A bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gwarzo, Kano State, for medical administration and for other related matters has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill introduced by Rep. Musa Garo (APC-Kano) on Wednesday had passed first reading in the plenary on March 24.

Leading the debate, Garo said the bill sought to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the centre to develop and offer health services for the needs of the members of his constituency and the state at large.

According to him, Gwarzo LocalGovernment Area in Kano State is in dire need of this proposed medical facility, saying that residents currently witness short fall in their medical needs.

The bill seeks to equip, maintain and operate the medical centre so as to provide facilities for diagnosis, curative and rehabilitative services.

To construct, equip, maintain and operate the centre with proper staff, technicians, doctors and nurses.

To operate such clinics, out-patient departments, laboratories, research or experimental stations like other institutions for the efficient functioning of the medical centre.

To provide the general policies and guidelines relating to major expansion programmes of the medical centre and provide facilities for the training of medical students of associate institutions, he said.

Garo said if established, it would not only bridge the gap in the non-existence of health institutions in Gwarzo, but would also provide neighbouring states with health security.

The lawmaker therefore urged the house to consider it crucial and imperative for the bill to be considered for second reading.

In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) referred the bill to the relevant committees in the house for further legislative actions.

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An Islamic organisation, Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation, has distributed food items worth N7.5 million to over 1,000 needy widows, the less privileged and vulnerable groups in the nations capital.

Briefing newsmen at the venue of the distribution of the items on Wednesday, in Abuja, Director of the foundation, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, said it was meant to alleviate the sufferings of the poor during the breaking of their fast.

He added that the objective of the gesture was to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged most especially in this trying moment occasioned by hard economic realities.

According to him, many Muslims who fast think of what to eat or drink during breakfast.

The motive is also to teach other Muslims to give more charity to the poor in this Holy month of Ramadan.

When we give more charity it will go a long way in helping others and reduce the crime rate in the society. Like the saying goes, a hungry man is an angry person.

The current security challenges facing the country has to do with poverty and hunger. If somebody doesnt have what to eat, he can easily cause chaos.

A hungry man can be used to create trouble and social unrest in the society, he said.

Also, the Chairman, Federal Capital Territory, League of Imams, Sheikh Tajudeen Adigun, said providing food for the needy was one of the teachings of the noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) that should be emulated.

To the wealthy, Allah had given them a key to paradise by assisting those in need. Allah did not create us equally, financially some are more buoyant than others.

Its Allahs decree that some are going to be rich and some are going to be poor and that is why Islam encourages all the time that those who have should give those who are lacking.

So, I will encourage those who are rich to use the key in their positions to open paradise to themselves by feeding those who are lacking.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Malam Abdulrafiu Salisu, a cleaner, thanked the leadership of the foundation and those who had contributed directly or indirectly to ensure that the food items were shared for them. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The International Facility Management Association of Nigeria says assent of the National Public Buildings Maintenance Policy will positively impact the sustainability of governments infrastructure projects.

The President of the Chapter, Mr Segun Adebayo, said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on April 6 assented the Executive Order 11 on National Public Buildings Maintenance Policy.

The executive order now ties maintenance of the Federal Government owned buildings directly to the economy and would ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), operate a functional maintenance department.

It also prescribed that they make necessary procurement in line with the responsibilities.

Adebayo, who commended the government for the assent, noted that the policy was long overdue as it would optimise the enormous investment in public infrastructure.

He said that with the action, the professional management and maintenance of governments assets was assured and guaranteed.

Our association is committed to collaborating with the Federal Government through the relevant ministry to provide required capacity building and knowledge development.

This is even as we earnestly look forward to the implementation of the provisions of the new order through the setting up of the maintenance department in MDAs.

As an association, we have been advocating the integration of sustainable practices into the built environment and this has started yielding the desired results, he said.

He also commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for the feat, noting that his efforts in the ministry had yielded phenomenal results. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sen. Jibrin Barau, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing one of the three newly-approved Federal Polytechnics in Kano State.

Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District -APC, was reacting to the establishment of the newly-established polytechnics, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He expressed faith that the new Polytechnic would expand access to education for the people of the State.

The senator pledged the cooperation of the state government and people of the state with the Federal Government to ensure the smooth take-off of the new polytechnic in October.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, announced the approval of three new federal polytechnics by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The three federal polytechnics will be situated in Abia, Delta and Kano states.

The establishment of the new polytechnics was in line with Buharis determination to make tertiary education more accessible.

The new institutions, which will bring to 36, the number of Federal Polytechnics in the country, will commence academic activities in October 2022.

