By Monday Ijeh

Rev. James Nda-Jacob, the Northern Regional Coordinator, Foursquare Gospel Church, has called on Christians to rely on Gods faithfulness in all circumstances.

Nda-Jacob made the call on Sunday in Abuja at the 9th Convocation of the Wuse District of the Church, with the theme: Resting on Gods faithfulness.

He said the current hardship in the country was not enough to doubt God, as He has never promised and failed, especially, those that love Him.

The cleric expressed optimism that God would reverse the decisions that the devil had made concerning the affairs of Nigeria, but urged Christians to remain steadfast.

According to him, when God makes a pronouncement, rely on Him, whether you are on the mountain or in the valley because He is a faithful God.

Nda-Jacob also urged Christians to emulate Abrahim who waited patiently over a long time and never doubted God until he received his miracle.

The cleric said unbelief was a thief of Gods blessing and therefore, urged Christians to be strong in faith and hold firm to Gods promises.

Do not allow situations to make you bitter and angry. Learn to sow into the lives of people in difficulty, like Joseph did while he was in the prison, he said.

In his remark, Pastor Sylvester Oriahi, Chairman, Convocation Committee, said the theme of the 9th convocation was timely in view of the need for Christians to rely on God.

He said there was no better time to rely on God as a nation, families and individuals than the current critical time of insecurity, famine, restiveness and other negative vices.

At a time like this, we must hold on to our faith and continue to be obedient to Gods word and keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

As we rely on the faithfulness of God, we shall surmount all the daunting challenges confronting us, because God has assured us that we are more than conquerors, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Two support groups of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Kogi, on Sunday urged youths to vote massively for the candidate.

They are the Southwest Agenda (SWAGA) for Asiwaju Tinubu and the North Central Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (NCA 23), Kogi chapter.

National Chairman of SWAGA 2023, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, made the appeal at a rally in Okene, Kogi, aimed at mobilising youths to vote massively for APCs Tinubu/Shettima ticket in 2023.

According to him, Nigeria needs a very dynamic, creative and imaginative leader at this time, and that is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He stressed that Tinubu did well as Lagos State governor and he would replicate same feats across the country if elected in 2023.

Asiwaju won the APC presidential primary election with a landslide and that is what will happen again at the 2023 presidential election, by the grace of God.

All the attacks and terrible things people are saying now is because they have already realised that Asiwaju cannot be stopped.

That is why they are doing everything to bring him down, but they will not succeed.

We have enjoyed the enthusiasm, passion and commitment of the people of Kogi.

We have seen the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Dr Ado Ibrahim, and he has given us his blessings and support for Asiwaju.

We are very much convinced that Kogi people will vote massively for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu come 2023, Adeyeye stressed.

On his part, the NCA 23 for Asiwaju Coordinator and Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Raji, said the event was to sensitise and to mobilise Kogi youths to support Asiwaju come 2023.

We want to encourage the youth to take to the footsteps of Asiwaju because he started as a youth during National Democratic Coalition and became senator as a youth.

We need a leader that can come up with a good template to salvage Nigeria, and it is only Asiwaju that can do that; and also think of the masses, especially the youth.

We want Kogi youths to wake up, get their PVCs and be ready to vote Asiwaju come 2023 so that the youth can assume that seat after eight years, Raji said.

While expressing satisfaction with the turnout of youths at the event, Raji stressed that Tinubu remained a leader that could bring jobs, empowerment and development to Nigeria.

Other dignitaries at the event were the National Secretary SAWAGA-NCA, Hon. Bosun Oladele; National Conveyor, SWAGA, Hon. Ojo Oye; APC State Women Leader and Mrs Funmilayo Samuel, among others.

In their separate comments, Oladele, Oye and Samuel, assured the youths that Tinubu is a leader of vision, passion and action who would make Nigeria better and end its security challenges.

The women leader assured that Tiunubu was hale, healthy and strong to deliver good governance to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Renaissance Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has commended Armed Forces of Nigeria for the recent and decisive onslaught against terrorists, bandits and economic vandals across the country.

The group in a statement by its General Secretary, Abdullahi Gombe, on Sunday described the onslaught as timely, proactive and prayers answered.

Gombe said it was an assurance that normalcy would soon return to all parts of the country.

He attributed the ongoing successful military operations to the enhanced synergy being promoted by the Defence Headquarters, adding that Nigerians were united behind the military in the fight against those bent on instilling fear in the populace.

According to him, the evil plot is to instill fear in Nigerians and make us take abnormality as a way of life.

Indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has continued to let the enemies of the country know that their evil desire for the country is unacceptable.

On Sunday we heard that Nigerian Air-force aircraft struck at their gathering at Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and eliminated several terrorists during an important meeting hosted by Aminu Duniya, a Boko Haram terrorist commander.

In same week, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) killed a terrorist kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, and 17 of his foot soldiers in Kaduna State.

Similarly, eight suspected terrorists including their gang leader, Abdulkarim Faca-faca, were killed in a raid by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday.

We are also relieved that the bombers of Owo Catholic Church have been captured, he said.

He said the renewed vigor against economic saboteurs under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, had been yielding fruits.

He hailed the recent court martial of 13 officers and ratings by the authorities of the Nigerian Navy at the Western Naval Command in Lagos for offences ranging from conniving with crude oil thieves and pipeline vandalism and other Maritime infractions.

According to him, it is important to know that naval forces fighting to rid the nations maritime domain of criminality have successfully foiled oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and pipeline vandalisation and stealing of crude oil.

He said that products worth more than N25 billion since April.

In the Northeast, Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, confirmed that the kinetic and non-kinetic adopted by the Nigerian military made 14,609 active out of the 70,593 insurgents to surrender to troops.

Indeed, it is reassuring that our armed forces are making this huge sacrifice for the peace of the country.

We, the Renaissance Initiative urge Nigerians to support them, he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Ghanaian High Commission in Nigeria has said that President Nana Akufo-Addo did not write the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential flag-bearer, Bola Tinubu to step aside for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Flag-bearer, Peter Obi.

The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Rashid Bawa, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.

Bawa refuted the publications circulating in the media alleging that Akufo-Addo had written Tinubu to give Obi a chance to seek treatment for his health.

He stated that Ghana and Nigeria have had decades of cordial relations in line with the tenets of democratic governance, rule of law, respect for and adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal political mechanisms of other countries.

To that end, the President of the Republic of Ghana will not interfere in Nigerias internal affairs and politics, as captured in the series of tweets of Tuesday, 9 August 2022, from His Excellencys Twitter handle (@NAkufoAddo).

It is hoped that this added perspective would serve to dispel misconceptions created by the online publication, he stated.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Fruit sellers in Osun on Sunday described Gov. Gboyega Oyetolas decision to challenge the outcome of the July 16 election in the state at the election tribunal as the best decision ever.

Operating on the platform of the Osun Chapter of the Fruit Sellers Association of Nigeria, they made the pronouncement at an engagement programme organised by the states Civic Engagement Centre in Osogbo.

Chairman of the group, Alhaji Adbulateef Famakinwa, said the people of the state would not allow the outcome of the election to demoralise them, butwould continue to support the governor with prayers.

Famakinwa said the group was confident that the tribunals verdict would be favourable to the governor at the end of hearings.

He noted that the various projects executed by the governor could not go unnoticed and added that the association was solidly behind the governor to reclaim his mandate at the tribunal.

We will not stop praying for the governor to come out victorious at the tribunal.

We are with him and we will support him with everything we have for him to succeed, he stressed.

In his response, the governor thanked members of the group for their support and solidarity.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor said he was confident of victory at the tribunal.

The governor also commended people of the statefor their unflinching and unwavering support, adding thatthe will of God would prevail.

He said the grounds on which he was challenging the election at the tribunal were valid and expressed optimism that justice would prevail.

The governor added the good works he had started would continue and dividends of democracy would continue to be provided for the people.

Gov. Oyetola filed a petition at the election tribunal on Aug. 5 challenging the outcome of July 16 governorship election won by the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP), Sen. Ademola Adeleke. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has donated a 12-classroom block and lockup plastic desks and seats to St. Pauls College, Eke in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Onyeama, who made the donation on Saturday, also said that plans had been concluded to build a state-of-the-art library and centre for technology in the area.

The minister said that the gesture was his way of giving back to society through his pet project, Kwusike Foundation.

He said that he was touched by the deplorable condition of the classroom blocks in the school, adding that it was his desire to help his people by promoting education in the state.

Education is very important. Therefore, we have to see that our children are educated and get jobs. As we plan to retire we need to prepare those coming behind us.

We already have the opportunity to attract a technology centre and library through our partners, he said.

Onyeama said that his desire was to expose the people of the area to opportunities that would make them lead more rewarding lives.

The minister said that though his priority was to ensure that the people of the area got the needed education which he described as very important to a successful life, but we will go beyond that.

Employment is difficult but that will not stop us from doing what we will do. We are going to do more for our people.

