By Edith Nwapi

A panel has issued a warrant of arrest against the Commissioner of Police, Legal Services, Force Headquarters, CP Igbeh Ochogwu, in respect of the alleged unlawful arrest and disappearance of John Alozie since June 25, 2017.

The Independent Investigation Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on Monday is investigating alleged violations of human rights.

The CP was on several occasions ordered to appear before the panel with Alozies case file but he had so far refused to honour the summons.

The panel Chairman, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima, who issued the arrest warrant, described Ochogwus attitude as unbecoming of a lawyer and police officer.

The only option left for the panel is to issue a warrant of arrest on the CP Legal and mandate the National Human Rights Commission to write to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to report Ochogwus conduct in the matter.

The CP has flagrantly and repeatedly disobeyed the order of the panel, having refused to turn in the said case file to enable the panel to unravel the truth about the whereabouts of Alozie in accordance with the law, he said.

Galadima adjourned the petition until Wednesday for progress report.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims wife, Nnnena alleged arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and detention of her husband by the police in a petition marked 2020/IIp-SARS/ABJ/73.

The respondents in the matter are ASP M.Obiozor of the defunct SARS Awkuzu, Anambra; Uzi Emeana; Sunday Okpe, Anambra Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police.

NAN reports that Nnenna in her testimony said that her husbands case was heard in a high court and judgment delivered.

She added that the court ordered that the police should release the victim as well as his property seized.

According to her the police refused to obey the order of the court and that prompted her filing this petition before the panel.

On Dec. 2, 2021, in her testimony, she alleged that six SARS operatives stormed their residence in Lekki, Lagos, on June 15, 2017 and whisked her husband away.

She said that she later got to know that her husband was arrested for his involvement in an alleged kidnapping in the course of searching everywhere for her husband and the reason for his arrest.

Since the day they arrested my husband, I have not seen him and I dont know his whereabouts.

After the SARS operatives arrested my husband, they ransacked our bedroom and went away with some of our personal belongings which include certificates and other documents, money,, a Lexus and a Ford, parked in our house, she said.

NAN reports that on Dec. 15,summoned Ochogu to appear but he failed to do so.

The panel also on March8,ordered Ochogwu to appear before it with the case file of a victim of enforced disappearance, Alozie.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has clarified that it is not re-naming the entire Lagos National Theatre complex, built in 1976 to host the 1977 Festival of Arts, popularly known as FESTAC.

The government clarified that it is merely renaming the complex housing the edifice.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the complex housing the National Theatre would be known as Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre, with four creative hubs and other facilities currently under construction.

Mohammed made the clarification when he featured on Good Morning Nigeria, a live programme on the Nigerian Television Authority, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The controversy on the re-naming of the National Theatre is just a storm in a tea cup.

What we said in Spain was that there are lots of developmental projects going on within the National Theatre complex.

You have the National Theatre fully refurbished and renovated, you also have four hubs each for music, fashion, IT and film. You cannot call all of them National Theatre again.

The entire complex is what will be known as the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre, comprising the National Theatre and the four hubs.

Mohammed said the hubs were being built to provide capacity in the creative sectors.

According to him, the music hub and the film hub will be respectively built and equipped with latest technology for recording and processing music and films.

He said it would forestall Nigerian artists and film makers from going outside the country like South Africa and other places to record, process and package their music or films.

In addition to the national theatre monument and the new four hubs, the minister said a modern police station, fire station and 500 capacity car park were also being constructed in the complex.

The minister expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment for investment of 100 million dollars by the Bankers Committee, led by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the project.

Regrettably, the National Theatre which was built in 1976 has been in a state of disrepair for decades without any form of renovation or proper maintenance.

I want to express our gratitude to the Bankers Committee because there was no way we would have funded this with our budget allocation

The donation of the 100 million-dollar investment in renovating the edifice and in developing the creative industry is an achievement of this administration.

Mohammed also thanked the Lagos State Government for its invaluable contributions in making the dream possible.

According to him, the Lagos State Government is investing a lot of money in the reclamation and dredging of the surrounding area which is by the lagoon.

He said the Lagos State Government was working with experts and the Federal Ministry of Environment to restore the Ebute-Metta creek so that water within the wetland would be clean for restoration of the flora and fauna in the area.

The minister added that the state was extending the blue rail line to have a terminal at the complex to ease traffic from and into the National Theatre and the hubs.

He expressed his optimism that the National Theatre renovation project, the construction of the hubs and other facilities in the complex would be ready by November for the hosting of the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry.

On April 19 in Madrid, Spain, the minister signed a hosting agreement for the global conference with the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili.

The conference which would hold from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17 is expected to re-position the creative industry as the engine of growth not just for Nigeria or Africa but for all countries of the world. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has commenced stakeholders capacity building to effectively implement the National Programme of Action (NPoA) to accelerate economic development in the country.

Princess Gloria Akobundu, the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, said the programme would guide and mobilise the countrys efforts in implementing the needed changes to also improve the state of governance.

Akobundu said the capacity building was geared toward harmonising and finalising the NPoA framework to address the challenges identified in the Second Country Review Report (CRR).

According to her, it is critical to engage the implementers of the NPoA for better information, understanding and ownership for effective implementation.

Akobundu said that the NPoA document would be harmonised in line with the countrys National Development Plan (NDP), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and AU-Agenda 2063 for smooth implementation in line with global best practices.

