

This he said was because they saw it as a long term solution which would involve huge infrastructural outlay like construction of tank farms and other storage facilities at the airports

On his part, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said the CBN was ready to provide financial assistance to the airlines on the condition that they met the credit criteria set by their respective banks.

Rounding off the meeting, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, summed up the resolution and urged the airline operators to cancel the strike altogether, rather than just suspend it.

In the meantime, NNPC GMD/CEO, Kyari assured members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the State of Refineries that the NNPC has nothing to hide.

Kyari gave the assurance at an investigative hearing of the committee into the state of the refineries.

Fielding questions from members of the committee, the GMD who went into the history of the maintenance of the refineries disclosed that the refineries had not been properly maintained over the past 20 to 25 years leading to a situation where they had to be shut down because they were no longer adding value.

On the current stage of the rehabilitation work and the process of awarding the contract, the Group Executive Director, Refineries and Petrochemicals, Mr Mustapha Yakubu, said everything was on track.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Ganiyu Johnson, said the leadership of the House of Representatives felt there was need to understand exactly what was happening with the refinery rehabilitation considering how much money was voted for the project.

He requested NNPC to furnish the committee with more documents relating to the surveys carried out on the plant before the rehabilitation contract was awarded and status report on work done and payments made so far.

Johnson stressed that the committee was ready to work with NNPC to come up with legislations that would support its growth.

Managing Directors of Kaduna and Warri Refineries, Mr Babatunde Bakare and Mr Ezekiel Osarolube, were with the GMD at the investigative hearing.

Group General Manager Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad; Technical Adviser to the GMD on Refineries, Mr Ibrahim Onoja and the General Manager, External Relations, Mrs Iyabode-Ayobami Ojo, were also at the hearing.

Meanwhile, the GMD has assured that the queues at fuel stations in Abuja would soon clear with the measures put in place to ensure robust supply of petrol to the city.

Kyari said the queues were not as a result of scarcity of petrol as NNPC currently had enough fuel in the country to last 47 days even if no product was imported in the intervening period.

Still in the week under review, the Federal Government said the country would continue to partner with stakeholders to improve the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) project which held in Abuja.

WAGPA is an international institution established by the treaty on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project signed by the Heads of States of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria Togo.

Sylva said the Nigerian government had over the years shown leadership in ensuring that WAGPA was properly positioned to guarantee the achievement of its objectives.

The minister described the meeting as a commitment to the success of the project a true proof of economic integration and cooperation in the sub-region.

According to him, the meeting is holding at a very critical time when the socio-political landscape is changing due to the Russian-Ukrainian war that has put pressure on global gas demand across Europe.

He listed some of the achievements of the WAPGA Committee to include, Open Access which was implemented in 2012; Improved Gas Availability; the Takoradi-Tema Interconnection Project (TTIP), which had significantly increased gas flow through the WAGP.

Other achievements were lifting of Force Majeure by the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) between June 2013 and October 2020, Reforms of the Access Code to the WAGP network code; and the ongoing amendment to the WAGP Act and the WAGP Regulations.

He said the amendment of the WAGP Act and the WAGP Regulations would ultimately give licensing power to WAGPA to oversee the activities of the shippers as related to the WAGP for a free and fair business environment.

However, there are more to achieve and we are determined to get to the zenith of our targets, which are to deepen gas supplies and utilisation within the ECOWAS sub-region.

The global community has classified gas as part of renewable energy.

Since we cannot but join the global energy transition train we must hurry to exploit the abundant natural gas deposits within the borders of our respective countries.

On the institutional level, he said the meeting was a follow-up on the extraordinary meeting of the committee held in Accra, Ghana on Nov. 16, 2021, to consider issues related to the appointment of the director-general of WAGPA.

He said the solution that emerged from its discussions in Accra, in November 2021 to move ahead with the appointment of a Nigerian as director-general for WAGPA was very critical.

In the circumstances, therefore, I will seek the understanding and cooperation of all to be guided by the provisions of the AGPA Treaty in reaching a sustainable, profitable and fair decision on this matter, he said.

Furthermore, he appreciated the effort of its partner, the West African Gas Company Ltd. (WAPCo), as operator of the pipeline to implement the International Project Agreement and assure transportation of natural gas from entry points to customers in the state parties.

He said the ECOWAS commission had initiated the West African Gas Pipeline Expansion Project (WAGPEP) and was currently working with the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project for possible synergy between the two projects.