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has cautioned Multichoice Nigeria not to dare Nigeria by going ahead to hike the tariff on its products while the matter is being investigated.

He gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating a seven-member Ad hoc Committee of the Senate headed by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, investigate circumstances around the proposed hike.

Lawan urged the Pay-TV to stay action by not increasing the tariff.

No increase. And that is to say dont dare our country. No increase in tariffs, Lawan cautioned.

He cautioned that no foreign operators in the country should take Nigeria for granted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had been set up by the Senate on Wednesday, March 30, against the backdrop of an announcement of tariff hike by the Multichoice Pay Tv service provider, DSTV.

It was however officially inaugurated on Tuesday, April 12.

Lawan said, No operator should take us for granted. We mean business. We want you to be here. Nigeria always provides the climate for you to do your businesses, but dont abuse the laws of our country.

Our consumers here are people who are innocent and we are prepared to protect them.

When the legitimate interests of our people are threatened, we are supposed to ensure that we protect them.

It has been the practice of many companies, especially foreign companies, operating in Nigeria to treat the Nigerian consumers of their products in a different way and manner that is not consistent with global best practices.

He urged members of the committee to handle the issue very dispassionately with a very clear mind.

The Consumer Protection Council and other agencies of government and even non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations are supposed to attend this kind of investigation.

We need to know what roles actually such government institutions established for the purposes of protecting Nigerian consumers perform. What are their problems if they are not doing well.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdullahi, said investigation into the activities of the Pay-Tv service providers was long overdue as their activities, over time had ripped Nigerians off their hard-earned incomes.

It is mind boggling that barely two years after a price hike by Multichoice, which was followed by a big uproar by Nigerians, comes another unexpected increment without proper consultation with critical stakeholders.

This incessant hike in tariff without recourse to constituted authorities is a thing of great concern that calls for questioning.

This investigation is an opportunity to right the wrongs and bring these service providers to operate within the confines of the law as obtainable outside the shores of the country, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The African Urban Cycling Organisation (AUCO), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), is soliciting the support of the Ministry of Transportation to promote cycling in the country.

The President of AUCO, Mr Emmanuel John, made the call when he led a team to visit the Minister of State for Transport, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki in Abuja on Tuesday.

John appealed to the ministry to assist in funding its cycling activities and to also constitute a committee that would review the National Cycling Policy and Strategy (NCPS).

Our vision is to make cycling the everyday means of commute for African urban dwellers.

We aim to lead the research in capacity building, networking and advocacy for cycling as a reliable means of Transport in Africa and for people living in Africa.

We are here to seek your support and collaboration to help in funding our activities and for you to constitute a committee for the NCPS,John said.

According to John, the visit is to among other things discuss the need to support and mainstream cycling and non-motorised transport activities and programmes.

He said it was also to discuss cycling activities for 2022 and beyond that required engagements with relevant transport related authorities.

John said some of the policy measures was to build capacity of policy makers, study and enhance the curriculum of Transport courses and establish institutios to manage cycling among other things.

Responding, the minister of state, Saraki, said there was the need to set up a committee to review the NCPS document.

Saraki, represented by Mrs Perpetual Akoji, the Assistant Director, Road Transport Administration ( RTA), urged the team not to relent in their efforts following the advantages of cycling.

We all know the benefits of cycling. It is a good course you are undertaking so do not be discouraged no matter the time it takes to achieve your goal.

Your effort is already yielding results and it is being appreciated .We have seen/heard your request.

Policy implementation is very important. We dont have roads designed for cycling but we are discussing with the ministry of works to make the roads conducive for cycling, she said.

While reiterating the importance of awareness, Saraki noted that some roads within the FCT were designed for cycling but was not being used because the people were not aware of it.

She said: we are happy with what you are doing and the secretariat will look at your request, do recommendations and seek approvals to support your efforts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by delegates and staff of the ministry. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the brutal terrorist attacks in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau, describing the killings as heinous.

In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Tuesday in Abuja, the president said the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice.

They should not be spared or forgiven, he further directed.

He ordered law enforcement agencies to work strenuously with the government of the state, to bring the situation under control and take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.

Buhari expressed condolences over the terrorist incident, saying that as a matter of priority, peace must return at all costs to the state and the entire country.

I urge all our citizens, the people of Plateau State in particular, to expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors and those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course.

They must not be forgiven, the president said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Production

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, April 12, 2022 (NAN) The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said Nigerias crude oil production declined to an average of 1.354 million barrels per day in March.

OPEC made this known in its Oil Market Report for April which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The report said the figure showed a decrease of 24, 000 barrels per day when compared to the 1.378m bpd produced averagely in the month of February.