Its worthy of note that the country review is an initiative by the African Union to measure governance, promote best practices and encourage peer-to-peer learning, she said.

Dr Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said the government was committed to promoting good governance practice enshrined in the ideals and vision of NEPAD which birthed the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

Ahmed, represented by Mr Peter Adeosun, an official of the ministry, said the country was proud of the progress made in the APRM as a self-monitoring tool to address governance deficit in Africa.

We will conform to our shared values in the areas of democracy and political, economic and corporate governance and socio-economic development, she said.

Sen. Abba Ali, the Chairman of the APRM Governing Council, Nigeria, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ministry of Finance for ensuring effective implementation of the programmes that entrenched good governance.

We ask that you continue so that we can get it right for a better Nigeria, Ali said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APRM was established in 2003 by the AU Heads of State and Government to foster practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development.

The core mandate of the APRM is a comprehensive NPoA developed to address governance challenges identified in the country.

NAN also reports that the five-day programme attracted stakeholders from across AU member states. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Former international, Chikelue Iloenyosi has called for better welfare for retired Nigerian footballers, in line with international best practices.

Iloenyosi,who is the Chairman Board of Trustees of the newly formed All Nigerian Players Union (ANPU) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the union was out to change the narrative.

Iloenyosi, anexSuper Eagles defender, who is also the founder of 042 Football Legends Association in Nigeria, an NGO said proper structures need to be put in place to ensure ex-internationals are not turn to beggars after retirement.

He said that was why ANPU was formed in 2021, since the Professional Players Union of Nigeria was not leaving up to expectation of his retired colleagues.

Let me tell you 85 per cent of former Nigerian players are poor, because they were not professionals, some who are rich have some other things that they are using to help their family.

Players union is not about federation, its about how you put smiles on your colleagues faces, how many of them have NGO that is supporting people.

I created football association singlehandedly funded by me, nobody is giving me any dime. We have 850 people on the platform, he said.

The former Super Eagles defender stressed the need for a proper retirement scheme for ex-internationals like its done abroad.

On the forthcoming NFF elective Congress slated for September, he called on all stakeholders, including ex-internationals to show interest, so as to collectively reposition Nigerian football.

Iloenyosi who was recently honoured with an award of excellence by the FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) pledged to continue to support the development of Nigerian football.

NAN reports Iloenyosi featured in theNigeria national under-20 football teamat the1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.

He earned fifteen (15) senior caps for Nigeria in 2000and he was part of the Olympic team 2000 in Sydney. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Elusogbon

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has described the passage of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as a loss to the entire Oduduwa race worldwide.

This is contained in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.

Ooni Ogunwusi, who doubles as the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, stated that the late Alaafin was a worthy elder whose entire life was dedicated to the promotion of the prestigious Yoruba culture and advancement of humanity.

We have lost a great icon, a great monarch, who saw Oyo through civilization, and modern development without jettisoning the cultural sacredness of the throne first occupied by Alaafin Oranmiyan The Great.

Ile Oodua Palace and the Ooni had a great working relationship with the late Alaafin who gave his best in resolving major conflicts in Yoruba land and uniting all sons and daughters of Oduduwa globally among other landmark achievements.

The late Alaafin is one of the privileged elders that contributed to the growth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also saw the country through military and democratic eras with unquantifiable positive inputs, he said.

Ooni Ogunwusi recalled his last encounter with the late Oyo Royal Father in March when they both held a closed door meeting of peace and reconciliation with some frontline politicians of Yoruba origin at Ibadan.

According to him, Alaafin made a promise to make his first visit to the Ooni before the middle of the year.

Ooni prayed for the soul of the late Alaafin as well as the family to have the fortitude to bear his death.

He also prayed that Oyo would be spiritually guided to complete the burial of the Royal Father in full accordance with the culture and traditions of their ancestors.

While the demise of Oba Adeyemi would be greatly missed for his indelible imprint as a great descendant of Oduduwa, the Ooni hereby urges the entire House of Oduduwa worldwide to continue to pray for the deceaseds family and Oyo indigenes at this trying time.

May the Almighty Olodumare also be with the Oyomesi at this critical time that may challenge the culture and traditions of their ancestors in the process of burial rites and the process of selecting the next Alaafin.

The position of Alaafin is too culturally important to be handled in a way that undermines our collective traditions and culture.

God shall solidly stand with the Oyomesi and the entire Oyo kingdom, the statement said. (NAN) (wwwnannews.ng.com)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A political pressure group, Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD), has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt former president Goodluck Jonathan, as the partys candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Ralph Okorie, who made the call on Monday at a news conference in Abuja, urged President Muhammadu Buhari,to endorse the Jonathan project.

There is a need for experience and continuity. The two enjoy the most cordial relationship that had ever existed between an incumbent and his immediate predecessor, he said.

Okorie said the call for Buhari to endorse Jonathan was to ensure that candidates without clear cut vision do not emerge as the partys flag-bearer in the 2023 presidential election.

He said that allowing candidates without clear cut vision to get into the Presidential Villa in 2023, would not only be suicidal but would be like aiding and supporting incompetence over competence.

According to Okorie, the persistent calls from different parts of the country for Jonathan to contest the 2023 presidential election indicates that Nigerians have genuinely and passionately join the support for Jonathan.

We acknowledge that the ripple effects of good governance is multi-generational, hence, the CNPD for Jonathan call on all Nigerians to support this agenda.

