By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined world leaders in welcoming the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting and intense devotion for Muslims.

The president made his feelings known in a message to Nigerians and Muslims all over the world, released by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja.

According to the president, the fasting period offers a unique opportunity to feel the hunger experienced by the poor so as to feel what it is like to be deprived and marginalised.

Muslims should seek greater personal discipline, which is necessary for the realization of a great nation.

He advised Muslim elite against food waste and extravagant spending while others face hunger and destitution, urging that they should care for their neighbours, the poor and the marginalised.

He also called for prayers for peace in the country and beyond, and for healing and harmony throughout the world.

He wished all Muslims a successful completion of the 30-day fasting period.

Source: NAN News

Pope Francis has apologised to the indigenous people of Canada for the Catholic Churchs abuse of them.

For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for Gods forgiveness.

I want to say to you with all my heart, I am very sorry, Head of the Catholic Church told representatives of various Indigenous groups at the Vatican on Friday.

And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon, the 85-year-old continued.

Canada has been rocked by the gruesome discoveries of hundreds of childrens bodies near former Catholic boarding schools from May 2021.

They triggered outage at the Catholic Church, which between the 17th century and the 1990s placed Indigenous children, who had been snatched from their families in the institutions.

Francis met this week with several of Canadas indigenous groups, including the Mtis, Inuit and First Nations.

Among other things, they asked that the Pope participate in their processing.

I ask you again to join me in praying so that we can start our deliberations and discussions, said First Nations representative Fred Kelly.

Feeling shame at the role various Catholic Church leaders had and the abuse and lack of respect for Indigenous identity and culture, the Pope said.

Francis also said he wanted to visit the people in their territories, indirectly announcing a trip to Canada.

He named the commemoration day of Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, for this, which would be at the end of July.

This year I would like to be with you on those days, Francis declared.

In 2021, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded that the pontiff come to Canada and apologise after the discovery of the graves.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, has cautioned against continual face-off between oil companies and host communities, saying it could lead to further divestment in the oil sector.

Okowa gave the advice while inaugurating the 2.1-kilometre Obitobon-Elolo-AjaokurreOgbo-Orubu roads in Ogidigben and 2.3-km roads in Benikrukru, both in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

Okowa said in a statement on Friday through his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, that Nigeria was producing only 60 per cent of its oil production quota because of the recent divestments from the nations oil and gas sector.

He said that communities were at liberty to protest but warned against causing breach of activities at oil companies.

He urged them to channel their complaints to the State Ministry of Oil and Gas for further action.

When you make a request and your request is not met, please channel it to the Ministry of Oil and Gas and we can always find a means to intervene on your behalf.

We need to handle everything with care to prevent the international oil companies from further divesting from the nations oil and gas sector.

At the moment, we are operating at 60 per cent of our production quantum because many of the oil companies are beginning to withdraw their investments from the country.

But that does not mean that the oil companies would take advantage of that situation not to fulfil their obligations as stated in their memorandum of understanding with host communities. Okowa said.

Okowa, who was in company of his Deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro,Sen. James Manager and member representing Warri South-West in the state Assembly, Mr Emomotimi Guwor, commended youths of the communities for supporting the completion of the projects without hindrance.

The governor charged those who had the privilege of being close to Government to put their community first before self as a way of attracting development to their communities.

He appreciated the people of the community for taking interest in the development of their place saying when I came in, I saw the level of development in this community.

I must first appreciate the people of this community for realising that home is home.

This gives me a lot of encouragement and anything we are able to do within our resources to be able to help improve on development of this community is worth doing because its obvious that the people here love their community.

He appreciated Mr Matthew Tonlagha for the effort he made to attract the project to the community, saying it was important for those who have the privilege to associate with government toremember their community.

On the dilapidated state of the General Hospital at Ogidigben, Okowa apologised for the decay.

He said that after undertaking an inspection of the hospital, he has directed the State Ministry of Housing to carry out a total rehabilitation of the hospital.

I am excited to be here today in Ogidigben and I am glad that the State Ministry of Works (Rural and riverine) and the contractor were able to deliver on this project.

I have inspected the general hospital Ogidigben and I must publicly apologise to the community for the poor state of the hospital.

I am not aware that the hospital is in such state of dilapidation, but I want to reassure you that action has already been started and I have directed Ministry of Housing to undertake a total rehabilitation of the hospital.

I can assure you that we will act very fast and in the next few months, you will get a totally different and transformed hospital, he said.