According to secondary sources, total OPEC-13 crude oil production averaged 28.56m bpd in March, higher by 57 tb/d month-on-month.

Crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates while production in Libya, Nigeria and Congo declined, it said.

The report noted that following a contraction of 1.8 per cent year-on-year in 2020, Nigerias economy expanded by 3.6 per cent in 2021.

It said this economic recovery was most likely to continue over the course of 2022 with support from improvements in the hydrocarbons sector and energy prices.

The report said, Recent official data suggested that the annual inflation rate edged up slightly to 15.7 per cent in February 2022 from 15.6 per cent in January, although food inflation remained elevated.

Indeed, higher food costs related to geopolitical tensions could further fuel inflation.

In March, the overall business improvement softened as Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigerias Purchasing Managers Index suggested, indeed it dropped to 54.1 from 57.3 in February.

Yet, the overall prospects for Nigerias short-term economic outlook remain positive, despite concerns over inflationary pressures amid disruptions to global trade flows and supply shortages.

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The FCT Football Association (FA) has promised to support Naija Ratels FC of Abuja as they prepare for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super six.

Ngozi Eze, Chairperson of the FCT FA women football committee told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the FA was proud of the Abuja based club for qualifying for the NWFL Super six.

Eze said the FA had presented a meritorious award to the proprietor of Naija Ratels FC, Paul Edeh for his support for women football in the FCT.

We have not had the opportunity of any female club represent us in FCT in recent times, until Naija Ratels came and declared interest to settle and operate from Abuja.

When the club came, they started from pro-league, from there, they qualified to play the Premier League of Nigeria Women football.

The proprietor of the club had faced up and down challenges in the League, yet he stood strong and focused, so the award is to encourage him more, she said.

The chairperson said the club had all it takes to win the NWFL title and represent the country at the continents CAF champions women League.

Paul Edeh the proprietor of the club told NAN that although the Super six will be very difficult, the club will approach each match at a time with the ultimate aim of winning.

He assured of his commitment to continue to support women football in the FCT and the country.

NAN reports that the NWFL Super Six will hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo from May 2 to May 8.

The top six NWFL Premiership clubs: Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Naija Ratels (Group A) and Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels and Delta Queens (Group B) will slug it out to be crowned champions of the league.

The eventual winner based on points amassed will be crowned league champions and will represent Nigeria at the WAFU Zone B qualifiers for the CAF Womens Champions League later in the year.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Folasade Akpan

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),
Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has urged staff of the corps to embrace innovations that are in tune
with global best practices.

He made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja, while declaring open a training for Service Innovation Pipeline Officers.

The director-general was represented by the Director, Human Resources Management, Hajiya Habiba Bappah.

Ibrahim said that service innovation had fully taken off in the NYSC and that management was desirous of achieving further breakthroughs by its singular efforts as one of the drivers of service innovation initiative of the Federal Government.

According to him, innovation and creativity require painstaking efforts for better understanding of the procedures in every human endeavour.

He added that this is with a view to turning new ideas into concrete and measurable realities.

It is therefore apt to state that the success of every organisation depends among other things on the efficacy of its modus operandi, innovation and strategies for the sustenance of its relevance.

Ibrahim said that judging from his administrations scorecard, the corps had made significant progress in initiating and implementing numerous innovative programmes that were yielding positive results.

He said that the scheme had to ensure quality service and achieve higher customer satisfaction.

He added that the scheme also had to take into cognisance government policy of cutting down cost of governance without jeopardising the operational standards.

Ibrahim said that the training was important as it was aimed at providing skilled manpower in areas of creative thinking and innovation technology, capable of adding value to the operations of the scheme.

There is no gainsaying that this training will revolutionise our ways of thinking and provoke creative mindsets capable of making the scheme relevant and dynamic.

He encouraged the participants to use the training to acquire deeper comprehension of the skills, ideas and knowledge gained from it for improved performance.

The corps Head of Reforms Unit, Mr Abdullahi Baba, said that service innovation was a prerogative of the Federal Government.

He added that it was being manifested through the instrumentality of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2017-2020).

The initiative is in line with governments commitment to encourage and fast track innovation development in public service.

It is aimed at institutionalisation of innovation culture in public service with a view to increasing revenue and cutting cost of governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day training which has Service Innovation and Critical Thinking as its theme is being carried out for pipeline officers in the 36 state secretariats and the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC- Nasarawa) has formally resigned his position at the Senate to enable him concentrate on his job as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is contained in a letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, read at Tuesdays plenary.

Adamu said he was leaving due to his election as APC National Chairman.

Letter of Resignation from the 9th Senate.