We strongly believe that this administration is working round the clock to address the two major problems of security and economy bedeviling this country.

It will be counter-productive to bring an amateur to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari at this material time.

As vanguards for Nigerias development, peace and unity, we want to reiterate that, our beloved country cannot afford to have a regional champion as a flagbearer.

It is imperative that Dr Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of APC will use the best man for the job to win this election bearing in mind that anything short of a Jonathan ticket will cost APC the presidency in 2023, Okorie said.

He noted that the achievements of Jonathan stood him out among all the aspirants that have so far indicated interests for the presidential election and describing him as one of the most outstanding presidents the country had produced.

For instance, within two weeks, Jonathan grounded the activities of Boko Haram insurgency and gave Nigeria a credible election adjudged by domestic and international observers as free and fair.

Nigerias economic trajectory under his presidency was globally recognised as his national economic prowess earned the country the status of the largest economy in Africa.

Today, some of the talented people who worked under his government are championing global economic transformations.

Nigerians have not forgotten the glorious days of GEJ with Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, Akinwumi Adesina, Mohammed Pateh, to mention but a few.

We are still yearning for the immense contribution of Akinwumi Adesina who was the brain behind Jonathans agricultural transformation agenda that saw the increase in agriculture produce, value chain and foreign exchange earnings from the sector.

In terms of foreign policy, Nigeria under Jonathan saw huge foreign direct investment, FDI, and infrastructure developments due to his economic liberalist and friendly dispositions, Okorie added.

The CNPD coordinator also said that the Nigeria diasporic policy enhanced over 24 billion dollars in remittances under Jonathan which made Nigeria and Nigerians the pride of Africa and the world.

He added that Jonathans return to power would not only enhance economic, foreign policy and security situation but would provide favourable environment for national engagement and dialogue.

Okorie, however, called on Jonathan to listen to the numerous calls and observe the political mood across Nigeria as he would give impetus to APCs victory in the 2023 presidential election. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

III

Condolence

By Hamza Suleiman

Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri has described the demise of its Pro-Chancellor, Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as a painful exit.

Shugaba said this in a statement released in Maiduguri on Saturday.

He said Oba Adeyemi has demonstrated unparalleled passion, and commitment to the development of education in Nigeria in general, and the University of Maiduguri where he served as Pro-Chancellor.

The VC said the late Alaafin would specifically be remembered for his sterling leadership, sustained fatherly guidance, support and understanding of peaceful coexistence and progress of the university.

As the university community mourns his painful exit, may I, on behalf of the Council, Senate, top Management Committee, staff, and students of the University, extend our condolences to the Visitor, President, Muhammadu Buhari, Government of Oyo State, members of his immediate family and the entire Oyo Kingdom.

We pray to Allahtogrant him Jannatul-Firdaus Ameen, Shugaba said. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

ExxonMobil Foundation, in collaboration with ExxonMobil affiliate companies and other orgnisations have renewed their commitments to end malaria in the country.

Mr Richard Laing, the Managing Director, ExxonMobil Affiliate in Nigeria, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja as part of efforts to end malaria scourge in the country.

Laing said that the move was to support ongoing programmes that would reduce the burden of malaria in the country.

He added that for the past 20 years, ExxonMobils Malaria Initiative (EMI) had provided over N15 billion in cash grants to partners working to develop community-based solutions against malaria.

Continuing this legacy, ExxonMobil has announced its 2022 grant recipients, including PanAfricare in conjunction with National Basketball Association (NBA) Power Forward project, to foster the development of youth in Nigeria, he said.

The managing director said it would come through sports, life skills and malaria education as well as grassroots soccer.

Laing added that the grassroots soccer would help use the convening power of soccer to increase awareness of malaria and HIV/AIDS among young people across the country.

This World Malaria Day, we mark ExxonMobils contributions over the past two decades that have helped equip and strengthen resilience within our communities to fight malaria.

Thanks to these efforts, Nigeria is better prepared to continue the progress we have made and work toward a malaria-free future, he said.

He said that EMI works with nonprofit partners and leading global health organisations to advance progress against the scourge in malaria-endemic countries by supporting malaria education and awareness.

Others, according to him, include improving access to tools for prevention, diagnoses and treatments, strengthening health infrastructure and advancing researches and innovations.

The initiative continues to support malaria prevention and control programmes in Nigeria, a country which currently accounts for more than one quarter of the global burden of the disease, he said.

Laing said that the partners were focused on leveraging the power of sports and media to reach Nigerian youth, through malaria-themed tournaments and creative radio, television and school-based malaria campaigns, among other activities.

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), on Monday advocated priority attention for older persons in the nations malaria prevention and treatment policy.

Ikokwu made the advocacy in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of World Malaria Day in Abuja

She expressed concern over the high rate of cases of non-communicable diseases such as malaria among older persons.

Like many serious diseases malaria has a more severe presentation in older adults compared to younger patients.

Older persons with malaria can expect to have higher death rates, higher levels of presence of malaria parasites in their blood, more complications and protracted illness, she said.

Ikokwu, who called on government and relevant stakeholders to include older persons in the preventive and curative interventions, said that malaria was one of the deadliest tropical diseases.

According to her, older persons due to their susceptibility to diseases need to be provided with insecticides, treated mosquito nets and also quality malaria prevention care.

She described older persons as national heritage that should be protected from avoidable deaths including death from malaria.