On the abandoned projects by DESOPADEC, he assured that he would discuss with the management, to intervene in ensuring completion of the projects.

Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Solomon Golley said the contract which involved rigid concrete paved road and side drains, was awarded in 2017 as part of the state governments commitment towards improving road networks and transformation of communities in the state.

Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Council, Mr Taiye Tuoyo, appealed for the extension of same gesture to other communities in the local government area.

Austine Ajuremi, who spoke for Ogidigben community, said Okowa was the first governor to construct a road project in the community, adding that economic activities had greatly improved since the road was completed.

The community appealed for the construction of phase two of the project to link the remaining communities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says it has paid N119. 1 billion as insured sums to 5535, 815 depositors, creditors and shareholders of closed banks as at Dec. 29, 2021.

The Managing Director of NDIC, Mr Bello Hassan, disclosed this on Friday in Enugu during the 33Enugu International Trade Fair.

Hassan also said that a total of N101. 117 billon had been paid as uninsured sums.

According to him, the corporation has declared full payment of insured and uninsured sums to depositors of 18 banks in-liquidation.

This implies that the corporation has realised liquidation dividends to pay all depositors of the banks who present themselves for payment.

The corporation has promptly responded to emerging issues in the emergence of Fintech and other forms of digital financial services with a view to extending Deposit Insurance Coverage to new financial services.

I assure you that NDIC will not rest on its oars in its unrelenting efforts to protect depositors through prompt operational responses to new developments in the banking system, he said.

He said that the mandate of NDIC is focused on the protection of depositors, especially, small and less-sophisticated ones against the risk of bank failure.

He said that a sound and stable financial system was the pivot upon which the economic system of any nation rests.

Hassan urged Nigerians to always save money in licensed banks where their savings would be protected by the NDIC.

People should also endeavour to report cases of dubious activities by banks to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NDIC through 080063424357, Hassan said.

Earlier, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Jasper Nduagwuike, said that the NDIC had discharged its duties effectively.

Nduagwuike said that the corporation had through its excellent interventions made people to forget the negative effects of bank failure.

Source: NAN News

By Adenike Ayodele

Embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha , accused of defiling a 14-year-old minor has closed his defence before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Baba Ijesha is facing a six-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.

The charges were proffered against him by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

During Fridays proceedings, the defence counsel, Mr Dada Awosika (SAN), notified the court that the fourth defence witness, Mr Olukayode Ogunbanjo, was the last witness in the trial.

I wish to appeal to the court for the possible date of adoption of final written address, Awosika said.

Earlier, Ogunbanjo who goes by the alias, Pastor Jerosi, in his evidence claimed that Baba Ijesha and the minors foster mother, Ms Damilola Adekoya, alias Princess, werein a relationship.

Led in evidence by a co-defence counsel, Mr Kayode Olabiran, Ogunbanjo told the court that he had worked with Baba Ijesha for over 15-years in the entertainment industry.

The witness, an actor and a comedian, told the court that Baba Ijesha was his friend and a colleague.

He revealed that Baba Ijesha got in contact with Princess during one of the shows he anchored called Orisun.

We were about five persons that used to do the show together. On that day, while the show was going on, Princess called on the hotline that she wanted to join our programme.

There was a day she called Baba Ijesha that he should come over to her place in Iwaya. I drove the car to her house in Iwaya.

When we got there, Ijesha prostrated to her mother and the woman said take good care of my daughter.

Baba Ijesha at that point revealed to me that he was dating Princess but she was taking the relationship too far, the witness said.

Under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, the witness, however, said he did not have any knowledge of what transpired inside the comediennes house.

On April 19, 2021, I will be correct to say that you were not at No. 13 Wellbow St., Iwaya, as a result, you do not know what transpired inside Princesss house?, Sule asked.

On April 19, 2021, I did not know what transpired inside the house as I was in Aguda in Surulere.

All I know is what I have said. I was not inside the house. I do not have any knowledge of what happened in the house, Ogunbanjo responded.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until June 6 for the adoption of final written address.

NAN reports that the defendant was arraigned on June 24, 2021. During the trial, six prosecution witnesses testified against him.

They are actress and comedienne, Princess, the 14-year-old minor, a child expert, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, a medical doctor, Dr Aniekan Makanjuola, the Investigating Police Officer, ASP Wahab Kareem and a policewoman, Insp Abigail Omane.

The DPP closed its case against the defendant on Dec. 15, 2021 while Baba Ijesha opened his defence on Feb. 17.