I also know that WAPCo and WAGPA are working closely with the entities to provide technical assistance and experience to achieve the synergy to increase the potential to deliver natural gas for more countries in the ECOWAS sub-region and beyond, he said.

Visit us on www.nannews.ng for more details. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Fortune Abang

Xu Guixiang, spokesperson for the Regional Government in Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has commended mutual relationship shared among religious faithful during Ramadan.

Xu made this known at a virtual conference on the backdrop of the just concluded Ramadan festivity in Xinjiang, in China.

According to him, Muslim faithful and religious personalities in the region shared remarkable experiences during the recently concluded Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Xu said, From April 3 to May 2, Muslims of various ethnic groups in the region observed Ramadan.

They celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which fell on May 3, while enjoying a one-day holiday.

He quoted Memet Juma, Hatip of the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar Prefecture, to have said that faithful visited the 550-year-old Mosque daily and thousands of people from different ethnic groups performed their traditional dances on the square in front of the Mosque.

The spokesperson described Xinjiang as home to various ethnic groups and religious beliefs.

Xu also quoted Zumrat Obul, Head of the Regional United Front Work Department, as saying that all normal religious activities were protected by law.

According to him, in recent years there has been a great misunderstanding about the religious situation in Xinjiang.

He alleged that the United States in particular had groundlessly claimed religious freedom was restricted in Xinjiang.

These ridiculous lies runs completely counter to the facts.

We would like to go on telling Xinjiangs true stories to the international community.

We are also looking forward to welcoming more visitors to Xinjiang, who can witness the prosperous and comfortable life here, he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Franca Ofili

Nigerians suffering from arthritis have been advised to engage in regular exercise as part of management of the ailment which is important in all the stages.

Mr Chijioke Ofili, Physiotherapist and Medical Practice Manager, Nikea Consultants Ltd., said on Sunday that the first line of management was walking and swimming.

The first line of management will be exercise programmes including walking and swimming.

The second will be an injection to the knee; not just steroids, rather the ones with constituents and fluids mimicking the natural knee joint fluids, he said.

According to him, the third line of management may be knee arthroscopy and the last may be total knee replacement called Knee Arthroplasty.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

He said that exercises as part of management were important in all the stages and lines of management.

Ofili said that it was important that an exercise Programme for knee osteoarthritis should not cause a significant increase in knee pain while doing or following the movements.

In order to keep your knee comfortable, and to get the best results from an exercise Programme, particular attention to technique, leg positioning, amount of weight and range of knee movement may be required, he said.

According to him, an exercise for knee osteoarthritis should contain a mixture of cardiovascular exercise, important for maintaining overall fitness and weight management.

Commonly, people with knee osteoarthritis find an exercise bike to be a good option as its non-weight-bearing and encourages knee movement.

Cycling has the added benefit of helping flush synovial fluid around the knee, which helps keep the joint surfaces lubricated and is good for the health of the articular cartilage.

Swimming is also another cardiovascular exercise option people with knee osteoarthritis commonly find beneficial, Ofili said.

He said that strength exercises included the front of thigh, buttocks calves and hamstrings.

Ofili said there should be a mixture of isolated muscle group exercises and combined or functional exercises. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Sen. Bukola Saraki, a Presidential aspirant on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, has promised to prioritise the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Agriculture and security sectors if elected as Nigerias President come 2023.

Saraki gave the assurance when he met with Kogi PDP national delegates on Sunday in Lokoja, to seek their support in the partys upcoming presidential primary election.

He gave assurance that apart from above mentioned, he would concentrate more on non-oil sector, which according to him, is key to boosting the economy and create job opportunities.

In the first one year of my government, resolving the issue of Ajaokuta will be our number one priority because it is crucial to Nigerias economy, as well as mining and agricultural sectors.

These are the sectors that could easily help our local industries to grow, our economy is too dependent on oil which is not too good for us.

So, the steel will be my social contract with Nigeria if I am elected as president.

I can assure and promise the people of Kogi State that getting Ajaokuta steel properly running is a major priority.

I did not see why it should take seven years to resolve the Ajaokuta issue. As president, I will take charge, bring all the parties together, come up with a lasting solution and Ajaokuta will be running, he said.

On security issue, Saraki said it had been of a great concern to Nigerians, stressing the need to ensure that new professionalism was brought into the process, provide the necessary equipment, proper training and accountability.