We will be out of government by next year but I have a foundation which I will use to give back to society, he said.

On the 2023 general elections, Onyeama said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was fired up to do more for Nigerians.

The minister said that the APC was very prepared for the election, adding that he was very optimistic that the party would retain power at the federal level and also do well in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plastic desks and chairs were 300 pieces each. (NAN)()

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF) says it is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support 10 startups, to increase the adoption of eNaira in the country.

The Head of AFF, Mr Daniel Awe, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

He spoke on the sideline of the Semi-Final Pitching of the eNaira Hackathon 2022.

Awe said that the top 10 startups, innovators, entrepreneurs, were part of the over 5,000 startups that registered for the eNaira Hackathon.

He said that there was the need to increase the adoption of eNaira in the country, as it enhanced financial inclusion, supported digital economy and improved economic activities.

eNaira was introduced by CBN in 2021 as a digital currency and a lot of people have asked the question, what is actually the usefulness of this eNaira?

A lot of people have also criticised eNaira, that they prefer cryptocurrency, but the truth is that eNaira is going to be a successful product when there are use cases, when people are able to see problems it is going to be solving, he said.

Awe said that AFF and CBN were collaborating on the hackathon in order to increase the adoption of eNaira.

So the hackathon is a platform where innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, coders come together, to solve problems, to create innovative ideas.

When we layer that on eNaira, it means we brought in different players within the ecosystem developers, coders, innovators, entrepreneurs, to come up with different ideas, different use cases, that they can leverage on eNaira,

This is so that the consumers of eNaira will now see the benefit of eNaira, they will have the opportunity to see the problem that eNaira will solve, he said.

Awe said that CBNs role was just to create the platform for fintech startups and entrepreneurs the ecosystem to leverage to create solutions that would benefit the entire financial services space.

He said about 5,000 players within the fintech ecosystem applied for the hackathon.

Awe said that they were reduced to about 175 teams and eventually 70 for the quarter final pitching.

He said that the semi-final would see 20 teams being selected for the finals, of which the top 10 would be assisted to boost eNaira adoption in the country.

Now, this top 10 potential businesses when they come out of the final of the hackathon, there is a cash prize for them.

I think number one is going to get 5 million eNaira. Number two is getting 3 million eNaira. Number three, 2 million and the remaining, the next ten will get 1 million eNaira.

Afterwards, those top 10 will resume in the AFF accelerator programme, whereby some of them will get some funding to start up their businesses on their ideas, he said.

Awe said that they would be guided by CBN and AFF.

He said that by the time they come up with good business with their innovations, employment would be created and they would increase the adoption of eNaira.

Awe said that there was possibility of wealth that would be created by these people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Youth of St. Mulumba, Abuja Sub-Council, a faith- based organisation and other stakeholders have called for intensified efforts in preventing the menace of drug and illicit substance abuse in the country.

The President, Youth of St. Mulumba (YSM) Abuja Sub-Council, Mr Ebube Nwaegbu, made the call at the organisations one year anniversary and stakeholders symposium, in Abuja on Saturday.

Nwaegbu said there was urgent need for effective measures to address and prevent drugs and illicit substance abuse, especially among youths in Nigeria.

The theme of the symposium was : Fight Against Drug and Illicit Substance Abuse: the Role of Faith Based Youth Organisation.

He said that any society that wanted to develop must address some of the challenges affecting the youth.

He advised youths to run away from drug abuse which had rigorous effects on their body, personality and future.

I want to admonish Nigeria youths to please run away from drug abuse and make yourself responsible and relevant to the society, as leaders of not just tomorrow but also today, Nwaegbu said.

He said that the programme and its theme were organised to sensitise Nigerians, especially the youth, to the danger of abusing drugs.

The National Project Officer of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, who was a guess speaker at the event, also urged faith based organisations to accelerate preventive measures against drug abuse and illicit substance in the country.

Ibanga said that preventive measures were important as rehabilitation centres currently available in the country were insufficient to cater for numbers of those who needed rehabilitation.

He said that currently there were 87 treatment centres with about 2,000 beds, while survey showed that not less than 3,000 persons needed treatment from drugs and substance abuse related issues.

We are calling on the faith based organisations to do their part, basically to continue to invest in evidence based prevention, care and invest in rehabilitation and reintegration of people who are involved in drugs and substance abuse back to the society, he said.

He also called for establishment of dropping centres, where people could easily approach to drop those involved in drug abuse for care, treatment and rehabilitation.

Ibanga also called for inclusive care and rehabilitation, especially for women involved in drug abuse.