And with utmost respect and appreciation, I inform you that consequent upon my victory as National Chairman at the just concluded convention of our great party, the APC, on March 26, I hereby formally resign as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District with effect from April 1.

I feel a sense of duty and obligation to convey through this letter, my appreciation for the cooperation and guidance I received from you as Chairman of the National Assembly throughout my official and private association with you.
As I leave the Senate, I cannot easily forget the change and style of leadership that you brought since becoming the Senate President of the 9th Senate, he said.
Adamu added:Your ability to forge the deep-rooted, bi-partisan approach on all issues over which you chaired deliberations, speaks volumes of your chemistry as a leader.
Since your assumption of your chairmanship of the national assembly, you have worked so hard for the assembly to be seen to work with the government and not against it.
Indeed, you have strongly proved that the three arms of government are truly arms of the same national government.
You have steered the national assembly to do the bidding of our great party without prejudice to the other parties irrespective of the size of their representation.
Similarly, Sen. Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno) also resigned from the Senate, following his emergence as APC Deputy National Chairman, North).

Im writing formally to inform you of my resignation from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Senator representing Borno North Senatorial District.
This is as a result of my victory at the convention of our party, the APC on March 26 where I emerged as Deputy National Chairman, North.
Im humbled by the fact that my constituents have repeatedly reposed their trust in me to be their voice; to advocate for their economic, social and political rights.
I will never forget my distinguished colleagues and the staff of the Senate Committees, chamber and the national assembly I have met, the relationships I build and development over the seven years of my stay as a senator.
Im deeply appreciative of the Senate under your sound leadership and for the opportunity given to me to serve as the Chairman Senate Committtee on FCT, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu was the Chairman, Senate Committtee on Agriculture and Rural Development, while Kyari was Chairman, Senate Committtee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Mr Chris Kaka, National Programme Coordinator, Trade Network Initiative (TNI) on Tuesday asserted that 65 per cent of pesticides used by farmers in Nigeria were dangerous to human health, animals and the environment.

He said they contained active ingredients belonging to the group of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), at the opening of a two-day Training and Strategic Planning Meeting on Pesticide Use and Regulation in Nigeria themed: Making the Advocacy Work in Abuja.

The event which was convened by Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN), saw the coordinator noting that 40 per cent of all the pesticide products registered in the country had since been withdrawn from the European market or heavily restricted due to their hazardous contents.

This 40 per cent, he said represented 57 active ingredients in 402 products still in use in the country.

Kaka regretted that no serious regulation was in place to check the arbitrary use of these products among farmers.

This, he said informed the formation of the alliance so as to bring stakeholders together to share knowledge and engage government on how to address the challenge.

The coalition sought to increase awareness on pesticide hazards, demands for improved regulation of the pesticides and promoting the introduction of more sustainable farm methods and food systems.

In order to strengthen its advocacy, AAPN sought to come together to organise a training to improve its members knowledge about pesticide use and regulation, to share experiences from their individual work and to build synergy and explore new avenues for advocacy.

Many farmers are not even aware of this danger and we believe there is need for awareness to be created around this, he said.

In her presentation, Ms Silke Bollmohr, an eco-toxicologist stressed the need to always ensure less toxicant pesticides are brought to agriculture.

Bollmohr, who is a trainer in Risk Assessment of Pesticides, enumerated the effects of hazardous pesticides on human life, soil and water quality.

Nigerians, she explained, were more exposed to these hazards because communities and residents are closer to farms than in the western world.

She urged farmers to always check information label, saying that the labels contain vital information of chemical compositions of pesticides.

She also cautioned farmers against the use of same herbicides, fungicides and insecticides over a long period, advising them on use of biopesticides in between.

Source: NAN News

By Hajara Leman

The Education Endowment Fund (EEF) of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) says it will equip 224 schools across the 112 Local Government Areas in the North East.

Mr Khalifa Lawal, Secretary of EEF disclosed this in Gombe on Monday at the inauguration of a one-week teachers training workshop, organised by the Commission, in collaboration with Zahabih Education Consultancy Service.

Lawal said that EEF, was created by NEDC to address the challenges, as well as to develop the education sector in the region.

We have identified one primary and one junior secondary school each from the 112 LGAs in the region.

We will construct three classes in each of those schools and provide instructional materials to support the schools in the the teaching and learning outcomes.

This is going to be on annual basis, if we do the project in one school this year, we will identify other schools and execute the project there, until we go round all our schools in the North East, he said.

He said the Fund was also set to unveil a scholarship scheme for undergraduate and post graduates students.

Lawal said that in Gombe State alone, 440 persons would benefit from the scheme; and called on teachers to avail themselves of the opportunity by applying.