With the 21st century, you cannot tell me that we cannot use technology to curb insecurity our country is currently facing.

We must have collaborative intelligence, bring technology into play and ensure that people are held accountable.

We believe that security is a priority and definitely we will end banditry, we will also ensure we put an end to kidnappings through technology and intelligence sharing, and more importantly we must professionalise the security agencies, Saraki stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saraki, a two term Governor of Kwara State, is the only PDP presidential aspirant from the North Central.

While appealing to the delegates to cast their votes for him in the PDP presidential primary, Saraki noted that the north central zone hays not produce president since 1999.

Saraki, a former Chairman of Nigerias Governors Forum and former Nigerias Senate President, said, Kogi is like being at home.

I am here to seek your support and blessing, collaboration and cooperation, to let us work together and be part of history making to be elected as President of Nigeria and as first President from North Central zone of this country.

Today, we are so close to history. I am asking us to support aspirant who has the capacity and most experienced among other aspirants to rule this country.

My national delegates, let us go and make history; I am a bridge between the north and the south; Muslim and Christian; and between the young and the old.

Every office I have occupied I have left it better as I met it from two term governor to senate and as Senate President.

If I can do that as a governor and senate president, I know I will do better when I become the President of Nigeria.

I promise you that we will together make this country better. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA) as well as the Japan-Africa Baseball

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Leke Oyede, coach of Nigerias Senior Womens Cricket team, said the team would focus on game awareness ahead of the Kwibuka 2022 Cricket tournament.

Oyede said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, as the team resumed camp in Benin ahead of the event in Kigali, Rwanda.

Team Nigeria are expected to face top sides like Brazil, Germany, among others, in the event but Oyede says focus on game awareness will help the girls soak up pressure where necessary.

One of the things we are going to be looking at is the game knowledge and awareness. It is how to give a good measure of the acts and scenes on the pitch, which will help them win games.

This will help them absolve pressure when the need arises. So, we are going to engage them with matches against some male teams here in Benin and see how to keep them with a positive mindset, he said.

The erstwhile cricketer also added that the team would work on its fitness and improve on the gains of their last outing at the Nigeria Womens T20I Invitational in March in Lagos.
A total of 18 players were invited to camp on Friday ahead of the 8-team tournament beginning from June 9 to June 20.
The eighth edition of the event, is in memory of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. (NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has scheduled a joint delocalised meeting in Lome, Togo, to discuss implementations of ECOWAS Institutions audit reports in a bid to promote accountability and good governance.

The Communications Directorate of the ECOWAS Parliament in a statement on Sunday in Abuja stated that the localised meeting would hold from May 16 to May 20.

The parliament stated that the meeting would focus on the theme: The modalities for the practical implementation of Articles 9 and 11 of the Supplementary Act of the Parliament, in respect of the consideration of the community audit reports.

According to the parliament, the main objective of the meeting is to enable members of the Joint Committee to examine Articles 9 and 11 of the Parliaments Supplementary Act on the examination of Audit Reports of Community agencies and institutions.

It said the aim is to better understand and take ownership of their implementation.

The meeting holds from 16 May to 20 May 2022, at Lom, the capital of the Republic of Togo.

It said four of the 14 standing committees of the parliament would form a Joint-Committee to discharge their committees mandate as it related to the theme in focus.

It named the committees as: Public accounts/Administration; Finance and Budget/Macroeconomic policy; Economic research/Trade; Customs and Free movement.

The Committee on Public Accounts will be the lead committee for the Joint-Committee meeting.

This de-localised meeting also provides an opportunity for the regions representatives to strengthen and consolidate the collaboration between all Community institutions.

Particularly, the ECOWAS Parliament and the Office of the Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions, in the implementation of Articles 9 and 11 of Parliaments Supplementary Act.

In accordance with Articles 9 and 11 of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, the annual Audit Report of ECOWAS institutions and agencies are among the areas in which the Parliament must be consulted, in order to give its opinion.

The objective of this exercise is to contribute to the promotion of accountability and good governance within community institutions and agencies.

The parliament said it expected that various presentations by sector experts and resource persons during the meeting would elucidate the importance of parliamentary intervention in the process of control and promotion of transparency in the use of Community resources.

The ECOWAS Parliament is composed of 115 seats. Each of the 15 member states is guaranteed an allocation of five seats.

The remaining 40 seats are distributed in proportion to the population of each country.

Consequently, Nigeria has 35 seats, Ghana 8, Cte dIvoire 7, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal have six seats each.