Source: NAN News

Ruth Oketunde

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), says it is working with relevant agencies to ascertain the proximate cause of the fire incident at Karmo Market, located in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The Director-General, FEMA, Mr Abbas Idriss, said this in a statement by Nkechi Isa, Head, Public Relations Unit, FEMA, on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an early morning fire razed the popular market, known for the sales of second hand clothing among other household items, on Thursday.

Idriss who commiserated with the affected traders on behalf of the FCT ministers, said that though there were no casualties during the incident, goods worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The loss and accessors team of FEMA, NEMA, Traders Association, Area Council Local Emergency Management Committee as well as security agencies are on the field to get an estimated value of losses incurred by the traders.

FEMA was working with all relevant agencies to ascertain the proximate cause of the fire and would forward a full report to the administration after the investigations, he said.

The director-general commended the search and rescue team of FEMA, shop owners, security agencies, community leaders and the people of Karmo for their efforts in salvaging some goods and properties from the inferno.

He, however, appealed to traders not to reside or cook within the markets, while ensuring that they put off all electrical appliances to avoid a repeat of such inferno. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Doris Esa

The Federal Government says it will explore the potentials in the Chinese Juncao technology for the development of a stronger agricultural base for the country.

A statement by Mrs Eno Olotu, Deputy Director, Information in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Thursday explained that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, said this would be done through the ministry.

Abubakar said this when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria , Cui Jian Chun visited him on Thursday, in Abuja.

The minister applauded China for its vast agricultural programmes and projects which he said has helped the country attain food sufficiency despite its huge population.

If China can feed itself with over one billion population, we can too. We are ready to leverage on the Chinese technology to also develop our agricultural base, he said.

Abubakar commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his focus and interventions in the agricultural sector, saying that it is a viable sector that would create jobs especially for the youth and boost economic development .

He assured the Chinese ambassador that the ministry was keen in partnering with China to share in the Juncao technology in grass feed for livestock farming, traditional medicine and in biomass energy for crop protection.

We want to harness on these projects to create more jobs for Nigerian youth.

Anything we do in agriculture is directed to youth empowerment, we will continue to collaborate and cooperate with China to actualise our goals, he said.

Earlier, Chun, said he was in the ministry to share areas of mutual, bilateral and economic benefits between Nigeria and China.

He said that China was ready to launch a 3-prone pilot project in Nigeria, using the Juncao technology.

Chun said that the Juncao grass grows faster with high yields and rich nutrition and is used for the alleviation of soil erosion and rocky desertification.

He explained further that the technology utilises Juncao raw materials to produce feeds, fertilisers, biomass energy, biological materials to support environmental protection and climate change response.

Mr Nasir Adhama, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Affairs, said Nigeria and China had a lot to share together especially in agriculture.

Adhama, who accompanied the ambassador on the visit said, the nation would gain more if it taps into the vast potentials of China to develop the sector.

He also said that any country that wants to develop in agriculture and generate jobs for its youth, must partner with China for their expansive and innovative technology, adding that both countries would gain a lot in the collaboration. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says the agency has acquired new mechanical devices to further check substandard drugs.

Adeyeye said this in Abuja on Thursday while fielding questions from newsmen at the unveiling of 73 new vehicles procured to aid the operation of the agency.

She said that NAFDAC staff members were already working on uploading tools on laptops that would be used as devices to check unwholesome and substandard medicine.

This devices cost 57, 000 dollars each and we have 40 of them; it will be used to check the standard even if it is tablet or capsule, it will show whether it is fake or not.

It will go further to show the quantity of the medicine, as we plan towards attaining maturity level-four; this is part of what the World Health Organisation (WHO) wants to see that we have put in place.

We will also be doing track attrite, another device to track unwholesome medicine and other products, this is highly technical, she explained.

The NAFDAC boss added that the agency was doing everything within its power to check for unwholesome medicine.

On fake drugs, Adeyeye debunked the rumour that 70 per cent of medicines found in Nigeria were fake, saying this is complete lie from the pit of hell.

She said that if at all there were fake medicines in circulation, it should not be more than 13 to 15 per cent.

She said that it would take over one year to attain Certification of Maturity grade level-four, as it required the agency to also put many other things in place.

According to her, the agency has put so many things in shape before the Certification of Maturity grade level-three was recently granted to the agency.

She said that the agency was working to complete its new vaccine building as part of the criteria to achieve maturity grade level-four certification.

Now that Nigeria is a potential vaccine manufacturing country, the WHO expects a lot in term of regulations to enable the country meet up with maturity grade level-four certification, she said.