Another Guest Speaker, Mrs Oluchi Nweke, urged the youth to reject drug abuse no matter the influence.

Nweke, who is an Assistant Commander of Narcotics (CAN) PSO Treatment and Rehabilitation at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said that the increasing rate of hard drugs consumption among youths was worrisome.

Nweke said that substance abuse possessed great danger that threatened stability, unity and development of any nation.

She said that drug abuse did not only destroy major organs of the body including brain, heart, liver and kidney, it also affected the well-being of people addicted to it, thereby affecting their contributions to national development and security.

It is increasingly recognised that there is a strong relationship between drugs/substance abuse and national security.

One major element of national security is human security ( Protection of Iives and Property); drug dependency brings about damage of the Central nervous system and other organs of the body.

The dependent individual will not be able to function optimally and as such, lack the ability to contribute to the development of the nation, she said.

Nweke urged government to ensure that territory institutions did not go on strike for students to graduate on time, as well create job for the teeming youths.

She also advised faith based organisations to join the NDLEA in the efforts to get the nation rid of drug and substance abuse.

Prevention of drug abuse and trafficking is everybodys business.Together we can make it and together we can achieve a drug-free society.

The Chaplain in charge of The Knights of Saint Mulumba, Abuja Council, Rev. Fr. Innocent Joji, described drug abuse as a menace that had destroyed many potential leaders.

He said that the menace must be jointly fought by every stakeholder, including faith-based organisation, government and family.

Also parents must watch their wards and if they see any changes in their wards they should quickly send them to rehabilitation centres because the earlier the better, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed his former Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, as Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, confirmed the appointment in a letter of appointment addressed to Ahmad, dated July 20, 2022.

In the letter sighted by NAN on Sunday in Abuja, Mustapha said the appointment took effect from July 19, 2022.

Ahmad had resigned his previous position as Personal Assistant to the President in line with the presidential directive urging all political office holders wishing to contest elective office to resign.

The presidential media aide lost his bid to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the partys primaries for Gaya, Ajingi, Albasu Federal Constituency.

Ahmad had frowned at the way and manner the partys primary was conducted, saying it was fraught with fraud.

NAN reports that the presidential social media handler is believed to be the only presidential aide recalled by the president since the conclusion of the APC primaries.

All the cabinet ministers and presidential aides except Ahmad, who resigned to participate in the APC primaries but failed to secure the party tickets had since been replaced by the president.

Some social commentators who spoke to NAN on the promotion of the media aide to the position of Special Assistant, said Ahmad had successfully handled the social media space as Personal Assistant before his resignation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says plans are ongoing to deploy drones and other technologically advanced facilities to the countrys borders in its bid to curb smuggling.

The Public Relations Officer of Customs, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that technology would help tackle the menace.

He said one of the major efforts in that regard was deploying technology like drones, non intriusic inspection at the borders and a lot of other things that are in the pipeline.

Bomodi said progress had been made with regard to the concession agreement or modernisation agreement with Huawei company and other technical partners in that regard.

According to him, the development will enhance the process of accessing potential danger as well as how to tackle them.

On calls in some quartres for deployment of more manpower at the borders, the Customs spokesperson said the borders were too large to be fully covered by manpower.

if you take everybody that presently works in the military and paramilitary to hold hands across all the borders in Nigeria, you will not be able to come up to ten per cent of our borders.

That is how huge this country is and how tough the terrain which we operate is.

However, we do know that when you introduce technology into the scheme of things, you are going to achieve a lot more.

According to him, there is no doubt that the service has plans to keep expanding its staff base but it is not the individuals that will make the impact that we all desire.

It is the technology that will be deployed to support these individuals that will make the kind of impact we know will go a very long way.

On funding of the service to deliver on its mandate, Bomodi said there was the need for more funding to expand its strategies to curb crime and generate more revenue.

We are talking about innovation in the kind of service that we provide and it cost a lot of money.

We are talking about the welfare of officers which comprises the provision of adequate accommodation, adequate transportation, proper offices and a myriad of other things.

Even vehicles that help them operate under all kinds of terrains in all kinds of environment.

All these things cost money and we cannot say no to that becuase the more we can get the more we will achieve, he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria with a landmass of more than 900,000 square kilometres, shares boundaries with 15 countries.

Some of the countries are the Republic of Niger, Cameroon, the Republic of Benin and the Chad Republic.

Meanwhile, the NCS is an independent body under the supervisory oversight of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning.

It is saddled with the responsibility of collecting customs revenue, facilitation of national and international trade as well as curtailing smuggling activities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News