The other countries, namely Benin, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo have five seats each. (NAN)

Edited by Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has decried the threat to cultural heritage in the country by globalisation.

The governor expressed the concern on Saturday during the annual cultural festival of Ilum OTarok, celebrated by the Tarok nation in Plateau,at the Langtang mini stadium, Langtang North Local Government Area .

I must re-emphasise the need for continuous propagation and sustenance of our rich cultural heritage that is under threat by globalization.

Many of our cultural practices are gradually being abandoned while our languages are fast disappearing by the day especially among our younger generation.

This is a concern that I want the Tarok nation to take very seriously considering the fact that other tribes also face similar threats, he said .

He commended the Tarok nation for the patriotism they displayed for their culture and tradition in every location they found themselves .

I am happy that the Ilum OTarok has taken the lead in this new vista of cultural renaissance in Plateau State.

This is not surprising considering the patriotism and sense of pride with which all sons and daughters of Tarokland hold and display their culture and tradition wherever they find themselves.

This is a good virtue that must be sustained at an event like this, he said .

Lalong assured the Tarok nation of completing on going projects in their region saying the General Hospital at Mabudi in Langtang South local government and the Langtang Water Treatment Plant were completed .

He added that the Legacy project in Shishi would also be completed soon while the Gazum Road, Langtang-Garkawa Road and Kadarko Road would also be done.

The governor also commended the Tarok nation on their efforts to maintain peace and security in their area saying, the government was doing its best to end the activities of criminals and crises merchants in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Emir of Dass of Bauchi, Alhaji Usman Othman, stressed the need for peace, unity and harmony among the Tarok people as well as with its neighbours.

In his remarks , the National President of Ngwang Ishi OTarok, Amb. Nanpon Sheni, described the festival as a platform to appreciate their culture, while charting ways of addressing critical challenges in education, infrastructure, water, health and economic prosperity. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Isaac Aregbesola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 203, 879 tablets of various pharmaceutical opioids and illicit substances in raids across Abia, Kaduna, Yobe and Kogi States.

The NDLEA said this in a statement by its Spokesperson, Mr Fem Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the agency also foiled fresh bids by drug cartels to export Tramadol, Ecstasy MDMA and Cannabis to Milan, Italy and Dubai, United Arab Emirates through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that five members of a syndicate, in the business of conducting fake recruitment into security agencies were also arrested in coordinated operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi States.

Babafemi said that a female passenger was arrested at the Lagos airport, May 9, while trying to board Royal Air Moroc flight from Lagos via Casablanca to Milan, Italy, with 1000 tablets of Tramadol 200mg concealed in food items.

He said five days after, a freight agent was also arrested at the SAHCO cargo shed of the airport for attempting to export food items in which were hidden blocks of cannabis weighing 6.65kg and 24grams of ecstasy drug, MDMA to Dubai in UAE.

In Abia, three trucks loaded with drugs coming from Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra were intercepted in Aba, Abia. When properly searched in the presence of the owners on Wednesday May 11, 67,100 tablets/capsules of Tramadol and 12,650 ampules of pentazocine, morphine and dopamine were recovered.

On the same day, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna arrested a notorious drug dealer, wanted by the Kastina Command of the agency for jumping bail.

Recovered from him include: 45,000 tablets of Diazepam weighing 41.5kg; 50,000 tablets of Exol, weighing 15.6kg; 1,500 tablets of Rohypnol weighing 700 grams and 300 bottles of codeine weighing 41.5kg, he said.

According to him, in Yobe, no fewer than 7,029 tablets of Tramadol, D5, and Exol as well as 1.5kg cannabis were recovered from a drug dealer, when his hideout was raided in Unguru town May 8, while in Rivers another suspect was arrested at Eleme area on May 11 with 207.2kg cannabis.

No less than 19,600 tablets of Tramadol coming from Onitsha, Anambra to Abuja were intercepted and recovered along Okene/Abuja highway on May 11 by NDLEA operatives in Kogi.

Meanwhile, five members of a syndicate, which conducts fake recruitment into security agencies, have been arrested in coordinated operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi States.

Leader of the gang, was first arrested in Gusau, Zamfara. He said his criminal gang issued fake NDLEA employment letters and identity cards to unsuspecting members of the public for the sum of N400, 000 per person.

A follow up operation in Zuru, Kebbi led to the arrest of another gang member, while three others; were nabbed in Bauchi State.