Ikokwu commended the Federal Government for the inauguration and implementation of the Global Fund 2021-2023 Malaria grant which was aimed at eliminating the disease across the country.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide.

The estimated number of deaths from malaria stood at 627, 000 in 2020.

The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.

According to the WHO African Region in 2020, the region was home to 95 per cent of global malaria cases and 96 per cent of deaths from malaria.

According to the report, children under 5 accounted for about 80 per cent of all malaria deaths in the region.

NAN reports that World Malaria Day is observed annually on April 25.

The aim is to bring global attention to the efforts being made to end malaria and encourage action to reduce suffering and death from the disease.

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest threat.

Falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: NAN News

Undoubtedly, the country is faced with many challenges occasioned by developments on both the national and international arena.

These challenges, largely in the areas of economy and security, have been tackled by the administration in the best way possible.

Since a new democratically elected government is on the way by 2023, we are taking a look at the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme used by the administration of former Presidents Umaru YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan to see how it can be adopted, modified or reviewed to tackle current challenges.

When the initiative started it was described as unsustainable, too late, and unrealistic. There was also skepticism in view of the prevailing situation in the region. The security forces were fully engaged in the mix of the socio-economic and political crises in the region, coupled with high level of banditry, illiteracy and unemployment.

Amorphous bands of militants ravaged the Niger Delta by engaging in piracy, oil bunkering, hostage for ransom and pipeline vandalism.

This, no doubt, made oil production unsustainable. The region at a time also witnessed environmental pollution. This was further compounded due to deep seated feelings of utter neglect, marginalization and exclusion among the people of the region.

Niger Deltans then did not pretend that they had lost confidence in the ability of the three tiers of government to address their problems.

At the time of inception of the amnesty programme, oil production from the region which stood at 2.2 million barrel per day plummeted to about 700,000.

This was a frightening scenario for a nation dependent on almost 80 per cent of public sector revenues from oil.

The situation meant substantial revenue loss to the three tiers government, reduced oil flow to the world market; reneging on Nigerias quota production, increasing prices in the oil market as well as drawing the attention of the world to Nigeria.

The circumstance required not only urgent solution, but also a permanent one. For this abiding and urgent need, then President YarAdua and his Vice Jonathan, took the bull not only by the horn, but also by the tail in a bid for a final and sustainable solution.

Of course, the government had a serious conviction that the time was ripe for political and economic amnesty.

This was consequently adopted as an art of forgivingness in the belief that those who had committed atrocities will abandon such callous behavior by embracing peace and participate in the amnesty programme.

The full implementation of the amnesty in earnest began with the setting up of a Presidential Panel on Amnesty and Disarmament for Niger Delta to work out modalities for the implementation of the declaration.

This was followed by the establishment of the Office of Amnesty Programme under the presidency and a special adviser appointed, with the release ofN20billion as take-off grant.

The unconditional pardon to all persons, who committed offences directly or indirectly, took effect upon immediate surrender and handing over of all weapons, arms and ammunitions as well as the renunciation of banditry and militancy. The gesture saw the immediate surrender of more than 30,000 militants from 24 insurgents groups that had been making life unbearable to Nigerians.

YarAdua died before the full fruition of the initiative and it became the duty of then President Jonathan to see the full implementation indigene of the region, it was his responsibility to now bring peace and stability to his homeland.

The stoppage of hostilities in the region brought about instant peace while a host of other criminal activities such as hostage taking for ransom, pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering and piracy ceased, bringing stability to the region.

The peace and stability achieved led to increased oil exploration and exploration from mere 700,000 barrels per day in 2008 to 2.2 million barrels per day by the end of 2009. The region also witnessed series of investments and other economic activities arising from the confidence created by the nation in the fulfillment of its constitutional obligations to major oil companies as well as its quota as assigned by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Amnesty Programme through its rehabilitation and re-integration programme also recorded a substantial success. It not only provided a stipend ofN65,000 as monthly allowance to those who surrendered arms and registered under the rehabilitation programme, trainings for skills acquisition was also guaranteed.

The vocations offered included auto mechanics, welding and under water welding, ICT, sea fearing and other services and food processing among others.

Under the programme, more than 20,000 ex-militants acquired various skills and were rehabilitated and resettled. More than 2,600 ex-combatants were sent to various school across the world including Britain, Italy, Malaysia, US, South Africa and India among others for training in order to meet the needs in the petroleum industry as part of the administrations local content development initiative.

Under the programme, 490 youths were trained in food processing, 7,000 ex-combatants gained employment in some oil industries while 400 youths acquired skills in under water and pipelines welding. About 70 were trained as commercial pilots and a similar number as aviation maintenance engineers among others.

Since the implementation of the programme in 2009 and till date, more than 100,000 youths have benefitted from various skills development programmes initiated over the years. It appears a permanent peace is reigning in the Niger Delta region courtesy of the Amnesty programme and its full implementation. If there was no peace or the amnesty did not serve as a panacea, billions of Naira would have been wasted in the name of securing the region and the nation could have suffered economic retardation as a result of huge losses of millions of dollars revenues oiling the nations economy. Industrial capacity utilization and other economic activities would have gone down, resulting in huge unemployment, leading ultimately to more socio-economic crises and conflicts across the country.

There is no doubt that this kind of intervention, for which many were skeptical about, has recorded substantial successes in resolving a major crisis that faced the country. It is today a panacea that can be replicated in other parts of the country at least in its spirit and purposes.