He said: We also have special training for teachers who are medical personnel, this is because we discovered that most of them have not been trained apart from the initial training they received in school.

We find it necessary to make sure we give them further education in order to acquire the necessary skills needed to attend to citizens health needs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the EEF also targets communities and schools for sports competitions, and winners are also awarded scholarships to develop their talents. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to the renegotiation of the conditions of service of all workers in public universities across the country.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige said this when he received members of the government side of the 2009 Federal Government/University based unions agreement re-negotiation committee led by its Chairman, Prof. Nimi Briggs, on Monday in Abuja.

Ngige said this in a statement signed by Patience Onuobia, the Acting Head, Press and Public Relations, in the ministry.

The minister was speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

He said that as the conciliator, he has been pushing to see that everything contained in the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the government and the union was done, including the implementation of the renegotiated positions.

He recalled that the renegotiation commenced in 2017 when the Federal Government inaugurated. a committee headed by Wale Babalakin SAN who was later replaced by Prof. Munzali Jibril, but COVID-19 struck in 2020.

The minister said that in the December 2020 agreement, he gave the government side a timeline to return to the university unions who are their employees to sort everything out.

I started pushing to see that things were done. What the Munzali committee came up with is a proposal. Both Munzali and ASUU did not sign. At our last meeting in February before ASUU proceeded on strike, we said everyone should go back to his principal.

I asked Education several times what they had done with the document. We later got information on areas of disagreement. There is nothing wrong with that. It is bound to happen. I told ASUU to put up a committee, they said Munzali committee had expired.

As a conciliator, I have to make use of the labour instruments at my disposal. The bosses in the Federal Ministry of Education do not feel the strike. There are things that are above me. I am not Minister of Education.

I cannot go to the Education Minister and dictate to him how to run his place. But I told ASUU that you should be bombarding them at the Federal Ministry of Education for this to be moved forward. There are many ways to do so, he said.

According to him, if you go to the labour act there is something called picketing. You can picket, strike is an ultimate thing.

Picketing means that you can stay at the corridor, clapping or singing. Workers are permitted to do so. But everytime there is a disagreement, it is strike.

It is the children and some of us parents that have our children in public schools. I have my children in public universities, including those on my foundations scholarship and sponsorship.

So, I am a parent. I feel it. I didnt send my children to Igbinedion or Afe Babalola or Cambridge, he said.

He said the Nigerian university system produced him and he remains proud of it.

Why wont I support if ASUU and their unions now want a renegotiation of their conditions of service, which is the main thing in the proposal by previous Munzali committee.

Also speaking, Prof. Briggs, who is also the Pro Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndifu Alike, Ebonyi State, said the renegotiation committee was consulting all stakeholders with a view to finding a lasting solution to issues in dispute. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Thompson.Yamput

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Monday repaired the Obajana junction that had consistently caused traffic gridlock along the Kabbah-Lokoja-Abuja road.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the repairs on the dilapidated point of the highway was initiated by the Zariagi Unit Command of the FRSC in collaboration with NURTW.

Mr Moses Odogiyon, the Zariagi Unit Commander of the FRSC, told NAN that the damaged junction was largely responsible for the traffic gridlocks experienced along Kabbah-Lokoja-Abuja road.

The experience of our officers at this junction on Friday and Saturday was very bitter.

Because of the bad state of the road, it took us 48 hours to clear the gridlock.

So, the repairs on the damaged portion is a big achievement to us.

We had written to the Federal Ministry of Works and Dangote Cement for assistance, but nothing came. We just had to find another means, which paid off today,

We are grateful to the NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Salami, who quickly momobilised his members for the repair of the damaged portion, Odogiyon stated.

Also speaking, Salami expressed happiness that the collaborative effort between NURTW and FRSC became a success that would allow free flow of vehicular movement through the junction.

As NURTW chairman here at Zariagi, I am so glad that this damaged portion of the Zariagi-Kabba Junction Roundabout is fixed, considering the series of accidents and gridlocks experienced here, he said

He called on the federal and state governments as well as corporate organisations to always give attention to highways to reduce the carnage on the nations roads. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joy Mbachi

The Women Aid Collective (WACOL), a Non-Governmental Organisation has inaugurated 50/50 Action Women for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Anmabra.

Mrs. Egodi Igwe, Programme Officer and Head of Communications at WACOL, made the disclosure in a Statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Sunday.

Egodi who spoke on behalf of the Founding Director of WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (OON), said that the WACOL, had on March 30-31, held a two-day Womens Rights Advocacy and Leadership programme in Awka.

She said that the inauguration was achieved after the two-day womens Rights Advocacy and Leadership programme in the state.