On equipment, Adeyeye said that since assuming duty as the director-general, she had procured 143 vehicles to aid the agencys operation and more would be purchase.

She expressed the hope that every staff of the agency would work in a conducive environment with adequate equipment to ensure productivity.

Mr Yusuf Suleiman, Chairman, NAFDAC Board of Trustee said that more offices are under construction to enable the agency move from analogue to digital.

Suleiman, represented by Dr Yahaya Bolaji, a board member said that the board would ensure the welfare of the staff. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola

A pulmonologist and consultant public health physician, Prof. Olufunke Adeyeye, says pneumococcal disease is not getting required attention, in spite the challenges arising from the disease burden.

Adeyeye, Professor of Medicine at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, said this during a virtual meeting on Adult Vaccination on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Company.

Pneumococcal diseases are bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and can affect the lungs and other parts of the body.

It is a leading cause of severe illnesses globally, with the infection causing pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infection (sepsis).

Adeyeye noted that pneumococcal diseases are public health concerns globally and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

She said that a World Health Organisation (WHO) data revealed that 10 countries in Africa and Asia were among those with the highest numbers of pneumococcal infection globally.

The professor noted that the data showed that Nigeria accounts for five per cent of the total burden, holding a third place after India and China.

According to her, the population of Nigerians affected with pneumococcal disease is worrisome, noting that the infection leads to hospitalisation which has a significant economic impact on the patients.

She asserted that the disease could result in meningitis, noting that eight out of nine persons that have meningitis arising from bacterial pneumococcal die from the infection.

Adeyeye said that significant proportion of mortality from pneumococcal disease occurs among the elderly, especially those with co-morbidities, noting that preventive measures through pneumococcal vaccination in adults should be intensified.

She noted that vaccines are readily available, noting, however, that data, funding, adequate awareness and mobilisation should be intensified to enhance vaccine uptake.

The professor also stressed the need to erase the notion that vaccines were for children and pregnant women, noting that vaccines are important strategy that prevents people from being sick.

Also, Dr Ogugua Osiogbu, a Consultant Physician, said that adult vaccination was crucial and should be up-to-date, noting that immunity from childhood vaccines could wear off over time.

Osiogbu, Head of Geriatrics Unit, National Hospital, Abuja, said that vaccination reduces the incidence of disease among populations and the social and economic burden of the disease on communities.

Every year, thousands of adults in Nigeria become severely ill and are hospitalised because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent.

Many adults even die from these diseases. It is harrowing when I see young Nigerians die from liver disease which could be prevented through Hepatitis B vaccine.

By getting vaccinated, a lot of people can help protect themselves from much of this unnecessary suffering, she said.

She listed some adult vaccines to include Hepatitis A and B vaccines, Tetanus vaccine, Meningitis vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, among others.

According to her, vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures against diseases.

She appealed to the three levels of government to evolve strategies that would bridge adult vaccination gaps by resolving issues of vaccine affordability to encourage more adults take the vaccine.

According to her, this can be done through a national immunisation programme for adults, or coverage of the vaccination through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Osiogbu noted that mass vaccination was pivotal to achieve Sustainable Development Goal three, reduce unnecessary hospitalisation and assist population live longer and healthier life. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, March 31, 2022 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has denied the alleged report that its troops killed one Cyril Obruche in OvreEku community, a border town between Edo and Delta states.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja, described the report as misleading, false and orchestrated to present the Army in bad light.

Nwachukwu said troops were not deployed during the protest when the unfortunate incident allegedly occurred at PRESCO Plc in the border community.

For the records, considering the sanctity of human life and the enormity of the allegation, the Nigerian Army formations under whose areas of responsibility the community fall conducted a discreet investigation that revealed that troops were not deployed to the said company, PRESCO plc.

The media report is not only misleading, but laced with falsehood orchestrated to present the NA in bad light.

It Is important to unequivocally state that no soldier was deployed at Ovre-Eku community, thus the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Master Cyril Obruche during the protest cannot be attributed to troops of the Nigerian army.

It is also pertinent to reiterate that, the corpse of the deceased is not in the custody of the Nigerian army, he said.

Nwachukwu extended the Nigerian armys sympathy with the family of the deceased and members of Ovre-Eku community.

He urged individuals or groups peddling the falsehood to get their records straight and desist from misinforming the public just to tarnish the image and reputation of the Nigerian army.

He assured Nigerians that the army would remain resolute in its resolve to respect the fundamental rights of the citizenry and adhere to extant rules of engagement in internal security operations.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Security Manager of the company, Mr Ahmed Rabiu, had earlier absolved the Nigerian army of any involvement in the incident.