There is no need for argument as to whether such militants, bandits, insurgents groups in other parts of the country such Boko Haram members who renounce violence and their extreme ideology deserved such treatment.

The most important thing is to ensure criminals renounce violence and engage in the nations development process, acquire necessary skills, and become responsible members of the society.

Nigeria today cannot neglect the greatest threat to its existence- millions of idle youths ready for crises.

When for instance 13 million children of school age are roaming the streets without clear focus and direction, more than 100,000 armed bandits inhabiting our forests without a clear political or economic objectives, when millions of displaced persons as a results of various conflicts and banditry are idling in all states without a clue to any better future, and when million of herders had lost an estimated two million cattle without an inkling for another source of living in the near future and when there is a perpetual conflict between farmers and herders, leading to monumental economic loss; and when there is socio-economic conflicts, either instigated by ethnic or regional reasons, then the panacea is nothing else, but the Niger Delta Amnesty approach which recorded resounding success.

The North, as elsewhere in Nigeria is not immune to poverty, illiteracy and high level of unemployment. It is indeed regarded as the poorest in all indexes of human development. This is where there is in existence a large swarm of uneducated, unemployed, hungry and angry youths, willing to be recruited for violence at the prompting of religion or ethnicity.

To address this humongous problem requires the YarAdua/Jonathan Amnesty approach with all its intervention initiatives of training, skills acquisition and opening of employment opportunities. The present and future administrations in Nigeria have no option than to invest huge resources to secure the future of the nation in terms of its security and corporate existence.

This is the elixir our teeming youths look forward to and so deserve as the nation gallops toward the 2023 general elections.

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, a faith-based organisation, on Sunday in Abuja emphasised the need for women to take responsibility of moral upbringing of their children seriously.

National Chief Imam of the society, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, gave the advice at a Ramadan series Lecture organised by the Women wings of Al-Habibiyyah, titledFamily, Ramadan, and Women.

He said that it was good for women to pursue their career but it would be better if they are always at home taking care of their children.

Adeyemi said when Muslim women come together Islam and society would achieve many things, saying all of us know the problem we have as Muslims, therefore, we must strive to address the challenges practically.

The little one we are able to do we should do it rightly, correctly and with the fear of Allah in whatever we do. If you are sincere in what you are doing even if nobody recognizes what you are doing, the Almighty Allah will reward you.

Earlier, an Islamic cleric, Mrs Amina Idris, in a lecture titled, Family, Ramadan, and Women, urged Muslim women to focus more on praying, Remembrance of Almighty Allah in this holy month Ramadan, instead of devoting their time more on cooking.

He said that a lot of rewards come from cooking in the months of Ramadan but that shouldnt stop them from doing some of the necessary things in this Ramadan.

According to her, cooking is not bad but they should also put more efforts in their praying and during the cooking they can recite the Quran, in remembrance of Allah, and some other things that can purify their fasting.

Because, we have many problems in our society today, but with the help of Almighty Allah, things would be better.

Begging generally is prohibited in Islam. The menace of our people flooding the street begging is very annoying, instead of begging why cant they look for something good and start doing it.

When you want to look at the society, Prophet Muhammed SAW said, you should look at the women and I believe that the way they are answering our call, practising what they have been learning from here is quite impressive, she said.

Also, the Guest lecturer, Mrs Halimah Sani, stressed the need for change of perception concerning childrens upbringing because of its negative consequences in the society.

The whole things become sprayed of evils things in our society, obnoxious scenes, indecent dressing, morality is fading in our society, and this is as a result of killings and kidnappings we are facing today.

Mothers have to do upbringing from the beginning and if it fails, you are going to breed a child that is a failure as a mother, what she also gives her children is what she has learned from the parents.

Breeding a good child has nothing to do with religion because everybody in the society have their culture, and the culture is morality and is no longer there today. It has been overtaken by evils, money and others.

We have to call on the parents to revisit the way they are training their children right now, especially the elites who dont want anyone to talk to their children. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Patricia Amogu

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)has organised a capacity building workshop for 20 researchers and journalists from different newsrooms in the country, to understand the nexus between environment, health, and climate change.

The two-day training was organised by the centre through its Development Practice desk to build the capacity of journalists and deepen their understanding of the linkages between climate change, the environment, and various health issues.

The training was part of its activities to mark this years World Health Day, themed Our planet, Our health.

The Deputy Director, CJID, Mr Akintunde Babatunde, said in his address of welcome that with the devastating impact of climate change on the health of the people, the time is now for journalists and researchers to be empowered with the right skills.

He urged them not to only tell the stories of vulnerable groups who are facing the impact but also to assign responsibilities.

He said that people were allowing their lifestyle and habits to influence changes in Climate conditions due to lack of knowledge and first-hand information of the consequences of their actions.

Time has come for us to communicate the importance of sourcing and reporting health and climate change related stories and climate journalism from different perspectives, health, environment and how it affects animals in the environment.

Akintunde added that there would be funds to support selected journalists to pursue story ideas around the topic after the training.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Dr Tobi Oluwatola, who spoke on the topic Understanding Climate Change concepts, causes , evidence and impacts in Africa advised newsmen to look closely on how the impacts of Climate Change has affected Africa and Africans largely.

He explained that Africa contributed less than two per cent of emissions globally ,yet suffer the worst effects of Climate Change.

Africa, he said, had poor access to clean energy, especially cooking and electricity .