Egodi said that the training was apt and a swift response to the spike in cases of Violence Against Women And Girls in Anambra State.

WACOL desired to properly position women advocates to respond effectively to the menace, particularly the harmful cultural practices against women and girls in the state.

Members of the group were carefully selected and trained in areas of Womens Rights Issues, VAWG in Nigeria, Womens Transformational Leadership for the realisation of womens rights, Human Rights of Women in International, Regional, National Instruments and relevant SDGs, Advocacy and Lobbying, Networking and Collaborating for Change, as well as the Role and Mandate of Women 50-50 Advocacy Group, she said.

Egodi said that WACOL plans to train a total of 350 women across seven states, namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta, Ebonyi, and Edo.

She expressed satisfaction on the class of women selected who participated actively and made valid contributions and assured commitment that would enable WACOL achieve its goal.

We at WACOL are very expectant of quality and good reports and results from the Action Women team from Anambra in a shortest time, she said.

She disclosed that under the project, WACOL will engage with relevant stakeholders in seven different states (5 South East states and 2 South-south states) to review cultural norms and practices that promote violence against women with the aim of changing the narratives.

We are presently partnering with the Ford Foundation on a project to translate and transform the social norms in the South-East and South-South of Nigeria through engagement with womens Rights Advocates, and traditional and judicial institutions.

The objective of this project is to engage with relevant stakeholders in different states to understand and document norms and practices that positively or adversely affect women and girls rights and general equality in rural communities.

We are also working on ensuring the elimination of Violence against Women and Girls and the operationalisation of the state of emergency on SGBV, declared by the Governors forum in 2020, Egodi noted.

She noted that the training was well attended by representatives from relevant ministries and this is a proof of their readiness to partner WACOL to achieve grand success in the fight against violence against women.

Egodi stated that in their separategoodwill messages, the representatives of ministries of Women Affairs, Justice, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs unanimously agreed that there is an urgent need to intensify action on ending VAWG in the state.

She said that all the relevant ministries made commitments towards eradicating the scourge, and to sustain the mutual partnership with WACOL in the fight.

The statement said that Nneka Anoliefo from the office of local government (LG), Chieftaincy, and traditional rulers, in particular, assured that her ministry is working tirelessly in curbing VAWG in the communities.

Anoliefo cited an example of the latest violence meted out against a woman in Aguleri who was accused of killing her husband, and how the traditional ruler intervened in collaboration with other stakeholders to save the woman from further dehumanisation.

Also at the event, a one-time commissioner for Women Affairs in Anambra, Dr Ego Uzoezie, expressed huge concern over the increased violence against women in the state and assured that the advocacy would be total.

Also, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Mass Communication at UNIZIK, Prof Stella Okunna, expressed concern and dismay over the increased rate of VAWG in Anambra communities.

Okunna encouraged the participants in the training to leverage the opportunity provided by the capacity to gain skills in preventing any form of VAWG to be able to fight the scourge.

Okunna, who is also the first female professor of Mass communication, however, extolled the sterling efforts of WACOL in promoting and protecting the interest of women, girls and children.

She further commended the organisation for the current initiative of empowering women, and girls in the society and pledged her total commitment to the course.

Egodi said that WACOLs 50/50 Action was drawn from community women leaders, female lawyers, market leaders, media leaders, female student leaders, politicians, and women traditional title holders.

She disclosed that WACOL was established in 1997 as an independent, non-political, non-governmental and non-profit organization; registered as a company limited by guarantee as a charitable organization (RC: 388132).

Egodi said that WACOLs vision is a democratic society free from violence and abuse, where the human rights of all, particularly women and young people are recognised in law and practice.

Its mission is to assist in the education, social, economic, and political development of women and young people through a wide range of services: training, research, advocacy, shelter, free legal and financial aid, intra-familiar conflict resolution, and information and library services.

WACOL works across Nigeria and in the West African sub-region and its offices in Nigeria are located in eight states namely: Abuja (FCT), Enugu, Katsina, Imo, Rivers, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia.

It works in four thematic areas namely; gender and human rights, peace advocacy and conflict resolution, democracy and good governance, and reproductive health and rights.

WACOL has established itself as a credible and committed organisation whose work is well recognised beyond the shores of Nigeria.

It has observer status with the African Union, African Commission on human rights since 2003 and it also has an NGO Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, approved in 2010 by ECOSOC, she said. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has declared his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

Osinbajo made his declaration in a video posted on his twitter handle on Monday.

The vice presidents declaration speech reads, In the past seven years, I have served as Vice President under a true Nigerian patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace, and a man of integrity, President Muhammadu Buhari.