In a letter dated March 30 and addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 5, the manager did not made mention of any involvement of soldiers in the incident. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Thursday in Abuja, engaged relevant stakeholders in a validation meeting on nutrition guidelines to improve school feeding programmes.

Dr Umar Bindir, the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme of the ministry said that the aim was to have a globally acceptable document.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the validation meeting on nutrition guidelines of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was organised by the ministry.

Bindir further said that the school feeding programme was aimed at boosting the enrollment of pupils as well as their nutritional status.

The objective of the guidelines is to identify national nutritional requirements and reduce micronutrients deficiencies.

We also need to promote nutrition best practices to strengthen the programme better.

The nutritional status is one of the most important components and objectives of the programme and this is what brought about nutritional guidelines that we are here to validate.

The guidelines are so important to us knowing that part of the role of the state government is to develop the menu being developed by the nutritional officer in that state.

We need to ensure that what is on that menu is of nutritional value and beneficial to the pupils nutritionally and academically, he said.

In her remarks, the minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq said that the school feeding programme began in 2016 and was implemented in 35 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

Umar-Farouq was represented by her Technical Assistant on National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Zainab Abubakar.

She said that the programme would provide one free nutritious meal to pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 3 in public schools nationwide.

According to Umar-Farouq, the school feeding is a collaborative programme between the Federal Government and state governments.

Also speaking, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, National President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria said that the school feeding programme could be breakfast or lunch.

School feeding improves pupils school performance, alleviates hunger, increases school enrollment, and improves nutrition and health, Afolabi said.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the Bank of Industry (BOI) for creating more than nine million jobs in the last seven years.

He also commended BOI for disbursing over N1.24 trillion to 4.2 million beneficiaries in Micro, Small, Medium and Large enterprises.

The president made the commendation when he virtually inaugurated the Second Tower of BOI building, in Abuja on Thursday.

Buhari said that the bank had continued to successfully execute its mandate as a policy institution of the Federal Government, extending single digit interest rate loans to manufacturers.

He, therefore, commended the management of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and BOI for their contributions to the economic development of the country and wellbeing of Nigerians.

He said: In order to further enhance its capacity to impact the industrial sector on a transformational scale, I approved the issuance of a sovereign guarantee to help the Bank raise funds in the Eurobond market.

I am glad to note that the Bank has recently completed the transaction by raising 750 million Euros from international investors.

The proceeds of this Eurobond will be disbursed to Large, Medium

By Habibu Harisu

A Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto has adjourned hearing in the case of five car dealers standing trial for allegedly violating Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regulations.

The defendants are: Shehu Ahmad, Shehu Mariga, Aliyu Dauda, Tukur Shehu and Umaru Yabo.

The defendants were arraigned along with their companies, Ijabah Motors, Jangwarzo General Motors, KGN Gumbi Motors, Daraja Motors 2 and Gamji Motors.

They were accused of allegedly failing to submit declaration of activities, in line with extant regulations on customer identification and rendition of returns on transactions to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML).

The defendants had pleaded guilty when case was first mentioned on March 17.

The parties were, however, asked to prove and defend their case, in the interest of justice.

At Thursdays sitting, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Saad Hannafi, led a witness, Ahmad Bello, an EFCC official who testified on non-compliance by the defendants and tendered exhibits, which were admitted by the court.

The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the case till May 11 for prosecution and defence counsel to adopt their written addresses.

Omotosho ordered the defendants to continue with the bail earlier admitted by the court.

Source: NAN News

By Mustapha Yauri

Dr Sufyan Ibrahim, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, has said fasting is one of the medical remedies for the control of borderline type-2 diabetics and other ailments.

Ibrahim made this known during Ramadan Lecture organised by Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) ABUTH Chapter in Zaria on Thursday.

Ibrahim, who was also Amir of the association, described the one month fasting observed by Muslims during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar as a period of health enhancement.

He explained that glucose is the primary source of energy, within few hours of fasting the glucose would be used-up and the body would use fatty acid which are metabolised in the liver to form Ketone bodies.

He added that Ketone bodies are not just fuel used during periods of fasting; but are potent in signaling molecules with major effects on cell and organ functions.

He said ketone bodies are the efficient fuels for the brain and organs in the body where it regulates a lot of metabolic pathways that help increase sensitivities of cells to insulin for diabetic patients.

Most of the things we have in type two diabetic patients is that their cells were not utilizing the insulin that is available in their system thereby making their cells resistant to insulin.