According to him, the inconvenient truth will be that the world is very close to the much dreaded limit that is capable of ruining humanity and must take action to avoid this impending doom.

Mr Kemi Busari, a facilitator, said that in writing Environment hazard related stories, care should be taken to communicate in clear terms especially to people without basic information to avoid loss of communication that could create anxiety.

One of the participants, Mr Adebote, said he was excited to be a part of the selected journalists and looking forward to sharing his story ideas as well as listening to the ideas that would be shared by other colleagues during the story lab session.

Also, Vivian Chime, a climate change reporter at The Cable newspaper, said the training had rekindled her passion for great story ideas to pursue.

The facilitators are very detailed in their explanations and take the time to draw up connections between climate change, environment, health, governance, and everyday life, she said..

After the training ,the journalists will be supported with story grants to produce insightful and data- driven analysis on Climate Change, Environment and health.

Other topics delved on understanding One health Agenda, understanding health policies on Environmental protection and climate change and who should be held accountable at various levels.

NAN reports that CJID is a media development Organisation setting the agenda for building the capacity of the media to become a more informed, innovative and competitive institution.

It is also to make the media well positioned as a central player in todays knowledge societies and economies, and able to provide appropriate interface for civil society and governance institutions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says
pressure from some parents on their children to make money contributes to the thriving human trafficking
in the country.

The agencys Zonal Commander, Benin Zonal Command, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, said this on Friday at the Schoolof Health Technology, Benin, during an awareness on human trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was carried out by the agency in partnership with the Action
Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) Nigeria.

Nwanwenne said that unwholesome comparison of children with their peers was another factor contributing to human
trafficking in the society.

According to him, comparison and pressure from parents on their children to imitate their peers and go abroad to make
money for the family is a major challenge in the fight against human trafficking.

He said it is not the responsibility of children to make money for their parents or to train their siblings.

One of the reasons victims allow themselves to be trafficked is because they want to make quick money.

Our children must be protected because they are priceless. We must train them. Parents should stop mounting pressure
on children to go and make money.

The zonal commander also said that peer group influence and poverty were other reasons victims allow themselves to be trafficked.

He, however, added that poverty was not peculiar to Nigeria, and advised students not to allow peer group to influence them negatively.

He said do not be deceived by bad friends, some people will say school is a scam, school is not a scam, you can make it here in Nigeria
too after your education.

The NAPTIP official also said that globalisation, internet and social media were traffickers means of recruiting their victims.

He added that smuggling of migrants was another means by which victims of human trafficking were being trafficked.

He said this awareness raising is one way of preventing human trafficking.

If you must travel, travel legitimately. Parents should avoid trafficking their children.

There is a law against human trafficking, so any parents caught encouraging the trafficking of their children will be prosecuted and jailed.

NAN reports that the three-day NAPTIP and the A-TIPSOM Nigeria partnership sensitisation programme on human trafficking whichcommenced on Wednesday, was funded by the European Union (EU).

NAN also reports that it was implemented by the International Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP),
a Spanish Government Foundation implementing the EU-funded A-TIPSOM project in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The Janazat prayer has been conducted on the remains of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at the ancient palace in Oyo Town.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Janazat prayer is an Islamic prayer conducted on the deceased before going for final interment by 4.00 p.m.

The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Oyoland, Shelkh Moshood Ajokidero at exactly 11.55 p.m.

It was attended by Islamic clerics, sympathisers and some politicians.

NAN, however, gathered that the body of deceased would be laid to rest at Baara after other traditional rites might have been conducted.

Addressing newsmen after the prayer, Ajokidero said that the deceased had contributed his qoutas to the development of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.

The Chief Imam said that Adeyemi had impacted on the lives of many people positively and would forever be remembered for his good deeds.

He called on the livings to always impact positively on humanity, adding that everyone would be remembered for his or her deeds, either good or bad.

Also, Prof. Akin Alao, Department of History, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said that Adeyemi had committed his life to the preservation of Yoruba culture.

Alao said that Yorubaland and Nigeria in general would missed Adeyemis interlectual contributions to Yoruba culture and development.

According to a reliable source, the remains of Oba Adeyemi III will be buried in Baara.

Baara is not just the final resting place of all the Alaafins, it is also a place where the Alaafin goes to whenever there is need to commune with his ancestors to seek for guidance and or directions, the source told NAN.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation (AOAF) on Friday empowered 10 indigent women petty-traders in the Federal Capital Territory with cash gifts to support
their businesses and improve their standard of living.

The Founder AOAF, Mrs Anneozeng Peters, said that the objective of the empowerment programme called Lets Talk Charity COVID-19 Initiative, was to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic experienced by the women.

Peters said AOAF partnered AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, an international NGO, for the selection of the women from different communities across the FCT where AHF currently has interventions for women.

She said each of the selected women was given N25,000 cash gift to support and expand their petty trades.

She added that this initiative was birthed to help get indigent women who may have been affected by COVID-19
to get back to their businesses and sustain their livelihoods.

Through this initiative, we have been able to empower a total of 55 amazing and powerful women who are willing
to take their businesses to the next level.

The AOAF founder thanked AHF for the role it played, alongside other support in making the empowerment programme a reality, saying AHF had remained a mentor in this direction.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF-Nigeria, said the group always thrived on partnership
with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in supporting their works with grants, capacity building and mentoring.

Aborisade said the foundation also works toward reaching local communities with various interventions.