Recovered from them include: a fake NDLEA ID card; NDLEA guarantor form; INEC offer of appointment letter; Nigerian Customs Special Replacement Form and appointment letter; Nigerian Correctional Service Replacement Form; credentials of some applicants; receipts and passport photos; five sim packs and one MTN SIM card.

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

Hackers

By Jessica Dogo

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted telecom consumers and members of the public on an ongoing cyber-vulnerability which allows a nearby hacker to unlock vehicles, start their engines wirelessly and make away with them.

The NCCs Director of Public Affairs (DPA), Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Adinde quoted the latest advisory released by the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) established by the NCC, as saying:

The fact that car remotes were categorised as short-range devices that make use of Radio Frequency (RF) to lock and unlock cars informed the need to alert Nigerians on this emergent danger.

The vulnerability is a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack or, more specifically, a replay attack in which an attacker intercepts the RF signals normally sent from a remote key fob to the car.

It manipulates these signals and re-sends themlatertounlock the car at will.

With this latest type of cyber-attack, it is also possible to manipulate the captured commands and re-transmit them to achieve a different outcome altogether.

Multiple researchers disclosed a vulnerability, which is said to be used by a nearbyattacker to unlocksome Honda and Acura car models and start their engines wirelessly.

The attack consists of a threat actor capturing the RF signals sent from your key fob to the carand resending these signals to take control of your cars remote keyless entry system, the advisory stated.

He, however, said that the NCC-CSIRT, in the advisory, had offered some precautionary measures or solutions that could be adopted by car owners to prevent falling victim.

According to the cyber-alert unit of the commission, when affected, the only mitigation is to reset your key fob at the dealership.

Besides, the affected car manufacturer may provide a security mechanism that will generate fresh codes for each authentication request, this makes it difficult for an attacker to replay the codes thereafter.

Additionally, vulnerable car users should store their key fobs in signal-blockingFaraday pouches when not in use.

He advised car owners in these categories to choose Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) as opposed to Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), which would make it harder for an attacker to read the signal due to the fact that criminals would need to be at close range to carry out their nefarious acts.

He explained that the PKE is an automotive security system that operates automatically when the user is in proximity to the vehicle, unlocking the door on approach or when the door handle is pulled.

He also said that the user locks it when walking away or touches the car on exit.

He added that the RKE system, on the other hand, represents the standard solution for conveniently locking and unlocking a vehicles doors and luggage compartment by remote control.

In a related advisory, he said that the NCC, based on another detection by CSIRT, wishes to inform the general public about the resurgence of Joker Trojan-Infected Android Apps on Google Play Store.

This arose due to the activities of criminals who intentionally download legitimate apps from the Play Store, modify them by embedding the Trojan malware and then uploading the app back to the Play Store with a new name.

The malicious payload is only activated once the apps goes live on the Play Store, which enables the apps to scale through Googles strict evaluation process.

Once installed, the apps request for permissions that once granted, enable the apps to have access to critical functions such as text messages and notifications.

As a consequence, a compromised device will subscribe unwitting users to premium services, billing them for services that do not exist. A device like this can also be used to commit Short Messaging Service (SMS) fraud while the owner is unaware, he said.

Adinde said that the app could click on online ads automatically and even use SMS One-Time Password (OTPs) to secretly approve payments without checking bank statements.

He said that the user would be unaware that he or she had subscribed to an online service.

He further said that other actions, such as stealing text messages, contacts, and other device data, were also possible.

He cautioned that to avoid falling victim to this manipulation, Android users should avoid downloading unnecessary apps or installing apps from unofficial sources.

According to him, the NCC also advises telecom consumers to ensure that apps installed from the Google Play Store are heavily scrutinised by reading reviews, assessing the developers, perusing the terms of use and only granting the necessary permissions.

The commission recommends that unauthorised transactions be checked against any installed app.

Indeed, any apps not in use should be deleted while users are also advised to ensure that a device is always patched and updated to the latest software, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has reiterated the need for religious and ethnic tolerance among Nigerians, emphasising the strength in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society as Nigeria.

Ogunwusi made the appeal at the palace of Oba Ademola Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom in Lagos State, where the Elegushi conferred traditional titles on eminent Nigerians.

He said this in a statement issued by Mr Temitope Oyefeso, Special Assistant, Public Affairs to Oba Elegushi, on Sunday in Lagos.

The Ooni said, While our tongues and faith may differ, there is a purpose for being Nigerians under the umbrella of the same country.