Even though the body produces enough insulin the cells cannot use it appropriately.

Ramadan fasting helps to make their cells to be more sensitive to insulin; it also enable glucose to go into the body and allow the cells to function appropriately, he said.

Ibrahim said that fasting also helps diabetic patients to lose weight, adding that a lot of weight on its own is way of increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin.

He, therefore, advised diabetic patients who are already on drugs to take their drugs regularly.

Ibrahim said that apart from ameliorating insulin resistance and obesity; fasting reduces the occurrence of spontaneous tumors during normal aging and suppresses the growth of many types of induced tumors.

Earlier, Malam Abdulazeez Hassan, the Amir of the association said the lecture was aimed at sensitising the public on the benefits of Ramadan and its obligations.

He said the association had also concluded plans to reach out to the needy such as orphans and other less-privileged with some palliatives to enable them have a hitch-free exercise. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Constance Imasuen

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), says more than 300 clusters have been identified for electrification across the country to achieve the goal of providing constant electricity.

Mr Ayang Ogbe, the Director of Promotion (REA) in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that so far, more than 12,000 shops were presently receiving clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity supply.

Ogbe said that the Sura Shopping Complex Independent Power Project in Lagos State was electrified.at the inauguration of the pilot phase of the Energising Economies Initiative (EEI).

The EEI is a Federal Government initiative that is implemented by the REA,

According to him, the focus of the EEI is to electrify economic clusters in Nigeria which includes markets, shopping plazas/complexes and industrial clusters in line with the Federal Governments goal of increasing electricity access.

The REA is mandated to implement the initiative through Technical Assistance to private project developers.

This includes identification and audit of economic clusters, facilitation of engagement with key stakeholders and technical support for project development and operation.

He said that at the Sura complex, 1,047 shops were powered, adding that also at the Ariaria International Market Independent Power Project, Aba in Abia, over 4,000 shops were energised.

According to him, more than 6,000 shops at Sabon Gari market, Kano State were energised with more connections in the pipeline.

Deployment is currently ongoing in markets under Phase 1 of the EEI.

In 2019, a Tripartite Agreement between Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Green Village Electricity (GVE) and Wuse Market Association was signed for the development of one MW Interconnected Mini-grid.

The phase 2 rollout plans are currently in view and conversations have begun between the developers, state governments and other key stakeholders,

Surveys and energy audits are currently being conducted for 98 Markets across the country. The agency is also exploring ways to secure concessionary finance and technical assistance to further support EEI developers. he said.

Ogbe said that the REA recently held a roundtable with Energising Economies Initiative (EEI) Private Power Developers to identify implementation gaps,

He said the roundtable was held to also discuss Improvement in service delivery and strengthening of the initiative to achieve the desired goal of providing constant and reliable electricity in economic clusters across the Federation.

The EEI developers at the roundtable had representatives from Ariaria International Market Energy Solutions (AMES) Limited, Solad Integrated Power Solutions Limited, Rensource Energy Limited and Green Village Electricity (GVE) Projects Limited.

At the forum, the setbacks faced by the private developers as stated by their representatives include technical and legal solutions to customer bypass, funding constraints, gas unavailability, power shortage and system collapse due to system capacity,

Inadequate provision of metering, electricity vending system issues and challenges with customer service delivery.

The agency while acknowledging the challenges faced by the developers, reiterated the need for them to deliver on their obligations as enshrined in their bilateral and tripartite agreements.

REA emphasised that some obligations are not being met by the developers in view of the performance of their projects, he said.

Ogbe said that REA agreed that some of the challenges are externally induced such as gas availability constraints,

He said the agency, however, said that many of the challenges were within the developers control and they must do more to mitigate these and get their projects back on track.

The agency advised the developers to strengthen their communication culture by proactively updating their customers on key information and technical issues in order to keep their stakeholders up-to-date per time.

The REA pointed out that it is currently conducting Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) on the EEI Markets. The output of the work will help inform us on how best to support the initiative as well as existing projects, he said

According to him, REA reiterated that the Federal Government is keen on the success of the initiative.

He said that the agency plans to create an enabling environment where the private sector developer handles all the project delivery steps from inception to conclusion.

While responding to the challenges raised by the agency, the private developers agreed to step up toward ensuring the issues are addressed and services improved in all affected markets,

They said such efforts will further serve as mitigation measures in upcoming EEI projects, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has expressed worry over the growing rate of cyber-attacks across the globe, especially in the country.