According to him, the indigent women selected are from a large pool of women across different communities that the foundation had worked with in the FCT.

Some of the communities include: Gosa, Gwagwalada, Waru, Alieta, Kuje, among others.

He said some of the women are bread winners of their families, struggling to meet up with their daily needs through their petty businesses.

The N25,000 given to each of them will go a long way in their businesses, it may not look big but it is very significant to them.

The key criteria for their selection is the will to survive in spite of the challenges they face, they believe that they must have something
doing like a trade and must have demonstrated the will to multiply wealth.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Christiana Onwe who is involved in the business of selling pure water and carbonated soft drinks, appreciated AOAF for the support.

She said the money would go a long way in boosting her business and giving her family a better life.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Ramatu Hassan, who is into food business, appreciated the organisation for the kind gesture.

Hassan said the money would help her to expand her business and would help to support her children in school. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Some stakeholders of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lokoja, Kogi and Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas, have promised their support for Mrs Adedoyin Eshanumi, to represent Kogi West at the Senate in 2023.

The stakeholders gave the assurance on Friday when Eshanumi paid a consultation visit to the APC excos in Lokoja, Kabba, and Kotonkarfe.

In her remarks at the various APC Secretariats in the three LGAs, Eshanumi said the visit was to consult stakeholders in Kogi West and declare her intention to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly; soliciting their support.

Eshanumi urged the delegates to support and encourage womens participation in politics, as APC is bringing up a policy to fielding women candidates in various elective positions in the 2023 general elections.

She appealed to the people, especially women folks to support her and rally round women candidates in the 2023 general elections.

It is women that remember home, and mostly have the interest of the people at heart. Please, give woman a chance, support me and I will not disappoint you.

I am ready to surpass every record that the men senators have made in the past in Kogi West, pls give me a chance and I will not let you down.

I contested in 2019, and I am back again. I am pleading with you to have confidence in me and give me a chance; I will represent your interest very well, Eshanumi said.

In their separate comments, the three APC Chairmen and other stakeholders, all commended Eshanumi for her courage to step out in 2019 and now, and encouraged her to remained focus and stand her ground.

The APC Chairman, Kogi/Kotokarfe, Hon. Abubakar Onar, commended Eshanumi for her courage and for making the party proud.

According to Onar, this is the first time we are ushering-in a woman aspirant in Kotonkarfe, and we will choose for ourselves with equity and fairness.

We pray they give us a level playing ground during the primary to elect the candidate of our choice; we assure you of our total support.

He prayed that God will grant her desire and make her dream of becoming the first woman senator in Kogi a reality.

On his part, the APC Vice Chairman, Lokoja LGA, Mr Emmanuel Lonis, said, if there will be a level playing ground in the primary, we assure of our support.

Once the masses have decided to support you, we will do our best to back you. We want you to consistently be in touch with us either you win the election or not.

We salute your courage, and we will do our best to support you. Always see yourself as a winner.

The APC Chairman Kabba/Bunu, Mr. Olorunmosunle Elisha, commended the female aspirant for her courage to recontest in spite losing in 2019

Kabba/Bunu is ready to support Yagba candidate because they have a good chance, but the multiple aspirants showing up interest is the main problem.

It is aspirant that have our interest at heart we will support. We like your composure and we pray that God will favour you, he said.

The APC PRO, Kotonkarfe, Mr Adulrahman Original, said they had tried men several times and this was the time to support women and compare both.

The truth is that when you give woman a power she will perform, we will give her our total support and lobby our men to do the same. It is time to try a woman., Original said.

APC Women Leader, Kabba/Bunu, Mrs Grace Obamo, and that of her counterpart in Kotonkarfe, both urged the people to give women a chance, insisting that they would do better.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eshanumi made some cash and foodstuff donations to the stakeholders at the three APC Secretariats. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Kenyas former president Mwai Kibaki has died at the age of 90, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced in a statement on Friday.

Kenyatta hailed Kibaki as a notable father figure in Kenyas history and ordered several days of
national mourning until the funeral.

Kibaki left behind a more united and prosperous country, Kenyatta said.

Kibaki was the countrys third president after independence from Britain in 1963 and was in office from 2002 to 2013.

He was seen by many as a political and economic reformer.

His inauguration ended one-party rule in the East African country.

The Kenyan constitution was also reformed under Kibaki, presidential power was limited and decentralisation was introduced.

However, after the presidential elections in 2007, there were bloody clashes and around 1,200 people died in the process.

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said it had registered 133, 935 additional eligible voters in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Lagos State as at April 18.

INECs Public Affairs Officer in Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Oriowo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the figure covered the first week of the fourth quarter of the exercise.

Oriowo said that the commission registered 21, 808 eligible voters in the first week of the fourth quarter, thereby bringing the total figure of the new registrants in the state to 133, 935.

She stated that as at the end of the third quarter of the CVR in March, the total number of fresh registrants, who had completed their registration in the state, was 112,127.

The official, however, said that a total of 405, 010 applicants visited the commissions portal for online pre-registration as at week one of the fourth quarter.

Oriowo stated that 84, 994 fresh applicants did online pre-registration in the first week of the fourth quarter.

She noted that as at the end of the third quarter of the CVR in March, 320,016 new applicants did online pre-registration in the state.

The INEC spokeswoman, who said that there was a little increase in the turnout of fresh applicants, noted that many people who did online pre-registration had not showed up physically for the biometric registration, to complete the exercise.