We have, together, worked through some of the most difficult times in the history of our Nation, but we have remained focused on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing our economy.

In seven years, Osinbajo said he served the government in several capacities and have at the direction of the president, represented Nigeria in sensitive high level international engagements.

He said: I have been to practically all local governments in Nigeria. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have been in agricultural, mining and oil producing communities; in the Delta, in Kebbi, Enugu, Borno; Rivers, Plateau and Ondo; and in all other states of the federation, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people.

I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims in violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters.

I have been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. I have sat with our techprenuers in Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors; with our musicians, from Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano. And I have spoken to small and large businesses.

I stood where they stood and sat where they sat. I know their hopes, aspirations and fears; and I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.

I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples.

Which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started; radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reform of our justice system focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel.

He solemnly and respectfully sought the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey ahead of him/

We will work together by the grace of God. The Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors. We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.

I am convinced beyond doubt that we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth. Let us now birth the expectations of greatness conceived generations before us.

Let us build a Nigeria where the man from Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls from Gboko to Yenogoa.

Where everywhere, in this land, is home for everyone, where our diversities, tribes and faiths unite, rather than divide us.

Let our tribes become one tribe; the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly and with respectwhere all are given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation. Its time.

God bless and keep our Republic and its great people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal High Court (FHC)s vacation has stalled the judgment in suit seeking for the declaration of the seat of Rep. Yakubu Dogara vacant on account of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had, on March 23, reported that the judgment, in two separate suits filed against Dogara, was fixed for today, Monday, by Justice Donatus Okorowo of an Abuja division of FHC.

The first suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/883/30 and filed by Incorporated Trustees of United Global Resources for Peace Organisation Vs. Rep Yakubu Dogara and five others was on number one on the cause list.

However, the second suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1060/20 filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vs. Rep Yakubu Dogara and four others, was on number five in todays cause list.

When NAN visited Court 6 where Justice Okorowo presides, the courtroom was empty with court registrar and other workers doing their daily activities.

NAN was, however, told that the judgments could not be delivered since FHC had began their Easter Vacation.

The court began the vacation on April 8 and will end April 25.

My lord is waiting of the Chief Judge of the court will give a fiat for the judgments to be delivered during this vacation.

But as it is now, no date has been fixed and parties will be communicated as soon as another date is fixed, one of the court workers told NAN.

NAN reports that the PDP and the group had asked the court to remove the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dogara, as member representing Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, over his defection to APC.

While the PDP is the plaintiff, Dogara, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC are 1st to 4th defendants respectively in the second suit.

Dogara had, on July 24, 2020, defected from the PDP to the APC when he submitted a resignation letter to the chairman of the Bogoro C Ward in the state.

The plaintiff, through their counsel, Jubrin Jubrin, said by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, Dogara by defecting from the party that sponsored him to the ninth National Assembly before the expiration of his tenure, ought to vacate the seat as he was no longer qualified to partake in the activities of the lower house.

NAN reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo, a sister judge, had, on March 8, sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, alongside other lawmakers who dumped the PDP for APC, describing their action as unlawful.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, another judge in the Abuja division, had also, on March 21,, ordered the 20 lawmakers from Cross River to vacate their seats following their defection from the PDP to APC.

The lawmakers comprises two House of Representatives members and 18 states House of Assembly members. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Union leaders in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have rejected the picketing of the agencys headquarters in Abuja on Monday and called for dialogue in resolving labour-related matters.

Some officials of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists had blocked the entrance of the agencys headquarters, claiming they were protesting the routine transfer of an editorial member of staff, Collins Yakubu-Hammer.

The union leaders, however, said after a meeting with police officers in charge of Central Area and officials of the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists that every labour agitation must end in dialogue.

Speaking on the development, the President of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) in NAN, Ogechi James, said her union was committed to promoting peace.

We want peace in the Agency. I believe in dialogue and negotiation. So I look forward to a date set for a meeting between both sides, she said.

In a similar vein, Hamza Ibrahim, the Vice Chairman of the Radio, Television , Theatre and Arts Worers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), rejected the picketing of the agencys headquarters, saying the workers were unaware of the development.

We, RATTAWU, hereby reject the picketing of our office even as we support dialogue as a way of resolving the dispute at hand.

As a mediator in the matter, we want Collins Yakubu-Hammer and the FCT Council of NUJ to toe the path of peace in resolving the matter between both parties, he said.

Abubakar Waziri, the spokesman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Technical and Recreational Employees, on his part, also pleaded for dialogue.