Pantami said this at the opening of a two-day International Workshop on Cyber-security and Digitalisation, organised by the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), technology unit of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The workshop is being organised by ACETEL in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and CEA-SMIA.

Represented by Prof. Sahalu Junaidu, the minister said that more malware were being launched on daily basis, more than ever before.

Malware is a software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

The resulting damages of cyber-attacks are not only increasingly, but are unfortunately projected to cost the loss of approximately 5.2 trillion dollars across the globe by 2023.

Cybercrime is one of the challenges resulting from the internet and is a great threat to the global economy.

Cyber-security ventures expects global cybercrime costs to grow by 15 per cent per year over the next five years, reaching 10.5 trillion dollars annually by 2025, up from 3 trillion dollars in 2015.

This represents the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history and is one of the greatest transfer risks against the drive for innovation and investment, he said.

According to Pantami, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa record the largest losses to cybercrimes as at 2017.

The minister quoted a Kenya-based cyber-security IT firm, Serianu, as saying that African economies lost about 3.5 billion dollars to cybercrimes as at 2017.

In that year, annual losses to cybercrimes were estimated for Nigeria at 649 million dollars, and Kenya at 210 million dollars, while South African Banking, Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), said South Africa lost approximately 157 million dollars.

Pantami also said that the increase in cybercrimes was due to the outbreak of COVID-19 which inspired a global adoption of digital platforms.

The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said time had come for every Nigerian citizen to be digitally enabled to reduce cyber risks as cyber-security was considered to be the cornerstone of successful digital transformation initiatives.

The Digital Economy Initiative for Africa (DE4A) has advocated that every citizen, company and government in Africa must be digitally enabled by 2030 in support of the African Unions Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa.

This is in recognition that digital technologies present a unique opportunity for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services unimaginable only a decade ago.

There is no doubt that complex cyber-attack in educational, governmental and industrial settings pose a big threat to smooth growth and efficient business processes.

Criminals exploit the fact that many industrial machines as well as simple devices (e.g., TVs, smartphones, PCs and servers) are increasingly software-controlled and connected to the Internet.

Unfortunately, many of these devices lack regular security updates and are very vulnerable; cybercriminals try to gain access to the software of these devices so as to conduct Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, Peters said.

He explained that the consequences of a successful cyber-attack can be devastating for companies and businesses as it could lead to bankruptcy.

Also speaking, Prof. Grace Jokthan, the Director, ACETEL, said the workshop could not have some at a better time as Africa and the globe strive to achieve a high level of efficiency on digitalisation.

She urged governments and citizens to be committed to understanding the risk of cyber threats and adhere to cyber security policies.

We all need to equip ourselves with the needed cyber-security strategies to sustain the on-going digital transformation, Jokthan said.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, in his keynote address said several organisations were quick to embrace digital transformations without putting adequate cyber-security policies and strategy in place.

Bawa, who was represented by Mr Bello Mohammed, the Director of ICT, EFCC, noted that cyber-security policies had helped a lot of businesses survive cyber-attacks.

He listed online scams, digital extortion, Business Email Compromise (BEC), ransom-ware and botnets, as the most common internet fraud, which had led to huge loss of information and revenue. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

There is also need for adequate budgetary provisions and prompt release of such fund, to promote research and development in agriculture at all levels of governance.

He suggested the establishment of Agriculture Trust Fund to support research, innovation and proven breakthroughs in various agricultural institutes as well as public and private universities that focus on agriculture.

The 2021 Agricultural Support Fund Bill at the National Assembly is a good initiative and in tune with this point, he added.

The lecturer also recommended improvement and expansion of agricultural land holdings to enhance increased access to critical factors of production.

He said Nigerians must embrace what he called hydroponic farming, to raise farmers output and reduce over-dependence on large acres of farmlands for crop production, especially in the light of the surging and frightening pace of national insecurity.

He stressed the need to boost farmers productive capacity with the use of improved farming techniques like tractors for clearing, cultivation and planting, that would ensure a complete departure from the use of hoes, cutlass and other obsolete farm tools.

He said the use of modern and functional irrigation system would also ensure optimal utilisation of the countrys water resource potentials for all-year-round crop production

The don added that the adoption of an advanced fishing farm technology would make Nigeria become Africas leading exporter of fish products. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Lagos State Government (LASG) on Wednesday said that it had paid nothing less than N38billion as accrued pension rights to 9,865 retirees from May 2019 till date .

The Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponle, said this at the presentation of bond certificates to the 92nd batch of retirees from the states Public Service by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in Lagos .