The number of people who have completed their registration in the state stands at 4,806,616. Those who registered online account for 2, 079,303 while the figure for physical registration is 2,727,313, she said.

Oriowo noted that the electoral body was committed to registering all eligible applicants in the state, who wanted to participate in the 2023 general elections.

She said that the fourth and last quarter, which began on April 11, would be rounded off on June 30.

Anybody who wants to vote should take advantage of this window to get registered, transfer their registration or replace their lost or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before it will be too late, she said.

Oriowo explained that persons who just celebrated their 18 birthday could visit any INEC office across the state and other designated centres provided to get registered.

NAN reports that the number of fresh registrants nationwide since the exercise started in June 2021, has hit 8, 271,647 as at April 18, the first week of the fourth quarter.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all registered political parties to submit copies of their membership register to the commission, in compliance with the new Electoral Act 2022, before their primary elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the directive at the second regular quarterly meeting of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, on Thursday.

Yakubu said that the new Electoral Act made it mandatory for political parties to submit their registered members to the commission 30 days before their primaries.

Let me also seize this opportunity to remind political parties that by the provision of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022; each party is required to maintain a membership register in hard and soft copy and to make such register available to the Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for primaries, congresses and conventions.

So far, only one political party has complied. It is a mandatory requirement of the law and all parties are required to comply.

Doing otherwise is like going into an election without the register of voters. There can be no credible primary or general election without a credible register of voters, Yakubu said.

The INEC chairman also advised the RECs to thoroughly study the new Electoral Act, saying a credible election is anchored on the law.

As you are aware, the Electoral Act, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and our Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, constitute the electoral legal framework for elections.

As election managers, it is incumbent upon us to familiarise ourselves with the legal framework.

On the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), particularly the creation of additional centres to devolve the exercise beyond INEC State and Local Government offices nationwide, Yakubu said that a total of 2,673 centres had been activated nationwide.

He disclosed that in the last one week of the exercise, 405,587 eligible Nigerians had completed the registration at the various centres.

This, according to him, represents about 31 per cent increase on the average figure of 125,000 weekly registrations since the exercise commenced in June 2021.

Yakubu also said that while INEC expected a surge in new registrations as it approached its June 30 deadline, it was prepared for it.

He, however, said that INEC was concerned about the safety of prospective registrants, INEC personnel, equipment and materials, including the printed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) made available for collection by registered voters.

Yakubu, who said that recent incidents involving INEC staff and facilities were worrisome, recalled that following the unfortunate attack on INEC staff in Imo State last week, the Commission suspended the CVR in all the 54 additional centres in the State.

The exercise is now restricted to our State and Local Government offices except Ihitte Uboma, Njaba and Osu where the exercise had been suspended for the time being.

Similarly, based on the urgency of the situation in Anambra State, the CVR has been suspended in all the 42 additional centres and confined to our State and Local Government offices except Nnewi South and Ogbaru LGAs where the exercise had also been temporarily suspended.

Furthermore, in Kaduna State, the exercise had been suspended in Jemaa and Kaura as well as large areas of Birnin Gwari and Giwa on account of insecurity in the four LGAs.

In addition, two of our staff were abducted by bandits but later released in Isa LGA of Sokoto state while on voter registration duty.

Yakubu said that the commission would keep monitoring and reviewing the situation nationwide, always bearing in mind the imperatives of ensuring the safety and security of INEC staff and registrants.

However, he said that in spite of the security challenges, INEC remained resolute in its determination to conduct the 2023 General Election as scheduled.

In doing so, every eligible Nigerian must be given the opportunity to vote, including citizens in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Happily, the Commission has a standing policy on IDP voting which had been periodically reviewed.

In the light of the security challenges around the country and guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will immediately review the policy to ensure that no internally displaced Nigerian in any part of the country was disenfranchised.

The issue of IDPs is one that would be discussed at this meeting.

The Commission is confident that our security agencies have the capacity to deal with the security challenges ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

Fortunately, we have started the preparations for the election early. There is, therefore, ample time to deal with the current situation to enable the Commission and all stakeholders to deploy nationwide for the elections.

Yakubu added that INEC would continue to work with the security agencies for a peaceful electioneering and conduct of elections, including holding high-level meetings with the security agencies and consultations with stakeholders immediately after the forthcoming national holidays.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

Prof. Muhammed Isah, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has advised public officers to desist from diverting public wealth to their personal pockets.

He gave the advice at a one-day workshop, organised for staff of the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was on strict compliance with assets declaration and code of conduct for public officers.

Isah, represented by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, Federal Commissioner, Education and Advocacy Services at the Bureau, said it was important for public officers to maintain high level of integrity as they carry out government activities.

Public officers are key to public administration and that is why you were carefully selected in terms of your education, skill and experience.

That is why you have been given the legal backing to carry out your duties as well as conducive environment to discharge your responsibilities.

So, having given you much like this, government expects that you discharge your responsibilities effectively and efficiently, by doing things right.

And how you deploy these wealth is important to the government, rather than deploying it to personal pockets, other wise known as corruption, he said.

On his part, Mr Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), urged the participants to be objective and accountable as they carry out their duties.

What this thing is all about is objectivity, sincerity and accountability and by so doing you will be able to account for certain things for yourself.

You will find out that you are helping yourself to take stock of yourself as nobody is witch-hunting us and the watch word is accountability, he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News