Everyone should explore the opportunities of the diversity towards attaining a prosperous and peaceful nation.

Oba Ogunwusi said that with the conferment of traditional titles on Nigerians of different ethnic and religion, Oba Ademola Elegushi was using the traditional stool to echo the message of unity for development.

He said that the conferment had again demonstrated the spirit of brotherliness among Nigerians of non-Yoruba speaking tribe.

Speaking, Oba Elegushi said that the Nigerians being honoured were carefully selected in recognition of their contributions towards the development of Ikate Kingdom and Lagos State.

The Oba said that the honour was done as part of his palaces commitment towards improving the relationship that exists between Ikate Kingdom and those who live and do business within the community.

Elegushi added that the gesture was also to bring to the fore, the impact of the recipients investments on the lives of the people and the transformation of the community.

Among those honoured were: Oliver Cohnen, a German and Managing Director of AFP Furniture; the real Estate expert, Chiedu Nweke; an IT expert and former IBM Country Manager, Akin Bolarniwa and a renowned legal practitioner, Adeoeju Omotayo.(NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Igoche Mark, President of a faction of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), says the two-year ban imposed on Nigerias participation in international basketball competitions will after all bring about good results.

Mark, while commenting on the Federal Governments withdrawal on Thursday of Nigeria from international basketball competitions, said on Saturday in Abuja that the decision was regrettable.

But, as painful as it may be, I believe it will bring about some good results in fixing the problem we have on ground, he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development had announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the countrys immediate withdrawal from all international basketball competitions for two years.

While the ban is regrettable, it is still a welcome development that will lead to the growth and development of the game at the grassroots in the long run.

This is not what we were actually looking forward to from the ministry.

But, be that as it may, if this is what it is going to take for us to put our house in order and fix the problem of Nigerian basketball, then we have nothing else to do but to embrace it, Mark said.

The NBBF president, who was elected at the federation board elections held in Abuja, did acknowledge that the decision was going to have a great effect on several players and coaches.

NAN reports that the other NBBF faction elected Musa Kida at another federation board elections held in Benin on the same Jan. 31.

Yes, it is going to be a huge blow on the players, especially our national players and the coaches, as well as other stakeholders who are involved in the game.

But, if this is the sacrifice that we all have to make to ensure that we get things right and get our basketball going, he said.

Mark said Nigerian basketball stakeholders have no other choice than to accept the decision taken by the Federal Government.

We dont have any other option but to stick with the decision taken by the President of our dear country, he said.

On the likely reaction from the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA), Mark said he was confident the basketball world ruling body would respect the decision taken by the Nigerian government.

From my little understanding, I dont think FIBA will go against the decision taken by the government of any country.

They dont have any option but to go with what the government decides.

If the government says it is withdrawing its national teams from international participation, FIBA cant really force them to do otherwise.

They have their reasons for choosing to take that decision and FIBA have to respect that. So, I dont expect anything different from FIBA, he said.

The NBBF factional president however advised the Federal Government to ensure it followed through with its good intentions.

Basketball is one of the biggest sports in Nigeria and on the international scene Nigeria is placed very high in FIBA Africa rankings.

I want to believe that the government have seen through this properly before taking this decision and that it will follow through with the plans to resolve once and for all the problems that have been lingering in the Nigerian basketball family.

This problem has caused a lot of damages and hindered the growth of basketball in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.

It will therefore be a thing of joy and happiness for me if the government can use this medium now to actually put an end to all this crisis in Nigerian basketball.

Lets have a good basketball for once that can actually take us to where we ought to be and bring much development as well as ensure the infusion of our home-based players with their overseas-based counterparts, he said.

Mark assured that the federation under his watch would not be distracted by the withdrawal but would rather continue to do what it has been doing for basketball in the country.

We have been running the Mark D Ball Championship since the beginning of the year and up till now.

We have been able to bring together over 60 teams and impacted the lives of over 700 players in the country so far, excluding the coaches and officials.

Not only that, thousands of the games fans and others in the business have had great times, with several business opportunities and gains made.

I think this is the biggest so far we have had in Nigerian basketball and this is what we have been doing, even before the pronouncement by the Federal Government.

We just finished with the Round of 16 (Sweet 16) of our championship and now we are looking forward to the Final 8 (Elite 8) as we gradually wind down to the Grand Finale where winners of the championship will eventually emerge, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

Source: NAN News