Ponnle, represented byMrs Bandele Fadipe, the Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service Pensions Office said that the retirees were from the Mainstream, Local Government, State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and other Parastatals of the states public service.

She said the state, in adherence to its responsibility, had also credited the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 515 retirees, alongside their monthly contributions with thesum of N1.520 billion for the month of March .

The commissioner said this was their past service benefits prior to the starting of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2007.

The state government recognises the plights of our estimable workers who had served in its public service and the need to safeguard their financial security after service.

This administration has continually prioritised the prompt payment of the governments pension obligations within the available limited resources.

Despite huge liabilities, we have promptly paid the pension entitlements of retirees under the Pay As You Go Pension Scheme monthly while LASPEC ensures payment of accrued pension rights to retirees under the CPS , so our retirees can access their RSAs without delay, she said.

The commissioner assured them that the welfare and wellbeing of the retirees were top-priority of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration and that the state government would not relent in its pursuit to improve retirement life.

I wish you the best and advise you to embrace the joy and challenges of this new phase of life , Ponnle said .

In his address, Mr Babalola Obilana , the Director -General of LASPEC, said that theefforts of the present administration under Gov. Sanwo-Olu toward the success of the CPS could not be overemphasised.

Obilana noted that the state had consistently been implementing the CPS since its inception in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Pension Reform Law of 19th March, 2007, now amended.

The state government in a bid to secure the future of the public service which is its greatest asset, has consistently prioritised pension contributions in the annual state budget and we are happy to note that Lagos State is fully compliant with the statutory requirements of the CPS.

Both employees and employers contributions are remitted promptly into individual employees RSAs after salaries must have been received.

Despite rising recurrent expenditure and the current economic climate, the state government has made continuous monthly payments a priority to ensure retirees access their retirement benefits as soon as possible , he said.

According to him, LASPEC also constantly reviews its business processes to ensure first class service delivery to the retirees and accomplish the governors goal of the immediate payment of pension entitlements upon retirement from the public service.

Obilana appreciated the continuous support of its stakeholders, the PFAs and ASPs for their relentless efforts toward the success of the CPS.

Please, beware of any individual or association who claims to be affiliated with the state government and can process or fast track your pension entitlements for a fee , the director-general warned. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on unclaimed funds in commercial banks in Nigeria, has uncovered over N300 billion unclaimed funds in the banks.

Rep. Uyme Idem, the Chairman of the committee said this on Wednesday in Abuja, adding that the amount represented a fraction of unclaimed funds in the commercial banks.

Idem said that the money could be described as hanging funds emanating from failed transactions by government agencies and banks.

The chairman said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of recovering N1.2 trillion which had been hanging in the banks,
He said that about N300 billion was discovered on March 29 from banks and government agencies.

He said that the committee was still scrutinising documents and reports sent to it by banks and government agencies, adding that this would help the committee to recover more funds.

The commercial banks are regulated by government and they cannot refuse us.

This assignment is crucial. We will not allow any government agency or commercial bank to undermine our power.

If the commercial banks fail to appear the next line of action will be to summon them, he said.

He said that a situation where the country would go out to borrow money to fund its budget when it has over N1 trillion hanging in banks would not augur well for the economy.

He said that if the money in the banks was recovered, it would go a long way to help the country from borrowing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Citi Bank earlier appeared before the committee but was told to go and reconciled its documents and report back. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Olukayode Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Wednesday inaugurated projects worth N1.6 billion at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects include an ICT Complex, Faculty of Environment Sciences Building, Faculty of Education Building, Laboratory Complex and offices.

NAN also reports that the inauguration of the projects was part of programmes for the universitys sixth combinedconvocation.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, thanked TETFund and the ministry for supporting the institution with standard structures.

If you go round the campus, majority of the structures were constructed by TETFund over the years.

So, on behalf of the management and staff of the university, I want to express my profound gratitude to TETFund, he said.

Bala-Mohammed said that the ICT complex sponsored by TETFund through the 2013/2016 intervention cost N315 million and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences also sponsored by TETFund cost N395 million.

He said the complex had the capacity for more than 1,000 capacity computer work stations, offices and conveniences.

According to him, the laboratory complex and offices are also sponsored by TETFund from its 2018/2019 special intervention at N541 million.

The vice-chancellor said the Faculty of Education Building cost N355 million and was sponsored by Federal Governments NEEDS Assessment Intervention.

Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Mr Sunny Echono, Executive Secretary, TETFUND and the Nasarawa State governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, witnessed the ceremony.

Source: NAN News