The agency, while responding to enquiries, had clarified that transfers in NAN are administrative procedures that could affect any member of staff due to exigencies of work.

It added that at no time did NAN management reach an agreement with union executives not to transfer workers.

The agency listed no fewer than five union leaders who had been transferred before Yakubu-Hammers transfer, describing it as administrative procedures.

It said Yakubu-Hammers transfer was as a result of the vacancy created in the Pankshin District Office with the transfer of his predecessor, Thompson Yamput, who had spent eight years in the office as Correspondent.

The Agency maintained that Yakubu-Hammer s refusal to report at his duty post was an act of disobedience to lawful directive, a misconduct in the public service.

It also stated that no union official was being victimised or harassed, stressing that Yakubu-Hammer had even been paid his transfer allowance and refused to go.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The failure of intelligence gathering and sharing is the reason security agencies have not been able to address the current security challenges in Nigeria.

Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, the Director-General, Army Resource Centre (NARC), retired, said this at the opening of a four-day Leadership Course in Criminal and Security Intelligence Management Course 4/2022.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the course was organised by the Defence Intelligence College (DIC), in conjunction with Peace Building Development Consult (PBDC) on Monday in Abuja.

The theme of the course is Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence in Combating Security Challenges in Nigeria.

Wahab urged members of the intelligence community to identify how to address the security problems in the country, saying the failure of intelligence had magnified the problem.

According to him, there are questions about whether the security agencies actually act on intelligence provided by those in the field or whether those at the helm are actually working on what is being provided.

According to him, there is massive lack of trust and confidence, whether you want to call it revelry or whatever you want to call it.

My prayer is that we dont get to what happened to U.S in 2001 before we wake up because the same issues were raised so many times within be U.S. intelligence community.

Agencies, services have information or intelligence credible enough but they were not passing, they were not sharing because everybody wants to lead.

Unfortunately, the September 2001 incident took place and then all of a sudden everybody woke up and they realised that there were those who had information that these guys were actually trading in Canada and were moving in gradually.

So we dont have trust, we dont have confidence in each other and that is the problem of leadership and even if you dont have trust, you must be able to manage whatever you are doing and get the results, he said.

Wahab, however, called for renewed and enhanced synergy among the various actors within the nations intelligence community and security agencies to be able to address the current security challenges.

He also urgedparticipants of the course to ensure they took away something that would help them to proffer solutions to the challenges.

Wahab also advocated involvement of members of the public in the security setup, saying they were the ones that usually see what happened around them.

The retired general said that citizens should be encouraged to provide information that would be analysed to become intelligence by the security agencies.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, said the intelligence college and its partners had trained more than 300 participants in the area of security and intelligence in the last four years.

Adebayo, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Maj.-Gen. Bala Isondu, said the training was needful given the myriad of security challenges which appeared to be mutating daily across the country.

He said the challenges had placed a heavy burden on the security stakeholders to deliver security to the citizens of Nigeria given the fact that security remained the primary responsibility of government.

Adebayo said that intelligence remained a potent instrument needed to stem the tide of criminality and insecurity in the country ranging from terrorism, banditry, insurgency, violent agitations, and kidnapping among others.

This, according to him, is very particular given the systematic and unconventional nature of threats in the 21st century.

To provide an adequate response, security operations must be guided by intelligence for better operational results and good intelligence thrives on interagency cooperation.

Thus, the need for intelligence sharing and shunning of rivalry is critical to Nigerias national security, he said.

The CDI said the course was designed to encourage the exchange of competencies, experiences and ideas for the overall good of the intelligence community.

He urged participants to pay rapt attention to all the lectures, the questions and interactive sessions during the course with a view to acquiring transferable skills that would help improve the security architecture of the country.

The Commandant of DIC, Commodore Abraham Zipele, said the course had been of immense benefit to the intelligence and security community since its maiden edition in 2019.

Zipele said that security had remained a recurring challenge to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation in the last decade ranging from kidnapping, banditry piracy, and crude oil theft to insurgency and terrorism among others.

He said the threats posed by violent non state actors were becoming more dynamic, sophisticated, intelligence driven and well-choreographed to achieve their broad aims of destabilising the governments.

According to him, it is in realisation of this fact that short term courses of this nature are being periodically organized.

The aim he said was to provide the requisite knowledge and develop the capacity of members of the intelligence and security communities to overcome these security challenges.

The Course Director, Peace Building Development Consult, Mr Kayode Bolaji, said the course was put together to create a convivial environment for intelligence managers, security experts and stakeholders.

According to him, the objective is to assess the condition of intelligence gathering process and address the security challenges.

Bolaji said the participants were drawn from the intelligence community, the police, military, banks, private security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News